Page 40 of Lore and Lust
“You broke a bond…” Cellina continues, seemingly the only one at the table capable of forming full sentences besides Haruka. “But you’re alive. I don’t—I can’t understand.”
“To be clear, I am not the instigator of the dissolution,” Haruka says, glancing sideways at the cinnamon-mahogany vampire seated next to him. His amber eyes are blinking. Staring. Haruka picks up his coffee. “Am I so grotesque to you now?”
“Never,” Nino says, his brows suddenly drawn together. “Of course not. I just, are you… in pain? Does it hurt?”
Haruka pauses just before taking a sip, considering. “Not anymore.” He is numb now. There’s no more pain, but there isn’t much of anything.
Shaking his head, Giovanni folds his arms. “Not grotesque. Just fucking unbelievable—”
“Giovanni.” Cellina’s perfectly shaped brow is raised in obvious displeasure. The room falls silent yet again in a poignant moment before Giovanni speaks.
“I apologize, Haruka,” he says, sitting up a little straighter in his seat.
* * *
Giovanni didn’t askHaruka any more personal questions. Having received more than he’d likely bargained for, the broad male intentionally transitioned the conversation to more impartial topics.
The plan is to introduce Haruka to members of the Milan aristocracy during his week-long visit. The practice is customary for a visiting purebred from another realm unless special exceptions are requested, as had been the case when Haruka first moved to Sidmouth.
Cellina had enthusiastically suggested that they attend a dinner party with her the following evening. With the additional need to conduct their own research for the new section ofLore and Lust, Haruka’s schedule in Milan is quickly filling up.
“I know Lina means well, but I would rather not go to this party.” Nino sighs heavily as they walk out the front door of the main house and into the bright, wintery afternoon. Nino’s bedroom is in the western structure of the main cluster of buildings. It serves as a small home unto itself. Luciano, Nino’s manservant assigned to his quarters, has taken Haruka’s luggage to the guest bedroom within his building so that they can stay together.
“You are adamantly reluctant to attend aristocratic events,” Haruka observes, walking just behind him. “Even more so than myself.”
“It’s obnoxious—pontifical, stiff old vampire rhetoric,” Nino says. He mocks, “My lord, your grace, dear me—oh my!” They enter the two-story home. It’s similar to the main house where his brother lives, but more intimate. Less opulent. They move toward the stairs, passing a small living room with white walls, earth-toned furniture and a speckled-brick fireplace. There are two rectangular windows offering a flood of bright light into the rustic space.
When they’re on the second floor, Haruka follows Nino into his bedroom. His friend holds the door, and once Haruka is inside, Nino closes it behind him. “Plus, G is already trying to monopolize your time by dragging you on his social visits. I told him we have things we need to do,” Nino complains. He kicks his shoes off before climbing onto his bed.
There’s a snug-looking armchair near the window, so Haruka takes a seat there. “We will accomplish our goals. There is no need to worry. We have much time,” he says.
Nino folds his legs atop the thick comforter and leans back against his palms. “I’m sorry if my brother made you uncomfortable during lunch. He’s pretty… forthright. If I’m being nice. It’s a good trait to have in business but it can be irritating on a personal level.”
“You do not need to apologize.” Haruka sits back, relaxing. Nino’s room is saturated with his natural scent. Something about it settles Haruka. It soothes him, like a warm, healing mineral bath in the cold winter night that is his life.
“You’re not mad?” Nino asks.
“No. The questions your brother asked were indeed direct, but not unusual.” He closes his eyes, reveling in the soft glow of sunlight pouring in through the glass and the heady smell of the room.
“Haru…” Nino’s voice is low. Haruka slowly opens his eyes, and when their gazes meet, Nino continues. “If it’s alright, will you tell me more? About how you were bonded before?”
Talk about my bond…He has never spoken of it. Not aloud. Not with anyone. It is a significant thing that has happened in his life—that in many ways has permanently altered its trajectory.
He inhales deeply, his chest rising and falling. Nino has been open with him on many occasions about his own life and experiences. Haruka supposes that it’s finally his turn. “What exactly would you like to know?”
Twenty-Three
What do I want to know?
Everything. Nino wants to know everything, but he isn’t sure he can process it all, because there are already too many things to digest. The thoughts are zipping around in his mind like shiny metallic dragonflies.
Haruka was bonded.
How long ago? Why? What happened?
Bonds can be broken?
Haruka is sitting in his bedroom… He smells nice.
