“I like it.”

“It is an abnormality.”

“I think it’s cute.” Nino grins, kissing him there again. “Will you feed?”

Haruka turns his nose up in mock displeasure before jutting his chin out to place a swift kiss on his lips. He leans into Nino’s neck, grasping his tuxedo lapels as he licks his skin. He gently bites down into his flesh.

He loves me.

Haruka doesn’t drink to pull Nino’s aura. Instead, he pours the most wonderful thoughts into his body. Love and trust—gratitude slowly trickling over his insides like a warm, chocolate drizzle. The sensation is all consuming, stirring Nino’s emotions and making them bubble and rise up his spine. With his head raised to the night sky, he closes his watering eyes. He could lift his arms and take flight from the pure high of the sensation.

When Haruka finishes, he licks his neck again, then slides his elegant fingers up to refasten his collar. Nino lowers his head, still trying to catch his breath. Haruka’s eyes are glowing bright red as he works. He briefly flickers his gaze up at Nino before focusing on fixing his bow tie. “You look exquisite tonight.”

“Grazie.” Nino smiles.

“If you will permit me, I would like to undress you when we return home.”

Nino’s entire body stiffens—his quiet attempts to calm himself thwarted. He furrows his brows. “If you keep this up, I don’t know how I’ll manage the rest of this party.” He looks down, taking in the thick, gorgeous material of Haruka’s kimono. It is impeccably designed with expensive-looking fabric. It almost shines under the moonlight. “You look incredible in this, Haru. It suits you perfectly… I wouldn’t even know how to take this off of you.”

With his bow tie restored, Haruka takes Nino’s hand. “I will show you.”

It’s happening. One of two. Nino takes a deep breath. No matter what he does, he can’t stop his heart from pounding—his nature from twisting and writhing.

Haruka loves him. Does this mean that he might change his mind about bonding? Is he open to the two of them intentionally trying?

Shifting his hold, Nino entwines their fingers. Now isn’t the time. Maybe later he’ll try to talk to him about it, carefully initiate the subject somehow. As for tonight, he’ll simply enjoy being reunited with this stunning creature. “Should we go back?”

“Yes,” Haruka agrees. “If you are comfortable, may I properly introduce you?”

“I would love that.”

They turn, walking hand in hand as they head back around the curve of the large estate. As the edge of the crowded garden comes into view, a young female is walking toward them. Her frame is small and wrapped in a patterned, soft blue kimono. She’s pretty, but as she draws closer, something about her eyes is disturbing.

Thirty-Five

Haruka steels himself, attempting to quell the immediate anxiety weighted in his chest. He squeezes Nino’s hand a little tighter as he addresses Yuna.

“Nino, this is Yuna Sasaki. Yuna, this is Nino Bianchi of Milan. He is my source.”

She offers Nino a slight nod of her head. Nino returns the gesture but remains quiet. Yuna’s eyes flicker down to their clasped hands, then up to Haruka’s face. “You did not mention having a purebred source when I sat with you on Wednesday.”

“I feel no obligation to disclose my personal circumstances to you.”

“Is he staying here?” She frowns. “Is he just visiting? Or is he going to oversee our realm with you?”

“Again, I am disinclined to answer such forthright questions. You are being disrespectful to my guest, and you have not been a designated member of this realm in seventy years.”

“Because I was ostracized, Haruka. But this is my home. If you formally and publicly absolve me, then others will accept me again and I—”

“Yuna, I apologize.” Nino smiles warmly. “But this is my first evening with Haruka in Japan and I’m looking forward to meeting his society members. Maybe this is something you can discuss another time? Privately?”

Yuna stands straighter, then offers a slight nod. “My apologies. I didn’t know you spoke Japanese.”

“The world is full of surprises,” Nino says.

“Agreed,” she says coolly. “Did he tell you that he may not be capable of bonding? It was a jarring realization for me to accept as a result of the broken vow between us.”

Haruka freezes. He registers Nino’s mutual stiffness at his side.

Yuna simply bows again, smiling sweetly. “I’m sorry that I was rude, Nino. Welcome to Japan, and please enjoy your evening.”

She walks away, her covert bomb successfully detonated. Nino turns to him, his coppery brows furrowed. “What the hell is she talking about?”

Haruka rolls his shoulders, stamping down his frustration. Has Yuna always been so undermining and selfish? Had he been totally blind with youthful whimsy and the inherent need to be reconnected with a family after losing his own? The more objective his view of her becomes, the more he sincerely questions the regard in which he originally held her.

“I promise to discuss it with you later,” Haruka assures him, gently pulling him forward. “For now, let’s enjoy our night together?”

Nino relaxes, softly bumping into his shoulder. “Alright.”

Throughout the night, Haruka marvels. He hadn’t been expecting Nino to arrive early to attend his welcome ceremony. Simply having him here feels like the world has shifted and become a much brighter place.

He has surprised Haruka even further. Nino has always adamantly expressed his loath and reluctance to engage within the aristocracy. His actions in the past have strongly underscored his feelings—his refusal to attend events with Giovanni and Haruka in Milan, his harsh silence at Signor Moretti’s dinner and even his complete disregard of the bonding ceremony invitation.

Tonight, though, Nino is different. He initiates conversation and speaks up for himself. He smiles in his bright, handsome way and asks questions. He is the same warm and cheerful purebred that Haruka knows privately, but polished somehow for these curious strangers. The response to him is a healthy mix of surprise and unquestionable delight, with vampires intrigued by Nino and asking him questions about his Japanese heritage.

As Asao drives them home, Nino relaxes with his head against the back seat. Haruka watches him in the soft moonlight—the car smoothly traversing down the winding mountain roads. His body is already strong again from feeding, accustomed to Nino’s unique brand of blood. He constantly gives of himself, never once asking Haruka for anything in return.

For the first time in a very long while, Haruka wants to offer himself. To somehow return the kindness that Nino has continuously shown him.

“You seemed comfortable tonight,” Haruka says, keeping his voice low in the quiet environment. “Has your opinion of the aristocracy changed?”

Nino turns his head to the side and opens his eyes. “It has. I stayed in Milan longer so I could spend time with G. He took me on all of his social and business excursions. Tonight was a piece of cake in comparison to what I went through following him around. Jesus.”

“Was it difficult?” Haruka takes hold of his hand, then slowly brings it to his mouth to place soft kisses against his fingers.

“Mm.” Nino nods, watching him. “I learned two things—my brother is a machine and God help the vampire who crosses him, and not all vampires in Milan are raging assholes.”

Haruka laughs. “Giovanni is an impressive purebred. I wonder if I will be as efficient and commanding as he is when I reach his age?”

Nino sits up and smoothly catches Haruka’s face with his palm. “You won’t be rude like he is, so I think you’ll be even better.” Nino kisses him playfully in the moonlit stillness of the backseat. Firm, sweet pecks, catching his mouth over and over. Haruka slowly moves down, brushing his lips against his neck and breathing him in when Asao’s voice booms from the front seat.

“Do not pull his aura while I’m driving this car. Wait until we get home, please—”

“Asao,” Haruka scolds, startled. Nino laughs, falling back against the seat. Haruka shakes his head, embarrassed.

Thirty-Six