Chasing His Mate by Marie Medina

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

Chapter Four

Joseph slid his empty mug across the bar and glanced around, realizing everyone else had cleared out of the dining hall behind him. He sighed and folded his arms on the bar, resting his head there.

“Another?” the man behind the bar asked.

Joseph was pretty sure the man was the innkeeper’s son. “Sure. Might not help, though.”

The bartender poured him another anyway. “But might help you sleep. You were up late last night.”

Joseph looked up. “Was I keeping others up?”

He shook his head. “Nah. I was just up late working in the barn. Saw your light.”

“Oh.” He accepted the mug. “Thanks.”

“Sure.” He wiped down the bar but then came back and leaned on it, a few feet away. “Anything troubling you?”

After a brief hesitation, Joseph said, “Don’t you get tired of hearing people’s problems?”

The man shrugged. “I’m filling in for my brother, who just got married. Only been doing this for a week.” He crossed his arms. “But I’ve been told I should open a real tavern here, seeing as I’m a good listener and all.”

Joseph gave the room another glance. “It all boils down to one problem.” He paused. “I’m a vampire’s mate.”

The man didn’t look surprised so much as puzzled. “Then what are you doing here? Why aren’t you with her?”

Clearing his throat, Joseph said, “Him, actually. And it’s a long story. One filled with lots of mistakes.” He took a long gulp of the ale. “I ran away. Fucking stupid. I have shit luck with men and figured being handed over to a vampire would be just as bad. I didn’t want to be owned.”

“Uh, that’s not really the way it works. Everywhere I’ve lived, the ruling vampires bend over backwards to make their mates happy.”

Joseph eyed the man. “You’ve never met a vampire who was an asshole? Who threw his weight around and treated others like dirt?”

“Not personally. I mean, you’re right. There are plenty like that, but that’s no reason to dismiss the idea.”

“You’d want to be told who to love?”

The man shrugged again. “Would I want to be told I was going to live in a castle and be provided for until the end of my days by someone who adores me? I’d give it a shot. I gave my blood to a vampire once when she arrived here. She was tired, and I offered so her servants wouldn’t be bothered.” The man checked the empty room before leaning in. “Amazing.”

“No offense, but I’ve never been fascinated by vampires. To me, being a vampire’s mate was never a fantasy. The wealth and power, the sex. I never cared.”

“What’s he like?”

“The vampire?”

“Yeah.”

“Hard to say.”

“Did you even meet him?” The man paused. “Wait, you like women, right? So you didn’t want to try with a man?”

“No, I like men. And I did meet him.” He finished the rest of the ale in one gulp. “It’s complicated.”

“Is he ugly?”

“No, he’s handsome.”

“Is he a cruel ruler?”

“Not that I know of. His brother was my lord, and he’s a good ruler.

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