Delivered by the Defender (Kindred Tales)

“The Ma’shorkan version has plant-based ‘cheese’,” Valen said, nodding at the pot. “It’s actually the pulp of the volen root. When you heat it, it goes soft and molten, as you see. Try it.”

Selena wasn’t sure if she would like “root cheese” but it smelled delicious, so she was willing to try it. Picking up the sharpened stick, she stabbed a piece of orange vegetable and dipped it into the gooey volen melt.

“Well?” Valen asked anxiously, as she chewed and swallowed. “What do you think?”

“Oh my God, it really does taste like cheese!” Selena said, licking her lips appreciatively. “That’s amazing. And it’s plant based—does that mean it doesn’t have any fat in it?”

He frowned.

“I’m not sure about the nutritional content, though we can ask the waiter if you wish.”

“Maybe in a minute. We should probably eat it before it gets cold.”

Selena speared something else from her tray—a fruit this time—and dipped it into the ooey-gooey orangish-red cheesy mixture. The volen cheese had a rich, nutty flavor with just enough sharpness to it. It really did remind her of going to the Melting Pot restaurant back home and it paired beautifully with all the fruits and veggies and meats that had come on their side plates. It was best with the crusty bread though, which was a dark purple color.

They ate and talked—Valen even opened up a bit more, which was nice. He told her about being raised as a Pitch-Blood Kindred, and how difficult it had been. His parents had been none too pleased either—both of them had been normal Blood Kindred and they hadn’t expected to have a child with a “disability.”

“They didn’t think I would be able to carry on the family name,” he told her in a low voice. “It’s extremely difficult for Pitch-Blood Kindred to find mates, due to their need to bite and drink blood. So they…”

He trailed off and Selena held her breath. She was afraid to say anything—afraid even to ask him to go on—for fear he would change the subject again. But at last, Valen continued.

“They arranged a mating for me,” he said at last. “With a poor family, who needed the money. I was to Join with their daughter, Ka’leesa, when I came of age and first needed to drink blood.”

“What happened?” Selena asked, unable to help herself. She was literally at the edge of her seat.

He toyed with his food, a frown crossing his face.

“It was…not a happy union. We never consummated the Joining,” he said at last. “We—”

“Can I get you anything else?” the waiter asked, suddenly appearing at the side of their table.

Selena wanted to kick him! Valen had been about to open up about his past—maybe even tell her the reason for his vow to never take a bride—she was sure of it.

But with the waiter’s arrival, the spell of intimacy was broken. Valen blinked like a man coming out of a trance and shook his head.

“Just the bill, please,” he said politely. “And then, we really must be going,” he added to Selena. “The Pet Parade starts in just a few hours and you have to have time to get ready.”

“What is the Pet Parade, anyway?” she asked, after Valen had paid the bill and they were walking out the front door, into the icy cold.

He arched an eyebrow at her.

“I don’t know if I should tell you or not—maybe you’ll just have to trust me.”

Selena started to protest that she really wanted to know, but then an icy gust of wind took her breath away. It seemed to have gotten colder since their trip up the mountain. She was glad when the lift landed gently, just a few yards away.

Maybe once she got inside and got warm, she could get some answers from the big Kindred.

She hoped, anyway.

42

Back in the lift, they kept their coats on this time and Selena cuddled against Valen’s chest for warmth. Valen put his arms around her and held her close, enjoying the feel of her soft, curvy body against his own, much larger one. He liked the way she came to him for safety and protection and warmth, liked the way she snuggled against him so trustingly.

In fact, he admitted to himself, the more he got to know Selena Bates, the more he liked and admired everything about her. She was brave and beautiful and direct about what she wanted. She might be shy or ashamed at times, but for the most part, she lifted her chin high and reached for what the world offered her—including a Master who would treat her right.

Valen found, to his consternation, that he had an intense longing to be that Master—to be the male who took care of her, who dominated her and protected, and loved her and—

Remember your vow! You’re getting in too deep, whispered the little voice.