8- Keep Me Safe

The lord ran his fingers down the dark plum velvet of the jacket hanging upon his wardrobe. The tails cascaded to the back of one's thighs while worn and from the breast pocket, a black lace handkerchief peeked out. Dainty buttons of black pearl ran down the length. He knew Kylo would look exquisite in it.

Plucking the jacket from the hanger, Vincent tilted his head towards the door. In the other room, Kylo was waking. Vincent could hear his angel singing a tune and then the sound of water being poured into the washing basin. There was a tub in both of their private chambers – the small room attached to their sleeping quarters. There they could indulge in a warm bath but it had been decades since Vincent had shared his tub. The thought of Kylo bathing brought a smile to his lips. Dreamily, he stepped towards the door. "I should not think these unholy thoughts." But the image lingered in his head like a sweet perfume. Vincent reached for the handle and walked out of his room and headed to Kylo's.

There was a slight chill in the hall. Although Corbin had left hours ago, Vincent still felt uneasy. He did not think the party was a good idea. He had been wary of any occasion where Corbin was surrounded by alcohol, drugs, and vampires. Though Vincent drank liquor at meals and at get-togethers, he had never been fond of his brother's deep, needy desire for it and for anything he could sniff or smoke. Were it not for that dreadful night where Vincent had feasted off drug-infused blood, the lord would have never had a taste of such things. Had he known the ladies were high, he would have found a hobo lurking in the misty Venetian alleys to feed on.

"Marillia will be there, as will her ladies," Vincent reassured himself. "They know my angel is precious to me. They will keep one eye on him and on me, as well." Cringing, he recalled the horrible evening when he had told the Queen the sordid details. Of course, this was only after he had finally recovered and his brain no longer felt as though it was full of doorknobs and rusty nails. Marillia had shaken her head and asked Vincent if he wanted her to put Corbin in torpor –a long, dreamless sleep that could last for years. Vincent had begged her not to harm his little brother. Ever since then, Marilla has not been Corbin's biggest fan but she stayed a loyal friend for Vincent's sake.

Knocking on Kylo's bedroom door, Vincent sucked in a mouthful of air yet none entered his lungs. He waited to be invited in, and once Kylo did, the lord cracked open the door and entered.

Standing shirtless and in his linen undergarments, Kylo smiled at Vincent.

Vincent's silver eyes went wide as platters. "Heavens above," he whispered as he drank in the sight before him. The plum jacket in his arms was forgotten.

It was only when Kylo pushed back a lock of hair and bid the lord hello that Vincent snapped out of his staring. "Even in simple linens, you are ravishing." Vincent brought the jacket to his chest and absentmindedly began to crush it in his embrace.

"You like me in them?" Kylo asked impishly.

"I do."

"Because if you don't, I could remove them."

Vincent dropped the jacket and gasped. "You will be the death of me," he said as he quickly bent down to retrieve it.

"Would death in each other's arms be such a horrid thing, Vincent?"

As Vincent rose, he groaned softly. "I do not wish that for you." He had saved Kylo and he knew it would be wrong to have only brought him to Venice to kill him, even if it was for love. "Being around you brings me such anguish and such joy."

"I don't want to be the cause of any of your anguish, Vincent. I only want to give you joy." Kylo moved to the lord and placed his hand on Vincent's arm.

Up close, Vincent saw tiny droplets of water clinging onto Kylo's hair. He reached up and ran his fingers over the dampness. "You bring me more joy than I deserve. I never want to hurt you."

Clasping his hand over Vincent's, Kylo shook his head. "You never will. You couldn't possibly."

"What if I have brought you to a place you will want to flee from?"

A smile ghosted Kylo's lips. "Never. You gave me wings but this is not a cage. You are not a cage."

What am I to you?  Vincent wanted to ask but he kept the words inside – safe and sound among other emotions and dark, dark things.

Kylo looked down at the jacket and touched his index to it. "This is pretty."

Remembering why he had come, the lord took a step back, lifted the jacket and gestured that Kylo turn. "It is something for you." He helped his beloved slip it on, then turned him to face him. Straightening the lapel, he asked, "Does it fit?"

With a grateful smile, Kylo did up the buttons and nodded. "Like a glove."

"Will you wear them?" Vincent asked. "The gloves? They are lovely and will look exquisite with this."

"I will wear them and proper trousers and a silk shirt," Kylo said giggling at the way he looked still in his underthings.

At the mention of silk, Vincent blanched. "Lace will look so much nicer with velvet, don't you think?"

"Yes, my lord. As you desire," Kylo said in a light tease then bowed.

What I desire is you. "I do like you in lace." Vincent pulled him close. He wrapped his arms around Kylo's slender waist thinking what he felt was close to heaven. For the tenth time, Vincent wished he had said no to Corbin. It would have been better to stay home, just the two of them. "We'll be going to a party tonight."

Kylo clapped gleefully then placed both palms on Vincent's chest. "A party? A masquerade?"

"No. But it will be a different sort of party...Marillia and her ladies will be there."

Kylo nodded.

"And Corbin Stoker. He is a dear friend from way back. He will be hosting. He sent an...invitation earlier while you were sleeping."

"It will be nice to meet your friend."

 "I cannot promise that."

Kylo furrowed his brows. "I don't understand."

"Corbin's heart is in the right place. But he is," pausing, Vincent searched for the right words, "eccentric. And his friends are like me."

Inching up to touch his nose to Vin's, Kylo purred, "They cannot possibly be as divine as you."

"No, but they are vampires like I am. All of them. I do not think there are going to be any other mortals." Realizing there may be mortals but not as guests, Vincent cringed. "At least I don't think there will be. We're going to a vampire party, my angel. It may be rather different from my masquerade ball. If you think it is unwise we go –"

Touching his fingers to Vincent's lips, Kylo hushed him. "If you were able to save me from my wretched family, I know you will always be able to keep me safe." 

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