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you’d like Ruarc. He’s been good to me. So, we’re going to formalize our mating tomorrow, and I’ll see where it leads. I hope you understand, and that you forgive me. You’ll never be far from my thoughts. I’ll be back when I can get away. ”
    Rory glanced one more time at the crossed roses on the altar, one white, one red, then turned his back and walked away.
     

 
    R ED AND W HITE
     

C HAPTER 8
     
    April 2091; House Jiao-long Stronghold, San Francisco, California; Eight years later
     “Are you listening to me?” asked Marcus.
    Rory snapped out of his daydream. “Sorry, I was a million miles away.”
    His Primogenitor smirked. “Somehow, I don’t think your thoughts went any farther than Ireland.”
    Rory’s face heated. “Maybe.”
    Marcus sighed. “You’re useless on your anniversary. You’d think that eight years in a marriage of convenience would pall after a while, but you actually seemed to have grown more attached to him over the years. One might think you were actually lovers.”
    Rory said nothing. Marcus had been a trusted ally even before Rory had recruited him to House Jiao-long, so he was one of the few who knew the true nature of his relationship with Lorcan. “It’s been a long time, and he’s a good friend. Of course I’m fond of him.”
    Marcus waved him away. “Go on, get out of here. I’ve been running your business interests well enough over the years that I can probably manage for one more month without your direct input.”
    “Are you sure?”
    Marcus made a dismissive motion with his left hand and swept the papers on the table into a neat pile with his right. “Shoo.”
    Rory didn’t hesitate any longer and left the room toward the teleport gateway. He jumped directly to the House Diluthical stronghold in Belfast. Leaving the fortress behind, he jumped into the city proper and walked down the darkened street to the semi-deconsecrated church that ministered to the local vampire population, Nightwalker and Daywalker alike. Rory knocked on the door of the rectory, and one of the younger priests answered. “Is the Archbishop in? He’s expecting me.”
    The priest let him inside and led him to a waiting room. After a few minutes bouncing off the walls, Rory was relieved when the door opened again and Padraic entered, carrying a rectangular wooden box. “Is it ready?”
    The priest laughed. “Well, hello to you, too, Sean.”
    Rory reddened. “I’m sorry, I was just excited. How are you?”
    “I am well. The ministry has been renewed for another five years. The fact that I have the Redeemer and the Imperator as parishioners kind of tipped the balance against my opponents in the diocese.”
    Rory cracked a wide grin. “That’s wonderful. Thank you for making us welcome.”
    “Could I have done otherwise, my son?” He smiled and handed over the box. “And I can tell you’re just trying to be polite, so here is your item. I hope it brings you some joy.”
    Rory opened the box and gasped at the nineteenth century bronze bookmark within. Rory had discovered it while browsing the shops in the city, and Padraic had arranged for it to be restored and illuminated, with a miniature painting of the dragon from the House Jiao-long seal entwined with the Arcolin rune for “eternity” that formed the centerpoint of the crest of House Diluthical. At the top and bottom were Rory’s and Lorcan’s names, painted in precise Arcolin pictograms. He looked back at Padraic, his eyes bright. “Thank you. He’s going to love it.”
    Padraic nodded, watching Rory intently. “Yes, I know how much store Ruarc sets by his books.” Then, seeming to come to some kind of internal resolution, he indicated a couple of chairs. “Do you have time to sit and chat for a while?”
    Rory pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. “Sure. Ruarc won’t be done with today’s assembly for at least another three or four hours.” He took a seat and slipped the bookmark case into his