Lucien was silent a moment.
He didn’t like that Gregor wished to speak with him and his two closest friends who would be his two chief lieutenants should hostilities escalate. Further, having all of them there would mean he would be forced to leave Leah unprotected as, at that juncture, he did not feel he could trust another vampire enough to add to her security detail.
This could be a plot. It could also bode bad tidings. Or it could mean further inroads into The Council.
He wouldn’t know unless he took the chance and took the meeting.
His protection of Leah primarily involved his control of information shared with her, her interaction with vampires who might wish to frighten her into distrusting their culture, including Lucien, thus driving her emotionally away from him and, most importantly, her sleep.
Edwina and Leah herself would see to it that she did not slumber while he was absent.
Leah was not immune to fear but she’d demonstrated more than once that she trusted him and she further admitted, gratifyingly, that she felt safe with him. If vampires were to approach with the intent to scare her, she might get frightened but she’d await him to explain and make her feel safe.
Lucien did not fear for her experiencing bodily harm. Being Lucien, no vampire alive would be foolish enough to harm her physically. Except Katrina and his ex-mate only had the courage to act when pushed by emotion she was too weak in the heat of the moment to control. Further, Katrina had made it clear through copious communications with anyone who would listen that her emotion had shifted from anger irrationally directed at Leah to anger at Lucien. She was no longer a threat.
But it would be Lucien who told her, eventually, of the differences of their Arrangement. It would be he, perhaps, who would share with her about Maggie. And it was unlikely she would be approached by another vampire who wished to drive a wedge between them in the time it would take to have this meeting.
Making his decision, he repeated, “Arrange it.”
Avery nodded.
Lucien dismissed him by moving his gaze to Leah.
He wanted no further delays. The sooner the meeting with his family was conducted, the sooner he could get them on their way.
Therefore, he called, Tell your family good-bye, sweetling, and come to me.
It was an order but not mind control. And he was pleased to see Leah turn her head to look at him, tip it to the side then give him a small smile. Then he watched as she did as she was told.
Lucien returned Avery’s farewell and Leah passed Avery on her way in, stopping to get up on her toes to brush her lips to his cheek. Then she came through the door, the small smile still on her face.
“Is everything okay?” she asked as she arrived at him.
Not even close, he thought, studying her.
She was beautiful. Even more beautiful than Maggie. And like Maggie, Leah’s beauty had depth. It was in the inquisitiveness of her eyes that didn’t hide the warmth, a warmth she felt upon seeing him. It was in the hint of concern she also didn’t hide. Concern because she knew he was not pleased his family had arrived unannounced but further he’d also taken her away without explanation before she could encounter a single one of them. It was in her bearing. The way she wore her clothes. The way she felt about her family. It was his knowledge that she could and would say or do practically anything and most of it he would find interesting or amusing. And none of it he would ever find boring.
Until the sun falls from the sky.
The words of the Ancient Claiming Ceremony hit his brain.
Any immortal would seek these things in his mate. Beauty, depth, warmth, concern but more. Eternity was just that and that was a very long time. Any man would wish his mate to surprise him, amuse him, interest him and never, ever bore him.
If they had five years or five hundred, Leah would never bore him.
He knew this in that instant right to the depths of his soul.
Until the sun falls from the sky.
“Lucien?” she called softly, her voice warm too, inquisitive, concerned. She moved into him and laid a hand light on his chest. “Is everything okay?”
Until the sun falls from the sky.
Yes. Kate was correct. He needed to discuss things with Leah as a priority.
Finally, he answered, “They will be, pet. We’re going home now to have lunch with my family. However, I need to speak with you before we return.”
“Okay.” She was still talking softly and getting closer. When she did, his arms slid around her.