He stepped out of the doorway. “Of course, your graces, please.”
Once we were inside, and Aiko had shut the door, the tension in the room rose to an uncomfortable level. I didn’t know why Rilen had come with me, and I didn’t like the way this room felt.
Aiko was standing and facing the door, and finally let out a breath, turning around. “Master Rilen, I would not ask your mistress for this favor if there were anyone else who would share their blood with me.”
“I know,” he said.
The silence was thick for another moment.
Aiko sighed and stepped to the side of the door. He pulled it open. “I understand. I will find another way.”
Rilen flicked his hand, and the door shut. “I am not here to deny you what you need. I am here to offer another avenue.”
I gasped and stepped away. “Rilen!”
He put a hand on my shoulder. “There are going to be times when you both will be too tired, too beaten to exchange blood. And if you’re hurt, you won’t have enough.”
“Rilen…”
“Master Rilen…”
He shook his head. “Aiko, you’ve been in battles before, and mistress—Lady Stormbreaker has limited experience. You know, from the last attack, this is not going to be an easy war. Our people are scared of the vampire now, and without them, without people who are willing to offer a vein even to our allies, this is going to be all uphill.” He looked between the two of us. “Lord Knight Aiko, I offer my vein. You may ask it of me when you have need.” He looked at me. “And the same of you, Kimber.”
Aiko walked deeper into the room. “Master Rilen, we have no way of knowing if mistress can survive on your blood.”
“And you, Lord Knight?”
I let out a breath. “Rilen, he needs blood. We can’t play all these formal games. I’m safe here, and you—”
“I want him to take my blood,” Rilen said.
I gasped. “What?”
“You can’t keep this up. We need to know if you can survive on druid blood, Kimber. Both of you.” Rilen sat on the bed. “Aiko, you need blood. Take mine. You’ll know right away if it’s not working, right?”
“Yes,” Aiko said.
“Rilen—”
“Kimber, we need to know. My brother’s lover seemed to be able to.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Aiko…”
“He’s right,” Aiko nodded. “I can survive on any blood, but vampire blood has properties that make it possible for me to go as long as I do without. If druid blood can do that as well, we would both be freed from this dance.”
I touched Rilen’s hand and caught his gaze. “I don’t mind it.”
He put his hand on my cheek. “I know,ilati. But I’m being practical here. You cannot be the exclusive source, as he should not be for you. It’s better if either of you is hurt. You would be able to take from Roran or me.”
I nodded. He was right. I knew that. But I felt a certain responsibility for Aiko, and handing him off did not seem right.
Rilen motioned Aiko to sit next to him on the bed, and as soon as he was settled, Rilen held out his arm.
Aiko’s nimble fingers wrapped around Rilen’s wrist and drew him in close to his mouth. “Thank you, Master Rilen. This is what I have been seeking. To release Mistress Breaker from such an obligation.”
Rilen took his chin and turned him to catch Aiko’s gaze. “I have two requests. First, because of the deal that we struck with the king and queen, youmustcall Kimber Lady Stormbreaker if you need to give a title. Second, when you’re doing something as intimate as this, with her or me, those formalities are gone. I am Rilen. She is Kimber. And you are Aiko.”
Aiko cast his eyes down. “Master Rilen…”
