“Right.” His lips twitched at the corners, and he shook his head as though he found the information humorous. “You’re a vampire.” Removing Zasha’s hand from his chest, he rolled to his side and finally levered himself into a sitting position.

  “Thane, what are you doing?” Anyone with eyes could see that every little movement caused him pain, and Zasha didn’t understand why Thane would put himself through that. If he’d survived half of what the witch had, he didn’t think he’d ever get out of bed again.

  “Getting dressed so we can find a place for you to sleep,” Thane answered with a casual roll of his eyes as though the answer was obvious.

  “There’s a room in the basement,” he assured his mate. “Torren said I can spend the day there.” He didn’t want to leave Thane so soon, but they both needed rest, and Zasha needed to not burn alive while he slept.

  “Good.” Nodding once, Thane inched closer to the edge of the bed until his feet rested on the floor. “Let’s go.”

  “Would you stop it?” Oh, Zasha could already see the arguments in his future. The gods help him and grant him patience because his mate was stubborn to a fault. “Listen to me.” He pressed his palm to the side of Thane’s neck with the same care he’d show to the most priceless treasure. “I promise to be back as soon as the sun sets. Okay? Now, will you please lie down and rest?”

  Thane didn’t even hesitate in his answer. “Nope.” Taking Zasha’s hand, he pulled it away from his neck and placed a kiss in the middle of his palm. “Can you hand me those sweatpants on the dresser?”

  “Thane.” The conversation was going nowhere fast, and Zasha didn’t know how to change directions.

  “Zasha,” his mate mimicked with a raised eyebrow. “If you really want me to rest, I suggest you hand me those pants and help me down to the basement. Beside you is the only way I’m going to sleep.”

  His expression said he was dead serious, and Zasha didn’t exactly want to be separated from the man, either. However, he also didn’t want to hinder Thane’s recovery. “Are you always like this?”

  “Pretty much.” Thane nodded toward the dresser again. “And now I’m yours. Congratulations. Are you going to get those or not?”

  Growling under his breath, Zasha stood and crossed the carpeted floor to retrieve the dark-blue sweatpants that were folded neatly on top of the dresser. “Torren is going to kill me.”

  * * * *

  The darkness surrounded him, pressed in on him from all sides. The frigid cold bit through the scraps of clothes he wore, chilling his damp skin. Water flowed through his prison, rising higher with each passing hour. Already it licked at his lips, and soon, it would cover his mouth and nose.

  They were coming for him. He could hear the boots stomping over the sodden earth and feel the charge in the air. An ominous symphony of voices rose up on the breeze, and the chanting grew louder as his captors approached.

  “Thane?”

  Panic constricted the muscles in his chest, his pulse sped, and blood roared in his ears. “Zasha, run!” The voices grew louder, deadlier. They were almost there. Thane didn’t fear death, but he couldn’t let them harm his mate.

  “Thane, I’m going to get you out. I’m going to help you.”

  No one could help him, though. His Infinity had walked right into a trap, and if he didn’t go, they were both doomed. “Zasha, please.” His voice cracked with emotion and weakness. “You have to go. You can’t save me, but you can save yourself.”

  The night grew still, quiet, and Thane found it more worrisome than the dark chanting of his foes. Peering out through his cell, he tried to warn his mate again, but even in the dim light of the moon, he knew it was too late.

  Zasha’s eyes rounded, his lips parted in a silent cry, and his body convulsed, tipping him over the edge of the stone well. Tumbling head over feet, his limp body bounced against the hard walls before finally splashing lifelessly into the water. There he floated, facedown in the small pool, staining the icy water with his blood.

  “Thane. Thane, wake up.”

  Slender arms encircled his waist, holding him tightly as he trembled, struggling to crawl out of his dream world. Releasing a shuddering breath, he rolled to face his mate, pulling Zasha to his chest and crushing him close.

  “You’re okay. You’re okay.” He buried his face in Zasha’s hair, breathing in the clean scent of his shampoo while he forced his muscles to relax. “You’re okay.”

  “Yes,” Zasha whispered with a hint of concern, “I’m okay.” He leaned away and brushed the sweat-dampened locks back from Thane’s brow. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not right now.”

  He’d been free of that watery prison for almost six weeks, but these nightmares had only begun in the past few nights. As his bond with Zasha grew, so did the intensity and frequency of his dreams. There were varying levels of terror associated with his nightmares, but more often than not, they left him shaky and disoriented for hours after he awoke. Worse, Thane had reason to suspect there were snippets of memories hidden within these dreamscapes.

  “Are you sure?” Zasha pressed. “Was it a bad one?”

  Thane could still envision Zasha tumbling down into that well, pale, limp, and unblinking. It had been awful, but while it made his blood run cold, he was confident that it was only a fabrication of his over-stressed mind. After all, his gifts didn’t include foresight, and he was thankful for it. He’d leave the prophecy gig to his brother, Nix.

  “Just let me hold you for a little while,” he said in lieu of an actual answer.

  “Well, I suppose if you’re going to twist my arm.” Zasha’s quiet laughter fanned over Thane’s collarbones, and he wiggled closer, molding himself to Thane from sternum to groin.

  Soft, moist lips traveled up the column of his throat, and Zasha’s slippery tongue traced the shell of his ear, pulling a different kind of shiver from him. Feeling off-balanced—and maybe even a little needy—after his dream, Thane soaked up the attention. “Mmm, I could get used to this.”

  The simple statement seemed to rouse Zasha from whatever spell he was under, and he stilled his exploration, stiffening as he pulled away. “The sun is setting,” he mumbled. “I’ll fight you for the shower.”

  Groaning as his cock hardened and throbbed, Thane rolled on top of his mate, pinning the vampire’s shoulders to the mattress. “Or you could join me.” He nipped at Zasha’s lips, teasing the seam with his tongue until he was finally granted entrance to the sweet depths.

  The kiss was heated, fueling the fire that burned in his gut, but as always, that was as far as he got before Zasha pushed him away. “C’mon, Thane, we need to get moving.”

  Sighing in disgruntlement, Thane fell to his side of the mattress, flopping onto his back and throwing his arm over his eyes. They’d been sharing the same bed from day one, but they were still a thousand miles apart.

  Zasha wouldn’t feed from him, insisting he get his nourishment from a blood bag instead of letting Thane provide for him. His mate would indulge in a sip here and there, just to appease him—like with the occasional kisses—but that was as much as he would give.

  When they’d first pulled him from the well, when he’d been underfed and barely hanging on to life, he’d understood. In the weeks since then, however, he’d gained nearly thirty pounds and was growing stronger by the day thanks to a little magic and blood supplements from his mate.

  Had he been shot, stabbed, burned, or even clubbed over the head, the occasional drops of crimson from Zasha would have cured him almost instantly. Unfortunately, the healing properties only extended so far.

  Yes, he was growing stronger, but not even blood from his mate could restore him to his natural weight and health overnight. Still, he was well enough to care for his partner—if Zasha would only let him.

  “Thane.” Fingertips fluttered over his forearm, traveling from wrist to elbow. “Don’t be that way. You know why I have to say no.”

  At the risk of sounding childish, no, he honestly didn’t understand why Zasha continued to deny him. “Tell me again.” Perhaps he was missing something that would suddenly become clear after the fiftieth repetition.

  “Well, one of us has to be sensible, don’t we?” The laughter in Zasha’s voice did nothing for Thane’s mood.

  “How do you mean?” He was going to give the guy a chance and hope he hadn’t meant that statement like it sounded.

  “I know you want to take care of me, but you’re still healing. I adore how giving you are, but sometimes you…well, you’re more emotional than logical.”

  Yep, it was just as bad the second time, possibly worse. “You can have the shower.” Pushing into a sitting position, he swung his legs over the edge of the mattress and stood. “I’m going for a run.”

  “Thane, stop it. The doctor hasn’t cleared you for that yet.” Jumping up from the bed, Zasha blocked his exit. “Give it time. You’re not strong enough yet.”

  “I’m not a child,” Thane barked. “I’m not going to drop dead if I go jog in the fucking woods.” His bad mood was only partially because of his mate, but he was tired of being coddled and treated like an invalid.

  Every waking moment, his body yearned to feel Zasha’s soft, naked skin beneath his palms. The deep-rooted connection that simmered between them only strengthened, and the clawing need to be with his Infinity rose to blistering levels, burning hotter to the point of pain.

  Adding to his disgruntlement was the fact that Thane vividly remembered a time when Zasha hadn’t been able to resist him, a time when the man couldn’t go five minutes without wanting him. If that wasn’t bad enough, it was painfully obvious that Zasha had no recollections of those days.

  “You’re kind of being a dick.” This was said as fact rather than criticism, and a tiny smirk tilted one corner of Zasha’s lips.

  “Yeah, well, at least I didn’t claim your brother.” The accusation was past his lips before he could stop it, and Thane felt like a toddler, lashing out because someone had taken away his favorite toy. “Zasha—”

  Holding his hand up to halt Thane’s apology, Zasha stepped away as sadness clouded his gaze. “It’s okay. I deserved that.”

  He really didn’t. While technically accurate, Thane’s accusation had been below the belt and taken out of context. Yes, Zasha had bitten his brother, Lynk, during their first meeting, but it hadn’t been a claiming bite. He’d also been convinced that Lynk was his mate.

  Of course, he’d gotten the entire story secondhand, so it was a little easier to be forgiving. If he had been there to witness the event—well, he wouldn’t think about that. He understood why Zasha had been confused. Thane had never been the type to hold a grudge, especially for something like miscommunication.

  Zasha’s comments had hurt him, though, and like a preschooler in need of a nap, he’d retaliated with unjustified venom. Taking out his sour mood on his mate was selfish and unfair. Catching Zasha by the wrist when he tried to walk away, Thane pulled him close and cradled his cheek.

  “I’m sorry.” It would rain frogs before he’d allow anyone to talk to his mate the way he had. Fuck, he was a nasty hypocrite. “You’re right. I’m being a dick, and you didn’t deserve that.”

  Zasha was just trying to protect him. Logically, he understood this, but it prickled his pride that he was unable to reciprocate. The most emasculating thing about it was looking into Zasha’s eyes and knowing that his partner viewed him as weak.

  “Don’t,” Zasha chided as he nuzzled his cheek against Thane’s palm. “You have that look you get when you think I’m being condescending, but that’s not it at all.” He stepped closer, and the tension drained from his shoulders. “Believe it or not, I get it. I’m trying to help, but I feel like I just keep making things worse.”

  “You’re not—”

  “I wasn’t finished.” Placing two fingers to Thane’s lips, Zasha glared at him. “I didn’t mean to say that you’re stupid or overemotional. I meant that you are so worried about making me happy that you don’t stop to think about yourself.”

  “I shouldn’t have gotten ups—”

  “I’m not finished,” Zasha repeated. “You think I don’t want you, which is absurd. It kills me every time I have to say no.” He arched his hips, rubbing his erection against Thane’s thigh as though proving his point. “You can’t imagine the things I’ve fantasized about doing to you, but I’m afraid of what will happen when I finally let go of that control.”

  “Are you finished now?”

  “No.”

  “Okay.” Pressing his lips together, Thane bit the inside of his cheek to stop his grin. He wouldn’t win any affection for pointing out how much it turned him on when Zasha’s temper flared. “Please continue.”

  “Thane, you aren’t strong enough yet. Notice, I said yet.” He arched one eyebrow, like he was daring Thane to argue with him. “It’s not a knock at your manhood. It’s a fact, and I won’t do anything to jeopardize your recovery. I wish you could understand that.”

  “I do understand, but sometimes, my dick and my head get into an argument, and my dick overrules all that rational thinking.” He had no excuse for his anger, and his stomach knotted with guilt. His insecurities were his to deal with, caused by circumstance, not Zasha. The man had done nothing but support him, putting Thane’s needs before his own. “I just wish you could see me as more than I am.”

  “You idiot.” Wrapping his arms around Thane’s midsection, Zasha held him tight and stretched up to kiss his lips. “My eyesight is just fine. You’re sick, Thane, not incapable. I know this.”

  “Then let me give you something,” he practically begged. “Let me take care of you.”

  Zasha shook his head and sighed. “You’re not listening to me. I hate those damn blood bags, but I tolerate them because I won’t take what your body can’t afford to give.”

  Thane was listening. Zasha just wasn’t saying anything he wanted to hear. “Fine. Then let me give you something else.” Insinuating one hand between them, he palmed Zasha’s hard cock through his boxers and squeezed. “I’m not going to break into pieces and blow away, Zash.”

  Dropping his forehead to Thane’s shoulder, Zasha groaned and rocked into his hand. “Gods, I want to. I can’t describe how much I want that, but I can’t.”

  “Why? Give me one good reason.”

  “For a vampire, the desire to feed during sex is almost compulsory. Emotions and instincts run high, and I don’t know if I’d be able to stop—not before I did some real damage to your red cell count.”

  Growling in frustrated surrender, Thane let his hand fall away and nodded in concession. “You’re not going to be able to hide behind those excuses forever.”

  “They’re not excuses,” Zasha argued. “They’re legitimate concerns.” Backing away to create some distance between them, he pushed one hand through his short hair and huffed. “There’s something else we need to talk about, though.”

  “Well, that sounds ominous. Are you leaving me for the UPS guy?”

  Zasha didn’t laugh at his joke, which only fueled his suspicion that he wasn’t going to like this discussion. “I need to go back to Snake River.” Zasha looked him straight in the eyes, unsmiling and unblinking. “I have responsibilities that I’ve been neglecting.”

  “Yeah, see, that’s not going to work for me.”

  Thane would gladly follow the guy anywhere he wanted to go, but he had responsibilities of his own. Zasha wasn’t the only one waiting for his strength to return. A lot of people were counting on him to journey into the unforgiving world of Purgatory to reclaim the soul of their brother, Mikko. Of course, they first had to find Mikko’s body before he went stumbling around in the dark looking for lost souls.

  “I had a feeling you were going to say that.” Zasha’s cheeks puffed out as he exhaled. “Look, I’m not saying that I’m leaving today.”

  “No, you’re not.” They had a lead on where Mikko was being held, and everyone was holding their breath, hoping it would come to something more than a wild goose chase. “I can’t leave, not now. I can’t just abandon my family, but I can’t be without you, either.”

  It didn’t matter that Zasha couldn’t remember him. Thane recalled every detail of their previous life together, and he wanted that time back. He couldn’t reclaim those missing years, but he wasn’t going to miss a single opportunity to make new memories.

  Zasha stared at him for a long time before he finally shook his head and pushed up on his toes for another kiss. “I don’t know what to do, Thane. I have a job and a life in Snake River, but I can’t be without you, either.” His gaze held a hint of desperation, but he just smiled and stroked Thane’s cheek. “Raith and October will be here tomorrow. I’ll talk to Leader Tuesday and see if there is a way for me to get some work done from here.”

  “I know I’m not being fair, and I’m sorry.” Things would get better, but until they did, Thane intended to keep his mate close and protected. “I don’t deserve you.” He knew it. He’d always known it. Every day, he was a little more grateful that Zasha hadn’t figured it out yet. “Thank you, Zasha.”

  His lips stretched a little wider as he nuzzled against the side of Thane’s throat. “You know I can’t tell you no.”

  Well, that wasn’t strictly true, but since he’d gotten his way, Thane decided not to argue and just enjoy the short reprieve he’d been given. The topic of Zasha’s return to Snake River wasn’t dead, but Thane was going to do everything he could to keep the vampire where he belonged—right by his side.

  Chapter Three

  “Hey, sleepyhead.”

  Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Thane squinted up at Zasha. “What?”

  “Raith and October are here, and they’ve brought a guest with them.”

  Thane was too tired for riddles. “They’re having a threesome?”

 

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