Page 65 of The Vampire's Receptionist
Taron flashed him a smirk, but he was looking a little too far to the left. Shapeshifters weren’t known for their night vision. With the room so dark, Taron couldn’t see much.
A small ball of light popped up in front of Kian, dim enough to not strain Dorian’s eyes but bright enough to shed a little light in the room. When Dorian shot a grateful look at Kian, he explained, “It’ll get brighter little by little, so your eyes have timeto adjust. Once the room is bright enough, we can think about turning on the lights.”
“Thank you,” Dorian murmured. He wanted to say something more, they had been in the middle of an important conversation, but he kept his mouth shut. They had an audience, and Dorian refused to break Kian’s confidence even to his friends.
“That’s a neat trick,” Taron commented, coming closer to study the little ball. His gaze shifted to Kian. “I’ll take it that means your magic is fully back? I’d been meaning to ask if you were cleared.”
Kian shrugged. “The doctor didn’t complain about it when I used it in front of him. I feel fine.”
“Well, good. I’m glad,” Taron said, reaching across the bed to clap him on the shoulder. Kian’s magic sparked, sending a shock up Taron’s arm, and he yelped, jumping away from him again. “Okay, I’m less glad now. Why are you so mean to me?”
A smirk pulled at Kian’s lips and he raised a lazy eyebrow at Taron. “Maybe don’t touch people without permission if you don’t want to get hurt then.”
Taron whined and complained, but Dorian saw Kian’s words in a new light. He wasn’t just being cruel. He was protecting himself. He never let people get too close because of what happened the last time he allowed it. It made his heart ache, and he wished he could do something to make it better. If he had the ability to go back in time, he’d protect Kian from such a cruel fate. He was more than willing to give Kian all the love and affection he would want without any strings attached. He never would have let the man get so lonely that he couldn’t see the red flags himself.
Kian glanced at him, and something in his expression said he wasn’t happy. Dorian assumed it was something he was doing,so he schooled his face and gave his attention to Taron to give Kian his space.
“He’s right, you know. Not everyone enjoys you hanging all over them.”
Taron gasped, putting his hand to his chest dramatically. “Lies and slander! Everyone loves me! Who would say no to a hug?”
The door cracked open and one of Taron’s mates, Tony, poked his head in. He was more careful about opening the door, which Dorian appreciated.
“He’s not causing trouble in here, is he?” Tony asked.
Taron’s mouth fell open. “You too, a thaisce? Why is everyone against me?”
Tony didn’t even bother to hide his smile, shaking his head at his mate’s theatrics. “Whatever it is you’re arguing about, stop. He’s supposed to be resting, not arguing with you. I thought you were only popping in to ask a question.”
Taron pouted but bounced back pretty quickly, swinging around to look at Dorian again. “That’s right. I had a purpose coming in here. I’ve tried contacting your mother since I know she’s your emergency contact, but her phone is disconnected. Did she change numbers?”
Dorian couldn’t find the words to answer him. He had still not told his friends about his mother’s death. It hurt too much to say out loud. And he couldn’t stomach the thought of even mentioning it right now. Not so soon after realizing he’d never have a chance with the man he was in love with. His heart couldn’t take any more.
Kian’s hand settled on his chest again, and he spoke for him. “I’m sure you can discuss that later. Dorian needs to rest. You can tell everyone to go home. He’s awake now, and according to my spells, he’s out of danger. I’ll watch over him tonight.”
Taron looked confused, but Tony had always been quick to pick up the emotions of others. He drew his mate out with promises to return in the morning and figure things out at a more decent hour. Dorian had until then to pull himself together. Knowing his friends, they wouldn’t let it go until he came clean. He wasn’t sure he would survive it. His already broken heart felt too fragile. He didn't want to face any more pain.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Kian saw the look on Dorian’s face when Taron mentioned his mother. He didn’t need Dorian to explain it to him. He’d seen that look too many times when he was an EMT. The pain and heartache only spoke to one thing. Dorian’s mother was no longer on the mortal plane. He wasn’t sure why Dorian hadn’t told his friends yet, but it wasn’t really his business. Or, at least, it wasn’t yet. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to Dorian about the whole mate thing. He still hadn’t wrapped his head around it himself.
When the nurse said they were mated, Kian had thought she was mistaken. Or joking. Fae didn’t have mates. Or that was what he had been told by his family. The only one who subscribed to the mate thing was his dad, but Kian had always assumed it was his mom who found her mate and his dad just kind of went along with it because he loved her.
But then again, Kian was only half-fae. The witch side of his blood could very well have a mate, and the nurse seemed to think Dorian was it. But it made him worry that their mating would only be half of what it could be. When only half of him could find a mate, would that make their mating half of what Dorian deserved? Would he be less invested in Dorian’shappiness than Dorian was in his? He didn’t want that. Dorian deserved to be loved by someone who could give their whole selves to him. He didn’t deserve half a mating.
If Dorian already saw him as his mate, though, the choice could be taken from him. Supes who subscribed to the whole mate thing only had one. They devoted their entire being to their mates and never strayed after they found ‘the one’. It was a fantasy level relationship. And if Dorian chose him, he wouldn’t choose another. If Kian walked away, he’d be dooming Dorian to living a half-life. Like the one Kian lived now. He couldn’t do that, especially not to such a sweet man. It felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest just imagining Dorian suffering like that. He was distrusting, a troublemaker, and he had a hell of a lot of baggage, but he’d do his best to keep Dorian happy. It was only fair since Dorian did the same thing for him.
Uncomfortable with the thought, he pushed it aside, giving his attention back to Dorian. He was still pale and disheveled, but he was on the mend. A few more transfusions, and he’d be back on his feet. Thank the goddess for that.
Pushing to his feet, he wandered into the bathroom to wet a cloth. There was still dried blood on Dorian’s forehead, and it was driving him nuts. He busied himself with cleaning Dorian up, careful not to wet the bandages on his head in the process.
Dorian’s hand came up, wrapping gently around Kian’s wrist. “You don’t need to do that. It’s not your job to care for me. I appreciate everything you’ve done thus far, but it might be best for us to have some time apart. I don’t want you to feel obligated to tend to me.”
Kian lowered his hand slowly, studying the man. It looked like it pained him to say it, and he wouldn’t meet Kian’s eyes. That look, more than anything, spoke volumes.
“So it’s true, then.”
Dorian’s brows furrowed and he glanced up at him. “What’s true?”
