“He was old, little witch. Being a vampire’s blood source gives humans longevity, but age eventually catches up with them. Alexander was 189 when he finally passed.”
“You must miss him.” He squeezed my hand and nodded.
“Before I sensed your existence, I had reconciled myself to the true death. I’ve lived a long life, and death takes us all in time. But then I felt your presence out there in the cosmos, and I knew I had to be patient. That you would come to me.”
“Have you lost other mates?” I wasn’t sure whether vampires had multiple mates like shifters did, but I hoped not. My love life was complicated enough without other mates coming out of the woodwork.
“No, my darling. Although I’ve lived for centuries, until you, I assumed she or he had died or did not exist.”
My brain froze over his use of he. “He? You, um, like males too?” My cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
“Little witch, I’m a vampire,” he purred. “Our species, like the incubus, are highly sexual beings. Feeding and sex go hand in hand. Why would we limit ourselves?”
“I know little about vampires,” I admitted before his words sank in. “Does that mean you’ll be feeding from others?” I tried really hard to maintain a neutral expression, but the thought of him biting other people made my magic flare. The fire exploded up the chimney, fed by my jealousy.
Alaric shot over immediately, a worried look on his face.
“I see you’re still a magical disaster,” he muttered. “Please calm down before you burn the cabin to the ground.”
His words fueled my anger, making my magic explosion ten times worse. Sparks flew from the grate while the stones around the chimney heated until they were red hot. Kenji stretched and moved closer, apparently unconcerned about his fur singing.
Rasmus ignored Alaric and squeezed my hand tighter. “Focus, little witch. Use me to ground your magic. You can’t hurt me.”
He was wrong. I could hurt him. But I concentrated on his cool touch, ignoring the angry raised voices from behind me.
The glowing threads of my magic slithered back into my chest, and I sank back against the soft cushions, utterly wiped out.
“Well done,mea amica. Let me look after you.”
Rasmus lifted me into his arms and did as I was told.
42
Rasmus
Tiberius Vane’s son stared down at me with a mixture of anger and jealousy. The fool wanted the female in my arms but seemed unwilling to admit it. I’d known my soul-bonded mate would have others in her harem. It was common for a powerful witch to have more than one consort.
Before the virus killed most of us, vampires would often be a part of a witch’s harem. As I’d toldmea amica,vampires did not discriminate when it came to matters of the bedroom. Fucking and feeding was the vampire way. My little witch would learn to enjoy it as much as I did. She would eventually take my blood too.
“She needs rest,” the mage hissed before his gaze softened as he looked at the witch. I offered him a toothy grin.
“And rest she’ll have.Eventually.”
The bear must have heard me because he barreled over with a growl, closely followed by the smirking incubus.
“Give her to me, vampire.”
“Rasmus, orPrinceRasmus if you prefer.”
The taller shifter approached us and laid one hand on the growly one’s shoulder.
“Rex is dishing up the food. Come and eat. There will be no more arguments. Not tonight. We have much to discuss.”
The shifter was right. And besides, I was still recovering from my unwanted blood fast. If we had a long journey ahead, I needed to conserve my energy to avoid harming mymea amica.
“She’s fine with me. The little witch needs to eat, and then I will take her to bed.” The tall shifter nodded. “We have three guest bedrooms. Skyla is preparing them now.”
I lifted my witch and carried her through to the kitchen, where a long table was piled high with bowls of bread, a large cast-iron pot of stew, and various side dishes. As a vampire, I didn’t need human food, but I very much appreciated fine wine.
