by Kate Hill
“Besides, we can’t start yet, anyway,” Sondra shouted.
Nigel raised an eyebrow. “What does she mean by that?”
Since arriving at midnight he’d had the strangest feeling something was brewing with Sondra and her friends, but he couldn’t figure out what it could be.
“Nothing.” Richie shrugged.
Even if he tried, Nigel couldn’t breach Richie’s psychic defenses, so reading his mind was out.
“Then why can’t we start yet? Sondra! Come in here.”
A moment later his daughter stepped through the door wearing the same expression as when she’d been a mortal child trying to keep a girlish secret from him. A smile tugged at his lips.
“Tell me what’s going on tonight,” he said.
“Well, we’re having dinner.”
“Really?” Nigel said with mock surprise. “I never would have guessed. Come on, girl. You might be an old married woman now but I’m still your Creator. I know when you’re keeping something from me.”
She and Richie exchanged looks and there was no mistaking the discomfort they felt. At that moment he caught Daniel’s scent and understood why.
Nigel’s belly clenched and he gritted his teeth. When he’d arrived that night, he had fully expected Daniel to be there, seeing that he was Richie’s Creator. Relief had washed over him at Daniel’s absence, but also, to his frustration, disappointment. Part of him longed to see Daniel again. His lips still tingled from the kiss they’d shared a few days ago. The desire to feel Daniel’s warm, hard body pressed intimately against his was almost overwhelming. How could his emotions be so powerful after all these centuries?
Nigel became aware of Richie and Sondra staring at him intently. When he glanced from one to the other, they looked away. Richie began chopping tomatoes with a vengeance and Sondra made a dash for the door.
“What’s the problem?” Nigel demanded, wanting to throw as much suspicion off his raging emotions as possible. Already his body had heated and his scent had turned to one of lust, and the bastard hadn’t even stepped into the house yet.
He didn’t doubt Sondra, Richie, and their friends had noticed at the wedding reception that there was something between him and Daniel. He wouldn’t put himself on display in front of them. Not only that, if they even suspected he and Daniel had once been lovers, he’d be mortified. After all he’d said and done to The Elixir Maidens when he’d first met them, they’d never let him live it down if they knew he had a homosexual affair in his past. Things would be even worse if they found out he still loved the man quite desperately.
“Richie, what the hell is going on?” Nigel growled.
“At the wedding we all got the feeling you and Daniel had met before,” Richie said. “We weren’t so sure you two got along.”
“So you invited me here without mentioning he was on the guest list, too?”
Richie turned and met his gaze. “Is that a problem?”
“Of course not. Why would it be?” Nigel would have continued had Andrew not stepped into the kitchen.
The armorer looked a bit uncomfortable. “Uh, we can start dinner whenever you guys say it’s ready.”
“It’s ready.” Richie dropped tomato slices into the salad, then tossed and dressed it. He, Andrew, and Nigel began carrying platters and bowls laden with fragrant, steaming food into the dining area.
Ruby, Hagen, and Sondra already sat at the rectangular wooden table while Greg and Daniel stood looking out a picture window. Greg was apparently pointing out Andrew’s forge as well as the stable. The couple shared a love of animals and had recently adopted several horses. Nigel often joined Sondra and the others on visits to the stable. He recalled how much Daniel enjoyed working with horses. After his days as a gladiator had ended, he’d worked as a horse breeder and trainer.
“Richie and Nigel cooked everything,” Greg said as he and Daniel walked to the table.
Daniel’s gaze met Nigel’s and the bastard actually smirked. “I had no idea you were so domestic.”
“Nigel’s a great cook,” Sondra added, nearly making him cringe. Was it his imagination or was she trying to make it sound like he’d make somebody a good wife?
“I bet he doesn’t only cook in the kitchen,” Daniel said.
Nigel’s pulse raced with anger and silence fell over the room.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Nigel finally demanded. “In case you haven’t noticed, this is a dinner table not a brothel.”
“Hey, uh, time out,” Richie said.
“I feel tension in the air,” Ruby murmured.
Hagen nudged him with his elbow and shook his head while Richie and Greg said, “Shut up, Ru.”
“I can’t do this anymore,” Sondra said with a deep sigh. “Level with us, Nigel. You and Daniel have met before.”
Silence again. If Nigel were the fainting type, he’d have hit the floor by now. Already his stomach was in too many knots for him to think about eating. He was a fool to believe he could hide the past. Not once his companions had seen him and Daniel together.
Daniel’s brow furrowed. His black eyes, so beautiful and cunning, gazed deeply into Nigel’s. “Well, Nigel, have we met before?”
After drawing a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Nigel said, “We were gladiators in Rome’s golden age. Competitors in the amphitheatre.”
“Were you friendly enemies?” Ruby asked, a coquettish gleam in his eyes that made Nigel long to punch him.
“Ruby, maybe they’d rather not talk about it,” Sondra said quietly. Nigel sensed she already felt guilty about this evening. Good. After trying to manipulate him she deserved to feel badly.
“We were in many ways,” Daniel said, an almost taunting gleam in his eyes. “I taught him everything he knows.”
“You think so? It’s been a long time since Rome,” Nigel snapped, then turned his glare to Sondra and Richie. “Let me see. You all planned this evening to find out if Daniel and I had met before rather than just come out and ask us?”
“We tried that at the reception, remember?” Ruby said.
“That’s enough, love,” Hagen whispered to Ruby.
Daniel glanced at Richie. “I’m surprised at you. Some offspring disrespect their Creators, but never you.”
Nigel didn’t miss that barb directed at him. Yes, he’d disrespected Daniel in many ways. Knowing this caused him pain but he had little choice if he wanted to survive in the world, or at least survive in the manner he deemed best.
Part of him had always loved Daniel, but another part had so much to prove, so much to achieve. Once he’d taken what he could from Daniel, he had to move on. Or so he’d once thought.
* * *
Cassipor and Areus spent the night before they returned to Ludus Magnus in Areus’ cubiculum. It was several weeks since their love affair had begun. After making love with his instructor for the first time, Cassipor had tried to tell himself it had been some kind of mistake, just a loss of control that forced him to satisfy his curiosity. When he’d been unable to refuse Areus’ advances the following night and the night after that, he knew the bitter truth. He’d fallen in love with a man. No man had interested him before and he could think of no other who could, but Areus was irresistible to him.
The more intense their relationship became, the more he began to notice strange things regarding Areus. The way his eyes seemed to glow reddish when they made love, the sharpness of his teeth, and even his preference for nighttime. He required little sleep and functioned well by day, yet at night he seemed more alive. Also his strength fascinated Cassipor. He’d felt Areus’ strength when they fought together, but when they made love he got the sense he was holding back more power than Cassipor could ever imagine. A strange craving built inside him. He wished to feel that power, to share it.
Areus stretched out on the bed while Cassipor stood in front of the window, gazing at him.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you look, bathed in moonlight?” Areu
s said.
This rare flattery thrilled Cassipor, yet at the same time made him uncomfortable. Not only that, he thought Areus looked just as beautiful, his long, lithe body sprawled across the bed, his muscles well-defined. As Cassipor approached, Areus’ cock, that had been lolling against his thigh, began to stiffen.
Sitting on the bed, Cassipor curled his fist around Areus’ shaft and stroked slowly.
“Umm,” Areus sighed, his eyes slipping shut. He lifted his arms above his head, the pose making his muscle-ridged belly flatten even more. Unable to resist, Cassipor leaned over and licked the sleek stomach while continuing to caress Areus’ cock.
He knew that once they returned to Ludus Magnus they wouldn’t be so free to engage in carnal pleasures, at least not if Cassipor intended to reach his goals. He still had dreams of becoming famous, of having wealthy Roman women summon him to their beds. It was the honor of being sought after that he desired, because he knew without doubt no woman would ever please him as much as his handsome, sensual mentor.
Areus’ eyes opened. Already they were aglow with desire, and for the first time a horrible thought struck Cassipor. Had Areus developed feelings for him that went beyond carnal? Had the man fallen in love with him? If so, Cassipor’s desire to end, or at least taper off, their affair might be painful to him. Hurting Areus was not something Cassipor had planned to do. He respected and cared for him too much.
“I love how your eyes gleam,” Cassipor said. Areus’ lips parted slightly and Cassipor touched the tip of his finger to one of his sharp upper teeth. “You’ve often said you’re not of the gods, yet I know you’re hiding something. Will you tell me the truth?”
“If I do, you must swear to keep it secret,” Areus said, his smooth voice scarcely a whisper. “As dear as you are to me, Cassipor, if you should ever betray the secret I’m about to tell, we would become mortal enemies.”
Cassipor cupped Areus’ cheek and spoke from the heart. “I never want to be your enemy.”
With a sigh, Areus closed his eyes again. Then he opened them and sat up, grasping Cassipor’s wrist. He tugged him closer so they sat side by side, their bare thighs touching.
Areus’ black gaze held Cassipor’s and he said, “I was fully human once, then I met a creature beyond my comprehension, at least at that time. He did have godlike powers -- the ability to transfer thoughts, the strength of an animal, and a seemingly immortal existence. He was a blood drinker.”
An odd little thrill raced down Cassipor’s spine. “A demon?”
“No. He’s not a demon. Simply a different breed of animal. One that requires blood to live. He made me like he was and I have existed now for several centuries.”
“Is that why you like to fight? You need the blood.”
Areus smiled slightly. “No. I must drink blood to survive, and I usually don’t kill those kind enough to provide me with their essence. I fight because it’s all I’ve ever known. I was born in Sparta. Like all Spartan boys, I was taken from my mother at a young age and trained for war. One of my superiors was a blood drinker, my lover, and my closest friend.”
“Flavius?” Cassipor murmured.
“You’re very perceptive.”
“If you’re not really a slave, why fight in the amphitheatre?”
“Because fighting has been my life for as long as I can remember. Also, as a blood drinker it’s important to be able to protect what’s yours. Some mortals hunt us regardless of whether we do them harm, and blood drinkers often fight one another as well. The need for power knows no bounds for mortals or blood drinkers.”
“No wonder you’ve been undefeated in the amphitheatre.” Suddenly this man he had so worshipped disappointed him. “You’ve cheated.”
Areus’ eyes gleamed with anger. “I have never cheated. Don’t think I’m the only blood drinker in Rome. There are several others who have the semblance of master/slave relationships, just like me and Flavius. Through our manipulation of human thought, a handful of us have infiltrated Ludus Magnus and the other gladiator schools where we train and fight each other. Our matches are arranged so that we’re not placed against mere mortals. If so, we would destroy you in a heartbeat.”
An odd feeling, one of fear and awe, enfolded Cassipor in a tight embrace. He’d wrongly insulted his mentor, a man who had passed on to him the fighting skills of several centuries. “I’m sorry for doubting your integrity.”
Areus’ expression softened a bit and he caressed Cassipor’s face with the back of his hand. “Don’t be. You had no way of knowing.”
“You say Flavius made you a blood drinker. Can you pass this power to others?”
“If I choose to, and if they have the strength to accept it. The change from human to blood drinker is painful and dangerous. Many die in the process.”
“If I asked, would you change me?”
Again their gazes locked and after a moment, Areus said, “If that’s what you want. But you must be certain and you must be careful. Such power can never be used lightly.”
“I understand.”
Cassipor’s thoughts spun. Would he want to give up his human life and become a creature such as Areus described? Would it be worth the risk of dying? Once he had such power, could he use it to achieve his goals? Flavius was not Roman, yet he possessed all the privileges and wealth of a patrician. He even dined with the emperor.
“Think carefully,” Areus continued. “Nothing is perfect, Cassipor. There are risks to being a blood drinker.”
“I will think about it, but first I must test myself in the amphitheatre as a man. I want to know exactly what I’m capable of, if all our training has been worth it.”
Areus smiled. “I knew you would.”
“I am glad of one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That because of what you are we’ll never be forced to fight each other. To tell you the truth, if we were pitted against one another, I don’t know if I could bring myself to kill you.”
“Nor I you.” Areus leaned closer and brushed Cassipor’s mouth with a kiss. “There won’t be much time alone like this when we get to Ludus Magnus.”
Hearing Areus admit this was a relief. “Yes. I know.”
“So I suggest we take advantage of our time now.”
Cassipor agreed completely. His arms locked around Areus’ neck and he covered his lips in a searing kiss. His tongue thrust into Areus’ mouth, tasting every warm, wet corner and crevice.
The kiss broke and Cassipor placed his hands against Areus’ chest. He pushed him onto his back, not doubting for an instant that Areus allowed him to take the lead. When they made love, both seemed to prefer that Cassipor take control.
He sat for a moment and gazed at Areus’ long, lean body. Just the sight of it made his cock as hard as a sword blade. Cassipor ran his hand up Areus’ arm from wrist to shoulder. He caressed the solid muscles of his chest and stroked his flat belly.
Areus’ fiery gaze followed Cassipor’s hand as it roamed over his body and finally grasped his shaft. Lifting his arms above his head, Areus drew a deep, steady breath. Cassipor relished the feel of the tender flesh covering Areus’ thick, hard cock. He shifted position and stretched out lengthwise across the bed. Areus’ legs parted and one draped over Cassipor who slid his arms under Areus’ powerful thighs. Placing his hands against Areus’ hips, Cassipor began lapping his mentor’s cock from root to head.
“Ah, yes,” Areus breathed, his buttocks clenched as he moaned with pleasure. “I love how you suck me, Cassipor. I love your lips and tongue on me.”
As much as Areus enjoyed being sucked, Cassipor enjoyed sucking him. He savored the texture of veins beneath the skin and relished Areus’ musky scent. When he used his teeth to gently scrape his cock head, Areus groaned with pleasure. Cassipor smiled slightly. He took the crown of Areus’ erection between his lips and sucked while occasionally swirling his tongue teasingly around the bulbous head.
Areus writhed, his hips bucking beneath Cassip
or’s skilled tongue. Just before he came, Cassipor pulled back. With a growl, Areus sat up and grasped Cassipor so swiftly he scarcely saw him move. A moment later he found himself pinned beneath Areus’ lean body. His lover’s strength thrilled him while at the same time he couldn’t help feeling a twinge of jealousy. What would it be like if both were blood drinkers? The thought of them locked together, testing each other’s strength while giving unimaginable pleasure, was almost enough to make Cassipor come then and there.
A look at Areus and Cassipor knew he was just as aroused. His eyes gleamed black and red. His chest heaved and his white fangs shone between his parted lips.
“You want my blood, don’t you?” Cassipor murmured.
Areus nodded, and when he spoke his voice was uncharacteristically strained. “You have no idea how much.”
His heart pounding with excitement and a hint of fear, Cassipor placed a hand behind Areus’ neck and guided his face to his throat. His eyes slipped shut at the first long, sensual stroke of Areus’ tongue. The warm, wet lapping soothed him while at the same time stimulating him beyond reason. The sensation of their hard cocks trapped between their heated bodies felt so good that Cassipor could have shouted with delight.
Then he felt sharp teeth against his flesh and blinding pleasure flung him into orgasm. His body jerked and bucked so hard that the spasms would have thrown off a mortal man, but Areus pinned him tightly to the bed. He grasped Cassipor’s wrists and held them, outstretched to his sides.
Cassipor’s cock spurted his essence. He felt its heat between their bodies but couldn’t really think about it since the orgasm seemed to have no end. Never in his life had he imagined anything could feel like this.
He must have blacked out for a while because when he opened his eyes, Areus was kneeling beside him on the bed, using a damp cloth to clean off their bodies.
“That was… I don’t have words…” Cassipor murmured.
Areus merely smiled, finished washing them, and tossed the cloth into a basin of water on the floor beside the bed.
“How did I taste?” Cassipor asked, offering a teasing smile.