Temptations Mate: Chapter Thirteen

Entering Caisle�n always left Kurt feeling disoriented. One minute they were surrounded by the dense wood and entering a hollowed out Sugar Maple, the next they were enveloped in a mist so thick that Kurt couldn't see to the end of his nose. The ground seemed to disappear from beneath their feet and they were suddenly moving at a speed that not even Blaine could replicate. The pressure and force knocked the breath from Kurt's body. And then, as quickly as it began, it was over and they were standing in front of a massive castle nestled into side of a mountain overlooking a crystal lake.

Kurt was, just as he had been on previous visits, overcome with an emotion he couldn't quite name and didn't understand. He'd never spent any extensive time in Sam's domain but he felt oddly at peace whenever he entered. He supposed it was his Caereni blood responding to the realm of the fey but even that didn't account for the overwhelming sense of belonging he experienced whenever in Sam's kingdom or when in the presence of the Prince himself.

"Are you alright, dear one?" Blaine asked worry causing his brow to furrow.

"I'm fine, Blaine. I just…I've only been here thrice with William but I always feel this vague sense of…familiarity when I'm here," Kurt explained.

"You are one of Sam's people, well partly anyway," Nick amended, "It makes sense that you'd be at home here."

"His home is Wildwind," Blaine snapped out, the arm he had draped around Kurt's waist unconsciously tightening.

Nick rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, we all know Kurt's home is with you. I just meant-"

"Gentlemen, and I use the term loosely," Kurt broke in, "we really don't have time for this. We've kept Sam waiting long enough."

"Indeed ye have," a lilting voice with a distinctly Irish accent agreed. "I'm Rory and you're late."

"We-," Kurt began.

"Tis alright my boy, but let's get a move on, eh? As they say lose an hour in the morn and you'll be looking for it all day," Rory gave Blaine and Nick a critical look before continuing, "and something tells me these two would like be done with our bit o' business before sunrise."

"What business would that be, exactly? What does Sam want from us?" Kurt asked as the trio followed Rory down the grand hall.

Rory stopped so suddenly that Nick ran into his back, nearly toppling the both of them and Blaine had to reach out and grab Kurt to keep him from stumbling into the duo.

"Sam doesn't want anything from them," Rory said slowly, giving Kurt a guarded look. "His business is with you."

Blaine moved so swiftly that Kurt barely had time to register him letting go of his hand before the vampire had shifted and pushed Rory up against a wall, fangs fully extended and every muscle in his body quivering with restrained violence. "What does Sam want with my mate?"

Rory rolled his eyes, before reciting a small incantation. Suddenly, Blaine found himself clutching nothing but air, with Rory beside Kurt, smirking at him. "If you're finished we can continue on."

At the baffled expression on Blaine's face Nick muffled his laughter. "He's quite finished Rory and I apologize for him. Blaine's just…a bit overprotective." Kurt laid a gentle hand on Rory's shoulder and felt a current of affection for the small fey rumble through him.

Rory gifted him with a sunny smile. "No need to apologize my lord. A vampire's temper tis but a small thing, I assure you. Come, Sam's waiting."

Kurt glared at Blaine as he passed him and Nick gave his brother a meaningful look. Are you trying to incite Sam's wrath? Calm yourself, brother.

I don't like this. Sam and Kurt hardly know each other, Kurt isn't the head of any clan or coven and he's got no need of Sam's services. What possible business could they have?

I don't know, Blaine. I only know that no one here seems to want to do him harm so keep yourself under control. Besides, Kurt didn't seem at all impressed by your latest attempt to play hero. That look he gave you could cool the fires of hell.

Yes well, Kurt will learn soon enough I know best.

Nick arched an eyebrow. "I was unaware you'd begun to suffer from delusions, brother," he murmured quietly.

"Shut up, Nikolas" Blaine growled as they reached Sam's sitting room.

Rory opened the doors and ushered them inside. "Sorry for the delay, Samuel. Someone doesn't know how to play nice." The fey apologized, bowing before his cousin.

Sam nodded. "Tis fine, lad. Leave us, now Rory. Go to the music room and take Blaine and Nikolas with you. They'll wait with you there. Kurt and I have much to discuss."

"The hell I will," Blaine interjected, pulling Kurt to him.

Nikolas stepped forward, placing himself in front of his brother's mate. "We're not leaving Kurt alone." Nick growled.

A sunny smile split Sam's face and he clapped his hands. "Good. We might have had a problem if you'd been quick to abandon him."

"Sam," Kurt called out cautiously, "I don't understand what's going on. Why did you ask us to come here and what does it have to do with me?"

"Yes, Prince Samuel. What exactly do you want with Kurt?" Blaine demanded.

"First, it's King Samuel now," Sam corrected Blaine, "and secondly, Kurt, I called you here to give you the truth and hopefully, to welcome you home."

"Why do you keep trying to escape, Noah?" Jeremiah asked, snapping the silver restraints on Noah's wrists. As the werewolf howled in pain from the touch of the silver to his skin, the other captives in the dungeon cowered in fear,

Jeremiah smiled. "I've been a good host. I've hardly starved you and only beaten you when it was necessary."

"If I ever get free, I'll tear out your throat," Noah swore, spitting in Jeremiah's face.

Jeremiah licked a long stripe up the side of Noah's face. The lycan shuddered in disgust, causing the Jinn to laugh. "Your hate is intoxicating," Jeremiah whispered. "But I'm growing weary of your disrespect and disregard for my hospitality, Noah. If you weren't such exquisite bait, I'd have killed you long ago."

Noah's head snapped up and he found himself staring into the empty eyes of his captor. "You really thought I didn't know? Couldn't hear? You disappoint me, Noah. I thought you possessed a modicum of intelligence, dog."

Noah growled at the insult but held his tongue. "What do you think you heard?"

Jeremiah leaned forward and whispered in Noah's ear, "It's not what I heard you say, Noah. It's who you said it too. I do hope Kurt hurries up, I'm anxious to greet him. Really Noah, I'm a vampire who was turned into a Jinn. You honestly thought I wouldn't catch on that you were talking to whomever you'd imprinted on? Tsk tsk...although I expected better I'll forgive since you are bringing me a new playmate."

Noah suddenly lunged, trying to break free from the restraints. Jeremiah stepped back and smiled. "I've met him, you know. He was here, with Blaine, trying to rescue you. Such a pretty porcelain doll, I can't wait to break him."

"You won't touch him, you bastard!" Noah swore.

"Oh but I will," Jeremiah countered. "The things I'm going to him. He's going to shatter so beautifully. I'll take him then I'll break him. I'll make him mine then I'll devour him, tear him into tiny bits, set fire to his soul and then scatter the remains, from his eyeballs to his entrails. I'll bleed him out, I'll drain him dry and you and Blaine won't be able to do anything but watch."

"If you have problems with the bloodsucker leave Kurt out of it. Kurt's done nothing to you," Noah spat.

"Kurt's don't nothing except take what was rightfully mine!" Jeremiah thundered. At Noah's blank look the Jinn began to laugh.

"I know something you don't know." Jeremiah taunted Noah, in a sing song voice.

"What would that be?" Noah asked warily.

"Your 'brother' is mated with Blaine. That breakable boy is the mate of a firstborn son of a firstborn son in the House of Drăculeşti. Do you know how much power that gives him? Do you know what that makes him?"

Noah felt shock ripple through his body at Jeremiah's revelation. The idea that Kurt had allowed a vampire-especially one with Blaine's reputation-to touch him filled Noah with revulsion but he knew his brother and he knew Kurt would only mate with Blaine if he had given the vampire his heart.

Noah knew Kurt had been lonely for years and as much as it sickened him to think of Kurt around those…creatures, Kurt's happiness was Noah's first priority. He could attempt to dissuade Kurt from the union later, and if that couldn't be accomplished well, the damn Marquess would just have to get used to Noah being around.

Noah looked Jeremiah in the eyes. "All I need to know about Kurt is that he's better than you, he's coming for me and when he frees me, I'll kill you."

"Promises, promises, dog. You are very embodiment of vexation. It's a good thing I'll be killing you soon. You put me in a mood most foul. Now I simply must kill something to take the edge off."

Jeremiah stalked over to huddled prisoners in the corner and began to point at them, singing cheerfully, "Eeny meeny, miney mo which worthless human has got to go?" At the end of his rhyme he snatched his prey from the quivering pile of terrified captives. As the unfortunate soul's tortured cries and Jeremiah's chilling laughter filled the cavern Noah found himself wishing, for the first time since the ordeal began, that Kurt wouldn't come for him.

"I…I don't understand, Sam. My home is with Blaine." Kurt said, confusion coloring his tone.

"Aye, you belong with your mate," Sam agreed, "But his tis not the only place you have to call home. Come, sit and I shall explain."

Kurt exchanged puzzled looks with Blaine and Nick but followed Sam and took a seat on the sofa, Kurt sitting between the brothers and Sam taking a seat across from them.

"Kurt, I'm about to tell some things that may be…difficult to hear but you need to understand that if there had been any other way I would have found it. You need to understand I would never hurt you, never allow harm to come to you if I could help it," Sam began.

"What the bloody hell-"

"Blaine!" Kurt cut in sharply. "I…I have no idea what you're talking about, Sam but I truly believe you'd never harm me on your own volition," Kurt said softly.

"I wouldn't," Sam confirmed. "Kurt, what do you know of your mother? Of her life before she wed your father?"

Kurt was thrown by the question. He looked to Blaine for guidance but the vampire seemed as surprised by the inquiry as he was. "I," Kurt faltered, "she never spoke of it. I just…I know she chose to marry my father instead of a fey and that was…not done in those days. I know she wasn't exactly encouraged to stay after that decision."

Sam closed his eyes. "That's a very…abridged version of events Kurt," Sam said when he opened them. Sam got up and went to a desk in the corner of the room. He opened a drawer, removed a photograph and then made his way back over to Kurt, sitting on the coffee table so that they were knee to knee.

"Your mother was beautiful. She was kind and her laugh was lyrical, like the most delicate notes of the flute. She was like light, everywhere she went she was adored," Sam said softly.

Tears pricked at the corners of Kurt's eyes as memories swelled up and threatened to overtake him. He saw flash after flash of his life with his mother and father, moments and memories he'd pushed aside and hidden away in an effort to protect himself. As he remembered her voice and her eyes, her touch and her laugh he bit his lip and tried to keep a sob from escaping. Blaine immediately drew Kurt to him and kissed his temple, while Nick glared at Sam. "Why are you doing this to him?" Nick demanded.

"I don't mean to distress you, wee one." Sam said gently, cupping Kurt's cheek and wiping away the lone tear that had slipped down his cheek.

"Get your hands, off of him." Blaine growled.

Sam chuckled and shook his head. "You'll see soon enough Blaine, I'm the last person you should worry about trying to steal your mate."

"Sam, why-"

"Your mother's name was Adeline-"

"No," Kurt cut in swiftly. "Her name was Perdita."

"Nay, that is the name she took. But her given name was Adeline."

"How do you know this?" Blaine demanded.

Sam handed the photograph in his hand over to Kurt. Kurt's brows drew together in confusion before he glanced down at the picture in his hands. His eyes widened and his breath began coming in harsh pants as he realized he was staring down at a photograph of his mother.

"How did you…where did you…why do have…this is my mother, Sam. What's going on?" Kurt demanded.

"You son of a bitch," Blaine swore at Sam under his breath, having put the puzzle together from the bits of Fey folklore he'd heard throughout the centuries.

"Son a bastard is more accurate," Sam said bitterly.

"Sam!" Kurt demanded his voice high and thin. "Why do you have this? Where did you get it? Did you…did you know my mother?"

"Aye, I knew her quite well."

"Why did you say her name was Adeline?" Kurt asked, hugging the portrait to him.

"Because Adeline was her name, Kurt," Sam explained. "She was a Caereni princess before my father laid siege to their realm and claimed her as his queen."

"Your fa-your father?" Kurt stuttered. He'd heard tales of Sam's father, King Lorcc�n and none of them had been good. The King had a reputation for being cruel and vicious, expanding his kingdom through warfare and bloodshed and ruling his people through fear and intimidation. When he'd fallen ill and Sam had taken the reins many in the magical realm had breathed a sigh of relief. Sam was every bit as ambitious and cunning as his father but also possessed the compassion and humanity that the king lacked.

Kurt couldn't imagine his kind, gentle mother being claimed by a man with such a vicious reputation.

"I don't understand," Nick cut in. "The Caereni mate for life. If…If Kurt's mother was Queen Adeline then-"

"She didn't choose him," Kurt whispered, the awful truth slamming into him like a body blow. "We choose our mates. We choose our submission; it can't be forced or coerced. If…if my mother was Lorcc�n's queen it wasn't her choosing."

Sam reached out and covered Kurt's hand with his. "She…she wasn't always unhappy. I want you to know that. The people loved her. She was...as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside and-"

"I know that Sam," Kurt snapped, "she was my mother."

"Dear one-"

"No, Blaine. No. She was my mother. My mother's name was Perdita-"

"Pedita means 'lost one', Kurt. And it's not Caereni. Her given name wouldn't have been-," Blaine started gently.

"I know," Kurt whispered. "I just…she was my mother."

"Please, please Kurt, don't be so upset." Sam said, squeezing Kurt's hand.

"There's more, isn't there?" Kurt asked. "You…this is leading up to something and I want to know what, Sam. Why are you dragging me down memory lane?"

"Because it's time you know where you come from."

"I know where I come from," Kurt returned, drawing his shoulders back and schooling his features into a mask of cold indifference. "So my mother had another name. Another life. It has nothing to do with me."

"It has everything to do with you," Sam said vehemently.

"I will tear you limb from limb if you upset him any further." Nick snarled.

"You're welcome to try it, tis your clan that'll be mourning the loss, not mine." Sam replied icily.

Nick growled and Kurt dug into his forearm. "Stop it! Please Nick, don't hurt Sam!" Kurt pleaded.

Kurt turned to Sam and shook his head. "I won't let you hurt, Nick either Sam."

"I would never do anything to cause you pain, wee one."

"Tell him why that is, Sam." Blaine said, quietly.

Sam's eyes jerked to meet Blaine's. A rueful smile spread across the blonde's face. "I told Rory you were a good choice for our Kurt. I knew the day you sat across from me and showed me the lengths you'd go to in order to have him that he was in good hands." Sam said to Blaine.

"Blaine?" Kurt questioned. "What is Sam talking about?"

"I'll tell you later."

"You'll be telling him sooner than you might think," Sam said, thinking of William waiting in the library. "That's neither here nor there. Kurt, what do you feel when you're here? When you're around me and my kin?"

Kurt drew in a shaky breath. "I feel…peace. I feel safe. I feel connected and protected and…loved. I don't understand it but I've always felt at ease."

Blaine saw Nick tense and had to fight to keep from also visibly showing his distress at Kurt's words. The idea that Kurt could feel that he belonged anywhere but at Blaine's side, with Blaine's clan, was a pain the vampire hadn't been prepared to feel.

Before he could descend too far into his melancholy, he realized Kurt was still talking.

"…It's not like it is at Wildwind with Blaine. I feel like I'm coming to visit a safe, familiar place but Wildwind is home."

The tension drained out of Nick and Blaine felt his sadness evaporate at Kurt's words.

"I understand and for whatever its worth, I agree. I told Blaine that you two were written and I believe that. You belong by his side but surely you realize you have a place in Caisle�n as well."

"Because my mother was the Queen," Kurt asked quietly.

"Aye, and because your brother is the King," Sam replied.

"What? Sam…I don't, that doesn't make any sense. You're the King now that Lorcc�n is gone and-"

"And you are my brother."

"That's impossible."

"Adeline was my mother as well," Sam said quietly.

"No," Kurt said shaking his head, "no, no, no, no, no, no. You're mistaken. My mother only had one child, me. She would have told me. My father would have told me. They-"

"They protected you. Kurt, let me explain-"

"How could you possibly explain this madness, Sam? This is, just no, Sam. You're mistaken."

"I'm not and if you listen, you'll see."

"Fine," Kurt said, crossing his arms and leaning back. "Explain."

"As I said, my father claimed Adeline when he laid siege to her father's kingdom. She…didn't pick him and therefore he was never her mate. But she was his Queen and part of her duties was to provide him with an heir…me."

"You…but-"

"Your father was a seeker. He entered into my father's service and there he met our mother. They fell in love. She chose him, Kurt. She mated with him and…she became pregnant."

"But she was-"

"Married, yes. My father was furious. He wanted her killed but…she was my mother, she was his queen and he did have a measure of affection for her. So he allowed them to live."

Blaine's eyes narrowed. Lorcc�n was a man after his own dead heart; if Kurt had ever betrayed him in such a manner he couldn't imagine he'd be so generous as to simply bow out gracefully. "There's more. Your father wouldn't merely step aside. His pride wouldn't allow it."

Sam's lips twisted in a parody of a smile. Of course Blaine would know that his father's surface kindness concealed bitter cruelty. Blaine and Lorcc�n were, in many ways, cut from the same cloth. Sam wondered if his little brother were aware of just how malicious his lover was capable of being.

"Aye, right you are, Blaine. There were conditions to their freedom."

"Of course there were," Blaine said, having already figured out that at least one of them was Sam himself.

Sam nodded. "You're a shrewd one, Marquess. I'll give you that. Aye, I was top of the list."

"Stop speaking in riddles, Sam," Kurt interrupted, "what do you mean you were one of them?"

"Father didn't merely let them leave-they were banished. If either of your parents stepped foot in any of his lands they were to be killed on sight."

Banished. The coldness of the word swept through Kurt and he shuddered. Fey were connected to their land in ways other demons weren't. The pull to their homeland dwelled beneath their blood and even though any forest could quell the urge to connect with nature, only home could truly ease the longing. His mother had lived every day of her life with the ache for her home and her people clawing at her insides.

Kurt's eyes flew open. "Caisle�n," Kurt breathed, "You…offered me sanctuary and it was so hard to say no. I wanted so badly to stay. I couldn't sleep for weeks after I turned you down. I couldn't find peace. I thought it was just regret but it was more than that, wasn't it?"

"It was your blood," Sam answered. "Your blood was trying to lead you home. Then it would have led you here, now I suspect it'll take you wherever Blaine chooses to dwell."

"What else was there, Sam?" Blaine broke in quietly. "Banishment is a particular kind of hell for a fey but it's not enough. Not for Lorcc�n."

"Nor, I suspect, would it be enough for you, eh Blaine?" Sam asked, smirking at Blaine.

"Not nearly enough for me," Blaine agreed easily.

"The banishment was merely the first of father's conditions. The second was that she had to leave me behind and never have any contact with me again."

Kurt turned his palm up and clasped Sam's hand. "I'm so sorry," he breathed.

"Twas none of your doing, little brother, and you have nothing to be sorry for," Sam said giving Kurt's hand a gentle squeeze. "She couldn't take me with her and she knew it. I was her son, but I was also my father's son and the future king. Had she tried to take me with her my father's vengeance would have been wreaked not just on your parents but you as well as any who'd helped them along the way."

"Perhaps, but Lorcc�n knew leaving you behind would mean that she could never truly be happy. A piece of her would always be missing, a part of her heart would always be broken," Blaine pointed out. He grudgingly had to admire the former king's penchant for waging emotional warfare. By itself, banishment would have been terrible for a fey to endure, but coupled with leaving behind her son and Blaine imagined that Kurt's mother had never known another truly peaceful day since leaving Caisle�n"

"You seem to have worked that out rather quickly," Sam said, his eyes lighting with mischief.

"Blaine's rather adept at all manner of torture," Nick pointed out. "Using someone's own emotions to punish them, watching them crumble under the weight of their own regret is a particular specialty of his. But you knew that already, your majesty," the brunette vampire said sarcastically.

"I did," Sam replied, ignoring Nick's sarcasm. "It's a skill you both have and one I admire."

"It's a skill you possess," Blaine countered.

"Aye, psychological warfare is a powerful weapon to have in one's arsenal. I'm not ashamed of my ability to wield it and wield it well." Sam agreed easily.

"What were the rest of Lorcc�n's conditions," Nick asked, changing the subject.

"There was only one more," Sam sighed. "Adeline was to remain his wife. They never divorced."

Kurt let out a strangled cry and Sam's hand immediately tightened on his, Blaine drew him to him and Nick began to rub soothing circles onto his back. "They weren't married?" He whispered, "My parents weren't married?"

Sam shook his head. "Not in the eyes of the law. It was part of her punishment. They'd both always know that she belonged to another man. She could be your father's love, but never his wife and your father would never the rights and recognition of a husband."

Blaine had to hand it to the Fey King. Lorcc�n had managed to inflict the maximum amount of damage with minimal effort. He'd given Adeline a choice between her life, her unborn child and her love or her home, her people and her son. No matter what the poor woman had chosen she'd have come out a loser.

And Kurt's father had been forced to live with the knowledge that Adeline would never truly be his. She could share his life and his bed but never his name. Blaine couldn't imagine the torment if he'd had to love Kurt under the specter of someone else.

"Lorcc�n was sadistic bastard and while I usually admire that in a man he had better thank whatever deity he prayed to I never got my hands on him." Blaine declared, not caring if the show of disrespect angered Sam.

"So…our mother left me behind and went to be with your father," Sam said, not a trace of bitterness evident in his tone.

"I'm so, sorry Sam," Kurt whispered.

"What?" Sam exclaimed, his blue eyes wide with shock

"She chose me. She left you. You grew up without her because of me-"

"I grew up without her because of my father," Sam spat. "You have done nothing. If anyone in this entire mess is innocent Kurt, it's you."

"I'm so sorry Sam," Kurt cringed, remembering his first meeting with Sam and how he'd gone on and on about his mother and how remarkable she'd been. "You must hate me."

"I could never hate you," Sam declared fiercely, dragging Kurt to his feet and wrapping him in his arms. "You're my little brother, Kurt. You are all I have of my mother and you are a good, fine person. I…I loved you before I knew who you were and meeting you has only caused that love to intensify."

"How long have you known, Sam?" Blaine demanded. "How long have you known that Kurt was your brother?"

Sam regarded Blaine coolly. "I've known long enough to have done what I could to protect him."

"What does that mean, Sam?" Kurt asked.

"I searched for her, for you, forever. I couldn't find you. I tried everything and then in desperation I went to Morgana," Sam began.

Kurt stiffened and drew back to look at Sam's face. "You know Morgan Le Fey?"

"Not well but I was desperate by that time. It had been over a century and no one had seen or heard from our mother. Morgana wasn't very forthcoming-"

"No I don't imagine she would be," Kurt said bitterly.

"She told me what she did. To your father, to our m-mother," Sam faltered then composed himself. "Once she gave me mother's new name and yours, I knew I could find you."

Blaine leaned his head to the side. "And you thanked Morgana and left?"

"Of course I did," Sam replied, "Right after sealing Avalon."

Nick's mouth dropped open and Kurt gasped. "You…you sealed Avalon? Sam, if she ever breaks it-"

"She can't but even if she had the power to break my seal she wouldn't dare. She'll dwell forever, cut off from the world, trapped behind the mist, rather than take her chances out in the world with me," Sam replied.

"You sound awfully sure of yourself," Nick observed.

"Aye that I am."

"You found it," Kurt said suddenly. "Whatever she forced my father to look for, the thing he couldn't find, the instrument of her death. You found out what it is and now you have it. That's why she won't break your seal. She knows you can kill her."

"I didn't have to search to find out what it was," Sam said. "My father never trusted Morgana. He convinced the rest of the ruling fey to make a tribute to Hel in exchange for one of N��h�ggr's teeth and bit of his breath. Each of the ruling fey placed a spell on the tooth and then it was fashioned into a dagger. The breath was divided, placed in several amulets and distributed among the ruling class.

Blaine studied Sam for a moment. "You have them all, don't you?"

Sam shrugged. "Any man fool enough not to guard his treasure doesn't deserve to have it. It took some doing, but yes, I got all the amulets and consolidated the dragon's breath."

"And you have the dagger, don't you?" Kurt asked.

"That was harder. Evienne had it."

"Bloody hell," Nick whispered.

"Evienne?" Kurt asked, "You…you sought the Lady of the Lake? Are you mad?"

Sam smiled. "I assure you I was in no danger. My aunt Evienne is rather fond of me and…according to her Morgana's eventual demise by my hand is written. What is written is what shall be."

"Your aunt is the Lady of the Lake?" Nick asked slowly.

"This incarnation," Sam replied.

"You…you're going to kill Morgan Le Fey?" Blaine asked.

"Apparently," Sam shrugged. "When she gave me the dagger I didn't understand why Evienne said I should have it since I was written as the one who would take Morgana's life. It didn't make sense because I wasn't seeking to kill her; I had no quarrel with the Queen. I simply didn't trust her. When I realized I was going to have to go to Morgana for help, I knew I'd need a way to protect myself, that's why I went to my aunt seeking the dagger. It wasn't until I heard the part she played in our mother's death that I understood why I'd be the one to dispatch her. I don't know when or the how but I know I'll be the reason she meets her end and that gives me a measure of peace."

"Morgana told you about Kurt, you found him and yet you didn't claim him?" Blaine snarled.

"I couldn't," Sam grit out. "My father was still ruling and he'd have killed Kurt on sight," Sam embraced Kurt again, "You are the picture of our mother."

"So you let him be taken by trolls to be auctioned off to the highest bidder?" Blaine broke in, the sight of Kurt in Sam's arms making him irrationally jealous. "Have you any idea what could have happened to him? What he could have suffered had he not fallen into Schuester's hands?"

"I did what I could to keep him safe," Sam said quietly. "Kurt, you need to understand-"

"It was you, wasn't it?" Kurt said suddenly, stepping back from Sam and nearly falling over. "You were there! William always said his companion that day had convinced him to come to auction and then convinced him to bid on me."

Nick lunged at Sam but the new king merely held up a hand and Nick was frozen in his place. "I don't suggest you try it, vamp. I'm not your usual prey and this is the only time I'll be showing restraint." Sam released Nick from his enchantment and the younger vampire extended his fangs, ready to attack again but Kurt's hand on his shoulder stilled him.

"Nick, no. I don't want you two fighting."

"Your mate is entirely too forgiving," Nick spat at Blaine.

"He is," Blaine agreed. "I see no reason why we shouldn't eviscerate his dear brother."

"Why?" Kurt asked Sam. "Why did you let me go to William? Why didn't you buy me, why didn't you help me?"

"I did help you," Sam said, anguish burning in his eyes. "I couldn't buy you because I couldn't keep you. If father found out I'd be disowned and we'd both be killed. You're a seeker, any demon can sense it, smell it all over you and some would go to any lengths to have you in their service. I knew William had enough power to keep others in their place and you by his side. It was just a matter of convincing him to outbid Ryerson. I told him you were a seeker because I knew William's greed for power and magic would outweigh his concern for his pocketbook. I also knew that while he was an insufferable bastard, he wouldn't abuse you. You would be kept in comfort and above all else you would be protected. William could keep you safe until I could claim you and bring you home. I knew you wouldn't be happy but you'd be alive."

"You crafty bastard," Blaine hissed, "You said you planned for Kurt to remain with Schuester until you could claim him but you'd never be able to do that as long as your father drew breath. Lorcc�n's illness, wasn't illness was it, Samuel?"

Sam's blue eyes met Blaine's golden ones in an unwavering gaze. "I did what I had to do."

"You…you m-made him sick?" Kurt stammered, unbelieving that Sam could do such a thing to his own father.

"He's immortal, Kurt. I couldn't…I couldn't let my people continue to live under such tyranny and I couldn't go long without honoring our mother and bringing you home, bringing you back to me," Sam said, pleading with Kurt to understand.

"Kurt's service was to have ended nearly half a century ago. He extended it. What was your plan, Sam for when Schuester set him free?" Blaine demanded.

"I know William, better than any of you. If Kurt hadn't extended his service of his own volition, William would have found some way to ensure he stayed. Once he got a taste of Kurt's power he wouldn't have let him go," Sam answered, "Barring any unforeseen catastrophe, Kurt was going to remain in William's service until he found a mate strong enough to free him or my father expired and I could claim him myself."

"I…you…you waited until you knew Lorcc�n wouldn't be a threat anymore and then you offered me sanctuary," Kurt said, recalling his first meeting with Sam. "You said your father was incapacitated and your home could use a reason to rejoice. I never…I didn't understand why taking in a refugee would be reason to rejoice but I suppose bringing home the Queen's wayward son would be."

"You're my brother," Sam said simply.

"Lorcc�n's your father and you apparently facilitated his death," Kurt countered.

"He sowed the seed, I merely made sure he reaped the harvest," Sam said, not at all contrite. "If ye be searching my face hoping to find remorse little brother spare yourself the effort because you'll find none. My sire got what he had coming to him."

Kurt glanced at Blaine and then at Nick and realized with a bit of a surprise that they were both looking at Sam with grudging approval. They were furious at the blonde for allowing Kurt's suffering but weren't the least bit troubled that Sam had just admitted to killing his own father.

Kurt looked, really looked, at the three men in the room with him and for the first time realized what Blaine had been trying to tell him. The men he'd chosen to open his heart to had darkness in them. Blaine, Noah, Nick and Sam were demons and that meant they were dangerous. He trusted implicitly that none of them would ever hurt him, but he saw for the first time the lengths they'd go to and the things they'd justify in order to achieve their goals or protect what was theirs.

Kurt had never been one for Machiavellian plots or ruthless ambition. He couldn't imagine laying waste to an entire city simply for his amusement, hunting humans as if they were prey or sitting at the deathbed of a man who'd raised him, holding his hand and feigning sadness, knowing all the time that he was the one responsible for his suffering. Kurt spirit was gentle and the idea of such cruelty being second nature was foreign to him.

He knew he should be horrified. Logic dictated he turn and run. Leave Noah to Jeremiah and flee. Run from Sam, from Nick, and especially from Blaine. He knew that any reasonable person would run from the danger and seek refuge from the darkness.

The reality, he realized with a start, was that he wasn't horrified. He was a bit disturbed at just how easily they accepted one another's darker natures but nothing had changed. Even knowing that Sam had basically maneuvered him about like a piece on a chessboard didn't change the affection he had for the blue eyed fey. If anything, knowing that Sam was his brother-his family-explained why he'd been so drawn to the other man and why it had been so easy for Sam to breech his usually formidable defenses. Seeing Nick and Blaine approving of Sam committing patricide didn't turn Kurt against the vampires, all it did was confirm for Kurt that he was willing to take the bitter with the sweet. That he could accept the dark that dwelled within them because it was part of them and there was no part of Blaine that Kurt didn't love, nothing about his mate that he wouldn't accept, no piece of him that he needed to keep hidden or secret.

"Sam," Kurt said, "You have no idea how lonely I've been since my parents…all I wanted was a home, a place to belong and for you to tell me all that time that I had that…part of me wants to hit you, rail at you and make you hurt, like I hurt."

Sam's head dropped and Kurt stepped up to him, forcing the blonde to meet his eyes. "But a bigger part of me knows that would just waste time. I may not agree with everything you did or the way you did it but I know you did it for me. I know that you've loved me far longer than I realize and I know that you've risked your life, your very kingdom for my sake and I know that I don't want to spend another moment of my life without you in it," Kurt said, emotion making his voice thick.

"Forgive me, little brother. I know you suffered, I know you felt alone and would that I could I'd have spared you all that pain," Sam said.

"There's nothing to forgive," Kurt said, echoing Sam's earlier words. "You are my brother. Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh and I couldn't turn you away. Besides," Kurt said, smiling at Sam through his tears, "you have our mother's eyes."

"Well, I suppose we're all one big happy family," quipped Nick.

"Can you handle that, Blaine?" Sam asked, turning to the vampire and studying him. "Can you accept that Kurt has a clan, has a family and that we won't be so keen on losing him completely now that we've just gotten him back?"

Blaine wanted to tell Sam that Kurt was his and that Blaine's clan, that Blaine's brethren were Kurt's family but one look at his mate's face made the words die on his lips. As much as he wanted to, and by the gods he wanted to, he couldn't deny Kurt the chance to find his place with the fey. They were his people and Sam was his brother. Blaine knew that Kurt had already had a measure of affection for Sam before the king had revealed their familial connection. Blaine could read his mate and he knew that finding out they were kin had only strengthened that bond for the Kurt.

Blaine didn't want to share Kurt with Sam, or Rory or any of the fey. He could barely manage to restrain his jealousy in the face of Kurt's bond with Nick and the association Kurt had with Noah had been a thorn in Blaine's side from the beginning. He had to constantly remind himself that it was natural that his clan were protective of his mate, that the werewolf was no threat and Kurt was his. Blaine's nature was possessive and the idea that he'd have even more people clamoring for a share of his mate's attention burned.

Blaine forced himself to calm the fires that were raging within and keep his feet rooted to the spot when all he wanted to do was scoop Kurt up in his arms and leave Caisle�n. "As long as you understand I won't be separated from my mate."

"Of course he does," Kurt answered before Sam could say a word. "Finding Sam doesn't mean I'm leaving you. I'll never leave you. My home is wherever you are," Kurt declared fiercely, glaring at Blaine, then at Sam daring either man to contradict him.

Sam laughed. "Put your claws away, kitty. As I told Blaine, you two were written. I'm not trying to take you away. In fact, I'm convinced now more than ever by his side is the best place for you."

"Good. Well, this has been….eventful and I hate to rush off but we have something rather urgent to take care of and-"Kurt began.

"We're not done here, little brother," Sam interrupted. "There are still a few loose ends that need tying up."

"What kind of loose ends?" Kurt asked warily

As if on cue the door to the sitting room opened and Rory entered, with an obviously aging and angry William Schuester at his heels.