“Let him heal you. That’s going to be the first item on the list. Do you refuse?”
Luka looked torn. He desperately wanted to follow orders, but didn’t know which ones. Finally, he closed his eyes and the tension started to leave his body. “Zed, will you stay with me until I wake up? You won’t be disgusted if I sleep for days?”
The fear and desperation in his mate’s voice stirred a fierce protectiveness inside of him. He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Luka’s lips. “I’ll be close by.” He turned and nodded to Avery.
The doctor’s hands touched Luka’s leg, and the puffiness started to disappear. The dark purple color lightened. Luka tried to keep his eyes open but slowly he drifted to sleep. The doctor continued to push magic into his mate’s bad leg. After another few seconds the elf doctor pulled away. “Okay, that should be enough. Make sure he stays in bed for the next few days. You can carry him, but no weight on that leg.”
“I have a few questions. Let’s go out to the living area.” He walked Avery to the main room. “Yavin, wait outside, while I talk to the doctor.”
Yavin silently turned and moved to the door. Zed waited until the door closed before asking, “What’s going on?”
Avery paused and scratched his head. “He’s been using magic to heal his body for too long. It’s starting to reject it. If he stops using it, his body will heal and Luka can make a complete recovery.”
“Why would the elf king beat his own son?” Zed asked.
Avery turned away. “That’s something Luka needs to explain.”
“Please, tell me what you know,” Zed said. “Luka’s too fragile to answer these questions.”
“I left the elf royal court shortly after Luka arrived, so I only know the rumors and speculations that were being passed around at that time. First, Luka is part human. That’s one of the reasons he can only use his powers on himself.”
“Human. Did they beat him for that?”
“I don’t know, but there’s something else.” Avery looked uncomfortable. “Our king isn’t a kind man. He’s paranoid of everyone around him. As far as I know, King Kane has never fathered a child. The prince was adopted.”
“Wait.” Zed needed a moment to process the information. His mate had human blood in him and wasn’t the king’s biological son. He didn’t care about either, but too many secrets surrounded Luka.
“It’s not a secret among the elves. I’m only telling you in case it helps, but please keep this part to yourself. What I told you before is true, but this is pure speculation.” Avery paused while trying to think of the right words. “I don’t know why King Kane adopted a child. Some say he didn’t have a choice. Others think he did it to shut up our elders. But if you know our king, then you’d know he doesn’t care and wouldn’t be forced into adopting a child. Until examining him, I didn’t know the prince had human blood. One of his parents was most likely a human.”
Zed was equally confused. The Kane he knew would never adopt anyone. The situation made less and less sense. There was one question he needed to know. “If Luka was adopted, what happened to his parents?”
“There are two stories. One story says that his parents sold him to the king and the other story says that the king murdered his real family. No one really knows. The only thing we know is that Luka is not the king’s biological son.”
Zed clenched his fist. He had a feeling that it would be a while before Luka trusted him with the truth. “Thank you. Yavin will take you home.”
“I want to see Luka again to make sure he’s healing properly. Also, his human blood will respond to your bites. If he’s in pain, your saliva entering his system will speed the healing process. Luka isn’t human or elf but a mixture of the two. His reactions to magic and healing will be different because of his mixed heritage.”Avery turned and headed for the door.
Zed watched Avery leave the apartment. He turned and walked back to the bedroom. Luka slept peacefully. Zed pushed a piece of hair away. His soft breathing and relaxed face was addicting. Zed could sit in this room all day just watching Luka sleep. The vampire prince wasn’t stupid. There were a lot more secrets being kept from him. His mate was surrounded by mystery. Nothing made sense, but it didn’t matter that much. No matter what, he’d protect his mate. Nothing was going to hurt Luka again.
Luka opened his eyes. The heaviness in his arms and legs confused him. The darkness left him uneasy. He always slept with the lights on. Bad things happened in the darkness. The pitch black kept him from seeing. His body shook as he tried to move to the side of the bed. A scream from the past replayed in his head. He covered his ears, knowing the sound wasn’t real, but an echo from another time.
His leg caught on the blanket. He pulled it the wrong way. It still hurt. Not the painful stab, but a slight sting.
“Awake?” Zed asked.
Slowly, the memories came back. He had met Zed. His vampire mate hated him and wanted nothing to do with him. Luka wanted to cry, but he learned long ago that it didn’t help in situations like this. A blur still existed in his mind. The last thing he remembered was the doctor’s visit.
“I can’t see.” Luka’s voice quivered. Someone moved toward him. He closed his eyes and pulled both legs up into his chest. If the person was angry, the smaller he made the target the better the outcome.
The lamp next to the bed clicked on. Luka squinted. The light hurt as it filled the room.
“Calm down. No one’s going to hurt you.” Zed reached out to touch his shoulder.
He cringed and tried to move his body away.
Zed didn’t stop his approach. He gently rested a large hand on Luka’s shoulder. He moved toward his neck and lightly massaged it.
“How are you feeling?”
He rolled his eyes. “Like a tractor-trailer ran me over. Thanks for asking.”
The sarcastic words had a mind of their own. He didn’t want to come off that way, but he couldn’t help it. He felt vulnerable and weak and when he felt vulnerable and weak, he lashed out. He lashed out a lot. No wonder Zed hated him.
“Well, at least your personality hasn’t changed. A simple thank you might be more appropriate than hostility.”
Luka squinted, trying to look at Zed. “Thank you?” he questioned.
“For calling the doctor. For taking care of you while you slept for a day and a half. Didn’t anyone teach you simple manners? When someone helps you, the proper response is thank you.”
Luka looked away. “People don’t help me. I’m not usually in a situation where I’m placed in the position of thanking someone.”
Zed ran a hand through Luka’s long, strawberry-blond hair. “Yeah, I guess not. We need to talk.”
Luka looked into Zed’s eyes. They still weren’t the ones from his visions, but they were kinder than before. The hatred was gone. “Okay, what do you want to talk about?”
“First, why didn’t you tell me you were adopted?”
“What does it matter? I’m an elf. Something you hate. Did you really need to know how useless I am? Surprise, your mate isn’t even an important elf. I’m not really a prince.”
“I don’t care if you’re not a prince by blood. You’re my mate.” Zed looked at him with a fierce gaze.
“Until when? I might be your mate now but what happens when I disappoint you? Then you’ll send me back as punishment. Maybe you’ll decide to beat me yourself. I know where this ends. Oh and by the way I’m not even a full-blooded elf. I’m half human. My blood’s even dirtier. Does that bother you?” He threw it out. If Zed wanted to have the conversation, then fine. He never cared that his father was human, but everyone else did. The only reason others didn’t spit on him was his ability. He watched as Zed clenched his fists and he waited for the first strike.
“I’m not going to fight with you and I won’t beat you.”
Luka’s eyes widened. Everyone wanted to hit him. Then he huffed. “You say that now, but wait until I disappoint you. Right now, you’re angry with me. Your fists are clenched at your sides. I feel the anger radiating off you. How long until you start pushing back? Go ahead. Do it. Hurt me.” His body shook, but he couldn’t stop. He wanted to lash out.
“No matter how angry you make me. No matter what you say. I will never hit you.”
“Yeah right.” Like he’d start to believe in the fairytale where Zed protected and loved him. “I hate the furniture in the room. It’s plain and ugly,” he said, remembering Zed’s disappointment when he commented on the lack of color in the living room.
Zed smiled. “My style isn’t for everyone. And if you need to keep testing me, go ahead. I am centuries older than you. Attack me all you want. I won’t hurt you. If this is the only way you can feel safe, I’ll take it.”
Luka doubted that, but the fight drained out of him. He started to sit up and stopped when the blanket slipped from his shoulders. He lifted the ends and looked underneath. “Why am I naked? Where are my clothes?” He glared at Zed. “Did you molest me while I slept?”
Zed smiled at the accusation. “I removed the rest of your clothing, so you would sleep better. As for touching you, I’ll wait until your body isn’t one big black-and-blue mark.” He leaned closer. “Someday, you’ll ask me to touch you and I will. I’ll caress every inch of skin with love and gentleness, Mate.”
Luka looked at Zed, unable to contain the shock and horror. Not only did Zed see everything, but he still wanted more. He promised things that Luka couldn’t believe. He cleared his throat. “That’s not a reason,” Luka said with a shaky voice. “I was passed out. Clothes or no clothes didn’t matter. I wouldn’t have awakened one way or the other.”
“When I touch you, you will be awake.” Zed leaned in closer this time, resting their foreheads together. “You will feel every caress and kiss as you cry out and beg for more.”
“Never going to happen. Touches will never feel that good.” Luka’s body heated up as the images invaded his mind. He wanted Zed’s fingers to touch him now and prove that being held felt good.
“We’ll see about that,” Zed said, looking directly at him as he pulled away.
Could Zed read minds? No, he could only read him. “What did Cousin Avery say?”
“Cousin?” Zed questioned.
“Yeah. I recognized him from court. I don’t forget faces. He’s a distant cousin.” Luka shook his head. “He’s not related to me, but to Kane.”
“Avery said your body’s been abused for a long time.”
Luka felt the anger radiating from Zed. He froze. When King Kane got this angry, it led to days of pain. Didn’t Zed just promise not to hit him? He didn’t care who beat him as long as it wasn’t his mate. He would never heal from that abuse. His heart would shatter. Mates loved each other. After all Zed’s claims of never hurting him, the promise didn’t last long.
“I’m sorry,” Luka stuttered.
Zed studied him.
Luka’s heart raced. His breathing became heavier. Was Zed looking for ways to hurt him? Before he knew it, he was hyperventilating.
“Shit.” Zed leaned in and started to rub his back. The gentle touch on his naked skin helped calm him. Soon his breathing evened out.
“Are you okay?” Zed asked.
Luka wanted to scream. He wasn’t okay. His mate thought he was weak, hated him for letting others hurt him, and thought he was a spoiled brat not capable of being useful. Luka looked at Zed. “I’m fine,” he lied. If he was too much trouble, Zed would get rid of him. No matter what, he wasn’t going to be sent back to the abuse. He’d run away first, but he needed to stay here until he could run.
“Don’t lie to me,” Zed demanded.
“Are you going to hurt me?” Luka asked. He watched Zed’s hands.
“You still think I’m going to beat you,” Zed said. “I’ve told you numerous times in the last five minutes that I’d never hurt you. I don’t go back on my word.”
Luka’s eyes widened. If he said yes would his mate become angry? How could he calm the vampire? He wanted to test Zed, but he didn’t want to be hit. He started rubbing his head. “It hurts trying to find the right words,” he mumbled to himself.
“Don’t try. Be honest. I hate lies. When I say I won’t hurt you, I mean it.”
Luka looked at Zed. “I said that out loud?”
Zed nodded. “Let’s start off by setting easy rules. If you’re in any pain, I want to know. You won’t force yourself to do anything you can’t do. Do you understand?”
“I can do anything you ask. You don’t have to worry.” He’d never admit to anyone that he couldn’t handle Zed’s assignments. If he did, then what? What would happen when Zed learned he couldn’t read or that he wasn’t physically strong?
“Luka, what do you think is happening here?”
“Zed, you’re right. I’m testing you but you’re testing me to see if I’m worthy of your time. I’ll do whatever you ask. I don’t want to go back.” Before he knew it, tears started running down his cheeks. He couldn’t keep it together. Zed was right. He was all over the place. “If you don’t want me, then please kill me. They will kill me anyway, but I’d rather you do it.”
Zed leaned in and kissed him. He felt safe and protected as Zed’s arms wrapped around him. Luka’s hand moved forward, rubbing Zed’s chest. He felt like someone had wrapped him in a thick blanket that would protect him from all the evils in the world. The soft, gentle kiss promised lots of things like love, honesty and patience. Then Zed reached out and tilted his jaw back to deepen the kiss. He opened to his mate’s tongue, which explored and tasted every inch. He moaned when Zed pulled away.
The tears were gone and he was left breathless. He touched his swollen lips.
“I said things without knowing the situation. One thing you need to know is I never break my promises and I don’t lie. So listen to me when I tell you, I will never let you go and I won’t beat you.” Zed paused, waiting for the words to reach him. “If you weren’t so battered and hurt, I’d have you pinned down to the bed, showing you how your body should be loved as I make love to you all night long.”
Luka’s eyes widened. Zed wanted everything. He bit his lip. He wanted that too.
“Luka, how much experience do you have?” Zed asked.
Luka squinted, trying to figure out what Zed was asking.
“Sexual experience,” Zed clarified.
“None. I wasn’t allowed to be touched,” Luka answered.