Page 110 of Bitten

The man looked hesitant, barely able to look at him.

Kane released some of his hold on Ralnur, but refused to let go. He captured Caelian’s gaze. “Can you forgive me?”

Caelian was silent a moment. “Forgive you?” A shudder ran over him. “I didn’t think you would forgive me.”

Kane reached and clutched the front of Caelian’s shirt and dragged the man into their embrace. Both of them held him tightly, and he closed his eyes, unable to imagine ever getting to that moment.

“I’m so sorry for the things I said and did. It wasn’t me. Not the real me,” Kane murmured.

“We know that,” Ralnur said, nuzzling closer. “Why do you think we fought so hard to save you from yourself?”

“We’ll let you three have some time on your own,” Noah said. “But you and I need to talk soon.”

Kane turned. “Something I need to be worried about?”

“I need someone to help Chris run the taskforce,” Noah said. “I need to focus on the king’s protection right now.”

Kane frowned. “I thought I was off the Guard?”

“You are. You soooo are,” Noah said. “But I’m not kicking you off the taskforce. I think I need my best vampire hunter front and center. So will you help me out?”

Kane nodded. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Noah said. “But like I said… catch up with your mates and find me tomorrow morning.”

Kane nodded while frowning, everything feeling surreal. Once Noah and Eilam departed, he turned to his mates. “Can someone clue me in here?”

Ralnur turned to Caelian. “I think this is a job for the new royal historian.”

Kane cocked a head to the side, a slight smile on his lips.

“You’re not a Halfling,” Caelian said. “You’re not half vampire.” He paused. “Well, I guess in a way you are, but not the way you thought you were.”

“Spit it out,” Ralnur whispered.

“You’re a dhampir,” Caelian said.

Kane shook his head. “Impossible. My father wasn’t a vampire.”

“The man you thought was your father wasn’t,” Caelian said. “According to the histories—your true father was a vampire.”

Kane stood stock still for a moment. “That bastard wasn’t my father?”

“Nope,” Caelian murmured.

His mind raced. He had more questions than answers. “But I was bitten.”

Caelian nodded. “You were. And you would’ve become a vampire if the amulet hadn’t stopped the bloodlust.” His face grew red. “We nearly lost you because of what I did. If you’d bitten Cannon—you would’ve been lost to us.”

Kane walked closer and cupped Caelian’s cheeks in both hands. “You did what you thought you had to in order to save us. I saw it in the blood memories. I saw how sick you felt over it. It was a bad decision. I wish you would’ve told me—but I understand why you didn’t think you could.” He smiled down at his elfling. “We leave it in the past. What you did… what I did… and we try to move on. Okay?”

Caelian nodded. Kane lowered his head and captured the man’s lips in a too brief kiss.

He rose back to his full height and let go of Caelian. “So what am I now after this bite?”

“The histories still list you as a dhampir. Because you never transitioned fully, you’re not a vampire,” Caelian said.

“And as long as the gem remains within you,” Ralnur added. “You’ll never transition.”

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