“But…” Gideon didn’t continue, but his eyes drifted over toward Philippe.
“I’m going to step out on your balcony. I don’t think I’ve appreciated this incredible view yet,” Philippe volunteered, already heading toward the doors. Rafe gave a small nod, turning his attention to Gideon in his arms.
Opening the door, Philippe stepped outside and breathed in the rush of crisp, fresh air as it hit his face. His mind was swirling in so many different directions, leaving him struggling to sort through all the new and unexpected information.
The most disturbing was the flash of jealousy he’d felt at seeing the young vampire cradled in Rafe’s arms. But that vanished almost as quickly as it had formed. It took only one good look at Rafe’s demeanor to see that his concern for the vampire was not sexual, but paternal.
But Gideon wasn’t Rafe’s fledgling. All the information he had on the Variks indicated Ethan was the first fledgling any of the Varik brothers had made. Regardless, it was clear that Gideon was special to Rafe, even if Rafe didn’t make him.
And vampires generally didn’t feed from other vampires. Fledglings did occasionally in their first years if their maker was particularly generous. It was a way of getting a little extra boost of power. Sometimes it was just a way of getting through if a vampire couldn’t safely feed from a human.
Well, there was also the fun of biting during sex.
And then Gideon had come in limping. It wouldn’t have been safe for him to feed on his own.
He’d traveled from Blush to Rafe’s penthouse just to feed from Rafe?
Turning, Philippe chanced a look into the penthouse and his heart gave a little skip to see Rafe sitting in the chair with his eyes closed. Gideon was tucked tightly against him, his face pressed to Rafe’s neck as he drank down his blood. Rafe’s fingers threaded through Gideon’s hair in a gentle, soothing caress. The entire image was so tender and intimate, Philippe found himself turning away, feeling as if he was intruding.
“Thank you, Rafe,” Gideon said, his happy voice carrying through the open door. “I’m feeling so much better now.”
Rafe hummed softly, sounding a little tired but okay. “Shall we test it?”
Philippe turned to the open doorway in time to see Gideon deftly climb to his feet, moving with perfect grace and ease. Rafe rose and crossed the room to a table holding an open black case. When he lifted the violin to his shoulder, Philippe’s heart skipped for a new reason. Rafe was going to play.
As Rafe placed the bow against the strings, Gideon grinned broadly before hurrying over to an empty space between the bar and the furniture. He took up his position, one long, slender arm raised in the air and Philippe realized Gideon had been a ballet dancer as a human.
The notes rose from Rafe’s violin, and Philippe’s heart soared with it. Philippe needed only a few seconds to realize that Rafe was playing a modified version of the Arabian dance from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Rafe’s playing was so beautiful, and Gideon’s dance was perfectly matched to it. Slow and sinuous, the dancer moved as if he were part of the music. There was a haunting elegance and grace to him that stole Philippe’s breath away. He was getting a rare glimpse into something incredibly private. It was a gift he’d always treasure.
Rafe’s playing lasted only a few minutes, and Philippe was saddened that he didn’t get to hear more, but he loudly applauded when both Rafe and Gideon stopped. Gideon smiled and bowed deeply, while Rafe just winked, returning his violin and bow to the safety of the case.
“Beautiful, as always,” Rafe praised. He crossed the room with his hand extended and Gideon hurried to take it.
“Only because of you.”
“And you must pay for my gift.”
“Of course,” Gideon eagerly agreed.
“You must promise me to take either Lola or Ryder with you to hunt in the next three days.”
Gideon’s mouth opened and it looked as if he was going to argue, but he shut it again with a little click of his teeth and nodded. “I will,” he agreed solemnly but he didn’t look happy about it.
“You will also tell Lola and Ryder if you’re in pain again. They’ll offer their blood.”
“But—”
“I might not always be around,” Rafe cut him off sharply. “You being in pain is not acceptable to me. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Gideon whispered.
“You will speak to Lola or Ryder?”
“But Ryder won’t…”
Rafe chuckled as he placed his hand under Gideon’s chin, tilting his head up so that he was forced to look into Rafe’s eyes. “Ryder would be only too happy to supply you with blood every night if needed. Do you doubt me?”
A bright blush stole across Gideon’s pale cheeks, but Philippe wasn’t sure if it was the insinuation that this Ryder had a secret interest in Gideon or that Gideon secretly doubted Rafe’s insight into the other vampire. “No, of course not.”