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"Our bond will grow over time. We can't read minds, but we can read emotions, and we will always know when we are needed. Fate gives couples the power to know one another intimately and extends attributes of one to the other." He offered and then explained. "You will gradually gain some vampire perks such as rapid healing, extended life span, speed, and acuity in defense will sharpen."
“There isn’t anything I have that you would want.” Cooper made the passing comment, but Edward was not going to let it go unchallenged.
“What you give me is beyond value and beyond anything I could access on my own. You have opened my heart to things I never thought to experience your sweet innocence has brought light to my darkness and peace to my chaos." Edward held him close and dropped a kiss on his forehead.
"You have given me life and hope. You have allowed me to step out of my shadows and feel the warmth of the sun. You are my heart and my world." Edward was not usually so prolific, but this was his beloved, and he needed him to understand just how important he was to Edward and this world.
"I thought this would be limited, and you would soon tire of me, and even with that belief, I still wanted whatever you were prepared to give me for however long you were prepared to give it. I didn't ever want to be without you, for having you near has offered me strength, confidence, and a sense of peace and security I always dreamed of and never achieved." Cooper gave a long sigh and moved closer.
"Life and hope are exactly what you give me and what I want to give you." Cooper buried his face in Edwards's chest, and he could feel the tears against his flesh. Cooper wasn't sad. He was overwhelmed, and the tears were his release. Edward smoothed the lovely auburn locks back from his face and rubbed circles in the small of his back, soothing him as he purged the emotions that were too much to bear.
Edward held him silently, lending him reassurance and support. Their bond was getting stronger by the hour, with their closeness and physical contact feeding the union. He was becoming one with this little mage, and it felt so right. Cooper calmed and lay in Edward's arms. "I apologize for that. I'm not usually so emotional, but you seem to bring the feelings out in me." He chuckled softly.
"You are fine, sweetheart, and tears are nothing to apologize for. They are cleansing and provide a release. Please don't ever hold back when you're with me. I make no judgments." Edward appreciated Cooper showing him his deepest feelings and never wanted him to think he could not express himself. "Thank you for trusting me, Cooper. You can always lean on me."
"And you can always lean on me, Edward. I may not look it, but I can handle almost anything." Cooper's tone was still a little scratching from the tears, but his intent was strong.
"I don't doubt your ability to take care of me," Edward told him and dropped several kisses on the top of his head. He loved the soft giggle. His little love was such a treasure. After a few minutes, Edward suggested they shower and get something to eat. Neither had eaten for some time, and he worried about Cooper keeping up his strength.
“In a minute.” Cooper moaned and gripped Edward tighter, resting his head on his shoulder. "Just a little while longer; you feel so good."
"You feel good too, sweetheart," Edward replied, loving the peace that was embracing his beloved. "A few more minutes, and then shower and eat." He said and received another soft moan. He was so enthralled by this little mage, and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Edward glanced down at the lightning bolt emblazoned on his chest and felt pride at being the chosen one of this special man, his special man. It had been a long time since he belonged to anyone.
The two people he had loved most in the world were both long dead, and he thought he had died with them. Finally, he was given the opportunity to walk out of the darkness and live again. Fate's gift was a surprise and an honor he did not take lightly, and he would forever strive to be worthy of someone so pure, so innocent, and perfect.
As he lay there, his mind wandered to the threat against his beloved from the group out of Florida. The fact that Norman Niemi still lived and still sought to harm his love grated on him, and Edward was not a man to leave loose ends. Niemi was a continued threat, and Edward was within his rights to extinguish that threat.
Their lives together were just beginning, and he had to remove Niemi from the picture for his beloved to actually feel safe and be happy. He vowed to take care of the problem before the sun went down.
They showered, and Edward arranged for a nice meal which they enjoyed on the balcony off the main dining room that overlooked the ocean. Edward had always lived alone at the castle, but now that he had Cooper, he considered hiring some staff. Magic had sufficed until now, but Cooper deserved proper service and care. He would look into it as soon as he took care of Niemi.
"This is so nice," Cooper commented on the view and the meal. "I like your place. It's secluded yet feels so much a part of things. It fits so perfectly into the hillside and has such killer views."
"I'm glad you like it, my love. It is your home now, as my beloved. You have authority and position here. I don't have staff, but we can decide on that together. We can build our home together and make it a place we both love and feel comfortable." Edward noted.
“This is a lot to take in and sort out, but I can tell you this, I have never been happier than I am here with you. The acreage and the oceanfront, all the nature existing around us, make me feel settled, balanced, and secure. I know that nothing can touch me here." Cooper expressed himself clearly.
Edward was pleased by Cooper’s declaration and the fact that their bonding was moving forward with such ease. There were still many things Cooper did not know, important things, and he would explain himself when the time was right, but Edward was confident that his past would not destroy his future.
Cooper was not disapproving of him so far so, and he'd been confronted with some unpleasantness. He hoped that Cooper's forgiving nature and understanding continued to be bestowed upon him.
"Nothing can touch you here. I have the castle and grounds protected, and nothing apart from Batiste himself could ever penetrate the shields I have erected." Edward reached over and covered Cooper's hand with his own. "With that said, I need to take care of an issue, and I would like for you to stay here until I return. Move around as you please nothing is secret or out of bounds. Get a feel for the place, and I will return shortly. You're safe here, but if you'd like a guard, I can conjure you a guard."
"I don't need a guard. I can feel the power of this place, and my safety is secure here under your protection. My only concern is your purpose in leaving." He looked up at Edward through his thick, dark eyelashes and captured him with that hypnotic green gaze. "Does it have anything to do with Norman?"
"It has everything to do with Norman." He answered honestly. "I will take care of him and his hired help. He will leave you alone; I can promise you that." Edward was sharp, and to the point; he hoped Cooper was not going to try and talk him out of this because men like Niemi did not negotiate and could not be trusted. If he wasn't dealt with, he would forever be a thorn in their sides.
"You're more knowledgeable in these matters than me, so I'll leave it in your hands. I would really like to be free of him and his hired muscle. I don't have the ability to protect myself from him, so whatever you can do would be greatly appreciated." Cooper surprised him again with an understanding he did not expect.
"You are truly amazing, my love." He said and stood, pulling Cooper to his feet and kissing him fiercely and thoroughly. "When I return, there are things I need to share with you, things about myself and my past."
"I don't care," Cooper stated. "This is you and I, and we started life yesterday. The past is not important to me."
"I need to tell you, and I hope you understand." Edward dropped another kiss to his soft lips and then stepped back.
"If you need to tell me, then I will listen."
