Page 31 of The Mistress, the Monster and the Marquess

Lina spoke up this time. “Benedict, that is just sustenance, the food that keeps us alive. We will do anything to keep you with us forever, including turning you tonight and never tasting your human blood again. Any sacrifice would be worth keeping you safe.”

Antony nodded emphatically. He couldn’t have said it better himself.

Benedict set his jaw, stubborn as the day was long. “No. I want to be the one to feed you. Not forever—but for now.”

Antony couldn’t believe all this had been over Benedict wanting to please them. He was thoughtful, considerate, and generous. Tears welled in his eyes again. He had betrayed the soul who wanted nothing more than to please him. “Benedict... I...”

His lover silenced him by leaning forward and kissing him softly on the lips. His cool skin was a reminder of how much blood Antony had taken.

Two tears slipped down his cheeks.

Benedict pulled back. “Enough, Antony. I understand why you did what you did, but no more,” he said sternly.

Antony swallowed and nodded, unable to speak while he regained control over himself. It wasn’t easy. His throat ached with the need to scream out.

Benedict swayed slightly. “I’m tired, my loves. I need to sleep.”

Antony looked at Lina for direction.

She smiled. “The sun will be up soon, so we may as well rest too.”

Antony watched as Benedict curled onto his side.

Lina rolled into his chest, snuggling up.

“Here Lina?” Antony asked cautiously. He knew he looked ridiculous sitting up in bed, looking down on them. But he hadn’t slept beside someone in over a hundred years.

Lina’s eyes were already closed, her expression peaceful. “I got the bigger bed for a reason, Antony. Lie down,” she said softly, all traces of anger and judgement gone.

Bemused by her forethought, he lay down and spooned into Benedict’s back. With a sigh he laid his arm across his two mates and an unexpected electric shock shot right through him. He groaned and kissed the back of Benedict’s neck in gratitude and relief.

I am whole.

Lina moaned and gasped. “Did you feel that, Antony?” she whispered as Benedict dozed off.

Smiling, Antony closed his eyes. “Yes, my love. I think it means we’re meant to be. We’ll never lose him now.”

Epilogue.

Three years later.

Lina’s belly tightened in an expected way as she watched her beautiful mates together.

Antony was unbuttoning Benedict’s shirt slowly, kissing the skin as he revealed the muscles beneath, heedless of their audience. Antony was anxious and being overprotective.

She knew that he wanted everything to go perfectly. He wanted nothing but the best for the man who filled the hole in him that had been left empty for so long.

Their human mate was breathtaking, everyone thought so. They had been offered money, power, and other humans in exchange for him.

Lina smiled to herself as she remembered the sizable chunk of flesh Antony had ripped out of the last vampire to suggest they share Benedict with others. She would never have believed such happiness could possibly exist as they had found together.

Despite his mortal status, Antony and she enjoyed every moment of loving Benedict. He had given them so much. His love, his devotion, and his sweet blood every day. They didn’t feed fully from him, but he always offered while they made love, which was so often it sustained them and meant all the more.

Thus, both Antony and Lina never needed to feed from anyone else and Benedict was happy. Their unique relationship had survived despite all the naysayers. In fact, they had flourished—all three of them. It was like an impossible dream come true.

“Please come forth,” said Sil as he held up his arms and beckoned.

Lina and Antony stepped forward and flanked Benedict’s now naked body. A ring of vampires old and new surrounded them. A few laughed, a few looked envious, but mostly Lina saw only happiness from them. Finding your blood mate above was a rare and precious thing; and most vampires recognized that above all else.

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