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    The Vampire's Kiss
    The Vampire's Kiss
    The Vampire's Kiss
    Ebook108 pages1 hour

    The Vampire's Kiss

    By Marie Medina

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Loxis lost his fated mate years ago, and he put aside all ideas of ever falling in love. He devoted his life to fighting demons and helping their victims to fill the void left in his heart. Everything changed when he was summoned to fight a demon and help rescue a young man named Hiroki. Loxis can’t fight his feelings for the damaged young man, but he fears scaring Hiroki with his desires.

    Hiroki has finally emerged from a lifetime of pain and torture, and he wants nothing more than to share that life with the man who rescued him. Loxis treats Hiroki as if he is made of glass, though Hiroki knows he sees longing in Loxis’s eyes in unguarded moments. As they embark on a mission to Hiroki’s homeland, he vows that he is going to make the vampire acknowledge what is happening between them, no matter what he has to do.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEvernight Publishing
    Release dateMar 18, 2014
    ISBN9781771307697
    The Vampire's Kiss

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      Book preview

      The Vampire's Kiss - Marie Medina

      Published by Evernight Publishing at Smashwords

      www.evernightpublishing.com

      Copyright© 2014 Marie Medina

      ISBN: 978-1-77130-769-7

      Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

      Editor: Karyn White

      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

      WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

      This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

      DEDICATION

      To Howard

      THE VAMPIRE’S KISS

      The Year of Stars, 3

      Marie Medina

      Copyright © 2014

      Chapter One

      Valladora

      3151, The Year of Stars

      Loxis had been too concerned about what lay ahead to smile much that day, but still he managed to do so as his sister Lavinia came across the garden toward him. He embraced her and kissed her forehead before looking down into her eyes.

      Tell me all about him, Lavinia said. I was overjoyed to read Kyo’s letter and couldn’t wait for all of you to arrive.

      Most of what I know is sad, Lavinia. Hiroki’s life has been very hard.

      But what is he like? I’ve only had a slight glimpse of him. I understand you’re only alone right now because he’s bathing. She grinned. Perhaps you should help him, actually. That might break the ice.

      Loxis gaped at Lavinia. He expected such comments from their brother, Ryu, but not from the elegant lady standing before him. That would only scare him.

      Lavinia frowned and then asked, How do you know? You two have been attached at the hip, I hear. He might be waiting for you out of deference to your social status.

      True, but I have no idea what his sexual preferences are, plus he is shy, which is why we haven’t been socializing with everyone else. Loxis studied the moon blossoms growing near them, reaching out to touch the large blooms. And I believe he was physically—and perhaps sexually—abused. There are many dark places in his head.

      Oh, I’m so sorry, Loxis. She reached out and took both of his hands in hers. I hope that isn’t true, but I know enough of demons and the kinds of humans who bond with them to understand your caution. Her face fell for a moment. Oh, Loxis, I didn’t mean it that way.

      Don’t be sorry. My mother’s choice was foolish. I know you meant nothing against her specifically. He hated how his adopted siblings were so self-conscious about even distant references to his mother, while at the same time he loved them all more for the extra care.

      Kyo and Ryu are very worried about you. Is there anything any of us can do?

      Loxis still regretted keeping his mate’s death a secret from his other siblings for so long, but he’d not wanted to be the object of pity. He knew he should have told them long before he developed feelings for anyone else, but it had been so awkward to bring up. Lavinia had learned his secret because she’d come across him just after his mate’s funeral, when he could not yet control his emotions. Are they hurt?

      They are not thinking of themselves or their own feelings right now. They worry that you keep to yourself too much. She moved one hand up and touched his cheek. I am so glad you confided in me, but I still worry about you as well. I’ve tried to give you space all these years.

      Loxis squeezed her other hand affectionately. I know. And I am very grateful.

      But perhaps your melancholy days are over. Many vampires still find happiness after the death of a fated mate. Perhaps you and Hiroki met for a reason.

      They linked arms and began walking through the garden, away from Kyo’s castle. I hope you’re correct. I never imagined myself falling in love. Meeting Ana was so different. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t stop thinking about a woman until I tasted her blood. My feelings changed almost instantly. My feelings for Hiroki have developed more slowly. I wanted to protect him at first, and gradually I came to care for him more. Helping him means so much to me.

      You will take him to Hephaesta soon?

      Yes. Kyo has written to Lord Damara and his mate. Today Hiroki has promised to explain everything to me. We’ll depart the day after tomorrow unless I see a reason not to.

      Lavinia reached out and plucked a sprig of lilac, bringing it to her nose. Focus on being his friend. You understand his struggle with his demon half, and you are probably right about him having metaphorical demons as well. Try to show him love through friendship.

      I am trying. We’ve been sleeping in the same room, but in separate beds. At Yoshinaga, Satoru and Hatori stayed close most of the time, yet Hiroki still sought closer contact with me. He has nightmares, and he’s crawled into bed with me a few times. But there was nothing sexual. It was like comforting a child. Since he’s human and so much younger, he might see me as a father figure. The gods know he’s never had one. I do not want to misinterpret any of his signals.

      How old is he?

      He’s nineteen. Man enough for a human, but not yet of age for a vampire.

      Lavinia shrugged. Do you worry he’s too young?

      Not exactly. His experiences have forced maturity on him. He’s very thoughtful and wise. He’s practical and serious, like Kyo. As they turned on the path, Loxis glanced to the castle. But he’s fragile. Damaged. He’s still a child inside. It is why I want him to have no idea I have feelings for him. It might prove too much.

      Yes, you should tread carefully. For once your reserve and ability to keep your mouth shut will serve you well.

      Lily and Jasmine came bouncing down the path, their brown curls trailing behind them. They wore matching gowns, but Lily’s was yellow while Jasmine’s was green.

      Yes, girls? Lavinia asked.

      Hiroki came looking for you after bathing and had tea with us, Lily said to Loxis.

      Did he? Loxis asked. He was glad Hiroki was moving around the castle without fear. He’d made it very clear Hiroki would be safe in Kyo’s home, though he wondered how the young man felt about everyone keeping such a close eye on him.

      Yes, and he talks about you constantly, Jasmine said. We pretend not to notice, but we answer all of his questions to your advantage.

      He has a crush on you, Lily said with a wide grin.

      I do not think that is true, Loxis said. He could feel Lavinia squeezing his arm. He glanced down to find her grinning at him as well.

      We promise we told the truth, but we tried to make you look good. He was very impressed.

      He’s had a hard life, girls, and I was likely his first friend. We’re both demon halflings. We have bonded—it’s not a crush.

      Lily and Jasmine looked at each other and laughed. If you insist, Lily said. Whatever it is, he’s looking for you. He’s constantly watching every door when you aren’t in the room.

      I know. I should go to him. He kissed Lavinia’s hand and then kissed his other adopted sisters each on the forehead. In reality, they were all cousins, but he loved being a big brother to the twins. Thank you for taking care of him.

      You’re welcome, they said in unison as he walked away. He could hear them giggling with Lavinia. He trusted that they had meant well, but he did wonder what they had said to Hiroki. Since he and Hiroki were not fated mates, Loxis knew he would have to win Hiroki based entirely on his own merits. He knew he was fit and attractive, and he constantly received compliments on his long, thick blond hair. But did Hiroki find him attractive? Now, Hiroki was

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