Warning: Mature content. Please keep comments respectful.

Seren P.O.V.

The letter sits on the end stand by the armchair in my room. I pick at a stray string on the chair. My eyes focus on the letter, recalling what's written within; renouncing my title as paladin to become Seren Farshine again.

I grasp the letter, retrieving the paper from the envelope to read over for the tenth time. The words never sound right. Even with Cyan at my side to write them, there's so much more I want to say. Vile words. Sorrowful ones. An apology to Olere, even if he assured me that this choice is my own. A curse at Paladin Nallin for frightening me, for abusing me as a scared child. A threat to Priest Aja and others like him for I don't believe I could restrain myself from harming him, at the very least, if we crossed paths again.

My hands shake so badly that the words blur in my vision. Then another hand comes into view to ease the letter from my grasp. I know who it is before Lore surprises me by making himself mighty comfortable in my lap. I grasp his waist instinctively, preventing him from stumbling to the floor. His arm wraps around my neck as he leans towards me, bringing warmth, comfort, and the strong scent of sweet apples. I bask in him, resting my head on his shoulder. He has his hair in a ponytail today, but a few strands have come loose to tickle my cheek.

After reading over the letter, Lore sets the paper on the endstand, then rests his hand beneath my chin. He eases me to look at him, a soft smile on his lips. "You did good," he says.

Is it silly to feel better from three simple words?

"We can send the letter from my estate in the capital if you would prefer, or I could accompany you to Trinia to make sure no one bothers you," he suggests.

I snort. "I think they would bother me more if you came along, especially since the last time you were there Cyan left with you."

"I suppose I am making quite a name for myself at the church." His grin widens. "Stealing a child, then one of their beloved paladins who shall from this day forth warm my bed."

I bite my lip to prevent a far too eager smile. "Is that the reason you stole me?"

"Not the only reason, but it's certainly high on the list. Second spot, actually."

We both laugh. He presses his lips gingerly against mine. I hold him a little tighter, enjoying these moments of intimacy. Before, when he got this close, I panicked. I wanted him, but I feared the thought of taking hold. Now, I fear the idea of letting go.

"I already planned to mail the letter," I say. "It'll be easier and I need easier right now."

Lore nods. I release a curse when his cool fingertips push beneath my shirt. Then his lips are on my neck, a soft caress mirroring the touch of his hand across my chest. My grip tightens on his waist, startled by the abrupt affection.

"Is your answer to tense situations always going to be sex?" I tease, not missing how quick he is to start unbuttoning my shirt.

"No, but I thought it would make a very good distraction," he replies, retreating to rest his forehead against mine. It'd be a touching moment if not for his hand tugging the belt from my pants. A bundle of nerves tighten in my stomach. My gaze drifts over his shoulder towards the door, fearful that someone might see. Not just Draven or Cyan, but the vampires here and who they might tell.

"I shut and locked the door," Lore reassures me. I hate that he has to, that my initial reaction was to make sure no one saw us.

How must that make Lore feel? Sensing that I want this to be secret. Would he believe I'm still hung up on him being a dhampir or that I'm not ready to be seen with him? I don't want that. I don't want to make him feel that way. I don't want to hear that frustration in his voice as he tries to hide that he's okay.

"Lore, hold on," I say, against his lips. I'd love to continue kissing him, but I do have something to say. He retreats, gazing down at me with a curious expression. I bite back a groan when he squirms in my lap. Now is not the time to let my dick do all the talking.

"I don't want it to always be like this," I blurt out, puzzling him more based on questioning gaze. "Us, I mean. Like this, in secret. You're not... I don't want you to feel like you're a dirty secret."

Lore stares for a few long moments, somehow left speechless. He squirms again, forcing me to tighten my grip on his waist. "I understand," he eventually says. "A lot is happening. I will be sympathetic, for now, but I am very needy. I do expect a lot of attention while we are in private."

"Lore," I whisper, leaning up to catch his lips. He's surprised, eyelashes fluttering for a brief moment. "I'm serious. I know that I ran before and I tried to avoid this, avoid you, avoid us, like back on the airship."

"Your reaction was understandable."

"This is when you should admit that I hurt your feelings."

Lore purses his lips. His gaze drifts to the floor.

"If I upset you, tell me," I say, reaching up to brush a few strands of hair from his face to tuck behind his ear.

"It did upset me," he mutters. "I was naive to think that you'd miraculously be okay with what we'd done."

"I don't think it was naive. You just hoped we'd stop dancing around each other and I want to stop. I don't want to pretend like these feelings aren't here anymore, do you?"

"I wasn't really the one hiding my feelings," he says, yelping when I pinch his side. "Okay, don't get grouchy." His fingers run through my hair, twisting a few strands around his fingers. "I don't want to pretend, but I genuinely don't want you forcing yourself either."

"I'm not. I'm really not. This isn't about the church or you being a dhampir. I don't fucking care anymore. However, I don't think it's safe to show ourselves publicly here. With Valyork, his children, those bastards outside, we need to be careful. I imagine after seeing our matching suits," I give him a playful glare that he rolls his eyes at. "They may suspect something, but it's better to be safe than sorry. We'll wait until we're home to be open."

Lore gapes, followed by a bright smile for some reason. He grips the collar of my shirt to crash his lips against mine. His tongue slips past my lips, mapping out every inch of my mouth. He kisses me hard, passionate, mind numbing, then retreats.

"What was that for?" I ask, heaving long breaths.

"You said home," he whispers.

I feel heat raging beneath my cheeks to the back of my neck. "Uh, well, you said I could stay with you, so Seymour Manor is home, right?"

"Yeah, it is." Lore is about to lean in for another kiss, but my mind decides to remind me of--

"The kids!" I shout, surprising him enough that he almost falls out of my lap. I hold him tightly. "Shit, what are the kids going to do if we return holding hands or kissing in front of them?"

Lore chuckles.

"We can't do that out of nowhere. They don't have faith in me yet. What if they get scared and think I'm some evil paladin trying to steal their Papa?"

Lore's chuckles turn to full on laughter, the sound growing louder the more I panic, which makes me panic more because this isn't a laughing matter!

"What if they feel obligated to call me some form of Dad, but they don't want to and that makes them build resentment towards the both of us? And there's even the chance that they'll feel like I'm taking up the time you could be spending with them. We need to consider how to approach this--"

"Seren," he calls, gripping my cheeks so my lips purse like a fish. His cheeks are flushed from his laughter, making him even more beautiful. It shouldn't be possible, but I swear he grows in beauty every passing day. "Your concern is very kind and it's proof that the kids can only do better with you around," he adds.

"What do you mean? They're still scared of me. I'm only tolerable because they feel safe knowing you're there, but if we're together and they see that, that comfort could completely crumble."

"They aren't scared of you," he urges. "Remember the day we played hide and seek? The kids loved that. They had so much fun, even Ashby kept talking about how nice you were when he hurt his ankle. They don't know you well, that's all. We'll change that and they'll be very lucky to have another around who worries about them."

"But what if they don't want to spend more time with me? What if they hate," I gesture between us. "This?"

"Stop worrying so much." He grabs my hand to kiss every knuckle, making my heart palpitate.

"I can't help it. There's so much going on. I don't," I press my forehead against Lore's chest, holding him tightly against me. He's so warm. "I can't seem to grasp what I'm doing. Something else pops up every time I think. If I'm not a paladin anymore, what am I? And if I go home with you, what am I there? What should we be?"

"We have more time than you think to figure that out. In fact, why don't we experiment a bit tomorrow? I'll spend the day with you in town. We'll stop at a few stores, grab you some more clothes, maybe purchase a book or two, so you may search for new interests. You can learn what the real Seren likes," he says, smiling.

I don't know what I'm more nervous about; us going out together after the fiasco with Valyork or me attempting to find what I like. What if I don't really like anything? What if I am just a murderous paladin?

"We don't need to do that all at once if you don't want to," he adds, likely sensing my tension. "But I do think it's okay to start somewhere. You're free now, Seren."

Lore surprises me by stepping out of my lap. I'm about to ask where he's going when he gets to his knees. I see that distracting me with sex is still on his mind and, frankly, it's on mine too.

My breath hitches in my throat when he kisses my chest, whispering against my goosebump covered skin, "You can become what you want."

I groan when his hand starts to fondle me through my pants. His lips move down my chest, nipping at the sensitive skin above my happy trail.

"You can kiss who you want." His hands grab the hem of my pants. I lift my hips, allowing him to shimmy the garments off my legs.

"What is it that you want, Seren?" He asks, gripping the base of my cock.

"I want you."

"That's a good answer," he says, starting to pump my shaft. "I want you too."

My hips thrust into his warm hand, pleasure coursing through me. Lore's touch is a burning fire that doesn't know pain, only pleasure. He leans in to crash his hungry lips against mine, eager and intoxicating. I tug on his jacket, desperate to feel his smooth skin. I literally just saw him this morning, every piece of him, but I want more. I want to see him again, over and over for the rest of our lives, which is somehow an exhilarating and terrifying thought. What has he done to me?

Lore marks my neck. My hands dig into his bare shoulders, trying to hold on to reality as his hand moves faster on my arousal. Pleasure coils in my stomach, burning embers hissing through my veins. Then the damn dhampir moves down my chest, lower and lower until he reaches the part of me that's most desperate for his attention. The moment his lips encase my arousal, I'm lost to the sensations of his skilled mouth. His arm presses my hips to the chair, preventing me from thrusting into his heat. He teases me with slow ministrations, the slow caress of his tongue along my shaft. He sucks on my tip, sending my senses into overdrive. My heels dig so hard into the carpet they could leave permanent imprints.

Then Lore's on the move again, sucking me off until his cheeks go hollow. My moans encourage him. He moves slowly when I grow too loud, dragging my pleasure out. Then he pumps my shaft, allowing his lips to caress my thighs. He kisses up my abdomen to my chest, taking my nipple between his teeth. He rolls the nub over with his tongue, using his thumb to tease the slit of my cock.

"Fuck, Lore," I gasp, hoping that we won't be stopping here tonight. As if he read my mind, Lore steps away. I watch him slip out of his jacket, teasing me by slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt. With a swing of his hips, his pants drop, allowing me to admire his beauty. I could never grow tired of this, nor the feeling of his naked body pressed against mine. I've become addicted, yearning for every bit of him. His attention. His smile. His laughter. His voice. His body, everything he has I want. I've never wanted anything or anyone as I want him; as I need him. I'd say this yearning is frightening, but by the way Lore kisses me, by the way he runs his hands over my body, it makes me think he feels the same.

Lore rests in my lap now, thighs on either side of me. He moans when I take firm hold of his ass. Our bodies rock against one another to make the room unbearably hot. I mark his chest, hungry for more of him. Lore whimpers when I play with his nipples, kissing the perked nubs before abusing them with my teeth. His hips move faster, grinding against mine the rougher I get.

"Get the lube," he says, moaning when my teeth tear into his neck. One flick of my wrist and a spell has the lube zipping across the room. Lore continues grinding against me when my first finger slips into his entrance. He kisses me, rocking his hips in slow motions that leave me reeling. Then the second finger wiggles in. He groans into the kiss, now resting against me as I spread him.

Reaching between us, I take hold of his arousal, wishing to ensure he feels as good as I do. Lore takes me to heights of ecstasy I didn't know possible. His sweet moans against my lips are hopefully a sign that he feels the same.

Lore thrusts into my hand, whimpering from the double stimulation. Initially, he can't decide whether to move against my hand or my fingers. But when my third finger joins and they curl inside him, Lore reacts beautifully; back bowed, mouth agape in ecstasy, and hair plastered to his flushed skin. He pushes back into my fingers, forcing them deeper, then he's whimpering from the rough penetration. I thrust deep inside him, curling my fingers to make his body spasm.

"Stop, stop," he says, breathlessly. "I'm ready."

I try to calm myself, to prepare for the heat I know to come. I want this to last. It's never enough with Lore. I want him more and more every passing moment. Watching him raise his hips, one hand reaching for my erection, I can't imagine anything more arousing. He lowers his hips slowly, making me groan from the heat suffocating my arousal. Lore chuckles, enjoying the slow penetration. He now rests his hands on my shoulders, letting himself ease onto my erection.

"Does that feel good?" he asks, biting my lip.

"Incredible," I answer, still firmly holding him. I kiss him, starving for his attention.

His hands run across my shoulder, down my arms, then over my chest. His hips begin a slow rolling motion, letting my cock rub against his walls. Then he raises his hips only to slam back down. It knocks the breath from my lungs and again when he repeats the action. Lore cries out, nails tearing into the chair. My own groans mirror his, the pleasure coursing through me hotter than any flame. He rides me fast, thrusting his hips with such intensity that I can't keep up. I admire his body, his muscles, the pleasured expression on his face, loving that I'm the one putting it there. There's lust in his eyes that mirrors my own. I pull him in for a long kiss, relishing in these feelings tearing me apart. Then I'm kissing his neck, his shoulder, his chest, whatever I can because I can't get enough.

White's already lining my vision. This angle of Lore makes the pleasure burn hotter. I can't take my eyes off him, his lustful eyes and his swollen parted lips that release erotic noise after erotic noise. My orgasm hits me hard. Lore curses, careening over the age too. He presses himself hard against me, moaning my name. There's only the sound of our heavy breathing afterwards. Bodies drenched in sweat, but I'm unbelievably comfortable with Lore in my arms. I kiss his temple, his neck, his shoulders, everywhere. He leans back, grasping my chin to kiss me. Tongues lapping languidly, teeth biting at lips, then he's marking my neck.

"We should really take a shower," I say, brushing the hair from his face. The ponytail is very loose now, allowing his deep ebony hair to frame his face. I never knew I liked long hair this much until now. I like playing with his hair, feeling the strands tickle my skin, and how it drapes over his shoulders. He's really the most beautiful man I've ever seen.

"Will you carry me to the shower tonight too?" He asks, already wrapping his arms around my neck. He nuzzles into my neck when I carefully remove the band from his hair, letting it cascade down his back. Then I grab his thighs. Lore laughs when I stand up, his legs wrapping tightly around my waist.

"Is this going to be my new nightly duty?" I ask, shivering from the kisses he litters all over my neck.

"I'll carry you from time to time," he whispers huskily against my ear. "Whenever it's my turn to take you."

My shiver doesn't go unnoticed. I feel his smirk against my cheek.

"I didn't hear a no," he whispers, making me swallow hard in, damn it all, eager anticipation.

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

I hit an important milestone on patreon so I decided to add a sex scene rather than fade to black. I've been oddly okay with writing them recently, probably because I haven't received any weird comments, woohoo! Anyway, our boys still had some serious discussion. Seren wants Lore to know that he wants to be open, just not here. Do you agree that they need to be more hesitant in Vexsis? And how will the children feel if they see Lore with Seren? How do you think Seren will react when they take a day to try and find what he's really interested in?