2

"Daniel! Can we talk?" I hear a familiar voice call from behind me. I just stepped out of Sebastian's bedroom that I share while we are mated to each other. Turning around I see that it's Master Lucian. His expression is one of concern. It's obvious that he is one of the people that were in the family/meeting room that heard our conversation.

"Of course, Master Lucian. What is it that you wish to discuss?" I answer him bowing slightly with one arm across my stomach and the other behind my back as is routine for us butlers when greeting one of the Masters or Mistresses.

"Follow me to my office." He orders me before turning around to head in the direction of his private office.

All their offices are shielded around the clock to keep others of our species from listening in on anything and everything that takes place behind their doors.

Upon entering his office, I ask him instantly if there is anything that he needs such as food or a drink.

"No need. You like bourbon, don't you?" He asks me, grabbing the glass container filled with bourbon and pour it into two short square glasses.

I nod passively.

He walks over to me and hands me one of the glasses then gestures for me to take a seat on the black leather couch a distance from his desk while he sits in one of the two black leather chairs opposite the couch.

"It must be hard. To be a dropnutem it takes a lot of will." He speaks to me kindly looking me up and down before staring out of the large window to his left. "I remember the first time that Ahriman entered me. I was still human amid transforming." He continues, looking down with a smirk on his face, "Can you imagine? How it felt…. agonizing…yet unbearably pleasurable at the same time? Hmph, no other dropnutem has ever had to go through that. It was sweet torture being transformed in that manner. Haha…" he laughs a little and a pained look starts to form on his smooth ivory porcelain face.

"Do you hate him for that?" I ask him without thinking. Before I can catch myself, he replies swiftly looking up at me.

"Just as much as I love him." He pauses tilting his head to the side a little bit. "But that same night, Harimah's touch…it put me at ease. I haven't bore any children yet. So almost every night recently, he takes me. Even after all these centuries, it is still a challenge to have another male inside of you…to be expected to bear children. But it's what we must do as dropnutems. Do you understand Daniel? It is our way. We stopped being human the moment one of them streams their blood into us. Stop thinking like a human. Such thoughts could get you banished from this family, from this Manor, from our lives for however long they deem fit."

"Banished...One of us has been banished before? For what? When? That isn't one of the laws!?" I blurted out in confusion. I may not be a member of the First Council but like all the members of our species I am well versed in our laws.

"Yes, it has happened. He is still banished actually…but he isn't truly one of us just…a distant relative of our species. You will meet him soon and the others. When he was banished, they followed behind him." Master Lucian informs me. "Don't ask anyone even Sebastian. Act as though you never heard me say this."

"Yes, Master Lucian. But what is this? What law did he break to warrant banishment?" I ask persistently.

"A new law was created because of what he did. I expected it to happen because of the kind of man that he is. It amazes me that the others didn't see this coming." He adjusts his position in his chair bringing the leg that he has resting on his right knee closer to him. "He was highly against us using humans as slaves and servants. He voted against it in the First Council and has never been one to keep silent about his adamant disapproval of things. While the first human slaves were being trained and taught, he ruthlessly and brutally killed one of the slaves serving him. He was covered in blood and that poor girl was barely recognizable. It took much to clean up his mess after that incident."

"Are there any other laws that result in banishment if broken?" I ask curiously leaning in closer while placing my glass on the table in front of me.

"Just a few. That is the biggest one. Another is refusing your chosen mate whether it's refusing them as a mate or refusing to have sex with them and living in the same room. Refusing to have sex with your mate is the same as saying that you will not have a child which is on the level of trying to halt the continued existence of our immortal species. Of course, there is a limit given that we are immortal but as we are now, even the Drastida outnumber us. Reproduction is essential to our rule over the council."

"Definitely, of course that is very important, and I wouldn't think of ever doing such a thing." I hesitate, "It's just hard to adjust. I knew during the pairing ritual that this is my duty as a dropnutem but I have to admit it is a bit uncomfortable. Sebastian is so forceful, and everything seems so natural to him. I am not that comfortable yet."

"Does Sebastian know that this is how you feel? I mean all of it and not just minor details of what you are feeling." He asks me sincerely.

I lean back on the couch and fold my arms. "Possibly…I haven't told him directly but…every time he has his way with me…I tense up…I know that he feels that…but he hasn't said anything to me about it…so I just don't tell him." I admit shamefully.

"You must tell him Daniel. Otherwise, this will be an even longer and very exhausting century for you both. You can always come and confide in me if you wish, but he is your first mate, don't leave him in the dark. Talk to him honestly." He persuades me.

"I know. You speak the truth. Thank you for your council Master Lucian." I thank him graciously standing to take my leave.

"One more thing. Anything that you and I discuss in or out of this office must never be repeated." He reminds me.

"Understood Master Lucian." I respond respectfully bowing just before turning around to take my leave.