Page 30 of Bound By the Wraith: Northern Realms

The next morningcame so fast and that dread she had been feeling the day before was still gnawing at her like a ravenousdog. Cillian had closed himself off again, almost like he too was worried about this whole situation.

“Funny,” she remarked. “When I signed this deal three months ago, I was really looking forward to this day.”

“And now?”

“I think you know the answer.” She put on the clothes she wore the day she was brought to this realm. It was just jeans and a tank top, but Cillian had left the realm and retrieved her purse from the hospital storage. She was a missing person in Thunder Bay, but he had smoothed things over so that no one would pester her.

She could end what was left of her old mortal life.

“Well, this is the first of four. Once the year is up, you never have to go back,” Cillian stated. “Oh, and it’s winter in your realm now.”

“Now you tell me.”

He smiled. “Well, I didn’t think it was relevant last night. I was focused on something else.”

“So, once this is all done, I can stay with you forever?”

He nodded. “Yes. I want to go with you now, but I cannot. This is your day of freedom from my realm and from me. Our binds won’t hold, but you must return to the portal by sunset or else…”

“I know and I will,” she stated emphatically.

Cillian didn’t look convinced, all he did was nod. “Well, come then, and I’ll take you to the center of the maze and you can be on your way. You have to walk through the portal before the sun comes up in the mortal realm.”

Cali nodded and took his arm, but she was shaking. They walked out of his castle and through the now blooming garden. Honk was standing out there with a great big red handkerchief and was dabbing at their shiny black eyes.

“Honk, don’t be sad. I’ll be back,” she reassured, kneeling down to stroke their furry head.

“Yes, mistress,” Honk replied, their voice wobbly while Cillian just rolled his eyes.

“Pull yourself together, Honk,” Cillian growled, gently.

Honk nodded and scampered behind them, like a pet.

Her pulse was thundering in her ears as they approached the center of the labyrinth. She could hear the hum of the portal. It was a golden one. It moved like water and flame. Cillian took a deep breath and she looked up at him, his long black hair swirling around in the air from the portal.

“I love you, Cali. I have loved you for a long time.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

His arms wrapped around her as he pulled her into a deep, tender kiss. One that she didn’t want to end, but did as he pushed her gently toward the portal.

“I’m scared,” she said, taking a step toward it.

“Don’t be. I may not be able to come to your rescue, but I have friends keeping an eye out. You won’t be able to see them, but if you get in trouble, head to the docks, toThe Lusty Kraken, it’s a bar owned by a realm being by the name of Coraliane. She’ll take care of you.”

Cali nodded. “Okay.”

Honk was crying loudly as she turned on her heel, closed her eyes, and was sucked out of Cillian’s realm, then unceremoniously dumped back into her own, right by the hospital. Right where she’d made her deal with Cillian.

“Fuck,” Cali murmured and she rubbed her arms as it was a frosty morning.

He could’ve given me a coat.

“It is chilly, isn’t it?”

Cali spun around and a gorgeous woman with coral-pink hair was standing there, holding a jacket. She had a pleasant enoughsmile, but there were some similarities between her and Elodi that made Cali a bit suspicious. She took a step back.

“Relax,” the woman said. “I’m Coraliane. I ownThe Lusty Kraken.I believe Cillian told you about me?”

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