Read Necessary Passion [Alchemy Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) for Free Online

somehow. He’d felt that way since he was a little boy. Maybe it was the part of him changed by Sky’s blood, or maybe the fact that hunters were closer to their prey than regular humans. Whatever it was, he enjoyed this time of day.
    The schoolmaster’s house was actually just a room above the general store. Sky dismounted and rang the bell for the upstairs room. The candlelit window in the room above the shop opened and a nightcap-clad man popped his head out.
    Aidan’s German wasn’t very good, but he managed to translate the short phrases to a reasonable degree when the schoolmaster spoke. “Lord Engleman,” he greeted in German, dipping his head. “What can I do for you?”
    “I have a sack of oranges for your students, Alban. I apologize for the late hour, but I wanted to get them to you before school started,” Sky said in English, smiling. No doubt he used English for Aidan’s benefit. He really was a beautiful man when he smiled. Aidan tried to pull his gaze away from the vampire but couldn’t. He had a certain magnetism that was almost impossible to resist.
    “I’ll be right down, my lord,” the schoolteacher reassured, switching to English. He ducked back into the room, no doubt to get some pants on to come downstairs.
    “You’re really loved by the villagers here, huh?” Aidan asked.
    Sky looked over his shoulder at him. “Loved? I don’t know. I am well-enough liked, I suppose.”
    Aidan was amused by Sky’s total lack of ego. Even Lucian had a swagger about him. But the German vampire prince just seemed to be a beautiful combination of humility and kindness. “Do they know what you are?”
    “I imagine so. I’ve been here for several centuries now. On paper, my son and heir inherits, but the locals know better,” Sky explained. The gray door to the shop was pulled open, and a slightly disheveled man in his late thirties with thinning dark hair and a full beard stepped into the doorway.
    The schoolmaster said something too quick for Aidan to translate as he looked at Aidan. He had to have been addressing him, but he couldn’t make it out.
    “I don’t speak very good German, so you’ll have to switch to English again,” Aidan said, frowning at the rapid-fire words.
    “Ah, English,” the man said. “I am Alban Bach. Charmed to meet you.”
    Aidan nodded. “Likewise. The oranges are good. I hope your students enjoy them.”
    The schoolteacher smiled. “I am sure. Thank you, Lord Engleman.”
    “You’re very welcome. Have a good evening,” Sky said, walking back over to his mount and swinging a leg up. “We’ll continue on our way.”
    The schoolteacher waved. “Good evening, gentlemen.” He shut the door as Sky turned his horse and continued on farther into the village. Aidan turned his own mount and followed. He didn’t know many lords who would’ve been so keen on giving up things from their stores, especially imports like the oranges.
    “You’re a kind man, Sky Engleman,” he murmured, knowing the vampire could hear the words.
    The vampire gave him an odd look as if he didn’t quite believe what he’d heard. “Thank you.” He shifted, and a feeling of affection came through the cord that linked them. “I’m surprised the maid didn’t answer the door instead. But I’m glad you met Alban. He’s a fine fellow. We should head back now,” Sky said.
     
    * * * *
     
    They were almost on the other side of the small village that neighbored his estate. Everyone here was already abed, the shops long since closed. Even the tavern in this small town closed early. He looked across the space that separated him from Aidan and drunk in the sight of the hunter astride Raven. He looked magnificent and commanding, his blond hair worn longer than fashion required and his light eyes filled with contentment.
    Sky felt the first tendrils of lust rise within him. It wasn’t unusual that he felt lust toward the hunter who was destined to become his alchemy mate, but it was odd that