Return of the Demon Sovereign (Book 2) [MxM]

She knows.

Erebus inhaled sharply, his hand still hanging in the air. She knows.

Leo tightened his grip on Erebus' shirt, his voice trembling with confusion. "Why did you stop me? I could have hurt her! So why?"

Erebus didn't hear him; he remained rooted, his thoughts ensnared by Kore's recognition. She saw him—not as Shadowbane's General, but as him.

Years of hiding his true self flashed before his eyes—years spent allowing them to believe he was dead. If they knew he was alive, what then? Would they hunt him down? Would they try to take everything from him again?

Shadowbane? His friends? Dear Deities... would they target Leo?

"I could have made her bleed!" Leo pressed on, shaking Erebus, seeking a reaction. But the fire in Erebus' gaze had dimmed, replaced by a deeper fear.

Erebus was lost in his thoughts, fighting the turmoil within. Leo's panic multiplied as he imagined the worst possibilities.

"Erebus? Please. Just look at me," Leo pleaded, cupping Erebus' face to force him to meet his frantic gaze. "Do you see me?"

"She saw me," Erebus finally whispered.

"And?" Leo's voice faltered, his terror palpable.

"She said my name."

"You're well known. She knows your name." Desperation laced Leo's tone as he sought to snap Erebus out of his daze, but his fear festered beneath the surface.

Erebus' eyes finally registered Leo, and he released a shuddering breath. "The way she said it... she wasn't calling for the General."

Leo trembled, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Erebus, you're frightening me."

Erebus' breath hitched. "She called out to me as the Dragon Commander... as her husband."

The shock of Kore recognizing him cut deep, and the way she said it—like a lover calling to him—sent tremors of fear through his being.

"What does that mean?" Leo whispered. "She saw you and recognized you? Is that all?"

"She knows who I am."

"And?" Leo pressed, his voice trembling. "Do you... hate her still?"

Erebus frowned in confusion. "Hate?"

Leo bit back a whimper. "Did she... did she bewitch you again?"

"Bewitch?" Erebus echoed, struggling to comprehend Leo's fears.

Leo let go of Erebus and stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his feet. "No," he gasped, his tears falling faster. "No! Deities, no. Please, no. She can't have you. Not again."

Seeing Leo's panic, Erebus' shock morphed into alarm. "Leo. Wait—"

Leo reached back out, placing his hands on Erebus' cheeks again. "You do not belong to her. You are mine! You hear me, Erebus? You will not fall for her spells because you are mine!"

Erebus enveloped Leo in a protective embrace. "Oh, Leo. No. I'm so sorry."

Leo muffled his sob against Erebus' chest. "She did it before. And I can't... I can't lose you."

"And you won't," Erebus whispered, gently rubbing Leo's back. "She can never do that again to me. I promise."

"But you didn't respond. You were... blank," Leo murmured, his voice trembling. "Like you were under a spell."

"I was shocked. And terrified," Erebus explained, his voice quivering with emotion. "I'm so sorry, my love. She can never have me again. Never. I am yours. Only yours."