“I’m far beyond the age to care about Mother’s opinion,” Alek retorted.
She tightened her lips to a thin line before she turned on her heel and marched away.
“Well, she was nice,” Lanias mused finishing the rest of her champagne. “And now I’m wondering why I’m here,once again.” She asked this pointedly.
Alek leaned over and brushed a consoling kiss on her cheek. “Half the battle has already been won.” He said removing his arm from her waist but holding her hand giving her enough time to set her glass on a table nearby before he dragged her through the crowd once more.
ALEK
Alek had no intention of staying long, the vampires here believed themselves above all Beings. He’d been more lenient in his view; he knew that each Being had their strength and weakness.
And most of the Vampires here weren’t even related to the elders as he and his cousins were, themselves, born of the ruling family.
Many of them sought favor, or a chance to be welcomed into the top families. Alek did not need to navigate the social waters since he was a son of those families.
“Ah, my son. You’ve come.” His mother stood surrounded by her usual sycophants. Her white hair, long and touching the ground. She wore an ivory chiffon dress, with diamonds that could probably buy an empire. Her soft red eyes met his as she opened her arms to him in welcome. “I’ve missed you.”
He went to her, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. Withdrawing, he gave her an appreciative once over. “You look well.”
“Have I ever looked bad?” His mother teased, brushing an affectionate hand along his cheek. She looked at Lanias who gave her a slight bow of the head. “And this beauty, who is she to you?”
Alek smiled, lifting Lanias’ hands to his lips. So that his mother could see the back of his right hand, and the changed mark there.
Her eyes widened as a pleased smile came to her lips. “You’ve re-bonded,” she whispered, turning to face Lanias and taking her hand. “As Aleks mother, please call me Ghia. I welcome you and thank you. I wasn’t sure how much longer he could endure being alone. I feared the possibility of hearing about his death as time went by.”
Lanias glanced at Alek, then said, “I would say he did me the favor, he saved my life.”
Alek chuckled. “Lanias that’s a bold claim coming from you.”
“But it’s true,” she added. “I am self-sufficient, but he’s given me something I never thought I needed.”
“Hmm,” his mother hummed, looking between them. “And what is that?”
“Love, though I can’t call our relationship conventional.” Lanias returned her attention to Alek’s mother. “But it’s thefirst time I’ve ever felt truly desired in that way and welcomed emotionally. I don’t have to pretend to be anything with him.”
“Lady Ghia?”
“Not now.” Ghia lifted her hand, stopping one of the courtesan’s interruptions. She peered into Lanias’ eyes as if she was reading her soul.
“You’ve brought someone very interesting here my son,” she said without breaking her gaze. “I’m sure her blood nearly sings to you.”
Lanias suddenly felt the mood shift, her skin prickled. She frowned unsure of what was happening. “What?”
“I’ve lived many lifetimes, I existed before the flood came,” Ghia explained.
“I’ve seen all sorts of creatures and Beings. But this is my first time meeting your kind in a millennium, a child of Methuselah.” Her nose crinkled. “But there is something heavier within you.” She inhaled the air deliberately, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Ah, you are Surrem.”
Lanias could only stare at her silently impressed. “I—” She glanced at Alek, but the man didn’t seem worried in the least.
“This makes me wonder naturally what a child of such a match would be like.” Ghia mused thoughtfully before she smiled. “Of course, that is for the future, I give you and my son my blessing of course.”
“I also wish to inform you that my sons will begin attending the Circle meetings officially.” Alek said, his voice holding authority.
Ghia seemed to mull over this before she gave a short nod. “It is time. The other families have already presented their heirs. Of course, I would not make demands of you to come but it is nice when the Delgado’s are represented by the next generation. Also, it is time your sons began searching for their matestoo.” Her tone turned teasing. “I wish desperately for great-grandchildren.”
Alek nodded. “Yes, I will inform them immediately of your desires. Now, I will take my leave.” He turned to walk away with Lanias only to pause when Ghia called after him.
“Oh, and I meant my words. I wish to see my grandchild before the end of the next year.”
