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His annoyance filters to me, and I try not to grind my teeth in response. “You’re staying with me.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not.”
“Oh?” He sets me on the ground and as soon as he lets me go, my ankle protests and I begin to fall. He scoops me up before my knees can bang to the ground. “You’ll stay.”
“Stubborn ogre,” I grumble as he cradles me in one arm again.
“Foolish lady.”
His frustration is hot and makes my skin itch, but it’s not as bad as the lump forming in my throat as I realize I’m not going anywhere, at least not for a while. We hold one another’s stare until I relent and sag against him. I may not be leaving tonight, but mark my words. I will find a way to get back to Earth.
FIVE
Pleasure is a powerful teacher
ORCUS
Daisy is lucky I found her. Another few seconds and the cyclops would’ve bludgeoned her to death. They’re obnoxiously territorial and not very smart. This is my mountain, and he knows it. I set Daisy on top of the table. She whimpers when I gently touch the bottom of her foot.
“It’s a sprain. It’ll be fine.” She gives me that breezy smile. The ache of pain jetting from her to me says otherwise. “Seriously. It’s no big deal.”
I stare at her for a moment. Is she serious? She’s covered in blood and her feet are shredded. This is not fine. The bond rages at the thought of her being hurt and a similar emotion rolls through me. My chest aches a little and the bond squeezes tight. I don’t likethat, but I don’t likeherbeing in pain more.
The bond is meant to be cherished and they’re blessed by Hecate. The goddess conspired with the fates and crafted a spell that links two souls together, but they can only be linked if the Hecate agrees the match is well made. Or so I’ve always been told. I’m still not entirely sure my father didn’t send her, but to force a bond goes against everything I know. The gods are notorious for doing what they will, though. Perhaps anything is possible if the goddess was given the right motivation. Regardless ofhowit happened, the fact remains that Daisy and I are tied to one another.
Mates take care of each other, even if one mate knowingly put themselves in danger and almost got killed. With a notch of frustration between my eyebrows, I head to the dresser and grab an older shirt and some rags, hating how much I’m compelled to help her.
I didn’t ask for this.
I didn’t ask to be bombarded with her emotions.
Stopping by the bathing pit, I bend down and wet the cloths. My gaze strays to Daisy. She’s right where I left her. Good. At least she listened, probably only because her ankle is hurt, but still. Seeing her right where I left her pleases the bond. She’s abusing her bottom lip and staring at her ankle.
Urgency startles through my system, kicking my heart into a gallop. Huffing, I drop to my knees in front of her and sit back on my heels, gingerly picking up her good foot first. I wash off the blood and pick out the tiny pebbles embedded in her heel. The proximity eases some of the discomfort that’s made itself at home inside my chest. Under the copper tang of her blood, her scent is floral and rich. Soft and warm. Daisy’s breaths are shallow while I work. Her skin is so delicate. So breakable. Occasionally, she hisses in pain but she doesn’t yell at me or call me names. I take that as a good sign.
Ripping the old shirt, I fashion a bandage and tightly wrap it around her foot. A little bit of blood seeps through the cloth. It’s the best I can do for now.
I lift my gaze once I’m ready to start on the foot with the sprain.
Her green eyes are set on me, apprehension written across her forehead. “Maybe you can leave it?”
“Not a chance, little flower.”
She doesn’t blink at the nickname. Taking a deep breath, she nods at me. “Okay. I’m ready.”
I doubt it. Standing, I grab a vial of luminescent liquid from a tray of various tinctures on my bookshelf. There are only two left. I wish I had more, but my plans to go to the magic village were disrupted when she fell into my lap. Holding it up for her inspection, I carry it back to her.
“What’s that?” her voice pitches.
“This is a pain-relieving tincture.”
She tips her head in thought. “I thought monsters might have enhanced healing.”
“Hecate’s creatures can heal themselves, but she blessed them with that magic. Echidna didn’t give such blessings.” I hold out the vial. “You should take it.”
Daisy reaches out, hesitating above my palm for a moment before wrapping her fingers around it. She uncorks the vial and stares at it. I take a steadying breath. After saving her she thinks I’d try to hurt her?
“I’m not going to poison you.” I’m enjoying her company far too much to do that.
