A glimmer of awareness in the demon’s eyes. An overlong stare. A change in his scent.
Whenever Caspion grew lusty, his rain-and-leather thread skewed more toward leather; Mirceo had picked up on that—when the two of them had been alone together.
Yet he was running out of time—his heart continued to slow—which meant he could no longer play fair with the demon. Tonight it will happen. “Yes, a particularly toothsome surprise.”
In a noncommittal tone, Caspion said, “Your surprises always are.” He seemed even less interested in the debauchery they’d enjoyed.
Mirceo’s interest had waned as well. He’d used to love watching Caspion in the throes with others, but lately he’d experienced only dissatisfaction. He asked the demon, “What’s going on in that head of yours?” Mirceo’s ever-growing lust was equaled only by his fascination with Caspion’s mind.
What shadows lurked? What hidden desires lay untapped? He found himself hanging on this male’s every word.
Unhappiness tinged Caspion’s eyes. “This place is a marvel, and I’m one of the few outsiders who’s seen it. Not bad for a no-name demon.” When Caspion had first beheld Mirceo’s lavish residence, he’d pulled at his collar, fearing he’d break something valuable.
So Mirceo had set about smashing priceless vases until Caspion had cast him a hint of that boyish grin. Later, the demon had stared in awe at Mirceo’s book collection. Though Caspion had never been jealous of his wealth, a stark envy had burned in the demon’s eyes when he’d asked, “You’ve read all of those?”
Mirceo had already been planning to teach him to read. “I have,” he’d answered. “And I promise you, my brilliant friend, you will as well. . . .”
Now Mirceo canted his head. “You didn’t eat much at dinner.”
Caspion had been surprised by the extravagant delicacies available in the kingdom, until he’d seen the number of otherlanders who made permanent homes here. Plus, vampire young ate food of the earth. He shrugged. “After so many years of hunger, I never thought I could lack an appetite.”
Mirceo couldn’t imagine starving. As perilous as royal life could be in Dacia, he and Mina had wanted for nothing.
Caspion’s discontent was weighing on him, much as his sister’s would. A crazy idea crossed his mind. What if the demon is my mate? Same-sex pairings weren’t unheard of.
Mirceo couldn’t know until his heart went full-stop. If it then restarted . . . “Do you have any theories about our strong affinity now?”
Caspion leaned against the balcony railing. “There are tales that have been passed down through generations of legendary friendships. Balladeers sing songs about them. I believe you and I share such a friendship.”
In a softer tone, Mirceo said, “Yes. I like that idea.” It made more sense than his own far-fetched notion. What hope did a thirty-year-old vampire have of finding his mate? “But you’re not happy here?”
Caspion hiked his broad shoulders. “I took a chance. Given the same information, I would take that risk again.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“My instincts drew me to this place.” The demon trusted his instincts more than Mirceo managed to do with his own. “But I do regret not checking on Bettina first. Coming here was rash. I got so caught up, so tunnel-visioned toward a certain future, that I couldn’t see the things that are most important to me.”
Mirceo wanted to be the most important thing to him. Damn it, why does he not fawn over me as others always do?
Caspion continued, “She is still vulnerable, and now I can’t protect her.” Without the ability to turn to mist, the demon wouldn’t get permission to exit the kingdom. “She’s used to me going away on jobs for months at a time, but things had been in flux when I left.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was talk of going back to olden demonic ways.” At Mirceo’s questioning look, Caspion explained, “Marrying her off to whichever suitor is strongest.”
“Surely she wouldn’t agree to such a barbaric plan.”
Caspion said, “Her guardians can be persuasive.”
“Then I can go and watch over her. I’ll check on her regularly.”
Frustration thinned the demon’s lips. “That’s not the same.” Caspion was as loyal as a Lykae.
“We’ll figure something out. . . .” Mirceo trailed off when feminine laughter sounded from inside the villa. “For now let’s enjoy the present. Our entertainment has arrived.”
_______
The night’s becoming a blur.
Mirceo’s surprise was a trio of ravishing nymphs—a pale redhead, an olive-skinned brunette, and a curvaceous blonde—who made their home in Dacia. After flirting, teasing, and drinking, the five had ended up on Mirceo’s mammoth bed.
But Cas’s mind was wandering. He hadn’t resigned himself to never seeing the outside world again. Just don’t do anything rash until then, Tina.
Not as Cas had done. Yes, he’d taken a night to contemplate his decision to come here, but he’d spent it imagining a future with Kosmina. . . .
Mirceo’s banter with one of the nymphs roused him from his thoughts. As usual, the prince had focused his attentions on a redhead. When Mirceo laughed at the female’s playful teasing, Cas grew distracted, scarcely noticing as the other two removed their tops.
For weeks, Cas had watched Mirceo bed any available beauty—they’d even shared females—but Mirceo’s enjoyment of that redhead irritated Cas for some reason.
Like claws down a chalkboard. Was it because Cas had drunk too much tonight?
The prince caught him frowning, so Cas averted his gaze, reaching for the busty brunette to knead a plump breast. That delight should have filled his shaft with blood, but he . . . flagged. She even stroked his horns—which demons loved. So why did he wish this night was already over? As he dropped his hand, he found Mirceo’s attention on him.
The air between them seemed taut. Awareness prickled. Why had Mirceo’s addictive scent—sandalwood with a hint of blood—never registered with him before? Why had Cas never noticed the heat his vampiric body gave off?
The redhead noticed them staring at each other. “You two should kiss.”
With a smile in his tone, Mirceo said, “What an intriguing idea, tulip.” The vampire traced to sit beside him at the foot of the bed.
“Hardly,” Cas said. “I only pleasure females.”
The brunette stood, crossing her arms over her chest. “Nothing would pleasure us more than seeing you two masculine specimens lock lips.”
The blonde stood as well, leaving Cas and Mirceo on the bed. She joined the other two—nymphs in solidarity.
Mirceo laughed again, treating Cas to that rich, throaty sound. “It’s just a lark, sweetheart. Something to titillate our ladies. I can scent them growing wet in anticipation.”
The redhead said, “Perhaps the demon hunter isn’t as secure in his tastes as we thought.”
Cas raised his brows. “I’m very secure.” He knew two things about his sexuality. I’ve always been attracted to females, and I’ve never been attracted to males. So why did Mirceo’s vampire charisma seem to get stronger every day?