Chapter 22
Severin
After cuddling on the hard tiles, the shower raining down on us, I carried us both over to the bathtub where our towels waited.
I had placed them there before sneaking into the shower.
When I had woken up alone, my heart had feared Felix had left me, a dumb thought, but it was my first reaction, likely because it was my greatest fear.
I finally had my fated. Losing him would forever be my biggest fear. But when I had calmed myself, I could hear the shower was on. The predatory side to my vampire nature was at the forefront and I was merely a passenger as I prowled into the bathroom, undressing as I went.
Newly bonded vampires and werewolves were more primal after bonding, an instinct to protect their fated, their biggest treasure.
So, it was no surprise how I was acting.
Felix did not seem to mind it, though, submitting to me easily.
I loved that about him. How he gave in only to me.
Showed me how much he trusted and loved me.
I finally got to return those beautiful words to him, not that I did not yesterday, he had simply fallen asleep before I could whisper them back.
We did not speak as I toweled him dry, nor did I want to.
His silent company was soothing. It was natural.
Not wanting him to walk even one step, I carried him into our bedroom and placed him gently on the bed.
He had an amused smile on his face, but never said anything, content to just watch me tend to his needs.
A light blue long-sleeved t-shirt and some white linen pants, was what I decided he should wear.
Carrying them out of our walk-in closet, I began to dress him.
Kneeling in front of the bed, I held out some boxers that I helped him into.
Then the linen pants. His smile never faltered, but it did turn softer the more I dressed him.
I had picked out some blue fuzzy socks, ones I had no idea where they had come from, but they felt amazing to the touch, so, of course, my Felix would need to wear them. Only the best for my bonded’s feet.
With his shirt on, he was done. He looked perfect. Taking his hand in mine I led us to the door. He would need some breakfast. My strong Felix needed to feed.
“Um, Sev?” he asked, his tone amused. I stopped and looked back at him. He pointed to my body, his smile widening. “I don’t mind the show, but I would mind it if others saw what is for my eyes only.”
I frowned, then looked down at my naked body. Oh. Right. Clothes. I had completely forgotten to get dressed myself. Now that I finally looked, I found myself still wet, too.
Leading Felix back to the bed, still not saying anything, I hurried to get dry and picked whatever clothes were nearest.
Deciding that Felix should not walk on his pretty socks, I instead carried him down to the kitchen. He did not say anything, but I could feel his amusement.
Dina and Joel were cooking together, looking both happy and exhausted as they moved around each other seamlessly. It was like they had worked together for years.
“Good morning,” Felix said from my arms, giving them both a beaming smile.
Dina turned from the stove and laughed at the sight of us. “Oh, it looks like a great morning.” She winked and returned to her eggs.
Joel gave us a smile then and pointed to the wall. “Good morning. We decided a big breakfast was in order, so Dina had the dining room set for all of us.”
Nodding, I left the room and walked into the room right next to it. Felix seemed content enough to let me carry him. I hoped he would be fine eating on my lap, too.
Peter was already seated with Giro next to him. They both seemed tired, neither of them spoke, only when we came closer did Giro offer us a timid smile.
Dina and Joel came in behind us, each with a rolling cart filled with food. It amazed me just how much food these people could eat. The table already had several dishes on it, yet they needed even more?
Claire came in behind them, looking tired in her pajamas.
Her gaze sought out Peter and beckoned him closer.
He stood without question and went to her.
I heard her whisper if he could grab Astrea and carry her down here.
She was still too weak to walk for more than a few steps, so Peter, of course, agreed.
Grabbing the chair next to where Peter had sat, I sat down with Felix in my lap, ignoring the looks I got from the others. I was not letting him go anytime soon.
Peter flew in with Astrea in his arms, gently placing her on the chair next to me and Felix. He sat back down next to me with Giro on his other side. Joel and Dina sat, too. And it was like we were meant to be here, all of us. It just felt right.
“So,” Dina began, eying Giro warily. “My coven has left and taken Brent with them. They offered to give him a proper burial in the woods.” We all nodded and she continued. “It’s tonight if you want to be there, Giro.”
Giro looked at his empty plate, then swallowed. “I’ll think about it. Is that okay?” he looked up then and met Dina’s smile. Her expression was full of understanding and worry.
“Of course, hon.” She then looked to me and Felix.
“Now that you two finally bonded, it’s safe to assume we won’t be seeing much of you these next couple of days?
” I grunted, hoping she would understand I agreed with that.
She laughed. “Good, then we need to have a chat before you disappear into your room.”
“Did something happen?” Peter asked, his gaze finally leaving Giro.
Dina shook her head. “Not yet, but I had a chat with my coven sisters before they left for home. Giro’s coven used crystals we haven’t seen before.
And they seemed very… angry, I guess you could call it that.
And they had no right to be angry. They took Astrea, they cursed her.
We’re the ones who are supposed to be angry, not them. ”
Astrea seemed to slump further into her chair, Claire’s hand in hers likely the only thing grounding her.
“I agree with you on that,” Peter said, looking back at Giro.
“And because of that anger, we want to warn other covens, and hear me out on this, other supernaturals, too.” Dina’s words surprised me. We never dealt much with other species, Dina was the only witch I had ever hired to work for me, since most species tended to avoid vampires, even other vampires.
“You think they need to be warned?” Felix questioned.
“I think they deserve to be,” she replied, before letting out a deep sigh. “Can you tell us anything about your coven, Giro?”
He visibly flinched when she mentioned his coven. He shook his head, “I can’t.”
“Can’t, or won’t?” Felix questioned. It sounded less angry and more like Felix needed to understand something.
Giro held out his wrist, causing Dina to gasp loudly, her face a mask of horror at the sight of the glowing blue tattoo on his wrist. “I can’t,” Giro stated firmly.
“What is it?” Felix asked, likely to Dina since Giro seemed unable to speak of it.
“A magical binding spell,” Dina explained. “It’s like a contract but bound by magic. The one wearing it can’t break the promise.”
“Promise of what?” Peter growled.
“I don’t know,” Dina answered, her worried gaze landing on Giro, who was back to staring at his still empty plate. “It could be that he can’t talk about the coven, or something more sinister. Could also be less troublesome, but why bother with branding a witch’s skin if it wasn’t something more?”
Giro spoke softly, “My coven’s name is the Silver Lock Coven. They can always find my location through my mark. No magic can erase or hide it. So, they know where I am. Meaning, if they want me back bad enough, they’ll come for me. I understand if you don’t want me here, now that you know.”
Frowning at that, I looked to my brother. He looked furious. Dina’s calm voice spoke then, “Do you not wish to be here, hon?”
And then, Giro let out a sob. I nearly fell apart myself when I saw how much the sight hurt my brother. Peter hated seeing the ones he cared for suffer. And with Giro being his…
“I want to stay,” Giro finally answered. “Please, please, let me stay.”
Peter grabbed Giro, making him yelp in fright, then hugged him tight against him, sitting Giro on his lap like I sat with Felix.
I could hear Peter whisper that it was okay. That Peter would never let him go.
Letting them have their moment, I looked to Dina and finally spoke, “We should all prepare for a fight. Is everyone here willing to risk it? To stay and fight? To find allies who can help?”
They all nodded. I did not look at Peter and Giro, I knew they would agree.
“I will ward the castle better for attacks and help Astrea get better,” Dina informed us. “I will let my coven find allies for us. We do have a werewolf pack we help out from time to time. I think they would want to help us if things turn bad.”
I nodded, then looked to Joel. “What about you? I do not wish for you to get harmed in this.”
Joel shook his head. “I like it here, so if it’s okay with all of you, I would like to stay.” Not knowing what Joel’s life was like, I just nodded. If he wanted to stay, then he was welcome to. He just needed to know he had options if he felt unsafe here.
To my surprise, Dina held his hand and gave him a blinding smile. He blushed but tightened his grip, welcoming her touch.
A moan to my left had my attention back on Giro and Peter.
Bloody hell…
I jumped up and with Felix firmly in my arms, I quickly grabbed Astrea, too, fleeing the room.
Dina, Joel, and Claire followed us out as the moans got louder.
We all ran into the kitchen, since none of them had a chance to finish eating. I placed Astrea on a chair, then sat with Felix on another.
“That was hot!” Claire giggled, clearly not as traumatized as I was at seeing Peter bite Giro’s neck, his hand inside the witch’s pants while Giro moved against him on his lap.
“It really was!” Felix agreed, his tone full of humor. I growled and took the bread on the table in front of me. Tearing off a piece, I quickly fed it to Felix. I would do anything to silence him right now.
They all laughed as I continued to growl at them.