His Defiant Leopard by Marie Medina

Author:Marie Medina [Medina, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Declan watched Thanos from the moment he entered the room. Ladon and Kai sat by the window, and the cubs lay curled up together on the rug in front of them listening to Ladon read a book of whimsical poetry. Kai sat right next to the window, keeping an eye on the courtyard and the main gate of the castle. Declan sat a few feet away, letting Ladon’s soft voice and the silly, nonsensical words wash over. They hadn’t pressed him when he’d rejoined them in an angry huff, and he was grateful for their consideration. Thanos went to the cubs first, and Declan felt annoyed at how much this pleased him. Seeing Thanos act to protect his brothers made him happy, but he felt like less of man because he had been pushed aside and deemed unworthy of fighting for them.

Soon enough, Thanos approached Declan. “May we talk alone? Just in the next room and only for a moment.”

Declan nodded and rose to follow Thanos. Once the door had been closed, Declan shoved Thanos against the wall. Thanos seemed startled, his eyes widening as he reached up and grabbed Declan’s arms.

“Do you understand how I feel right now? Even a little?” Declan asked.

Thanos searched his eyes, looking sad and almost vulnerable. “I’ve hurt your pride. Something has been taken from you. You feel helpless.”

Declan paused, as he hadn’t expected so much understanding so quickly. It only lessened his anger a little, though. “Useless. That is how I feel. Completely useless. You’re right. I know that thing could kill me, but it doesn’t make me want to fight it any less.” A bit of fear still sat in the pit of his belly after his brief encounter with the demon, but he had never been one to walk away from a challenge.

Thanos caressed one of his arms, the touch more reassuring than sensual. “I really do love you. That’s why I can’t let you do it.”

“And what if you die? What of the pain we’ll feel?”

Thanos’s eyes hardened with determination, his irises now a dark gray. “I won’t die. Dying would mean that creature could come after you. It’s not an option.”

“You can’t know what will happen, and if you die, it will be my fault.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Declan glared at him. “Ridiculous? It’s the same reasoning you are using, fighting the demon so I won’t be in danger. You would blame yourself if it killed me.”

“I’m stronger than you are. Once a vampire finds its mate, everything changes. Nothing comes before protecting you, not even protecting myself.”

“That sounds beautiful, but it’s foolish. Unrealistic.” Declan pulled away and crossed the room. “How will you fight this thing?”

“Swords. I am quite skilled. Sebastian is coming soon to help me practice.” Thanos approached Declan and made him turn to face him. “And you are not useless. Your blood increases my strength. I’ll feed before we begin, and part of you will be out there fighting with me.”

“It’s not the same.” Declan stared down at the floor.

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