Edgar Aeternum, Book 1: Tales of Aeternal Love

by Jay Belle Isle

  There were mixed marriages, of course, as well as those who converted, for lack of a better word, to an Andro philosophy, but the ultimate goal of an Andro when it came to love, was to find another Andro. Especially given the intense mating ritual that bonded Andros in what the rest of society thought of as marriage. The sharing of blood was considered to the highest form of bonding, the idea being that the blood of one's mate flowed in one's own veins. It was an extremely private ceremony, attended only by the two men in question. Celebrations with family and friends sometimes came later, but for the most part, becoming mates was held to be an intensely personal affair.

  Quite often bonded Andros would share their status as mates with those whom they loved, but not with a public celebration. Instead, they kept the personal details of their life together private; not from a sense of shame or fear, as those things no longer had a place in society. It was driven by their fierce commitment to the concept of self-sufficiency; outside interference in their bond was neither welcomed, nor tolerated, even from their families and closest friends.

  Edgar knew from centuries of experience, that some Andros spent their lives alone with the exception of the occasional bedmate. This was a matter of personal preference as well as a decision to simply accept that finding one's true mate was difficult and often disappointing and tiring. He thought, briefly, of Sterling.

  A breach of trust like that suffered by his friend was the equivalent of a death blow to a pair-bonding; it was the ultimate betrayal, a dishonor so severe that no amount of talking or even counseling could save the bond. The pain of the one betrayed ran soul-deep and the mere thought of what his friend lived with on a daily basis almost brought Edgar to tears. He hugged Maddi even tighter, his thoughts turning to his own life.

  Honor demanded total honesty; anything less made a travesty of the pair-bond. Edgar had a mate once, centuries ago, before he knew he was immortal. They spent two happy decades together before a tragic car accident took his mate's life. It was a few years after that, that Edgar - approaching his fifties but looking like he did today - began wondering about his life. While he'd mourned his mate for years, when he finally discovered his immortality, part of him felt a sense of relief. Revealing such a secret carried a great risk, but honor would have demanded that he share it with his mate. It was a frightening idea, even given the deep trust mates shared.

  His next thought was that, depending on where things went with Maddi, honor would demand that same sharing if the two ever pair-bonded. Edgar's eyes flew open at the realization. He took a deep breath, released it and closed his eyes again, gently swaying from side to side, the two men holding each other as if for dear life.

  I will not think about this now. Tomorrow will care for itself. Instead, I will focus on having the most wonderful man I've met in the last three hundred years, Sterling included. This is real, this is here, now and this is all I care about. I may have to come clean someday, but I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it. It's skating awfully close to the line, but no one ever anticipated living forever when the Code was conceived.

  Edgar had had been a few other loves over the centuries, but not another mate. The others were happy times until the need to preserve his secret drove Edgar to end the relationships rather than be discovered. He'd struggled with it even then, and not just because it hurt both of them and was unforgivably cruel. Just because the other men hadn't been Andros did not excuse Edgar from honoring the Code. In the end, he'd simply stopped looking for love rather than go through that pain and dishonor again; but at some level, he never stopped wanting to love and be loved.

  He felt Maddi's arms tighten around him and wondered if the young Andro was experiencing his own version of what Edgar was feeling. For the moment, Edgar's only response was to hold Maddi tighter and drop a kiss on his forehead. They stood like that, gently moving together, for what seemed an eternity. Too soon, Edgar thought, Maddi's arms loosened their grip. Edgar stopped the gentle rocking and loosened his own grip, pulling back to look down at his beautiful companion.

  It was only then that he realized Maddi was crying. Tears flowed freely down the younger man's face and he made no effort to hide them or wipe them away. Edgar immediately pulled him in close again, slowly moving them to the edge of the bed. He turned and carefully lay Maddi on the sheets, joining him and once again wrapping him in a hug, Maddi's head on his chest.

  They lay in silence for another few minutes, Edgar softly rubbing Maddi's side with one hand and gently wiping away the boy's tears with the first two fingers of the other. Edgar felt tears welling in his own eyes, finally spilling over and running down either side of his face to fall on the pillow. Maddi's breathing slowed and soon both men stopped crying.

  Edgar moved his hand up from Maddi's side to gently stroke his hair. He had to try twice to speak before his voice would cooperate. "Are you OK, Maddi?"

  It took Maddi as long to answer the question as it had for Edgar to ask it. When he finally spoke, his voice quavered with deeply felt emotion. "Y-yes, I'm fine," he breathed out slowly, further collecting himself and noticing the trails of wetness on Edgar's face. "Are you alright, Edgar?" he queried.

  Edgar smiling, replied, "Never better," and kissed Maddi's forehead. "I was very pleasantly surprised by the fact that you're Andro," he said. "It's been so long since I felt this way about anyone, let alone another Andro. Honestly, I'd given up hope of ever feeling this way again." At that last sentence, fresh tears spilled, flowing down his cheeks.

  It was Maddi's turn to reach up and wipe away tears. As he did so, his own started flowing again. "I know what you mean, Edgar," he said, a slight hitch in his voice. "I've only ever had feelings for another Andro once and they weren't reciprocated," he paused, making an effort to control his voice. "I know how tough it can be and I'm still young. Even so, the thought has crossed my mind more than once that I might be end up living un-bonded, wrapped up in my career to fill the void. It's a great life, being an Andro, but it can be hard."

  "That it can," said Edgar, fighting to regain his own control. He gave a short laugh through his tears and said, "Part of me is afraid I'm going to hear a wake-up chime any time now and you'll disappear, that this is just a dream."

  Maddi smiled, still crying, and said, "I totally get where you're coming from. I feel the same way. It would be a damn cruel joke, wouldn't it, to have all this," here he paused, resting his hand on Edgar's chest, "be nothing but a dream. The best dream I've ever had, granted, but cruel nonetheless."

  "I couldn't agree more if I tried," Edgar said, giving Maddi a squeeze. "As far as I know though, I'm real," he crossed his eyes having succeeded in stopping his tears.

  Maddi giggled at the gesture, the sadness draining away and his own tears coming to an end. "Well," he said, "as far as I know, I'm real, too. I s'pose we could pinch each other and find out," he stuck his out his tongue and winked at Edgar, picking up the shift in mood.

  "Hmmm... I think," Edgar said with a giggle of his own, "that if this is a dream, I prefer not to wake up."

  "Deal!" Maddi said, "Me, either." He lifted himself off of Edgar's chest and wiped away Edgar's last tears. Edgar returned the favor. "Enough tears, even if they be tears of joy," Maddi announced. "We have a whole day ahead of us and, if this weekend is any indication, a chance at a beautiful life," he smiled down at Edgar, who himself was beaming at Maddi's words. "It's a grand and glorious thing that we found each other; for that, I will always be grateful, no matter where this," he grabbed Edgar's hand and squeezed, "goes. Always," he repeated.

  Edgar's smile grew as he returned the squeeze and said, "You and me both, Maddi. I'm not rushing us, but," he paused, looking into Maddi's shining eyes, "I have a feeling that this," he raised their joined hands, "is the start of something wonderful. And I, for one, am all in, both feet first as usual."

  Maddi's smile was so bright, it could've chased away the rain outside as he said, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

  Edgar shook h
is head in amazement at Maddi knowing the supposed quote by Admiral Farragut, given that it preceded Edgar by two hundred years. "Will you ever cease to surprise me?" he laughed.

  "I sure as hell hope not," Maddi said falling atop Edgar and kissing him deeply. Soon their hands began wandering and desire for each other chased away any uncertainty of what the future might bring.

  CHAPTER 19

  The pair finally entered the kitchen, once again freshly showered, a couple hours later. Edgar served more coffee and asked Maddi about breakfast. "How do you like your eggs, handsome?"

  Maddi set down his steaming cup of coffee and, with a sly grin said, "Over easy. Just like you." He ducked as a hand towel whizzed by his head.

  "Brat!" Edgar laughed. "As I recall, I got no arguments flippin' you over a bit ago."

  "What am I, stupid?" Maddi laughed. "I know better than to say no when I really mean 'fuck me silly'!" He took a sip of coffee and continued, "Why don't we just order out? Do you really feel like cooking?"

  Edgar's expression turned serious. "Normally, I'd say that's a fine idea, Maddi. Unfortunately, things aren't exactly normal for me right now." Maddi's concerned expression tugged at Edgar's heart. "I found out recently that I have a stalker. She was supposed to be offworld by now, but she never showed up to catch her transport. I have people checking into it and I'm waiting for their report; in the meantime, no unnecessary risks, like admitting unknowns into the building. I should've said something earlier, I know, but there's a chance she's got my comm line tapped and once you got here... Well, let's just say I was happily distracted."

  Maddi smiled wanly at that last sentence, but his eyes still showed his concern. "You really think she could be a threat, Edgar?"

  "There's a possibility, yes," he answered. "I have the best of the best looking into the matter. It started as a frivolous lawsuit and when my barrister took care of it, she got upset. There's a chance she's just pissed off and hiding; her other option was a clerk position on Tyranus 6, so she may have decided going off the grid was better than going there. If my comm's not tapped, she likely won't know about you, Maddi. I've seen proof that she knows my usual routine, but you haven't been a part of that."

  "Up until now, I hope," Maddi interjected.

  "Of course!" Edgar responded, pulling the younger man in for a hug. "Trust me, Maddi, you are definitely part of my routine now." He pulled back, holding Maddi at arm's length, hands on the boy's shoulders. "I also want you to know that if she does have my comm tapped and knows about you, you will be protected; everyone I've spoken to since this started will be under security protection, paid for by me. I'm not talking average event-type security, either; these are highly-trained military-level mercenaries."

  "Wow!" Maddi exclaimed softly. "Thanks, Edgar; I'm glad to be a part of your routine and to have you as part of mine. But mercenary security? Do I want to know about this?"

  "Probably not," Edgar's expression was grim. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know, though. It's only fair. I thought a bit about cancelling our date until this stalker thing was over, but I was afraid you might think I was making it up. I'm sorry for not telling you and I'm doubly sorry for potentially dragging you into this mess."

  "Don't worry about it, Edgar," Maddi replied. "I appreciate it, but if I have to deal with a crazed lunatic in order to be with you, I will, because you're worth it to me. Obviously, it'd be nice if she just disappeared from your life, but sometimes things don't work that way. I can't say I'm not concerned, and maybe a little scared, but life doesn't come with guarantees. Count me in, man!"

  Edgar smiled, "Thank you, Maddi; I appreciate it. Not only did I want to avoid giving you the wrong idea, but I have to admit," he paused, "part of me just really wanted to see you."

  "I'm not complaining," Maddi smiled, too. "If you had cancelled, I just might have thought it was an excuse, I was so nervous and unsure about whether I had a chance with you. I guess it turned out alright in the end."

  "I think so, too," Edgar said. "And this stalker business won't be forever, either. I kinda have firsthand experience with this sort of thing."

  Maddi's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're saying this isn't your first stalker?" he asked.

  "Nope. Nor is it my second," Edgar answered. "Sadly, it comes with the territory of having wealth."

  "Ah," replied Maddi. "So I can expect this say, every other month?"

  Edgar chuckled. "No, it doesn't happen that often. In reality, it's every other week." He yelped as Maddi playfully slapped his ass.

  "Now who's being a brat?" Maddi laughed.

  "Sorry, I couldn't resist," Edgar laughed. "It seemed like we needed a little levity."

  "Yeah, I can see that," Maddi said. "So, what, uh, happened to these other stalkers?"

  Edgar smiled, but it was a cold expression. "Do you really want to know?" he asked.

  Maddi's brow furrowed. "I'm not so sure, now, Edgar. You're kinda scaring me, I gotta admit."

  Edgar's face went blank. "I'm sorry, Maddi; that's the last thing I want to do. If you ask me, I'm honor-bound by the Code to answer you honestly. I'll tell you upfront that it's seldom a happy ending for them."

  Maddi backed away from Edgar, his face showing more fear than concern. "How unhappy, Edgar?" he asked, his voice flat.

  "You won't like that answer," Edgar said. "If you really want to know..."

  "I don't want to know, Edgar, but something tells me I need to know," Maddi replied.

  "Okay," Edgar said, leaning against the kitchen counter. He took a deep breath, preparing himself to give this wonderful man horrible news. Code or not, he decided he'd only give information for this lifetime. "To date, this is my fourth stalker. Jarvis was supposed to catch a shuttle to Tyranus 6, like I told you. This was not her idea; my representative, along with her employer, my bank, encouraged her to go. Her other options were likely worse that a dead-end job on a backwater colony. I don't actually have the details on what they might have been, but I have a good guess."

  "Such as?" Maddi interrupted.

  "It's entirely likely that her alternative was a trip to Dissa. I assume you know what that means?" Edgar said.

  "I do," Maddi replied. "She got to pick between a rough life on a new colony world or being a sex slave until it finally killed her. Dissa indentures tend not to retire, from what I've heard."

  "Correct on all points," Edgar replied, voice devoid of all feeling. "Shall I continue?"

  "Please do," Maddi answered.

  "Fine," Edgar said. "My first stalker became a Dissa indenture. He tracked me for weeks before making a move. That move included spiking my drink with a dose of Trizine at Maxi's. Of course, I didn't know it was him when I accepted the drink. I woke up tied to his bed; I convinced him I'd go along with him willingly and, after two days, he finally released me. Not before," Edgar paused, "enjoying himself. Fortunately for me, he had pretty vanilla tastes.

  When he finally untied me, I beat the shit out of him. Martial arts, remember? Then I had my rep ship him to Dissa, one way trip. You probably want to know why I didn't contact Altair Security. I don't like public scrutiny that much; I especially hate it when that comes with psy'ers, as a lie detector exam would've been necessary." He paused again, giving Maddi a chance to absorb this information.

  "My second stalker was less organized. He basically camped out in Gridley Park, watching Highland House. Every time I left, he tailed me. He finally screwed up the courage to approach me. I advised him that I had no interest in him and that he'd be wise to go away. He didn't take my advice. Instead, he chose to hack my HC, a rare accomplishment indeed. That's why I have a near military-grade firewall now. Of course, I didn't know this until he showed up in my apartment one night.

  He said we were meant to be together and that if he couldn't have me, no one else ever would. Then he pulled out a mini-gun and shot me. Lucky for me, he was a lousy aim; instead of a kill shot, he got my left shoulder. Hurt like hell, it did. I knocked him out before he
had a chance to take another shot. Again, I chose to avoid scrutiny, for personal reasons. My rep made sure I got discreet medical attention and my uninvited guest disappeared."

  "Disappeared?" Maddi asked.

  "My rep assured me it was painless and looked like a suicide," Edgar answered, afraid of Maddi's reaction.

  Maddi was silent, a conflicted look on his face. Edgar continued, "My third stalker was actually a one-time bedmate with a questionable grip on reality. Thirty-seven calls on the best day, pubic scenes on the worst," Edgar stopped.

  "And?" Maddi prompted, a hint of disgust in his voice. "Did you have him killed, too, or just enslaved?"

  Edgar bore the words, and the tone with which they were delivered, silently. Inside, he felt them like body blows, knowing he had no defense without exposing his secret. He answered Maddi, "He was sent offworld, to Xanser. I'm told he actually did commit suicide. Xanser isn't a bad colony; it's established and he was sent with enough credits to last him a lifetime. He was just really unstable and believed he couldn't live without me; so he didn't."

  "You couldn't have had your rep," Maddi said it as though it was the vilest curse, "arrange psy'er help for him? Obviously, you cared enough to fund him for life."

  "We discussed it," Edgar answered. "I was told he failed the psy exam my rep arranged. It was the colony or a sen-depot. I've been inside one, on assignment. If you haven't, let me tell you, they're nothing like their PR campaigns make them look. It may sound cruel, but I thought it was a better life than sitting in a coma," a small touch of anger slipped into his voice. He honestly believed it was a better option.