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you did, Hatori said to Mikimo. He kissed his older brother and then
walked from the room, casting one fond glance back at both of them
before closing the door.
Takumi s heart filled with joy, but he still shook a little as he
sat on the bed and embraced Mikimo. Tears began to fall before he
could stop them, but with Mikimo he felt no shame at showing his
emotions.
Takumi, please don t. I d rather be yelled at. Mikimo kissed
the side of Takumi s neck, which was a gesture of deep familial love
typically only exchanged between parents and children or siblings.
Takumi still remembered the first time Mikimo had greeted him that
way, when he d returned from a two week retreat when he was
fourteen. It had been the first time they had ever been apart for more
than a day, and the gesture touched him as much today as it had that
first time.
They re happy tears. Let me shed them. I ve been trying to be
strong for everyone else.
Mikimo pulled away and wiped at Takumi s tears. Everyone
else, hmmm? Hatori said you would have some news for me. He
smiled and shook his head. I m going to have to keep these vampires
away from the temple. They keep stealing good priests!
Takumi liked seeing Mikimo happy and hearing him joke, but
he still wanted to talk out his doubts. Mikimo, I ve been longing to
talk to you about this. He paused, not sure exactly how to put what
he felt.
I m very happy for you! Lord Ryu seems kind and loving,
and you and he have so much in common. You ll understand and
comfort each other very well.
Takumi finally voiced what he had not been able to say to Ryu
or anyone else yet. Seeing you happy makes me feel better, but I ve
had some doubts. I trust the gods, but I am frightened to give my heart
to someone simply because I ve been told it is meant to be.
Mikimo looked puzzled. You fear you won t come to love
him as he loves you?
Takumi shook his head. No. I am afraid he ll wake up one
day and wonder why the gods inflicted me upon him. A fresh tear
fell. He knew Ryu would be very upset to hear such a thing and would
protest vehemently, but Takumi couldn t help how he felt. He could
trust no one else but Mikimo, not even Satoru or Hatori, with this
secret.
Mikimo sat up, suddenly looking much stronger. Takumi,
that is a foolish thing to fear, and I mean that with love. You are fated
because you are perfect for each other. You are both shifters, and you
both lost your parents in tragic ways. Those are burdens any partner
would have a hard time understanding and dealing with. Lord Kyo
told me how you two reacted to one another when you met. Mikimo
held Takumi s chin firmly. You are handsome, kind, generous, and
honest. You put others before yourself in all things. Your sweet
temperament matches your attractive exterior. Anyone would be
lucky to have you.
Takumi didn t move. Only Ryu had praised him so highly, and
he didn t know how to receive the compliments. He felt ashamed for
putting himself down, as Mikimo had been trying to break him of the
habit for years. My head accepts matehood, but my heart is afraid of
pain.
Lord Ryu would never hurt you. I ve seen you two together.
There is true affection and kinship between you. Mikimo took his
hand away. Are you in love with him?
I believe I am, though I have not told him so. He makes his
love known, but he has not said the words. I asked for time to adjust
when he told me I was his mate, and he has given it most graciously.
He does not pressure me, but I can feel how much he wants more
from me. I know I can t keep him waiting this way. He has already
been more understanding and patient than I ever imagined he might
be. He cleared his throat. We have been intimate. There are no
doubts or issues where that is concerned.
There is nothing wrong with that, if that is one of your fears.
I know you well enough to know you would not give yourself
lightly.
Deep down, I know I won t refuse him, yet I can t make
myself take the step. I need your help.
Mikimo looked sad as he said, I cannot tell you what to do,
Takumi.
I don t expect that, even though part of me wishes you
would. When you were recovering, I often thought of what you might
say in situations. It helped me at times.
Mikimo shook his head. It is your heart. No other can tell it
what to do. He smiled and gripped Takumi s hand. Even you cannot
tell it what to do.
Part of my heart will always be here with you. Takumi
kissed his hand. I was so scared. Ryu showed me so much kindness
and consideration when I needed it the most, and he has done
everything imaginable to help. We have been searching for the other
captive s family.
Mikimo frowned. Other captive?
Yes. The other man the demon was using to keep Baril
alive.
Shaking his head, Mikimo said, You must not have seen
Satoru.
No, we came straight to your rooms. We entered through the
gardens, and I saw no one until I came into this room.
The other man was not exactly a captive. He s the demon s
son. I heard him arguing with Baril. He s the son of the last human
the demon bonded with before Baril, if I understood correctly.
That worried Takumi. He is? So he s our enemy?
Mikimo hesitated, rubbing his neck and shifting in bed. I
don t think so. I said he wasn t a captive, but he did not like what his
father did. It seemed like they were controlling him in some way.
They mentioned someone who would be hurt if he left. Baril was very
abusive to him. Baril called him half-blood . Satoru said Lord Loxis
learned his name somehow. I couldn t confirm if it was actually his
name or not.
He looked very weak the last time I saw him. I ve been
worried he would not make it.
He s a halfling, so he is stronger than he looks. Mikimo
sighed and sat back. I tried to remember everything I heard to help,
but I was drugged once they realized I was conscious.
Is Baril still alive? Takumi asked.
I believe he is. No one has told me otherwise. When I woke,
Hatori said he believed it was because Baril was weakening. His
coma is very deep now, his heartbeat barely discernable. If he dies,
perhaps the other man will wake.
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