Chapter 27
~Kaio’s POV~
I ran a finger across his forehead and smiled when his brows furrowed. He was even more beautiful when he slept. I could see not a flaw in his features and not a worry in his expression. He was calm…peaceful. I lightly traced his soft eyebrows, then continued until my finger danced on the tip of his nose and I smiled again when he scrunched his nose.
With every day that came and went I looked to the skies in question. I was nothing but a lowly drudge. My existence meant nothing to anyone but my beloved lord and my disappearance would not be felt by many, so why was luck on my side? Why was I blessed with this lovely creature sleeping by my side?
Had I not met him, I would not have thought it possible to love another as deeply as I did and I would not have thought it equally possible to fear for another’s life as much as I did his.
It was strange now to think that I once wondered why Lord Riener invested so much of his time and concern for his Tony, but now that I thought as he did the answer became so simple. When I ran a finger over his lips his eyes finally drifted open and he batted my hand away before turning away from me, grumbling under his breath. I chuckled.
He was never at his best in the morning, another trait I found endearing. When I ran my hand through his hair he groaned in annoyance. “Stop.”
“You cannot sleep away the day Mal, we have much to do.” This time when I ran a hand through his hair he ignored me, eyes closed as he tried and surely failed to fall back into his dream world.
“Lord Rien was very specific about our departure time. You have angered him enough and I wish to begin the day in peace.” I continued.
“As much as I care about Tony, stalking him for a week isn’t exactly a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning.”
“We’ll be doing no such deed. Lord Rien has entrusted me with his care and I take such matters seriously.”
“I’m sure.” He muttered drily and with a shake of the head, I hopped from the bed and stood watching him.
“Very well, you’re welcome to remain here for the duration of our trip if you so choose. I’m certain the drudges will love the company.” I told him before turning on my heels, robes swishing around my ankles as I exited the room.
When I was halfway down the corridor I heard his defeated sigh and the thud of his bare feet on the cool tiles. I smiled. It always surprised me how easy it was to get my way with him. Had I used a similar tactic on Tony I was certain it would not have yielded such good results. It just illustrated how complicated humans could be. Their emotions changed with the wind and none were truly alike, it was a wonder how they managed to coexist.
I turned down the hall and when I proceeded to descend the stair case I could detect the sound of my keeper’s voice. He was on the right wing, in Tony’s chambers partaking in a seemingly serious conversation with his grumpy mate. As I walked, I filled my mind with other things so as not to overhear his words.
“I had begun to wonder whether or not you would make it down from your bedchamber today Kaio.” A fellow drudge, Hester announced when I entered the kitchens.
“Mal was being particularly trying this morning.”
She grinned, her pearl white fangs glinting in the sunlight streaming through the open windows. “He would sleep away the beauty of the day if we allowed it.” She said with amusement and I nodded.
“If he would only allow me to give him more blood he would not tire so easily.”
“You should force it upon him, he is weak, he would not be able to stand up to you.” Soleil suggested when she entered the kitchen. Hester was already shaking her head.
“Malik is a proud man, he would not recover from such an act.” She said wisely and I was quick to agree.
“It would be unforgiving of me to do such a thing to him. I suppose we will simply continue to care for him in hopes that he recovers his full strength soon.”
Soleil sighed. “He was victorious in darts once again yesterday, the others are beginning to think he is concealing a special power from us.”
I smiled. “He is simply talented, it cannot be helped.”
“It cannot be fair that a human can throw darts better than the lot of us. We are superior in every way.” Mary was saying as she entered the kitchen with a large mixing bowl wrapped in her arms.
“Mal is special.” I told them with obvious pride and Hester nodded.
“He is, it is just unfortunate that his brother cannot see what we do.” She said.
“Lord Riener’s mate has much more important things to think about I suppose.” Soleil answered and without a word I went to sit by the counter. It had become a routine for me to sit and listen to them bicker in the morning before my duties began. It was strangely soothing.
“I am certain that if he knew Malik was his brother he would treat him differently.” Mary—the lover of all things Tony—spoke up and Hester snorted.
“Tony is not what one would term a social butterfly. I am of the view that he would treat him just as he does now.”
“I disagree.” Mary said with a frown and Soleil nodded in agreement.
“I think he’s lonely. Sometimes I’ll watch him as I go about my duties and he never truly seems happy. I do not remember a time I have seen him smile.” Soleil continued, her expression one of ancient sadness.
“He has lost much in his short life.” I explained and she nodded. “I assure you Lord Rien makes him happy. You have not seen how his spirit awakens when he is near. I would not worry too much about our Tony.”
“You make him happy as well Kaio… you are the only other person in this dwelling place whose company he seeks out.” Hester commented.
“I swear every time I come down here you’re all talking about Tony.” Mal said when he entered the room and Hester enveloped him in her usual motherly hug before he could find his seat beside me.
“I made all your favorites today Malik.” She told him “I want you to take as much as you do not eat now on your trip today.”
“I always tell you, you make too much” he told her as he pulled up a stool.
“Do you not think it strange how Tony and Malik enjoy the same foods and at times share a similar personality yet Tony has no notion that Malik is his brother?” Soleil spoke.
“It doesn’t exactly work like that Soleil. We only just met recently and I’m nothing but a stranger to him...eventually he’ll get to know me and it’ll be different.” Mal explained before taking a bit of his crunchy bacon.
“It’s tragic the way humans are forced to live. If he could only smell your blood he would know who you are. You are all so limited in how you live.” Mary commented as she set a large glass of fruit juice before Malik.
“Well thanks for your sympathy.” Mal said sarcastically around a mouthful of food and I chuckled when she reached over to tug none too gently on a lock of his hair.
