Page 68 of The Maestro's Mates
“What happened?” Pavel rubbed his eyes, clearing out the grogginess that always accompanied a longer dormancy.
“We dragged you back from the jaws of death with the force of ourlove,” Sebastian said, struggling to keep a straight face.
“Uh…what?”
Justin smacked Sebastian on the arm, then stepped forward and slipped his arms around his muscular mate.
“Nothing happened. We were just…looking at you? Together. Being here with you. Because we think your gargoyle form is beautiful. And because we were worried you might be lonely.”
Pavel couldn’t keep himself from planting a kiss on the vampire’s supple lips. The sweet taste of his mate slowed his thought into blissful sluggishness, and only when he broke it was he able to process what Justin had said.
“Wait. How long was I dormant?”
Sebastian joined the two of them, slipping an arm around each.
“Three days.”
Pavel stumbled backward, pushing his mates away from him. For the first time, he took in the hugeroom around them, filled with Victorian antique furniture and art. The Grosvenor covenhouse.
“What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, stepping forward, but Pavel waved him off.
“I’ve never gone dormant for more than ten hours. Even at my most exhausted, I’ve never come close to a whole day.”
Justin’s face grew serious. “You flew us from the Adirondacks all the way back to Manhattan. You were tired?—”
Clenching his fists, Pavel took a deep breath, steeling his resolve. “Don’t you understand? This is what I’ve been afraid of. It’s only going to get worse and worse until one day, I won’t come back. And you won’t know when that day will come. Every time I go dormant, you’ll be waiting to see if I’m gone for good. I…I can’t do that to you.”
Surely, they understood he wouldn’t live like that, wouldn’t put them through that. He’d rather die today than trap his mates in a state of worsening panic and anguish.
Sebastian and Justin locked eyes, some silent communication passing between them. Justin walked to a nearby wooden chest, hinging it open and retrieving a beautiful afghan.
“First of all, you’re naked,” Sebastian said, winking like a goddamned maniac. Pavel shook his head as the soft yarn wrapped around his waist. Justin guided him to a sofa.
This was a terrible idea. Pavel wouldn’t be talked into ignoring what was best. He wouldn’t live as a well of pain and grief for his mates.
“I don’t?—”
“Shush.” Sebastian sat and pulled Pavel down. He sank into the soft cushions and found himself in between his mates, with Justin on his right and Pavel on his left.
“We can’t be together. This will only get harder if we?—”
“Wait.” Justin’s voice was strong now, more final sounding than Pavel had ever heard it, brooking no discussion. “Listen to us. I think you owe us that.”
Justin’s hand was on his thigh now, and Pavel hated how right it felt, hated how every moment with these men was a greater temptation to a love he couldn’t have. Still, he could hear them out. One last time.
Sighing, Pavel nodded. Justin indicated toward Sebastian with his head. “Tell him what your mother said.”
The smirk fled from Sebastian’s lips, leaving the witch’s face intent and serious.
“Linda’s affinity is bond spirits. Familial bonds, mating bonds… That is where her power lies. She’s the closest there is to an expert. And she believes if we complete the mating bond, it will tether you to this world. That you won’t be in danger of going permanently dormant as long as we are alive and the bond is fully cemented.”
Pavel furrowed his brow. He’d never heard of anything like this before. Admittedly, he hadn’t known many mated gargoyles, and none who’d been mated while nearing their final dormancy.
“Isn’t she against you mating with us?” Pavel asked. Not knowing Sebastian’s mother at all, he questioned her motives. “Do you think she?—”
“No,” Sebastian said, cutting him off. “She wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. The injuries she inflicts, for better or worse, are all thoughtless or accidental.”
Justin rubbed his fingers down Pavel’s thigh to his kneecap. God, the vampire was so sweet.
