Scott walked over to him and Braxton, taking Quintus's hand in his. "Come on. I want to introduce you to my grand-Odin properly."
Quintus nodded. On the outside, he might have seemed calm. But on the inside, he was shaking like a leaf.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Quintus was feeling overwhelmed with everyone he’d met.
He couldn’t get over the fact that he was standing in the presence of the gods. But what really got him, was how normal they all seemed. He’d invited his family as Armand had suggested, but Quintus had requested that his family not be told they were going to be mingling with the gods.
His mother was already enamored with Braxton Boroson, and he wanted her to be comfortable around everyone. Quintus liked Scott’s older brother and sister, who had welcomed him with open arms and telling him how happy they were that their little brother had finally opened up his heart to accept love.
Admittedly, Quintus was nervous about meeting Odin, but his kind, grandfatherly smile and eyes put had him at ease. He had been even more grateful when Odin had pulled him into a hug and welcomed him to the family.
However, it was Vladimir Dracul who terrified him the most. Vladimir Dracul’s piercing dark eyes bored into the depths of his soul, and Quintus wondered if he should bow at the man’s feet and beg for forgiveness for everything he’d done in his life.
“He’ll do,” Vladimir Dracul told Scott.
“You make it sound as if I picked him as a last resort?” Scott said to his grand-sire.
“I see you still have no respect for the elderly?” Vladimir countered. Quintus thought the older vampire was angry, but the smile on his face told him otherwise.
“Since when are you elderly?” Scott asked.
“Please ignore him, Scottland,” said a handsome man with black curly hair and deep blue, kind eyes. “Hello, my young one,” the man said, pulling Scott into a hug.
“Grand-bearer, I’d like for you to meet my mate,” Scott said, stepping from his arms.
“Quintus. This is my grand-bearer, Asa.”
Quintus went to extend his hand but was pulled into a hug by Asa as he whispered in his ear. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, my young one. Welcome to our crazy lot. I know it seems overwhelming, but we don’t bite. I promise.”
Quintus relaxed a little, and started laughing when he heard Vladimir complaining that he hadn’t gotten his hug from Scott or Quintus.
After the initial meeting, Quintus was completely able to relax and enjoy their brunch that turned into dinner. He’d found out through the course of the evening that Vladimir and Odin were rivals but were cordial with each other for the family. He was happy to see Kingston and his mate Jonah along with his beautiful baby girl, and delighted to see Grayson. They were able to talk about a few things.
“So, when were you going to tell me it was Scott?” Grayson asked him. “I knew he was in the lifestyle, but I never put you two guys together.”
“Are you mad I let you believe it was Donald?”
“No, I’m not,” Grayson said. “It was my fault for assuming things. Oh gods, he must have laughed his ass off when I called him and gave him the riot act.”
“Not really. He was more concerned about me entering into a relationship with Scott when I knew nothing about his lifestyle.”
“How are you handling being a submissive?”
“You were right about something,” Quintus said.
“What’s that?”
“That the lifestyle makes you see a part of yourself you never knew was there deep down. It opens the door for you to be free and true to yourself. Scott plays a big part in who you see now. But because of all the questions you answered and Donald’s support, I wouldn’t have been able to look inside myself.”
“Donald is a good guy,” Grayson said, looking around. “I thought he’d be here so I can apologize.”
“He’s not feeling well,” Quintus told him.
“Is he okay? Maybe I should stop by and see him.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
