Revealed

by April Zyon

  “If you have to go out, you have to. There are people out there that need to be protected. I know this now. We’ll deal with it. If you go out, you’ll just call me often as Gaius calls Emily.” That had her grinning. “Do you feel bad for giving him trouble about it now?”

  “No,” he said. When she looked at him, he shrugged. “He’ll pay me back for it soon enough.”

  Riley shook her head and smiled. “So, was Gaius the first one to find his other half, or have there been others that simply aren’t here any longer?”

  “There were a few in the early days, about two hundred years after Mercury brought me back. Then a time where none found their soul mate. We lost several of our guardians, all those mated plus many more, which was the first time we moved our base. They’d discovered our previous one and attacked during the night. Many of us were out on patrol, and some in a nearby town at the local tavern—the only reason any of us survived.

  “After that, we moved our based once every hundred years until we came to the Americas and settled here. The monsters had already moved in, for the most part. The Mountain has been our home since around 1524 or 1525, can’t remember exactly. We think that a family of power moved here, or families of power—those most likely to give birth to the vestal virgins.

  “Which is likely the most logical reason as to why so many of the evil ones moved here, when the feeding grounds of Europe were so much better for their hungers.”

  “Could be.” Riley leaned back once more and began to think. “So, how have you been finding the VV’s? How did Gaius find Emily? And how did you find me? Or was I a lucky accident?” she teased.

  “Both of you were, actually,” he said, smiling down at her. “Gaius found Emily when a death occurred and we got reports of something hinky. Slightly different circumstances, but eerily similar to your own case. He went to find out what was going on, met her, realized she was special, and talked her into going with him.

  “I’m actually amazed she went with him, though, thinking back on it. He’s not exactly the most polite person you’ll ever meet, even under the best of circumstances. Yet she trusted him, likely that inner voice telling her to. I’ve only ever heard bits and pieces of how they came to be together, never the full story.” He turned her chair and wheeled her backward through a set of doors into what could only be the dining hall, given the scent of food in the air.

  Riley shrugged. “If she’s anything at all like me…” There was that moment of hesitation before she decided just to tell him. “When I saw you, I felt the connection. It zinged straight to my heart. It was real, and it was intense. Something I needed more of. Had to have more of.”

  “Are you saying I’m addictive?” he asked. Hector stopped their forward momentum and moved around in front of her, crouching as he did. “You never mentioned this before, Riley. Why, sweetheart?”

  “I didn’t want you to feel that you had to be around me. I just know that I feel better when you’re close. When I’m able to touch you, it helps to keep everything in perspective. Odd, I know.” But when you could see the truth of all things, it sort of happened like that. Having him touching her kept her grounded in the here-and-now and helped her to ignore the overlaying energy that the men in this compound had.

  Reaching out, he took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “Touching you, it helps to keep me centered and calm even when I’m upset. You’ve been doing that a lot lately,” he said softly. He pressed another kiss to her knuckles and nipped at her skin.

  He kissed her again before getting to his feet. Then he pushed her to the buffet and let her pick out the foods while he filled the containers. Once he had plates, silverware, and some napkins, they went to an elevator and up to the plateau.

  When the wind whipped through her hair, Riley turned her face up to the sky and smiled. “This is very nice.” She looked back and up at him. “Hey, you. Did you bring the pain pills that the good doctor gave you for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He patted a pocket and leaned over to press a kiss to her lips. “I even snagged the throw off the sofa for you.” Smiling down at her, he wheeled her across the large, flat area to a nook where there was plenty of sun but also some protection from the wind.

  “You’re too good to me.” She grinned. “I can’t believe there are even chairs and stuff up here.” The patio furniture had been a surprise. It was very high end and looked comfortable as could be. “Oh, can we try the freestanding hammock?” She didn’t think about the wound at her side, or how it might hurt.

  “After we eat,” he told her. “You’ll probably need a painkiller before we get you in there. I don’t want you aggravating your wound. Now, do you want to stay in the wheelchair or lounge in one of these cozy, padded chairs?”

  “Definitely one of the chairs at the table.” She had no doubt that the cushions were plush and comfy. “Help me up?” She didn’t want to be a burden but knew she couldn’t get up on her own.

  He set the basket on the table, then helped her stand. Walking her to a chair, he nudged it out with a foot and eased her down. “Why don’t you start laying the food out while I put this chair aside? Do you want the blanket now, or are you warm enough?”

  “Sounds good. And I’m warm enough.” When he turned away, Riley began to pull items from the basket. When he rejoined her, she was leaning back and watching him. “These seats are rather large and comfy. I take it that you guys had them made just for you?”

  “Yes, they had to be heavy enough not to blow off here, so we had them made out of steel. The cushions we replace every couple of years, depending on what finds its way up here to try to steal them … or nest in them. Thankfully, there aren’t many animals that like to try to get through the field surrounding the Mountain. They don’t like coming up this high. We’ve had a couple of the mountain goats. We’ve also had eagles and some vultures.” He began to open the containers and dish out the food. Passing her a bottle of water, he settled back into his chair. “So, what do you think of the view?”

  “It’s incredible,” she said as she took in the vision of the mountains and forest below them. “I can see why Mercury chose this place. How in the world has he been able to keep the government from putting their noses in, though?”

  “We don’t exist. It’s not like we can pay taxes. If I walked in there to tell them I’m over two thousand years old, they’d have me committed. Plus, it works better if no one knows about us. This place and the land all around here is owned by a trust, that’s owned by a trust, that’s owned by several other companies, that all lead back to absolutely nothing.”

  “It’s good that you guys have learned to protect yourselves. It’s good that we’ll be able to have the time alone to get to know each other without the real world butting in on us.”

  “It’ll butt in now and again. There’s no getting around that, sweetheart. We learned a lot when we were in Europe. When we came here, we moved as far west as we could, found a place that would work for our needs, and Mercury bought up all the land he could. Since various trusts and such hold it all, it can never be bought by anyone. He had one hell of a smart lawyer, back in the day.

  “Every so often, he reemerges as a relative and updates everything to the latest laws to ensure the government or some greedy asshole can’t ever find a loophole. One of the benefits of being as old as we are is that we’ve seen it all more than once in our lifetimes.”

  “Oh, I can imagine.” Riley’s lips twitched and she said, “At least you aren’t old all over. Just your souls.” She saw the look he shot her way and giggled. “Then again, they do make Viagra.” She had to keep herself from howling in laughter.

  The look he gave her should have had her as nothing more than a pile of ash in her seat. “Ha, ha, hilarious,” he grumbled. “I haven’t heard you complaining so far about my age.”

  “Oh, you have satisfied me. I love the way that you’re up to any and all challenges. Me included.” She felt the heat rising in her body. She bit her lip an
d watched him. “I love the way you take control of me in our loving, the way you’re able to make me submit to you. I think I needed that.”

  “As long as you’re enjoying it, that’s all that matters, Riley. Not every woman, or man for that matter, is comfortable relinquishing his or her control in such intimate situations. I’m glad that you do enjoy what we’ve done so far. There’s much more for us to explore. In time, we’ll know just how far both of us are willing to go at any given moment.”

  She nodded. “I want to learn more, explore more with you. If it’s half as good as it was when you made me wait to orgasm, I’m sure I’ll burn up and pass out,” she teased.

  “That’s only the beginning,” he said. “We’ll talk more about it when we can actually do something. It’s pointless to get worked up on the topic when neither of us will have relief for several more weeks.” Shifting in his chair, he pulled out a pill bottle and passed it to her. “Take your pill halfway through eating so it has time to take effect before we get in the hammock.”

  “Can I sleep in your bed tonight? I don’t want to stay in medical.”

  “I don’t see why not. I have a feeling the doctors may have something to say about it, but since you’re no longer hooked up to the IV, it’s very possible. We’ll talk to them and get their thoughts on it.” He reached over to cover her hand with his. “If they say no, I’ll threaten their very existence.”

  “If they say no, I’ll do the same,” Riley told him with a grin, turning her hand so that she could squeeze his fingers. “So, talk to me. What is the single, most exciting thing that you’ve seen in your life? The things that you’ve experienced firsthand have to be incredible.”

  “It was just life, Riley. At the time, I didn’t know it was going to be significant. The things I saw and did were day-to-day events. But I suppose there have been a few highlights to it all, over the years. One thing that I’ll never forget, not even on the day I cease to exist, is the memory of a child saving her parents from a fire.

  “It was a couple hundred years ago. We were coming through a village on the way back to our base from a mission, and we could smell the acrid scent of smoke on the air. You have to remember, back in those days there was no fire department to come out and save your home. And everything was built with extremely flammable materials. The little girl, no more than seven, maybe eight, was dragging her mother out of their burning house as we raced toward them.

  “Before we could call out, she ran inside and dragged her father out too. There was not a mark on the little girl, and she was as calm as could be. She got water from a trough nearby to wipe the smoke and ash from her parents’ faces while we poured some onto their home as fast as we could. When we’d gotten the last of the flames, she brought us something to eat and wet rags to clean up with. Then she thanked us politely, gave a little curtsy, and skipped off to sit with her parents. Damnedest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  “Wow, that’s incredible. That child. The determination. That is an amazing story, Hector.” Riley was in awe. “I can see why that moment would stand out in your mind. Do you know if she and her parents were able to rebuild their home and lives? If this was before fire departments, it was also before the Red Cross and all.”

  “They did rebuild. We actually ended up helping them out from time to time. The child grew up to be a lovely young woman, married a good man, had six children, twelve grandchildren, and even a great-grandchild before it was her time to go on to the afterlife. She lived well and never knew a stranger. Her husband passed a few days after her, actually. According to her oldest son, their love was so great that he couldn’t continue to live without her. Like all good love stories, his heart knew what his heart wanted.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.” Riley’s romantic heart melted with that thought. “I love that they had that kind of connection. It’s good you were able to help them too. I’m sure that with such burly men’s assistance, the home was stronger than it was before.”

  “We ensured it would survive for a few more years. Though they protested, we insisted on making part of the house stone, mainly around the hearth. It seemed the wisest choice, given the fire was caused from something falling into it and catching on a wall. With the kitchen and main room in stone, there was no chance of it coming down. Unfortunately, we were a little less hopeful about the roof since we still had to work with thatch. Took us a long time, but they were happy with it when we were done.”

  “I forget that in that day and age there weren’t wood or shingle rooftops.” She shook her head and grinned. “And you were raised in a castle. That just amazes me. What’s one thing about this time that you couldn’t live without if you had to go back, now that you’ve experienced it?” For her, it would be indoor plumbing. There’s no way in hell I could survive without that.

  “One thing,” Hector murmured. He tipped his head to the side and appeared to be deep in thought, and she wondered if he’d even answer. “Well, if I had to go back to that time and could only take one thing. I’d have to take you,” he decided quietly. “I couldn’t live without you now that I’ve gotten to know you, even as little as it’s been.”

  If she wasn’t before, she fell in love with him even more with that statement. She sighed. “God, I’m so in love with you,” she whispered. “I couldn’t live without you either. But I was thinking of anything other than me, because where you go, I’m following.”

  “Oh.” He grinned, his cheeks a little pink as he dipped his head. “Well, hell. That’s a little tougher. I suppose, if I could only choose one thing, I’d take back about nine thousand pounds of coffee beans and the knowledge of how it’s properly brewed. Is that technically two?”

  Riley laughed and shook her head. “I love the way you think. You didn’t have coffee then? I’m so sorry for you. That’s a terrible thing to be without.”

  “No, there weren’t caffeinated beverages back then, at least not in Troy. There may have been elsewhere, but we were a fairly insular society. We traded with others for things like silks, furs, and such, but nothing like coffee. And given how hard it was to get sugar, and our limited milk options, I don’t know if it would have been the same as today.”

  “Good point. Okay, well, I’ll buy into that one.”

  “What about you? What could you not live without if we were shot back in time? Not that we will be, but you have me curious about your answer.” He was watching her now, his attention off his food and fully on her.

  “As long as I have you with me, then the next thing I couldn’t deal without would be indoor plumbing. I happen to really love my showers and being able to flush the toilet and all that fun stuff,” Riley told him without hesitation. “Speaking of, I really would love to be able to share a nice, large bath together. Think we could have that?”

  “I’m sure we could have one installed in our suite. We have the space in the bathroom for it. We’d have to move the shower, I’m sure, but that shouldn’t be too much trouble. Finding the time and the laborers, though, will be the issue. It’s a lot harder to have things built around here than in the early days. Damn computers and video on every corner make our jobs easier, but those same computers make our lives more complicated.”

  “Oh yes, I can imagine that it would be difficult to explain why you have a Facebook page, but are several hundred years old.” She giggled. “Social media is something that would really get you guys in trouble. Then again, they might think that you were a larper.” She saw the question on his face and explained, “Live action role player. A person who dresses up as a fictional or historical character.”

  “Why would I pretend to be someone I’m not? I mean, beyond making my job easier, I suppose. I am who I am, and I always use my own name, even with the various IDs we’ve had to use over the years. I have to say—some of the strangest people have come about in this day and age. I thought there were weird ones in my day, but the people in this time are damn fucking bizarre.”

  “Yes, that they are.
I don’t understand why some people do the things that they do, but maybe they have things to play out. I don’t know.” She shrugged. She didn’t understand a great deal of stuff, thus why she typically stayed far from people and why she had checked herself into a mental institution.

  He nodded slowly as he started to eat again. “You mentioned before that you needed to make contact with your lawyers,” he said after a few minutes had passed.

  “Oh crap, I forgot about that.” Riley sighed and nodded. “Yes, I do need to get in touch with them, so they know I left on my own and wasn’t forced and also to make certain that my wonderful mother isn’t able to take any of the money that’s in my trust or touch my father’s company.”

  “We’ll do it as soon as we go back inside. Where are the lawyers located?” he asked. At her questioning look, he explained, “So we call them before their end of business day. We shouldn’t waste any time. Especially if your mother is as…” he looked unsure of what word to use, “determined … as you’ve suggested.”

  “She’s a complete bitch.” Riley didn’t mince words. “My mother is a woman who lives for money and status. She’s one of those social climbers that wants to go on to the next biggest and better thing. If she could, she would marry into royalty so that she could say she was a queen or duchess or whatever.” She rolled her eyes.

  “You probably shouldn’t mention that you’re with a prince, then,” he said. His lips were curved a little as he shook his head. “Though how the hell we’d explain exactly who I am and what I’m the prince of, I have no clue. Not like Troy is still around and kicking. Even if it were, I’m two thousand years outside of it all and the monarchy.”

  “Good point.” She had forgotten that easily that he was a prince. “Well, you’re mine. I don’t care what your status in life is. You’re the other half of my soul and that’s what’s important to me.”

  “As you are mine.” Reaching out, he popped the lid off her pill bottle and set one into her hand. Then he set the bottle aside and looked pointedly at her plate. “I know there’s still a lot we need to talk about, but it can wait until you are stronger.”