Page 11 of Bound By the Wraith: Northern Realms

“Master,” a voice hissed.

Instantly, the kiss ended and Cillian leapt to his feet, spinning around. His skin changed, pebbling and turning grayish in color, like he was erupting into something else. His claws elongated and horns sprouted from his widow’s peak.

“What?” he growled, in a voice that was deep and almost animalistic.

The creature, which looked sort of like a nonfuzzy puppetlike creature, cowered, its beetle black eyes glittering with fear. “The orb. It summons.”

Cillian’s demeanor changed, his horns retreating, his claws retracting. He ran his hands over his head, smoothing back his long black hair. “Very well. Leave, Honk.”

Honk, the pathetic little creature, scuttled off, shutting the door that neither one of them had heard open, but she could hear it shut with a large thud. A finality. An unfulfilled ache left gnawing inside her.

Wait, did he just call that creature Honk?

She stifled a chuckle.

Cillian looked at her amused. “What is so funny?”

“Its name is Honk?”

“Yes. That’s what they chose. There are so many of them about, I don’t name them all, but Honk is my right-hand goblin.”

“I see. So you’re leaving now?”

“I’m sorry, pet, I am being summoned. You have the freedom of this castle. I will make sure that Honk is at your beck and call.”

Cali licked her lips, her body still thrumming with excitement, but also mixed with fear at how quickly he had changed, because for one moment she had forgotten he was something from the underworld and she was a prisoner here, but also at the absurdity of the goblin.

“Okay,” she squeaked out.

“Perhaps Honk will bring you something to eat and drink?” Cillian offered, his voice suddenly soft and tender.

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. I will see you later.” He turned and marched out of the room, the big heavy wooden door just swinging open for him, he didn’t even have to do anything. When he said this was his realm, it truly was. The door slammed shut again. Everything cowered beneath him, but it was at that moment that Cali decided she wouldn’t.

He may appear like a monster, but she wasn’t going to be scared of him.

It completely sucked that she was trapped here for a year, save for one day a month, just like a modern-day Persephone. Only, Cillian wasn’t Hades. She straightened herself andapproached the door, worried that she wouldn’t be able to open it, but it opened freely, just as it had opened for Cillian.

She peered out into the darkened stone hallway that seemed bare. The only sound was flames from torches burning, the crackle of fire echoing against the stone.

“Hello?” she called out, unsure.

“Yes, mistress,” Honk hissed, scuttling out from the shadows.

She jumped back slightly. “Um, maybe something to eat?”

Honk bowed. “Right away, mistress.”

The creature disappeared into the darkness, its hooves clicking against the stone, and Cali stood there, trying to see through the shadows. As she tried to do that, a shudder ran down her spine and she thought that maybe she shouldn’t be standing out here alone, as if she wasn’t safe. She headed back into Cillian’s bedchamber, and there was a small table and a single chair on the balcony where there wasn’t one before. She cautiously approached the table and a little covered tray appeared out of thin air with a tall glass of what looked like a rose wine.

Her stomach growled, because she couldn’t really remember the last time she ate. With what had happened with Simon, everything had been a blur and happened so fast. The rational part of her brain told her she probably shouldn’t be trusting anything that appeared out of thin air, but really this whole day was kind of surreal and she was freaking hungry.

She sat down in the chair and lifted the lid to the covered tray. Her most favorite meal in the world was there, fettuccine Alfredo with little pink shrimps floating in the creamy parmesan garlic sauce, and then she forgot all about where she was and just enjoyed the meal in peace and quiet. For the first time in a long time, she just felt at ease, which again was kind of weird, given where she was.

3

Lust was still burning in Cillian’s veins. It was like hellfire and it burned white hot. Unlike others in his realm, he really didn’t go looking to slake his desires elsewhere. Sure, he had the odd dalliance, but not for some time. Since he met Cali, no one else compared, but there was that deal, she had to come to him freely or everything would be lost. He had to regain control on his lust for her.

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