Page 69 of The Vampire's Receptionist
Isaac tipped his head, his eyes narrowed. “Is that why Dorian could only feed from you? Do vampires only feed from their mates?”
“Not all mates are that restricted,” Doctor Chapman answered as he breezed into the room. “About one in five vampire matings result in the vampire only being able to feed from their mate. It’s why Kian needs to be careful to take care of himself. If he’s hurt, it’s not only him who will suffer.”
It hit him like a ton of bricks and Kian launched to his feet, glaring at the doctor. “That’s what you wouldn’t say, wasn’t it? How long did you know? Why the hell didn’t you tell us?”
Doctor Chapman raised an eyebrow at him, his expression bored. “Most matings take time. Had I told you that first day that you were mated to Dorian, would you have taken the news well?”
Kian opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it closed again. Okay, no. He wouldn’t have reacted well. He didn’t know Dorian at that point, and the idea of being his mate would’ve freaked him out. He would’ve fought a lot harder about getting close to Dorian if he knew they were connected like that. But still…
“You could have given us a hint. I thought he was dying,” he grouched.
For the first time since they met, Doctor Chapman smirked at him. “Unfortunately, the possessiveness and temper come with all matings. If he thinks someone is a threat to you, he’sgoing to react like a caveman. It’s a mate thing.” He waved his hand dismissively toward Dorian’s friends, all mated and with sheepish expressions on their faces that said they experienced the exact same thing with their matings.
“Oh joy,” Kian deadpanned. He shot Dorian a warning look. “If you can’t behave, I reserve the right to put you to sleep again. I’m not having you pick fights with battlemages just because he argues with you.”
Dorian flushed, letting out a resigned sigh. Kissing the back of Kian’s hand, he said, “Yes, dearheart. Whatever you think is best.”
Taron snorted, leaning against Zephyr with a smug grin. “Whipped already, D? That’s just sad.”
“Like you aren’t?” Zephyr asked. Taron looked ready to protest, but Zephyr gave a significant look at Tony, and Taron absolutely melted when Tony smiled at him. He might be willing to pick fights with Zephyr, but Taron was definitely whipped for his human mate. He’d do whatever Tony asked him to do.
Leaning closer to Dorian, Kian asked under his breath, “You won’t be that pathetic, will you?”
Taron gasped, horrified, but Kian’s question made Dorian laugh, so it was totally worth it. The vampire needed to smile more. And he was going to make it his mission to keep him smiling every damn day for the rest of their lives.
CHAPTER FORTY
Dorian was allowed to go home after another night of observation. He was grateful for that, since he couldn’t sleep next to Kian while trapped in a hospital bed. Kian wouldn’t allow it.
“I don’t know why you’re complaining so much,” Kian said from the bathroom as he gathered Dorian’s toiletries. “This can’t even be counted as a hospital room. It’s basically a hotel room with some hospital equipment in it. You’ve got a freaking jacuzzi in your bathroom.”
Dorian felt a smile tug at his lips as he explained, “I’m a major donor to the hospital. There are some perks to that if I ever wind up in here.”
Stepping out of the bathroom, Kian studied him. “Does that have something to do with your mom?”
He sighed, resigned. He’d been avoiding that conversation, and he got the feeling Kian had spoken to his friends about it to stop them from asking earlier. He appreciated it at the time, but he knew he couldn’t avoid the conversation forever.
“Partially. It was my stepfather who was treated here. They did everything they could to help him, but there are just some things that can’t be healed with all the magic in the world.” Hischest ached when he admitted, “When he passed on, my mother joined him. She couldn’t imagine living without her mate. Death from a broken heart isn’t pleasant, and the hospital did what it could to ease her pain as she faded. I was grateful for that and have started donating both money and blood to show my appreciation.”
Kian sucked in a breath, gaping at him. “Blood? But vampires don’t donate blood.”
True. Most didn’t. It was risky to do so when they relied so heavily on blood to live. But vampire blood could cure illnesses that magic couldn’t. Especially vampire blood as old as his.
“I plan on donating twice a year for the foreseeable future. They only take a little, and it does a lot of good. It feels important to me to give back to those who took such good care of the ones I loved during their darkest hours.”
It was also something his mother did when she was still alive. In emergency situations, usually when involving a small child, they called in his mother for a blood donation. She saved countless lives doing that so often. And Dorian was proud to take up the gauntlet after her passing.
Stepping up to him, Kian cupped his cheek, kissing his lips gently. “You’re a good man, Dorian Kuramori. I never thought I’d have a mate, but I’m glad it’s with someone with a beautiful soul like yours.”
Dorian felt his cheeks flush under the praise, dipping his head to capture Kian’s lips again. He never felt so lucky as to wind up with someone like Kian. If his mother had still been living, she would have been so excited to meet him.
“Let’s get you home,” Kian insisted, stepping back. “You’ve already got discharge papers, and this place is so sterile, it’s making me feel a little nuts. I’m sure Doctor Annoying can check in on you at home later.”
Dorian chuckled, following Kian out of the room. He was moving on his own, but his ribs still ached if he had to go too far, and Doctor Chapman recommended a few more days of rest before returning to work. With Kian as his mate, he had no choice but to accept. Kian was stubborn about his care and refused to consider even letting Dorian work from home. He hoped to convince Kian to stay with him at least. He didn’t think he could take a few days in bed alone.
Nurse Lane, who had been one of his nurses during recovery, waved and smiled as they walked toward the elevator. It was only when they stepped into the main lobby that a thought struck. A horrible, terrible, absolutely heartbreaking thought.
“Oh goddess. What happened to my car?” Dorian croaked.
