Page 15 of Eternally Bound

“You are a wolf.” I don’t bother waiting for a response.

I know well of his kind. I lift my gold cross from my neck and offer it to him.

“Is there enough for two?” He raises an eyebrow at me, I’m sure because I’m still willing to work with him.

“Aye,” he takes it from me.

“Where is the lass? I must measure her finger.

For once in my long-lived life, I thank my vampiric skills. I recite both our sizes. I took note of her fingers while I held her hand earlier.

“When shall I return?” I hold one hand on the doorway, ready to make haste.

“Sunset,” I nod, noting to myself to come just shy for this plan to work.

When I return to the inn, the priest is waiting for me.

“Father, I am Lord Mathias. I wish to marry this evening at sunset.” He nods and smiles.

“Aye, my Lord. That can be done for a donation to our orphanage.” I hold back my growl.

When I confronted Fallon’s father, he confessed she was not his child but an orphan his wife had brought home. When I offered to marry and care for her, he laughed in my face and told me she could earn him more on her back. The men who had heard him quickly agreed and offered their meager money.

I had dragged him outside and told him he couldn’t deny me because I had already taken her. My dislike of him grew stronger when he attacked my beloved. He’s lucky I left him alive.

It was not the impression of myself I wanted her to remember this night. I imagine marrying a stranger is hard enough, but a cold-blooded murder? No, she would never witness me in that state if I could help it.

I slap a bag so heavy with coins in his hands that he slouches to hold it up.

“You are to take this and improve the statuses of those children. They are to be taken to respectful homes. If you claim to be doing God’s work, make sure he would approve it.” The priest’s eyes widen as I step closer.

“Aye, Sir.” He steps around me quickly and nods.

“I shall return this evening.” I watch him leave and turn to the woman.

“She’s upstairs with the dresses I bought. I helped her into a bath.” I swallow and look at the ceiling.

I take a deep breath and can smell the roses she bought as well.

“Thank you,” I take the stairs two at a time, impatient to return to my beloved.

I turn the nob slowly and open the door.

The small tube is sitting in front of a fireplace. The water is still hot, and the steam is curling up her hair more. I smile as she hums and flexes her toes in the water.

Her exposed next draws my attention, and my fangs descend. My hunger for her shifts, and her blood sings in my ears until I see the scar. Correction, scars.

The closer I creep to her, the more of them I count. Her back is stripped with them. I stop counting at twenty and have to regain my composure quickly as she turns and finally catches me watching.

“ERIK!” The water splashes and overruns the small tub she sits in.

The large metal bowl only comes up to her navel. She holds her breast and risks exposing herself to me rather than me seeing her back. Her face is full of shame and embarrassment.

“Fallon, my beloved. Who hurt you?” I smell her tears even though they meld with the moisture on her face.

“The man who called himself my father.” I regret not killing that man.

I reach for a sheet and hold it up, closing my eyes and turning my chin away.

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