Page 7 of Eternally Bound

“Different good or bad?” I shake my head.

“Time will tell.” He answers for me as he drives us to our home.

“Time is the one thing always against us.” I sigh and focus on the road.

“The flashes are coming quicker. She’s almost through all the memories.” He snorts, and I look at him.

“What?” He shakes his head.

“I’m not sure, but I can agree she is different this time.” His eyes turn silver for a moment, then flashback to the normal crystal blue.

“Dammit Gaius! What the fuck do you know?” The car slows, and he faces me.

“Remember your manners, boy. If I knew, I would tell you. Don’t make me smite you after all these centuries.” As annoying as he is, I’m not used to being on the opposite side of his err.

“Sorry,” I mumble.

“What was that? Did the great Erik Mathias apologize?” I roll my eyes and look down at Madeline.

She’s wide awake and gazing at me.

“Erik?” I nod and loosen my hold on her.

She sits up and looks at the back seat, checking on her friends.

“Not drugged?” I shake my head.

She’s stolen my ability to speak. I open my mouth and close it several times, but nothing comes out.

My hand slips from her cheek, and she shivers.

“Was that all real? What I saw?” We hit a bump, and I pull her into my chest again.

“Yes, my love.” My voice comes out strong this time.

“I’m your wife? How?” I brush her red hair behind her ear and drag my fingers slowly down her neck.

“Vampire,” she whispers, and I nod.

“Madeline,” I test her name on my tongue, and she frowns.

“Call me Maddy. Where are we?” She turns her eyes away, and I miss the green deaths already.

“Welcome home, Lady Mathias.”

Four

MADELINE

“Gaius, please find rooms for our guest while I get Maddy settled.” He slams the door and rips open the back driver’s side door.

“I’m not your bloody servant, you arrogant child. However, since you have much to discuss, I will suffer the smell a little longer.” I frown as he lifts Emma into his arms.

“What smell?” Erik’s chest rumbles in laughter, and I flip my eyes back to him.

“Gaius has an unusual dislike for anything apple.” The man mumbles as he takes my friend into a gorgeous brick manor.

He chuckles at what is clearly an inside joke that I fail to get.

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