by V L Moon
Adrenaline fueled by blood emboldened him. Copi claimed the other man. A hand slid upward to the juncture of Vischeral’s hard chiseled jaw and gripped it tight. The other snaked a hold around Vischeral's waist. Copi pulled himself forward to straddle his partner’s thighs. Vischeral' eyes widened with desire. He reached out and drew Copi even closer. Copi's senses expanded, drinking Vischeral in while he lowered his mouth to the vampire’s full lips. He groaned loudly as their tongues entwined in an unrelenting kiss.
Passionate and fierce, Copi plundered deep, tasting and delving with each tantalizing sweep of his tongue. His hips found momentum and undulated, rolling with torturous intent along the thickened length of engorged flesh beneath his ass.
“Fuck, Copi.” The rough growl of Vischeral's voice sent tremors of delight down Copi’s spine as each roll of his hips drove his usually controlled partner closer to the edge. The hand at Vischeral’s chin rose, and he buried his fingers in the lengths of Vischeral's black hair. The other dropped to taunt the vampire by palming his cock and stroking slowly. Copi teased his tongue down Vischeral's fangs, piercing himself deeply on the sharp point. Fuck! He loved that he could feed the powerful male between his thighs.
Purring his approval, Vischeral drank in resplendent pulls from the honeyed, sweet well of Copi's tongue. He suckled greedily as Copi rose and buried Vischeral’s thick broad head directly into the valley of his firm tight ass cheeks.
“Jesus! Sweet Jesus, take me now!” Copi's mind screamed in exquisite need. Vischeral gripped his hips and ploughed his thick thighs hard into the back of Copi's long legs, thrusting his silky hot cock along the cleft of Copi's ass. Copi ground down to meet him, pleading wordlessly with Vischeral to take him, to make him feel more. But, Vischeral denied them both. His large body convulsed beneath Copi, releasing streams of come with a rapturous roar.
Breathless and panting, Vischeral buried his head against Copi's chest. Wrapping his arms around the man of his dreams, Copi gently lowered them both back onto the sheets. He held Vischeral lovingly close, refusing to let go until Vischeral went completely still. Sleep over took his partner’s taut frame, and he relaxed in slow increments.
Copi covered him and watched silently as Vischeral slipped calmly into the void of what he called the Sole Dormire. The vulnerability of the usually stern face fanned the love growing in Copi’s heart. Leaning over, he placed a soft chaste kiss upon the vampire’s lips before lying back into the warmth of the sleeping male’s bed to wait for a sleep that held no nightmares.
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Chapter Twenty-One
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Brazil
“My Lord, pardon the interruption,” Anahi, his secretary, apologized when he answered her buzzed summons. “Your mother is here to see you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right out.” Roman tucked the papers he’d been working on into a folder and checked his computer screen. Only minutes ago, he’d finished a video call with Tobias regarding the final details of the treaty to be signed. He was waiting for an email with the final markup of the document when the mischievous wolf sent him a highly erotic and NSFW photo attachment. The picture of his naked and very aroused wolf had his balls aching with the need for another visit. Covertly, he checked the computer to make sure the image was gone. His blank desktop screen stared back at him as he gained his feet.
Long strides carried him across the large room. He barely noticed the glossy hardwood furniture upholstered in the finest leather, or the rich Persian rugs scattered across the polished marble floors. Also ignored, the few remaining works of art gracing the walls and shelves. With the exception of the cherry wood desk, everything in the room had been chosen by the previous Elder, Mendeeto. The furniture and décor destroyed in the Nephilim attack had been removed leaving the vast space mostly empty.
Still heart sore over the loss of the only male role model in his life, Roman balked at making any changes. He knew, as he twisted the knob, his mother would berate him again when she entered. She’d been both maid and best friend to Carmelishia, Mendeeto’s wife. She’d spent more hours in the room than Roman had and yearned to see it restored to its former glory. The nearly barren décor was a stark contrast to the lush inviting office Mendeeto had preferred.
The door swung open with little sound. Laughter from the hallways rang softly in his ears when he stepped outside. “Mother,” he greeted her and stepped into her embrace. “It’s nice to see you. Won’t you come in?” He gestured toward the office, but she shook her head.
“I came to rescue you from that office. You never come out of there,” she admonished and took his arm. “Come, walk with your mother.” Given little choice, he pulled the door closed behind him and waved a goodbye at Anahi.
They walked in silence for several minutes. His mother’s head swiveled back and forth, and he realized she wanted him to notice the work being done by the enclave. He glanced around and observed friends as they prepared for their King’s arrival.
After months of tears and sadness, joy lit their faces. The bright gaiety of Carnival splashed the halls with vibrant color. Marble floors gleamed, polished wood shone brightly and glass sparkled. In anticipation of their sovereign, the South American vampires were going all out to provide a festive atmosphere incorporating the vivid pageantry of their heritage.
A proud smile curved his lips. “They have outdone themselves. It looks magnificent.”
“That it does, and they need their Elder to tell them so.” Madalina’s light rebuke was softened by her smile. “I know you are hard at work doing the King’s business, but these are the ones you represent. They need to see you, Roman. I know you remember Mendeeto and how he strolled these halls, greeting mothers, playing with children, and swapping stories with the fathers.”
Her disappointment washed over him, and he stiffened. “I wasn’t aware I had been so lax, Mother. I will endeavor to correct my oversight. I’ll have Anahi schedule a conference or…”
“Stop, Roman,” she chided him. “You are anything but lax in your duties. Our King has had you porting back and forth between here and Rome, and then to the States. You always seem so distracted.”
Roman flushed and dropped his eyes. All of the travel wasn’t for the King, especially the States side visits, and the distraction was wholly attributable to one male, a wolf to be exact. And as quick as a thought, Tobias filled his mind. His roguish smile and mischievous nature. The long lean, but nicely muscled body. The exotic spice of his wolf’s blood. The softness of his fur when he shifted. Roman very nearly groaned aloud. It had been three long weeks since they’d been together, and he missed his wolf lover.
And, with a mother’s intuition, Madalina sighed and tipped his chip up so their eyes met again. “Who is she? And, where did you meet her?” Eyes as green as his own studied his face. How could he tell her the truth? How could he make her understand about Tobias, how the wolf swept him clean off of his feet when he still found it unbelievable himself?
Roman blinked first. “I have to get back to work. I’ll have Anahi arrange something to…celebrate.” He waved a hand around them at the decorations. “Thank you for your advice, I won’t forget it.” He backed away as he spoke causing his mother’s eyes to narrow.
“Does Darklon know about your liaison? Is it someone he chose for you?” Madalina pressed her lips together. “Never mind. Forget I asked that, it’s none of my business after all.”
The pain in her eyes broke his resolve and his heart. He’d hurt her terribly when he’d left with Darklon. He’d been swept up in the thrall of the court and the childish dream of finally having a father of his own. Too late, he’d realized his mother had spoken the truth. Darklon had beguiled him and tried to use him against Denali; still intended to use him if he could. He had the power to ease some of her pain if he was willing to put himself and his new lover in the spotlight. After a slight hesitation, he reached and took his mother’s hand. Despite the brevity of their acquaintance, he loved Tobias and
telling his mother was a step in the direction he wanted his life to take. “Come back to the office. I want you to meet someone.”
Confusion slid across Madalina’s face. “She’s here? Roman, I can’t believe you haven’t told me.” Unconsciously, she straightened her hair and dress. His heart ached just a little more. Once again, he took her hand. The return trip was much faster than the first leisurely stroll.
“Anahi, hold any calls, and if anyone comes by, please take their name.” He ushered his mother into the room and shut the door. After she sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in front of his desk, he circled it and hit the keys to wake up the computer. He sat down and braced his elbows on the wood surface. For long moments, he stared at the desk blotter.
“Is she human, son? Already mated? Surely, it’s not so bad you’re this scared to tell me.” She leaned forward, reached across the desk and took one of his hands.
“Mom, have you ever met someone that just totally blew you away; a person that changed everything you thought you knew about yourself?” A soft laugh brought his head up.
“My darling boy, how do you think you got here? And, as a vampire?” She patted his hand. “Your father was beautiful, like you are. Tall and dark. He was thin at the time and bore the marks of abuse but oh he was a sight when he stumbled onto my father’s farm. I was mesmerized.” She smiled as the memories rushed forward.
“I was alone in the cattle barn. We had a female about to birth. He came striding in with a wildness in his eyes that I didn’t understand, but I could feel his pain. It radiated from him. Bevvy, our heifer, went into hysterics. She sensed what he was, what he needed.”
She sighed heavily, her eyes just on the edge of dreamy. “He soothed her and then me. He was so newly turned he didn’t know how to hide his fangs or his hunger, but he was so gentle.” Another slow smile spread over her face. “I offered him my throat and in return…well, he gave me you.”
Roman sat stunned. In all of his years, he’d never heard one thing about his father. “And his name?” he finally managed to rasp.
“I don’t know. I never thought to ask.” She blushed. “After we…afterward, I helped him find a safe hiding place in the barn and left him just as the sun peeked over the horizon. I worried that my papa would find him, but he didn’t. By the time I finished my chores and could sneak away the next night, he was gone.”
“So, he never knew of me?” Roman asked.
“No. I tried to find out who he was, but no one fit his description,” she answered. Something in her eyes went flat and haunted. Her hand rose to stroke along her vein before she recovered herself. “Eventually, the angel came. He brought me here.” She finished with forced gaiety.
Roman hadn’t thought she could shock him anymore, but the last bit stole the breath from his lungs. “An angel?”
“Oh yes. He was a beautiful creature if in a bit of a rush. Cheeky bugger too. He claimed to know your father though he’d not tell me a name. He swore it best I didn’t know. Who was I to argue with a celestial?” Her brow furrowed. “He did tell me his name. Layel, Lucel…”
Roman gulped. “Laziel?” His voice barely rose above a whisper.
His mother smiled happily. “Yes, that’s it. Laziel. A beautiful male. You know him?”
Roman fell back in his chair. In just a few minutes, his mother had turned his world upside down. He struggled to align his thoughts. “Know him? Mother, he’s…that’s the King’s angel. The Seraphim that protects Malachi Denali.”
Her smile widened. “Well, I imagine he gives our sovereign quite the bit of entertainment then. I’ve never had so much fun as I did traveling with him.”
She didn’t get it. Roman sat forward again, his thoughts churning like a storm at sea. “Did you ever think…have you ever seen…?” He swallowed hard. “Mother is there any chance Denali is my father?”
The smile trilled into tinkling laughter. “Ah Roman, our King is pureblood, not turned. Everyone knows that. Now, where is this mystery female I am to meet?” She playfully smacked his hand. “Did you distract me on purpose?”
Not quite breathing normally, Roman shook his head. Why had she never told him that story before? Why now before Denali was scheduled to appear in their enclave? Was that what Darklon meant about having better chances at the throne—because he was Denali’s son? Why had Laziel come for her?
“Roman?” The voice from the screen snapped him out of his reverie. He turned to stare into beautiful tawny eyes. The knots in his gut eased a bit. Concern lined Tobias’s face. “You looked miles away lover. Everything okay?”
Across the desk, his mother inhaled sharply. Roman wished like hell Tobias was beside him instead of an ocean away. He needed his touch, the soothing balm of his wolf’s musk. He lifted a hand and brushed the image on the monitor. Tobias frowned again.
“Rome, you look like you just got hit by a freight train. What the fuck’s going on?” A resonating growl rumbled through the speakers. “Has that bastard Darklon upset you, again? I swear I’m going to rip that vampire’s throat out when I get there.”
“I like him already,” Madalina said, rising from her chair. Roman watched speechless as she rounded his desk to stare at the screen. “Hello dear. I’m Roman’s mother, Madalina.”
“Tobias Chamberlin, ma’am. It’s very nice to make your acquaintance.” Roman met Tobias’s gaze again, and mischief danced in the tawny depths of his eyes. He finally managed to open his mouth and remember how to make his throat work.
“Ahh, Mother, this is the she you were expecting to meet. Tobias is my…” he paused. What exactly was the male? Boyfriend seemed to shallow, fiancé hadn’t been decided. He looked helplessly at Tobias’s image.
“Mate. We wolves have mates.” There was no hesitation in his lover’s voice. His heart squeezed painfully in his chest. His mate. He liked the sound of that.
“He’s the Beta to the Appalachian Pack. He’s been helping with the negotiations for the treaty from his side.” Roman risked a glance at his mother and was surprised to find her smiling with tears in her eyes.
“He loves you,” she stated. Not a question.
Roman ducked his head, embarrassed. “Mother, that’s not…”
“Yes he does,” Tobias answered at the same time. “And, Roman loves me though I have a devil of a time getting him to say it.”
Roman’s head came up. “Of course, I love you. I’ve told you that often enough.” A very wolfish grin spread over Tobias’s face, and his mother laughed.
“Oh Roman, he’s exactly what you need. You’re too serious and worry far too much. I’m so happy for you both.” She caught his face in her hands and kissed both cheeks. “And, I’m going to assume you haven’t told me because you’ve been busy and not some crazy notion that I would disapprove of your choice.” With the single statement she took every bit of the wind out of his sails. He stared dumbfounded even as Tobias chuckled.
Madalina patted his cheek and blew a kiss at the monitor. “Take care of my boy wolf, or I’ll have your pelt to warm my feet.”
“Yes ma’am.” Tobias returned her blown kiss. Apparently satisfied, Madalina circled back around the desk and headed for the office door.
“Come up for air in a bit, Roman, and don’t forget to have Anahi arrange the little get together.” With a final wave, she left the room and tugged the door closed behind her.
“Well that went well don’t you think?” Tobias’s voice jerked his head back around. His face must have given him away because Tobias’s smile faded fast. “Rome, you okay?”
“No, yeah…maybe,” he said and shoved a hand through his hair. “Sorry, you got thrown into that without warning. I was going to introduce you, and then she dropped a bomb in my lap.”
“You want to talk about it? I’ve got about a half-hour before I need to go and meet the Alphas.” Tobias shifted in his seat and turned the camera so Roman could see him stretched out on his bed. His mouth lost every speck of moisture at the tantalizin
g picture.
“Uh no, we can talk when you get here,” he said and bit back a groan when Tobias lifted his shirt and skimmed his fingers over his own abs. “Stop teasing me wolf. I’m trying to work here.”
Tobias’s laughter rang sexy and low through the connection. “Better it was your mouth making the same path.” Roman’s hunger kicked up a notch, but he strangled it with his will. He was not going to get off at work. Well, not again.
“Is everything set up for tonight?” He locked his eyes on Tobias’s face determined not to watch the path the wolf’s wayward hand took.
“Yup. Lance’s plane arrived, and I’m going to be out there to pick him up as soon as the sun’s gone. The younger pups are eager to participate in the training you’ve set up.” As he spoke, his fingers drifted toward his crotch. His tongue appeared to trace his lips just as his hips arched into his palm. Roman growled. Tobias popped the button of his jeans. And yet again, Roman lost the battle with his desires.
~*~*~*~
Chapter Twenty-Two
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Seated in one of the leather upholstered chairs in Roman De Sangue’s office, Malachi stretched his right leg in front of him. Pain shot through his thigh making him grit his teeth. Despite a full week passing since his encounter with the Creator, bone splinters pierced sinew with every move he made. The pain helped him focus, but reinforced his body’s demand that he feed. His fangs throbbed at even the suggestion. Hastily, he bailed on that train of thought. His troubled gaze fell to his lap.
At Ms. Stroner’s advice, he wore his newly purchased checked wool Sicilia fit Dolce and Gabanna suit. The steel grey color was a few shades lighter than his preferred black, but she’d been adamant he look the part of the king. At his side dressed in a vibrant cherry red suit, she worked steadily on her Ipad.