by Marie Medina
“Is there no way we can help your brother?” Arion asked.
“Not really. We’d need the boy’s name and age, at least. Even then, we’d seem crazy. Searching for someone that age with that name who’s scared of vampires.”
Arion sighed. “Maybe Kyo can do something.”
“I hope so, but I think it’s going to be a matter of Byron helping himself.”
Smiling and pulling Vane closer, Arion said, “Perhaps I should make a big show of how your persistence helped to win me over.”
“Did it?” Vane asked, his eyes dancing merrily, the irises going from gold to black.
“It was one factor. There is that one very special talent you mentioned earlier.”
“Perhaps we should go inside.” Vane’s hand moved up Arion’s thigh to where his shaft was beginning to grow.
“Is that proper? It is your castle. Shouldn’t you stay down here to make sure everything is in order?”
“Shouldn’t have bitten me then, if you’re so concerned about propriety.” Vane pressed close and kissed Arion hungrily. One fang nicked Arion’s lip, and Vane licked at the droplet of blood. “And since it’s my castle, I can do whatever I damned well please.”
Arion felt his body stir even more as he took in the need in Vane’s eyes. A giggle and rustling bushes caught his attention, and they both turned to see Gwynn leading Orman past them and toward the castle. Arion grinned as he craned his neck and watched them sneak in through a side door.
“Well,” he turned back to Vane, “if the bride and groom are retiring early, I think Ash and Locke can keep everyone entertained.”
Vane laughed. “I’d bet anything they’ll sneak off soon, too. Always happens. No one ever cares.”
Vane rose and extended his hand, and Arion took it, contentment filling him as he realized that, with just three words, he’d finally given everything to Vane. Moving forward seemed more realistic now, the burden completely shed. Nothing else stood between them, the past long gone and only the future stretching out before them.
Epilogue
Two Months Later
Vane turned a corner to make his way to the gardens, and Gwynn’s raised voice caught his attention. He followed the sound and found her with Orman, who held a laundry basket at his side while Gwynn glared at him with both hands on her hips.
“Whatever she says, you’d best do it,” Vane said as he approached. “Don’t you know better by now?”
Orman looked to Vane and then to his wife. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I just don’t think my pregnant wife should be doing any heavy lifting.”
Vane couldn’t help smiling, despite the way the two newlyweds glared at each other. “Ah, I was wondering when that would happen.”
Gwynn yanked the basket away from Orman and reached into it. “Aye, I’m simply going to kill myself carting around all these heavy dishrags and handkerchiefs.” She pulled a few out and waved them around for good measure. Focusing on Vane, she said, “I’ve helped deliver babies in this castle! Don’t you think I know what I’m doing?”
Vane looked between them. Orman sighed and shrugged. “All right. I’m sorry,” the steward said. “I’m worried. That’s all.”
“I will be fine.” Gwynn put the cloths back in the basket and gazed down at the floor. “I hate everyone making a fuss.”
“Hmmm, is that why you hadn’t told me yet?” Vane asked.
Gwynn shook her head, though she sent another glare Orman’s way. “I wanted to wait. I’d like for you to be the godfather. Gonna do something special.”
“Me? What about your brothers?” Vane asked.
“You’ve met them all. What do you think? Poor little lamb would either be living in a military tent or reading a book under a tavern table. No, if the worst happens, it’s on you. Won’t take no for an answer.”
Orman laughed. “To use your words, whatever she says, you’d best do it.”
Gwynn seemed to soften when she heard her husband laugh. “That’s the spirit.” She eyed him a moment. “You know, you might be on to something. Maybe we should switch jobs until the baby’s born. I’ll sit in a study all day while you dash about all over the castle.”
Orman took the basket back. “Fine by me.” He turned on his heels and took off.
“Hey, that was a joke!” Gwynn said.
Vane laughed. “Congratulations. Don’t let him worry himself to death.”
Gwynn shook her head and set off after her husband. “Someone needs to remind you men that we do this every blessed day. You’d all be lost if women were as delicate as you think we are.”
Vane returned to the task of finding his mate, smiling as he thought about how happy the castle had been the last couple of months. He and Arion hit a bump in the road every now and then, but their relationship was actually far better than he’d hoped for. He’d expected to spend months or maybe more earning Arion’s love, but already his mate gave him more than he could ever wish for. He’d gone in search of Arion to tell him they needed to be fitted for their rings. Vampires marked matehood with jewelry, and they needed to get the rings made before their matehood celebration, which they’d finally set a date for. Arion had chosen simple rings circled with red jewels to symbolize the year they’d met. Vane had been surprised, but it had also made him feel very loved when Arion had explained that he was still happy they’d met despite all the sorrow they’d had to go through.
Reaching the gardens, he stopped short when he spotted Arion, who was hugging another man. Vane started toward him again, trying to figure out who it was. It wasn’t Sigmund, and Arion hadn’t mentioned any relatives or friends. But then the man pulled back, and Vane saw that it was Byron. His dark hair had grown a bit shaggy, and he wore leather riding gear instead of robes.
“Byron? When did you get back? And what are you doing with my mate? I think we’ve discussed you claiming your own,” Vane said.
“I arrived an hour ago, and I was thanking Arion for some things he’s said to me. Or written to me rather. When I decided to stay with the king after Lord Kyo returned home, your mate became concerned. He wrote to me and said some things I needed to hear.”
“Like what?” Vane asked.
Arion crossed his arms, smiling. “Like I told you. Your persistence worked in your favor. Byron needs to reveal himself and try to court his mate. He’ll never know if he doesn’t at least try.”
“Hey, no more lectures. I’m convinced, I swear,” Byron said, holding his hands up defensively. “And I’m setting out soon. I can be there in a day.”
“A day? Really?” Vane said.
Byron nodded. “He lives with the healer in Gregor’s dominion.”
Vane blinked. “With Maggie?” It all came together, and he wanted to bash his head against the nearest wall. “You’re kidding. Tell me you’re kidding.”
“What?” Arion asked.
“It’s so obvious. Right under my nose all this time,” Vane said. “A family of fox shifters was attacked by a crazy man, one who genuinely thought he was a vampire. Murdered the mother, father, and an infant. The teenage son had sneaked out of the house. He’d been told not to shift and run in the woods alone at night. He came home to a gruesome sight. Barely escaped with his life. Gregor found him in a cave three days later.”
“That’s awful,” Arion said. “How did you meet him if he’s so afraid of vampires?”
“A young girl was thrown from her horse on the road. I helped her to Maggie’s place. I said I would fetch her parents, but before I left, I smelled something. My mate’s blood. I went about my business and brought her father back, and when I came back I saw him. Maggie seemed to sense something. She had him fetch me some wine. He looked terrified. His hand actually shook as he gave me the goblet. I saw a cut on his palm and realized why I’d scented his blood so easily. I knew the truth would scare him, so I said nothing and left. I’ve checked in on him through Maggie, but we only ever discussed it once. She told me to be patient.” He took up a bag Va
ne hadn’t noticed before and hefted it onto his shoulder. “I guess it’s about time. I’m not waiting twenty years. He turned nineteen a few weeks ago.”
“Then what are you standing here gabbing for?” Vane pushed at Byron. “Get going.”
Byron nodded and half turned away, but then he smiled at them. “Thanks. Both of you.”
“For?” Vane asked.
Chuckling, he said, “For being in an even worse situation than mine. Gives me hope.”
Vane rolled his eyes. “Get going or I’ll go tell Mother you’re here.”
Byron sobered. “They’re here? Say no more.” He waved and took off toward the stables.
Arion laughed. “Were we really worse? Fox shifters can be skittish.”
“Can they?”
“Oh, yeah. Keep to themselves, like lycans, but more out of fear than solidarity. Just depends how they were raised.” He sighed. “That’s so awful about his family.”
“Yes. I don’t even remember the boy’s name, I’m ashamed to say. He does keep to himself. I never thought of him being the one because the man who hurt his family wasn’t a real vampire. I’d assumed reason would’ve cured him of his fear.”
“Fear doesn’t listen to reason,” Arion said, looking off in the direction Byron had walked. “Believe me, I know.” He drew Vane close. “Sorry I didn’t tell you I’d written to him.”
“Nothing to apologize for.” Vane slid his arms around Arion. “Though you could do something to make it up to me, if you wanted.”
“Oh, you’d let me, hmmm?” Arion laughed.
“Yes. I could be persuaded.”
Arion’s lips touched his ear. “Then I’ll give you a head start.”
“A head start?” Vane asked.
“I’m up for a run in the woods.” Arion licked his lips. “Among other things.”
Vane thought Arion was only teasing him, but then his mate began to strip. As much as he wanted to watch, Vane knew he needed to take that head start. He lifted his robes a few inches and took off. As fun as this game was, he let Arion catch him within five minutes.
Vane caressed Arion’s fur after his wolf had tackled him to the ground and untied and opened his robes. Arion’s wolf form was beautiful, a large gray beast with huge brown eyes. Vane sighed as that rough tongue worked down his body, a few playful nips dispensed here and there. Then Arion shifted back to human form, grinning up at Vane, and the real fun began.
The End
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Other Books by Marie Medina:
www.evernightpublishing.com/marie-medina
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