Shadow's Seduction (The Dacians #2)(47)

The vampire’s words echoed in his mind: Perhaps you don’t lack faith in me. Perhaps you lack faith in you. Maybe so.

“I felt the same way,” Bettina said. “I was horrified at the idea of a brave warrior like Trehan seeing what a coward I was when the Vrekeners attacked.”

Cas scowled. “You were set upon by a gang of violent swordsmen!”

“I didn’t say I was being rational about it. In any case, Trehan did see, and he did pity me. But it was more than that. He explained something very important to me.”

“Tina, I don’t think I can bear hearing words of wisdom from that leech right now.”

She glared. “Language, demon. That’s my husband you’re talking about. Would you call Mirceo a leech?”

“Yes. Routinely.”

She waved that away. “Trehan explained that when you love someone, you take on their pain as your own. Trehan hurt for me. Mirceo will hurt for you—especially since he’ll relive your pain firsthand.”

Could Mirceo ever love him? Was the vampire even capable of it? “Let’s speak of something else. I have something to show you.” He pulled the coins from his coat. “Mirceo and I collected a bounty.”

Bettina’s gaze grew laser-focused on the pouch. “Gold.”

“Not just any gold.” He handed it to her.

She opened it, gasping at the contents. “Holy shit! This is . . . this is dragon gold!” She gazed up at him. “That must’ve been some bounty.”

“A tough one, yes.” She tried to return the pouch, but he held up his palm. “Mirceo suggested we give it to you, and for once, I agreed with him.”

“Thank you so much! Will you please bring him around, so I can thank him too?”

Cas glanced out over the town again. “I don’t see that happening. He and I will most likely go our separate ways for a time.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“I explained some things to him about demon matehood. Once Mirceo wraps his head around all the implications, that hedonist will cut and run. Trust me.” Didn’t matter how much Cas wanted more with Mirceo, he couldn’t will the vampire to change—any more than he could will time to pass on Poly.

She chewed her lip, her brows drawn. Hurting for me. Is my yearning so obvious?

Cas hated that he’d made her pensive. She’d had far too many worries of her own. “I should be going.”

“Where? How will I get in touch with you?”

He finished his cup. “I’ll stop by again soon.”

She hefted the sack of coins. “I could make a ring out of some of these for you to give Mirceo.”

To signal a commitment? Cas shook his head. “A waste of good gold. . . .”





TWENTY-SIX


“Miss me, sweetheart?” Mirceo said from behind Caspion. It was sunset on the fourth day.

The demon’s shoulder muscles bunched. “You. Fucking. Child.”

“I missed you too.” He’d counted down the seconds till he could return, choking down blood mead, dealing with his ever-growing lust, and hardly sleeping. Over those nights, he’d hunted for the males who’d hurt his mate, stalking the plane of Abaddon as a deadly mist. But he’d discovered that Caspion had long since killed those fiends. “Let’s agree never to part again—”

Caspion twisted around, his expression half wrathful, half wrecked. “You didn’t do as you said you would. You didn’t consider things. Or else you would not be here!”

“I’ve clearly arrived just in time.” In fact, he’d arrived fifteen minutes ago to spy, half-tracing so Caspion couldn’t detect his presence or scent. The big demon had been pacing with his hands in fists. That muscle in his clenched jaw had ticked.

Mirceo hadn’t been the only one counting down the seconds. As he’d watched, Caspion had drawn back a fist, slamming it into the wall.

Voice hoarse, the demon said, “Why have you come back?”

To get claimed. Mirceo had prepared his body for Caspion, and he had a vial of lubricating oil in his pocket. “Tonight is the hunter’s moon—incidentally, my mate and I are hunters—and I have a date with him.” He’d decided to bond with his male over more than just pleasure. Mirceo would delight all of his demon’s senses with food, spirits, and spectacle.

They would drink and be merry, celebrating the beginning of their lives together. After Caspion claimed him, Mirceo’s anxiety wouldn’t arise. Obviously.

Just don’t look at his neck. Ignore your throbbing fangs. If he fed from Caspion right now, they’d both come, which wouldn’t do. To drag the demon over the finish line tonight, Mirceo needed to keep him on the edge.

“This isn’t a fucking game! I could kill you for this. Do you doubt my resolve?”

“No. Nor do I doubt mine. One more time: I don’t want anyone but you.” Even in their very first meeting, Caspion had revealed hints of vulnerability. After experiencing his mate’s past, Mirceo knew why. The demon did lack faith in himself, would think himself unworthy of a prince. I’ll convince him otherwise tonight. “I could have gone out for the last few nights and bedded others, but I had zero interest.” Keep things light. “Though I do admit to masturbating like a fiend.” He held up his palms. “I’m surprised I don’t have blisters.”