A Royal Craving (25 page)

He bled into the water, wasting precious blood. Prosper occupied half his mind on watching his companion and the other half on controlling the water and keeping it pure. Where the blood dripped into it, he imagined the blood dissipating into the air and extinguished from existence.

The first touch of Spencer's lips against his wrist made him shudder, as his whole being focused on the experience.

Prosper gasped, when Spencer's nails dug into his wrist. It felt like a true vampire feeding, as though desperate for his blood, just as when he fed from his human.

He closed his eyes to the sensation and held his companion to his chest, protectively. Prosper would not let anything happen to him, if he must challenge his own child for dominance.

Spencer was his. His now, his always and only his.

S
ienna tapped her foot, as she sat in the dining room, waiting. It was damned annoying.

Prosper shot her a glare, hoping she would stop, before his nerves cracked and he challenged her. He understood that it must be annoying to have Parry walk into her suite with Davian and announced there would be a family meeting. No one knew how long it would take, but it would be easier on Spencer if everyone had already gathered.

He opened the door and held it there.

“Here they come,” Parry warned, as he noticed him. He sat next to Davian, who seemed more comfortable with their open relationship.

Spencer took another deep breath, standing in the hallway.

Prosper had promised to give him the time he needed, before walking into the room. Spencer was scared of Sienna's reaction, but Prosper chose not to care what she thought.

With a last uncertain smile in his direction, Spencer crossed to the open door and touched his hand to Prosper's side. He looked radiant; standing tall, his skin had a healthy glow and his eyes sparkled brighter than ever. He had the look of a happy, regal man and the glow of an expectant father.

Prosper released the door with one hand and grasped Spencer's in his. It was small compared to his own; delicate like his human. He turned it over and stared at the palm, where the cross continued to mar his beautiful skin.

His lover wore a light silk shirt and loose trousers, but still managed to look stunning and sophisticated; every inch the King's companion.

Parry stood quickly, to pull out the seat at the head of the table.

Prosper smiled at his eagerness to help, as they eased Spencer into the seat. A light blush came to his lover's cheeks, as he looked up, embarrassed by the attention.

Taking his seat at the head of the table, with his companion by his side, Prosper held a delicate human hand in his. “Spencer and I have an announcement to make,” he explained, because he still believed Spencer weakened by his experience with their child.

The door opened before he could continue, and Eamon bustled in with a large tray he placed in front of Spencer. “Your favourite.” He winked and scurried over to a seat, to hear what would be said.

Spencer blushed and, before he could thank Eamon, Camryn appeared at his side.

“Should I inspect the food, my King?” he asked, in a whisper.

Eamon twitched, with knitted brows that said he did not appreciate the safety of his food being brought into question.

“No, Camryn. Anything Eamon makes is perfectly safe. Except if Sienna tries to deliver it.” Prosper was not quiet as he spoke, winking at Spencer. He loved to hear his companion laughing at the accusation, though the risk proved too real for his nerves to take.

Camryn looked over at Sienna and scrutinised her. He seemed to take the threat seriously. He impressed Prosper, by taking up residence in a spot to Spencer's side, slightly forward, where he could ensure no one could come up behind him. In a position where his companion could easily see him, if he ventured to speak.

Prosper approved of his choice. “As I said, Spencer and I have an announcement. One that will greatly affect the whole family,” he began, keeping one eye on his companion.

Spencer poured two cups of tea from the offerings on the tray and dipped a biscuit into some melted chocolate Eamon had prepared. Prosper was amused to see him enjoying his favourite treat and barely paying attention to the room.

“I returned home ahead of schedule and did not come alone, as you can see,” Prosper resumed the explanation and gestured to Camryn, who remained diligent. “Camryn has graciously agreed to take on the role of Spencer's personal bodyguard. But he will not be guarding just him.” He smiled, as he came to the relevant part of the discussion.

Prosper took a brief interlude to enjoy his tea and watch Spencer, as he appraised Camryn with a curious gaze. “Spencer is pregnant,” he announced, full of pride. He let the room accept the information, before he continued.

Eamon clasped his hands and congratulated them, at the same time as Jael. Tabitha began to cry.

“Congratulations, Master,” Camryn's voice piped up from the side of the room.

“Thank you.” Prosper smiled at the young lad, then turned his attention to Sienna. “Well sister, what do you have to say for yourself?” he wondered.

She swept from her seat and stalked to the door. Sienna gave them a glance, before leaving the room and slamming the door behind her.

“Well, now that is dealt with, shall we celebrate?” he suggested, with a smile.

Eamon jumped from his seat, gesturing wildly to Tabitha, who rushed from the room.

T
he celebrations for their pregnancy continued for a few hours, before everyone slowly frittered away.

Prosper quickly noticed how tired Spencer was and led them in a slow walk to their rooms. He would not risk using his speed, in case it made Spencer feel sick. He did not know how this would work. They must be extra vigilant, until they knew for sure.

Parry had agreed with his diagnosis; no one knew what the child might assume, if vampire gifts were used near Spencer. Other than Sienna, they had agreed to be careful around the human.

Despite his protests, his companion wished to read before bed. In compromise, Prosper returned the medical text Spencer had been reading when he returned home and fetched Parry's favourite novel. It seemed his twin had told tales of the story to his life mate and he wished to read it.

Prosper caught Sienna walking the halls ahead of him, glancing around suspiciously. He watched her long enough to ensure she did not head for the kitchen or Camryn's new quarters. He did not know what her plans were, but guessed there would be a malicious intent within them.

When she continued past the door to the stairs that led to both rooms, he progressed into the library.

Prosper smiled as he reached the bookcases; Spencer's reorganised system was a thing of beauty. With one empty space, he replaced the medical text. Finding the novel was a simple matter of recalling the author's surname.

With the book in hand, he left the library. The squeak of a door from the corridor caught his attention. With Sienna on the prowl, he sped over to the source of the sound and caught her sneaking into Parry's suite.

Prosper waited outside, already aware of what she would find within. His mind had become intricately linked with Parry's until he did not have to try hard to see his twin's thoughts. The noises that escaped through the open door should have been enough to satisfy Sienna's morbid curiosity. Yet she progressed.

A frisson of thought from Parry made Prosper smile, embarrassed by the notion. His brother had walked in on him making love to Spencer and now tried the same position with his own life mate. It seemed his brother approved.

Prosper recalled that first night with his lover, brazen and forward with his desires. When he had spread those sweet cheeks with his cock to feel the warmth surrounding him. When he kissed the back of Spencer neck and fed from him, he had been acting on impulse. There was no thought involved, when it came to loving Spencer.

Knowing what kept Parry occupied, Prosper knew his companion would be thrilled. He seemed to exist solely to help others break boundaries and challenge their perceptions of 'normal'.

Prosper cringed, to know that Sienna watched this, from inside the privacy of Parry's suite. Part of him wished to drag her from the room, so neither his brother or his life mate had to feel intruded upon. But that would risk exposing her presence and upsetting Davian's delicate human disposition.

Just a young lad, and clearly willing, Davian made interesting noises and demands. It seemed a shame to ruin their pleasure because of Sienna.

Before Prosper had to make a decision, Sienna came storming out of the suite. Obviously furious, he planned to reprimand her for snooping when she found an altogether different target for her fury.

“Oh, hello,” Spencer chirped, as he approached and spotted Sienna.

His sister frowned and reached for his lover. “You! You did this!” she shouted.

“Did you just scream at a deaf man, trying to frighten him?” Spencer retaliated, with laughter.

Prosper stepped between the pair, before Sienna could react. He turned to Spencer and sighed at Sienna's antics. “It might not be the best time to make jokes, little one. Sienna has had quite the shock,” he explained.

“Oh? What happened?” Spencer asked, innocently.

Prosper mimed an explanation to his lover, not wanting to say the words aloud, with Sienna there making a scene. “Sienna walked in on Parry and Davian having sex,” he mouthed, unsurprised that he grinned in approval.

Spencer raised an eyebrow, appearing quite pleased by that news.

Sienna glared at Spencer for the longest time, until Prosper moved a step to the side, to cut off her view of his companion, hoping some logical words could calm her.

“Now Sienna, Davian never belonged to you,” he reminded her, though he rather thought that would be the problem. “You know that, as Parry's life mate, you never had a chance. Stop blaming Spencer for something which began long before he came into this house,” he ordered, fed up with her attitude.

She could blame it on her 'infection', as often as she liked, but they both knew it to be a lie. She had considered herself more entitled over the last few months and this was just the result of her change in attitude.

Prosper ignored his sister, took Spencer's hand and guided him to their bedroom, where they had left little Winston sleeping on the foot of the bed. He would allow his lover an hour of reading, before insisting that he sleep.

It had been a long and trying day for his human and Prosper had a growing need to ensure that he was properly taken care of.

S
pencer's pregnancy calmed, once he began feeding from Prosper's blood regularly and Jael did her best to find a new heating system for storing vampire blood at the right temperature.

The baby had quickly learned to differentiate between emotional and physical discomfort. Whenever Spencer overtaxed himself, the baby would demand feeding, urging him to relax. When emotionally tired, the baby would calm, allowing him to rest.

Parry had started a journal of observations about the child, as he found the entire situation fascinating. He was in his element, watching history in the making, rather than reading about it.

Spencer's sleeping habits had been disrupted by the child and Prosper insisted that, when he did not have plans, they accommodate each other. Which meant that Spencer often got to enjoy a few hours snuggled up on the sofa with his life mate.

Parry and Davian helped as much as they could. The couple would sit with Spencer, while Prosper travelled between home and the city council meetings.

No one had seen Sienna since the night she walked in on Parry and Davian, and Spencer had promised not to tell the couple what she had witnessed. Besides, they were celebrating news of their own; the vampire mason Parry had hired to build their home had reported great progress. The house should be complete in less than two months.

Before the chaos of moving, Prosper had to sign the treaty with the city council. Once signed, they would have a celebration party with humans and vampires alike. It would be the night where Spencer and Parry held an equally excited hope of meeting his father, Braddock.

With his pregnancy, Prosper did not think it was safe, but Spencer would not be swayed. Parry's desperation to meet a legend did not help his brother's arguments, so Spencer relented and promised to let Winston be his guard. The dog had learned new tricks and exposed to greater noise and chatter, in a gradual manner, so he could cope with the party atmosphere.

Spencer had no doubt of his abilities.

With everything going swimmingly, Spencer found disappointment in the treaty signing everyone had been raving about. Prosper simply signed his name on a piece of parchment, then the city council members added their signatures.

The whole thing took barely a few minutes.

The city Spencer had grown up in became part of Prosper's kingdom; just how everyone wanted it. The human city councillors had been adequately recompensed for the loss of power they would now have over their fellow humans.

“Master Spencer, did you hear?” Jael asked excitedly, as she approached. “There are already rumours that street parties are erupting over the city. Everyone is pleased the Master will be taking control.” She beamed, desperate to share the news.

“I am glad.” Spencer sighed, happy that everything had gone according to plan. “He worried the people would think him as bad as the men who led them. Better the Devil you know,” he admitted, thoughtfully.

“No one could think badly of the Master, Master Spencer,” Jael promised, then blushed as someone waved across the room to her. She quickly took off, leaving Spencer to his own company. And that was how he liked it.

He had never realised it until now, but he had become a people watcher. He liked standing at the side of the room, with Winston, watching the party move around him.

Parry and Davian talked to a group of four vampires, who laughed hilariously at something Davian said. He flushed from the neck up, which Spencer noticed brought out a peculiar reaction in Parry. He whispered to his life mate and they shared an intense look, before resuming the conversation.

Spencer had no doubt over what had been said. Something about how attractive, innocent and adorable Davian could be, when he got embarrassed. And no doubt it had embarrassed him all the more.

Parry had opened up since they had told the house how important he and Davian were to each other. He would no longer sulk or tease his life mate, but became gentle and understanding. None but Sienna had questioned their love.

Even now, Sienna stood alone; angry and insulted that she remained without company. She had already tried and failed to capture the attention of a few males tonight.

When Spencer turned to the rest of the party, he saw Prosper right away. His King stood with a few of the human council members that he liked the most. It made Spencer's heart light to see his lover taking no notice of the few odd looks he received, from those with less manners than they should have.

Two hours passed and the time had come for the announcements, before the humans got tired or bored.

The moment the band drew the song to an end, everyone turned to the podium and waited patiently to hear what his life mate had to say.

Prosper took the spotlight and nodded to the audience. “Thank you for coming tonight. There are a few announcements I would like to make, before the party atmosphere loosens our inhibitions,” he joked, though Spencer sensed that he meant it.

He could already see some of the human councillors getting drunk on Eamon's alcoholic concoctions. A titter of laughter and eagerness to hear the news washed over the room.

Prosper held out his hand for Spencer, who stood by the podium. He took Prosper's hand and joined him, watching soft lips form words. “I am sure most of you have met him already this evening, but I would like to formally introduce this beautiful man by my side, my companion, Spencer,” he began, only to turn and smile warmly.

Spencer appreciated the way Prosper stood by his side, an arm around his waist. As though proud to claim him as his life mate.

“
I thank you for celebrating such a momentous occasion with us. We are most proud to carry the responsibility for the city, and hope the people will not hesitate to contact us with their burdens,” Prosper said, with all seriousness and a hint of a warm smile. “It may take some time for the citizens of this city to adapt to my laws and for us to deal with each issue that must be faced. But Spencer and I will make this city our priority. It is his home, as it is now mine, and we shall see it prosper,” he promised.

After a small round of applause, mostly from the vampires present, Spencer put on a smile and hoped that no one caused trouble about the speech. If he detected one thing in the undertone of Prosper's lip movements, it was that he deemed the human councillors responsible for the deplorable state of the city.

“We wish you a pleasant evening,” Prosper said, nodding to the crowd.

And with that, he took Spencer's hand, signalled to the band and the party commenced as though there had been no interruption.

Spencer followed his King onto the dance floor and happily escaped into his arms.

Most of the night he had not had to do much. Prosper had mingled and been sociable, though Spencer noticed some of the humans and vampires alike putting on performances, because they did not want to get too close.

The way people reacted upset Spencer, but he tried to comfort his King. Whenever he saw a reaction he disapproved of, he commandeered his lover for a dance and talked him from the darkness.

Prosper lifted Spencer’s left hand and placed it on his burned cheek, closing his eyes to the touch. He kissed the cross carved into Spencer's palm.

In a special moment of recognition, his touch said a million words that Spencer did not need to hear or see. They both bore scars in different ways, but it did not lessen how they felt for one another.

When his King got cheeky and kissed both his ears, Spencer gave in and did something he would rather not do in public. He kissed his King and enjoyed a pleasurable few minutes on the dance floor, doing nothing but tasting each kiss.