Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
“You don’t have to thank me.” I scramble off the bed, gathering my dignity around me like a shield. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”
His eyes darken, but he relaxes after a moment. He leans back against the pillows, not hiding his raging erection at all. It tents his pants admirably. He spares me not a single, delectable inch of his glorious body as he stretches out. “I am more than fine, wife. I’m perfectly healthy and prepared to serve you in any fashion you can think of.”
I have to force myself to swallow because I’m not having a problem with dry mouth now. This is what got my heart in trouble in the first place, my inability to turn a Finn brother down when it comes to sex. Cian is merely trying to show his gratitude. Besides, it’s been a long time for him. He hasn’t had sex since his illness took over. I haven’t forgotten our bonding. Cian is a carnal creature. He will want that pleasure as soon as possible. So we needed to get a few things straight.
“Please don’t call me wife,” I explain in a firm voice. Cian’s brow arches quizzically, but he allows me to continue. “I’m not from this plane.”
“No,” Cian interjects. “You’re from the human plane. You were born in a place called Texas and lived in a city called Fort Worth. They have one of those on the Vampire plane, too. We’ll go someday and you can tell me how different it is. I would find that fascinating. You lived in a small apartment, and you hated it. There was no beauty to it. The walls were beige. The carpet was beige. It wasn’t a home. It was like purgatory, a place to wait. Explain this purgatory to me.”
He sits up and crosses his legs. He switches from hot and bothered potential lover to curious student. I’m struck dumb by how accurately he has described my postage stamp apartment. It has nothing of me in it. It’s a place to eat and sleep. It’s not a home. “How did you know?”
His expression remains serene. It’s disconcerting how quickly he can change. “We’re bonded. I saw your soul, and you saw mine. It’s the deepest bond two beings can form. You can try running from me, Meggie, but it won’t work. I know you deep down. I know what you need.”
I feel my whole body flush with embarrassment. I remember things from Cian’s life like they’re my own memories. What had he pulled out of my head? I’m so vulnerable in this moment, even more vulnerable than I was with Beck. The bonding with Cian was so different.
“Because Beck didn’t offer you the full bond,” Cian says as though he read my mind. He chuckles as I flash a startled look his way. “It was a good bet that was what you were thinking, nothing more. I can’t read your mind. I can see images at times, but I can’t hear your thoughts. When we make love, though, I will be able to feel your pleasure and to give you mine.”
I ignore the last bit. It’s best not to even go there. “So Beck and I aren’t bonded?”
“Not fully, from what I can tell,” Cian states as academically as possible. “Many choose not to form a full bond with their bondmates. You can help Beck bridge with me without seeing his soul. I, personally, think it’s a cowardly thing to do. You’re my wife, whether you accept it or not. I am your husband. I want you to know me, the good and the bad. I don’t want to live my life without really knowing my wife. I want to know what she likes and doesn’t like. I want to know what makes her laugh. I want to know that she feels like everyone will abandon her in the end because that’s all anyone has ever done.”
I turn away because he has seen way too much. My hands still shake from the physical process of bonding.
He’s suddenly behind me, winding his arms around me. His hair is loose, and I can feel it on my skin, caressing me. “I won’t ever leave you, wife. I know Beckett can be hard to understand, but he is loyal. He won’t abandon you. We’re here for you. We’re bound together forever. You’re safe with us.”
I don’t believe it for a second. The door to the bedroom opens, and I’m glad for the distraction. A small brown woman walks in. Woman? She obviously isn’t human, so that likely isn’t the word I should use. Cian gives my shoulders a squeeze before shifting to stand at my side. He keeps an arm around me, and I can feel his affection for the strange-looking female.
“Meggie mine, this is Flanna,” Cian says. “She’s a brownie and a very valuable member of our court.”