by Nicki Ruth
Davina was underestimating the treachery of her court, but he would root out all who stood against her. In that, he would not relent. He smiled into the ever-twilight that bathed him as he stood in front of the window, overlooking the forest canopy below, anticipating shedding blood if necessary.
A quiet double ping sounded—his manor security. Why were they buzzing at this late hour? He turned away to ignore it when it sounded again. Concerned about waking Davina, he answered, placing the small device to his ear.
“What is it, Devon?”
“Sir, apologies. But there’s a man of indeterminable species demanding to see you. Says his name is Cade. He refuses to leave and has made certain threats.”
Alexios exhaled a breath of surprise.
So, Cade followed after all. Just as he and Davina had expected. Alexios hoped he came with a new perspective because he would not allow Jason’s grief to be exacerbated.
“Place him in the formal library. I’ll be there shortly.” Alexios smiled, thinking of his youngest.
∞∞∞
Cade was rudely ushered into an elaborately decorated library, with shelves filled with books from the floor to the ceiling, soft carpets underfoot, and surfaces so shiny his reflection glinted.
So what if he threatened to turn the security team into barbeque? No need to shove.
He took a seat in one of the plush chairs facing the doorway. The soft furnishings made him think of Karina. She would love such finery; he could take them or leave them. He did appreciate the golden fixtures. Their yellowed gleam reminded him of his treasures.
Cade expected Alexios to keep him waiting. He knew he came at a late hour, but he couldn’t wait till morning.
His journey here had been fraught with so many obstacles already, and he needed to see Jason. It had been so long since he . . .
Alexios stood at the door, silently eyeing him with that dark gaze of his. Cade rose to his feet, unsure whether to wait for the demon to speak first.
The standoff continued until Alexios stepped into the room and broke the strained silence.
“Need I ask why you’re here, at this damnable hour, threatening my men?”
Cade bit back a retort. Alexios rattled his scales with his smug aloofness. “I’m here for Jason.”
Alexios’ eyes flashed. “You should know, I won’t tolerate you disrespecting him in our home. You’ve hurt him, and I won’t stand by and watch it continue.”
“Enough, Alexios.” Cade held up his hands. “I’m not here to spar with you. Actually, I wanted to speak with you first. About Jason. He looks up to you and respects you, so I wanted your opinion on a matter concerning him.”
“Oh? Well, this is interesting.” Alexios look a seat and crossed his legs, steepling his fingers together.
He was dressed in a robe decorated with all type of fine embroidery that Cade couldn’t help but admire. Cade also noticed he didn’t offer for him to retake his seat.
“What opinion of mine would you like? The one where I think you’re a fool to carelessly cast Jason aside after he did so much for you and your people; after he risked his life in a god’s realm to get the healing fire you so desperately needed; after he transported your people to safety here, in his home?” Anger moved across Alexios’ eyes.
“That I have never seen him as happy and assured as when he was with you? That you obviously cared for him, introduced him to his lost heritage, and patiently allowed him to find his way? My opinion is you selfishly thought only of your immediate distress, instead of seeing the bigger picture, which he was able to, and in so doing pulled you both out of a bad situation, intact.”
“I get it Alexios,” Cade snapped but then rolled his neck, getting his temper back under control.
He’d already examined events since Jason came into his life and realized he didn’t deserve his ire. Looking back, maybe preserving him in the pendant until he was able to get away from Paxor was the best course of action, given the severity of his wound.
And, Jason had killed Paxor, something he’d failed at—twice.
“Look, I know it’s been a . . . uh . . . tense situation. But I wanted your opinion on why Jason seems afraid to let people into his life, and why he believes he isn’t worth having around.” Cade fondled the beads at the ends of his braids and began to pace. “You see, I’ve been replaying our conversations and his actions over and over in my head. Sometimes he’d look so sad, like he was carrying a great burden on his shoulders. I’ve seen his panic attacks and his shifting moods. But I know I’m missing something, and I’ve asked, but he doesn’t speak about his past.”
Alexios’ face softened. He rose and stepped around Cade to look outside the window into a garden of white and purple flowers. He grinned into the twilight, flashing the tips of fangs and unnerving Cade.
He’d never seen the demon smile.
“Did you know I was born human? Millennia ago. I was turned against my will and lost my human life and family. I began my vampire life under much . . . turmoil, you could say. I had no sire and no sirebond to keep me from raging. I should have died.” He grew silent on a frown, the moonlight casting shadows over his face.
Cade remained quiet, surprised Alexios was revealing such personal information to him.
The demon, a human?
“My other sirelings believe I’ve been too lenient with Jason—spoiling him by letting him do whatever he wants, letting him drink from me when he should be taking elsewhere. The truth is, I’ve been overcompensating.” Alexios turned to him then. “Jason’s past was . . . well, no child should have to go through what he’s suffered. I prefer to leave the details for Jason to tell, if he wishes. But it’s something he struggles with—lots of anxiety—even after all these years, in spite of his easy-going nature. It’s something that shaped him when he was very young, thus also shaping who he is today. And yes, he can be clingy and immature at times, but it's only because he’d been alone for so long and robbed of the life he could have crafted for himself. I know what that is like, so I indulge him.”
Cade digested the information. He could certainly see how Alexios’ spoiling was an attempt to make up for what Jason had lacked. If he had been abandoned—and Cade couldn’t conceive how that came about—Jason would find it difficult to trust. That could explain why he kept running away.
Alexios smirked. “If you want more, you’ll have to ask Jason yourself. For now, just know that if your intentions are to work things out with him, you’d better be serious about it. I won’t—”
“Yes, you won’t tolerate me hurting him. I get it.”
“Cheeky. But yes.” Alexios waved his hand. “Since you know the rest, don’t wear out your unearned welcome.”
“Fine. Where can I find Jason?” Cade asked anxiously as Alexios made his way toward to door
“Oh, he’s not home,” he replied over his shoulder. “Guess you’ll really have to come back tomorrow.”
Cade suppressed a snarl as Alexios chuckled.
“Don’t singe the carpet.”
Chapter 29
Jason stomped up the stairs leading to his apartments. He’d left Brandr to his fun at the club, not interested in their offerings, although he did see a long-haired blond male who mildly roused him. But his scent wasn’t right, and his eyes were the wrong color.
He truly hoped Brandr got on board with them heading to Xanthus to find Marius. They needed—
Jason came to a halt. He thought he felt Cade’s aura, but it disappeared so quickly it must have been his imagination. He’d been prone to imagining Cade, oftentimes on purpose, everywhere he went. He shrugged and continued on his way.
He typed in the code to unlock the door adjacent to his apartments and entered, needing to check on his precious houseguest. It wasn’t a person . . . yet, but an egg.
Alexios had recovered it from the mage’s ship, and immediately, Jason knew what it was. It was red and large, about three feet long, and covered with a raised, swirled pattern that fe
lt rough under Jason’s fingers. Since moving the egg into the manor—despite Alexios’ displeasure—Jason kept it on a bed of feathers and straw and under heat lamps to keep it warm.
Who knew what the mage was doing with the egg? Jason kept the small room it was in decorated with light, whimsical wall coverings and plush cushions. It was fit for a child’s room. As he’d done every night, he sat next to it and hummed a tune, one he remembered from his childhood before he was sent away.
After a while, satisfied that all was well with the egg, he re-coded the door. No one, not even his sire, was allowed into the room.
Feeling dreary melancholy beginning to drape over him again, Jason entered his rooms and flopped on the settee. It was his favorite spot to gaze into the Damurian twilight and daydream about Cade, reminiscing about their time together. He knew he should try to put it past him but thinking about Cade kept the dense fog that clouded him in anxious fear at bay.
He didn't want to think about what Marius’ disappearance meant for his family. What if this was only the beginning? What if one by one they all . . .
He couldn't bear to think about it. He clamped down on the foul taste budding in his mouth, marking his fermenting dread, and thought about Cade instead.
This time, he imagined them by the lake. As usual, Cade would prevail over him, dunking him under water despite his sputtering protests. Then they’d sun themselves, dozing under warm rays of light, before one hand would find the other’s, and soon there’d be touching and rubbing and kissing.
Jason smiled a sigh at the remembrance of it. He willed himself to feel the nearness of Cade again, to revel in the heat of his fire, to taste his blood . . .
“Jason.”
He heard his name called behind him, and he turned to see Cade’s frame partially hidden under the shadows of the dusky light.
“Hello, Cade,” Jason replied cheerily, astounded he’d been able to conjure Cade before him. Was this another of his abilities?
“Can I come in?” came the reply.
Jason pulse began to race. The conjured image of Cade even smelled like him. Excitement fluttered in his stomach. Maybe he could find solace in the arms of this phantom lover.
“Of course, my love.” Jason stretched his legs to the floor and gestured for Cade to take a seat next to him. Jason bit his lip, eager to experience how life-like this Cade could be.
Cade hesitated, then strolled over and gingerly took a seat like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to. Jason tilted his head. The next time he conjured Cade, he’d get rid of the hesitation.
Jason nuzzled into him, breathing in his scent, relishing the feel of Cade’s warm body against his. Cade felt so good. It was just as he remembered.
“I missed you so much, Cade.” He breathed into Cade’s neck, dragged his fingers up to the top knot on Cade’s head, and released the luxurious curtain of gold that tumbled around them. Another adjustment for the next time: no top knot!
“I missed you, too.” Cade’s hand found his face and began to caress his cheek.
Jason leaned greedily into it and practically purred in delight.
“I was afraid, after my talk with Alexios, I’d be thrown out on the street—that I’d have to wait to see you.”
Huh? Jason leaned back and studied the vision before him. He was real enough. Why would he be talking about Alexios? Jason closed his eyes and focused again, thinking of Cade by the lake. He needed to restart this fantasy he’d orchestrated.
Jason had tried to will this night to occur so many times before, it needed to be perfect. He wanted Cade to only talk about him, them, and their night together. He opened his eyes to see Cade’s creased brows and concerned peridot eyes peering at him.
“Are you all right? I saw you returning, so I decided to take my chances coming as I did. If you’re tired, I can come back in the morning so we can talk.”
Jason blinked and ran his hand up the bicep next to him. Then he smacked the apparition in the face with a loud crack that echoed through the room. Cade growled as his cheek glowed red. Jason swallowed and backed away.
Was this the real Cade? Was this really happening?
“C-Cade?” Jason croaked out shakily.
Cade stared at him hard, clearly not amused with the slap he’d received. Then, with a baritone voice said, “Maybe I deserved that.”
Jason jumped from the settee and gaped at the man before him. The beautiful vision before him was Cade, in a dark green tunic that hugged his chest and exposed his arms. He wore his usual leather pants that fit ever so deliciously on his thighs. Two customary braids draped either side of his face, decorated with tinkling beads. His now loosened hair hung long and heavy down his shoulders.
Jason’s mouth watered. “Cade? It’s you. You’re real.”
Cade stood, making his way to Jason. “Yes. Did you think I was someone else?” A dark shadow of doubt crossed over his eyes as he rumbled out the question.
Jason remained speechless, but his heart soared out through the window and up into the eternal glow of the moonlight that looked over the colorful forest canopy below.
Cade was here? With him?
He clenched his fists to keep from jumping into Cade’s arms. The last time he saw Cade, he’d said he never wanted to see Jason again, yet here he was. On Damurios. In his living room.
“Jason,” Cade started. “I’m sorry. I was upset and should’ve taken the time to let you explain all that happened instead of jumping to conclusions. My mind was addled with the thought you’d—”
“I didn’t! I would never purposely hurt you.”
Cade cast him a sidelong glance at the interruption. “Well, I reacted badly. I’m sorry.”
Jason couldn’t wait any longer. With as much restraint as he could muster, he moved across the space separating them and threw his arms around Cade, allowing the heat of him to melt the hard icicles of misery that had encased his heart. Cade’s arms wound around him, and Jason sighed.
“I love you so much Cade. I swear I do. I swear,” Jason squeezed into his embrace, making sure Cade was not a figment of his imagination, that the hard body pressed against his was real. Cade had traveled all this way for him.
“I love you too, babe. I missed you. I don’t want us to be apart again.” Cade kissed Jason’s temple. “Let’s start over.”
Jason nodded into Cade’s neck. “Yes, let’s.”
∞∞∞
Jason’s mind spun, drunk on the feel, smell, and taste of Cade. His mouth latched onto Cade’s, desperately reacquainting himself with the softness of his lips, the eagerness of his tongue. Jason moaned into Cade’s mouth while his legs sought to wrap themselves around Cade’s hips, needing, demanding to be closer.
“Jason.” Cade panted, breaking their savage kiss. “We should talk.”
Jason continued licking and sucking on his neck, his throat, the wide expanse of his collarbone. He was crazed with desire for the man he’d been denied too long.
“Jason,” Cade coaxed again, fisting Jason’s hair and pulling his head up to link their gaze. Jason groaned and pulled at Cade, urging him closer, needing his warmth to surround him again.
“Talk. Later.” Jason grabbed Cade’s neck and joined their lips again in a frenzied coupling.
Cade groaned and squeezed Jason’s rear, grinding them together. The ecstasy from this physical intimacy and delirium over having Cade in his arms created fireworks inside his head, short-circuiting his thoughts.
An impatient sound escaped his lips and Jason sunk to his knees, fumbling with the buckle of Cade’s pants. His tongue hungered to have Cade pressed against it. His prize was soon revealed and with a desperate moan, he swallowed Cade’s hard thickness to the back of his throat.
Cade released a ragged breath, the breathy sound spurring Jason on. He wanted to wrench more of those sounds from him, as he’d dreamed of doing. Jason worked his tongue and hands expertly along Cade’s length, enjoying the feel and scent of him. Cade thrust himself down Jason�
�s throat then pulled back, gripping the base of his cock with whitened knuckles.
“Gods! You’re too good at . . .” Cade came all over the marble floor, once again denying Jason the taste of him. The spilled seed steamed, and Jason rose to his feet.
“One day, you will let me have all of you.”
Cade’s eyes were glassy, and his lips swollen. “You will, once I claim you,” he said heavily as he caught his breath, the cloud of his climax fading away.
“Claim me now,” Jason said softly, returning to Cade’s arms.
It was the last hurdle for them to cross. Cade had mentioned it several times during their lovemaking and Jason wanted to be his completely, to be owned by Cade, forever his.
Mated to his drogulis, immune to his flames, and able to take his scorching seed into his body.
Cade had wanted to wait until the Dāmming was over, to make sure Jason was able to survive the fire brand that would mark him as Cade’s. But he really needed Cade to make his promise a reality. Jason didn’t want to be without Cade again. Didn’t want to wait. He wanted to secure Cade to his side for always.
“We still need to talk,” Cade said, kissing the sides of Jason’s mouth and nibbling his chin.
Jason hummed and began removing his clothes. “Come talk to me in the bed.” He led them to the bedroom and was naked by the time they got there.
Cade licked his lips, his eyes hungrily devouring the sight of Jason’s nakedness. Jason shivered with delight. He loved that primal look on Cade.
“Get on the bed,” Jason commanded.
Without a word, Cade moved to the bed and sat down, his eyes never leaving Jason, who knelt before him. Jason picked up Cade’s booted foot.
“I’m sorry for putting you in the pendant.” He tugged the boot off Cade’s foot. “If there was any other way, I would have taken it, but what I saw”—Jason raised the other booted foot—“scared me. It was like seeing your soul gradually leave your body.”