Magnus grumbled to himself and ate his pie. He couldn't help remembering their first Christmas with Bethy, that was the year it felt like he had begun to live, not just exist. She changed everything.
Chapter One
Caspian walked through the Level Six Marketplace. He was hoping to find something or someone to break up the monotony of the endless sea of days that were blending together as the years rolled by.
The vendors gave him a short, incline of their head, then turned away. Everywhere he walked the citizens would quiet or cease talking altogether. The only ones that spoke to him were Founding and Noble family members that wanted to use him as an attractive arm piece at so-in-so's next ball.
Sighing he went to the transport tunnel and dove straight down to Level One. He knew most would kill to be able to live on the Royal Level, some had, but to him, the level was lonely.
He lived here alone with his brother and their squire Sebastian. Thank all the gods for their squire. His efforts made the cold stone walls bearable. He walked through their door. "Sebastian, I am home."
"Welcome back, Master Caspian. Can I offer you a refreshment of some kind?"
"A dry wine tonight Sebastian, and maybe something to help it go down?"
"I have just the thing. We got a delivery today of some fae cheese. It is from a new artisan I wanted to try. I think that would go well with the red I have in mind. Will you be in the antechamber?"
"Yes, Sebastian."
"Very well. I will bring it right out."
Caspian eyed the hard furniture. He hated it, but it looked regal, and unfortunately looks were everything on the Royal Level. It was the only thing keeping the schemers at bay, that, and the fact that his older brother grew a few inches during his last transition. Magnus looked as though he could easily wipe the floor with any one of those snot-nosed mouth breathers.
Magnus entered from the direction of his office, his ever present scowl in place. "Caspian," he said shortly, acknowledging him.
"Brother."
Magnus sat and looked about. "Sebastian?"
"Retrieving hors d'oeuvres for the evening. Fae cheese and a dry red wine," he informed him.
Magnus looked a bit relieved. "Good. Good." He eyed him. "I may have to ask a favor."
Caspian could barely believe his ears. His brother was asking for help? "You have only to ask."
"I have welcomed a scientist to come to Noctem Falls. He is making groundbreaking discoveries researching human blood. I would like to support his efforts for the good of our people."
Caspian fought rolling his eyes. Everything Magnus did was for the good of their people. "It would be an honor. When is he to arrive?"
Magnus grimaced. "He was supposed to arrive last week, but unexpectedly lost the mother of his child in a senseless carriage accident. He will be arriving tomorrow, with his daughter."
Caspian looked at his brother. "Mother of his child? Not his mate?"
Magnus nodded. "Correct."
"It is incredibly rare for a vampire to have a child with someone other than their mate."
Magnus looked him in the eye. "He is not a vampire."
"You invited a non-vampire to Noctem Falls? The Founding Families and Nobles will have absolute conniptions."
"He knows," Sebastian said, coming in with their drinks. He served Magnus first, then him. "But he believes that the knowledge this individual will bring is worth the headache."
"The massive headache," Magnus muttered.
Caspian looked at his brother. How many decades had it been since he had last seen him smile? "Magnus, once this gentleman is settled, what say you and I sneak off to Lycaonia for the holidays? I bet Sebastian could discover some new recipes to try while visiting another pillar city. I hear they do all the streets up in candles and decorations similar to what the humans do."
Magnus shook his head. "You can go. I need to stay here."
"It would be no fun to go on my own."
"What about one of your many admirers?" his brother asked.
There were days he hated his looks. Most assumed it was his only attribute and treated him accordingly. "That would be even worse than going alone."
"Then you will have to settle for just me and Sebastian again this year."
Caspian sipped his wine. "I would give anything for a change."
Sebastian gave him a funny look. "Be careful what you wish for."
He sighed. "Anything would be better than the mindless days that trudge by."
"Maybe this scientist fellow will help break up your day a bit," Magnus suggested.
"I highly doubt he will have any impact on my life beyond showing him where to eat."
Sebastian shook his head. "Famous last words."
Caspian raised his glass. "I should be so lucky."
*****
Caspian could only stare. The disheveled man before him, balancing a baby on one hip, with a large suitcase in hand, was his mate. The bandage on the man’s hand teased him with the scent of his mate’s blood.
They locked eyes and the man began to shake his head. "How?" he whispered. "How could such a beautiful man like you, belong with someone like me?"
"Your Highness, is all well?" the door guard asked.
The smaller man with the baby groaned. "You're a prince?"
"Marek, this man is my mate. Please arrange for all of his luggage and equipment to be delivered to Level One."
"At once, Your Highness," Marek said, bringing a fist to his chest.
"No, no, no, no. This isn't right. I was supposed to be given a small place on Level Four." The poor man looked so lost.
Caspian stepped forward and pulled both him and the child into his arms. "It is okay now, love. Yes, you were supposed to go to Level Four, but that has changed. I live on Level One, and I would prefer it if my mate stayed with me," he winked down at the man. "I would also like to know the name of my mate," he said, running a hand over the man’s soft curls.
The man blushed a deep red. "My name is Doctor Broderick Monroe," he turned his body. "And this is my daughter, Elizabeth."
Caspian's breath caught in his throat as she stared down into the unblinking blue eyes of his daughter. "Hello, little one. My name is Caspian Rioux, but you can call me Papa."
"Papa?" Broderick asked, in a whisper.
Caspian looked down at his mate. "She is now my daughter, unless you plan on denying me?"
Broderick barked out a laugh. "What sane man would ever say no to you? You're almost too beautiful to look upon."
Caspian grimaced. "I am more than my looks," he said, sighing.
Broderick stared up at him. "I meant that in a good way. There are much more important things than looks, like kindness." He smiled shyly. "The way you helped me when I was feeling overwhelmed and immediately accepted Beth, those things matter much more to me."
"Can I show you your new home?" he asked.
"I'd like that."
Caspian steeled himself before leading his new mate down to Level Six. He prayed that the vendors wouldn't be unkind to his mate. Him not being a vampire would be a very black mark against him.