Page 37 of Immortal Bonds

It was quiet for a moment, then another voice came in.

"Mr. Uncle, you made Daddy tear up. He told me I had to connect to your brain, but it's really hard because I'm human, so please no crying."

The unmistakably little sound of Archer's voice made Thalric smile. The sweet Little was adorable. He'd hoped that once he and Creighton were out of their newly-mated phase, as well as Romilly and Archer, the Littles could get together and spend some time with one another — maybe in the playroom with Eden and Hadrian about, though Hadrian had been absent as well.

So much was going on in the castle, so much going on in San Noctis. It felt as if every day brought some new question or revelation. His horde had been in an even state for a long time. They didn't need him.

San Noctis didn't truly need him either, but maybe he could find a way to be useful here too. He was going to move no matter what after realizing his mate was here. His Little Biter.

The idea that he would face a new challenge was appealing. It made him want more.

"Go love on your Daddy, Little Archer. I'm going to make sure my mate is rested. Maybe tomorrow the two of you can play together," Thalric said softly. He didn't want Archer to feel as if he was being given a command. That would be one way to upset his nephew even more.

Sounds fun. The words were the last thing he heard before the mental bond cut out.

When it was just him in his mind again, he sighed and let his head sink deeper into the pillow. New beginnings awaited him. Come morning, he would find out just what that meant.

CHAPTER 14

CREIGHTON

Creighton woke up with a groan. His cock was rock hard and throbbing, and his fangs had descended. He ached to bite into something. No, not something.

Someone.

His mate.

Just like that, the reality of it all came into focus. His mate was here. He knew who his mate was, and he’d bitten him in a sort of claiming act. Creighton, for a moment, was horrified.

Sure, he had permission, but they were both in shock. They were both dealing with the knowledge that they had just found their mate.

Were they being rational? Did they truly know the depth of what they were agreeing to? Had he taken advantage of his Daddy?

Creighton shivered at the thought that he might have done something wrong with his mate. That he might have misread a situation. His panic stopped when he felt a hand run up his back.

"What's wrong?" Thalric said in a sleepy voice.

"Why do you think something's wrong?" Creighton said, horrified to know he'd woken the other man up. Taking advantage of him was bad and interrupting his sleep was even worse.

Thalric hummed. "Can feel it," he mumbled. "Can feel you," he added.

Creighton paused. He could feel him. Could feel his panic. It sounded like it could be a lie. Like the man was trying to pull his leg or something. But when he closed his eyes and listened, he could feel it too. Could feel the way his mate was drowsy, then fighting the urge to go straight back to sleep.

"But how?" he whispered. "How can I?"

Thalric rumbled, and the move vibrated Creighton's head where it lay against his chest. "Mate," he said, voice thick. "You are my mate. Therefore, I feel what you feel."

"But usually you have to exchange bites before that happens."

Thalric chuckled at that. "Yes, but I’m a powerful dragon, and you’re a vampire. One who I believe to be much stronger than you let others see. Am I right, Little Biter?"

The man's voice was intoxicating. It made Creighton want to simply agree with everything he said, but he caught himself before nodding along. "I'm not sure what you mean," he said instead. "I'm just a normal person."

Thalric didn't immediately agree with him. In fact, he didn't say anything to agree or disagree. Creighton wondered if he'd gone too far, if the little white lie wasn't so little when speaking with his mate, or if Thalric could feel his power the way he was saying. Would their bond reveal the truth of Creighton's past?

Creighton groaned, not looking forward to that discussion. He never wanted to have to explain his past or why he didn't live with his family anymore. They were trouble, plain and simple, and he didn't want to be around them.

Not to mention, they didn't understand the fact that he was gay. To them, it only made sense that he carry on like them. That he produce more heirs for the family line and behave how they wanted.