Page 40 of The Vanishing
“Haru…” Nino lifts, staring into his mate’s eyes. “Pl-please.”
His mate sits frozen, his gaze softening. “You spoke to me.”
I speak to you all the time.
“Yes, but hearing your physical voice…” Haruka shakes his head, his eyes glassy in the dim light. “I have missed it so much.” He leans forward, wrapping his arms around Nino’s shoulders. He can feel the subtle relief washing through Haruka, easing just a small bit of the thick tension.
“Come… t-to bed. With me.” Nino sits back from the hug, waiting. Despite having a tongue in his mouth his entire life, losing it for almost two months has been more impactful than he could have ever imagined. Even now, it feels bulky—awkward and making him trip over his words.
Haruka nods, standing upright and urging Nino to his feet as well. They walk hand in hand as they move through the silent hallways and toward their bedroom. When they’re inside and lying against the firm mattress, Nino tries to relax, but it’s impossible. Haruka rests on his back, unmoving beside him. He’s excruciatingly tense—taut like an overstretched rubber band and seconds from snapping.
Turning on his side, Nino faces him. Haruka is staring up at the ceiling, barely even blinking. Nino reaches and takes hold of his wrist.Please sleep?
“I’m not tired…” He turns his head against the pillow to meet Nino’s eyes. “But I sincerely wish that you would. It is paramount for your healing.”
Nino sighs, gruff in adjusting against his pillow. He hates this: Haruka wearing himself thin, the constant paranoia and this obsession with protecting him from some unknown event. Everything has changed because of Lajos—the healthy flow and peace of their everyday lives ruined. He’s starting to feel like a child on punishment for something that wasn’t his fault.
To make matters worse, the burning tingles of regeneration flare up within his jaws once more. He closes his eyes and groans from the familiar torture. Haruka turns on his side and into Nino, wrapping him up in his arms and holding him through the worst of the pain.
Twenty
“Good morning, your grace.” Junichi smiles, sitting at the table with Asao and holding a steaming cup of coffee.
Haruka draws closer, squinting from the flood of bright morning light filling the kitchen. Confused, he scratches his head. “I thought you were traveling in Europe until August?”
“I was, but plans change. Giovanni is back home and Cellina is leaving this weekend, yes?”
“Yes… Our outstanding responsibilities are settled for now, so I feel there is no tangible reason for them to stay.”
“Right. And how’s Nino recovering?” Junichi asks.
“He is excellent—sleeping, presently.” Haruka sits in the open chair at the head of the table, shielding his eyes from the light. It’s intense, lately. “His ribs are healed and he started working with a speech pathologist last week. This week, we will begin feeding therapy. Sora is coming today to draw my blood. But why did you shorten your trip? You always enjoy your business excursions to Europe.”
“Is the light bothering your eyes?” Junichi tilts his head. “You seem distressed by it.”
Haruka reaches up and rubs with his fingertips. His irises are burning—but not in the usual way when they alight. This is different. “I do not know why, but they seem irritated at the moment.”
“They look irritated. Asao told me you’re not sleeping at night… that you haven’t in over a month and you have a habit of passing out somewhere in the house during the day.”
“Did he?” Haruka drops his hands, narrowing his eyes at his manservant. Asao stares forward, ignoring him while he drinks.
“Haruka…” Junichi probes. “If you become nocturnal—”
“I am not.”
“Yes,you are,” Asao interjects, frowning. “You already are, Haruka. It’s a problem.”
“If you’re nocturnal,” Junichi continues, “weallhave to become nocturnal—do you understand that? Even if you don’t mandate it, our natures will follow your lead by instinct, because your essence is like a beacon to us. It’s old and powerful, and it impacts us. If we want to meet with you or conduct business with you, but you’re only awake at night, then guess what? We have to be, too.”
Haruka shakes his head. His eyes are burning and it feels as if his brain is swimming in murky water. “No—I do not want this community to change its practices.”
“Then why aren’t you sleeping?” Junichi asks.
“I… I cannot. Not right now.”
“Why?” Asao presses.
Leaning with his elbows on the table, Haruka places his palms against his irritated eyes, shielding them from the light. “Because Lajos is nocturnal. Nino’s attacker walks at night. How can I sleep and leave us both defenseless against him?”
