by Marie Medina
His mind went back to the king’s letter, and he went in search of Petyr. He found his mate with the children. They were sleeping, and Petyr was reading another large book.
Rollo walked into the room quietly and signaled for Petyr to join him on the balcony.
Petyr put his book down and followed Rollo to the other side of the room. “You don’t have to worry about waking them. They used to nap with all kinds of noises going on,” he said.
“I know. You keep telling me. It’ll sink in one day,” Rollo said as they sat down.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve heard from the king. He’s very happy about us and definitely interested in hearing what you have to say.”
Petyr pressed his lips together. “I’m not sure I know what I want to say.”
“Well, tell him your story. In your own words. He’s very good at hiding his emotions, but once he’s met the children, I think even he would struggle to appear unmoved. Losing his fated mate the way he did is probably one reason he’s happy I got a second chance.”
“He and the queen don’t have children of their own, right?”
“No, they don’t, but they both adore children. They’ve taken many in over the years. Not actually adopted them but given them homes.”
“Why not adopt them?”
“Well, that would affect the succession. Jareth’s cousin is next in line. Noric is his steward, actually.”
“I didn’t know any of that.” Petyr frowned. “Perhaps I should write a pamphlet about paying attention in school.”
Rollo laughed and leaned over to kiss his mate. “So many things we learn in school are easily forgotten.”
“How long has Jareth been king?”
Rollo opened his mouth but then closed it again.
Petyr cracked a smile. “Aha, you don’t know.”
“I do, just can’t remember. It was long before I was born, you know. When the king himself was still young.” He searched his brain, but Petyr’s staring didn’t help. “He was born in 2603, the Year of Blood, like us. It must’ve been close to the middle of that century because he was so young he had to have a regent. Any monarch under fifty is required to have one.” He tilted his head as he eyed Petyr.
“Very impressive. Keep going.”
“I’ve gotten pretty close. Narrowed it down for you.”
“Hmmm.”
Rollo chuckled as his mate’s smile widened. “It’s in there somewhere but buried much too deeply. He was young when his older brother died, probably close to your age. There are these things called history books, you know. In among all the others you’re searching.”
“I’ll be sure to read up on him before he arrives.” Petyr’s smile faded. “Was he just being polite, or does he really want to hear my ideas? I’m sure I’m not the first person to have them.”
“The king isn’t known for doing anything simply to be polite. To follow etiquette, maybe, but he’s not one for fake niceties. He would put us off if he weren’t interested. And if I continued to insist, he’d come out and say he wasn’t interested.”
“Blunt?”
“Oh yes. We should all be thankful that’s one of the worst words that can apply to him. The last king who reigned so long wasn’t known for anything good by the end.”
“Really?”
Rollo nodded. “Jareth’s great great uncle. Assassinated by his own son. That’s how the crown passed to Jareth’s branch. 2289. That date I remember.”
“If the king was bad, why wasn’t the son seen as a hero and crowned after his death?”
“He was seen as a hero. But the palace guards had already killed him. It was a mess, left things in a state of unrest.”
“Perhaps I should count my blessings. Be content.”
“We all should count our blessings, but don’t you dare think of backing down.”
“I wasn’t. It’s just … I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Don’t see why that should stop you.” Rollo turned toward Petyr a little more. “I’ve seen you writing things down. Tell me an idea.”
Petyr fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. “Vampire blood can’t cure everything. Not cancer. Not organ failure. Why not use it, sparingly at least, for the things we know it can cure? Even if we’d never met, I had a chance of survival with the help of vampire blood. A chance is better than nothing. I’ve made a list of diseases vampire blood can combat. There aren’t as many as I thought.”
“You started out thinking almost anything could be cured with vampire blood?”
“Not quite, but close. Makes my idea a bit less radical. Do you think that gives me a better chance?”
“Perhaps. The king’s council would have to approve in the end. But if he gets as far as presenting your idea, the chances are good. He’s a persuasive speaker.”
“I’ve heard that.”
When Petyr didn’t say anything else, Rollo reached over and tapped his arm. “What else?”
“What else?”
“Social structure. We talked about that, too.”
Petyr shrugged one shoulder. “Haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“There’s plenty of time. Nothing changes overnight.”
A cry rang out from inside the room. Petyr smiled as he stood up. “But some things change pretty quickly.”
Rollo rose to follow him inside. After Petyr had picked up Ellie, he turned back to Rollo, who smiled and said, “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
****
Petyr felt overwhelmed as he flipped through the sketches. He felt ready to return to the history books. He’d had no idea there were so may design possibilities when it came to mating jewelry. Humans just exchanged rings, and there were only a few choices to be made. He decided against necklaces or bracelets, since both children loved to pull on chains. But the possibilities with rings amazed him. There were so many options for metals and jewels and engravings. They were both born the same year of the zodiac, at least, so that simplified things a bit. But one ruby on each ring, or two to represent them both? Adam and Ellie had been born in the Year of Gods, so their birthstone was yellow. Would the colors look good together? He liked the idea of representing the children in some way, especially given the way they’d bonded with Rollo.
Petyr’s gaze landed on a vine pattern he liked. He read the caption, which told him they were sundrop vines. He flipped to the back to see what they meant. The jewelry maker had left a list of symbols that represented love and passion, but sundrop vines hadn’t been listed.
“Renewal. Second chances,” Petyr said to himself when he found the listing. He closed the book, a smile coming to his face. He knew Rollo would love it. He took up a piece of paper and began writing.
Rollo obviously hadn’t expected him to make a decision so quickly, his eyebrows shooting up when Petyr handed him the slip of paper. His eyes had already been blue when Petyr had come into his study, but they seemed even brighter as he looked up.
“You approve?” Petyr asked.
Rollo answered him by shoving the papers off his desk and lifting Petyr up onto it. The vampire had him pinned to the desk before he could say anything else.
When Petyr was allowed to come up for breath, he said, “That a yes?”
“Yes,” Rollo said before nibbling his lower lip and kissing him again. “If we order them in the morning, they can be ready in time for the king’s visit.”
Petyr felt a little flutter in his stomach. “You want to have our ceremony while he’s here?”
“Yes, I think we can manage it. He said he’d love to be present for it. What better way to end his visit? And celebrate.”
“Celebrate?”
Rollo playfully arched one eyebrow. “Us officially becoming mates. But more than that,” he said, smiling. “I’m sure the king will listen to you. And that will be more than a personal victory. Lives may be saved.”
Petyr felt his cheeks heat. “I can’t believe how much you believe in me.” He looked down.
“Or how often you make me blush.” He glanced back up. “I never used to blush before.”
“Not apologizing for that. I like it.” He drew away and went to the door, closing and locking it. “In fact, I have a new idea that will probably have you blushing the rest of the day.”
“You think so?” Petyr said, a jolt of desire running through him.
Rollo drew him close again. “Let’s find out.”
****
Two Days Later
Rollo heard his mother, Babette, before he saw her. He turned toward her sounds of excitement to see her with her flowing skirt gathered in both hands as she rushed across the courtyard toward him and the children. His father, Roland, and Petyr followed at a more leisurely pace.
“Oh, they’re so beautiful! Just precious!” she said as she somehow slid to halt and then immediately scooped Adam up into her arms.
“That’s Adam, and this is Ellie,” Rollo said, bouncing the little girl in his arms. “I do hope you introduced yourself to my mate before demanding to know where the children were.”
Babette gave him a look of exasperation. “Of course we did, darling. He’s very sweet.” She fussed with the collar of Adam’s shirt. “He was gracious enough to come greet our carriage when it arrived.”
“I saw you pull up. I decided to stay here with the children. There are a couple of bird nests back here, and they both like the chirping and watching the birds go back and forth.”
Babette cast her eyes to the trees and then said to Adam, “Do you like birdies? Perhaps Nana will get you some for your room. We’ll find the prettiest ones there are.”
“They might begin chirping too early, dearest,” Roland said as he and Petyr joined them.
“Nonsense! Our birds don’t make a sound until I take the sheet off every morning.”
Rollo returned the amused smile Petyr gave him and said, “How was the journey?”
“Not bad,” Roland said, “though I had to share a carriage with a pink rabbit, a purple horse, and a yellow bear. They were propped on the other bench, staring at us with their big button eyes.”
Rollo frowned, but then he sighed. “How big are they?”
“Bigger than the children,” Roland said, smiling at his wife.
Babette gave Adam to Roland and then took Ellie from Rollo. “They’re beautiful. I’ve had the patterns for years. I began sewing the moment we got your letter. I already had the right material, and your father ran into the village to buy stuffing. We’d have been here sooner, but I spilled some wine and had to redo part of the rabbit. Took half a day.”
“You made them yourself? That’s so kind of you,” Petyr said, looking overwhelmed yet happy.
Babette smiled at him. “I loved every moment of it. I’ve wanted grandchildren for so long. But I promise not to spoil them with presents. No guarantees about spoiling them in any other ways, though.”
Petyr looked a bit sad as he said, “They’ve had no grandparents at all. No one but me, until I came here. They deserve to be a bit spoiled.”
Babette crossed to Petyr and hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek. Though she seemed to be attempting to whisper, they all heard her as she said, “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through, but I can’t help being happy you’re here. I worried he’d never get over you.”
Rollo started to object, but his father motioned for him to stop. He waited as Petyr said something back, low enough he couldn’t hear.
Babette kissed him on the cheek again and turned to her husband. “Come on. Let’s give them a little rest and get to know our grandchildren.”
She started down the path, and Roland followed. But he turned back and said, “I promise we won’t buy any ponies until our next visit.”
“Thank you,” Rollo said.
Once they were out of earshot, Petyr said, “Ponies? Really?”
“There’s no point in trying to stop them,” Rollo said, taking Petyr’s hand and leading him in the other direction.
“They seem very kind. And they obviously love you and your brothers very much,” Petyr said.
“They do. We were very happy growing up.”
Petyr tightened his grip on Rollo’s hand and reached his other hand over to clutched Rollo’s arm. “I’m so happy most of the time I forget I’m nervous.”
“Nervous?”
“Meeting your family. The king. Having our ceremony.”
“Nothing to be nervous about.”
“I want everything perfect,” Petyr said.
Rollo stopped and looked down at him. “It already is. I’d never have planned it out this way, but now that it’s happening, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“And I mean it.” Rollo kissed his mate until he felt the smaller man relax in his arms. “Now, let’s take advantage of the free babysitters.”
Petyr eyed him. “We’ve already had sex twice today,” he said softly.
Rollo smiled. “Oh, not what I had in mind at all. I want to hear you practice what you’re going to say to the king.”
Petyr looked skeptical.
“I’m serious. He’ll only be here a few days. And he’ll probably want to hear what you have to say before the festivities begin.”
The skepticism gave way to a look of anxiety. “We really going to have our ceremony when King Jareth is here? I know you mentioned it, but we never talked about it again.”
“Yes. He’ll be honored. And he’ll like the surprise. He said he couldn’t wait to congratulate us so he’s probably expecting us to have it before he gets here. Most people don’t wait very long.”
“We missed out on that. The excitement. The frenzy.”
“Frenzy is overrated. I’d change a lot of things, if I could, but I can’t picture you without your children.” He drew Petyr closer. “Let’s stop this debate. Stop worrying about what we missed and focus on what we have.” He grinned. “The two most adorable ring bearers ever.”
Petyr’s gaze softened. “Don’t laugh, but I almost wish I could give you more children.”
“Do you?”
“Yes. Just because I think it would make you so happy.”
“I’m already incredibly happy. And not that you would, but don’t say that in front of my mother. First, she’ll get delusions of grandeur about all the children we’ll adopt. I’m not opposed to it, but let’s get the two we have a little older first.” He tried not to laugh as he added, “And she’ll tell you about how she spent nearly a day in labor with each of us.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Rollo laughed at the worried expression on his mate’s face. “You’ll soon find out no topic is off-limits with her. I give it two days before she asks how the sex is going.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Petyr said again as they started back down the path.
Rollo smiled down at his mate and said nothing.
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
Petyr had managed to stop pacing, but now his fingers tapped sporadically against the windowsill. Rollo had wandered off with his brother Noric to discuss something, and Petyr debated going to find Babette and the children. Everyone kept telling him that meeting the king wasn’t anything to worry about, but Petyr had never imagined he’d even see the king in person, let alone meet him. Rollo had told Petyr that the king might even want to preside over their vows and then acted confounded when this made Petyr even more nervous.
This is stupid! If I’m really for a more equal society, I shouldn’t be intimidated by a title.
Petyr jumped and nearly banged his head on the window pane when the door to the library opened.
“Still in here watching?” Rollo said as he crossed the room. “We could go sit on the little patio by the inn if you like.”
“Won’t that make me look too eager?” Petyr asked.
“Nothing wrong with that. You are excited, aren’t you? The king is good at reading people so there’s no point trying to h
ide anything.”
“Thank you for that. I love knowing he’s going to see exactly how nervous I am.”
“The king is one of a kind, I will say that, but he’s still just a man.”
“Well, a vampire. Who’s over five hundred years old. And has been king for centuries. And has about seven different reputations that I can’t sort out. You’ve been no help with that.”
“Because all of them are a little true. Reputations come from somewhere. The ones that stick, anyway. My advice is still the same—be yourself and judge him for yourself.” Rollo came over and kissed him. “Now, I have news.”
“Is everything all right with your brother?”
“Yes. He wanted some advice. He’s found his mate, but he’s reluctant to reveal this fact.”
“How did he find out?” Vampires had to taste or at least smell the blood of their fated mate, so there weren’t that many different ways to find one’s fated mate. Most vampires found them by drinking donated blood and consulting the donation records.
“The man injured himself. The thing is, they’ve known each other for years. Since the other man was very young. Noric’s only five years younger than me, but his mate is nineteen. He worries his mate sees him as too much of a father figure or older brother. Too boring and stuffy. All that. He seems very smitten, though. I’ve never seen him this way before.”
“What choice does he really have? He should tell him. See what happens.”
Rollo smiled as he turned to the window, bringing Petyr with him. “That’s what I said. The other man might not like being deceived.”
“Do you know this guy, too?”
“I’ve met him. I think he was about sixteen. I don’t really remember much about him. Nothing about him made a real impression, except for the fact he seemed pretty self-involved.”
Petyr raised an eyebrow at his mate. “A sixteen year old who’s self-involved? Imagine that.”
“Like I said, he didn’t make much of an impression.”
“Well, I’m happy for your brother. I like him, so far. You think things will work out?”