Page 12 of Shadows and Desire

“Why do I feel so moved by you?” Eric reached up and gently touched Kannan’s lip and felt the energy and power surging through him. He watched as his features went back to normal and the wild untamed part of him receded. “What is this? Why am I not scared and why do I want you so badly?”

"It's natural, and I feel the same way about you. You're my beloved, and we have bonded, which links us together, body, mind, and soul. Like I said, it is natural." Kannan was making sense, but Eric could feel that he wasn't telling him everything. He decided to answer the question he'd asked earlier.

"I listened to the things Chester said, and at first, I just laughed, but soon I realized he was being honest and was telling me exactly what he thought he saw or heard. Chester is a terrible liar, so I should have believed him, but it was too out there, and I just assumed he was mistaken." Eric had fought it all the way and insisted that Chester had to be wrong.

“What changed your mind?”

"The more I told him he was wrong that these things couldn't be, the more he tried to get proof." Eric looked up at Kannan and captured those deep, dark eyes so soulful and so intense. "He got a video on his phone. It wasn't fake. It was all real. Video is my life; it's what I do. I know it is fake when I see it, and it is not fake. They were the most unbelievable scenes I've ever witnessed."

“What was it?” Kannan visibly tensed.

“It was Mr. Nikolas Hadden wielding a sword downtown in that big, empty lot. There were others all standing ready with their swords it was surreal and then monsters appeared and a battle began, likes of which I’ve only seen in video games.” Eric was shocked by what he watched but could no longer deny that something supernatural existed within the city of Pittsburgh.

"He also had a video of a tall man dressed in leather and gold and looked like some sort of glorified gladiator. He was fierce and looked like death on a stick." That broke the tension that had developed, and Kannan began to laugh and dropped his forehead down to rest on Eric's shoulder as he continued to laugh.

“Was his hair black or brown?”

"Black as the night, and his eyes were a scorching blue. He scared the shit out of me, and it was just a video. I didn't sleep soundly for days after seeing that guy." Eric didn't understand the laughter, but he liked the fact that it made it easier to talk. The tension had been building, and he feared that perhaps Chester and he had done something wrong. Now, the atmosphere was relaxed and easy once again.

"That was Marek. He's not a vampire or a shifter or a magic. He's actually a Cyprian Knight. Master Hadden has two Cyprian Knights as members in his coven. Marek has black hair, and Thayer's is brown. They're supreme warriors who battle the dark aspects of the supernatural." Kannan pushed the hair back from Eric's face and kissed him softly.

Kannan was so gentle and understanding for a man who looked like he could conquer the world with just one hard, cold stare. "They are impressive and frightening. Merik scared me too the first time I met him."

"Thanks for saying that, but I doubt it." Eric didn't know how he could be having such a conversation and yet be so calm.

“I wouldn’t cross him or Thayer and that’s the truth.” Kannan kissed him again and Eric wrapped his arms around him holding him close. This kind of closeness and relaxed communication was something he never had with previous lovers. It was usually awkwardness after the deed and each of them hurrying to disappear.

“I believe you even though I don’t really understand it, I believe you.” Eric took a deep breath and then continued. “Why are you telling me all of this obviously it’s meant to be a secret, or everyone would know and don’t tell me you weren’t a little concerned with Chester’s videos.”

“You’re my beloved. Do you know what that means?”

“Chester called it soulmates.”

“It’s more than that it’s destiny. I’m telling you everything because you’re one of us now. You are my beloved and I have claimed you and bonded with you. That means that you and I are like one.” He said and then added. “Chester’s videos will have to be confiscated for our protection and secrecy.”

Eric nodded his understanding. "I noticed that my feelings have supercharged since last night, and my awareness of you and everything around me has amplified. I also find it easy to believe everything you tell me. It's like I know that you're speaking the truth even though I've known you for a day at best." Eric was rambling with everything that was running wildly through his mind, but Kannan was patient and listened, not interrupting or trying to explain things away.

"I felt the same last night. I thought you were sweet and handsome, and today, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Eric nodded his agreement. "It's real, and the feelings are real. We were predestined, and Fate has brought us together. She usually brings Fated couples together when they need each other the most." That made sense since he'd nearly died last night, and without Kannan, he probably would have.

“I’m hungry.” Eric decided he’d had enough enlightenment for now and needed some time to process.

"Why don't you shower and pull yourself together, and I'll order us something from the kitchen." Kannan dropped another kiss on Eric's already kiss-swollen lips and then jumped out of bed. Eric was not lost on the pure magnificence of this man. His body was perfect, and he was the most handsome man Eric had ever met. Why he was satisfied with a couch potato like him was a mystery.

Kannan lowered his phone and turned back to stare at Eric with a look of displeasure. Eric sat up straight but did not speak and waited for whatever was to come.

“Don’t ever think of yourself in those terms I will not have it. You are my beloved my love and my future you are perfect in my eyes. That is who you are do you understand me?” Eric nodded.

“Do you understand me?” He repeated.

"Yes, but you're so amazing, and I'm so ordinary."

"Enough!" Kannan held up his hand to stop him from talking. "You're everything I've ever wanted: your hair, your voice, your killer body, those lips I can't stop kissing, your personality, and your ability to smile even in the worst situations. You are mine, and I will never give you up." Kannan pointed at him decisively, and Eric nodded again.

"I love you too." He said. Kannan looked shocked and smiled.

“That’s more like it baby and I love you too now go take a shower and meet me in the kitchen when you’re done.”

“Yes, sir.” Eric jumped from the bed and hurried to the bathroom.

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