Chapter 33

~Present~

~Kaio’s POV~

I kicked the door and it fell with the dramatics of an old tree.

 Screams and a shout rent the air when I stepped into the small room and I was the first to catch the horrified expressions of the family whose home we had just invaded.

They were fragile looking humans, this lot. Including the man…a skinny little twig of a being, with small eyes and large glasses that framed his face like a particularly gigantic pair of googles. The woman was larger, big breasted, with surprisingly small legs.

She wore a knee length flower patterned dress that did nothing in the way of accentuating whatever curves she may or may not have possessed and her eyes were nothing special, though they were the perfect size for her perfectly rounded face. The other woman— a girl really, looked like a cross between the man and the woman, though she had gorgeous eyes that perfectly captured her terror.

I came to the conclusion that they were quite ordinary people, living in a house that could do with a bit of tidying up, though it had a warm and cozy feel to it. If I had to imagine what a true home would feel like; this would probably be it.

It was such a shame that they would be put out of the use of it for a time. After all, Tony’s needs far outweighed their own and I had no desire to further upset my Lord Riener simply because I did not wish to inconvenience the humans.

Malik stepped in after me and for whatever reason sought to appease the scared folk, who seemed frozen in place as they watched our entrance. Once Lord Rien stepped into the space with an unconscious Tony in his arms, I was quick to point to the place I logically deduced was the way to the bedchamber. He started up the stairs without a word or a glance at the room’s inhabitants.

I then took hold of Malik’s arm and pulled him with me up the staircase, leaving the beings to their own machinations. I was certain that within but a short period of time they would be out the door in their quest to call on their authority figures, which meant very soon I would be expected outside to see to the matter.

For now however, I had to see to my Lord’s wants and needs and the needs of his mate. I entered the room just in time to see him lay Tony gently on the bed in a strangely decorated room. He made sure the pillows were piled around him to ensure his comfort, before he sat on the bed beside him, looking down on his mate without a word.

I could sense his worry from where I stood, but I could also sense his anger. It was molded together with a barrage of emotions like disappointment and disgust. It was unfortunate that I could not tell which emotion was prominent, for if I could do such a thing, it would allow me to have an inkling of how to tread where he was concerned.

“Have you informed Nathaniel of our plight?” his deep voice resonated within the room and I shivered.

“Yes my Lord. He has already explained to the wolves the reason for your absence.”

“Very well.” He issued softly, then; “Leave us.”

I turned to go just as Malik protested and I had to latch onto his arm to prevent him from meeting a fate he was not destined for.

“What are you doing?” he questioned me with obvious anger when I dragged him into the hallway. “I’m his brother, Tony—”

“—does not know that, neither does he like you.” I interrupted and I watched with deep regret as the fight slowly died in his eyes. “I meant only to say that Lord Rien has a better chance of pulling him out of his unconsciousness.” I explained. “Hearing your voice—”

“Yeah… I get it.” He informed me, before running a hand over his face.

I waited there in the hall with him, knowing that my Lord would not allow us to enter for the rest of the night. I could hear his softly spoken words to his sleeping mate. I listened to him apologize for his absence and his inability to come to Tony’s aid when he had first been impaled with the poisonous arrow.

He told him that if only he would wake up that he would try to be less overbearing than he acted on occasion, then he apologized for being unable to cure whatever ails kept him in the grip of his unconsciousness.

The more I listened, the more sickened I became…sickened at myself and my own inability to carry out the only duty my dear Keeper had bid me perform. When Lord Rien began to speak of intimate things, I took my own mate’s hand and drew him gently down the stairs with me.

He came without protest, looking battered and worn, but mostly guilty…though perhaps not as guilty as I felt.  The first thing I noticed when we entered the room with the fallen entrance door, was that the inhabitants from earlier were gone...just as I had predicted.

The second thing I noticed was that the breeze circulating the room caused Malik to tremble slightly, so after releasing his hand, I lifted the door back to the unbarred entrance and propped it up as though it were not in need of repair.

Malik sat himself down into the larger of the two couches and as soon as I sat on the other end, he dropped his head into my lap and shielded his eyes with his forearm.

“I should have told him.” he spoke quietly.

“I agree.”

He brought his arm down from his face and looked at me with raised brows. “This is actually the part where you tell me I shouldn’t think about that right now and everything’s going to be okay.”

I ran a hand through his hair and pulled gently. “I will not lie to you.”

He was silent then and for a moment I thought I had upset him, but he smiled.

“Hmm. “

“You need  not worry  yourself about your brother yet. It seems he is fighting to stay with us.”

 He blinked up at me. “Can you hear his heart beat?”

I nodded. “It has not changed since we carried him away from his friend’s abode. It has neither grown weaker nor stronger. It is a very strange thing.”

“We need a doctor Kaio. I could get him the best doctors.”

“There is nothing that human medicine can do for him now Mal.” I explained. “A Master class blood-drinker’s blood is more potent than any medication in this world and my Lord has given it to him.”

“So if he doesn’t heal…” he trailed off.

“Then there will be nothing anyone can do about it.” I finished and he closed his eyes.

“I can’t lose him now...not when I just found him.” he whispered to himself and I brushed careful fingers across his furrowed brows.

“You should have told him when you had been urged to do so. It was foolish of you to wait.”

He sighed. “I know…I just…” he paused and his beautiful eyes met mine briefly before they slid away again. “I guess I’m a coward.”

He took a breath.

 “The truth is, I was afraid of how he’d react when I told him. I guess I couldn’t stand the thought of him rejecting our family...not after how long I’ve searched for him.”

“You should make a vow.” I began. “To tell him the truth if he awakens.”

“You mean when.”

I shook my head. “If. You should never give yourself false hope Mal. It will only hurt all the more if luck turns against you.”

“Maybe staying positive is the only thing helping me through this.”

“Positivity has no place here.” I told him. “I will help you through this and we shall both pray for Tony’s well-being.”

“Do you think Rien will turn him?”

I frowned. “I cannot say. Would you respect his decision to do so?”

He shrugged. “If it means saving my brother’s life, he can do whatever he wants.”

I nodded. “There was a time when Lord Riener told me that Tony wished to be turned, however he has changed since then. He has grown and I do not think it is Tony’s wish to become a blood-drinker.”

“If it comes down to deciding to turn him to save his life and his wishes, Rien better make the damn good choice.” I could see the intensity behind his eyes.

“We must respect Lord Riener’s decision Mal.” I warned him and he sat up.

“Rien’s word isn’t the gospel Kaio.”

“No, but he has never let me down and I choose to believe that he never will.”

He shook his head and chuckled without mirth. “You know, sometimes I think that if you had to choose between us…” he trailed off, but I could sense his question in the words he did speak, as well as I knew my Keeper could hear our every word from where he sat with his mate.

It was a question I had contemplated since the moment I had found myself in love with him and one I already had the answer to.

“I would do what was in my heart and hope that my Lord could forgive me for it.” I told him and I wondered if it was relief that I saw in his expression.

His only words were; “That’s good.” and I knew that my answer had pleased him.

When I pulled him back into my arms, he came willingly and when I planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, it seemed to calm him...if only for the moment.

………………………………………..

~Rien’s POV~

 He was in pain. I stood by the large windows of the small bedchamber and watched him in his misery. His whimpers throughout his unconsciousness were often and the fever which had developed not too long before was only getting worse. I did not understand this illness.

There had never been a time when the blood of my veins could not heal another and it was difficult to imagine him suffering because I could do nothing to help him.

The morphine drips we had retrieved from the hospital was just as useless at dulling his pain. I did not know what more I could do and I could not bear to see him this way for much longer.

I looked away from him and out the window, choosing instead to listen to the beating of his heart…too slow, but steady.

 My fists tightened almost of their own will and I felt my nails digging into the flesh of my palm—drawing blood. My instincts had warned me not to trust Lord Christophe with him, yet I had gone against my own nature and sought to do so for Tony’s sake.

The blood-drinker was nothing but a walking disaster and if not for Tony, I would have ended him where he stood tonight. I could picture the look of sorrow on his face as he had stood staring down at my injured mate and it disgusted me.

It was his foolish actions that had led to this moment. His inability to do as he was told. Keep my mate safe I had said. Protect him from those who would wish to do him harm, I had told him and he had assured me that he would. Yet it was he who had delivered the blow.

Never again.

There was a hitch in Tony’s breathing and I glanced his way, surprised to see his eyes flutter open.

“Tony.” I whispered his name as I went to kneel by his bedside. He did not turn to look at me, instead his shifting eyes remained planted on the ceiling above him as his hand went up to clutch at his chest.

 I rested a hand against his cheek, willing him to look at me, but it was as though he was not even aware of my presence.

“I know that you are in pain my love. I will find a way to help you, I swear it!”

His hand still continued to clutch at his chest as he took breath after painful breath. Still, his eyes remained unfocused, as that of a blind man’s.

I pulled his hand away from his body and held it in my own, knitting my fingers between his.

“Kaio.” I spoke.

A moment later, I heard my drudge’s footfalls on the creaking wooden stairs, before the door to the small bedchamber was being pushed open to announce his arrival.

“My lord.” He bowed respectfully before entering. For a moment his eyes traveled to Tony, but just as quickly it traveled to the floor.

He cared for my mate. There had never been a doubt in my mind, but I could not allow him the time he craved by Tony’s side. I could not bear to be away from him, not for a minute, not for a second. Not while he lay in this state.

“I fear his condition has worsened.” I told him and he looked at me with wide eyes.

“I do not understand, his heart—”

“—Is not the problem.” I interrupted and once again, his eyes travelled to my mate.

“I do not understand…”

“Nor do I. There seems to be but one solution. One I had not thought to use, but desperate times…” I trailed off and Kaio nodded quickly.

“You wish me to contact your brothers.” He surmised and I allowed a small mirthless smile to play about my lips. He knew my mind well.

“Convey to them the urgency of the situation. Tell them my mate will meet his end lest they come quickly.

He frowned. “I beg your pardon my Lord, but do you think it wise to impart on them the nature of your grievance? They loathe Tony and the relationship you have formed with him. Would they not be satisfied were he to die?”

I reached up to brush the sweat from Tony’s brow. My brothers were merciless it was true, but they were not heartless. As much as they cursed me for my choices and spoke of Tony’s death as though it would mean nothing to them, they had one fatal flaw; their affection for me.

Now that they had seen with their own eyes just how deeply I cared for Tony, not one of them would wish to see my own pain should something grave become of him. They were cruel, ruthless and hateful, but they were not monsters—not like my father.

“They will come.” I assured my drudge and with a bow, he turned to do as I bid.

When the door closed softly behind him, I turned my attention back to my mate, whose eyes had once again fluttered shut and his hand became limp in my own.

I glanced across his bare chest, taking in the markings Noah had no doubt put there—a tattoo, though I could see that it was incomplete.

It contained names…the names of men I did not know, yet I knew instinctively that these were the men who had died in battle. I straightened his hand in my own and trailed fingers along the back of his.

Despite everything, there was one thing that could never change in him and that was his heart. He loved too deeply, cared too much for those around him. I had once thought it endearing and I suppose that in some way it still was… but now it was proving to be the fruit of his downfall.

He whimpered and my heart tightened in my chest. “Hush now my love. Soon your pain will be nothing but a memory and you will once again be whole.”

Without releasing my hold on him, I lay my forehead on the bed beside him. It was this very position my brothers found me in when they arrived but a few hours later.

“I do not think I have ever seen you so disheveled brother.”

“This is what happens when one invests so much in a mere human...dear brother, how you have fallen.”

“Get up Riener, you look pitiful kneeling there and you know how much I cannot stand such a pathetic disposition.”

They filed in one after the other, each with a mouthful of words to spit my way and I raised my head to watch them take up different positions around the room.

Marcan stood in the center by the door, arms resting in the pockets of his tailored dark pants. Jorlon took up residence in the chair by the small bookshelf, where he proceeded to pull out a dusty, old book with a frown and Peitre leaned against the wall opposite Jorlon, dressed in full robes and regarding me with narrowed, accusing eyes.

I stood. “I need your help.”

It was Marcan who spoke first and as was usually the case, his words brought forth my annoyance. “I had almost forgotten your propensity to state the obvious.”

                                       AUTHOR'S NOTES

ENJOY!

PS..if you can guess correctly which brother said what when they entered the room then you have earned the position as the number one fan of this book.. How well do you know my characters?

-DoUbLe.A

-unedited.