He was getting very comfortable touching me. And I was letting it slide more.
“Though they might not hear us on the outside, they still may be listening, I need you closer. His voice was so low it could barely even be called a whisper as he spoke directly into my ear. Despite the gentleness of his tone, there was none of his usual lightness in it.
“We have been talking this whole time you were worried,” I replied.
&nb
sp; “Nothing I said was what they did not already know.” he shot back.
“Fine, what is it?” I leaned in closer.
“I wish for you to question him about me, how they know me, when he last saw me, the more you get from him, the more likely I will at least be able to act as though nothing is amiss.”
I was nearly in his lap and hugging him as I whispered back into his ear. “So, you don’t trust Taelon? I understand. But Lucy seems to, and she isn’t one to share or trust easily. I’ve known Lucy for a year, but I’ve never seen her as the young her, now that I think about it, I barely know anything about her. But she has been kind to me.”
“Yes, because she’s been watching you.” He took the chance to wrap his arms around me. “Though she seemed genuinely surprised to hear it was I that was with you. Nevertheless, I told you do not believe in coincidences. How is it that Taelon Swan’s mate would be the one that was closer to you?”
“Wait, they are mates?”
He nodded, tapping my nose. Feeling his skin against mine felt…nice. “Use your nose, young one; he has clearly claimed her. But as you saw, she is a Lesser blood. It is obvious, she has not been given the right to the Swan name. The only one that can prevent her from that is Taelon’s father. They may be mated, but he cannot acknowledge and treat her as his mate until the head of his family does.”
“I don’t understand.” I couldn’t imagine how hurt Lucy would feel by that. “Just because she’s a Lesser blood, his family won’t allow them to be together?”
Theseus simply nodded. “You are entering the heart of vampire politics. There is so much you do not know or understand. I will teach you in time. But for now, know this, all of the ruling vampire families tolerate and respect each other, but just like the kings and queens of human history, everyone wants more. The way to protect what they have and possibly get more, the easiest way to do any of that, is by marriage through mates. Because you are adding another line of power or connections to your family.”
I turned to look at him. “So vampire society is pretty much like early absolute monarchies?”
“Exactly, and no matter how much Taelon may claim otherwise, their republic is still the same as everywhere else. No one voted the Swan family into power. They took it and merely allow the vampires who dwell here to believe it is different from the rest of society; that is false. Never trust those who are not your family so easily, Druella. There is no expiration on our lives; we live and keep living, and as so, we keep changing. A friend today could be your enemy in a century. The only thing that is forever is family.” He brushed his hands through my curls before lifting my head. “Now, if I kissed you, would I be, as you say, pushing my luck because I can give you a very good excuse as to why it is necessary.”
It took me a second to adjust to how quickly he switched topics. Sighing, I shook my head at him. “You just admitted it was an excuse, Theseus.”
“Yes, but a good one.” He leered.
“And that is?”
He brushed his thumb over my lips. “My scent is not on you enough, at least not enough to excuse why we are in here for so long while they wait patiently.”
My eyes narrowed on him. “And why exactly would I want your scent on me even more than it is now?”
“Because as you may have noticed—” His eyes were on every other part of my body but my eyes—“I have a temper and am not prone to forgiveness.”
“Yea, I’ve gotten that vibe. You do know that is something you should work on and not so quickly admit.”
“Yes, I am a flawed man bear with me until I grow more benevolent.” He chuckled at the mere word and inhaled my scent. “What do you think I shall do if anyone else’s scent masks mine or they approach you?”
I rolled my eyes. “Now all of a sudden men will approach me? That rarely happened before.”
“You have been hiding among humans and witches. I doubt you showed your beauty to anyone other than your work. Now you will be surrounded by others, and your beauty will be a temptation like no other.”
Damn him for making me smile like an idiot. “You just wanted an excuse to call me beautiful.”
“I don’t need an excuse for that. You’re trying my patience in ways I have never thought was conceivable before now.” His eyes shifted to my lips. “Allow me one kiss, so I do not go mad.”
Knock. Knock.
Theseus growled lowly, his head turning to the side of the door beside us.
“Forgive me, Lord Thorbørn, truly; however, a storm is coming in. We must be going.” Taelon’s voice entered from the other side of the door.