Epiphany by L.A. Stockman

Author:L.A. Stockman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampires, holiday, paranormal, historical, light bdsm, age gap
Publisher: NineStar Press

VI.

Alfie accepted the idea of one more holiday party, this one with vampires, with a grudging good grace. Khafra allayed his fears the best he could, explaining the complex and ancient Arrangement that created the system of nobility and vassals, shepherding the human flock behind the scenes to protect their food source. He’d been a bit bristly at the idea of being a part of a flock, balking with the sense of individuality only youth can bring, until Khafra told him that was exactly the point of introducing him—he would be a consort, not anyone’s food. Ever.

There were oceans of Byzantine bylaws and customs that he didn’t bother boring Alfie with. They drove him insane with tedium, and it was his business to know them all. No point in making vampires sound as boring as they really were. After all, no one had challenged for a consort in centuries, and no one would challenge him.

Khafra went by his alias, Khaled, and was far older than he pretended to be—both of which he’d already informed Alfie of—but he was still respected and occasionally feared by his fellows. They’d had ample proof that he would challenge what he did not agree with, generally in favor of the humans they preyed upon. And if words didn’t work, he was more than willing to pick up a sword or make his point with fangs and claws.

He brought Alfie to his London townhouse two days before the party, and they’d spent almost all of it in bed. Stories were told, fucking was accomplished with spectacular success, and Khafra made absolutely sure Alfie knew what was expected of him at the gathering.

As they were dressing for Court, Alfie asked the question Khafra had been waiting for. “Why aren’t you in charge? If you’re the oldest, and the most powerful, why do you hide?”

Khafra laughed and checked his silk cravat in the mirror. “Because they are insufferable. Besides, do you think a king would have the time to woo lovely young humans?” He turned and irritably swept the fussy tails of his coat out of the way.

“I suppose not. But why wouldn’t you want to make them…sufferable? Surely you could.” Alfie grinned at Khafra’s obvious crankiness.

“I suppose I am not terribly civic-minded. Besides, there is a bit of a legend surrounding me.” Khafra shrugged. “I really have no idea if I’m truly the eldest of my kind or not, but if the Court knew anything of my origins, it would only accomplish two things—paint a target on my back, and make me the object of far too much fawning from the sycophants.”

Alfie sat down heavily on the bed. “A legend? I knew you were special, but now I’m really confounded by what you see in me.”

“Alfie, darling, we’ve had this conversation.” Khafra sat next to him and twined their fingers together in Alfie’s lap. “You’re you, and you enchant me. And in case you think I’ll outgrow it, perhaps you should know that the moment I decided to share my blood with you, I was sealing myself to you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.