Chapter 109

Jerold

“That was wonderful.” Said Noah, still faking, and Victor shook his wrist, as he did with me.

I did not want to feel his cold, clawed touch, not after hearing him so fucking giddy about what will happen.

“I must express my happiness that you took so much interest in my people, that you know so much old vampiric. Even some of the younger generations have issue.” Victor beamed, likely only partly genuinely.

He’s a strange one. He would slit my mate’s throat if given the chance, or at least, hold him hostage to get me to tell him where the Realm King is.

“Well, the sun is starting to show his face.” I said in reference to dawn, and Victor nodded.

“Good night.” Said Noah.

“Good night your highness.” Said Victor. “Do keep him Jerold; keep him from my foolhardy son.”

“That you still call him ‘son’ when he does not attend shows me your favoritism toward Lucian.” I said honestly, and he nodded, despite any vampire in earshot finding somewhere else to be. I could tell I hit a nerve, but he remained smiling.

“Yes, but all my sons are a bit eccentric.” He said truthfully. “Good night your highness. May the sun not lick your hide.”

“As with you.” I said holding my mate’s hand…. I could feel he needed to leave. Both of us were at our limits, but I was used to dealing with the undead… I knew their hearts don’t beat, but it’s something else to see it.

I escorted my mate to our car, while Velvet had already made his way home. His wives ran his bar for him last night. Bloodhoof went with him, along with my private archer guards.

Noah didn’t know it, but I had their magic put to use tonight. Had a single hair been out of place, they would have started shooting wood arrows. I’m sure Victor knew of their presence, just as I knew of his vampire lord assassins that could float, being soundless.

I opened the door for my mate, who was stoic looking as me.

I made sure to drive off normally, and I petted his hair.

“You’re ok.” I said knowing he’d rain tears for this one. How could he not?

“I hated that.” He said resisting initially, but my hand on the small of his back seemed to be the tap to the faucet. How it pained me to see him so upset… so defeated. “I felt like a piece of meat.”

“You’re not.” I said firmly.

“Because you’re with me!” he shouted. “Humans suffer and there’s nothing I can do other than smile and make you look good.” He sniffled. I started counting his tears…. There are no words to express how useless I felt as a man that my man was so disheveled….

“Noah-” He motioned me not to comfort him, because I could hear…

He saw his feelings as weakness.

“Had I been without you, I’d at best be someone’s pet… at worst already dead… They chain us and show us off like fancy dogs at a show Jerold.”

He looked at me with those blue eyes that became hazel….

The light was red, and he leaned on me, and I felt… a different kind of anger, one I could not explain. One that made me understand why humans hunt fae…. If there was anything I could do for him to make him not fell like this I would take it from him.

I would do everything, anything…. but there was nothing wrong with emotion.

“Get it out. As much as you need. We don’t have to go straight home either.” I offered.

“I want to go home.” He sniffled. “At least there I don’t feel like a damn juice box.”

It broke my heart.

“Alright.” I said as the light turned green.

I would take care of my mate in his time of need, and I would make sure he knew that this was not weakness. It’s not wrong to be upset, nor did I want him to ever hide how he feels with me… How to word saying that, I wouldn’t know, but I’ll figure something out.

As it was, he hadn’t had anything to eat, and I know he felt a combination of tired, hungry, hurt, vulnerable…. and human….

I know today he felt the weight of his humanity, that there are people and places where he is not accepted, and Rolland pulled that shit to show off.

“Go take a shower my love. I’ll make us something to eat.” I offered.

“You don’t-” His stomach growled.

“Please. Let me do this. I need to unpack all this too.” I said giving him a kiss on the forehead…

“Alright.” he said wiping his eyes, and I wondered should I follow him.

I chose to hug him. He smelled of blood, fear, anger… anxiety. Unstable.

“My little mate, I hate that you yet again have seen our world for what it is.” I said as he wrapped his arms around my neck. “Thank you that you are human…. Thank you for your gentle heart, leadership, and compassion….”

“I don’t know why you even bother with me.” he mumbled, thinking I somehow wouldn’t hear that.

“I bother with you because you make my mind still.” I said kissing his forehead. “I bother because when I see your face, when I hear your voice, I know love. I bother because of you, I was able to sit there, and offer aid to Anuli, when I would have previously embarrassed myself, and went on a rampage, leaving early, and I would have been unable to hear her positive words… I am kind because of you…. I feel human because of you.”

I gave him a small, gentle peck on the lips. I hated that Rolland had his way in upsetting my mate, but I was glad that prick didn’t get to scent it, or see it.

This will not go unpunished either.

“You say that to a man who could have been on a plate or in a glass on a whim…” He said sounding pretty defeated, and I must admit, I think that was the first time Noah shunned his humanity in front of me.

“I say that to a man that because of him, I am free.” I said thumbing a tear. “And You are free. Free to feel however you please, but not defeated. You won this day.”

“But it doesn’t feel like it.” He admitted.

I carried him up the stairs. I could tell my mate needed a little nudge, and I would give it.

“It won’t. Vampires love psychological torture… They had tables of food, but served you blood. That you didn’t hesitate, nor squirm has the lot of them frothing at the mouth, Especially Rolland.” I said putting him down on the bed so he could undress. “Please, have your shower. Soak. I will be back shortly my love.”

“…. Alright.” he mumbled.

I counted 40 tears since we left.

I gave him one last kiss, and I could tell that he almost told me not to leave…. I almost didn’t… I almost stayed but he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten since before we left yesterday…. And as I left I heard him undress.

I washed my claws, since they would not retract. They will eventually I figured, and I had to admit, I ignored myself for his sake. He needed me back as soon as possible, and we could detox from last night.

We had some deli turkey, sliced finely and already roasted. I slapped it on some bread and threw some lettuce on it. He likes mustard, so that went on there too, and I sliced a tomato with a claw, eating what didn’t get put on the bread.

I put it on a plate and cut it in half.

I could hear him in the shower… He didn’t cry anymore, but I scented his agitation. I wanted to go in there… but I didn’t want him feeling like a pet… I didn’t want him thinking that I was going in there to flirt with him, when in reality all I felt right now was concern.

I pushed him.

I did this, yet, I also respected his wishes.

I knew he wasn’t ready…. I knew he wasn’t but I also wasn’t going to dismiss his ability to work either.

That would have also been wrong.

But none were more wrong than Rolland…

That blood sucker made my mate feel like a child…

\[Is Velvet home yet?\] I rumbled. Noah would not hear this, but I’m sure he might have felt it since I was so close.

\[Yeah boss, but his legs are out.\] Said Elija, one of my satyr that can use magic.

\[Give me the word your highness… None will be left.\] Said Velvet.

\[Rolland has disrespected me for the last time.\] I said firmly. \[But I want this to hurt him.\]

And I knew what hurt him. More than sunlight, more than silver…. His reputation. His wealth. His power. Killing him does little; he’s not even the true vampire in charge.

Teaching him not to fuck with me will offer better results.

He may have something left when I’m done, but it will be clear that is because I allow it.

\[…We can hurt him in ways that do not involve bloodshed.\] Elija bleated back.

\[Don’t stop until at least 45% of all his assets have been disposed of.\] I said angrily.

Rolland has his own coffers in this city, about 3 million in property and stock.

\[Everything his greedy claws have grasped, loosen his grip, and I want about… 40 pounds of vampire dust mailed to his door.\]

40 vampires are not enough…. but it is a den’s worth…

\[Alright your highness.\] Bellowed Eichel, his mate. The satyr work with Velvet, who hadn’t said anything, because I knew him. He was angered on my behalf, and with his legs out he’ll need to calm down before he aids them.

It’ll have to do, I suppose. A dusting for every tear.

Rolland will know who did this, but won’t be able to retaliate, since he won’t have evidence. And even if he does, who gives a fuck?

They often brag about ‘pruning’ their numbers; let me help.

\[Free every slave. I Don’t Care if they’re from the farms. Give them money, and send them to New Apple. The black caps I know there would gladly take in new tenants with my funding.\]

When he got out the shower, I could tell that he didn’t want to come out, but did because he likely heard my snorting.

“I know that face. I don’t know what you’re doing…. but I’m not inclined to stop you.” Noah said sitting next to me… I could hear him…. They made him feel dirty…

…That too broke my heart.

“I’m culling a vampire for every tear I counted, and freeing any thralls, slaves, or farmed humans.” I said firmly.

He was shocked I’d outright tell him, but I would not hide something this big from him.

“What an unfortunate accident we’re going to hear about then.” Said Noah.