by Marie Medina
“I agree. There is always another way. A new idea. You should write these things down.” He smiled again as Adam tugged on his shirt. “I’m glad to see you feeling so much better.”
Petyr looked a bit embarrassed. “I live alone with two infants. Don’t get much chance for adult conversation.”
“I hate what brought you here, but I’m glad you’re here.” He hesitated, wondering if he should say what he was thinking. After another few seconds, he said, “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Petyr averted his gaze as he said, “Please don’t get your hopes up. You’re very handsome, but attraction doesn’t always lead to love. When I’m well enough to leave, that’s my plan.” He looked up then. “To leave. Never trouble you again. I don’t want to cause you pain, and I need your help in order to do that.”
At least he’s admitting he finds me handsome. “Life doesn’t tend to care what we want or intend. You’re not troubling me or causing me pain. It would’ve been far more painful to hear of your death or to learn you had gone elsewhere for help.”
“Life has never seemed at all interested in what I wanted. I’ll agree with that.”
Rollo started to reply, but Ellie kicked her feet and grunted.
Petyr said, “They may be hungry. When did they last eat?”
“A few hours ago.” Rollo rose and lifted Adam into his arms. “We can go find something for them. Helen might already be preparing something.”
Petyr picked Ellie up. “That’s probably a good idea. Now that I’m feeling better, I can start doing things for them again.”
“The doctor said you shouldn’t overdo it. I’m sure you do feel much better, but it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since your collapse.”
“But I can’t just sit around. I want to try. Maybe it’ll help me get stronger. Fight this. You said you wanted me to try, to not give up. Hover if it makes you feel better, but I’m not going to stay in bed all day.” He opened the door and headed out without another word.
Adam reached for the door, giving a little grunt.
Rollo went after Petyr as he said, “My apologies, sir. I’ll try to be of better service in future.”
Adam didn’t get the joke, of course, but he recognized that he’d gotten his way. He bounced in Rollo’s arms as they followed Petyr and Ellie down the stairs.
****
The Next Evening
Petyr sat on the balcony of his new room, watching the twin suns set and rolling an empty glass in his hands. The change in only forty-eight hours amazed him. His mind wandered back to his earlier conversation with Rollo. He did think he had good ideas, but he still believed few would listen to him. He poured another glass of blood, which had been mixed with grape juice this time. He understood that vampires couldn’t step in and turn people every single time someone got sick, but why were rules about the use of vampire blood in medicine so strict? Surely someone had written about that before. Most in his situation stood little chance of receiving help, as permission had to be obtained for them to be given vampire blood and a willing donor had to be found. Only people who were the mates or lovers of vampires could get around the law. But was it even a law, or simply an unspoken regulation? He felt his eyebrows go up at the thought, and he smiled to himself. He hadn’t had such complex thoughts for weeks—a fact he could certainly use if he did choose to write about such a thing.
A gentle knock sounded, and Petyr rose to go to inside and answer the door.
Rollo stood in the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. “I hope it isn’t too late,” he said quietly.
Petyr shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Helen has the children downstairs. Took them for a bath after dinner. She’ll bring them up in a little bit. They start getting sleepy shortly after the suns set.”
“I was just coming to check if you needed anything.”
“No, I think I’m fine. Imagine I’ll sleep well tonight.”
“And you’re sure you want the children in here? You need your sleep, and there are plenty of people who could watch over them.”
Petyr turned to where the large crib sat, feeling playful suddenly. “If you want to come running across the hall when one of them screams, I won’t object.”
“Screams? That doesn’t sound good.”
Petyr laughed. “Maybe not the best word, but you’d be amazed how much noise something so small can make.”
“I think you were only joking, but I honestly wouldn’t mind.”
Petyr realized he needed to be a little more guarded. The way Rollo looked at him now said the vampire really would come dashing across the hall at the slightest sound. He liked the protectiveness Rollo was showing toward the children, but his plan was to leave. None of them needed to get too comfortable with this arrangement. “You’ve already done so much. I can never repay you as it is.”
“This isn’t the kind of thing you repay someone for. I’m doing all this because it’s right.”
“And being my mate gives you the power to do so with no consequences.”
Rollo frowned at him. “Well, yes.” He looked uncertain as he said, “You sound as if you object.”
“I was just thinking. I…” He paused and stepped aside. “I’ve kept you standing here this whole time. Come in, please.”
“Thank you, but I didn’t mind. I only came to check on you.”
Petyr pointed to the balcony, and they went out to sit. He poured himself another glass of the blood mixture, wanting his brain as sharp as possible. “Is there actually a law against turning someone who isn’t your mate? A sick person, for example. Everyone acts like there is, but law is one thing I’ve never studied at all.”
“Yes, there is. It’s very old. Even with mates, you need permission from your family to turn them.”
“Really? I had no idea.”
“It’s more a formality. A point of etiquette. I don’t think anyone ever objects. I think there are some old folktales about family feuds that involved mates and denials, but I think there would have to be very obvious objections to someone.”
“You’d have to ask your parents? Your brothers? About me, I mean.”
“My parents, yes. Under the current circumstances, they’d forgive me acting first and asking later. My brothers haven’t found their mates yet, and my parents are getting antsy about grandchildren.”
Silence fell for a moment. Petyr cleared his throat. “Perhaps your brothers will be mated to women. Or you might … meet someone.”
Rollo smiled politely. “We’ll see what the gods sort out.” He looked toward the horizon.
Petyr felt an ache in his chest. Why did I say that? Why did I ask that stupid question? Now he’ll think I’m considering letting him turn me. Petyr was thinking about it, but he hadn’t wanted Rollo to know that yet. He took a brief sip and set his glass aside. “I have a lot to research before I start writing any pamphlets.” He waited, hoping Rollo would accept the change of subject.
Rollo’s gaze fixed on Petyr’s left hand. “I wish you had let me heal that at the time.”
Petyr looked down at the scar on his middle finger, a constant reminder of the day they’d met. Petyr worked as a carpenter, and he’d just sliced his finger open on a nail when Rollo had walked into his workshop. Petyr felt his face flush at the memory, as well as the feel of Rollo’s gaze on him. “I was pretty flustered. It’s not often a stranger walks up to you and grabs your hand and…” He trailed off as he folded his hands in his lap, not sure why he kept saying such suggestive things.
“And licks it. Yes, I remember. I was just as embarrassed at my actions, but I was too excited to care. I’d been told it was possible to know your mate by just the scent of their blood, but something came over me when it actually hit me.” Rollo came forward in his chair a little. “Would you and the children have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“I thought you typically didn’t eat.” Vampires did not actually have to eat, as long as they drank plenty of water and fed on enough
blood. Before Nora’s pregnancy had changed everything, Rollo and Petyr had spent a few evenings together getting to know each other. Petyr distinctly remembered Rollo mentioning it.
“I don’t. Seems a waste of food, really, only eating for pleasure.” He smiled. “Though, I do tend to overindulge in chocolate.”
“Can’t say I blame you there.”
“But humans are more comfortable when vampires do more than drink wine or ale, so I’m used to it. Helen is an excellent cook, and I often eat at the inn when we have large crowds.” He paused and then said, “I’m also being selfish and trying to spend time alone with the three of you.”
“So that I’ll stay?”
“So that you’ll at least consider not doing as you said. Leaving and never troubling me again. I hated the way you phrased that.”
“Isn’t it trouble if I only take and offer nothing in return?”
“Friendship isn’t nothing.”
Friendship? He can’t be serious. He’ll never move on if we continue having contact with each other. “You’d want to be friends with me?”
“If that’s all we could be, then yes.”
“Sounds like a raw deal for you.”
Rollo took his hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the scarred finger. “Then have dinner with me. We can pick up where we left off.”
Petyr drew his hand back gently. “We left off with you leaving my house looking devastated.”
“I felt cheated. Won’t pretend I didn’t.”
“I like your honesty, but I don’t want to be with you because I feel guilty. Or as if I owe you something.”
Rollo frowned. “I keep saying you owe me nothing, but I suppose I understand why you can’t see it that way. You’re really worried, aren’t you? That this situation will cloud your judgment?”
“Yes,” Petyr said softly.
Rollo stood up. “Well, then, I guess I’ll simply have to seduce you thoroughly enough that there can be no doubt why you’re with me.” He bowed low and then winked as he straightened. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Petyr stared after him as he went. The stunned feeling didn’t really vanish until Helen came up with the children.
As she handed Ellie over, she asked, “Are you all right?”
“I think the gods do like playing games, Helen. Just as you said.”
She eyed Petyr a moment as she placed Adam on a blanket between the bed and the crib. She handed him some kind of stuffed toy—more toys appeared every time Petyr turned around—and then straightened to look at Petyr. “I believe they do. But sometimes, we’re the better for a little detour along the way.” The pointed way she looked at the children couldn’t be missed. She gestured to the pull cord by the bed. “If they need anything, or if you do, then you ring for us.”
“I promise. Thank you, Helen,” he said.
She nodded and left, and he sank down onto the bed with Ellie. She laid her head on his shoulder, and he rocked her gently. He felt less sure of what he intended to do now than he had at any point since he’d decided to come to Rollo for help, and her gentle weight helped to soothe him as he turned what Rollo had said over and over in his head.
****
Rollo got out of bed as the first of the twin suns peeked over the horizon. He’d slept fitfully, wondering about his next move. Petyr hadn’t objected to what he’d said when they parted, but the man had looked too stunned to say anything. He hadn’t objected to Rollo kissing his hand either, though he had pulled it away after only a couple of seconds. He also hadn’t exactly said he would have dinner with Rollo, though Rollo was going to plan on it happening anyway. The children would be there with them. Surely Petyr would be fine with that.
It’ll be innocent enough. We can talk, and he can tell me about the children, about his life since we last saw each other. I’m hardly likely to pin him to the dinner table and rip his clothes off.
Rollo smiled at that image even as he told himself he needed to behave. Little nudges were fine, but he had to be careful not to scare Petyr off. He seemed so much stronger already. If Rollo’s blood actually did cure Petyr without Rollo having to turn him, there would be nothing to keep his mate here.
A sharp cry rang out, and Rollo turned to go out into the hallway. The cry settled into a more muffled sound, but Rollo still went to Petyr’s door and listened. When the crying continued, he knocked and waited for an answer. When none came, he cracked the door and looked in. He could see one of the children kicking its arms and feet in the air, and the other one began to stir as well. Petyr lay in the middle of the bed, unmoving.
Rollo pushed the door all the way open and rushed to the bed, giving the children a quick glance. Petyr seemed to only be asleep, but a touch to his face told Rollo he had a fever. Sweat drenched his pale face. Shaking him and saying his name him did nothing.
Rollo pulled the cord by the bed, hoping someone was still downstairs in the main house. He went to the children.
Adam looked up at him curiously and then over at his sister, who was crying.
Rollo lifted her into his arms, stopping short when she ceased crying almost immediately. She rubbed her face against his shoulder and gripped his shirt in one little fist. He glanced to the bed again, but Petyr still hadn’t stirred. He filled a basin with water and threw a cloth over his shoulder. Ellie grabbed the edge of the basin and tried to pull it closer, seeming very curious about its contents.
“This is for daddy,” Rollo said. “Let’s see if we can get him cooled off.” He set the basin down and then wet the cloth. Wringing it out with one hand proved a bit challenging, and as he wiped Petyr’s face and forehead, he found himself wishing he’d been around to help Petyr all this time. If only word could’ve reached him somehow. He sighed, knowing there was no point in dwelling on it.
Helen came bustling in, wiping her hands on her flour-covered apron. “What’s wrong? How is he?”
“Feverish again,” Rollo said. “Sweating and unresponsive.”
Helen came over and stood on the other side of the bed. She held Petyr’s wrist a moment. “Pulse is good and strong.” She touched his cheek. “He’s pretty warm, though.”
“Ellie was crying, and he didn’t even stir,” Rollo said. “And I couldn’t wake him.”
“Should we fetch the doctor back?”
Rollo gazed down at Petyr. “Maybe not. If we can only wake him and make him see this won’t work. He has to let me turn him.” He dipped the cloth in the cool water again. “I’d do it right now if I wasn’t sure he’d hate me.”
“I don’t think he’d exactly hate you, but he certainly wouldn’t stay.” She touched his arm gently. “You can’t do it without his permission. It has to be his choice.”
“What if he doesn’t wake up? What if he can’t make the choice?”
She drew her hand back. “We do what we can. And if the worst happens, we take care of the children.” Walking around the bed, she took Ellie from him. “I’ve put a little playpen in the kitchen. Let me take them down to one of the girls. They’re probably starting to get hungry. I’ll bring up clean cloths. Some smelling salts. He needs to drink more blood. We’ll get more down him if he’s awake.”
“Thank you,” he said absently as she picked up Adam and hurried from the room. Rollo sat on the bed. He laid the cool cloth over Petyr’s forehead and held his hand.
“You have to wake up,” Rollo said quietly. “Adam and Ellie need you. And so do I.” He stared at their joined hands. “I tried to forget about you, but I couldn’t. The gods aren’t always fair, but you dying like this would be downright cruel.”
Petyr seemed to take a deeper breath, and Rollo leaned closer. Yet nothing happened. Rollo actually closed his eyes and started praying. His chest constricted as he opened his eyes again and lifted Petyr’s hand to kiss it.
Petyr’s fingers flexed in his, and Rollo looked up to see Petyr’s eyes opening. They seemed unfocused at first, but Petyr fixed his gaze on Rollo. “My head. It’s poun
ding,” Petyr said softly.
“You need to drink.” The decanter by the bed stood empty, so Rollo bit his own wrist. “You may find this distasteful, but—”
Rollo cut himself off as Petyr grabbed his wrist and latched onto it. He tried to remain calm but struggled. Having his mate drink from him so aggressively caused his body to stir. When Petyr let go and fell back on the bed, Rollo licked the wound to close it and then resumed wiping Petyr’s face, cleaning the small amount of blood from his chin.
Rollo said, “It may not be fair to say this now, but we must talk about me turning you. You seemed so much stronger last night. I never would’ve expected to find you like this today.”
Petyr’s breathing seemed labored, but he looked much better as he sat up. “I probably didn’t drink enough last night.”
Rollo wasn’t in the mood to hear excuses. He took Petyr by the back of the head and made the man look him in the eye. “Your children need you. This isn’t about me.”
A tear rolled down Petyr’s cheek, and he swiped at it as he pulled away. “I need more time to think about it.”
“If that’s your answer, fine, but I’m not leaving your side from now on. Not unless someone else is with you.”
Petyr lowered his gaze. “Your cock is hard, and your eyes are black.”
“I know, but that’s my problem.” Rollo grabbed at an extra pillow and put it over his lap. “My mate was just drinking from me moments ago. Quite aggressively. Hard to fight it.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, wondering what Petyr was thinking. “What can I do to convince you that my help doesn’t come at a price?”
Footsteps sounded, and Petyr looked away.
Helen came back in, and Petyr flushed as she rushed over to him. “Glad to see you’ve revived without this.” She waved a bottle of smelling salts and set it down on the dresser. She brought some cloths to the bed, taking the one in Rollo’s hand. She looked at the blood on it. “You had a good drink? Feel better?”