Page 87 of Bind Me

He’s talking rather excitedly and proudly—cocky, too—but I guess it’s not every day one gets to meet a king. Regardless, I’m smiling at the thought that he’ll have those mercenaries off his back.

“Well, I’m glad that’s sorted and no more attacks. Though you should have woken me up when you got up.”

He grins, reaching over to squeeze my thigh gently. “Do you know how beautiful and innocent you looked, all curled up? It broke my heart to wake you.”

With Chowder curled up near the rear window of the car, Kaden wraps an arm around my back, drawing me closer to him.

“I’m contemplating swimming back to Finland,” he says with no amusement in his voice.

I laugh. “Are you crazy? How long is that going to take you? And we’ll be there so fast on the plane.”

The corners of his lips pinch, and he sighs. “I don’t think I’m made for flying. I sweated so much on the way here.”

“I promise it’ll be all right, and you can hold my hand the whole time. What do you say?”

He’s not teasing me or anything, and I can tell he’s dead serious and scared. I like this more vulnerable side of him.

I press in against his side, and we enjoy the ride, me holding his hand. “It’s going to be all right,” I murmur.

“You really are incredible,” he whispers in my ear, then holds me tighter.

I find myself lost in the moment, wrapped up in the warmth and safety of his presence. But beneath the surface, a flicker of fear stirs. Everything is moving so fast—what if things go wrong, like they did with my parents? The thought nags at me, a shadow on the edge of my happiness, reminding me that nothing is ever truly certain.

As we drive toward the airport, a comfortable silence settles between us. I’m trying to plan what we need to do once we’re back when suddenly, Kaden stiffens beside me, his eyes rolling back into his head.

“Kaden, are you okay?” Panic lurches in my chest. “What’s going on?”

He slumps against the door, his body trembling. Fear slams into me, tears springing to my eyes as my stomach turns to ice. I’ve never felt so scared before, and just as I thought maybe things were finally perfect, he passes out for no reason. Has he been drugged?

“Wake up, please,” I plead, my voice trembling. Chowder senses my panic and scrambles onto Kaden’s lap, his tiny paws pressing against Kaden’s chest.

“Kaden, Kaden… What’s wrong?” Chowder calls, his voice high-pitched.

My mind races with possibilities, fear clawing at my insides. Has he been poisoned? Is it some kind of attack?

“Please, Kaden, wake up,” I murmur, tears slipping down my cheeks. The fear grips me so tightly it’s hard to breathe.

I knock frantically on the tinted glass divider between us and the driver, desperation clawing at me. Just as the driver lowers the glass, his concerned eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, Kaden starts to groan.

“Is everything all right?” the driver asks.

But I’m focusing on Kaden as he opens his eyes, staring at me, his breaths coming fast and shallow.

“It’s okay, I think,” I reply to the driver. “He’s just… not feeling well.”

The driver nods, watching us through the mirror. “I can pull over if he’s going to be sick.”

Kaden expels a gasping breath, as if he’s been holding it. He looks confused for a few moments, as though he’s unsure where he is.

“Kaden, are you all right? What just happened? Are you okay?” I ask urgently.

Chowder is still there, peering into his face. “Why did you pass out?” he asks.

Kaden rubs his face and breathes heavily. “I’m fine,” he finally says.

“No, you’re not. People don’t just pass out like that,” I say, tears stinging my eyes. I’m shaken to my core, imagining the worst.

He smiles, reaching for my hand. “This is why I know you want me as much as I do you. You’re crying for me. Do you know how much that means to me?”

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