been through more challenges and potential relationship pitfalls than any previous pairing that I’ve ever heard of, and you’re still together. No, not just together, truly devoted to each other. That surprises me, to be brutally honest.”
Katrina’s eyes darted to her former mentor and narrowed dangerously.
But Alton continued unabated by the warning signal. “And then there’s you specifically, Caleb: successfully paired with a vampire mate and supplemented by a vampire surrogate. I would say two guardians, but Devon Archibald is only temporary by agreement. That’s never happened to my knowledge, and I know a lot about vampire culture.”
“And?” Caleb beckoned. He wanted to know more and gain additional insight into the scenarios placed before him.
“And,” Alton answered with an uncustomary blank expression as his hazel eyes bored into Caleb’s directly, “I can’t wait to see what happens next. Though very little would surprise me. Or would it?”
Caleb shivered slightly from the distant and empty expression in Alton’s eyes, and he deliberately averted his gaze to stare out the window upon the expanse of city before them.
Further discussion was interrupted by the arrival of their meal. Alton deliberately lightened the mood by discussing the various points of interest that Caleb and Katrina needed to visit while in London. He offered the services of two of his human staff to escort Caleb through the city during the day, so he could take advantage of some locations that either weren’t open at night or didn’t offer viable vantage to human eyes in darkness. Katrina considered the merits of the idea, and while it saddened her that she couldn’t experience some things with her mate, she nevertheless wanted him to see as much as possible on their visit.
Caleb enjoyed the conversation, as well as the meal. His cottage pie was comprised of minced beef and vegetables topped with mashed potato, and he found it both delicious and filling. Alton assured him that it was a traditional entrée that he had frequently eaten as a human, though he offered few additional details regarding his human lifetime.
“The shepherd’s pie was excellent,” Caleb offered with satisfaction as he ate the last bite on his plate.
“Cottage pie,” Alton clarified.
“Isn’t it pretty close to the same thing?” he asked.
“Cottage pie is made with beef,” Alton explained in a practiced manner. “Shepherd’s pie is made with mutton.”
“Oh,” he muttered, filing the information away. “Either way, very tasty.”
“Just like you, my love,” Katrina offered with a sly smile. Very tasty, she silently added as she contemplated time back at the hotel with him. And sexy, she amended, considering additional options for their quality time together.
Caleb yawned after finishing his second glass of wine, though both vampires seemed completely awake and unaffected.
“Tired, my love?” Katrina asked.
He nodded and stifled another yawn. Geez, I could fall asleep on the floor right now.
“It’s probably the wine coupled with a full stomach and jet lag,” Alton suggested.
“Speaking of wine,” Katrina prompted. “How did you know there was a 1900 Bordeaux available?”
Alton smiled brightly. “Oh, didn’t I mention? I own the restaurant.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered, “It figures.” Thought so. Then she humorously contemplated Caleb’s weariness and whether she would have to carry her sleepy mate back to the hotel room or not. In the end, he managed to walk out using sheer willpower, and she couldn’t help but smile at him endearingly as she wrapped her arm around his slim waist protectively.
Okay, sleep, then sex, followed by “tasting Caleb,” she determined while following up on a previous train of thought.
* * * *
Chapter 7: Revelations
Caleb woke in their hotel suite a few hours following their return from lunch with Alton. The elder vampire had been correct that their flight, combined with the food and wine, had caused him to feel incredibly exhausted. He rolled over onto his back and immediately stared into Katrina’s beautiful eyes.
She smiled down at him warmly while perching on one elbow next to him. “Welcome back to the world of the conscious, my love.” Her fingertips tenderly brushed against the side of his cheek, causing him to smirk from the tickling sensation.
“Watching me sleep, I presume?” he asked before stretching and yawning.
She half-shrugged. “You’re the best view in the hotel.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, there’s always London through the windows.”
“I’ve seen London. I can’t get enough of you,” she said simply and kissed him on the lips.
“You’re spoiling me. Badly,” he warned.
She smirked playfully and teased, “Don’t worry, I’ll put you in your place if you get out