CHAPTER SEVEN

L iam worried about his two beloveds. They were men used to taking care of problems, and they most certainly saw the Earl as a problem. They went back to Liam's room and had a very long talk. He understood completely what they were feeling, and if he were in their shoes, he'd want to take action as well. He worked to convince them that this was too old, too important to his sense of self, and his promise to Arthur to just let someone else take care of it for him.

"This is my fight and I have to finish it." He sat on the sofa and Riall and Luke sat in chairs opposite him drilling him for permission to take over to make this all go away. He believed them when they said it would be finished before dawn if he just let them take over.

"Let us take care of you, Liam." Riall pleaded. "We can't lose you."

"I joined the Earl's army, and Arthur followed me. I thought it was good, honest work for a soldier and thought the Earl to be a decent man. Arthur believed me when I told him the Earl was building a legacy for his people, and the battles we fought on his behalf were for the betterment of many." The brothers moved to sit on either side of him on the sofa and placed their arms around him.

"I promised to take care of him, and all I did was get him killed. He was slashed and run through the heart by one of his fellow knights and left to die. I killed that man on the spot and swore to end the life of the man who sent us on such a dishonorable journey." He dropped his head and stared at his hands for a few seconds. He remembered the level of rage that was pumping through his veins as he rode to the castle.

"I have no regrets except where you two are concerned. I'm glad I killed him, and I have no qualms about killing the current Earl of Doncaster. Francis was no better than his father, and his dark deeds were well known. The world will not suffer for his loss." He turned to them one at a time as he continued to speak.

"I do regret putting you two in such a position. I regret that I may not get to enjoy the years we should have had together. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I am not without abilities. I will fight with all that I have and all that I am to come back to you, but I need you to let me do this myself for my honor and my dignity." He kissed them each on the lips and then sat back on the cushions as they lay on his shoulders.

"I love you, Riall, and I love you, Luke. You are the finest thing to ever enter my life. Please understand." He urged them to hear and to empathize. They held him and rained kisses across his face and throat and loosened his shirt in order to touch and taste, soothing their raging fear and soothing Liam's sadness. "You're all I'll ever need." Liam moaned into Luke's exploring mouth.

"You're all we'll ever want." They said together and quickly opened Liam's shirt and the waist of his pants. Liam was finding intimacy with his beloveds something he craved and ached for and wondered how he'd lived for centuries without it without knowing these two amazing men.

Riall took Liam's lips in a kiss that was scorching, and Luke was going after Liam's hard cock with both hands. This was exactly what he needed at this moment. Liam returned Riall's kiss, going deep and exploring the warm, wet recesses of Riall's mouth. The man was delicious.

He felt Luke's skilled hands and sensuous mouth on his hard, pulsating cock. The thoughts running through his mind quickly shifted from weapons and technique to love and satisfaction. His beloveds were indeed everything he needed in this life. He closed his eyes and fell into the sensations swamping him quickly, bringing him to the brink.

He continued to eat at Riall's lovely mouth, and Luke continued to pleasure him in ways he hadn't dreamed of. Riall trailed kisses down his throat and across his shoulder just as Luke took him down his throat with a pressure that he could not withstand. He came filling Luke's hungry mouth and groaning out in tense pants, his own satisfaction, feeling the fulfillment and passion only possible with his two perfect lovers.

"Do you feel better, my love?" Riall asked.

"I feel amazing."

"Good, relax," Luke interjected after licking him clean and kissing a trail up his chest to his ear. "Close your eyes, Liam, and relax." Riall placed his wrist at Liam's mouth, urging him to taste.

"Feed from us, you will need it." He said and Liam latched on and drank deeply. When finished Luke did the same thing and Liam drank from his as well. "Now sleep and gather your strength."

They laid together on the sofa silently because they knew their mate needed time to clear his mind and focus. If this were truly going to happen then Liam needed to prepare himself. Luke and Riall clasped hands and held their mate channeling every ounce of strength they could to him.

The Earl arrived at the outer gates just after midnight, and he was taken along with his entourage to one of the larger guest houses on the edge of the east garden. It was an area easily guarded. Master DuCane did not trust him or the men he brought with him, but protocol dictated that he be given accommodations and treated according to his station.

"Easton checked out the men he brought with him, and half of them, four of the eight he brought, are not members of his coven but rather hired mercenaries." That caught Louis' attention and brought a smile to his face.

"Really." He stated with emphasis. "Is it for simple fear of his surroundings or is there a hidden motivation?"

"He obviously doesn't trust his own men, or they don't possess the skill level he requires for this trip." Ismael speculated. "Ira told me he was not afraid but rather boastful and proud and looking forward to killing our cook, as he put it."

"I read the report Easton prepared on Liam, and it matches Liam's explanation, not that I doubted him," Louis commented. "I find his actions at the time to be warranted. He called him out, stated his grievance, and met him face to face. I know no one who would have done differently."

"Are you asking why the current Earl is so dead set on killing Liam?" Ismael asked, and Louis nodded.

"Liam's actions brought scrutiny down on them. Their acts of brutality and bloodthirstiness and the fact that they were traitors to the king were brought to light, and restitution was taken. Francis suffered a severe loss of assets, money, property, and position, and he has never recovered."

"He thinks by killing Liam, he can place blame and improve his standing in the vampire world." Louis scoffed.

"I believe that's the plan."

"Put extra surveillance on the Earl and his staff. If any step out of line, put an end to it immediately and make it memorable," Ismael chuckled and then shifted the subject.

"What do you think are Liam's chances of winning this battle?" He asked suddenly solemn.

"There is more to Liam than meets the eye. He has the training, so it's all a matter of calling it forth. We will see." Louis was hopeful.

"If god forbid, something were to happen to Liam at the hands of that vampire, what would be the attitude of Lord Fenrah, considering Luke and Riall are two of his right-hand men." Ismael broached the subject of the bond.

"I believe Lord Fenrah would be the least of our problems. I worry more about the actions of Luke and Riall Lightfoot. We have danced around this because we love Liam and trust Fate, but those two men are hard-core killers. If Liam dies, I don't give much for Francis Doncaster's life expectancy or that of any of his people. I just hope that they don't kill him here on DuCane property." Ismael agreed to that.

Liam showered and dressed and prepared to leave for the Bellam Chamber at two. He needed time to meet with Ismael and get prepared for the challenge there were many rituals he had to adhere to. His beloveds sat and watched him with looks that were inscrutable they weren't giving anything away.

When he was ready to leave Luke stood and pulled him into a kiss that demanded and promised in equal measures. "We will see you at the challenge and if you need us just reach out."

"I will." He was getting choked up; he had never felt so much for another being. He loved these men beyond comprehension. Riall stepped up and took his lips in an equally possessive manner. Liam was left feeling marked and claimed.

"I love you both so much. You've become my world in this short time we've had together." Liam wrapped his arms around them and pulled them close.

"We love you too." Luke spoke for both of them. "Go prepare yourself and we will see you soon."

"I will hold you in my heart." He said, released them, and walked away. It was the hardest thing he'd ever experienced since losing his brother on the battlefield.

Luke and Riall watched him leave barely containing their need to stop him and spirit him away from danger. "Let's check out the Earl." Riall stated, and they walked out onto the balcony. They shifted into two large ravens and flew away to the guest house on the edge of the east garden. The sun had not yet risen but the house was wide awake with activity.

When they arrived, they split up. Riall went to the terrace in the back, where several guards were seated, and Luke flew to the open window on the second floor. He stepped inside and moved to conceal himself among the décor.

"I'll be arriving at the Bellam Chamber in an hour. It's located in the central sub-basement, which has access through the underground garage." Francis was speaking with one of his men seated next to him on the terrace. Two others sat across from him and did not appear to be listening to the exchange. They were watching the DuCane guards.

"I trust you will be in a position to take care of any problems." His insinuations were obvious. The man nodded and left the terrace. Once he was out of sight, Riall shifted and followed him. He wasn't going to make it to the basement.

They continued to observe and deal with the threats as they presented themselves. They did not harm or approach the Earl they were simply making sure the challenge was conducted fairly.

"It's time Marsten." Francis announced and grabbed his sword and his daggers and headed for the Palace. Marsten followed several steps behind. "As my second it is important that you stay close and attend to me constantly." He barked at the man.

"Yes, sir." He responded. Luke and Riall followed the two to the Palace and fell back when they entered the elevator that would take them to the basement.

"The Earl is a cheating bastard." Luke stated as they stood together, staring at the elevator. "He's going to try something."

"We eliminated most of his plans." Riall reminded. "He will be expecting help that will never come."

"Men like him are used to their plans falling apart, and they are used to betrayal. It's how they live, so they expect it from others as well. He will have backup, so we need to watch him closely." Luke patted Riall on the shoulder. "Let's get ready. Our mate is going to need us close."

Liam entered the large room and saw the chamber situated in the middle of the room. The floor was concrete, and the bars were steel two would enter but only one would emerge. He closed his eyes and calibrated his heart and mind to the moment and the situation at hand. Francis had never been particularly skilled with a sword but he might have improved over the past centuries.

He was ready to put this business behind him and return to his beloveds. They did not deserve to be put in the middle of something so distasteful. He was so sorry that he upset them and put their bond in jeopardy.

"They understand, Liam." The Master had taken to calling him by his first name, and he found it oddly comforting. "Your beloveds are not children. They know the way of the world, and they know life."

"They are wonderful men, and they could have done so much better than this." Liam gestured to the cage and the room and to himself. "Fate was not kind to them."

"You will show them who you are, Liam. You will show the Earl who you are. This is the day you put your past behind you and start to live openly and earnestly. This is exactly what you and your beloveds deserve." The Master spoke words that sharpened his strength and focus. He could feel the blood of his beloveds coursing through his veins, and he could feel the power that followed.

He turned and looked at the Master, holding his gaze. "Thank you."

"It is time to prepare." The Master pulled a sword from his jacket and handed it to Liam. "This is one of mine and I want you to use it. I carried it in many battles and it has served me well." Liam took the sword and went through several moves feeling the balance and the perfection of the piece.

"Thank you." He was touched by the Master's generosity and impressed with the quality of the weapon. It would move with him and work with him in ways his sword could not. He took his piece and set it aside. He'd always used a long sword when in battle, but such a weapon was not ideal for cage fighting. The Master's sword was pure battle perfection.

He noticed Ismael walked in and come over to them. The Master excused himself after delivering a few more words of support. It was time to change, to meditate and get ready to meet Francis Doncaster Montagu- Scott the third Earl of Doncaster.

The room began to fill with everyone who loved Chef Reid filing in to provide support. There was still a pervasive thought that filled the air that this was unthinkable and that Chef Reid should not be in this position. Even today soldiers, guards and field operatives contacted Louis begging to be allowed to stand in for the beloved Chef.

Love for the man who provided not just to the physical needs of the men but also was always there with a kind word and pleasant smile no matter the issues at hand filled the room. Silas and Ira, who themselves had firsthand experience with the Bellam Chamber came up to stand beside the Master.

"What is the situation with the Earl?" He asked.

"The mercenaries have been dealt with. The Earl's hired army is no more. All that remains are his second and three staff members." Silas informed with a slight smirk.

"Is this your doing?" Louis asked, obviously pleased by the news.

"No, the ravens took them out one at a time and disposed of the evidence. We watched them and marveled at their skill and their methods it was quick, quiet and fatal." Silas glanced over at Ira who added his thoughts on the subject.

"They did what we couldn't and did it in a most efficient manner."

"They were planning something, but whatever it was, the Earl is going to be very much disappointed." Silas finished.

"He's a dishonorable miscreant so we need to watch the fight very closely and he needs to be searched thoroughly before being sealed in the chamber." Silas nodded that the challenge would be observed very closely.