Series: Charmaine Pauls
Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Her expression brightens a little. “That’s true.”
Since talking about her origins upsets her, I change the subject. “When your parents didn’t keep you busy, what did you do with your time?”
She sits up straighter. “There were my studies.”
I’m intrigued. “Studies?”
“I’m in college.”
That tells me nothing. I know a little about Earth’s history, thanks to my mother’s lessons. Everything else, including the facets of modern-day life on that planet, is never discussed.
Still, I try to follow along. “And you do your studies in this college?”
“I take all kinds of classes, like Greek Lit and anthropology.”
She’s speaking her language instead of mine.
At my confused frown, she explains, “You know, to learn about ancient civilizations.”
That’s a bit clearer. “For what purpose?”
“It’s always been my dream to become an archeologist or a paleontologist.” Her smile is meant to be nonchalant, but it doesn’t fool me. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I had no illusions about actually working in the field. I knew that would be impossible with all my health problems, but I wanted to get my degree at least.”
I don’t know what degree she’s talking about, but I’m guessing it’s important. And not easy to obtain. “What does an archeologist do?”
“They dig up the remains of bygone eras.”
Odd. “For what reason?”
“To have an idea of how life was back then.”
“Why?”
She makes an impatient sound. “Because it’s interesting. Exciting. Because it teaches us how the world used to be, that it’s so much older and bigger than just our self-centered little selves.”
“I see.” I’m charmed. My smile stretches. “What’s your favorite Earth era?”
“Definitely the dinosaur periods,” she says with enthusiasm. “Which is why I was hoping you could show me more, um, dragons.”
“The dragons are dangerous. Going anywhere near them is strictly off-limits.” I keep my tone amiable but make sure there’s no doubt about how serious I am. “If I catch you anywhere near one, I’ll lock you in here indefinitely.”
Like a curtain falling, her eyes lose their spark and become shuttered.
A sudden rush of tenderness makes my question coaxing. “What’s the matter?”
She looks away. “Here, I’m nothing but a prisoner.”
I lean forward and take her hand. “No, Elsie. You’re not my prisoner. You’re not locked up in a cell in the dungeons. If you’re in my quarters, it’s because, one, I want to ensure your safety, and two, you’re my mate.”
She looks back at me, her eyes painfully bright. “Back home, I had dreams and a life. Yes, it might have been a short and mostly painful life, at least physically, but…” She bites her lip, unwilling to continue.
I stroke her knuckles with my thumb, enjoying the softness of her skin and the delicate bones of her tiny hand. Coaxing again. Willing her to continue, to open up to me like she did a heartbeat ago. “But what, my sweet?”
“But now that I’m no longer dying—which, by the way, I’m still trying to figure out—why can’t you send me back to Earth?”
I stiffen. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes! More than anything. You have no idea how much I miss my parents. Oh, you’d make me so happy if you sent me back.”
The sound of that is an acrid poison to swallow. Elsie doesn’t feel the pull like I do. Our bond is nothing to her. Her happiness lies not in our connection but in our separation. Indeed, our bond is so insignificant to her she’d rather run away from it, back to the life of horrors and pain she led.
It’s like a slap in the face. To be rejected by one’s own mate is the worst humiliation a man can suffer.
The sweet softness she instilled in me mere moments ago grows hard and bitter. At the prospect of losing her, a tide of possessiveness surges inside me. It turns me into a monster, a beast that will slay anything standing between him and his mate.
The polished reflection stone explodes, twinkling stars of silver flying through the air.
Elsie jerks and gasps, but she sits as still as a good little house pet, no longer tempting the beast.
I let her hand go and pull mine away, feeling the frosty loss of that contact all the way to the solid wall coating my heart. My voice reflects that cold hardness, the steely resolve and sharp rejection that beats in my chest. “Your place is here, Elsie. This is where you’ll stay. You’ve experienced the bond between us every time our clothes have come off. Lie to me about it if you’re such a coward, but at least be woman enough to admit it to yourself.” I stand, towering over her, over my mate who doesn’t want me. “We’ve said our vows. I drank to the toast. You will drink too. Only one thing remains, and that’s my possession of your body. I’ll give you until the end of this moon cycle to get used to the idea.” My hands curl involuntarily into fists. “But know this…When the moon is full, I will take you as my mate, with or without your consent.”