Entering the bedroom, I pause at the flurry of obsessive cleaning that greets me. While the room was not dirty by any stretch of the word, it could have used a light dusting and was filled to the brim with curiosities. Where I find it incredibly comforting and very much 'Stefan,' Verando seemed to think it was a form of torture. 

I spy him stretched on his toes as Stefan is a healthy few inches taller and capable of flying, carefully adjusting a few figurines to face forward instead of their haphazard arrangement in various directions. 

As the door opened, he startled and settled quickly back onto his heels, as if caught doing something naughty.

"I think you have a problem." I muse, setting the tray down carefully on the antique writing desk. Trailing my finger over its surface, I see he's already wiped it off. I'm not foolish enough to think that he takes any particular joy in this activity; it's a coping mechanism, the only thing he can control.

 At least when my world is spiraling, I can rely on Verando to be constant. 

"I made you dinner. Nonoptional dinner." I tell him as pleasantly as I can manage. 

Verando, embarrassed, approaches and obediently cuts off a piece and takes a bite. "You don't normally catch me in the middle of my vices." 

This is true, I really hadn't noticed he was a clean fanatic until much later in our relationship. When I met him, he was blood-soaked and covered in dirt.

"I'm just glad you're not smoking." Snagging a piece of bell pepper, I chew thoughtfully as I sit on the bed that is acceptably soft though not quite what we have grown accustomed to. "Stefan has agreed to meet with us tomorrow morning and discuss whatever knowledge he has gained over the years. I must say, it's very curious that vampires and Strigoi don't get along?"

Verando scoffs, taking another bite. It's a compliment to my cooking that he doesn't find a way to excuse his hunger casually. "They've never gotten along, love. Vampires are the barbarians  of the parasitic variety."

My eyes trail over the carefully tucked-in shirt, now slightly disheveled from being stretched by his reach. His rolled-up sleeves accentuated his forearms, and the plunge of the open chest of the shirt made me exhale as I drank him in.

"I don't think I would get along with my past self, either, to be fair. Werewolves are free, save for one night a month, but they're completely out of control on that night."

Murmuring a quick spell, I hold out my hand to bring the plate of vegetables to me. "Regardless, maybe that's an angle we can use. No humans means no food for many species. Also, I promised you'd sing with him." I bite my lower lip before snagging another piece of bell pepper. Verando cocks an eyebrow, knowing I wasn't finished with my demands. "As much as he wants."

Thankfully, he doesn't necessarily look perturbed by this information. "When you say it like that, it makes me think perhaps we are on the wrong side. How are we going to convince a nation to side with equality when half of our 'help' wants to eat them?" He unbuckled his belt, pulling it from the loops and carefully winding it. "What did he think about your chill?" 

I part my lips, and he gives me a knowing look. Verando had brought up a very valid point: how could we coexist when it would mean deaths to keep a piece of our population alive? Stefan's words echo in my ears-- the wolf is reading me. 

"He had a few theories... Are you spying on me?" I ask him suspiciously, resting the plate on the bed.

"I'm nearly 20 years older than you; if you think you can pull a fast one on me, you're sadly mistaken. Also, I've got excellent hearing. Do you think I sat up here and didn't eavesdrop? You're like a bunch of old birds the way you gossip. So, yes, I'm going to need more than that, darling." 

I shrug, crossing my arms loosely as I look him over. "Or you could be reading my mind? Ever thought of that?" I tell him frankly. His expression almost makes me crack, and I force myself to keep the tone of my interrogation serious.

Verando exhales in exasperation, "I would be in much less of a bind if that were the truth; you're a right pain in the ass when you want to be, much like right now. Do you think I'd do half the shit I do, if I could have a look about and know the answer?" 

I take no offense; enjoying my tiny bit of self-inflicted chaos. His long fingers begin working the buttons on his shirt, dismissing me, I note the stiffness in the last three fingers on his left hand, eyeing the ring as an excuse for staring. 

"I know you, but I'm not a bloody mind reader. Seriously, Nic, you've lost your damned mind with this one."

The words make me pause, and I stand up to cross the small space between us. "What am I thinking right now?"

"For the love-" Verando pushes past me to grab the plate off the bed and straighten out where I was sitting. "If you're going to play this game, I'm going to bed."

I wasn't yet convinced of his innocence, even if it was unintentional. He was not in 'my' world; he couldn't tell me what I wanted to know because I couldn't ask him in a way he could fathom. Chewing my lower lip, I ponder this as he sets the plate back on the tray. Often, it was as if he knew what I was thinking before I could get it out; was I supposed to believe he truly loved me that much?

 As I circle the possibilities, one continuously stands out. Whitewind hadn't dared to show his face until only recently. The only other time he had done that was when I had expended all of my energy to kill Corina. 

Curious, I think of my mother, her death, and the pain it brings me. Without looking at me, I see his shoulders sag in defeat, "Darling, I don't mean to snap at you. I'm just tired and whenever I think of mind reading, I think of our past dealings with mind control, which isn't a comfortable place for either of us." He turned to face me, and I stared at him, trying to comprehend if I was putting too much thought into this. 

"How did you know I was upset?" I demand, trying to keep my tone light.

Running a hand through his hair, I know I'm reaching the end of his patience. "You were quiet? You're never quiet? I've been trying to teach you the art of silence since I met you, and I refuse to believe you've even attempted to acquire the skill." 

At least I have a piece of him back with his sarcasm. While I had my suspicions, he'd had enough and it was my job to honor that. As I near him, he considers avoiding me, but I wrap my arms around his waist to lay my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. "I don't mean to poke at you- At the risk of sounding horrendously offensive, it never made sense to me how in tune you can be. You're often right about people's intentions without hardly speaking to them. A sixth sense would be quite useful."

Verando's fingers trail lightly over my back as he considers this, brushing his nose through my hair, pressing his lips to the top of my head with a sigh. "People wear their intentions quite clearly if you allow them to show you." 

The low tone is soothing; he holds me against his chest, relaxing against my touch just as I melt against him. "Consider those thoughts when wondering why humans reject magical beings. I know you mean well; your thirst for knowledge is one of the things I love about you, but dissecting people down to explain why they aren't unique, talented, or rightfully obsessed with their partner,  isn't exactly a well-received thought process. Perhaps re-evaluate your approach." 

"Does it offend you?" I peek up at him.

Verando considers this, his hand sliding down to grope my ass as payment for my sins. "No, but I'm not one to spare feelings. Just something to consider."

With a chuckle at the way his palms my ass, I kiss his chest, allowing him to capture my hand in his other hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips to kiss my fingers. "Stefan thinks you're pulling magic off of me with the wolf the same as a dragon, we must give magic to keep them. I thought it was just your warmth keeping me from freezing all the time, but it's worth considering that it might be your grandfather's spirit using me to charge himself." 

Unimpressed, he almost seems to find me amusing. "And in that vein, you think I'm reading your mind and making an ass out of myself on purpose?" To my surprise, he gathers me that much closer, moving me through a casual, swaying dance and I can't help the sheepish grin curling onto my lips once more. This man always managed to catch me off guard, to leave me flustered, and I can't help but find it irritating that my response pleased him so throughly.

It sounded better in my head; a much more viable option before he accused me of being insensitive."I'm just trying to make sense of it all, to talk it out instead of just letting it fester." I remind him, twisting out of his grasp to flop onto the bed with a heavy exhale, wishing the mattress was softer. In truth, it wasn't me who should be complaining, I'd finally made it out of one of these fire fights unphased.

In silence, Verando sits on the bed beside me; I feel the weight and allow my body to be carried by it. Rolling onto my side, I glance up at him from the corner of my eye. Carefully, he adjusts my hair to see my face more clearly. "And if it is my wolf? What then?"

I wasn't sure. Frowning, I lace my fingers with his, gathering my cheek in his palm. "I'm sure the chill is nothing. We need to keep it managed, that's all, and what we're doing is working; I will figure it out when we get out of this." 

His thumb skirts over my lower lip, I swallow back the temptation as he turns his head to stifle a yawn. "Right, your body unable to hold it's temperature is not anything to be concerned about." Sarcasm is heavy in his tone, I bite his thumb in response, earning a flash of my favorite look yet it falls flat with the weight of his concern.

"Well, we could do with some practice in meditation. We need to establish clear channels to communicate with Whitewind openly. I'd rather not have a repeat of the massacre in the compound if I can help it." 

For once, he doesn't look like he wants to jump into the fray. My usually willing warlord almost looks forlorn; I slip out of his grasp, shoving him back onto the bed and straddling his hips as my hands crash against his chest. 

Verando grunts painfully, arching off the sore shoulder but allowing the intrusion. Those light eyes take in every inch of my face, jaw tight. He was spiraling with anxiety over me, and I couldn't stand it. "Do not even start with that. Randy, I haven't discussed this with you because I don't want to think about it now. We have too much going on to worry about my damn temperature."

This does little to appease him; I traced my fingers roughly back up his torso. With little effort, I coax a sigh from him, heavy on his lips. It wasn't often he bowed to my will, given the circumstances, stress tended to put him off anything but rough play. 

I take advantage, rolling my palms greedily into the pectoral muscles that warm my chilled hands. "Are you sure you're not reading my mind?" My warlord asks dryly, his breath hitching as I trail a finger down the line of his abdominals, stopping just before his navel. 

Considering this, I tilt my head once more as if it might give me a better understanding. "Well, if you're offering; think of something and stay relaxed."

A small smile curls onto his lips. "Do you know the first method one would use to make someone not relax? Telling them to relax." Shifting his hips beneath me, I can't help the shiver that shoots up my spine, feeling his arousal beneath me, I flush at the effect I had on this sinful creature.

My hand slips up to clutch his throat, knowing his preferences and feeling him shiver under my fingertips. The tousled hair from his fingers, body battered and bruised, shirt open to expose the delicious chest that tempts my lips. I drag my tongue over my teeth, "Shut up and do it," I demand. 

Shutting his eyes, Verando tilts his head back as I trace patterns on the planes of his muscles. His arms stretched above his head, hands loose, lips parted in anticipation. His body felt alive and vibrant, electric under my fingertips. 

I wet my lips, drinking him in, "Do you remember when you tortured me to get information out of me?" 

His body grows rigid. "I only recall giving you an incredible evening?" He suggests a correction for my poor memory. 

Tracing my nose over his collarbone, my body is hungry for his warmth, and I kiss the base of his neck, dragging my teeth over the tanned skin. "To achieve this, I need strong thoughts and complete cooperation. So it would help if you could play along." 

Impulsively, I stretch to bite his bicep through the thin material of the shirt, rolling against those sinful hips as a whimper of heated desire escapes my lips in a breathless sigh. In a quick movement, the gray-haired man pounces, pinning me beneath him as he kisses me. 

I cling to his neck, lost as I taste him, exploring his mouth as I deepen the kiss and hook my leg over his hip, only to hear him curse as he nearly collapses onto me. Catching himself on his knees and right arm, favoring the left, my warlord guards the injured shoulder with a low grumble about inexperienced youth.

"You have to behave." I remind him, breathless. Much as he liked to have his way, I pressed him back onto his back with a warning in my gaze, meeting those light eyes as my lips find his once more. Climbing on top of him again, my hand slides between us, fondling him through his pants, yet I hesitate at his bruised ribs, careful with where I place my hand to balance myself. 

 "Maybe this is a bad idea." Verando manages, though I can feel the hesitation in his voice. It was an almost half-hearted tone, tempting me with quiet permission to put past any pain for my satisfaction.

"Mmm, it is past your bedtime." I tease, running my tongue over my teeth as I grind my hips down against him. "This could be the perfect time to practice? You can't move and distract me, you're at my disposal, and I don't even have to tie you up." In one quick move, I pop the button on his pants, "This seems like it wants out." I breathe, "Or, are you too tired?"

That light gaze falls warily on me, bordering between turned on and offended. I can tell by the response beneath my hovering seat that I have his interest. He was playing coy, uncertain if he wanted to entertain me, yet I knew him too well to think he could turn me away.

Verando stretched his arms over his head, dragging his fingers through his hair, flexing his arms in a way that made my mouth water as I envisioned my lips on those glorious biceps. I catch the playful glint in his eye, wrapping my hand around his length as he springs free of his pants. 

"How do I always end up in this position with you? Never in my life have I found myself beneath anyone, let alone a man. If you are considering mind control, I suggest you look inward."  

Unimpressed with the suggestion, I hook my thumbs into the loops of his pants and jerk them down, sliding with them to the edge of the bed. "You're well aware of the answer to that, beyond the fact that you're a shameless whore." I kiss the inside of his knee as I slowly climb my way back up his body, dragging a trail with my lips up his inner thigh. "I belong to you, just as you belong to me."

It was an intimate position that I didn't usually find myself in with him, vulnerable, at my disposal, admiring the mass of man beneath me as I trace my tongue over his sun-kissed skin. 

 As he writhes beneath me, my hand finds his cock, "Besides, nobody knows you as I do." 

I stroke upward, grasping him firmly as I marvel at the way his body shudders at my touch, responding to me just how I'd hoped he would. He was too tired to play 'Alpha'; I would happily settle for my Randy.

Foreplay wasn't my specialty; I was more interested in getting to the part that satisfied me most. Yet, as my mouth closes around him and I drag my tongue across the sensitive skin, hearing him groan in appreciation, my body pleads for more. I wish for him to make all the sounds he coaxed from me, as I'm not often rewarded with such participation. 

Never before had I been with a partner who chased my satisfaction more than his own. Verando was a constant exception to every rule I thought I'd formed on masculinity and relationships. He never hid his pleasure from me, nor did he shy away from exploring every inch of my body with that skilled tongue. In my short time with other men, I'd spent the majority of it bent over or on my knees, but for this man, this warlord, I almost exclusively found myself on the receiving end of his worship. 

"You make me feel as though you don't trust having your cock in my mouth," I argue, as I hum in appreciation against him. 

"For fuck's sake, Nic." His hand tangled in my hair, caressing more than holding me in place, yet his palm encourages me lower as I swallow more of him. "Can you not see that I'm nearly undone?"

Not wanting to lose the purpose of the exercise, I release him from the torment when I feel the tremble in his breathing, allowing him to come back down from the brink of completion as I stroke him lazily. "You must be tired if you're this close to coming already," I tease, swirling my thumb over the head of his cock, making his hips jerk as I kiss the tip. "Is this why you never ask for head?"

"I'm a masochist. I much prefer your pleasure over my own." He manages, though his experience is almost disappointing; Verando was much more capable of riding the cool-down than I was. "You wicked thing."

I chuckle, kissing his thigh affectionately. "You seem to be enjoying yourself now, though? I have to admit, this is sexy. I'm starting to get a taste for this whole dominant thing. Masochist..." I consider, taking him within my mouth, carefully applying my teeth as he writhes beneath me. Oral service was something I was experienced in, and swallowing as much of him as I could manage seemed to be what threatened to drive him over the edge. 

Sucking hard, I gather the base of his cock in my hand, lazily stroking whatever I can't take into my throat. It was impossibly hot, hearing him come apart, listening to him pant and curse, I pressed my thighs together as I felt my own body threatening to respond. I hadn't even touched myself, and yet I was fit to burst just from tormenting this man. 

I release him again, making him chuckle as he grips his hair in restraint. I watch his chest heave as I lick my lips, "You're too good at this; any normal man would desire completion; you seem to want me to be mean to you." 

While my words catch him off guard, I see his cheeks darken as if he were caught red-handed. The tangles of gray hair fall towards his eyes, sultry, messy, eyes burning as he considers his options. "Let me remind you that you're a pillow princess, so unless you have been secretly playing with yourself, I wouldn't make threats you can't keep, darling."

At that moment, all is forgotten; my goal slips through my fingers. Crawling up his body, I throw my arms around his neck, cursing under my breath as he flinches under the impact. His hand gathers the small of my back as I support myself, braced over top of him as he invades my mouth with his tongue. The taste of him, the way his lips melt so perfectly into mine. 

"We can stop?" I suggest; brushing my nose against his, speaking against his lips as he pursues me with such heated desperation that I struggle to maintain the distance. 

"It doesn't hurt that bad." He manages.

"You're such a masochist." I exhale through my teeth, sitting up quickly to scramble out of my pants while he hooks his thumbs in the loops and appears tempted to shred them. "Don't you dare." I snap, narrowing my eyes at him as I climb off the bed to go to the suitcase and grab the lubricant. 

Verando drags me back the moment I'm within reach. I place one hand on his shoulder while my knees support my weight, using my fingers to lubricate myself. Tedious as it was, I knew better than to jump right into sex with this sinful man. 

"Pillow princess, hmm?" I spit back, shivering at the sensation as his fingers push past mine, making me gasp as I rock against them. Gripping his throat, I hold him beneath me as I lower myself onto him, sinking my teeth into my lower lip as we moan in unison. My intentions had all been forgotten; I loosened my hold on his throat to dig my nails into his shoulder, but I must have hit a sore spot, for before I knew it, he was before me. 

In a quick maneuver, Verando manages to flip us so that I'm on my back, and he towers over me on his knees. Wide-eyed, I look up as innocently as I can manage as his hands grip the backs of my thighs, exposing me to him. 

"I'd say so, you're hardly able to ride me. We'd be here all night if I let you stay on top." He muses, sinking into me, and making me cry out as I quickly cover my mouth. My thighs tremble as I attempt to control my volume, each stroke slow and merciless. "You take it too well to be a dominant. This is where you prefer, beneath me, succumbing to my will. You can pretend all you like, but in the end, you like to be fucked."

Rolling my thighs to the side, pressing them together, he grips my hip to pull me back into him, his arm wrapped under my knees. It's everything I can do to keep from melting, sinking my teeth into the back of my hand as he fills me. The position was deeper than I anticipated, and my thighs pressing together only accentuated every stroke. I curl my toes, close to the edge, gripping the bed sheets over my head.

But, much as I was at my limit, he was also at his. I could tell he was sore by his reluctance, the way his jaw tightened, the hesitation in his ability to maneuver me. The slow, hard, deep lovemaking was bringing me to completion much too quickly, stroking all the right spots, slamming past my sweet spot with each thrust. 

"Gods, Nic." He manages through his teeth, burying himself within me as I rock against him, desperate, hungry for more as I chase my release. 

"Please," I beg, and he releases my thigh to slide between my legs. I hook my ankles around his hips, my arms encircle his neck as his lips find my jaw. "I'm so close." I manage, encouraging him to chase me, relentless as I buck my hips back against him. I find my release, clinging to him like a sinner to the flame, and I can't help but chuckle as he rewards me with a low, ragged groan once he spills himself within me. 

"The things you do to me..." He murmurs, kissing my temple, then my nose, then finally my lips. I'm too limp to respond, attempting to catch my breath as I lie beneath him in a heap. For once, he tosses the articles of clothing to the floor as he climbs back into bed. Dragging me with him, I'm happy to cuddle my back up to his chest as he trails his fingers over my side. 

"You look content." Verando kisses the nape of my neck, those warm hands kneading the aching muscles of my thighs. I practically melted, enjoying the way his fingers trailed over my body.

"Quite, much as I don't wish to inflate your ego any more than it already is, you really are something else in bed." I muse with a yawn, shivering at the feeling of his stubble on my skin as he kisses my shoulder. "And look, I'm warm now. Your cock healed me."

"Foul creature." He sighs, kissing my temple. "But, you are warm, and for that I'm grateful."

 In my fading moments of consciousness, I wrap his arm firmly around me to trap him in place as my heater. "We're sleeping in tomorrow; don't even think about sneaking off."