‘Are you certain you trust her with me?’ Sebastian asked, his head hanging low.
Broderick paused in lifting his fork to his mouth. ‘What?’
‘I let her get hurt,’ Sebastian said, his voice full of shame.
Broderick stood and went to the squire. He wrapped his arms around the man’s waist and hugged him tight. ‘Of course I trust you with her! I know how much you love her. Sebastian you can’t keep blaming yourself for her getting hurt. It was an accident pure and simple.’
‘But…’
Broderick stepped back shaking his head. ‘Her first major injury happened after everyone left following Hannah’s wake. Beth, simply toppled to one side and hit her head against the brick hearth. I felt like the worst father in the world. Like you said, it all happened so fast. If I had known she would fall I would have caught her, same as you. We just have to do the best we can and be there for her.’
Sebastian exhaled as if a great weight was lifted from him. ‘Thank you for your trust. I swear it on my life to do everything I can to keep her safe.’
Broderick smiled. ‘I know you will.’ He returned to his chair to see Beth watching him. She put her half eaten roll on his plate. ‘You make Bas no hurt.’
Broderick and Caspian laughed and he placed her roll back on her tray. ‘You finish that one baby, I’m going to have more coffee first.’
‘Broderick will you have time to run to Level Six today?’ Sebastian asked.
‘I should, why?’
Sebastian poured him another cup of coffee. ‘I have arranged for the best tailor in the city to get started on your suit for our Midwinter Ball. Bethy and I picked the colors, the deep blue and silver match the colors of House Rioux perfectly. She has an eye for fashion already,’ he explained. ‘As the ball is tomorrow, the sooner you can get up there, the better.’
Broderick stared up in horror. ‘Ball?’ he squeaked.
‘Of course. Every pillar city hosts a Midwinter Ball on Longnight, it is the highlight of the year,’ Sebastian said, then understanding shone in his eyes. ‘You lived amongst humans, you have never attended a ball before, have you?’
Broderick shook his head. ‘No, never.’
‘Be thankful you were not here for the All Hallow’s Eve Ball. The machinations that occur on that night make my hair stand on end,’ Magnus shuddered.
‘Machinations?’
Caspian slowly began rubbing his back. ‘In all four pillar cities the ball on All Hallow’s Eve provides the perfect opportunity to broker contracts and curry favors. The Midwinter Ball will be nothing but a celebration.’
‘Do we have to bring anything? That’s a lot of people,’ he asked, thinking back to the large dance his town’s church hosted around Christmas, everyone brought a dish or two to share.
All three men shook their heads before Sebastian answered. ‘It will not be the entire city. Each level will devise their own way to celebrate with the Founding and Noble Families descending to Level One for the actual ball. Each family’s squire coordinates with me and we all serve for the evening.’
Broderick frowned. ‘When do you get some time off?’
Magnus chuckled. ‘We force him to be still for a bit on Christmas Day, that is about it. Even then, he insists on cooking.’
‘I refuse to let either of you in my kitchen,’ Sebastian huffed.
‘What if you made more rolls for us the night before, then you could sleep in and take a day for yourself,’ Broderick suggested.
‘Excellent idea!’ Magnus agreed.
‘I could try, I suppose,’ Sebastian conceded.
‘Which tailor do I find?’
‘Magee’s Stitchery. It is along the east wall. His establishment is painted purple, you really cannot miss it.’
‘I’ll head out there right after breakfast, then go to the lab.’ He looked to Caspian. ‘Will you be coming with me?’
Caspian shook his head. ‘I wish I could darling, but I have to go to another tailor on the other side of Level Six to get my suit out of storage. They bespell it to keep it clean throughout the year. I was hoping that by splitting up we could get things done faster and perhaps if we had enough time, we could have lunch at the Marketplace before you had to get back to work.’
Broderick felt his stomach quiver in excitement. Their first true outing as a mated couple. ‘That sounds perfect!’
‘What will you be doing today Magnus?’ Sebastian asked.
‘Another meeting with Simon regarding the ball,’ Magnus said, sprinkling sugar on his oatmeal.
‘How about you and Bethy?’ Caspian asked.
‘We never got the chance to decorate yesterday, so we will be making the antechamber very pretty for us to enjoy before Midwinter,’ Sebastian said giving Bethy a conspiratorial wink. She giggled in return.
Broderick looked around. ‘Where’s Hawthorne?’
Sebastian pointed toward the kitchen. ‘He ate his breakfast earlier then got comfortable in the kitchen. He said that if Bethy is with me, then we would be primarily in the kitchen, and that is where the food is as well.’
Magnus smirked. ‘The boy has his priorities.’
Broderick turned to his daughter. ‘You have fun with Sebastian today. You won’t see Dada until dinnertime. Papa and I will be eating lunch out. Okay?’
‘Kay. We do pret-ee.’
‘You make everything as pretty as you want baby girl.’
‘Will.’
He was eager to get fitted to he could enjoy lunch with his mate. With any luck the next few hours would fly by!
*****
Broderick finished his breakfast kissed both his mate and his daughter then had the tunnel escort take him to Level Six. The young man seemed quiet excited to be escorting their ‘new prince’ and apparently the only thing that would have been better would have been if Beth had been with him.
Smiling he gave the man a wave and his thanks and looked around the large open cavern. Heading along the east wall it didn’t take him long to come across an extremely large and extremely purple tent like structure. He lifted the cloth that acted as the door to one side and stepped in. ‘Hello?’ he called out.
A dark-haired man appeared from the back of the tent. ‘Welcome! You must be Prince Broderick, please, come this way. I am Torin Magee, I am just finishing my last client for the day, so you are right on time.’
Broderick followed. ‘The last for the day? Isn’t it early?’
The man laughed. ‘The ball is tomorrow, what do you think I will be doing after I take your measurements?’
Broderick blinked. ‘Right. Tomorrow as in tomorrow, tomorrow. Will that be enough time?’
‘Sebastian approached me because I am the best. You will shine tomorrow night in your new suit!’ he promised.
Broderick borrowed the man’s confidence and followed him to a large room with plenty of mirrors. In the center of the room two men were looking at themselves and smoothing down their jackets.
‘We will take them,’ the light-eyed blond said.
‘Excellent. I will set up the charges to go to your houses, give me one moment to finalize this transaction Prince Broderick. I will be right with you,’ he said, before heading back toward the front of the store.
The blond then turned to him. A sneer appeared on his otherwise handsome face. ‘Look who just walked in Tomas?’
Tomas’ dark looks made a stark contrast to his friend’s blond hair and light blue eyes. Both men were incredibly good looking. The man looked him up and down. ‘Why, I do believe a common rat has somehow found their way inside Morgan.’
Broderick looked behind him to see if they were speaking to someone else.
‘He is so dense. He does not even realize we are speaking to him,’ Morgan laughed.
‘Honestly, mate or not, what does Prince Caspian see in a mousy thing like him?’ Tomas asked.
‘More than likely nothing at all. He still has us and unless my sense of smell is as lame as he appears to be, he has yet to be claimed.’
Broderick felt his breath stutter. ‘How would you even know such a thing?’
Morgan looked at him in pity, then tapped his neck. ‘You do not smell of blood. No blood, no bite. No bite, no claiming. No claiming, no mate.’
Broderick grit his teeth together. ‘My claiming or lack thereof is none of your concern.’
Tomas nodded. ‘You are right, we could care less, tomorrow night Caspian will be in our bed, so it does not matter if you are mated or not.’
‘What?’ he whispered.
‘Oh, Tomas, you hurt his feelings,’ Morgan pouted playfully, then laughed. ‘Caspian wanted something different for Midwinter this year, so he asked us for a threesome. He is known for his gorgeous body and insatiable appetite. I have thought of nothing else all month.’
‘That was before he mated,’ Broderick refuted.
‘Has he mated?’ Tomas teased.
‘Well… he…’ Broderick stuttered.
‘That would be a ‘no’ as we all well know. Even if he had, it is not as if he has cancelled his plans with us,’ Morgan jeered.
‘Here are your papers. You are all set!’ Magee said returning. He handed one set of receipts to Tomas and the other to Morgan. ‘Enjoy!’
Tomas leaned in close to Broderick as they left. ‘Oh, we will,’ he leered.
Broderick didn’t know what to believe. They had nothing to gain in deceiving him and they hadn’t smelled of a lie. The actual fitting was a blur to him. He moved when he was asked and nodded when he was supposed to.
When he went to leave Magee looked at him. ‘Before you take their word for it, speak to Prince Caspian. There is no way that a man planning on cheating on his mate would have a squire that giddy to dress you.’
Broderick’s mouth dropped. ‘You heard?’
‘Of course, but it is not my place to hear, if you take my meaning?’
‘Thank you,’ he said, taking a deep breath.
‘I will have your suit delivered to Sebastian by tomorrow. He will, no doubt want to tweak a few things.’
Broderick shook his hand. ‘Thank you again, for making this for me, especially with it being so last minute.’
‘My pleasure.’
As Broderick wove between the vendor stands he realized Magee was right. The only person that could answer his questions was Caspian, except he was scared to death to hear what he would say.
‘Broderick, over here!’
He turned and saw his mate jogging over to him a wide smile on his face. Could he look at him that way and desire another? He hadn’t claimed him yet after all.
Suddenly he didn’t want to know the truth. He looked up at Caspian. ‘Do I even know you?’ he asked, then walked away.
‘What?’ Caspian whispered.
Broderick kept walking until he got to the tunnel. ‘Level One, please.’
‘Of course, Prince Broderick,’ the young man replied and escorted him down.
Instead of heading toward their quarters he veered off to his lab. He couldn’t let Beth see him like this, shaking and unsure. He locked the door behind him and felt despair creep into his heart. His mate hadn’t even come after him.
*****
What the actual fuck?
Caspian watched in stunned silence as his mate walked away from him. The dead look in Broderick’s eyes scared the hell out of him. He watched his mate drop out of sight with the tunnel escort and thought about what he should do.
Something had obviously happened with his mate. He wanted to go to Magee’s and see if the older vampire knew anything, but he also wanted to keep things between himself and his mate.
He paced for a bit, then decided it head home and confront his mate. He followed Broderick’s scent to his lab and when he tried the door he was shocked to find it locked.
Maybe he needed time to himself? If he forced him to open the door, he was not respecting his mate’s wishes. Not knowing what to do, he decided to go to the one person who always seemed to hold all the answers. His brother.
When he got to Magnus’ door he listened for a moment. He didn’t hear anyone speaking, so he knocked on the door.
‘Come in.’
He opened the door and saw that the room was empty except for Magnus. He closed the door behind him. Sighing he sat down in the chair across from his brother.
Magnus set his quill down. ‘I am pretty sure you should be in a half dozen other places besides my office. With your mate or daughter for example.’
‘Broderick is angry with me, I think.’
‘You think?’
‘He is definitely upset and he asked if he even knew me, before he walked past me to lock himself in his lab.’
‘Yes, I can see how you could interpret that as being angry with you. Why would he ask such a question?’
‘I have no idea!’ Caspian raked his hand through his hair. ‘We were only apart for a few hours.’
‘What would have him questioning if he knew you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He obviously heard something or spoke to someone that said something about you that made him question his known version of you. Do you have any enemies?’
‘None.’
‘No scorned past lovers?’
Caspian snorted. ‘I always end things with my lovers with no hard feelings between us.’
‘Current lovers?’
‘I have not been with anyone in weeks.’
‘I would continue questioning any other possible bad habits, but statistically speaking, your impressively high number of lovers leads me to believe that is probably the cause.’
Caspian rubbed his chin. ‘Do you think someone got their feelings hurt knowing I was permanently taken off the market?’
Magnus leaned back in his chair. ‘And to a shifter at that.’
Caspian winced. ‘I think I got complacent. With Bethy around, everyone has been so wonderfully welcoming, now I am wondering what Broderick may have run into on his own.’
‘Did he look hurt or angry?’
Caspian was about to answer, then truly thought back to the way his mate had looked. He closed his eyes, his chest clenched in pain at the memory of Broderick’s despair filled eyes. ‘Hurt. Devastated.’
‘Caspian.’
He opened his eyes and looked at his older brother. Magnus’ expression was kind. ‘There are probably only two things that could cause a look of devastation on your mate’s face. Something happening to Beth or something happening to you.’
‘But nothing happened to me. I am well!’
‘Then whatever was said led Broderick to believe that he has lost you.’
‘Then why would he walk away from me? I was right in front of him.’
‘Perhaps it was easier to walk away and hide, because had he stayed, you would have confirmed what he feared.’
Caspian stood, the need to be close to his mate overwhelming. ‘Thank you Magnus, as always, you seem to always hold the answers I seek.’
‘I have a few more years under my belt than you do.’
Caspian reached for the door, then turned to his brother. ‘Do you have an extra key to Broderick’s lab?’
Magnus grinned and reached in to his desk, then tossed him a small key ring. ‘Good luck.’
‘Thanks!’
Caspian couldn’t get to the lab quick enough.
*****
Broderick sniffled and cursed himself for the eighth time for not stocking the lab with snacks when he had the chance. He was starving, but didn’t want to risk seeing Caspian.
He rested his chin against his hand and stared numbly at his notes. He wanted his mate. Yesterday with Caspian in the lab had felt so right, today, the lab felt like a prison.
He wiped at his eyes, then heard a metallic sound at the door. A moment later Caspian swung the door open, entered and locked it behind him. When he turned and saw Broderick’s expression he hurried over.
‘I am not sure what you heard or how mad you are at me, but please let me hold you,’ he begged.
Broderick stared. ‘You want to comfort me, even if you are the reason why I’m upset?’
Caspian nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘Because your tears shred my heart.’
‘I’m not even your mate,’ Broderick whispered, as a fresh wave of tears fell down his cheeks.
Caspian stared. ‘What?’
‘No blood, no bite. No bite, no claiming. No claiming, no m-mate!’ he wailed.
‘Oh gods above, come here,’ Caspian said, before pulling him into the curve of his body.
Broderick knew he should be strong and properly voice his fears, but the scent of his mate, and the feel of his arms drove all that right out the window.
He clutched at Caspian’s crisp linen shirt and sobbed. ‘I c-c-can’t lose you too!’
Caspian scooped him up and slid them both down the far wall so he was cradled in his lap. ‘I am not going anywhere, my love. I am right here, holding you.’
‘Where will you be tomorrow!’ Broderick sat up and wiped his nose with his sleeve. ‘With them?’
Caspian just blinked. ‘Who?’
‘Tomas and Morgan!’
Caspian blinked again. ‘Who?’
Broderick sat back on his heels. ‘I didn’t catch their last names.’
Caspian looked up to the ceiling his lips moving as if he were taking some sort of mental tally. He looked back down at him. ‘Auburn hair?’
Broderick shifted his weight until he sat cross-legged between Caspian’s muscled thighs. ‘No, one was blond, the other had dark hair.’
Caspian winced. ‘Did they something in particular love? Because I am drawing a complete blank.’
Broderick stared. ‘They said you asked them for a threesome for Midwinter and because you haven’t claimed me or canceled with them, that you would be in their bed tomorrow.’
Caspian’s eyes widened. ‘Shit.’
‘So it’s true!’
‘Well yes, but no.’
‘What?’
‘It is true I asked for a threesome and it is true I did not actually contact them to cancel, but I would have thought announcing I have found my mate on multiple Levels implied I would not be joining them,’ Caspian explained, looking completely confused.
‘Oh,’ he whispered in a small voice.
Caspian cupped his face with his large, warm hand. ‘Did you truly believe I would betray you like that?’
Broderick shook his head, then gave a half nod. ‘Yes and no.’
Caspian grimaced. ‘I can see how that exact answer was confusing to you a moment ago. Please explain.’
Broderick looked down at his hands. ‘I don’t think I believed that you would set out and intentionally betray me, but, maybe because I wasn’t as handsome, by being with them you’d just be getting what you actually deserve so…’
Caspian halted his rambling explanation with a desperate kiss. He was pulled forward until he was lying on top of Caspian. When they broke apart they were both breathing heavily.
Caspian wrapped his arms around him and tucked his head under his chin. ‘Broderick, both Tomas and Morgan are exceptionally handsome men.’ Broderick flinched and Caspian kept going. ‘And despite their good looks I completely forgot they existed until you mentioned them a few moments ago.’
Broderick pulled back to look up into Caspian’s eyes. ‘How?’
Caspian smiled. ‘Because my entire heart and soul is consumed with the scent and smile of a certain scientist. A man that is gracious and kind. Intelligent and humble. An amazing father and devoted mate. A single touch of your lips has me gasping for breath. A glimpse of your pale skin leaves my hands trembling.’ Caspian rolled them until he rose over him, pinning him to the floor. ‘Because not a second goes by each day that I do not want to consume you, own you and fill you…’ he leaned down and trailed his lips around the curve of his ear. ‘With thoughts of me.’
‘Gods above, Caspian!’ Broderick bucked his hips as his cock strained against the fabric of his pants. His mate was barely touching him and he felt as if he were about to fly apart.
Broderick felt Caspian’s lips smile against his neck. ‘Will you allow me to consume you, my love?’
‘You can have whatever you want of me, I was completely and utterly yours the moment we met,’ Broderick panted.
‘I have to mark you,’ Caspian whispered, before a burning wash of pain flared where Caspian’s fangs buried themselves deep. The pain soon morphed into pure pleasure.
‘Caspian!’ he shouted, bowing his back.
His mate’s hand snaked down his body and into the front of his pants. When the hot bare skin of his mate’s hand firmly grasped his straining cock, lights flashed behind his eyes.
The pleasure continued as Caspian’s lips drew his very essence into his own body. One endless orgasm after another shattered him relentlessly as Caspian continued to feed.
Within his chest Broderick felt his soul begin to lift. For a moment he swam in nothingness, disconnected and lost, until a bright, warm energy enveloped him. It was Caspian! Their souls merged completely and ever so slowly began to drift apart, each taking a small portion of the other with them.
When his soul sifted down and became anchored again within his body Caspian withdrew his fangs causing him to shudder and come one last time. Drowsily, he looked up at Caspian. His lover’s eyes burned scarlet.
‘How?’
Caspian grinned happily as he collapsed to one side and gently pulled his hand from Broderick’s pants.
Broderick hissed at the friction, his spent cock was extremely sensitive at the moment.
‘How, what, my love?’ Caspian asked, trying to catch his breath.
‘How were we able to mate?’
Caspian propped himself up and smiled. ‘Well, you see, when a boy loves another boy very much and they are mates…’
Broderick laughed and bopped him on the shoulder. ‘You know what I mean. I thought we had to be intimate with one another.’
Caspian raised an eyebrow and smirked. ‘You do not think what we just shared was intimate?’
Broderick blushed. ‘Yes, but…’
‘Gods! You are adorable. Do you mean, you thought you had to be penetrated for a claiming to occur?’
Broderick just nodded quickly, he could feel that the tips of his ears were on fire.
Caspian’s eyes darkened again to a deep crimson. ‘You were penetrated my love, and deeply at that.’
‘Will it always be like that?’
‘Gods! I hope so.’ Caspian exhaled and rolled onto his back. He turned his head to look at him. ‘I do not believe there are any set rules in a claiming. I think you needed me to claim you as desperately as I did. Maybe that is all that is truly required.’
‘Did you…’
Caspian chuckled and pulled the front of his pants away from him. ‘Many times.’
Broderick laughed and snuggled up to his mate. ‘I can’t believe we’re lying on the stone floor in my lab.’
‘I cannot believe we have to walk back to our quarters in cold sticky clothes,’ Caspian added.
Broderick touched the side of his neck where Caspian’s bite still throbbed. ‘Blood means a bite. A bite, means a claiming. A claiming means I’m your mate.’
‘I will turn you into my own personal pincushion if that is what it takes for the world to know you are mine,’ Caspian vowed.
Broderick looked up Caspian’s body and into his eyes. ‘And how will the world know you are mine?’
A wicked expression came over Caspian’s handsome features. ‘Would you like to put a collar on me, my love?’
‘Caspian! I’m serious.’
Caspian kissed his nose. ‘I was half serious.’
‘I want all of Noctem Falls to know you belong to me. Especially Tomas and Morgan.’
Caspian rubbed his back in lazy strokes. ‘Unless they are complete idiots, I do believe they and everyone in the city will see I belong to you.’
‘How?’
‘I plan on never leaving your side.’
‘Never?’
‘Never.’
Broderick lay his head down on Caspian’s chest and listened to his heartbeat. ‘I’m okay with that.’
He knew from that moment on, he would never doubt his mate again.
