Page 30 of The Mistress, the Monster and the Marquess

Lina wrapped her arms around him and gripped him hard, showing him that she was there to support him too. Then she inhaled sharply and spoke, her commanding Domme voice, breaking through his depression. “Antony, listen to me. Benedict wants you. He’s not leaving us. Do you understand?”

Antony’s sobbing decreased as soon as he heard Lina, the command in her voice the anchor he needed to pull himself out of his pit of despair. He nodded his head but squeezed his eyes tighter shut.

“You are to stop this right now. You are losing all the blood you just took from our mate.”

Antony forced his blood drenched eyes open and looked up at Lina.

Lina flew across the room and came back with a square of material. She wiped the blood from his face and bare chest. Her touch was soothing, further numbing the pain. “Listen to me. What you did was wrong, but Benedict understands why you acted the way you did, and he forgives you. But, now we must both listen to him.”

Nodding, Antony forced himself to sit up. She was right. Lina, his tiny female mate, picked him up and put him on the bed, then came back and did the same for their suffering human mate.

Benedict sat propped up against the rounded backboard, looking horribly weak and pale. He raised a hand, wrapped it around Antony’s neck and guided him onto his thigh.

Antony went willingly, the happiness returning to his heart like the moon appearing in the dark night sky as his cheek nestled into Benedict’s leg.

Lina sat opposite them, smiling.

He felt her contentedness, her pride. They were both hers now.

“Tell us, Benedict. Explain to us why you do not wish to become immortal.” Antony closed his eyes, too exhausted to say anything more.

Benedict’s voice was weak and strained. “I will become a vampire one day. I know I have to, at some stage, to stay with you both. However, I need to be human for a few more years.”

Antony stroked along Benedict’s long legs, his eyes opening again to watch his hand. What beautiful skin his mate had.

Lina asked the first question. “Because you want to maintain your place in society?”

A small smile crept onto Antony’s face when he heard Lina grind her teeth together. She was frustrated with the situation and with Benedict. He understood the feeling all too well.

They would have to pay a human to watch Benedict through the day if he was determined to stay mortal. They had to make sure he stayed safe... and alive when they couldn’t be with him.

“I’m sure we could manage a few years of that. Couldn’t we, Antony?” she asked when Benedict didn’t answer immediately. Lina stared at him expectantly.

Antony closed his eyes tight, nodding his head against Benedict’s leg. He would do anything to keep his mate.

Benedict laughed gently again. “I don’t care about society, and I don’t want to go back to my old life. Though, I think we should move out of London, to make it easier for my parents. They need to grow up, in a manner of speaking.”

Antony sat up, confused. “Then why would you want to stay human?” He cleared his throat, the sound strained and clogged full of unshed tears. He’d never felt like such a wreck. Not since he was a human!

Benedict looked down and ran his finger along Antony’s thigh.

Antony shivered, the touch unexpected and beautiful. Benedict really did love him.

“Because I don’t want you feeding from anyone else.”

Antony’s head flicked to Lina.

They shared a shocked glance, before returning their attention to their mate.

“We can feed from each other as vampires, Benedict,” said Lina.

Benedict shook his head and moved his hand closer to Antony’s swelling cock.

How could my body possibly respond like this after the night I’ve experienced?

“I know you need a human and you both love my blood, above all others. Correct?” Benedict continued.

Antony and Lina shared another glance. This was dangerous territory.

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