AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Now your words are my fault?”
“Gah, no! Stop twisting what I say to suit your purposes. I know you’re upset with me, but apologizing is impossible when you are like this.”
“When I’m like what?” she asked, her voice razor sharp with precision.
A panicked grimace flashed over his face. “No, I mean when we’re like this.”
She didn’t answer. Her fingers kept drumming. Some part of her knew she was being a brat, but she couldn’t stop herself.
He cursed under his breath before stalking up to her and framing her face between strong hands. His grip didn’t hurt, but his gaze speared her to stay silent. “I’m sorry. Truly. You’re not making this easy, are you?”
She couldn’t break away, couldn’t glance away. Still, why should she make it easy? If she did, she’d have to turn her back on the past, on her world. Plus, his continued secrecy had worn thin. He’d had so many times to come clean.
With an intensity that should’ve scared her, he pulled her toward him and enclosed her within the band of his arms. She stood stiffly until the warmth of his body seeped into hers. He didn’t push her for anything else. Her cloak of anger lightened. She couldn’t stay mad, not while he was like this. Not while he held her. She closed her eyes in a mix of resignation, sadness, and contentment.
He buried his face in her hair, whispering, “I don't want to argue.”
Her arms slid around his waist of their own volition. She didn’t have the heart to remove them, feeling as if they’d always belonged there. “Neither do I, but this talk isn’t over.”
“I know. Come, let’s sit down. We have much to discuss.”
She let him lead her to a nearby bench. Once they were seated, he took her hand in his. “I apologize for my actions and words. My beliefs about humankind at the beginning did me no favors. I was leery of putting too much pressure on you. I knew I needed you whole and relatively happy if I was to convince you to bond with me.”
“You can’t treat every human you come across as feeble-minded.”
“I realize that. But that was only part of it. I wanted to protect you, and that had nothing to do with your humanity. That all had to do with you being you.”
She raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“Though I sought to make you fall in love with me, I’m the one who fell.”
Cal stared at him, her mouth gaping open. “You mean that.”
“Feel my emotions. I’m being completely truthful.”
The full force of them hit her with an intensity that stole her breath. Oh my. He loved her.
He loved, loved her.
“And I know before this whole debacle happened you felt the same way, too.”
She couldn’t deny it. “You’ll have to work to regain my trust.” God, what was she saying? And why did it feel so right?
“Gladly.”
“I want to go home. As soon as possible.”
Fear flowed to her from the bond. Then she smiled. He relaxed instantly.
“Yeah, I just want to go for a visit, not move back there.”
He nodded. “After our fight, I did try to summon the veil. Not so you could permanently return to your own world but so you could pay your family a visit. It didn’t respond. However, once we bond, I see no reason why you two wouldn’t be allowed to go back, at least if you’re accompanied by a contingent of elves.”
“Contingent?”
His hands tightened upon hers. “The veil desires your presence here and will seek to ensure your return. If you are without an escort, you will not be granted travel through the veil.” Cal started to interrupt to inquire about Maggie, but he held up a hand. “We don’t know about Lady Maggie, but until we find otherwise, we suppose the stipulations would be the same for her.”
Again, he left something unsaid—not only would the veil likely deny them entrance, the elves themselves surely would until she agreed to the stipulated provisions. But she knew what was at stake, so she couldn’t really blame them.
