A Royal Craving (20 page)

Ten minutes later, Spencer had recovered and consumed a hearty meal to fill his empty stomach.

Prosper watched, as Spencer ate all he could manage and changed into an elegant cotton shirt, dark trousers and an oversized jumper. Once they were ready to face a new night, Prosper took his lover's hand, led him along to the dining room, and rang the servant's bell.

“Ah, Tabitha,” Prosper said, pleased with her prompt response. “Can you please call the family, as well as the night servants. We are having a house meeting,” he explained.

She bobbed into a curtsey and rushed off to do as he asked.

He took his seat and relaxed, propping his heels on the dining table. Spencer scowled, but when Prosper reached out and caught his lover's waist, his boy willingly perched on his lap.

“Are you sure you are ready to do this? It is a monumental decision.” Prosper recalled their earlier arguments. They had no need to inform the family of their plans. As King, he could do whatever he pleased.

“I am sure.” Spencer nodded. “Your family have been kind to me, accepting me into this house and treating me like family. I will not lie to them and I will not keep them in the dark, if I can help it,” he said.

Prosper understood his reasoning; the family would discover the truth eventually. His only worry was how Sienna would react.

E
amon brought a tray of finger foods, as well as a large jug of blood, as soon as he heard of the gathering.

Parry and the servants were first to arrive, taking their seats and digging into the snacks. It took longer for Sienna to flow into the room in a ball gown. She even made Reagan, who had napped at the house after his daytime journey, get up to hold her chair.

Spencer was disappointed that Parry and Davian did not arrive together. Parry sank into his seat, looking mournful and fidgeted the entire time it took Davian to walk through the door. They shared nothing more than a brief glance, before Davian took a seat two places from Parry, despite there being an empty seat beside his life mate.

“Prosper,” Spencer said, deciding to tackle this issue immediately. “I am afraid I have been remiss. I completely forgot to mention that Davian handed in his notice last evening. Is it proper for any in our house to sit amongst the employees, if he is no longer in service?” he asked, feigning ignorance, while he watched his King.

Prosper smiled, clearly having an idea of what he had planned. “In fact, little one, it is most improper,” he agreed, staring at Davian.

The servant squirmed in his seat and flinched when Eamon whacked his arm.

“Why did you not tell me you had resigned?” he asked, waving him out of his seat. “Go on with you. Take the chair by Master Parry,” he insisted, which seemed only logical, as it was one of the only seats available that provided any distance from Sienna.

Spencer offered the cook an approving smile, as he watched Parry sink into his chair, using his hand to cover his smile. He winked cheekily at his life mate, as Davian took the seat beside him.

Once everyone gathered, his King tapped the table to quiet them. “Spencer and I have an announcement to make. We will not be getting married at the moment,” Prosper began.

The whole room turned deathly silent for a single second, then the servants began muttering and Sienna burst from her seat.

Spencer knew she would say something, so he deliberately started talking, to ensure she had no opportunity to insult him. “We have decided we want a baby.” He spoke over the murmurs.

Immediately, everyone but Sienna looked satisfied with the explanation.

After a moment, waiting for the news to sink in, Spencer continued, venturing into the information that Prosper did not consider being of interest to anyone but themselves.

“A baby is only possible if I remain a human,” he explained, wanting them to understand why he and Prosper had made this decision. They were engaged and wanted to get married, but the baby would be a miracle to both of them.

“Prosper has been sweet enough to offer to marry me while I am human. But I will not agree without consulting the family first,” he confessed, as he perched on the arm of Prosper's dining seat, holding his hand.

“I object,” Sienna snapped.

“I thought you would,” Spencer admitted. He had always known who would accept their decision and who would not.

“Whatever makes you both happy,” Parry agreed, looking across to Davian with a tender smile. His life mate flushed, but returned the look. “What benefit is there to being King, if you cannot change the rules?” the Prince joked.

“I am glad to hear that.” Spencer sighed happily, at their approval. “Now we can progress to other news,” he decided, taking a deep breath before making the announcement that did not, technically, belong to him. But he could see that neither Parry or Davian were willing to face it.

“As you heard, Davian has given his notice and Prosper has just accepted. He is a free citizen and Prosper and I fully support his decision to leave his current employment,” he explained.

“I really am sorry for the inconvenience,” Davian began, only to swallow and smile as if he had won a great gift. “Prosper,” he finished, bravely.

Spencer turned to beam at his King, glad that Prosper nodded to Davian, in acceptance of his new role in their lives.

“I do not know why you are apologising to him. You are
my
servant,” Sienna argued.

“No Sienna. He is not your servant,” Spencer protested to her continual attempts to take the limelight from other people. “He served Prosper's house. Your selfish attempts to gain him as your own personal slave, however, have
not
gone unnoticed and will
not
be tolerated,” he argued, refusing to let her treat his fellow humans as her property.

The room descended into silence. He could tell from the look on everyone's faces that they did not want to be in the same room as Sienna, after she had just been shouted at by a human.

Spencer became aware of his King's fingers slipping under the back of his shirt and lightly caressing that tender spot at the base of his spine.

Then he caught a hint of movement and looked to where Parry had lowered his hand from his mouth. He lowered his touch to the inside of Davian's thigh and the couple shared a look that spoke volumes, without the need for words.

Davian looked up at Prosper again and sat forward in his seat. He swallowed and turned back to Parry, who gave him a nod. “Sienna,” he said, looking toward the woman he had only ever called Mistress.

The fury of being called by her name, by a human and a servant, seemed obvious in her gaze, but she did not speak.

Spencer noted the blush on Davian's neck and the subtle way he held onto Parry, their hands in his lap. He waited, eager to hear him say the words.

“Parry and I are life mates,” Davian said, finally. “And if you will forgive me for saying, you forced my hand by demanding that I only see to your wishes. If you had not pushed me, I may not have spoken up for many more months,” he announced.

Spencer wanted to hug him, for being brave and telling the barefaced truth. It made him happy to know that they would not be keeping their relationship a secret anymore. When he looked to Parry, he could see the same relief on his face.

Sienna, however, nearly fell off her seat.

Everyone stared at her, waiting to hear what she would say about the fact Davian now sat beyond her reach.

Then, Davian turned to Parry and kissed him as openly as Spencer would kiss Prosper. It made his heart light and had Jael giggling to herself, while Reagan rolled his eyes.

“I have been waiting to do that all night,” Davian confessed, looking relieved.

Parry simply stared, in shock.

Spencer leaned into his King's touch and let out a contented sigh. Now, perhaps they could return to the reason they had gathered everyone.

“Can I ask something, Master?” Jael raised her hand, before he could venture to return to the topic.

“Of course.” Spencer smiled at her.

“How can you have a child? You are both male,” she asked, confused. Ever the nurse, she dealt with misinformation, as they had been until recently.

“Which brings us nicely into our next piece of news, thank you, Jael.” Prosper took over the explanation, never ceasing the dance of light fingers over his spine. “Spencer and I have been doing some digging,” he announced.

Spencer revelled in the invisible protective shield surrounding him. Nothing would ever get past Prosper to harm him. He adored the sensation of being untouchable, guarded by the greatest, strongest vampire he knew.

Prosper must sense that he suffered the pressure of rejection from his family and Sienna being a royal bitch. The King made his presence known; laid back, feet on the table and future husband on his lap.

“Spencer was informed of his adoption on his twelfth birthday,” Prosper said, lifting an arm behind his head, as Spencer watched his lips form beautiful words. “Since he knew from which agency, we were able to trace and discover his true heritage,” he explained, as fingers drifted further down his spine.

Spencer shifted on the arm of the chair, as a lone thumb drifted between his cheeks, in a teasing promise of more.

“Does the name Braddock ring a bell with anyone?” his King asked, as though it should mean something to Parry, who he watched carefully.

The moment Parry heard the name, he smiled. “Not 'Braddock the Bastard'?” he asked for clarification, with a smirk.

“Yes, actually.” Prosper nodded.

Spencer frowned.

Parry waved his hand, until he turned to look at him. “Braddock is nicknamed 'Braddock the Bastard' because of a poem, written by a young human in service to his army regiment,” he explained, with a faint smile of pride. “Braddock was a commander in the first 'official' vampire army when a young man. This boy became a blacksmith's apprentice and published two volumes on the deeds and words of 'Braddock the Bastard'. I believe I have both volumes, if you wish to read them,” he offered.

Spencer nodded, pleased to know that he could discover more about his father from someone who had actually met him.

P
arry grinned and stood from his seat. “I believe the poem goes:

Braddock the Bastard from Hell.

With a glare from his eyes he can fell,

A thousand and one vamps

Within a hundred camps,

Who misuse their humans so well.

Braddock the Bastard can go

Put on a marvellous show.

With an axe in one hand,

And a fist full of sand,

He is a dirty fighter, that fellow.

Braddock the Bastard, the foe

Is the nastiest bloke that I know.

I have seen him fight,

With a hook on his right,

He is a nightmare to all that dare show.

Braddock the Bastard has culled

With his lip all twisted and furled,

A group of his brothers in arms,

Without the slightest of qualms,

He is the last face they saw in this world.

Parry recited the poem with gusto, taking deadly, gruesome stances that made Spencer giggle like a schoolboy.

Finishing his poem, he took a mock bow and dipped his head to Spencer.

“Not the most elegant of poetry, but always one of my favourites. Why are we discussing 'Braddock the Bastard'?” Parry asked, taking his seat and reaching for Davian's hand.

“Because he is my father,” Spencer answered with the only reply he had: the truth. “We discovered that, a few hundred years ago, he became nothing but a drifter in service to the King.” He revealed his father’s past, from the information Prosper had relayed. “He had been, what you might call, an independent assassin. When he discovered the darkness brewing in the world, he withdrew from service.”

Having Parry well read on his exploits was a Godsend. It meant Spencer had someone to talk to, who could tell him stories of his father. He needed that, after the disappointment his adopted family had been.

“But he was interested in science and saving a world on the brink of destruction,” Spencer continued, full of pride for his father. “He searched the world for the best scientist, found one in Vienna that he liked and asked him to create a pure vampire child. Something which had not happened in centuries.”

His father had been brave and selfless. Parry's poem convinced him of that. He had fought for the humans, against his own kind; there was nothing more heroic than fighting for the side of good against evil, regardless of which side he had been born on.

“I tracked the scientist last night and spoke with him,” Prosper took over, letting his hand trail up the length of spine. The touch made him shiver. “Braddock turned him, so he could continue his experiments. Spencer was the first and last,” he said, making everyone stare at Spencer, in shock.

“I discovered his mother, Yalena, is a woman recognised for her incredible resilience. Having outlived two vampire brothers and her father, she accepted their position in Braddock's army, when the conscriptions were noted,” his King continued, filling him with a sense of wonder. “As ancient and powerful as Braddock, she wed him soon after the war ended. Once pregnant with Spencer, a few vampires discovered what they were doing,” he admitted what he knew from the scientist, who had been the one to take care of Spencer after his birth.

“Word soon spread to the humans, who feared that vampires would take over the world and kill all humans. They hunted Spencer's parents,” he revealed.

Spencer stared at the table, wondering about their fate. They had little information and he longed to discover the truth. But he knew that they could not have perished. One of the first notable female warriors in vampire legend and
the
vampire legend 'Braddock the Bastard' would not fall easily.

“From what the scientist could tell me,” Prosper interrupted his thoughts. “Braddock hid his life mate in an underground cave during the pregnancy, where none could find them. Once Spencer was born, he delivered him to the scientist and asked that he be placed with a human family, who understood his heritage and destiny.”

Spencer shrank into Prosper's arms and leaned on his shoulder. The intensity of Parry's stare unnerved him and Sienna glared, as though this were his doing. Parry seemed desperate to ask a million and one questions. He was a piece of living history, but could not provide any answers with certainty.

“As much as Spencer's parents wished to keep him, the danger of being together proved too great, until Spencer came of age to understand his importance,” Prosper insisted, as though it made perfect sense. “Braddock took Yalena to recover and fight skirmishes, as the world changed. None have seen or heard from them since.”

Spencer could not believe such an experienced and ancient warrior would have died in that time. He and his mother must still be in hiding.

“Well, that explains why you are not a regular human. The son of 'Braddock the Bastard',” Parry approved, with a chuckle. The way he said his father’s nickname made him blush. “Tell me I can meet him?” he asked excitedly.

Prosper laughed. “With luck,” he answered, going on to explain their plan. “I have sent word through military scouts asking that all creatures, vampire or human, spread the rumour that the King is to be married.”

Spencer chimed in excitedly. “To a human called Spencer Granger Jakub Cooper. A name which my father gave me.” He beamed, continuing the story.

The King nodded. “That should give him time to hear of our impending marriage, before the official announcement has been made,” he clarified.

“You hope he will hear about the engagement and come looking for his son?” Parry asked, appearing intrigued by the plan and ready to help.

Sienna burst from her seat, before anyone could say another word. “You are inviting that monster to my home?” she asked, outraged.

“No Sienna. I am enticing him to come home to his son,” Prosper warned her that she walked a fine line. She had already insulted him once and he still had not forgiven her for that; neither had Spencer.

The hardness in Prosper's voice warned Sienna not to cross him or question his decisions again. She did not want to make an enemy of her elder brother and King. If Spencer could not forgive her, then he doubted his lover would, when the pain of her words struck close to his own deep seated fears.

“And with the guards down for the celebration party, for the treaty signing, it will be the perfect opportunity to approach,” Parry spoke aloud, with a thoughtfulness that implied his mind ticked over, working out the possibilities.

“I plan on making myself approachable. And alone.” Spencer smiled, as he made the admission.

Prosper huffed and wrapped a hand around his waist protectively. They had already had that argument.

When Spencer noticed the boys looking sceptical, he explained the obvious. “My father is unlikely to approach me, if there are people around,” he reminded them. “I will take a stroll in the garden and see what happens. Besides, my connection to Prosper is secure and he will know the minute something is not right.” Spencer promised that nothing would happen. His bond with his King was as strong as it could be, without their marriage and his turning. Neither of which would happen soon.

Parry relaxed in his seat and shrugged. “It sounds logical,” he said.

“But we shall get you a dog,” Prosper announced, surprising everyone. “It is something I have been thinking about since you joined us, little one. And I know it may seem irrelevant, but I think of the future. A hearing dog would be of benefit, if you are ever alone,” he warned, in anticipation of future risks.

Spencer gazed up at Prosper, curious as to why he had not mentioned this before.

“It is entirely up to you. But the dog could accompany you into the garden and alert you if anyone is near,” Prosper attempted to convince him, but the look in his eyes only reminded Spencer of the concern that another parent would disappoint him.

For all that it made sense, he did not know where they would find one, as deafness was nearly unheard of these days.

Spencer bit his lip, trying to decide what to do.

“I know of a man who trains animals,” Prosper proclaimed, not surprising him in the slightest. He knew a lot of people who had spent many decades and centuries trying their hand at many extraordinary things. “He once trained dogs for military purposes and for the deaf and blind. I say a few days should be long enough. He only has the best,” he insisted.

Prosper watched him closely for a sign of agreement or disapproval. All Spencer could do was smile and confess, “I have always wanted a pet.”