Eighteen
Lysander
When he started to regain consciousness, he leaned into the hand stroking through his hair. The familiarity of it happening in his own bed made it that much sweeter. He’d been dressed and cleaned. At least that’s what it felt like when he squirmed beneath the blanket. He was no stranger to this sort of awakening, but to do it in his own bed was much better than having silver chains burning his skin.
He peeled his eyes open to see Avalon sitting next to him with her legs crossed and a book in her lap. When she noticed him awake, she visibly relaxed.
“I was worried about you.”
She’d been worried? Hadn’t Marcus and Varos told her he’d be fine? “And why would that be?”
“You passed out.”
“I did.”
“You could’ve died.”
Chuckling, he pushed himself to a sitting position and leaned against the headboard. “It takes more than a little blood loss to take me out. Didn’t Varos and Marcus tell you that?”
Avalon dropped her gaze to her book. “They did, but still. It scared me. I needed to know for myself. ”
He reached over, hooking a finger under her chin and redirecting her attention to him. “I’m sorry I scared you, but there truly was no need to worry.”
“I know that now.”
He leaned back and closed his eyes, still feeling the effects of the blood loss. “Good.”
“You should eat.” And before he could stop her, she was gone.
He dozed, only opening his eyes again when Avalon re-entered the room, trailed by Marcus. Avalon held a plate in each hand, one piled high with sandwiches and the other with fruit. Marcus followed behind with drinks.
“Where is yours?” he asked as she handed over one of the plates.
“I’m fine.”
He immediately turned his scalding gaze to Marcus.
“Hey! Don’t give me that fucking look. I told her she should drink.”
“And as I said, I’m fine,” Avalon snapped, ending the discussion.
Marcus laughed, backing out of the room with his hands held up in surrender.
Avalon returned to her book while Lysander refuelled. When both plates were empty, he set them aside and pushed himself to lay down again. The moment his head hit the pillow, her fingers were in his hair.
Then she froze and her timid voice filled the room. “Unless you would like me to leave.”
“I enjoy your company, but you can leave at any time if you feel like it.”
“I’ll be sure not to wake you if I do.”
“Thank you.”
He dreamed of having her naked beneath him while she fed. It had been a lifetime since he’d had a woman that close to him. No, he hadn’t been entirely celibate, but he’d never kept anyone around for more than a night or two. Avalon was different. She was here to stay—or so he hoped. Just like Varos and Marcus, he was wrapped around her little finger.
It was late morning when he awoke again. Avalon was still next to him, a book in one hand and holding his with the other.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” she giggled, setting the book aside.
“I’m beautiful?”
“Fishing for compliments?”
He laughed and sat up, careful not to let go of her hand. “Have you been here all night?”
“Yes. It was relaxing, but not as good as sleeping. How are you feeling now?”
“Like new.”
“Maybe we can cook breakfast together? I was hoping you enjoyed bacon as much as I do, and I can stalk you while eating. Marcus said I should try drinking while you eat so I can still experience my favourite foods.”
“So, I’m just a means to an end.”
“If you let yourself be, yes.”
A little while later she was standing by his side mixing some pancake batter. Varos and Marcus had joined them too, but they didn’t participate in the cooking. They sat at the island and were clearly enjoying the view of Avalon in her fitted leggings and a loose sweater.
“So, are you three not expected to work?” She paused, eyes widening. “ I’m expected to work.”
“I took the liberty of letting your employer know you’re no longer able to work for them,” Varos said. Then seeing how hurt she was by it, Varos quickly added, “I didn’t want anyone searching for you, so I sent a letter of resignation in your name. It doesn’t mean you’ll never work again, but until you’re more… experienced, it’s best to cut all ties.”
Avalon nodded and returned to her task. “I really liked that job.”
“Once you are ready, we will help you find a new one,” Marcus promised.
“What about my apartment?”
“We will help you if you would like to keep it.”
Judging by the way Avalon’s jaw clenched, she didn’t like that idea.
Marcus seemed to notice too. He came around the island, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the back of her neck. “Tell us what is upsetting you and we can help you.”
“I liked being independent.”
“Financially?” Marcus clarified.
She nodded.
“The money you have earned is still yours.”
“My savings won’t last that long.”
“Then work for us,” he offered. Her head tilted faintly, and their eyes met. “Marcus barely works as it is and Varos only does it because he’s too polite to let me do all the work. You will earn your own money by doing so and whatever you make is yours to keep.”
“I like that idea,” Varos agreed. “We can sit down later today and talk it through.”
“And besides that, we are going to spoil you with everything you could ever want,” Marcus added with another kiss to her shoulder.
Avalon leaned into Marcus’s touch and closed her eyes, soaking up every piece of him.
While he ate, Avalon sat next to him, inhaling the scent of bacon and eggs while she sipped on her blood. “I don’t want to keep my apartment,” she finally said.
“You don’t have to decide that now.”
She looked up at Varos, who approached with his own meal. “But I’m not going back there, and you said it’s good to cut ties.”
He stayed out of it. That wasn’t his call and with Varos already saying what he thought, he didn’t want to stress her out with more opinions. This was her decision.
“I mean if it was a nice apartment, I might feel differently. But it was just an affordable place to live. And you said this is my home now, right?”
“Of course, it is, and I didn’t mean to make you question that. When is your lease up?”
“In three months.”
“Then let it run out. In the meantime, we’ll collect your things and slowly move you in here.”
Lysander was no mind reader, but since Avalon now sipped her meal with a contented smile on her face, his best guess was that she approved of Varos’s idea.