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Charlotte’s softly arched brows rose and a look of wonder filled her eyes. “And my blood did that for you?”
He nodded slowly. The selfish part of him suddenly wanted to keep her with him forever. Her gift represented the latest phenomenon moving through the Nine Realms: A blood rose, with the ability to ease mastyr suffering.
And he was bonded to her. He really could keep her with him if he wanted to.
Other thoughts, however, intruded, other deep horrible sensations.
He turned away, but Charlotte grabbed his arm. “What is it, Willem? I can feel your distress like a fire on my skin.”
But he pulled his arm gently from her clasp and moved to stand in front of the window that overlooked Maris Sol. “I can’t do this. Bonding with Charlotte is wrong on every level. I can’t let this continue.”
“Then I’ll help you disintegrate the bond,” Vojalie stated. “If that’s what you truly want. It’s clear to me that your mating frequencies came together not by love and commitment but in the heat of passion. And though I wouldn’t ordinarily say this is a bad thing, a bond of this sort would not thrive over the years. Joined purpose and mutual commitment must always come first.”
Again, in a moment of pure self-interest, Willem glanced at Charlotte. He wondered, despite the fact that he didn’t think bonding was at all wise, if she’d be willing to become his doneuse. He had no pain, so he really was tempted.
Yet even the thought of asking her to feed him on a regular basis seemed wrong in this situation, though he couldn’t exactly say why. His donors served a function in his life, like a cook or a housekeeper. He hated the thought of relegating the offerings from her vein into the status of domestic service.
He’d never felt so confused.
Davido finally left his wife’s side and moved to sit in a chair near the fireplace. “I have a question I would like to pose.”
All eyes turned toward him. He crossed his legs at the knees, his feet a good six inches off the floor. He was one of the ugliest trolls Willem had ever seen, but his charisma made him look like a god sitting with his hands clasped loosely on his lap.
“What’s that?” Willem asked.
Davido turned to level his gaze at Charlotte. “My dear, what do you want, I mean really want, in this situation? What would please your soul?”
Once more, she seemed surprised and for a moment didn’t speak, but she shifted her gaze to Willem. “The truth is, I don’t know. This whole experience, from the moment that Willem and I chatted for the first time just a few hours ago until right now, has been full of so many surprises. I feel like a migrating bird knocked hundreds of miles off course by a hurricane.”
Davido chuckled. “Excellent analogy. But what’s in your heart, my dear, and this time, your metaphorical one.” He smiled at his wife, dipping his chin in her direction and acknowledging her earlier remark.
Charlotte once more moved slowly to sit down on the couch, shaking her head. “I guess the answer to that is simple: I want more of Willem.” A blush rose on her cheeks as she met his gaze.
The simplicity of her statement focused Willem’s attention on her. She wanted more of him and the truth was, he wanted more of her as well, a lot more. His chest swelled with a mixture of pride and desire.
She added, “We’ve hardly had time to get to know each other.” She glanced at Davido. “But, I did some surfing. I mean I really know a lot about the man.”
“Got on the Realm Internet, did you?”
She smiled sheepishly at Davido. “We both did. I think we’re alike in that way.”
Davido nodded and smiled. “Well it’s a tough situation, I’ll admit, but I do have a suggestion.”
Willem finally tore his gaze away from Charlotte. “Your advice would be welcome, as always.”
Davido nodded, but addressed his wife first. “My love, is it not possible to move the bond back to an intermediate stage? It seems to me that the theory of
these bonds came up in a conversation recently, that the ancient documents mentioned something about setting a temporary adjustment period.”
Vojalie once more plucked at her skirt. “Following my fae instincts from earlier, I researched the matter before coming here. And you are correct, I can push the bond back to a temporary state.” Here she turned first to Willem then to Charlotte. “And though it might give you some time to think, to explore what exists between the two of you, there are problems doing it this way.
“For one thing, the temporary condition has a very short window, only twenty-four hours, no more, and a final decision must be made during that time. If you choose to sever the bond, you won’t be able to initiate it a second time. Rejection is final. And if you do embrace the bond, within the time-frame, it will be permanent. I know these qualifications must seem overwhelming and I’m sorry that you’re both being pushed so hard right now. But I fear these are the limitations you must work with.”
Willem met Charlotte’s gaze. “What do you want to do?”
She shrugged, a half-smile on her lips. “I realize we barely know each other, but there must be a reason why we’ve come together as we have, with so much going on between us. I think we need time, even if it’s only a day and a night.”
“Well, said,” Vojalie added. “A very realm point-of-view.”
