Page 12 of Bound By the Wraith: Northern Realms

Everything had to be controlled. She had to beg for him before he took her. However, it didn’t mean he couldn’t pleasure her in other ways. Gootch only thought of him taking her virginity, which was so tempting, but he would wait until she gave it to him. And that was powerful magic.

There was a game to be played and he was going to win it. If he didn’t, all would be lost. A fiery passion brewed under her surface. She may be a virgin in this reincarnation, but the memories of their times together were still very much imprinted on her soul.

Damn Gootch for imposing all these strict rules on the bet.

He would have to go for a swim later in some cold, cold water. Maybe he’d leave and go to his sister’s realm and take adunk in that lake. He’d seen the unattached bushmen do that from time to time.

As he entered the throne room, the orb glowed a golden fiery color as it spun around, floating in the air. Something was happening. He had a lot of plans to bring the veils crashing down and it all centered around his brother-in-law’s family and them finding their mates. Every time a nonmagical and a magical being came together, it weakened the tight grip on the worlds. Soon everything would be melded.

Just like it was supposed to be.

Cillian waved his hand over the orb and a human female’s face lit up in the sphere. She had red hair, a smattering of freckles, and as Cillian studied her more closely, she had a completely wiped mind.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Spinning the orb with another wave of his hand, he saw she was imprisoned in Tiene’s dungeon. She had been for years and he couldn’t help wonder why Tiene was holding a human hostage in the elven realm. It was no secret that Tiene despised humans, but when he did take them, it was for not for good purposes. As the orb continued to show him more and more, it eventually showed him the face of Caleb the sasquatch.

His brother-in-law’s brother. Third born.

So, this was the missing female who had a hold on Caleb’s heart.

Cillian had always had a soft spot for Caleb because he understood the pain of losing someone you loved. Although, he couldn’t really commiserate with the Canadian yeti, because Caleb would be annoyed Cillian knew the truth of the painful secret Caleb had been hiding. As the orb finished showing Cillian what he was seeking, he saw the young woman caring for a small child. One that had features of Caleb and her. Sasquatch and human.

So, there was a child?

No wonder Tiene had stolen Caleb’s mate.

This was all interesting information.

“Who is that?”

Cillian spun around, and the orb went dark. Cali stood in the doorway, with Honk nervous behind her, wringing their hooked fingers and their button black eyes wide with fear.

“Why is she here?” he snarled at Honk.

“Sire, you said she had freedom,” Honk squeaked.

Cillian growled and kicked Honk, making the little goblin squeal in pain. “Be gone with you!”

Cali frowned. “That was mean.”

“So?” Cillian snapped. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Well, then you should’ve told Honk that. They were just doing what I asked them to do.”

Cillian grunted and crossed his arms. “Why are you here? Why did you come find me?”

“I was looking for you. You’ve been gone some time.” She looked over his shoulder at the now dark orb. “So, are you like some kind of peeping Tom or something? Do you have women locked away in a dungeon, because if you do…”

“I am not a peeping Tom,” Cillian snapped, impatiently. “Nor do I lock up women in my dungeon. I was checking in on the woman for someone else.”

“Who?”

“That’s none of your concern.” He really didn’t want to get into the explanation of the northern realm or King Tiene or any of that. All he wanted to do was win the bet, break down the veils, oust his mother and grandfather, and bind Cali to him for all eternity. Was that too much to ask?

Frustrated, he wandered to the darkened orb and put it away. He hoped Cali would leave, but she didn’t. She lingered.

“Was there anything else?” he asked, barely glancing over his shoulder.

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