Chapter 56

Many hours had passed since my brother had painstakingly healed my injuries, and the aches and pains that plagued my body were slowly dissipating.

I lay on the narrow bed with my mate, watching him as he lay on his back with his arms trapped behind his head. He was staring at the ceiling above us, lost in thought, as he had been for some time. Every so often, his brows would furrow or his mouth would turn down in a frown. I fought hard not to interrupt his musings, because it was only fair that he be allowed his opportunity to process all the events that had transpired in recent times.

I wanted to reached over to smooth the crease in his brows, and banish the unpleasant thoughts that plagued him. But as I watched him, a foreign feeling rose up inside me. It took me but a moment to uncover what it was; guilt.

It was strange, this new feeling. I could only liken it to an uncomfortable and persistent throb somewhere in the very center of my sternum and between my eyes. I found that I did not like it, and so I frowned as I watched him.

I thought back on what grave act I could have possibly committed to warrant such an unwanted throb. Leaving him in the army was certainly not the reason, for it had been done in his best interest. Neither was plucking him from said army, for he did not belong there. He belonged by my side.

I could admit that I felt a minuscule twinge for having omitted to inform him that his fellow army-goers had survived, for thoughts of their deaths had stressed him a great deal, and I hated the very thought of him in any form of turmoil.

However, he had since learned the truth, so that guilt could be nothing more than miniscule. As I watched him, I thought of the many hours he had lain upon his sick bed, writhing in pain as I looked helplessly on.

Ah, and there it was; the reason.

It was my presence in his life that had almost brought death knocking on his door, and though many a time I had sworn to him that I would be his protector, in this, I had failed him. Visions of him lying weak and close to broken would forever haunt my waking hours.

"I hope one day you will reconsider your decision to remain human." I broke the silence.

He looked at me with a frown. "That was random."

I smiled. "I have recently found that attempting to keep a human alive is a far more arduous task than I had first imagined."

Tony rolled onto his side and propped his head up with his hand.

"Stop worrying so much about me and let's just enjoy our time together."

I found that I did not like his response. "If I were to change you, there would be no limit on our time together. Do you not see the that?"

He sat up, and his narrowed eyes told me that he was ready to have a serious discussion.

"I'm not turning into a vampire Rien." He said adamantly.

"And if you find yourself on the verge of death and turning you is the only way to save your life, would you have me watch you die?"

"Are we really about to start an argument?" he asked with a frown. "After everything we've been through, can't we just be happy now?"

I kept my eyes fixed on his, for it was there that held the majority of his self expression. In them I saw his frustration, but I also saw his fatigue.

"I just want things to go smoothly for a little while. Can we do that?" he questioned, and I conceded.

"Very well."

He released a breath and returned to his previous position on his back. I allowed a moment of silence to pass between us, before I interrupted his musings once more.

"What have you been thinking of all this time?"

He glanced at me only for but a brief moment before he returned his gaze to the ceiling.

"Noah mostly." Came his quiet reply. "I've been thinking about all the times we used to hang out when we were younger and how I would brag on and on about you, and he never once told me he was dating your brother."

"Dating." I tested the human word on my lips.

"You know what I mean. It's just strange to me. I mean, I couldn't go a sentence without mentioning your name and he never slipped up about Kandane even once. Makes me wonder, you know?"

"Wonder about what?"

"About his reasons for keeping it all to himself."

"Perhaps my brother asked him to remain silent on the matter." I replied, but he was shaking his head even before I could even complete my sentence.

"Noah's the stubbornness, most rebellious person I know. He wouldn't keep quiet just because someone told him to. Hell, especially not if someone told him to."

"I disagree." I said. "Love can make us do things we never imagined."

"Hmm." was his only reply, but he seemed to be thinking on my words. Suddenly, he looked at me. "What's the craziest thing you've ever done for love?"

"Begin a relationship with a human."

He snorted. "What's the hardest?"

"Watching said human from afar for five years whilst he learned what it meant to be responsible." I told him. "And yourself?"

He took a moment to consider either my words or his answer. "Back then the craziest and hardest thing I probably ever did was work actual jobs so I could earn money to buy you a necklace." He chuckled, and I was warmed by the sound of it as well as by his words.

"And now?"

He bit his lip, then released it just as quickly.

"Now...Now I would say that the craziest thing I've ever done is contemplate adding my blood signature to that damn scroll. And the hardest, I don't know." he said, then looked at me with a grin. "Maybe you make it too easy."

"You must make an effort to smile more often." I told him. "You have a beautiful smile."

As expected, he blushed scarlet at my words, and looked away. I loved that sweet little things such as this had not changed.

"It warms my heart that you would even think to add your blood signature to my parchment, but when we return to the coven, please refrain from doing so."

"Don't worry. I know they'd tear me apart."

"I am grateful that you have reached a point in your life where you finally have a sense of self preservation."

He only looked at me; a question in his eyes.

"What is it?"

"What'll happen when we go back to the coven?"

"I will meet with my father and aid my people in whatever way I can, after their recent turmoil."

"No. I mean with the mating ceremony. What happens now?" He asked, refusing to meet my eyes as he did.

"You mean, now that you have forgiven me and we are on track with our relationship?"

He only looked at me.

"If I were to cancel it, there would be an uprising." I began. "Many families have lost their sons and daughters to the ceremony and their deaths would have been in vain."

"Which means what exactly? For us I mean."

I plucked a piece of lint from his hair. "Do not worry your head. I will find a way to settle this in a way that is agreeable to all parties involved."

"How?" he questioned with furrowed brows.

"When I know the answer to that, so will you. Simply trust that I will find it."

So serious was his expression, that I leaned over and placed a kiss upon his lips. Almost immediately, the tension in him evaporated and his body relaxed. Yet another thing about him that had not changed.

I smiled against his lips and his arms came up to wrap around my neck, pulling me closer, though I could go no further.

"I should have told your father the truth when he asked me if I loved you. Then we wouldn't be in this mess." He pulled away slightly to whisper.

"True." I replied, and he chuckled. The short dusting of stubble on his face brushed against my chin. I ran the back of my fingers over it, loving its softness against my skin.

Before the army, his face had been as smooth as his bottom as a consequence of his youth. Since then, he had grown into a man, and I found that I liked the changes in his physique. The faint scars that were evidence of his former profession, the muscles on his hard, lean frame, the thin trail of hair that ran from below his navel, to his most intimate regions, and the size of his manhood, now that he had finally grown into himself.

My fingers dipped into his trousers and when I encircled him, he grew in my hand. He released a breath as his eyes drifted shut.

"No. Look at me." I commanded softly.

His lids lifted and his dilated eyes met mine. In them, I could see his desire. When I began to pull gently on his turgid member, his eyes closed again and my shoulders shook as I laughed quietly. I lowered my head to his neck and breathed in the scent of him, then pressed my lips to his skin and suckled until the blood rose up to just below the surface of his skin.

I ran my tongue along the red blemish that appeared there and Tony shivered. I loved marking him. I loved that he was mine. I shifted my body closer to his. His hips slowly gyrated to the movement of my hand up and down his hardness, and his once controlled breathing sounded harsh in the otherwise quiet room.

I ran a finger over the slit in the head of his penis and he jerked in my hand.

"I missed this." I whispered in his ear, but he was far too caught up in the sensations pooling through his body to acknowledge my words. I trailed light kisses along his flesh, from his neck to to his chest, then paused to suck one hard nipple into my mouth. His hands moved to cup the back of my head.

When I bit down gently on the hardened pebble, his back arched off the bed, and the whispered sound of my name on his lips sent a bolt of pleasurable sensation to my groin. I moved to the next nipple, giving it equal attention until he was like jelly beneath me; pliant and ready to be filled.

I loved these moments; when he was docile and responsive, with not an ounce of his usual tenacity. Between the sheets, I was in full control and he followed my every lead like a thirsty man desperate for a drink.

I rolled his nipple between my teeth once more, before releasing it entirely. He lay panting, his hips moving with fervor as I pumped his flesh to the beat of his own heart. Then without warning I released him.

He groaned, and finally, his eyes drifted halfway open. "Why?" he asked breathlessly. His unfocused gaze held a hint of confusion. I pulled away from him and sat up.

"Remove your clothing." I told him simply, and he immediately moved to obey.

I discarded what remained of my own garments as I watched him. When I sat naked, I reached across and wrapped my hand around the top half of the small kerosene lamp that sat on the table by my bedside. I twisted the glass beneath my fingers and it broke away easily. After depositing it onto the surface of the small side table, I dipped my fingers into the oil, which had settled into the bottom piece.

I glanced around at Tony, who had already returned to the bed, and was watching me with heavy-lidding eyes. My gaze shifted to his hard flesh, which lay heavy against his belly; the tip oozing clear liquid.

I lathered the oil onto my shaft, then moved between his parted legs, where I touched my fingers to his entrance. He let his head fall back onto the pillow as he moaned in pleasure. Slowly, I ease a finger inside him, twisting and turning it, as his body granted me entrance, then I added another, and as I worked them in and out of him, at a slow and agonizing pace, he panting beneath me. I stretched the two fingers apart, and his hands closed into fists at his side.

And so I continued, stretching him and relaxing his tight muscles. Once I was certain that he was ready for me, my own throbbing member, replaced my fingers. He bit back a cry as I entered him swiftly; driving into his body and stopping only when I was covered right up to the hilt.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck." He panted as I waited for him to adjust to my size. I leaned forward, pressing his body into the bed, and took his lips. Our tongues warred in his mouth as I rolled my lips against his. Then finally, I pulled away from him, forced his legs wider apart and began to move within him.

He was incoherent as my hips smacked against the back of his thighs again and again. He was hot and tight around me, bringing me absolute pleasure the more I drove into his heat. My head fell back and I closed my eyes; allowing myself to feel all he had to offer.

His loud panting, his constant moans and the slapping together of our flesh filled the silence of the room. When I opened my eyes and looked down at his body, both his hands were clenched above his head.

Not once did he attempt to reach down and touch himself, and I was glad that he remembered that in these moments of fiery intimacy, I alone was responsible for his pleasure. He met my every thrust, jerking his hips in tandem with my own.

He was a beautiful sight to behold; lying on his back, legs spread, a sheen of sweat covering his tan flesh as he took all I gave to him. Minutes passed, and my flesh continued to glide in and out of his, and I lost track of the number of times my name sounded on his lips.

When I positioned myself so that I brushed against his prostate with every slide, he bit his lips and bucked his hips in answer. The pleasure built and built, and soon he could no longer hold himself back. He reached down to take hold of himself, but I pulled his hand away before he could get the chance, and entwined our fingers together.

"Please." He panted, and so I stretched out atop him, so that whenever I moved, his aching hardness would rub against my abdomen.

I released his hands and held fast to his shoulders and his arms came up around me. I felt his nails sink into the flesh of my back; breaking skin. I lowered my head to his neck and sank my teeth in without drawing blood, and he came with a shout; his body shuddering wildly beneath me. A moment later, my own pleasure, which had already built as high as it could go, crested, and with a spasm, I spilled my seed into his welcoming heat. I clutched him close to me as we both panted, and with a final push and pull, I fell still.

We remain joined for a long time afterward, until our flesh cooled and our breathing evened out. I listened to the sound of his steadily beating heart, then finally, I pulled away, and out of him. Tony watched me with his heavy-lidded eyes, as I cleaned away the remnants of our lovemaking with the edge of the bed sheet.

"When I kissed you, I had only meant to ease your troubles." I told him with a wide grin.

His smile, when it came, was smug and satisfied.

"It's been a while." He trailed a finger down my chest. "I don't think I'll be able to walk out of here tomorrow."

He turned onto his side., watching me with eyes that betrayed his tiredness.

"You will starve if we remain here another day." I told him. "The trees in this region do not bear much fruit."

He shrugged. "That still sounds a lot better than going back to the coven."

"We will not remain there for too long." I told him. "I promise to return you to your own homeland, where we shall live out our days amongst humans."

He nodded, stretched, then curled in on himself as he tended to do just before sleep.

"Sleep now, my love. I shall wake you before dawn."

Tony nodded, and in but a few short moments, he drifted off. I trailed my fingers down the side of his face, thinking of another time, when we had spoken enthusiastically about our future together. When we had no troubles to speak of and we were happier.

...................................

~Five Years prior~

"What do you think about Archery?" Tony asked one morning while we lay sated in bed after a bout of passionate lovemaking. "Or knife throwing. I think I could do pretty well at both."

"Why are you suddenly interested in either?"

Tony rolled onto his back, placing his hands behind his head as his eyes traveled to the high ceilings.

"Well your coven's the warrior coven right?" he asked, and I nodded. "When you turn me into a vampire and we go there to live, I'll need some kind of job or something. I think maybe I could be good at Archery or knife throwing."

I smiled indulgently at him. "And where will you utilize such skills?"

Tony shrugged. "In your army, I guess. Who knows."

"There will be no need for you to toil when you go there. You are the mate of a master class blood-drinker, not a drudge." I informed him. "And in any event, we rely on our bodies during wartime. Not manmade weapons."

He looked at me with a Tony-like frown. "So what, you expect me to become some kind of housewife of something? Take care of the kids and cook dinner and all that crap? Because I'm telling you from now, that's not happening."

I raised a brow, and my smile widened. "The kids? Is there something you wish to tell me?" I looked pointedly at his flat abdomen.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous Rien. We're going to adopt."

"Is that so?" my amusement knew no ends.

"Of course. Then when they're older, we'll turn them into vampires too." He said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh? And how many of these human children were you thinking we should adopt?"

Another shrug. "I don't know yet. Maybe three or four." He pursed his lips and his brows furrowed. "How big is your house at the coven? Is it anything like this one?"

I propped my chin on the back of my hand and watched him. "A great deal larger."

"Hmm... Then maybe five...six tops."

I laughed. "Not only do you wish for us to raise children, but you desire six?"

"There are plenty of kids in the foster care system who could use our help. You know better than anyone the things I've been through, so yes. We're adopting as many as we can, and besides, it'll be nice to have a big family. That's something I've always wanted."

I took note of the determination in his eyes, and thought of my immature Tony, who still threw temper tantrums, teaching children the importance of responsibility. It amused me to no end, but I schooled my expression, and nodded.

Suddenly, a smile erupted on his face, lighting up his eyes. "I can't wait 'till you turn me and we get to live together. We're gonna be so happy Rien. Can you picture it?"

I leaned over and kissed his lips. "Of course I can."

"I figure if you change me in like two or three years, we could enjoy ourselves for another five, then we can start adopting. I'm thinking three girls, three boys, to kinda even it out. The boys first though, so they can take care of their sisters. And maybe we can get a cat and a dog. I've always wanted pets. Maybe even a goldfish or two."

"You certainly have it all planned out." I said with a chuckle. He nodded, his expression serious. "What else have you planned for this glamorous life we shall lead?"

When he rolled onto his side, resting his weight on his elbow, his eyes were alight with excitement.

"Maybe we could have a pool in our backyard. I've always wanted a pool, and enough grass so we can camp out whenever we want. That would be nice." He sighed, then his eyes took on a dream-like quality.

"What about you? What do you have planned?"

"I have no plans beyond ensuring that we are both together and happy." I told him honestly.

"Yeah well, I've got big plans Rien. I have such big plans, and we're gonna have the best life. You'll see."

"I have no doubt."

His eyes met mine, and for a long time we stayed that way, reading all we could in each other's gaze, until he looked away with a sigh.

"I wish you'd turn me now." He said.

"You are not—"

"Yeah, yeah. You've told me a million times. I get it." He mumbled, then spun around until he was resting on his belly. He fluffed the pillow and folded his arms atop it, before finally placing his head atop his arms.

"Wanna go to the beach later?" he asked around a yawn.

"If you wish."

He nodded, and glanced up at the clock that hung above the mantelpiece.

"Wake me up in three hours. Okay?"

"Very well." I brushed the hair from his face. "Sleep now, my love." I told him, and he did.

...............................

~Present~

We arrived outside the coven walls late the next evening. The coven guards, having spotted us a a great distance away, had already lined themselves on either side of the gates and greeted us with a bow as we passed them. Beside me, Tony was quiet and pensive. He had stuffed his hands into the pockets of his tunic, and walked with his eyes straightforward.

"It's not going to be the same now that Snowflake's gone." He commented once we were safely inside the walls.

I took careful note of his expression. He did not appear to be particularly upset, but of course I knew he was not happy to be back. I glanced around my homeland as we walked. I had had many a happy memory here within the coven walls, and I had hoped that he too would have one day come to love it as I did.

The circumstances upon which was had been first brought here, and my decision five years prior certainly had not left a good impression on him. Perhaps one day we would return and his thoughts of the place would change.

"We will be here for but a few months and then we shall depart." I assured him.

He glanced at me with a small smile. "When we met, you gave up your home to be with me. I don't have a problem staying here for as long as you need me to."

His eyes held a sincerity in them that drew a smile to my lips.

As we walked, I took in the state of the place. Despite the war that had broken out within the walls, the physical damage was minimal. The further in we went, however, I noticed the strips of black fabric hanging from the doors, windows and banisters of some of the homes we passed.

"What do they mean?" Tony questioned.

"Those households lost one of their own to the war. They are in mourning."

Tony frown. "A long time ago you told me that your people celebrated the lives of those lost in war because it meant an honorable death."

"Yes." I said. "But the people believe that these deaths were caused by an act of betrayal from one of our own. This is not a time for celebration."

"Kandane." He surmised, and I nodded.

"I have chosen to give him the benefit of the doubt, but our people have no reason to. I imagine they are quite angry."

To this he offered no reply, and we continued our walk in silence. When we arrived at my dwelling house, the doors were pulled open by one of the female drudges in residence. She bowed respectfully, as did the others who stood in wait.

Kaio, who stood by Malik's side, smiled wide and I nodded in greeting. Malik of course, had eyes only for his brother, and though he did not approach, he watched him with a longing that would have been obvious to anyone but Tony.

"Kaio." Tony greeted with a quick hug, then held out a hesitant hand to Malik, who shook it with seeming uncertainty.

"Prepare him a feast. He has not eaten well in quite some time." I said, and with the exception of Kaio, the drudges dispersed to do my bidding.

"You have returned earlier than expected my Lord." Kaio commented as he followed us across the room. "I hope your time with the wolves was fruitful."

"It was not, but we shall speak more on the matter at another time." I said. "I expect word of my arrival has reached my father. No doubt he will send a messenger to summon me to his chambers." I continued with certainty. "Inform said messenger, upon his arrival, that I will meet with my father on the morrow. I have only just returned and I wish to rest."

"Of course my lord."

"Fetch me once the evening meal has been prepared."

"Yes my Lord."

"I'm going to hang with Kaio for a little while." Tony announced when Kaio turned to leave. I nodded.

Malik and I watched as they crossed the room and disappeared through the main doors. I stepped toward the large windows that provided a full view of the courtyard below.

"Your face has certainly rounded in the very few days since we last saw each other." Kaio said to him as they walked. "Did you leave enough food for the wolves when you left or will they now die of starvation?"

Tony laughed; a hearty sound that came from deep within his gut, and put a smile on my face when I heard it. I watched as he pushed Kaio gently and he too laughed.

"They seem close." Malik commented beside me. He watched the two with an indecipherable expression.

"Ah."

"You don't mind that your mate's good friends with a drudge?" he asked.

"Why would I mind?"

He shrugged. "Your brothers don't even treat them like people, so I'm just curious."

"I am not my brothers." I replied simply, and he nodded.

For a few minutes we watched the interaction between the two; their easy smiles, their obvious closeness, the easy way in which they jokingly criticized one another.

"I shall be absent all day tomorrow." I said to Malik. "Perhaps you should use that time to get to know your brother."

Malik eyed me warily. "Since when do you care about whether I know him or not?"

I smiled again when Tony laughed. "A brother could be good for him." I said. "The coven can be a lonely place for a human."

Malik was silent for a moment before he spoke once more.

"It won't be easy getting him to trust me."

"That is true, and Tony is stubborn." I said. "Continue to be honest with him. Show him the man you really are and eventually he will come to trust you. After all, he has always wanted a brother."

Malik nodded, then cleared his throat. "Thanks."

I tore my gaze away from my mate and set it upon the human who stood beside me.

"As long as he is happy, I will remain civil with you." I said. "Hurt him in anyway, and my professionalism regarding the matter will slip."

"Same." He shot back with a flash of temper that reminded so much of my Tony, that I laughed.

I turned away from the window, leaving him to watch them to his heart's content.

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