Blood Match
chapter 59: You Are My Home
Everyone entered the hall again in silence. The coven leaders moved slowly, as if weighed down by what they had seen and its implications. No one spoke.
Liam waited until they were all present. He stepped forward, with Leo and Tristan beside him.
“The long night is ended. A new day dawns. Take what you have witnessed back to your covens and prepare them for what is to come.”
The coven leaders looked at one another for a brief moment, then began to file out. The elders tipped their heads in a gesture of respect and followed after them. Alexi, Maria, Joseph, and Kara, who had remained on the periphery, stepped closer.
Liam waited until the hall was empty before he spoke.
“Alexi, what is the news regarding Don Antonio and his associates?”
Alexi’s expression remained controlled.
“Don Antonio and Elenora have left the country. Don Bernardo, unfortunately, did not make it. He fell victim to Don Antonio’s wrath.”
Liam was visibly unsettled for a brief moment. Then his expression hardened.
“That is another death he will answer for,” he said. “His time will come. The VHA in Spain cannot be allowed to stand. Can it be done?”
Alexi nodded. “We have already moved operatives into position. All that remains is the order.”
Liam looked to Maria, then back to Alexi.
“Then do it. Maria, go with him.”
Maria nodded.
“Now that we have settled that matter, Leo and I will be off limits for the next twelve hours. Leo has a very important task to attend to.”
“What task?” Leo asked, looking genuinely confused.
“Showing me how much you love me,” Liam replied, nuzzling into his throat.
A low growl rumbled in Leo’s chest. He turned to the others.
“You heard the man. Off with you. I’ve got work to do.”
He looked back at Liam, hunger unmistakable in his eyes.
As everyone began to disperse, Tristan heard Liam’s voice in his head.
Go spend some time with Mercy. She’s been very understanding about your needing to be with us since the attack. Now it’s time to give her your full attention.
Love and gratitude flowed back through the bond, and Liam smiled as he watched Tristan leave to find Mercy.
Gideon didn’t know how much time had passed since he had been chained to the column in the sun chamber. The moon had already moved out of position, and its silvery light no longer spilled through the opening in the ceiling. Only the softly glowing glyphs remained.
Suddenly, the glyphs flared, turning an angry red, as if heat had flooded the stone. Then they faded, returning to their familiar golden glow.
Gideon stiffened, pulled from his complacency by the sudden wrongness in the air.
The glyphs flared again—red, brighter this time, so intense he had to squeeze his eyes shut against the glare.
Then, all at once, the light vanished.
Not the darkness of night, but something else entirely.
A darkness with weight.
With presence.
Leo lay quietly, his hand playing in Liam’s hair as they rested together, Liam’s head on his chest. He smiled, content, listening to Liam’s heartbeat as it slowed to an easy, steady rhythm.
Liam’s hand traced slow circles across his chest, the touch electric, threatening to awaken the predator that had just been tamed.
Liam sighed. Leo tensed—he knew what was coming as emotional color flowed through the bond.
“No, no. Don’t say it. Don’t.”
“Leo—”
“Just—”
“Leo, we need to have a family meeting, and time is running short. I’ve already mentally tapped Tristan on the shoulder. He’ll have everyone gathered in your study in an hour. We need to get up. Come on, my lion.”
Liam shifted to climb out of bed, only to be pulled back down by strong arms and kissed soundly. For a moment, he wanted to surrender—to sink into that kiss and damn the rest of the world.
Liam knew he couldn’t win if he played fair, so he didn’t. He attacked Leo’s ribs, tickling him for all he was worth. Leo’s arms loosened, and in that moment Liam danced out of the bed and out of his reach.
“No fair!” Leo whined.
“Well now, you have to catch me,” Liam said as he ran into the bathroom.
Leo sighed when he heard the shower start. Well, we might as well make the most of getting ready. He smiled as he hopped off the bed and followed him into the bathroom.
The fire burned brightly, the room warm enough to hold back the winter chill. Kara and Joseph were seated together on one of the loveseats, close, speaking quietly. Maria and Alexi had taken chairs on either side of the fireplace and were also deep in conversation.
Leo and Liam entered without ceremony.
Liam crossed first to Kara, kissing her cheek, then rested a hand briefly on Joseph’s shoulder. At the same time, Leo moved toward Maria and Alexi. A moment later, they switched—Leo greeting Kara and Joseph, Liam turning to Maria and Alexi—an easy, practiced exchange that included everyone.
Leo took the other loveseat, Liam settling beside him. Without thinking, Leo lifted his arm so Liam could lean comfortably against his side.
At that moment, Tristan entered with Mercy. Liam rose at once and crossed the room to kiss Mercy’s cheek, speaking quietly to her. Leo drew Tristan into a warm embrace.
As everyone settled, Liam caught Alexi’s eye.
“It is done,” Alexi said quietly.
Liam nodded.
Then, looking to both Alexi and Maria, he added softly, “Thank you.”
Tristan and Mercy took a set of armchairs, still holding hands, as if they couldn’t bear not to touch.
Liam waited a moment before he began to speak.
“It’s time for Leo and me to return to New York. We planned to spend the solstice here in Spain, and Christmas in Brooklyn with my family.”
Everyone looked up. So much had happened that no one had expected Leo and Liam to hold to their original plan. The world had shifted beneath their feet; things were different now.
Liam reached over and took Leo’s hand. It was a small gesture, but a significant one. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
“We’re leaving for New York tonight. We’ll spend Christmas as planned.”
Sharp looks met the announcement, all eyes turning to Liam. He could feel the confusion, the unspoken questions pressing in.
He took a breath, let the moment stretch, then smiled.
“But we’ll be returning to Spain after the New Year. Leo is the Sanguinis Divina, and this is his ancestral seat. This is where we will live.”
“Sunshine, your home is in New York. Are you sure you want to move your entire life here to Spain, just like that?”
Liam had kept his thoughts carefully guarded, so Leo was caught off guard by the decision.
Liam smiled softly. “Leo, home is wherever you are. You are my home.”
Liam knew he had to move quickly. There was a great deal to settle before they left, and the sooner he did, the better.
“That brings me to the Gallery. With Leo and me moving our residence to Spain, it’s going to need someone who can give it their full attention. So I’m giving it to Kara and Joseph.”
“To run, right?” Kara asked softly. Joseph reached over and took her hand.
“No, Kara,” Liam said gently. “I’m giving it to you and Joseph. I’ll still send you photographs to display, and I’m sure I can persuade Leo to part with a few pieces from his vast collection so you can expand the Gallery’s reach. But it’s yours now. This way, it stays in the family.”
Kara rose at once and crossed the room. Liam stood to meet her, returning her embrace and kissing her cheek. He then reached out to Joseph, who joined them, standing close at her side.
Only two more things remained to be settled.
Liam looked over at Maria and Alexi.
“Maria, can you stay in Spain and give Alexi a hand while Leo and I are in New York?”
“Of course, Liam,” Maria replied without hesitation. “I think it’s time for a change of leadership in Mexico. Mirena and Reynaldo are ready. They can lead there while I help you here in Spain.”
There was one last thing to do.
Liam crossed the room to where Mercy sat beside Tristan. Taking her hand, he crouched in front of her chair.
“Mercy, thank you for sharing Tristan with Leo and me. I know there have been moments when it may have felt like you were on the outside. I want you to know that you aren’t. I’m grateful—for your patience, and for your trust.”
He smiled gently. “You’ll be coming back to New York with us. You’re important to Tristan, and you’re important to us. No more leaving you behind.”
Mercy leaned forward and kissed Liam on both cheeks. Tears filled her eyes as she said softly, “Thank you. Thank you for seeing me.”
Tristan stood and touched Liam’s shoulder. Liam rose, and Mercy did as well. Tristan pulled him into a brief embrace, then took Mercy’s hand, and together they left the room.
Maria tapped Alexi lightly on the arm, and they rose to follow. Leo stood and kissed Maria’s cheek, nodding once to Alexi. Maria slipped her arm through Alexi’s, and they left quietly.
Kara leaned in to kiss Leo’s cheek, and Joseph pulled him into a quick hug. Then they, too, turned to go, pausing to kiss Liam before slipping out.
Leo and Liam stood there a moment longer. The room was silent now, where only moments before it had been filled with the people who made up their chosen family. Liam took Leo’s hand, comforted by the connection.
“Are you sure about this, sunshine?” Leo asked, drawing him close.
“Yes,” Liam said softly. “From the moment Xandi appeared to me, I knew this was where he was pointing me.”
“Thank you, Alexander Portelescu. Thank you,” Leo said quietly, with reverence.