Monks, priests, they were all-powerful in his grandmother’s eyes. She taught him a lot about her beliefs, and he often found himself leaning on those teachings in times of trouble. Like when he came to believe vampires were in town and he went online to an auction site to find a set of rosary beads.

  The set he decided on and won at auction was solid, beautiful and had a small sparkling blue stone at the center. He thought it looked like a deep blue topaz, but he couldn’t be sure. It was from an estate but was said to have been made by monks. He just liked it and felt that it had power. His grandmother was devout in her beliefs, and, in her mind, nothing gave you better protection than a set of rosary beads, but they had to be handmade by a religious order, no cheap knock offs for her. They had to be imbued with the power of dedicated prayer.

  He reached inside his shirt and clutched the beads and repeated a prayer his grandmother had taught him. He’d been saying that prayer often over the past few weeks. He quickly dropped the beads within the folds of his shirt when his door was suddenly opened. He jumped, ready to fight for his life when he was scooped up into Robert’s arms and gently set down on his feet. Robert wrapped his arms around Eddie and just held him.

  The top of Eddie’s head reached Robert’s shoulder, so it was easy for him to give in and rest his head there. Taking deep breaths and holding onto the wonderful man brought his anxiety and guilt back under control. Maybe a monastery wasn’t necessary yet.

  “I’m so glad you’re okay.” He whispered urgently against Robert’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry I brought this down on all of you.” He wanted to glance around at the men he knew were standing there but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to acknowledge his weakness and his failures.

  “No one here is judging you, Eddie, least of all me. This isn’t your fault. Every man here made their own decisions and knew the risks when they made them.” Robert assured and dropped a soft kiss to the side of his head. “I’m taking you to the Palace, and you’re going to be staying with me in my quarters. I can protect you there.”

  “You saved my life twice in less than a day. Aren’t you growing tired of saving my ass?” Eddie reached for humor to lighten the heaviness, but his words were shot through with despair. He made to pull away, but Robert held Eddie’s head firmly against his shoulder.

  “You don’t want to see this, Eddie. The guys are getting the area cleared, so just hold me and calm you fears for a few minutes.” Eddie had witnessed some of the carnage, and Robert was right; he didn’t want to see any more. He listened and at first, he heard the clean up taking place, but then all sound began to fade except one. As he calmed, all he heard was the steady beat of Robert’s heart.

  “Thank you, Robert.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  …

  When they pulled up to the gate and Eddie saw for himself the wrought iron and the stone depicting what looked like demons and fire, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to proceed. He took a look over at Robert and received an indulgent smile from the gorgeous man. “Don’t let the gate scare you; it’s just to ward off the idle and curious.”

  “It would have kept me away if I’d ever gotten this close. Joe and I fancied ourselves brave investigators, but we never had the nerve actually to go looking for Louis DuCane.” Eddie admitted. “We were all talk and no action back then, and we liked it that way.” He laughed, and it felt good to laugh.

  Robert didn’t comment but did reach over and take Eddie’s hand once again as they drove the long road that leads up to the grandest building Eddie had ever laid eyes upon. He remembered seeing a documentary on the Palace of Versailles once while in school, and this place looked just like it. The gardens, landscaping, fountains, statuary, and the structure itself were pure artistry and grandeur. He didn’t have the words to do it justice; the place was simply breathtaking.

  “You get to live here?” Eddie was feeling a bit jealous but also quite impressed.

  “Yes, I do. My quarters are on the fourth floor, along with other soldiers, guards and security personnel. It’s where you will be staying.” He announced casually.

  “I’m staying with you in your room?” Eddie clarified.

  “You’re staying with me in my room. It’s the safest place for you, so don’t argue.” Robert was final.

  “I wasn’t going to.” Eddie quipped. “I’m no fool, I’m glad I’m staying with you, but it also feels a little weird.”

  Robert turned and looked at him clearly asking for an explanation without using words.

  “I’m a grown man, and I shouldn’t need anyone as badly as I need you.” Eddie didn’t try to demur or hide what he was feeling. Normally he would have been too insecure to make such a declaration and that right there was another point to the weirdness of this startling relationship.

  Robert pulled up to one of the doors of this massive estate and parked. He didn’t move right away or speak, and Eddie was wondering if he’d shared too much, and now there would be a distance between them. Shit, he should have kept quiet.

  Robert was taken aback by Eddie’s stark honesty in regard to his feelings. He wasn’t used to such emotional transparency, and he found it to be quite nice. His beloved needed him and clearly stated such. He was bursting with the pleasure those words inspired and his heart opened to the gift that was this pure and decent man who would be his for all eternity.

  “I need you too, Eddie,” Robert confessed. “You asked me back at Joe’s why I cared what happened to you, and I’d like to try and explain it to you.” He saw Eddie nod and give him his full attention. “Keep an open mind and know that everything that I am telling you is the absolute truth.”

  Robert took a deep breath and let his eyes scan the area before beginning. He wasn’t sure how to start, but he needed to have this talk with Eddie. The extent of their connection had to be discussed, and Eddie needed to understand just how important he was, how crucial he was to Robert’s life, and his continued happiness. Eddie Boone was now the center of Robert’s world, and there wasn’t anything Robert wouldn’t do for him to keep him safe, happy and secure.

  “I was assigned with Quincy to observe you and discern the credibility of the incident report you gave to Sheriff Korbin.” He would begin at the beginning.

  “When you and Joe exited your apartment last night and headed to the field, we followed you. We didn’t believe you were in any danger, but we were assigned to watch you, so we followed. It became clear pretty quick that you were just gathering your livestock that had escaped the pasture, so we held back and remained out of sight.” Robert wished he could just cut to the core, but Eddie would need the full explanation in order to grasp the authenticity and significance of their bond. It was better to be as clear as possible now than to have to suffer a thousand subsequent explanations.

  “When the Caen came after you, we defended and neutralized as we were ordered. You and your friend were just an assignment and nothing more. That changed the moment you slammed into me. Since that moment, your touch and your scent have been imprinted on my mind and my heart and every moment that we are together, my need for you grows.” He turned to look at Eddie, and he was listening with a look that was cautiously optimistic; he didn’t understand, but he was trying. Robert smiled and squeezed his hand needing the contact as he continued.

  “In my world, there are bonds that are Fated, predestined and last for all time. Such bonds exist in most paranormal groups; the shifters call them mate, others call them the chosen, and vampires refer to them as their beloved.” He held Eddie’s gaze in an intense hold willing him to grasp how profound their meeting had been and what it will mean for their future.

  “I knew who you were to me the moment we touched. Your importance blasted through my consciousness, and all I could see was the need to protect you and keep you safe. You are my beloved, Eddie, the other half of my soul. You are Fate’s gift to me, and the blessing is eternal. Our bond has already begun, and that is why we feel so drawn to one another. When you are ready, I will claim you and seal our bond, and our souls will intertwine. The connection is deeper than anything you’ve experienced in your life. You won’t become a vampire; vampires are born not created.” He threw that in considering some of Eddie’s research could have suggested such an outlandish idea.

  “Your life will be extended to match mine. You will live for centuries, and our bond will never fade.” Robert paused hoping he’d spoken with enough clarity that Eddie would comprehend the epic meaning of what he was saying.

  “You care about me because you have to, not because you want to.” Eddie’s voice had dropped to a whisper. Unfortunately, he’d taken the Fate’s gift explanation all wrong.

  “You belong to me, Eddie. Before you were born, Fate marked you as mine, and I have waited over a century to meet you. I’ve dreamed of the day that my beloved would enter my life, and you are so much more than I’d ever expected. Your loyalty, beauty, honesty, and simplicity are everything I want and everything I need. The bond is predestined and began the moment we touched. We were made for each other. You felt it then, and you feel it now. I didn’t have to care about you, I wanted to care, and I wanted what was mine and you Eddie Boone are mine.” He continued to hold Eddie’s gaze in that vice grip as he watched him struggling to come to terms with this new reality, once again.

  “What if I hadn’t been your beloved, would you still be here with me, helping me through this horror?” Eddie asked.

  Robert took Eddie’s hand and pressed the palm against his heart and held it there. He wanted Eddie to feel the truth and the strength growing in their bond. Robert would die for this man; there were no lengths that he would not go to in order to keep him safe and happy. Nothing would be allowed to come between them not even an ancient vampire sect of crazed killers would separate them. Robert will kill them all if need be.

  “Yes, I would, because I was assigned by my superior to observe and protect you. Finding out you’re my beloved was just a marvelous bonus and an amazing surprise. It adds a bit of desperation to my otherwise stoic persona.” He smiled, and Eddie gave a half-grin.

  “Coven DuCane is not about to let a group of rogue vampires harass any of the locals either human or paranormal. This is our territory, and we protect it and the inhabitants.” Robert felt that Eddie was coming around and the confusion was clearing. But there remained a shadow of doubt in those huge doe eyes of his.

  “Your friend Joe Banks is not a beloved to anyone in the Coven, that I’m aware of, and yet Master DuCane has a guard outside his home protecting him until this mess can be cleared up. He’s vulnerable and, therefore our responsibility in this case. My friends Amon and Lance are on rotating shifts keeping your friend safe.” There, that seemed to have broken through, and Eddie’s countenance lightened into a lovely smile.

  “Are they giving him the sweet sexy treatment that you’re giving me?” Eddie chuckled.

  “I doubt it.” He gave Eddie a saucy wink. “Such intimate familiarities are not for casual acquaintances.” Robert got out of the SUV as did Eddie, and they headed inside with Robert’s arm around Eddie’s waist, keeping him close. The information he’d given would take a few minutes to sink in, and Robert was pretty sure by the time they reached his quarters, Eddie would be barraging him with questions.

  …

  Eddie was dumbfounded, completely knocked off his feet by the declaration of Robert Alden, coven soldier, and Eddie’s personal protector. He didn’t comprehend everything Robert was trying to explain but the main point was that they were some sort of soul mates but in a supernatural sense and destined to be together.

  All he knew for sure was that he was growing attached to this man and he was not averse to the idea of forever as long as it was with this amazing specimen of manly perfection. He did have a few questions though.

  Robert was hurrying him up to his quarters on the fourth floor, but Eddie managed to take in some of the magnificence of the Palace and his surroundings. It didn’t come by its name under false pretense; this was a palace indeed. The place was pure opulence and excess, and it was the most beautiful thing Eddie had ever seen.

  They stopped outside a large black enamel door, and Robert turned to him. “This is my home.” He said. “I had a friend do a quick clean up before we got here. I’m not good at keeping things tidy, but I’ll try to do better. The place is basic, but I hope you like it and will agree to stay with me.” He sounded unsure, which struck Eddie as oddly charming.

  “I live in an old tool shed; it’s not going to take much to impress me,” Eddie assured, and Robert tucked him closer as he opened the door, and they stepped inside. The place was stunning, even with minimal furnishings and a basic gray and white color scheme it was imposing.

  The dark woods stood out against the cool colors, and the high ceilings made it seem like he was in a grand room. It was a palace room, and it felt every bit like regal quarters. It made him wonder what the Master’s rooms looked like. They were probably all gold leaf and marble or something equally grand.

  “This is very nice, Robert You have an amazing home, and I appreciate you letting me stay with you.” Eddie looked around at the large living area with the kitchen off to the left. It was an open concept sort of set up but with old-world details. It may have been minimal in Robert’s eyes, but in Eddie’s, it was a showpiece.

  “I hope you will stay forever. That tool shed can become a distant memory, and your life can have a new beginning here, with me.” Okay, that was so heartfelt and genuine that Eddie felt tears welling in his eyes. He blinked and tried to stop the flow, but soon, one escaped and then there was no stopping the flood of emotions that overtook him.

  Robert took him into his arms and held him close, tucking Eddie’s head against his shoulder and rocking him slightly. The embrace which Eddie was become used to and craved gradually eased his mind and settled his emotional overload.

  Eddie took a deep, shaky breath and knew he should pull away and stop hanging on this guy like a lovesick teenager, but he just couldn’t force himself to let go. Holding Robert made him feel safe and crazy as it sounds; it made him feel loved. He hadn’t felt loved since his grandmother died. She’d been the only one ever to hold him and comfort him and tell him everything was going to be okay until Robert came along.

  “Everything you said to me, I want it to be true, all of it. I want you, Robert, I barely know you, but I can feel you. You’re in my heart and mind, and I know you on a level that is not time and information but rather heart and soul.” Eddie grappled with finding the right words to illustrate what was going on inside him. He wasn’t eloquent or verbose and usually ended up talking in circles, but he tried to make his tumultuous thoughts and feelings apparent. “You can freeze me with a glance and melt me with your touch. I believe that whatever is between us is powerful and beautiful, but I don’t completely understand it.”

  Robert took a half step to the side and turned Eddie towards a door on the far side of the room. He began walking with him tucked securely under his arm, moving slowly across the large living room. “I want to continue what we started this morning. I want to hold you; I want to know you intimately. I want to taste you and make you mine.”

  He spoke softly but with a forcefulness that Eddie could not deny. He wanted all those things too. He wanted what had been promised this morning. He wanted to feel this gorgeous man inside him, loving him, and completing what they’d started.

  Eddie didn’t know what was to become of him or whether he would ultimately escape the Caen, but for now, he just wanted to feel every inch of Robert Alden and revel in this moment.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Robert was again freshly amazed at the intuitive qualities of his beloved. He assumed Eddie would have probing questions dragging into infinite details and possibly a rebellious attitude towards perceived destiny. But instead, he was deep and thoughtful and pulled his words and understanding from the feelings that were rushing around inside him. He knew there was more to their relationship than surface care. He knew it ran deep and had a special meaning.

  Eddie’s simple appearance hid a man of complex wisdom and depth. Robert looked forward to learning everything about his beloved and peeling back the many layers of Eddie Boone. This morning it had been pure lust that had him taking all that Eddie was giving, but now there was heart and soul in the mix and a swell of love for this seemingly simple guy.

  His bedroom was like the rest of his quarters minimal with just a bed, a side table, and one dresser, and a chair. It was functional, but as he looked around, he wished it had been warmer. Having someone like Eddie in his life made him realize how much of life had been passing him by.

  Robert never gave notice to color or beauty until it came to him in the form of Eddie Boone. Now he yearned for more life in his life. He noticed Eddie give the room a quick glance, and then those beautiful eyes came to rest on him, and his heart nearly started beating out of his chest.

  Robert cupped the sides of Eddie’s face and bent to take those eager lips in a kiss he’d waited too long to embrace. This morning the touch had been magic, and that magic had become sharper and more meaningful in the waiting. Eddie wanted this as much as Robert did, and that knowledge left him trembling with a desire to give him everything he asked for and prove the power of their bond.

  He pulled Eddie closer and walked him back to the edge of the bed. There he continued to pepper his sweet face with kisses as he pulled the t-shirt up and over Eddie’s head and tossed it on the chair. Running his hands over the smooth heat of Eddie’s chest had his cock hardening in record time. Never had anyone ever affected him the way Eddie did. Just his sheer presence brought him instant joy and desire. There was nothing about this young man that didn’t excite him.

  He noticed that Eddie wore a string of religious beads around his neck. It looked to be old, a vintage piece perhaps. Robert held it in his hand and looked at Eddie, wondering what it meant to him and what his beliefs were. The beads were warm and the metal smooth to the touch, it was quality workmanship.