Love Eternal

by Nikki McCoy

  “A monster like that doesn’t just wake up one day and decide to start abusing strangers’ kids. He chooses a child who’s close to him. One he knows is too weak and afraid to defy him. A child he can control within his own home.” Memories crowded into Tailor’s mind of his own childhood. Of the monster he’d lived with until he’d grown strong enough to barely escape with his life.

  He shook his head then grabbed the bottle to pour more whiskey. “As much as it pains me to say this, I like you. And I don’t think you should blame yourself for what happened to Dhani. When I first met him, he’d just been rescued from being held prisoner for two and a half years by a band of rogue Vam’kir. Before that, he’d lived on the streets until he met a good friend of mine, Keenan. For years afterwards, they lived together in a shitty apartment in Detroit.

  “He had every right to be a jaded, self-centered, stuck-up little brat, but he wasn’t. He was happy.” Tailor laughed and shook his head. “He’s like no one I’ve ever met. Hell, he was even willing to accept me after I pretty much threw him away.”

  Laya reached across the table and punched him in the arm. “You threw my baby away?”

  “Ow!” He rubbed his arm then leaned back out of her reach. “Okay, so I’m an asshole. You knew that about me already.”

  Surprisingly, she merely smiled. “That I did.” She raised her glass in salute and waited for Tailor to tap his glass against hers. “Here’s to the man we love. May he forgive us our many faults.”

  As soon as they’d downed their whiskey, Laya pierced him with a penetrating glare. “Especially yours. I know about your reputation with women. If you hurt my son, I’ll cut off your manhood and choke you with it, assuming it’s long enough to get the job done.”

  Tailor grinned. Oh yeah, he definitely liked this woman.

  They passed away another hour drinking and talking until Laya admitted defeat. When she tried to stumble to her guest bedroom, Tailor picked her up and carried her there, laying her down in the bed and tucking her under the blankets.

  He went upstairs to his own bedroom next to Dhani’s, but couldn’t bring himself to go inside. Instead, he found himself entering his mate’s room and taking the seat he’d been sleeping in for the past three nights beside Dhani’s bed.

  He leaned forward to take Dhani’s limp hand into both of his then rested his forehead on his mate’s knuckles. Dhani’s clean scent permeated the blanket covering him, filling Tailor’s senses with the lure of dark spices.

  Since he’d arrived at his home with Dhani, he had refused for anyone other than Quinn and the community doctor to touch his mate. He’d been the one to bathe Dhani and change the sheets on his bed. Every inch of his mate’s thin body was etched into his mind from the hours he’d taken to ensure Dhani was comfortable.

  He had no right to such intimacy, he knew this, but neither could he bring himself to allow anyone else to get so close to his mate. At times, his possessiveness over Dhani scared him. In truth, they hardly knew each other. During the few weeks after they’d met, Tailor had been too consumed over the memories of his first mate that Dhani’s presence had induced. He’d been unable to appreciate the gift that was right there in front of him.

  I was a fool, Tailor berated himself. For as much as Dhani was still a stranger to him, he felt as though he’d learned all he needed to about his mate during the handful of times they’d interacted.

  Dhani was loyal to a fault. He’d been willing to accept a mate who didn’t deserve him and sacrifice himself for a friend, knowing what it might cost him. If Tailor had been in his shoes, he didn’t know if he could’ve been so altruistic.

  He leaned back to scrub his face then stilled when his mate jerked suddenly. Dhani’s brow furrowed and his head began to shake from side to side. His eyes remained closed as his back arched and mouth opened to let loose a scream that echoed throughout the room.

  When Dhani started to thrash his arms as though warding off an invisible threat, Tailor grabbed hold of his wrists and pressed them into the mattress next to Dhani’s head. “You’re okay,” Tailor said softly. “Everything’s fine. I’m with you.”

  But whatever nightmare held Dhani in its grip only worsened. Dhani cried out again as tears fell down his temples. He fought wildly against Tailor’s hold, bucking his frail body until Tailor had no choice except to straddle him.

  Tailor pressed down with the full weight of his body and willed the panic from his energy, knowing it would only provoke Dhani’s fear. He brought his mouth to Dhani’s ear and said, “Enough. I won’t let him have you anymore. You’re mine, you understand that? You belong to me.”

  Dhani bucked again, though his strength seemed to be fading.

  Tailor continued to whisper in his mate’s ear, commanding him to calm down. For several minutes, he spoke quiet nonsense, saying anything and everything he could think of to draw Dhani out of his nightmare.

  After what seemed an eternity, Dhani’s resistance eventually faded and his body sank slowly back onto the bed.

  Tailor buried his face into the pillow under Dhani’s head and loosened his grip on his mate’s wrists, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves. Exhaustion crept in, reminding him that he hadn’t slept in days, and the haze of the whiskey he’d consumed blurred his thoughts.

  He slumped to Dhani’s side and wrapped a protective arm around him, telling himself he would only steal five minutes of his mate’s comfort.

  Just five minutes to take away his own nightmares.

  Chapter Four

  Dhani’s mind stirred at the feel of luxurious heat surrounding him. It was everywhere all at once, enveloping him in a cocoon that was all too real to be an illusion. He reached within himself for the source and felt his spirit respond with joy. His leopard purred in happiness, telling him he had missed the communion of their souls as much as Dhani had.

  Dhani felt his cat stretch within, urging him to do the same. He tried to extend his arms only to pause when a heavy weight restricted his movement. Tight bands were tethered around his arms and legs, caging him in.

  A rush of terror seized him and he sought out the security of his spirit. Bones reknit themselves and skin transformed to a thick white pelt with reddish-brown spots. A sliver of hesitancy sparked from his leopard, but he ignored it in favor of the strength his animal form gave him.

  He twisted out of the bands holding him down and flipped over to take on the unknown threat. Bloodlust sang in his veins as he pinned the alien body beneath his substantial weight and clamped his jaws around vulnerable flesh.

  Flashbacks of the pain and violation he’d been subjected to in the vast realm of his prison crowded into his thoughts, taking over.

  Never again, he told himself. Never again will I be that weak.

  He had the power of his leopard now, and he would kill anyone who dared take it away from him again.

  He bit down harder and growled his dominance when the sweet tang of blood spilled onto his tongue. Triumph reeled through him, urging him to take more—to demand his vengeance.

  Then his spirit yowled ferociously within, clawing at his soul to force him to back off.

  Dhani’s thoughts glazed over in confusion. Why was his leopard challenging him now?

  He unclamped his jaws with effort then drew back. Tailor’s handsome face came into view, his blue eyes staring up at Dhani with an unfathomable expression. There was no fear or even the slightest trace of apprehension in the man’s gaze. Only utter patience and a disturbing amount of acceptance.

  Small bite wounds marked both sides of his neck where Dhani’s canines had punctured his skin. They wept twin trails of blood over bruises that were already starting to form. If Dhani had applied any more pressure, his canines would’ve broken his mate’s jugular and possibly ended his life. Yet, Tailor hadn’t made a single move to defend himself.

  That was when Dhani recognized what lay beneath the patience in his mate’s gaze. It was trust, blind and terrifying.

  Tailor had bee
n willing to give his life just to prove that trust.

  The realization made Dhani rear back in bewilderment. At the same time, Tailor bolted upright with a sharp gasp, yelling, “Wait!”

  Too late, Dhani felt his hind claws dig into his mate’s groin as he scrambled backwards. Tailor sprang forward in a failed attempt to protect himself and rolled with Dhani off the foot of the bed. More accidentally than out of intention, Dhani reverted back to his human form just as his back hit the floor. Tailor landed on top of him with a grunt, his head bent and face screwed up in a rictus of pain.

  “I’m sorry!” Dhani exclaimed. “I didn’t know it was you. Are you okay?”

  After several shallow breaths, Tailor raised his head and gave him a sardonic half-grin. “I guess I deserved that. Just don’t expect me to function properly for the next week.”

  Despite Tailor’s obvious pain, or perhaps because of it, Dhani lips curved up in a smile. He temporarily forgot about the reasons for his fear and cocked his head to the side. “Have you ever functioned properly?”

  Tailor’s grin widened and his chest rumbled with deep laughter. “Keep it up and I’ll show you just how well I can function.”

  The teasing humor in Tailor’s eyes slowly changed then, becoming something else. Something more. His irises lightened and took on the golden hue of his eagle spirit, signifying his arousal. The enticing smells of fresh earth and musk enveloped Dhani in a seductive embrace.

  Dhani felt a sudden urge to pull his mate close. To sink back into the heat of Tailor’s body and lose himself there. It would be so easy, and in that moment, he had no doubt Tailor would let him.

  The temptation to crawl into his mate’s arms and stay there until nothing else existed was nearly overwhelming. The way Tailor looked at him now, like he was the only person on earth that mattered, was an aphrodisiac. Tailor’s energy was so strong and confident.

  In the back of Dhani’s mind, an alarm went off, telling him he should be afraid. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to take heed. There was a gentle edge to Tailor’s stark arousal that let Dhani know the man wouldn’t hurt him.

  Then Dhani’s stomach growled loudly, breaking the tension.

  Tailor dropped his head to Dhani’s neck and chuckled softly. When he looked back up, his irises had returned to their original sky blue. “I’ll get you some food. There’s a bathroom through that door,” he said, tilting his head to a corner of the room. “Take a shower and relax. And whatever you do, don’t shift again until I’m prepared for it.”

  Dhani smiled in embarrassment as he watched his mate leave. It was only then that he became aware of his nakedness under the blanket tangled around him. Tailor had been fully clothed, which meant he hadn’t tried anything while Dhani had been asleep.

  While Dhani was grateful for that, he recalled the stories he’d heard of Tailor’s promiscuity among women. How the man had bedded any willing female he could find. At the time, that hadn’t bothered Dhani. He’d been positive he could show his mate how to truly love again.

  Now, he wasn’t so sure about anything anymore. Tailor was dangerous, attractive and larger than life. He’d also had an entire year to forget about the complications of another mate and return to his single life. In that year, all Dhani had become was damaged goods. Did he really have any right to hope Tailor would accept him now when he hadn’t before?

  Dhani shook his head and pushed aside the blanket to stand. A wave of dizziness hit him and he immediately leaned on the bed for support. His body felt sluggish and hollow and his stomach cramped painfully.

  He walked carefully to the bathroom then grimaced when he saw his reflection in the wide mirror above the sink. His lips matched the color of his pale skin and his hair was unkempt. He peered closer and touched the wing of white hair at his left temple among his red locks. Dread coursed through him when he noticed there was more white than there had been before.

  The shackle was tightening.

  As if in response, the darkness that infected his soul rose up like a putrid current, reminding him of the reason Roh Se Kahn had released him from the alternate realm. As bad as it had been in his prison, he hadn’t wanted freedom at the price Roh Se Kahn had demanded of him. He would’ve stayed and suffered for an eternity rather than give in to the dark God, but Roh Se Kahn hadn’t given him a choice.

  The dark God had forced a sliver of his soul into Dhani to ensure Dhani carried out his plans in the human realm. To make room for his soul, he had taken a part of Dhani in exchange. Dhani felt the absence of what Roh Se Kahn had taken from him keenly, but he closed those thoughts from his mind. Although Roh Se Kahn’s power was growing stronger within him, he was still in control. He still had some time before the darkness took over completely.

  When that happened, he swore to himself he would be as far from his mate as possible.

  For a second, he was tempted to try suicide again. He’d already tried it as soon as he’d been thrust back into the human realm by the dark God. Roh Se Kahn had just given him the orders he was to carry out and the thought of completing them had filled every ounce of him with the desire to die rather than follow through.

  The darkness in him hadn’t allowed it, however. It had blazed him, inside and out, with a burning so intense, his very will had been taken from him. In the countless minutes of agony he’d endured, the darkness hadn’t relented until he’d given up his thoughts of suicide. Dhani had known right then it was only a matter of time before the sliver of Roh Se Kahn’s soul would dominate his every move.

  For now, though, he still had time.

  He found a new toothbrush, brush and everything else he needed stored neatly in the drawers by the sink. After taking a shower, he deliberately combed his hair to one side to hide the streak of white then went in search of clothing. It came as no surprise to find the closet in the room filled with clothes his size.

  He smiled, rifling through the expensive collection he could never have afforded in several lifetimes. It reminded him of the day his best friend had been treated to such luxuries by his own mate. Dhani and Keenan had lived together for years, scraping by on just enough money to keep them off the streets. Then when Keenan’s mate, Rowan, had found them, Rowan had showered Keenan with gifts most would take for granted. Like food, a car and clothes that didn’t come from a second-hand store.

  A pang entered Dhani’s chest at the thought of his friend. He wanted to see Keenan badly, but knew he couldn’t. Not while he still had some control over the darkness within.

  He chose casual jeans and a shirt and was dressed just as his mate came in with a tray of food.

  Tailor paused in setting the tray on the dresser to stare at Dhani. “You look good. Really good.”

  Dhani felt heat rise in his cheeks and looked away. “Thanks.” When Tailor didn’t stop staring for several more seconds, he tugged at his clothes self-consciously then pointed at the tray. “Is that for me?”

  “Yeah,” Tailor said abruptly. “Yeah, I, uh…may have gotten a little too much. Doc said you probably wouldn’t be able to eat a whole lot at first. I want you to eat as much as you can, though. And I brought some vitamins you need to take. Drink all of your milk and call me when you’re done.” He pulled a cell phone from his pocket and placed it next to the tray. “I don’t want you walking around too much. You need to rebuild your energy.”

  Dhani smirked in slight irritation. “Anything else, Dad?”

  Tailor smiled uneasily. “Guess I am going a little overboard. I’m just worried about you.”

  “You didn’t worry about me a year ago when you were sleeping with all those women.” The words were out before he could stop them, and instantly, he wanted to take them back. What the hell am I doing? he castigated himself inwardly. I didn’t care about that before. Why the hell is it bothering me now?

  Guilt speared him when Tailor’s face became a stone mask. Even the calming feel of Tailor’s energy seemed to disappear, which should’ve been impossible. The energy of any Ba�
�Kal or Vam’kir was akin to the heat generated by any living being.

  In a tone lacking all inflection, Tailor replied, “Since the first time I saw you, there’s been no one else. Even when I thought I’d lost you forever, you were still all that mattered.”

  Dhani bowed his head, unable to meet his mate’s emotionless gaze.

  A loud stretch of silence passed, then Tailor walked to the door. He paused to turn back to Dhani. “By the way, I spoke with Keenan. He’s anxious to see you. I’ve arranged to pick him up from the airport tomorrow. He’s going to take the first flight he can find out of France.”

  “No!” Dhani exclaimed, then tamped down the fear spiking through him. “I mean, not yet. It’s too soon.” He couldn’t risk contact with Keenan. If their meeting accelerated the control Roh Se Kahn’s power had over him, it would be game over.

  Tailor frowned. “Whatever happened to you in the past year, whatever Roh Se Kahn might’ve done, none of us think you’ve been corrupted by him. Keenan loves you. That’ll never change.”

  Despair gripped Dhani as his mate’s words hit too close to home. If only they knew the truth… “I just can’t do it right now. Please don’t make me.”

  Concern flickered in Tailor’s gaze before he nodded solemnly and left.

  Dhani took a deep breath then turned to glare at the food on the tray, his appetite gone. He covered his face with one hand and snarled angrily. The darkness in him was like a cancerous growth that would win in the end. It was inevitable. Why, then, couldn’t he forget about his resentment and make the best out of the time he had left?

  Tailor would probably always consider him as a replacement for his first mate, but it was getting harder and harder to think of that as a bad thing. When you only had weeks to live, it wasn’t so easy to live on pride alone.

  He forced himself to eat as much as he could, put the cell phone in his pocket, then left the room with the tray in hand. The thought of calling Tailor as he’d asked him to came and went just as quickly. Dhani knew he was in his mate’s house. Tailor’s masculine scent clung to everything, faint yet undeniable. He wanted to explore the place his mate called home without being looked after like a child.