If I ever needed time alone, it wouldn't be from you, if I ever needed time alone it's because of what I would do, it's always a great pain to keep my control around you. K.Lloyd

My idea of Dustan-Tate Langdon such a heartthrob. Ooh lala Any American Horror Story Fans I know I am 😋

Dustan

I had denied the electricity between Lily an I whenever we touched, I couldn't endure the pain anymore that came from giving myself that sense of false hope.

I wouldn't suffer the same faith I did with Evelyn. We had fallen in love and she had submitted herself to the hands of Jessica all for the sake of my happiness my needs...I was a selfish man and in the end it all turned out for the worst. Evelyn was not the one and she paid the ultimate price with her life.

Now standing here before me glowing in the radiance of our true mates bond was Lily my salvation but somehow all I felt in this moment was guilt.

"Dustan what is this?"

The pleading in Lily's voice is what stirs me to action. Releasing her from my hold the bond is harshly severed and results in a push instead of a pull in our force field in turn sending both of our bodies spiralling backwards. Lily is sent slamming against the wall of the porch causing her to faint from the severe impact, whilst I land with all the grace of a dancer some feet away. Being an immortal certainly had its positives but in this moment it was the last thing I wanted to think of when the woman I devoted all of my lifetime's to finding laid motionless on the cold wooden floor.

I rush to her side easing her body from the floor as if she weighed nothing, cradling her in my arms as I rushed to take her up the stairs to the safety of her room. My heart feels full with just the thought of knowing she is mine. The difficulty however would come  with trying to return her memories.

As I enter her bedroom resting her delicate frame on the bed I think of a way to explain what this all means to someone who has never experienced anything supernatural in their life. How could I then ease her into not only accepting who she is but also what she was and to put the icing on top what she would have to willing endure to gain the answers to all her questions.

I rest the damp cloth against her head willing her to open her eyes again. Not too much injury was caused from the impact of her body colliding with the wall. A simple bump to the back of her head that should disappear within a few hours. Hopefully this didn't symbolize a concussion as well. Already my veins  are filled with my protective instincts for the woman I'm meant to be with, my mate finally I could say that after so many years. The only question was would she have me after learning everything? And was it worth the risk again? I had to make my decision and fast, her body will begin to heal her in a shorter time spans now that the first step was taken. "The touch" revealing the glow of one's true mate.

Lily

Waking up in bed I quickly sit up trying to remember exactly how I got here, the last thing I remember is seeing my entire body emit a strange glow along with Dustan's after I held on to him. Nothing made sense but there was only one way for me to find out exactly what was happening or happened rather.

Jumping to my feet I instantly regret it as my head begins to swing an I'm forced to sit once again.

Holding my head a distinct throb begins to grow from behind. A sharp knock on the door has me forgetting far too easily as a brace myself for the appearance of the person holding the answers to all my questions.

"Come in!" I say louder than I expected and I watch as Dustan's body practically glides in across the threshold of the door stopping mere steps away from where I sit.

"Great to see you're up already I was beginning to wonder if I'd need to call a doctor after that nasty fall you had last night."

"Fall? That's not exactly how I remember it, for heaven's sake you were glowing, we were glowing."

"Well whilst I do admire your bold compliment for my skin routine Ms. Whyte I suggest you try to keep things a bit more professional, which is exactly what I would have told you afternoon you said the same thing last night before you slipped on the water I had spilled."

The night was reeling in faster an I needed rest. Tomorrow would bring a new day, a welcomed one once it meant being in Dustan's presence, an alluring one at that.

Next Day

Dustan

"Good morning Lily, I hope being up this early wasn't an issue?" I said walking to meet her on the back porch.
"No, I actually prefer it" she said turning to grace me with a smile. God surely must be playing tricks with me, she was a vision even in the soft glow of the coming sunrise, a vision that looked all too familiar.

Evelyn had glowed this way before the chemotherapy before...
"Are we going somewhere today? I assumed since you requested my presence out here. And might I say your backyard is stunning and larger than any I've seen." Thankful for the distraction against my plummeting thoughts only Evelyn could surface, I proceeded. "Yes, I thought it a wonderful idea if we saw the way nature reacts in the morn just before the break of day."

Laughing, she looked uninhibited "I see, you certainly have a way with words. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. After all your works sometimes express your interests in ancient times."
"Really, no one seems to quite notice off hand."
"Well I've always been known to pick things apart, its a personal talent I take pride in." she said staring intently ahead.
"I find that intriguing." I said, watching has her then became purposeful, whether it was due to my open admiration was unbeknownst to me but I certainly hoped it was.

Talking came naturally with Lily and her keen observation lead me to believe I had been the one to be guided instead of the other way around. When the sun eventually made its prominent show amongst the trees, I was transported in time as I watched the patterns created by the sunlight slipping through the leaves, dance upon her dark succlent skin. While the brown in her eyes appeared to be much more visible.

"If I hadn't known better I'd say we teleported to a valley well preserved and hidden from all others. There seems to be no end in sight and the different species of birds are enough to excite the most dormant spirit"
"I'm happy you see it that way but I hate to say this is where we end our tour and make our way back to the house, where you will channel what you've seen onto your canvas in what I'm hoping is a far greater light than what I've done before." I had allowed my guard to slip and wandered too far, if we had ventured a bit further there is no doubt the truth would have been exposed.
"Really, I doubt that but I'm thankful for the encouragement. This walk was just what I needed to kick start my day. Thank you." I could see the sincerity in her eyes. "You're welcome Lily."

Lily

Painting was never an issue for me, especially when it came to blending the right colours. Still here I was stuck on the image of Dustan shirtless, wandering openingly through his massive garden like Adam before he indulged in sin.

I had been left to paint on the second floor porch facing the massive garden filled with various species of flowers and with the natural lighting as an inspiration.
I was thankful to be the second apprentice taken under his wing. There was one story I had managed to discover online which spoke of a woman named Evelyn Knight who was once in my place. She had vanished without a trace and nothing could be said by Dustan who had become an introvert shortly after leading to his move from the highlights of the city and remembered only by those in love with his work. There were suspicions surrounding his actions and several investigations but in the end a doctor had spoken up on a visit from Ms. Knight that lead to the discovery of her third stage cancer. She had mentioned leaving the country to begin treatment but was never found. The case went cold after the revelation. To be honest I was surprised more than one article was online surrounding the story.

"How are you coming along?" I heard the deep voice ask scaring me shitless.

"Fcuk you scared me. I'm sorry I was lost in my work" I said now turning to face Dustan in his black tee and snug fitted jeans. He always seemed to at ease in his surroundings, dispite his granite appearance.

"I understand above all others how lost you can become in your work, a friend of mine used to take advantage of that."

The pang I felt was stupid but I felt the sting of jealousy knawing at my heart all the same.

"Would it happen to be the life size Barbie that waltz in yesterday?" he appeared to ponder my statement only for a brief moment before erupting in laughter.
He threw his head back in a carefree manner sending his blond mass of curls in the same direction.
Just when I thought he couldn't get any more sexier.

"I've heard Jessica being called many things but that was never one. And to answer your question no, she was not."

"Ahh so its the mysterious Evelyn Knight I suppose?"

"Where did you hear that name?"
His entire demeanor had changed in an instant an I couldn't help but wonder what truly was the connection between the two? Did it stem beyond what it was meant to be? Did he know where she was now? All these questions raced through my mind of the woman without a face. All the while I was lost in the depths of those gleaming grey eyes that seemed to be changing colour before my very eyes. This was enough to coax my words.
"Your eyes the colour is changing" quickly turning he seemed to float across the space towards the open door.
"It's just the lighting"
"Lighting my ass I believe what I see with my own eyes" I said abruptly standing.

Swiftly turning towards me he pinned me with an intense stare enough to cause me to cream my panties.
My emotions are a wreck.

"Ms. White are you doubting me?"
He slowly walked towards me where I now stood as if stalking his prey.

"Nno" shit I could hear the lust in my own voice.

"Hmm I didn't think so, finish up your work. Breakfast will be ready soon."
And with a swift turn he glided back into the hallway from which he came. "Don't you want to know how I know her name?" I asked desparate to keep his attention just a bit longer. It was becoming something I craved for.

"I know the tales of the internet Lily."
And with that he was gone leaving me to regain my composure and in need of a cold shower. It was undeniable I was slipping under his control.