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“Christian, I’m thirsty,” his mother said pointedly.
“Mother—”
She raised a sharp red eyebrow, barring any further argument. Right.
He stood. “Delilah, would you like to give me a hand?”
“We’re visiting. I’m sure you can manage on your own.”
His mother could be an unflinching and intimidating female. Concerned for Delilah, he pressed into her mind and sensed insecurity. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right back.”
He quickly went to the kitchen and gathered glasses and a pitcher.
“How do you like the farm so far, child?”
“I haven’t really been out much.”
Christian hurried to clean his face with a damp cloth.
“It’s been four days. Surely Christian’s shown you around the land by now.”
“I haven’t been permitted to leave.”
“Permitted?”
Cursing under his breath he quickly lifted the tray and rushed back into the den. His feminist mother looked irate.
“Christian, why has Delilah not been permitted to leave the house?”
Flustered, he filled a glass of water and handed it to his mate. Then shoved another in his mother’s direction, nearly splashing it over the rim. “Your water, Mother.”
“Perhaps if you offered her proper attire, she wouldn’t feel so restricted to the house.”
“We’ve hardly had time—”
“Pish! Don’t feed me that pile of manure. We can build a barn in a day. I’m certain we can clothe one tiny female in less.”
“My concern was completing the bond and getting her here safely.”
“Yes, yes, you males must always claim what’s yours lest someone else come along and steal it.” She shook her head and tsked. “Don’t be like your father.” She lifted the pitcher and filled a glass.
His patience stretched thin, and he lowered his voice, “I’m nothing like him.”
He filled another glass and handed it to Delilah. “You’re thirsty, pintura. Drink.” He gave a slight nudge of compulsion to avoid any argument in front of his mother. His mate still couldn’t perceive such subtle influences and she was near dehydration. The water was necessary.
His mother raised a brow, studying them, as she sipped from a glass. “It seems to me—”
“Remember yourself, Mother. I’m not Eleazar, and this is not Council Hall. This is my home. My family.”
She drew back. “Am I not a part of this family?”
Tension sizzled between them. She knew family law prohibited her from meddling in their affairs, yet she did so anyway, spoiled by Eleazar’s endless indulgence of her progressive views.
“Christian,” Delilah set down her empty glass, interrupting the tense moment. “I think your mother—”
“My mother needs to remember her place and that I am not a boy. I’m the head of this family and an elder of The Order.”
Adriel scoffed. “And what am I, Christian?”
The female had too much pride for her own good. “You’re a guest in my home.”
She bolted to her feet. “I’m your mother, the cause of your existence, and I deserve some respect.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a growl. “You’re making a spectacle. You intentionally forget your place to make my life more challenging. I do not need additional obstacles right now.”
“Yes, ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.’”
He recognized the verse. “Quoting scripture only further validates my point. You’re upsetting my mate.”
He sensed Delilah’s unease as the tension thickened.
Adriel bristled and stepped back. “Well then, I believe our visit is over. My apologies for any upset I might have caused, Delilah.”
“Oh, it’s really fine—”
“I’ll walk you out.” Christian caught her arm, steering her toward the front door. Jaw locked, he growled, “You will not turn my home into a place of rebellion.”
His mother yanked her arm free from his grip and glared at him. “The Bible is a book, Christian. It’s full of stories. This is reality. If you want a love that can survive an eternity, then you need to look outside those dusty pages and see with your heart.”
He understood she only meant to advise him, but she humiliated him as well. Just as she’d done countless times in his youth when she carried on, preaching against the word of God until the elders ordered her disciplined with a rod, an act that brought shame not just to her but to their family.
He would not allow her to turn his mating into another uprising. “This is my home. You won’t return until you’re ready to respect my rules.”
“And which rules will they be? Will she bring forth your children in sorrow, as the Good Book says? ‘Thy be thy husband’s desire, and he shall rule over thee’, is that how you imagine your reign as master and mate?”
Seething, his jaw locked. Had any other elder heard such blasphemous talk, she would have been whipped again.
“The bishop’s tolerance of your endless defiance has spoiled you. Speak out of turn in my house again, and I will report your actions to The Council.” He pointed toward the other room where Delilah waited. “That is my mate. It was one thing when your rebellious ways embarrassed me, but I will not let you hurt her with this nonsense. Do you understand?”
