Page 136 of The Ranger

“You’re... staying for dinner?”

His expression morphed into a mixture of sadness, concern and... heartbreak.

No... no, no, no! He wasn’t going to say goodbye was he?!

Her heart moved...

Maida put a hand to her chest and shook her head. “Don’t go!”

His eyes filled with concern. “Maida?”

“You can’t...leave.”

“And this, gentlemen,” Doc said, motioning to her. “Is what we were talking about.”

She didn’t understand what Doc was saying, all she knew was that she couldn’t let Markhel leave. If he did, she didn’t think she could stand it. She looked into his eyes, imploring him with something deep inside her. If she could just let it out, she could make him stay. She knew it with every fiber of her being. But how?

She screamed.

“Maida!”

It wasn’t Markhel that cried out. It was Pa.

She made to grab one of Markhel’s arms, but he dropped to his knees, breaking whatever spell fused them together.

He groaned; a deep rasp that sounded like it was being torn from his throat.

Seeing him in pain was excruciating. She didn’t even scream when the most bone chilling emptiness imaginable engulfed her.

Markhel, his eyes closed, reached for her.

She responded throwing hers around his neck. “Don’t l-leave. You can’t.”

She had no idea what was going on. She couldn’t control it. Whatever “it” was.

He pulled her close and held on. His body tense as he tightened his hold. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. But so long as he didn’t leave her, she knew she would be okay.

“What’s happening?” someone said. Was it Grandpa?

“They’re bonding, son,” Doc said. “They’re hearts, or as I understand it, hers is calling to his.”

Doc’s words made sense. Her heart was calling to Markhel’s. And it wanted him. Badly. But how could this be?

Maida, my little one...

Her eyes opened, and she couldn’t remember when she closed them. She tried to speak his name, but nothing came out.

Markhel...

I am here.

He opened his eyes and looked into hers with such intensity her knees buckled.

He eased her to the floor, their eyes still fixed on the other’s.

Maida…

Her eyes widened.I hear you.

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