A Royal Craving (22 page)

S
ienna could do nothing. Prosper hated her for her ill-advised comment days before, Spencer had never taken to her and Parry remained firmly on the side of his twin.

To make it worse, her favourite play toy, Davian, kept avoiding her.

Sienna was lonely and, for once, realised that it may have been her own fault. She had forgotten what it felt like to be human. To worry about taking care of herself, to have petty arguments, to wonder what the next day would bring. Her life had become so routine that she knew exactly what would happen at all hours of the day.

Until Spencer arrived.

Her nights usually consisted of getting up, having a pleasant meal with her brothers, then retiring to her room to rest, read and sit with Jael. But the night Prosper brought his companion into her home, everything changed. Instead of getting to live her routine, everything had turned upside down.

Her pleasant meal had been ruined, her routine had been screwed with by the insolent little human and, worst of all, she had lost the love and devotion of her two brothers. They were too busy fawning over Spencer to even notice her. And it was not just because of what she had said to Prosper.

Sienna was lost, confused and desperate to regain her position in the house. Whatever she had to do, she must do it quickly and quietly. She had to get rid of Spencer. She just had to figure out how. And she had to do it without Prosper or Parry finding out.

She walked into the dining room, to snoop around Prosper's desk, only to duck behind the open door when she heard voices. It sounded like Spencer.

“It is not that I want him with me all the time, it is just that…I worry. Gone for days…without me? He will resort to feeding solely from human food and I know that does not satisfy his hunger the way that blood does,” Spencer complained.

When Sienna glanced around the corner, to see who he might be talking to, she stalled. Parry sat beside him, patting his knee comfortingly, drinking from a glass of blood. The pair were getting far too cosy for her liking. She only wished that she could convince Prosper they were having an affair.

Prosper's gifts were much stronger than her own and he would know the truth easily. One sniff of his precious human and he would know Spencer remained untouched by any other. But she had to do something, before Spencer stole everything that had ever been dear to her. Including her rotten human servants.

“I know. But Prosper will survive it and return to you in one piece,” Parry promised.

“You are right. Besides, it is only a few days,” Spencer agreed and allowed Parry to change the subject.

In the background, Sienna's mind whirled. The prospect of keeping Prosper from the house for more than a few days had merit. Perhaps she could provoke a romance between Parry and Spencer? If she succeeded, Prosper would certainly get rid of his new lover, rather than share him with his twin.

With that plan formulating in her mind, Sienna left them alone together. She walked the halls of her home, troubled by what she knew.

She did not know what her plan would be yet, but she knew that feeding from Spencer or forcing him to feed from her would be the equivalent of adultery to a life mate. It would cut Prosper to shreds to think of his life mate being unfaithful and, at the moment, she did not see family in any of the surrounding people. All she saw were enemies who were trying to ruin her happy life.

Eventually, Sienna realised that if she had any chance of keeping her family, then she must admit to being wrong. Something she had always hated doing. This time, she actually
had
been in the wrong. Still, she could not bring herself to talk to Spencer or to apologise in front of him.

She would wait until Prosper was alone, then attempt to apologise without taking the blame, if possible. But she had to try.

If Prosper did not forgive her, then Parry never would. And if Parry did not forgive her, then neither would the staff. She would not plead with Spencer to change Prosper's mind, just to get her brothers to forgive her.

If she could not get them to forgive her, as their sister, then she did not imagine Spencer would succeed. And even if he could, she would not beg that little upstart who had come along and turned her whole world upside down.

F
our nights passed slowly. With less than a week until the treaty signing, Prosper continued to have trouble with the young vampire he had gone to punish. He called Spencer each night, to talk, to soothe him and to discuss his current dilemma.

It infuriated Spencer that Davian must act as their medium, as he could not hear his King or speak over the phone, as any other person could. Letters took too long and he did not yet have a functioning device, that Parry had spoken of, that would allow him to see his lover, during a phone call.

Despite never wanting to take advantage of Prosper's generosity or wealth, this would be one thing Spencer would ask for. He would ask his King to have such a machine created, for their use,
before
Prosper's next departure from home. Spencer could not bear this separation a second time, without that old fashioned device.

At least Davian had been of assistance, relaying Spencer's thoughts about this latest case to Prosper, then speaking his King's words back. As Spencer saw it, the young vampire seemed innocent of everything but defending himself against an aggressive human. The fact that the human had been harmed made no difference.

With his agreement, Prosper had settled on a minor punishment and could be on his way in a few more nights. But that did not stop Spencer from missing him.

Parry took good care of him, making sure he ate regularly, discussing literature. But he could not be with him at all times, as he and Davian still had much to learn about each other and discuss about their future.

Prosper had once again delivered on his promise and a man had come to the house, the night after his King's departure, to deliver a dog suitable for Spencer's needs. It had been trained to answer hand gestures, to assist the city guards in their work of catching criminals.

The kind man had chosen the dog with the sweetest nature, to remove from that pack of working animals, so Spencer may have a companion.

The miniature Poodle that he gave into Spencer's care was little more than a pup; delicate, beautiful and with a loving nature. It was a suitable size to be picked up and held on his lap, if he wished to, and any time he did so it licked his face, lovingly.

Prosper had apparently stressed the importance of an immediate companion, the moment he left to deal with his Royal business in Keaton.

Spencer trained the little dog to read and understand sign language and vocal commands, to cater for any situation. Despite having spent four nights busy and full of tasks, it did not stop his mind from drifting to his King.

“You understand, do you not?” Spencer asked his new pet, as he rubbed the back of his ears.

Parry had laughed the first night, when he decided to call him Winston, because of the fighting spirit of his little dog.

Spencer knew the name was old fashioned and not commonly associated with pets, but he liked it. His Winston appeared strong and apparently barked loudly whenever Sienna came near him.

Parry laughed at that too. But Spencer did not care about Sienna; at the moment he did not care about much except Prosper.

“What should I do?” he asked Winston, with an unhappy sigh.

Spencer's brain tied into knots, from fatigue. He could not sleep without his King and the emotional chaos going on in his brain.

“I miss him so much, but I cannot spend my life always waiting for his return, can I?” he asked, staring into those gorgeous dark eyes and smiling weakly at the new friend who could not answer him.

A shadow fell in the doorway of the library and he looked up to find Winston wagging his tail, taking no notice of Parry, as he walked into the room.

“Perhaps if you were able to travel with him, you would not feel so lost?” Parry suggested, though they knew that it had no bearing on the current situation.

Spencer tried to think positively. “Perhaps. Then I may sleep with him and help him rest,” he agreed, nodding his reassurance that he could be happy in that instance. “What brings you from Davian?” he asked, teasing his future brother-in-law as he tried to think on happier things.

“He is cleaning,” Parry complained, as he hovered before his chair. “We have finished packing what we shall take to the new house, bar the items we will need in the meantime,” he explained, looking down and rubbing the toe of his shoe against the wooden floor. “But he insists on leaving the house as spotless as when he arrived.”

“Parry.” Spencer reached out, consolingly.

Parry held on, but did not sit.

It was not the Prince's fault that he did not understand such things, but he must adapt if he wished to understand his life mate better.

“Davian is a hard worker and will always be. He may have spent just a few months here, but he has always served,” Spencer reminded him. “Believe me, once you have your own home, he will be much worse. Then he will have
all
the chores to do and no other to tell him how to do them or when.” He chuckled.

“We can hire staff,” Parry insisted, waving his concern away.

“He will not hear of it.”

“But you do not mind the staff we have here,” he protested.

“That is an entirely different matter.” Spencer rubbed the top of Winston's head, as he thought of how to help Parry understand. “I was never permitted to work,” he reminded his dear friend. “I accept the staff here, because it is established and works to Prosper's advantage. I wish to spend time with him and the staff allow me that time,” he admitted, freely.

“As soon as Prosper and I are in our own home, I will not require staff. I could accept Eamon or Tabitha, as they have skills and knowledge I do not. Tabitha is a master seamstress and Eamon is a talented cook. But I could also be those things, if I studied hard enough,” he confessed, hoping that he could learn from those two talented people, to expand his abilities.

“You are saying that humans would not accept a staff to work for them, after they are married?” Parry asked, in a huff.

Spencer scoffed, as his future brother-in-law sank onto the sofa beside him. Winston immediately jumped onto his knee and licked his cheek. Parry did not seem to mind, so he did not reprimand the little dog.

“Parry, most humans cannot afford the luxury of staff. Some households, such as the one I left, had to make a choice between using water for cooking or for bathing,” he said, breaking the harsh truth to the vampire.

Parry stared in disbelief; he had the same look Prosper had given him six nights ago, when Spencer revealed the truth of his past living conditions. Prosper had been upset to hear about the cruelties of the city council and more convinced with every day that taking control of the city would be for the best.

“It must have been difficult for you,” Parry said, as though he did not know how to react.

“You are sweet.” Spencer sat side on, to face Parry more easily. “But you are not aware of what life is like in a small village. Simply walking to school could be dangerous for me, Parry. Not only because I could not hear a person or carriage approaching, but because I am gay.”

“Why should that matter?” Parry frowned, in confusion.

“Humans are not as enlightened as vampires,” he lamented, disappointed with that fact of life.

Spencer thought long and hard about how to break this news to Parry. He was an artist; the creative type that did not cope well with the confines of reality. But to better understand Davian, he must understand the reality of life for an ordinary human.

“There was a man, when I was younger,” Spencer began, letting his mind recall little more than his name, from fear that he would react to the cold cruelty that had always been in his eyes. “Lafayette owned three brothels in the city. He wanted to employ me for one of those houses and attempted to many times. Prosper even interceded, when I was just fourteen.” He revealed the truth, choosing the more delicate terms for the Prince.

“But you were just a boy,” Parry objected, with a deep frown.

Spencer leaned in close, to whisper the truth. “That is what some men prefer,” he warned.

“Oh,” he muttered, then quickly looked away. He appeared shocked and not at all sure how to react. Eventually he said, “I…we do not share such depraved desires. The youngest a vampire would ever be permitted into a life of sexual servitude would be seventy,” Parry explained, as though he thought even that would be considered too young.

“Parry…some humans do not live to seventy, in the present climate. We are lucky if we live to forty,” he reminded him.

Parry's frown turned into a scowl, that suggested he might take this matter up with Prosper when he returned. “That will not be something you or Davian have to concern yourself with,” he said, with a stern look that demanded he accept the order without argument.

“No, I believe it will not,” Spencer agreed, unable to help but smile. These vampire boys were quite the protectors. “But do you understand now, why it will be hard for Davian to leave his past of servitude behind?”

“Yes, little brother. I see the truth clearly now.” Parry nodded and relaxed, apparently pleased to move past that awkward part of the conversation. Then his shoulders tensed and he turned to look at him. “May I ask, do you think Davian ever had to run from a man such as Lafayette?” he wondered.

“Oh no. You need not worry.” Spencer patted his leg and ran his hand over Winston's head. “Davian grew up on the cusp of two villages, Warre and Wilde. I am sure he grew up in a conservative family, unaware of my grubby little town, Ruiseart.” He chuckled, since his village remained one of the poorest in the area. He was glad to have that reassurance to offer, after having talked with Davian about his home as they worked on the library together.

“This is a good area? This Warre and Wilde junction?” Parry guessed, hopefully.

“Pleasant, considering. It is home to good, peace loving families who tend to go on to serve the vampires. They are born and bred to be smart, loyal and hard workers,” he promised, seeing all of those qualities in Davian.

“How do you know such things? If you do not mind me saying, you have not overheard them and Prosper insists you were not permitted to schooling or work.”

Parry ventured into the part of the conversation that had once had his King expostulating wildly, until Spencer kissed him silent. He would not do the same with Parry, but did hope to avoid a scene.

“If it does not scandalise you, Parry, I will tell you the truth,” Spencer offered, waiting for a nod to continue. “The men of the brothels taught me much more than just the history of my people and the safest places to seek my fortune,” he hinted, with a teasing wink.

“But you must be untouched! Prosper would not accept anything else,” the Prince demanded, as though he did not quite grasp the concept.

“That is true,” Spencer allowed, before continuing in a whisper. “but you can learn much if you close your mouth and observe,” he told him, honestly.

He had spent many nights, hiding in the rooms of the brothel, until he had the safety to leave. Sometimes he did not even get to speak to the workers or ask his questions, before he had to hide in a cupboard and remain quiet. The things he had witnessed, through the small keyhole that offered fresh air, were quite illuminating and had served him well during his nights with Prosper.

“Good lord!” Parry gasped, then held a hand over his mouth, looking around the library as though to make sure no other had heard him. When he finally removed his hand, he smiled. “Little brother, I do believe you are as wild and as unpredictable as I am. It will not do. I cannot have the competition,” he objected.

Spencer had learned long ago not to be embarrassed by what he witnessed in those rooms. He had learned that love between two men was as pure and real as the love between a man and a woman, when the right emotions were in use.

The hardest part had been watching dear, sweet Finnegan fall in love with one of his clients, only to have to continue serving other patrons, to earn a living. Those tearful goodbye's and loving kisses had broken his heart more times than he cared to recall.