Blood Match

Chapter 13: Echoes Of Heartbreak

Liam sat alone in his room. Leo had left with Tristan after he finished feeding, walking out without a backward glance to Liam, who still sat frozen on the bed. Tristan cast a look of concern back at Liam and then followed Leo from the room.

Liam's thoughts were erratic, his heart racing at what he had just witnessed. It wasn't Leo feeding on Tristan that confused him—it was the connection they shared. It was intimate and transcendent. How could he ever compete with what Tristan and Leo had? What was he doing here, and what was he to Leo? Was all this a mistake? Had he moved too fast, caught up in the fascination of the new and forbidden adventure of becoming close to a vampire?

As his thoughts continued to race, he noticed that he was hearing music floating up from downstairs. The melody was hauntingly sad but tinged with hope—an elegy of sadness and hope in equal measure. He walked out of his room and started down the stairs, drawn hypnotically by the sound.

As he stepped into the living area, he found Leo at the piano and Tristan at the kitchen counter, consuming a large rare steak, mashed potatoes, and sautéed onions and spinach. Tristan waved at him and continued to eat. Liam stood silently, listening to the music and the emotion it contained. As the last note echoed into the atmosphere, Leo spoke, breaking the spell.

"I wrote this the first night we met. I meant to surprise you with it at a more appropriate time, but it seems now is just as good a time as any," Leo said, smiling sadly at Liam. "I owe you answers. Will you listen?"

"Yes." Liam went over and sat down on the couch. Leo got up from the piano and joined him.

"Tristan is special to me, but not in the way you think. There is no romantic connection between us. The intimacy we share is that of brothers. Tristan's family has been serving the Sanguinis Divina for centuries. The firstborn male is bonded to the reigning Divina as his brother and steward. In modern times, we simply say assistant. Although I could feed as regular vampires do—contracting a donor—I choose not to open myself up to the complications that come with such arrangements. Tristan has been fulfilling that need for me for the last 15 years, ever since he turned 18. Our relationship is close. I love him like a brother. I was there the day he was born and witnessed him come into the world, just like I had done with his father before him." Leo fell silent, allowing Liam to absorb the import of his words.

"So Tristan has fed you for the last 15 years. If we become serious, what does that mean for us? Will I be required to feed you?" Liam said quietly.

Leo sighed. "I will never ask you for more than you can give. Tristan can continue to fulfill that duty for me. I only want your friendship and, if possible, your love." Leo looked into Liam's eyes. At that moment, Liam could see the grief and the fear of rejection that haunted Leo. Would Liam reject him and thrust him back out into the cold darkness of loneliness just when he had stepped into the light?

"It is a lot to process, but I'm not going anywhere. Let's see where this goes. I can accept Tristan as an important part of your life." Liam reached over and pulled Leo to him. He reached out his other hand to Tristan, who got up and walked over to the couch.

Taking Tristan's hand, Liam said, "Thank you for taking care of him and loving him. Will you help me understand what I need to know to make this work?" Liam said, looking into Tristan's eyes.

"Absolutely, Mr. Von Anderson," Tristan said, smiling.

"Liam, Tristan—call me Liam. The three of us are part of a very special relationship. We will not be standing on formality any longer. Capisce?" Liam said, looking at the two of them.

"Capisce," Leo and Tristan said in unison.

"Good," Liam said quietly.