Page 43 of Bound

I’m alone in a world that is so foreign it’s legendary on myhome plane. I’m a city girl who doesn’t know how to make dinner that doesn’tcome neatly wrapped in plastic. I am, once again, in love with a man who can’tlove me back.

I sink down, put my head between my hands, and cry.

Cian wordlessly drops down behind me. I’m not sure when hecame out, but he’s probably heard everything. I don’t fight him when he gathersme into his arms and rocks me while I sob.

An hour later, I dry my tears and get dressed for theday. Cian sits at the kitchen table watching me as I try to figure out how tocook the eggs I found when I ventured into the chicken coop. That was anadventure. It seemed to me that all the chickens were looking at me like theyknew I ate their sister last night. There was judgment in those little blackchicken eyes. If I hadn’t been so hungry, I would have run out because theirbeaks look dangerous. But my stomach warred with the fear of being pecked andhunger won.

I had gathered five eggs when I heard a low sound. I lookedacross the yard and saw Cian milking a cow. He still has to be told my nameevery few minutes, but he seems happy enough to follow me around and do the oddchore. He hasn’t tried to get back into bed. I feared I would spend the daycoaxing him out. Instead, he is shadowing me.

Now he sits patiently, watching and drinking milk from amug. I tried it, and despite my fear that warm milk would be gross, I found itslightly sweet but definitely drinkable.

There’s a strange little oven that Beck used last night, butthere’s no stove top. There’s a grill in the hearth, though. After pokingaround all the cabinets, I came up with an iron skillet. I might never havebeen camping, but I’ve read enough books to know how to cook.

At least in theory.

“Are you hungry?” I smile at Cian as I crack the eggs intothe skillet. I use a fork to whisk them. There are only four forks, two knives,and three spoons. None of them match.

“I am.” Cian studies me for a moment, his eyes moving acrossmy face. “Did my brother send you to take care of me?”

“Yes.” I give him a sad nod. It’s the truth. Beck bought meto save his brother. I have a job to do and it’s past time to take itseriously.

“You’re very pretty,” Cian says, almost shyly.

I wonder how old he thinks he is. Sometimes he comes off asalmost childlike. Other times he looks at me with barely controlled lust in hiseyes. He hasn’t acted on it. I feel perfectly safe with him, but it can bedifficult to keep up with the changes. After we eat, I intend to get thisbonding thing done, so I can have another fully functional, non-crazy teammate.Hopefully one who will listen to reason.

After I broke down, I made a few decisions. I can lie downand cry. I can bemoan my fate and become bitter, or I can get off my ass andmake do. I can be dependent on the people around me, or I can learn really damnfast. I don’t intend to act as Beck’s wife again, so I better be a fastlearner.

I need to earn my keep, and I’m not going to do it on myback. When Beck comes home, we will sit down and work out a contract. Not thekind I hoped for with him. No, this will be an employment contract.

I’m going to need one because according to that vampirecomputer, I’m not going home. Ever.

While I was in the barn, I came across a small room. It hasa cot where Beck slept the night before and a tiny stove to keep it warm. It’snot much, but I can stay there and be fairly comfortable. From what I read onthe computer Dante left behind, I understand that the brothers need me toremain physically close to at least one of them. Somehow, my brain formsconnections with theirs and allows them to function. There was a bunch ofmind-numbing chemistry and science that I skimmed over.

There is nothing in the vampire information that claims sexis required at all, so it’s best I sleep apart from them. I doubt Beck willhave a problem with it. Once I make it clear to him he doesn’t have to worryabout my sexual advances anymore, he’ll probably get on board with my plans.

A room of my own will help. It would be far too hard tosleep beside them every night and not be able to touch them. Once Cian isrational again, I have no doubt he will be slightly horrified to find out he’smarried to someone his brother has such distaste for.

I pull the pan off the grill using a thick towel. The eggsare a little burnt, but edible. It’s a minor triumph. I scoop the largest partout onto a plate for Cian. He’s bigger than I am and looks like he can use thecalories. I’m going to have to figure out how to fatten him up.

“Thanks,” he says gratefully as he digs in. “My sister likeseggs, but she likes them fried. When she gets up, will you make some for her,too?”

It’s easier to play along than to explain over and over andover. “Of course,” I murmur as I pick up my fork.

We eat in silence for a few minutes. Cian then seemsfascinated by the sight of his hand. He holds it up in the light and looks veryconfused. His head whirls around, and he takes in the cottage.

“This isn’t my home.” Cian looks around the room. He soundsthe slightest bit panicked. “Where am I?” He looks so lost. He catches my handand holds it tightly. “I don’t know where I am.”

If Beck were standing in front of me, I would have clockedhim with the iron skillet. Cian needs him, and Beck left. I understand we needmoney, but it could have waited a day or two. I hold Cian’s hand in both ofmine. “You’re safe. I promise you.”

“Is he having a rough day?” a voice asks from the openwindow in the kitchen.

I turn, slightly startled to see a lovely blonde womanstanding at the window. “I wouldn’t know what a normal day is like.”

“Sometimes he remembers, but that’s only when his brother isaround,” the blonde explains with a tight smile. “With Beck being gone again,he’ll probably deteriorate. It’s terrible that he had to leave again so soon.He only got back yesterday, and now he’s off to the Vampire plane.”

I feel my heart drop to my toes. “How did you know he wasgone?”

I thought the only people Beck saw the day before was anelderly couple on the outskirts of the village. He hadn’t mentioned anyoneelse. I suppose word could have gotten out, but that meant he told others longbefore he mentioned it to me.