A Royal Craving (17 page)

T
he rest of the night passed uneventfully. When they woke, Parry disappointed them by appearing briefly, in the kitchen, and disappearing again.

Spencer could not fathom why he would not let him know if all was well or horribly wrong.

While Prosper took care of business, Spencer gathered Jael in the library, to continue his steady progress of reorganising the library.

The next night, after a peaceful sleep in his King's arms, Spencer found the answers he sought. His sixth night in the house and only nine days until the treaty signing, Prosper spent all of his time on the telephone or going through important paperwork, in preparation.

Free to explore to his heart’s content, Spencer took advantage of the freedom. His King had already shown him the grounds, on a midnight tour on his second night. He chose to continue his lessons with Eamon, learning how to properly prepare human blood and food for his King.

Parry entered the kitchen after midnight, stalling in the doorway when he saw him at the counter.

“Well? Are you through avoiding me?” Spencer asked, plainly.

“I do apologise,” Parry said, making his way over.

Spencer lifted some chopped herbs from the dish to his right, to add to the tray. Eamon had prepared a beautiful salmon for their midnight meal. He added the final touches, as the cook checked an inventory, to see what ingredients they needed to order from the market.

“Then why?” he wondered, disappointed but not entirely surprised that it did not sound like good news.

Parry stopped by his side and smiled hesitantly, while gripping the counter. “Your advice has worked wonders. Davian came to me, immediately after your talk and we spent a most pleasurable night together,” he hinted.

Spencer watched the light entering Parry's eyes. He told the truth, but that did not entirely absolve him of ignoring his worry for two nights. “And why did you not tell me?” he wondered, afraid that he had done something wrong.

“I believe you will not be angry with me when I tell you that Davian and I were otherwise occupied.” Parry winked and moved around the counter. He picked up a jug of blood, ready for the midnight meal, and poured a glass. He took a sip before continuing.

“I promised him that we would get to know each other better. We have not had much time to talk, with his duties. But he assures me that he will give his notice this night and we shall not have to consider 'duties' any longer,” he explained, as he leaned on the counter.

“But you are happy?” Spencer asked, hopefully.

“Ecstatic.” The Prince sighed. “He is my life mate, Spencer. He knew that, but feared what it may mean. You convinced him that a life mate bond cannot be fought and that he feared for no reason,” he said, reaching across the counter to put a hand on his arm.

“But I was not too bold?” Spencer checked, fearful that he had stepped over a line, without meaning to.

“Never,” he promised, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. “You offered the encouragement we needed. We were both afraid to take the next step, for fear of rejection,” Parry explained.

When he straightened, he lifted the glass and walked around the counter again, to Spencer's side. “Thank you. I would never have risked speaking up had you not encouraged me. And if we had not taken the risk, we would not be together,” he claimed.

“I have Davian because of you. Because you saw the truth in me when I could not admit it to myself. We owe you our happiness,” Parry said, reaching up and brushing the hair back from Spencer's forehead. He placed a gentle kiss there and smiled.

“I did nothing that you did not already know needed done,” Spencer disagreed. He had not done anything special. He had simply given encouragement for a decision they had already made.

“Believe what you wish, little brother, but Davian and I know the truth,” Parry said, leaving him to ponder the good news.

Spencer opened the oven door and slid the tray into the heat. He knew he had done the right thing and it had worked out for the best.

Now he could go to his King and let him know that his brother would be happy.

Spencer left the kitchen shortly after Parry and headed to the dining room. He stalled in the doorway as he caught Parry walking in ahead. He would let him have this moment, without interruption.

Parry looked as though he had the weight of the world bearing on him.

“I have taken the liberty of accepting that piece of land you offered,” Parry began, getting straight to the point. “I have contacted a mason and he has agreed to have a house built on it, for my use. If it is acceptable, I will move with you when you leave here and reside in the spare room until my house is built,” he asked, with a sense of apprehension that gave Spencer pause.

Had Parry lied, as to his relationship with Davian? How could he have looked Spencer in the eye, with such love and hope, and said such wonderful things?

He thought of the land Prosper first offered a year ago. Parry had not wanted it, but now seemed desperate to accept the gift.

“Of course. That is why I gave you the land,” Prosper agreed, as easily as Spencer knew he would.

He had not doubted what Prosper's answer would be. Prosper loved his twin and longed to keep him close.

They had all been taken, at three years of age, from human orphanages and sustained on a diet of blood. Parry and his King were true born twins, with completely different human parents to Sienna. Spencer wondered if that explained the chord of disconnect between them.

“I shall be taking Davian with me,” Parry continued awkwardly, clearing his throat and tugging at the collar of his shirt.

“Naturally,” Prosper agreed, with a light laugh, as he sat back in his seat.

Spencer watched Parry, as he nodded his acceptance of Prosper's agreement and turned to leave the room. He chose not to hide, waiting in the doorway. When Parry reached him, he smiled and kissed his forehead.

“This is our secret,” Parry whispered, before continuing down the hallway to his suite.

Spencer reconsidered his decision to discuss the 'good news' and returned to the kitchen. He would think some more on the things Parry had said and discuss it with his lover later.

Spencer waited for clarity with impatience.

While he waited, he ventured to the library and continued his organisation. It continued pleasantly and swiftly. Alone, he went through the books, until a light breeze hit the back of his neck.

Davian appeared at his side. “Can I help?” he offered.

“Yes, of course.” Spencer offered an uncertain smile and pointed to a pile of books to the left. “These are in order and can be placed on the top shelf. On the left, please,” he asked.

Davian nodded and moved around to the ladder attached to the bookcase. He picked up a handful of books and placed them three shelves from where they belonged. He added two more handfuls of books until he filled the shelf, then climbed the ladder and began organising them.

Spencer stopped organising the next pile of books, when he caught Parry's reflection in the bookcase door to his right.

Prosper's brother stood in the doorway, staring at Davian's back.

Parry smiled, the moment Spencer turned, and made his way to his side. “I fear you misunderstood, little brother.” He pulled him into a tight hug.

Spencer hugged back, feeling more confused than ever. He did not understand what he had misunderstood or why Parry thought he needed to leave.

When they broke apart, Davian stared at them from the ladder and his lips moved. Spencer only caught the end of the sentence that had Parry looking up.

“…sad?” he asked, in confusion.

“…misconstrued…my fault…” Parry replied, turning back to him.

“I feel I am missing something vitally important,” Spencer complained, frustrated that he could not understand them both at the same time, due to the distance between them.

Davian stalled, looking nervous and unsure of what to do, but Parry made it easy on him. He walked over to the ladder and held out his hand. Davian took it and rushed down with his assistance, until both men faced him, side by side.

Parry beamed a radiant, fake smile. “I swear on my honour that we are happy,” he began, wrapping an arm around Davian's waist.

They looked uncomfortable together. It did not sit well with Spencer's idea of two lovers embracing.

Then Davian whispered something in Parry's ear that Spencer could not catch from the angle of his head. His words were combined with a hand raising to his waist, to squeeze Parry's fingers.

Parry nodded and smiled, eyes on the floor.

Spencer caught a brief adjustment that eased his mind; Parry twisted his hand from Davian's waist to hold onto the fingers that grasped his.

“Davian is worried that you are angry with us for disappearing. I have assured him you are not. You are merely concerned, with every reason,” he said, as though this were a normal conversation.

“Please,” Davian cut in, looking nervous. “I have asked Parry to tell no one other than yourself and King Prosper about our relationship. I wish to leave the Mistress's employment before we make a formal announcement,” he begged, leaning into Parry as though he were the only stable substance in Davian's life.

Now, Spencer could see the actions and looks of lovers and understood why he could not sense it before. “But why?” he asked, unable to hold back. “Prosper is King and Sienna can do nothing to you, without his interference. You should not have to hide your love,” he objected, heartily.

“That is what Parry said,” Davian confessed, with a wry smile at his lover. “But I would feel better if it were done this way. I can be a free citizen, giving myself to my life mate, if the Mistress releases me from my service first,” he explained, with pleading eyes and a hopeful glance at Parry.

Spencer watched the twin, as he kept his eyes on Davian. He could see that Parry would do anything Davian asked, if it helped him adjust to their relationship. “I was never permitted the honour of serving another family,” he lamented, though he had found his way home and that filled him with joy. “I cannot understand the loyalty you must feel to such a wretched woman. But it is not my place to interfere with your wishes. I only wish to see you happy,” he promised.

“And we are. Very much,” Davian reassured, beaming a smile of relief that gave Spencer butterflies.

This clearly meant much to him. Resigned to keeping the obvious a secret, Spencer stepped into the space between both men and hugged them. When released, he got to savour the joy of watching them together.

He turned back to his books, giving them a moment of privacy. He noticed their reflection in the glass of the bookcase door; Davian said something about being relieved and Parry kissed him. They sank into the act as two lovers who were alone should, then broke apart and shared a smile.

Parry spoke, but all Spencer could decipher was 'bedroom' and 'surprise'.

A
fter leaving Spencer, Parry returned to his bedroom and created twelve packing boxes from thin air, using his affinity with nature to make them from natural materials. He wanted to be packed and ready, if Prosper had to bring the date of the move forward, for any reason.

He began by packing his personal library and had gone a full hour, when he realised that he could conserve energy if he asked for assistance. He pulled the bell chord as he passed it, to summon a servant.

Davian walked into the room and stalled. “Parry?” he asked, in confusion.

He looked at the boxes across the floor and wondered why Parry was packing his belongings. A cold chill of dread passed over him and he feared he would be forced to do something irrational.

Parry shook off the thoughts and tried not to wonder what the 'something irrational' might be. “Darling, I told you to remain with Spencer. You have spoiled my secret,” he scolded, teasingly.

With a smile, he crossed to his lover and led him to the bookcase. He pointed to the box with Davian's name on it, where he had packed the few belongings Davian had chosen to keep, hoping that would relieve his mind.

“I do not understand,” his human said, with a small frown.

Parry let go of his hand and continued packing, praying he had not misread the situation. “Prosper offered me land on his property some time ago, on which I could have a house built for myself. I thought, perhaps, it might be my gift to you,” he began, hopefully. “Prosper will be taking Spencer to his home once his business is completed with the city council. I find I do not want to be separated from him by such distance.”

“And that is a reason to transfer your entire life to a house that is two days coach travel from here?” Davian asked, still confused.

Parry turned to glance his way, hating that understanding but naïve look. “I thought you would be pleased. You have said for two nights now that you wish nothing more than to escape this house and my sister, to begin a life with me somewhere new,” he recalled, fearful that the moment had come when Davian realised the heavy burden of a life mate bond and deemed it more than he wished for. “I rather like Spencer and his family will be moving with us when we leave,” Parry kept talking from fear.

Then Davian stepped closer. “Why did you ask me here, Parry?”

Parry heard the confusion, concern and underlying stress in his voice and hated it. Hearing that emotion in Davian's voice made him doubt his resolve to go through with this.

“I thought if I were sensible and asked for assistance, we could enjoy the rest of the evening in peace, discussing plans for our new home.” He admitted the truth, deflated and disappointed that his idea of their future had been wrong. “But I can see that I have presumed too much.”

He faked a smile and looked at the book. He had been about to place it into a box; instead, he put it back onto the shelf. “If you will help me unpack, I will speak to Prosper and call the mason to tell him the job has been cancelled,” he asked.

“You have already taken steps to have a house built?” Davian asked, in shock.

“I had hoped it would be my wedding present to you,” Parry confessed, under his breath. Though he tried to keep it a secret, he caught the look Davian gave him.

An awkward silence took hold.

It took Davian the longest time to break it, with something that made his nerves shake. “I spoke of dreams, Parry. I had never considered they may become reality. What will become of me, if we are to leave? Everyone I know is within walking distance to this house,” he explained, his voice shaking.

“I have not thought this through, clearly. I apologise.” Parry offered his lover a gentle smile and cupped his cheek. The only saving grace was that Davian held his hand there, staring back with love. “As I said, I planned a stupid, whimsical surprise that I have not fully considered.” He excused his ridiculous notion.

He glanced up, as Davian leaned against the bookcase, frowning. “It is not stupid. It is quite romantic, but…I have never left this city,” he warned. “I need time to consider this.”

Those words broke Parry's heart. They were life mates and where one went so would the other.

“As far as I am aware, Prosper does not intend to move until after the treaty is signed. It will be perhaps a fortnight or longer before we depart,” Parry explained, waiting for Davian's reaction to the news.

He nodded and did the cruellest thing; he touched his fingers to the back of Parry's hand, in such an intimate caress. Davian let their fingers brush for a second, before turning and leaving the room.

The moment the door closed behind him, Parry sagged against the bookcase. Drained from talking to Davian, in pain and barely able to function, that last touch had broken him. Was this the end of their love affair?

Parry struggled to remember that he need not breathe to exist. His brain knew the truth, but his body insisted he were heartbroken.

He managed to prevent the panic from setting in. Once he had control, he began unpacking. Luckily, he had not managed to pack much, as his thoughts had been walking the land of daydreams.

The door opened and shut, before he realised he had not imagined it. Davian rushed into his arms, crying, and held him as though terrified that he would leave.

Parry did not know what to do. He acted on instinct and wrapped his arms around his lover. “I thought you had left, to consider our options?” he asked, too dumbfounded to think of what else to say.

“What is there to consider?” Davian asked, his words muffled in his shoulder. “I did not get past the living room door before I started crying. I warned you that I cannot endure a life without you. Neither can I endure a life where you are not happy,” he confessed, through his tears.

“I can be happy here. As long as I have you, I can be happy anywhere,” the Prince promised, holding him tighter, as he raced over to the divan. His human curled up beside him, face buried in his chest.

“No. You need Prosper. He is your twin and there is a connection there that I cannot and will never understand,” Davian professed, wrapping arms around Parry's neck. “And, in a way, I need Spencer for the same reason. We are brothers of a kind; we have come from the gutter and cannot understand why fate chose us for the life we lead. Why are we, such lowly nobody's, the life mates to two vampire royals?” he asked, as though he truly believed there could be something wrong with fate's design.

“Do not think that way. Never think that,” Parry begged, cupping the back of his head, as he let him cry.

He sensed the release of all the stress and worry that had plagued the poor servant for the last two months, as Davian tried to keep his feelings secret. The shame of being poor and loving a Vampire Prince, the fear that he had committed a sin…it all released in that moment.

“Rich or poor, vampire or human…none of that matters to Fate or her plans. And none of it has any bearing on who we love,” Parry promised, rocking him gently.

Davian never stopped crying and a part of Parry sensed that he would be incapable of stopping now that the tears had been set free. How long had he been holding this in?

“You swore you would never leave me,” Davian whispered, kissing his neck and then his jaw, in a move of desperate panic. As though kissing him would make him stay.

“And I never will,” Parry swore.

“Then build me a house and marry me. If I have you for eternity, then what do I need of friends who will not even visit me, because they are afraid of this house?” Davian asked, with strength that suggested this would be his final decision.

Parry chose not to argue; if Davian changed his mind then they could discuss it. Right now, he needed to calm his life mate. “I promise you will not regret it,” he said, softly.

“I know.” Davian sniffed and wiped his eyes on the shoulder of his shirt. When he looked up, his big blue eyes were red with tears and his beautiful lips were white, with little red lines that suggested he had been biting them, to stem the flow. “The only thing I would regret is walking out that door and not turning back,” he confessed.

Parry cupped Davian's face in both hands. He planted a kiss on soft lips and relished the enthusiastic response he received. But when he broke away, he had only one thing on his mind. He lay on the divan and eased Davian beside him. “Sleep, darling. You are very tired,” he noticed, hoping to ease the burden he carried on his human shoulders.

He closed his eyes and settled with his life mate, praying that with sleep would come clarity and an end to the emotional exhaustion that had been haunting Davian for the last two months.