Liquid crimson

by Carol Lynne

  “You’re an asshole,” Michael said without moving an inch. “A self-centred asshole,” he added. “Newsflash, Neo, the world doesn’t revolve around you. Shitty things happen to other people, too.”

  “I know. And you’re right,” Neo agreed.

  With a sudden burst of energy, Michael threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. He charged towards Neo angrier than Neo had ever seen him. “Sometimes things need to be about me. You barely had time to dump me off here before leaving again. And when you came back, it wasn’t to see how I was doing.”

  Neo stood. He opened his mouth to argue, but Michael held up his hand, looking older than he ever had. When did that happen? Had LaMont’s coven done something to age Michael?

  “Don’t fucking try it. You came back here this morning because you needed something from me. You do that a lot, ya know? Oh, you talk a good game, whispering words of love, trying to make me believe I’m actually important to you.”

  Michael’s eyes narrowed. “But when I needed you, you let your demons come between us. What happened to you was horrible, and I’d do anything to take those memories away, but it happened a long time ago. Get the fuck over it. I refuse to be your trough to drink from when you need it. If you can’t at least put us on equal ground in our own home, I’m done.”

  Without another word, Michael stormed out of the bedroom completely naked.

  Neo stood with his mouth hanging open, wondering what had just happened. He’d expected Michael to be hurt by the way he’d acted but not angry, and what was all that about being a trough? And what had happened to the man he loved to age him so rapidly?

  Michael had been right about one thing. Neo did let his demons get between them. Although he’d tried to convince himself he was doing what was best for the Realm, in reality, it had nothing at all to do with the Realm, and everything to do with his fears. Grabbing his pants, Neo dressed and went in search of answers.

  * * * *

  Lounging on his throne in the high heavens, Zeus stared down at Neo. “It’s polite to make an appointment before barging in.”

  “I don’t have time to play your games,” Neo spat. “I have questions that only you can answer.”

  Zeus sighed as if he was already bored of Neo’s company. Of course he was. Neo didn’t have tits. “What are they?”

  “What happened to Michael?”

  Zeus chuckled, the smug sonofabitch. “I haven’t seen Michael since he was an infant. Did you ask him?”

  “He’s aging rapidly, and I don’t even think Michael’s aware of it.”

  “I find it hard to believe you would rid your home of mirrors. You’ve always struck me as rather vane.” Zeus smiled. “You’re a lot like me in that regard. Beauty is to be enjoyed, savoured. I’m a handsome man, and I know it.”

  “Michael?” Neo prompted, running out of patience. He’d always hated the way his father could turn any conversation around to focus it on himself.

  “You’re a greedy little bastard, Neo. I guess you take after me in that regard as well.”

  Neo rolled his eyes. If he didn’t need the information only his father could provide, Neo would have happily told Zeus to fuck off. “What does being greedy have to do with Michael’s aging?”

  “You’re using his light faster than his body can produce it. You’re literally sucking the life out of him, so don’t bother looking for someone else to blame. Try looking in one of those mirrors you’ve always enjoyed so much. For you, the ability to walk in the sunlight is a gift. From what I’ve observed, you’ve started to treat it as a right, and if you continue to do so, not only the gift but the vessel will be taken from you.”

  “I don’t understand. I thought Michael was created for me. How can you just take that away?”

  Zeus’ laughter bounced off the marble walls, forcing Neo to cover his ears or risk rupturing his eardrums. “Everything was created at one point. Yes, Michael was created to help you lead, to give you back some of what was taken from you, but my hope was that he could do more for you than that. The more I talk with you, the more I realise how alike we are. Perhaps it was a mistake to think you could lead. When you were a child, your heart was full of thoughts for others. You were the perfect choice for a king, but then you were changed, and I’m not just talking about the vampire part of you. You became a different person. A true king has the ability to see beyond himself. You’re so obsessed with the wrongs done to you that you haven’t even stopped to consider the other Blessed Creatures. How many of them could have used your wisdom and protection over the centuries?”

  Although there was a lot of truth in his father’s speech, Neo went back to the one thing that meant more to him than anything. “But why will you take Michael from me?”

  “I won’t. You will.”

  “I would never do that. I love him with everything that I am,” Neo argued.

  “Sadly, from what I’ve seen, that isn’t very much. You loathe half of what you are. Until you can embrace the Blessed Creature you’ve become, you will never truly love anything.”

  Zeus rose and walked from the room without another word. Bastard.

  Chapter Ten

  Michael found himself at the tasting barn, wearing nothing but a towel he’d managed to find in the laundry room. He didn’t bother knocking. Unless he was asleep or struggling with Gunnar, Ramiro would come out for him now that the sun had set.

  Sure enough, ten minutes later, Ramiro stepped out into the moonlight. The handsome vampire looked beyond tired, and Neo began to wonder how big a toll nursing Gunnar was taking on him both physically and emotionally.

  “How is he?” Michael asked. He adjusted the towel when he caught Ramiro’s eyes wandering.

  “The same,” Ramiro answered. “But you didn’t come down here for that. I told you I would get word to you if there were any changes. So what else is bothering you?”

  Michael shrugged. Now that he was there, he started to feel stupid for bothering Ramiro when he already had his hands full.

  Ramiro held up a finger and opened the barn door once again. He stuck his head inside for several moments before shutting the door. “Sorry. I thought I heard Gunnar calling for me.”

  “That’s okay. You’re busy. Go on back inside in case you’re needed.”

  Ramiro shook his head. “Gunnar’s asleep. Tell me what’s happened to make you seek me out wearing nothing but a towel.”

  “I don’t know if you can even help me, but I was wondering. What’s so bad about being a vampire?”

  “That depends. I guess the biggest thing is that most vampires were victims. We had no say in what happened to us.”

  Michael nodded. “But…,” Michael sighed. “I was given no choice in how I was made, no one does. Spiro told me earlier today that my real parents are both gods of some sort. I had no say in that. I am what I am, but I do have a say in the kind of man I’ve become because I had nothing to do with how I was made.”

  Ramiro’s browse rose to disappear under the black curls hanging down his forehead. “Well then, you’ve discovered one of the greatest secrets of life. I’m impressed.”

  “How do you deal with what happened to you in LaMont’s dungeon?”

  Ramiro scratched at his jaw. “Are you asking for yourself or Neo?”

  “Both, I think. I wasn’t put through all the things the two of you had happen, and I wasn’t in there very long, but I was scared.”

  “Because you had no control?”

  “Yes.”

  Ramiro nodded. “There are different ways to deal with trauma. You can pick yourself up and make sure you’re never again a victim, or you can seal yourself off from the world, and never get beyond it. Does that make sense?”

  “That’s why you began as Ian’s head of security,” Michael surmised.

  “Yes. And that’s why Neo built this vineyard and surrounded himself with weres instead of vampires. He’s never moved beyond being a victim.”

  “How can I help him?” Michael as
ked.

  “You can’t do anything more than you’re already doing.”

  Michael let out a snort. “Yeah, about that, I yelled at him. Told him he was a self-centred asshole, told him to get over the stuff that happened to him and told him to stop using my neck as a feeding trough.”

  Ramiro began to chuckle. He tried to stop, even going as far as to cover his mouth with his hand. “Good for you. You’re probably one of the few people who could walk away from a confrontation like that with your head still attached.”

  “I was just so angry with him,” Michael defended himself.

  “Angry at Neo or what happened to you?” Ramiro asked.

  Michael opened his mouth to say something before snapping it closed again. He’d spent the entire day trying to convince himself that Neo only thought of him when it was feeding time. Yes, he’d definitely needed Neo when he woke earlier, but was that reason enough to feel and say the things he did? Had he transferred the anger of the last several days to Neo because that was the only way he knew to deal with it?

  “Michael!” Neo barked, running down the path from the house.

  “I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Ramiro said. “The way you’re dressed…” He blew out a breath. “I kinda like my head where it is.”

  By the time Neo reached Michael, Ramiro had already disappeared into the tasting barn. “Don’t get mad at him. Ramiro was just trying to help me understand.”

  Neo started to reach for Michael, but stopped himself, dropping his arms to his sides. “You shouldn’t have to go to a stranger for that. I should’ve been there for you. I’m sorry.”

  “Ramiro isn’t a stranger. He’s proven himself to be a good friend.”

  “Maybe so.” Neo shuffled his feet for several moments before reaching out to take Michael’s hand. “I went to see my father.”

  The admission surprised Michael. “You did?”

  Neo nodded. “You were right. Zeus is the biggest self-centred asshole I’ve ever met. So even though I come by it naturally, if I’m even a tenth as self-absorbed as he is, no wonder you don’t want anything more to do with me.”

  Michael shook his head. “I didn’t mean all the things I said.”

  “Oh, you meant them, but I know you would never have said them if I hadn’t pushed you. I’m the same person you fell in love with, but there was a time when you were willing to look beyond my many faults. I used you today, and for that, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make amends. What I did allowed doubt into your heart. You suddenly began to question why you should look beyond my faults, and I don’t have an answer for that. I love you more than I can explain, but I need to take a good hard look at myself before I can expect you to truly believe that.”

  “All the stuff that happened…” Michael sighed. “I took my anger out on you.”

  Neo nodded. “And I’ve been making everyone I come into contact with suffer for what happened to me so long ago.” Neo took a step forward, bringing his body against Michael’s. “I should’ve been here for you, no matter what.”

  “No,” Michael shook his head. “You are first and foremost a king. It comes natural to you.”

  “What, being an asshole?”

  With a smile on his face, Michael wrapped his arms around Neo’s waist. “No. Today, you rescued four people.” It suddenly dawned on Michael that he hadn’t asked about Kern and Audric. He’d only assumed they had been found when Neo had returned home. “Audric and Kern are okay, aren’t they?”

  “Sort of. They’re both here, but I think they’re far from okay.” Neo brushed a kiss across Michael’s forehead. “I don’t want to talk about them right now. Let’s talk about you. What can I do to help you?”

  “Hold me. Talk to me.” Michael squeezed Neo tighter. “Trust me.”

  “Trust doesn’t come easily for me,” Neo admitted.

  “I know. Which is why I couldn’t ask for a better gift from you.” Michael released Neo and took a step back. He held out his hand and waited for Neo to take it. “Let’s go back to bed.”

  Neo cupped Michael’s ass through the towel. “Next time you storm out of the bedroom, could you please remember to grab some clothes?”

  * * * *

  Two weeks later, Michael left Gunnar’s apartment with a heavy heart. Although his friend was trying to deal with his unique status among the Blessed Creatures, Gunnar still tended to hide himself away, even after dark.

  “There you are,” Neo said, meeting Michael on the path between the dormitory and the main house.

  “Sorry. I was playing chess with Gunnar,” Michael explained after accepting a deep kiss.

  Neo rubbed Michael’s back. “Don’t worry. He’ll adjust.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Michael mumbled. He buried his face against Neo’s chest and inhaled. Never would he tire of the scent of his mate.

  “We need to talk.”

  Finally! Although he’d spent almost every moment with Neo since the night of their fight, Michael still couldn’t get his mate to talk about the conversation he’d had with Zeus. “Does this have anything to do with why you’re not feeding from me anymore?”

  “No. I’ve already told you, playing is one thing, but I don’t need you to feed me.” Neo grinned. “I’m a big boy now.”

  Michael reached between them and palmed Neo’s cock. “You’ve always been a big boy.”

  A soft moan escaped Neo’s lips as Michael continued to knead the growing erection. With any luck he’d make his mate lose control. Despite Neo’s reservations about feeding from him, Michael needed it, physically and emotionally. The connection he felt to his mate afterwards had become addictive, but it was more than that. It was as if his body was about to explode. Although he still wasn’t sure what it was about his blood that helped Neo, it wanted out.

  “You’re asking for trouble.” Neo skimmed Michael’s neck with his teeth, keeping his fangs sheathed.

  Michael worked his hand inside Neo’s pants, grinning when Neo let loose another deep moan. He slowly stroked Neo’s cock, spreading the pre-cum down its length.

  “Mmmm,” Neo groaned, nicking the skin on Michael’s neck.

  At the hint of blood, Neo’s fangs dropped and pressed against Michael’s neck. Michael held his breath, silently encouraging his lover to drink. “Please,” he finally begged.

  Neo immediately released Michael and tried to step away, but Michael’s hand around his cock kept him from going far. “I can’t,” Neo apologised. “You’re like a drug that I can’t get enough of, don’t you understand that?”

  “No, I don’t. All I know is that I feel like I’m burning alive from the inside out, and only your bite will help.” With a sigh, Michael released Neo’s cock. “I don’t know why you’re doing this to me.”

  “Because I love you,” Neo whispered. He cupped Michael’s cheeks, rubbing the skin around Michael’s eyes with his thumbs. “Have you noticed how much younger you look since I’ve stopped feeding?”

  Michael had, but he assumed the toll of being kidnapped and tortured was to blame for his appearance a few weeks earlier. “That doesn’t make sense. I was made for you. My blood is my gift.”

  Neo pulled Michael into his arms. “It was a gift I took for granted. Your blood tastes better than any Liquid Crimson I’ve ever produced. I’m like a junky in constant need of my next fix.” Neo buried his face in Michael’s curls. “What I didn’t know was that I was draining the life from you, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

  Michael’s breath caught in his chest. Suddenly his creation no longer felt like a gift at all. “In other words, the gods think I’m expendable.” Michael pushed his way out of Neo’s embrace. “Excuse me, but there’s someone I need to speak with.”

  “Wait!” Neo shouted, grabbing for Michael. “If you have anyone to blame, it should be me. I’m the one who didn’t know there was a limit to how much blood I could take from you.”

  “Exactly.” Michael nodded. “You didn’t know.
The question is why my father didn’t tell you.” He covered Neo’s hand where it rested on his shoulder. “I’m not angry with you. I just need answers.”

  “Tell me what you need?” Neo begged.

  “Answers, I’ve already told you that,” Michael explained. “But they’re my father’s answers to give, not yours.”

  “But don’t you see, it’s okay, because I’ve learned to be around you and not give in to the bloodlust.”

  “You shouldn’t have to. Like it or not, Neo, you’re a vampire. I know it, the gods know it and my father knows it. So why would they tease you with blood that makes you stronger only to put a limit on how much you can take? And why the fuck would someone who claims to love me put me in this position in the first place, knowing it could very well kill me? Those are the answers I need.”

  Michael prayed Neo would understand. His mate had made great strides in the last two weeks in accepting who he’d become, even going as far as to counsel Gunnar through his transition.

  “The blood from the donors is enough to keep me strong. The gods’ true gift was your heart, not your blood.” Neo pulled Michael into his arms once again. “As long as I have you, I have sunshine. I don’t need your blood for that. I just need you to always be by my side.”

  There was something in Neo’s tone that worried Michael. It was almost as if Neo was scared. “What’re you afraid of?” Michael asked.

  “That they’ll take you from me,” Neo admitted.

  “They’ll have to kill me first.”

  “I won’t take that chance.” Neo took a deep breath. “I’ve already agreed to help Spiro lead the Realm. My hope is that it will be enough to please the gods.”

  “We’re leaving the vineyard?” Although he’d lived at Le Uve del Regno for less than a year, it had become his home, and the thought of going back to living a life at the Realm held no appeal.

  “No. That was part of my agreement with Spiro. I’ll travel to the Realm for official business but this,” Neo gestured out over the vineyard, “is my home and always will be. Still, I’m not completely unaware of the state of the Realm. Spiro has done his best for too long without my help, and it’s time I stepped up. Besides, not everyone wants the Blessed Creatures to live in harmony. I have a feeling LaMont’s coven was just the tip of the iceberg.”