Page 73 of Always Eros

My own heart speeds up at the thought of sharing this information with Justice. I can only hope my own desperation for him to be mine doesn’t spill out.

“It may be difficult to believe, but we believe that fate handpicks the person we will spend eternity with. We call them fated mates.”

“Um, like soulmates?”

“Somewhat, yes, but the bond is even stronger. Yves wants that or nothing.”

“And you?”

“I imagine everyone who believes in fated mates wants one, but some of us are a bit more jaded than Yves. Behind that stoic mask of his is a hopeless, longing romantic. As for me, well, I used to want it, but I lost hope.”

“Oh.” He nods, but the uptick in his pulse is delightful. “How do you know if you’ve found it?”

“It is unmistakable at some point. There are too many signs that can’t be ignored.”

He bites his bottom lip. “So Yves has been with all of you?”

“Yes, but I no longer harbor attraction or feelings of desire for him. I see him truly as a brother. I will say that now that Syn and Midnight have found their mates, it has reignited hope for me and Yves that ours are still coming.”

“Not Thorn?”

I chuckle. “Thorn would rather become a celibate priest than fall in love. As for Raphael, he is mostly silent on the subject. Perhaps he is afraid to hope.”

Justice shifts his gaze to his lap for a moment. “Do you know right away when you meet someone whether they’re your mate?”

“I suppose it depends on how open and astute you are.” Do I tell him? Is his questioning a hopeful clue for me?

“And, um, if a vampire has a fated mate who is mortal, then what?”

Oh yes. This is hope!

“Ideally…” I pause as my throat unexpectedly tightens. “The mortal would choose to join the vampire on their eternal walk.”

“Be-become a vampire?”

“Yes.”

He nods as the color drains from his face. “And if they didn’t? Would they just grow old and die like a normal person?”

“Yes.”

“And leave their vampire behind?”

“In indescribable grief. The vampire could never love again. Once they know the love fate intended for them, nothing else will ever compare.”

“No pressure,” he mumbles. “Does that happen or does every mate just become a vampire?”

“It happens. Some mortals cannot bear the idea of it, and to be fair, it’s not for the faint of heart. When you are turned, you literally die, as I did, until your maker brings you back.”

“How do they do that?”

“By feeding you their blood.”

Justice shifts uneasily, scratching the back of his neck. “You have to drink blood?”

“Yes. But understand, it’s not how you experience blood as a mortal. Have you ever cut your finger and put it in your mouth?”

“Yes.”

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