Bed and Breakfast [Bloodkin 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) (17 page)

It was odd to say the least. Vane knew the current leader, Aran Bloodclaw, well. In fact, their clans were distantly related. Aran always respected the Covenant in the past. The man had begun to rule a little over a hundred years back, and he’d been a good ruler. What could have possibly determined him to change his mind?

If only Vane had known about this before sending the missive. Too late for regrets now. He’d have to go through with the original plan and make a backup one, just in case. “Are you certain?” he asked the wraith.

“I know what I heard. I cannot be sure of the accuracy of the information.”

But gossip always had a source, and no one would talk about something so serious without having some sort of reason. “Thank you, Thomson. I appreciate your help.”

And he did, indeed. The wraith didn’t have to warn him about Aran’s new policies. He’d always helped Vane in the past. “You’re dismissed.”

Thomson nodded and, with another bow, disappeared in the eerie way of his people. Vane had the feeling he wouldn’t see the wraith again. Even Thomson’s kind disliked war and did their best to avoid it. Thomson would probably seek cover in his own realm.

Vane got up and headed for Kier’s room. He heard voices, and his heart fell as he realized Moss must be inside. Even so, he knocked. There was no time to lose. He needed to answer the summons of the Imperator and be prepared if his worst suspicions came true.

“Apparently, my plan backfired. If Thomson is to be believed, the Imperator is thinking of changing the Covenant.”

Kier gave him a look of disbelief. “That’s not possible. Perhaps Thomson is mistaken.”

“Perhaps, but he might be right.” When he noticed Pena paying an inordinate amount of attention to their conversation, he paused and pulled Kier out of the room. “Kier, I need a favor,” he said once they were farther enough away. “If something happens to me, take Moss and leave. Destroy all the documents, everything. Take one copy of Moss’s contract with you, just in case. Burn the house and send the brownies home.”

Kier’s eyes widened. “Vane…Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Think about it, Kier. If my possessions are confiscated, Moss’s contract would go with them. I’ve already hurt him enough. Who knows what others might do? And if the contract is needed to prove he wasn’t my whore, you’ll have a copy.”

Kier seemed to process this, then nodded. “You can count on me, Vane, as always. But…maybe you should consider not going.”

“I have to go. It’s the last chance I have to fix things, change the Imperator’s mind.” He didn’t say such a thing would be next to impossible. “For your people, for mine, and everyone else, I have to try.”

Kier nodded, obviously expecting his response. “I’ll take care of him, Vane. I promise.” He squeezed Vane’s shoulder and whispered, “You can go inside now to see him. He’s sleeping.”

Vane didn’t think he deserved that, not after what he’d done. Still, with the current situation, it might not be a bad idea to touch him, one last time. “Thank you.”

Pena discreetly made her way out, and Kier went with her.

Vane knelt next to Kier’s bed, where Moss rested. The human’s skin felt feverish, and he moaned lightly when Vane touched him. “Vane…Don’t leave me.”

Vane’s heart constricted. How could the human still want him after everything he’d done? But the evidence was right there, in front of him, his name on Moss’s lips.

Vane knew he shouldn’t do this, but he couldn’t stop himself. He pressed his mouth to Moss’s in a butterfly-light kiss. Moss must’ve sensed it, because he let out a sigh of relief and quieted down. “It’s all right, my beauty,” Vane murmured. “Everything is going to be all right. I promise.”

Vane left the room with renewed determination. He’d done what he had to do to keep Moss safe. But if he got out of this alive, he’d try to fix things with the human. Perhaps, in time, they’d get used to each other’s needs and wants.

He’d wanted to scare Moss and committed a horrible mistake in the process, but maybe not all was lost. Taking a permanent decision regarding this seemed ridiculous. He would try to figure things out again once he returned from seeing the Imperator—if he returned.

Nodding to himself, Vane went to his room and packed his bags. A few hours later, his carriage left Clavar, carrying him toward Tachaka.

Shielded from above by the blue dome that protected bloodkin during the day, Tachaka was the residence of the Imperator and the political center of their nation. In this very same city, their ancestors had created the Covenant and had set the basis of modern political order.

Tachaka acted as a city-state, focusing all the authority of the bloodkin into one geographical spot. Once, the bloodkin had lived exclusively there, but, in time, they had become too numerous for the area to support. At that point, the bloodkin spread around in the neighboring human countries. In the beginning, it caused mayhem and chaos, but the Imperator intervened, creating the Covenant and the institution of the Kin Lords. Now, the human nations—for example, Moss’s homeland, Kannat—went along with it, as many depended on the trade income and supplies coming from the wealthy bloodkin.

The Tachakan palace held many wonders and secrets, some of which Vane was privy to, others he’d have liked to know. Everything here struck him with memories he’d have preferred to forget. Once, he wouldn’t come here fearing Aran Bloodclaw. Then again, once, before Vane had begun his time as a Kin Lord, the dome above had shined red, not blue. But change could destroy the strongest of magicks, even the powerful ones that created the dome. And Vane was all too familiar with destruction and change.

As he entered the throne room, Vane wondered how many of these secrets would be revealed today. Thomson had been correct. The atmosphere in Tachaka teemed with a sense of anxiety and anticipation. Vane could only hope the rumors were just that, and wouldn’t amount to anything real.

Vane knelt in front of the Imperator, acutely aware of all the eyes on him. Coming to Tachaka had been necessary, but it also made him very uncomfortable. The Imperator was the one man who held control over Vane’s destiny, a fact which he’d always hated.

As if that weren’t enough, Aran changed a lot since Vane had last seen him. Physically, he seemed the same, the striking features of the imperial line built into an androgynous look, making him desirable for both males and females. He played with an ornate braid of long blond hair as he gazed at Vane from under eyelashes that could be the envy of any woman. And yet, in spite of his beauty, his black eyes were cool and his voice frigid.

Once, those same eyes held Vane’s own conviction and desire for order, but no longer. Vane hadn’t been to Tachaka in quite a while, but even so, he couldn’t understand how a bloodkin could change so much.

“I understand you requested an audience with Us, Lord Bloodmoor.” The Imperator sipped a bit of blood from his gold goblet as he spoke. A donor approached when the cup emptied and immediately carefully punctured the vein in his wrist to refill the cup. Servants of all types rushed around the bloodkin sovereign to cater to his every whim.

“Yes, Sire,” Vane replied, ignoring the blatant decadence surrounding him. “Things are getting more and more volatile in Clavar and the surrounding regions. I require some reinforcements and additional authority to control the situation.”

The Imperator didn’t offer Vane any refreshments, nor did he tell him to get up. “Petition denied.”

“But, Sire, it is for enforcing the Covenant. Preserving the order is necessary.”

With a wave of his hand, the Imperator sent the servants scurrying away. Only the imperial guards were left in the room, watching the conversation. Vane surmised his sovereign would say something the help didn’t need to know.

“It has been in the past, but not so much now. The Covenant itself is an obsolete absurdity.” The Imperator paused. “We’ve decided to take over control of the human lands. Too long have we killed our own for merely taking what is ours. It is time to make some changes.”

“But, Your Majesty,” Vane protested again, “it is very risky.”

Aran abandoned his goblet and stared down at Vane in a sort of arrogant disbelief. “Are you questioning Our decisions?

“No, of course not, Your Majesty, but—”

Aran lifted a hand and Vane closed his mouth, knowing anything he said now would just make things worse. He had to judge his words carefully if he had any hope of getting out of here. The Imperator wasn’t known for being merciful with his adversaries. Thankfully, Vane had taken precautions.

“You, Lord Bloodmoor, are not appropriate for serving us. You surround yourself in human whores and give them the confidence you should reserve for your kin. Isn’t that so? Tell Us about this Marlais Hayden. I’ve heard you take him on walks and give him great honors.”

The very mentioning of Moss’s name froze Vane’s blood in his veins. This couldn’t be happening. Vane had expected that he himself be targeted, but not Moss. “He is only my secretary and blood donor,” he replied. “I don’t see how he has anything to do with the Covenant.”

He sounded far too defensive even to his own ears, and he hated it. Aran obviously knew it was a lie and predictably ignored his explanation. “At any rate, it doesn’t matter. We have decided someone else will be taking over management of Clavar and dealing with your human. Your brother, Cole, in case you’re wondering.”

To a certain extent, Vane didn’t feel surprised the Imperator meant to replace him. He’d seen enough while here to realize Thomson’s assessment of the situation had been correct. The mentioning of his brother, however, shocked Vane beyond measure. He hadn’t seen Cole in almost five decades. His brother had been banished after he’d committed a severe crime against the bloodkin state, or rather the magic protecting it. Cole was also largely the reason Kier had been hiding under the appearance of an innocuous butler in Vane’s house.

Aran had no reason to give Vane this little piece of information, other than the fact he obviously enjoyed Vane’s shock.

As if on Aran’s cue, the door opened and Cole walked in. He bowed lowly in front of the Imperator, and Aran ushered him in with a regal gesture. “Come, Cole. I have a surprise for you.”

“My lord, you are, as always, too generous.” His eyes went to the still-kneeling Vane, and he smirked.

Vane gaped in surprise at the exchange. The undercurrent behind the words spoke of something beyond mere obedience and subservience between the two. Was his brother sleeping with Aran? Could this be the reason why the Imperator had become so keen on destroying the Covenant?

“Take a moment to enjoy your gift,” Aran said. He got up and headed toward Cole. “I will see you in my chambers later.”

Cole took Aran’s hand and kissed it. “Of course, Your Highness.”

With another smile directed at Cole, the Imperator left the room, followed by his guards. Apparently, he trusted Cole to deal with Vane if needed. Besides, Vane couldn’t do much on his own, in the Imperator’s castle, surrounded by hostiles. Not to mention that Cole and he had always been evenly matched. He doubted that had changed in the past few decades.

“Such a pleasure to see you, brother,” Cole began.

“I wish I could say the same thing.” Vane got up and glared at his brother. “What are you doing here, Cole? Why are you messing around with the Imperator?”

“Jealous?” Cole shot back.

Vane snorted and crossed his hands over his chest. “Hardly. I just thought you’d have more dignity than to spread your legs for money and power.”

“It’s the other way around, if you must know, and he’s a good fuck.” Cole’s eyes glittered menacingly as he spoke. “And it’s not about the money, brother. It’s about revenge.”

The resentment in Cole’s voice didn’t surprise Vane. Many things had happened between them before Cole had disappeared. It all added up to Kier. Vane didn’t know what went on between his brother and Kier, but it had ended badly.

Of course, it was to be expected since elves and bloodkin didn’t mix. Kier had been foolish to even try. To this day, Vane didn’t understand Kier’s self-destructive love for Cole. Like Kier had said, elves loved with all-consuming passion, and never fell for another once they found their true heart’s desire. But a bloodkin? Bloodkin didn’t believe in anything anymore, not in mates, not in love, not even in their own Covenant.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Cole said. “Fifty years, steaming away from the continent, buried in those forsaken islands. I couldn’t do anything to pay you back for taking what was mine.”

“Does the Imperator know you’re still pining over another?” Vane laughed, then decided to stop provoking Cole. “You’re right about one thing. It’s been fifty years. Let it go.”

“Never,” Cole shouted. “You will tell me where Kier is, and if you refuse, I’ll just drag it out of your little human servants.”

Vane carefully kept a blank face. He’d hidden Kier in plain sight, but Kier’s glamour would never hold if Cole went there. And Cole was entirely capable of hurting Moss if he knew how much Vane cared about the human.

“Kier has gone back to his own kind,” he replied. “I could not tell you his whereabouts if I wanted to.”

In a flash of motion, Cole pounced on him. “You lie. I know you. And for that, you will pay. I will take away your precious order, the control you hold so dear, and make Aran break the Covenant. Then, we’ll see who has the last laugh.”