Julian lay on his bed in his chamber in a deep sleep, curled up on his side wearing nothing but a t-shirt and briefs.
My angel.
His brows furrowed and his head twisted. He mumbled, “Sebastian, where are you?”
I am here, waiting for you.
He rolled to his back with his eyes still closed. “No. Can’t be, can’t…” His mind went blank as sleep overtook him again.
The bed jiggled. A warm hand caressed his forehead and cheek, sending a tickle down the side of his neck. He shivered and pulled the sheet and blanket up over his chest. A vision of his queen flashed through his mind–of her hissing with fangs and sharp nails bared and blood, his blood, dripping from her lips down her neck. “No!”
With a start, his eyes flashed open. A creature sat next to him illuminated in candlelight, black hair, dark eyes. Terror raced through him. His heart pounded. What did I say? He clamored up to the wall. “My, my queen, I-I—”
With an arm outstretched, Sebastian leaned forward. “No, my angel, I am not that hideous creature.” He cupped Julian’s chin in his palm. “I am the one you need not fear.”
Slowly, the thing before him morphed into his lover, his Sebastian all dressed in soft black, his beautiful face showing only concern and emotion for him. “S-Sebastian?”
“Yes, my love.” Sebastian shifted to sit up closer to Julian.
“H-how did you get in here?” His gaze flicked around the room, searching for some hidden opening.
Again, Sebastian’s hand came up to cup Julian’s chin and direct his gaze toward him. “You think with my abilities I cannot get past your queen’s pathetic army of chevaliers?”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “But—”
“You are all weak to me, my angel. All of you except her, your queen. She is the only one who could challenge me. This is why I was sent.” Sebastian looked Julian over. “What has she done to you?”
“Sh-she is keeping me confined to our quarters. I can’t go outside and, oh God.” He sat forward, snatched Sebastian’s shirt collar and pulled him close. “She’s making me couple with her in three days. And, and she told me I am to be her One, that then there will be no others.”
“Three days?” Sebastian let out a long exhale. Anger flared in his eyes. “She can’t touch you. I will not let her touch you. You were not meant for her.” He let out a low growl. “How dare she take what is clearly not hers.”
He released his hold on Sebastian’s collar. “But she said I have some powers that only she can set free in me.”
Sebastian glanced away for a moment. His gaze was fierce as it came back to meet Julian’s. “Rubbish. All of it is lies and deceit.”
With his brows furrowing in confusion, he shook his head. “I swear I don’t know what to believe anymore.” He lifted his fingers to his temple.
Sebastian reached around Julian’s shoulders to pull him close. “Believe in me, my angel. I am here for you and always will be.”
He lifted his head to gaze into Sebastian’s dark eyes. “I’m sorry I ran from you. I’m sorry I—”
“Hush,” Sebastian said, lifting his index finger to Julian’s lips. “I knew my words would upset them yourself.” He placed a slow, gentle kiss on Julian’s lips.
His chest ached with longing and love. His desire surfaced, bringing on arousal. He kissed Sebastian back with more intensity, with all the feelings pent up over the last few days. His heartbeat quickened. “Take me from here, far away. I don’t care where. I just want to be with you.”
Sebastian pulled back and looked deep into blue-grey eyes. “Although nothing would please me more, I cannot take you from here.”
Reality and hurt crashed down on him. “What?” He pushed Sebastian’s shoulders, making the elder vampire steady himself on the bed. “Why?” His voice rang out in the small room.
Sebastian lifted his palm to Julian’s face. “Quiet, you don’t want to alert someone to your chamber.”
As his gaze fell to the bedcovers, he bit his lip and fought to steady his emotions. Deliberately, he said, “Why did you come? Tell me, once and for all, why you were sent to kill me?” Trembling, he pursed his lips and kept his gaze lowered. “I want to know all of it.”