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"I've been working in the field for the past few decades. The Coven has interests far beyond the boundaries of the Coven proper, and I saw to those interests. Master Cabot called me back a few weeks ago and promoted me to Commander, and I now oversee the security forces of the Coven. This space is new to me, but I’ve tried to make it home.” Judah told him while opening the shades and brightening up the room.
The sun had completely risen and shown warmly across the vineyard, which was visible from the large picture windows in the living room. Judah then led him into the guest room that had an attached bath, and Nash slipped the blanket from his shoulders and placed it at the foot of the bed.
"Why don't you shower, and I'll find you a change of clothes. You'll feel better once you freshen up." Judah reached out and cupped the side of his face and looked down at him, studying his expression. "How are you feeling? Does anything hurt? Do you need anything?"
"I'm feeling surprisingly well considering the night that I had." Nash was not hungover, and his wounds were not aching like they had been.
"Be careful of your injuries. I'll check them when you're finished and rebandage them if it is needed." Judah bent and placed a soft kiss on Nash's lips and the touch was thrilling and stirred something deep in Nash that he didn’t even know existed. He felt a true relationship and a rapport between them. It was something wonderful, and he knew that it was wonderful.
Judah entering his life was unexpected, and he was not someone Nash would have thought would save him. He's a soldier with the Mission Coven, and Nash sensed that he was an old soul.
A man, a vampire that had lived several lifetimes and had seen everything there was to see in this world, was now looking at him with eyes that adored, and it was a heady feeling. Nash knew the same adoration was building in him, and every time he looked at Judah, his admiration deepened, and his desire grew.
Nash had never been the focus of anyone’s attention or regard. He was a tool to be used by those close to him and by those purchasing his services. He was never just Nash. He was always the psychic, the medium, the seer, and only as good as his last performance. But he felt different with Judah. He felt seen and understood, and it was a pleasant experience and something he wanted to hold onto.
Judah helped him get the water regulated in the shower and then left him with another kiss and a look that burned. Everything in Nash wanted to ask him to stay, but he let him leave, and once he was gone and the door was closed, Nash felt like kicking himself for not being brave enough to ask.
The shower was relaxing and rejuvenating, and he probably stayed in too long, but it felt so good. His wounds had all but healed, leaving only a few scars that would fade in time. He felt better than he'd felt in years, with a strong body and a clear mind and a man at his side who seemed sincere.
When he left the bathroom, he saw the clothing Judah had found for him and laid carefully on the bed. Jeans, a pullover, socks, a comb, a toothbrush, and various other personal items. He was thorough and thoughtful, and Nash could not stop marveling at the blessing that had entered his life.
Just as that thought took form, he was struck with the ever-intruding question of what if he was wrong? What if Judah was nice and caring for a reason? What if he proved no different than every other taker in his life? Intrusive thoughts could be brutal.
The pressure of the negativity that overtook him brought him down to sit on the edge of the bed and consider all the ways that Judah and this Coven could hurt him. Just as the joy was being completely sucked out of him, there came a knock on his door, and Judah entered without waiting.
He had changed and was wearing jeans that fit him to perfection and a long-sleeved t-shirt. His hair was still wet from his shower, and he smelled fresh and wonderful. The expression he wore was tight, and the worry he was experiencing seemed to roll off him. Nash was flooded with guilt for having caused the man any distress. Judah sat down next to Nash on the edge of the bed and put his arm around him, pulling him close to his side. He also pressed a kiss to his temple, which felt warm and comforting as usual. Their connection made everything seem alright.
"What's wrong?" He asked, his tone soft and deep, making Nash's skin tingle with excitement. "I can feel your anxiety and sadness." He turned Nash around to face him and looked deep into his eyes. Nash tried to hide his fear, not wanting to further upset Judah, but it was impossible. "Talk to me, sweetheart. What's troubling you?"
Nash did not respond right away. It took a few seconds for him to say what he wanted to say without offending. "I've never known anyone like you, and I'm afraid to believe that you're real and true and not like all the others who have passed through my life." Judah gently held Nash's chin, keeping them face to face, but Nash dropped his gaze, not able to hold Judah's penetrating dark eyes that seemed to see everything.
"The fact that you are asking yourself these questions tells me that you feel what I am feeling. That you are trusting me as I trust you, the understanding and acceptance you are feeling has you confused, but your heart is telling you that it is okay. Don't fight it, sweetheart. Reach out with your heart and your mind. Reach out to me and know that what I am and what I present to you is genuine and real." Judah leaned in and punctuated his statement with a kiss, not a quick peck but rather a slow, sensuous contact that communicated volumes.
Nash leaned into the embrace and let his hands skim the warm, hard muscles of Judah's chest and abdomen. He was built strong and solid, his body a masterpiece of virility. Nash couldn't help himself. His tactile nature took over. He wanted to touch this man and feel his heart and spirit so alive and strong; it was a marvelous encounter. Judah ended the kiss slowly while pulling Nash into his arms, holding him tight and secure against his chest for a few minutes.
Nash loved the feeling of being held and the scent of this amazing man as it filled his mind. This was special and important. Everything inside of Nash was clamoring for him to open and accept what was so generously being offered.
"I love the way you smell and the way your touch eases my fear and confusion. I know that what you have shared with me is real. I do believe that Fate has had a hand in our coming together, and I thank her for the assist." The time to be coy, fear, and standoffish was over. He did not doubt this man, and all games and misgivings needed to end.
He felt Judah chuckle softly and squeeze him tighter. “Your touch is equally remarkable, my love." They sat like that for a few more minutes, and then Judah suggested they move to the dining room. He'd had breakfast delivered, and as soon as Nash entered the outer room, the smell of bacon and eggs, fresh bread, and coffee filled his senses. He hadn't eaten for a couple of days. Arthur didn't see regular meals as a necessity for anyone apart from himself.
"Sit, and I'll get your coffee." Judah paused and looked back at Nash, who was taking a seat at the dining table. "You do drink coffee?" He clarified, and Nash nodded eagerly. Judah returned with coffee, along with cream and sugar, and then took a seat across from Nash. "Go ahead and eat my love." He urged, and Nash tucked into the meal with gusto. He finished the first plate, and instantly Judah refilled it without asking, and Nash tucked into his second plate. It was nice being able to eat his fill and not being limited by the controls of others.
"When did you last eat?" Judah dropped the subtle question and then added it for clarification. "I carried you, and I felt your ribs and your slight frame. You do not eat enough or regularly." Nash drank some of his coffee and then looked up at Judah across the table. He was studying Nash not intrusively but with concern.
Nash decided to share he was tired of hiding from everyone. He wanted the truth with Judah. "Food is expensive." That was his first response. "Arthur and my mother would tell me that any time I said I was hungry. I began to provide for myself when possible and accepted whatever people happened to give me. I usually ate well during a show, with people giving me gifts, which was usually food for connecting them with loved ones. During periods of no-shows, eating was slight and sporadic."
"You were their headliner and the reason anyone showed up. Weren't they afraid of you growing too weak and frail to perform?" Judah asked a good question, one that Nash had asked himself.
"They believed my powers were stronger when I was half starved. I saw no indication of that being correct, but they allowed themselves to believe so they didn't feel guilty and could justify their behavior." Nash finished his second plate, and when Judah rose to get him more, he stopped him. "Breakfast was delicious and thank you."
"Please don't thank me for something so basic." Judah sat down and poured them both another cup of coffee. "You will never go hungry again; you have my promise."
They spoke on several subjects, all related to life at the Coven and the winery. Nash wanted to just feel normal, and discussing simple things felt good. Judah received a call on his cell, and he stepped away from the table to answer, but he did not leave the room. Nash appreciated that he was not trying to hide anything from him. When he closed the call, he shared the information with Nash. It was refreshing to be kept in the loop and to be considered worthy of inclusion. Life with Arthur was nothing but darkness and secrets.
"That was Henrik Vaughn. He owns the Indigo Hotel, and he's the Alpha of the Bay Harbor Wolf Pack." Judah clarified. “I assume you’re aware of the pack since you called out a couple members in the basement last night.”
"I met some pack members at the tent show. They were open and honest, although they didn't realize I knew what they were. They didn't hang around once Arthur showed up. They seemed uncomfortable with him nearby, but I didn't get a good read on why." Nash remembered the two families that had come asking for information about a loved one who had disappeared. Nash was, unfortunately, unable to contact the loved ones and the families; both of them left when Arthur took to the stage. Judah nodded, and it looked to Nash like maybe he knew why.
