Page 80 of The Shadow of the Count
“Really?” Clark’s smile was too knowing. “We shall see. They have a way of finding us, these things that need doing. But we’ll take time to rest and heal.”
He ate the remainder of his croissant without answering, unnerved at the certainty that filled him. Clark was right, and Donnie knew he would answer the call.
It was their calling. He wasn’t sure why or how, but it was the truth.
“Thank you, Clark. I feel better knowing things are—are taken care of.”
“Anything you need, my friend. Well, I think I shall take a snack back to Jeb.” Clark waved the attendant over to get another plate and a glass of cold milk. “You take this one to Peter.” Clark nodded at the platter they were sharing.
“I will.” He ordered two more ginger ales. “Everyone needs to build their strength up.”
“We do. I’ll see you on the layover.” Clark paused after he rose. “And thank you for understanding.”
“Of course.” He did. He would have done the same with anyone who had been bitten.
He took his snacks to Peter, who woke up when he opened the compartment door, giving him a groggy look from those brown eyes he so loved. “Hello, love. All is well?”
“Yes. Clark wanted to—to talk to me.”
Peter’s gaze sharpened. “And make sure you were not a vampire?”
“Yes.” That sounded so absurd, but there it was. And he wasn’t. So that was good.
“I suppose I can see that.” Peter slid down to come and take the tray from him, setting it aside. “Can you hold me, love?”
“Of course.” He avoided that injured arm, taking Peter into an embrace.
Peter slipped closer, lips against his, soft and warm. “I was cold. This is better.”
“This is much better.” Donnie kissed Peter right back, wanting that closeness. “I’m so glad you—that it wasn’t worse. I couldn’t imagine a life without you.”
“No. I understand now. I wanted so badly to go my own way and be my own man that I didn’t realize how important it is just to be with you.” Peter kissed him again. “We can find our way together.”
“Together? You mean it?” Donnie craved this, the knowledge that Peter wasn’t going to run from him, from what they felt, anymore.
“I do mean it. I love you, Donald. I loveyou.”
“I know.” He stroked Peter’s back. “I love you too.”
“You were right. I was running away. I—I was scared. But there’s nothing to be afraid of now. Not like I thought.” Peter smiled. “Vampires, yes. People can go be damned.”
“They can. I have you. The count is dead. We survived him.” And now they needed to help Douglas heal; then they could begin the rest of their lives.
“Come back to bed with me and we’ll eat.” Peter drew him into the bunk, and Donnie went willingly. They had a few hours until Paris.
They could continue to keep each other warm until then.
Epilogue
Peter paced outside the fancy hospital room the doctors had moved Douglas to while they’d been gone, waiting for Donnie to come tell him what was going on.
Douglas was responding well to treatment. He understood that much. Charles had told them some of the story of the new doctor on the way in from the train station. Apparently, he used some sort of new treatment to stimulate nerves and muscles with a series of shocks.
He, Clark, and Jeb were waiting for Donnie to see Douglas first, though. He deserved the time alone with his brother.
Peter, of course, wanted Douglas healed and walking, but the selfish part of him wanted to take Donnie away, hide somewhere for a decade or so. Just be the two of them and make sure they had time to love each other.
Clark paced, but Jeb sat, looking pretty damn pale. He’d looked this way after Egypt too. The man took a beating for their calling. He really did.
