“Yes my prince, make me yours.” Ashby pulled Gabriel’s head down to his neck. Unable to avoid the
gift his mate was offering, he buried his fangs into the side of Ashby’s neck and fed. He knew for a fact
they were mates when Ashby’s blood did not affect his mind, it sated his body but left him lucid. Ashby’s
blood tasted of every decadent treat he had ever sampled and he craved more. He heard Ashby cry out and
as a splash of warmth hit his stomach, he knew his mate had come again. Still he fed. He closed his eyes as
he felt the ice wall around his heart and soul shatter. His soul lifted up and danced with Ashby’s, they
merged and returned to their homes now for the first time whole. He lifted his head and licked the two
puncture marks so that it would stop bleeding but not so that it would fade, not yet.
“It is done. You are mine,” Gabriel moved to one side and pulled Ashby into his arms. They could clean
up in a moment, he never wanted to let go.
“Only you,” Ashby replied.
“You have pulled me from the edge of darkness my angel, I’m not sure I could have survived much
longer without you.” Gabriel laid gentle kisses on the site of his claiming bite and Ashby shivered in
pleasure. Gabriel grinned and slipped from the bed heading to the bathroom. He quickly grabbed a
washcloth and wet it with warm water. He walked back in and Ashby’s eyes zeroed in on his naked groin.
Gabriel winked at him as Ashby blushed furiously. Gently he cleaned his lover before tossing the washcloth
back into the bathroom.
“Why do your eyes change colors?” Ashby asked as Gabriel got into bed behind him and pulled him
into the curve of his body.
“I am one of the oldest of my kind, one of the first. As we age our eyes begin to reflect our feelings. At
first our eyes darken, then they are able to turn red with anger. Eventually if a vampire lives long enough
their eyes will change color with deep emotions. I know of only one other whose eyes can shift to a
different color than red, and that is Mikhail. He is the closest of anyone in the coven to my age.” Gabriel ran
a hand softly up and down Ashby’s side.
“So the older you get your eyes turn into mood rings?” Ashby giggled.
“It doesn’t sound as impressive when you put it like that, but yes, our age determines a lot of our
abilities. Only a vampire who is over a thousand years old is able to turn a human. I have set up a law that
any request for a human to be turned has to go through the council, usually only cases of human mates are
approved.” Gabriel leaned forward and kissed his mate’s shoulder. Ashby turned his head to smile up at
him.
“What else can you do?” His smile was infectious.
“I am the oldest of my race, there isn’t much I cannot do, mon ange.” Gabriel took advantage of
Ashby’s turned head and captured his lips. Ashby returned his kiss then pulled back.
“So you have to be a thousand years old to turn a human, when you’re really old your eyes become like
mood rings, and over time you acquire powerful abilities.”
“Yes and we’re extremely protective and possessive of our mates. Marching through time alone can
destroy your humanity. Having a mate makes you want to do better, to be better for them. I know that I
could not face eternity without you. I cannot go back to being alone.” Gabriel pulled Ashby even tighter
against his body.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere. I may be small, but I’m scrappy.” Ashby gave him a goofy grin.
“I’ll love you for forever.” Gabriel firmly wrapped his arms around his mate and closed his eyes.
“Always,” Ashby replied yawning.
Gabriel fell asleep holding his mate and for the first time in centuries did not suffer the nightmares from
his past.
Chapter 4
Ashby woke the next morning and stretched. He had the bed to himself. Gabriel had gotten up an hour
ago to go downstairs and see how the club had done during the night. He had kissed him senseless and then
promised to return as soon as he could. He smiled as he felt sore in certain places and recalled the three
additional times that Gabriel had taken him during the night. He reached up and touched the twin puncture
holes on his neck and sighed happily. He couldn’t believe that he was claimed and mated. He had to call
Nic! Grinning, he leaned over and dangled off the side of the bed as he rummaged in his pants pockets
from where they were dropped the night before. Humming he dialed Nic’s number.
“Hello? Ashby? You alive?” Nic asked answering his phone.
“Yes and I’m claimed!” Ashby fell back onto the mattress.
“Congratulations! Is he treating you OK?” Nic asked.