Page 41 of Bonded Ever After

He shrugs his big shoulders. “I just am.”

I have a logical mind. There has to be a way to test if I’m seeing things, or if this is real. Think.

“Pinch me,” I say.

He looks horrified. “I would never want to hurt you.”

I frown. “It’s the only way I’ll know you’re real.”

With a lot of hesitation, he reaches over and pinches my arm lightly.

I jump. It hurts. “So, this is real? You exist?”

“Yes.” He cocks his head, looking at me with concern. “Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry,” I say, and the tears start falling again. “I was just running away from home, because they were going to kill everyone. They were going to killeveryone. Except then I was lost in the woods, and wolves were chasing me, and I didn’t know what to do. Then, I found this weird wall, and I pushed through it, and I ended up here… I don’t even know whathereis. All I want is a warm bed and a book, but that’s just too much toask for.” I’m rapidly wiping the tears from my face, hating that I’m crying.

He smiles at me, and his smile is breathtaking. “That’s not too much to ask for. I can give that to you right now.”

I stare at him, trying to decide if he’s kidding. “I don’t think you understand. I literally have nowhere to go. No home. No safe place to land.”

“You do now,” he says, without a hint of humor in his voice. “My home is very warm, with a big comfortable bed, and the walls are lined with books. If you want to stay with me, I’ll always take care of you. You’ll never be hungry. You’ll never want for anything.” His eyes are gentle. “I should warn you though, my life is very boring. There are only a few people here like me, and lots of empty homes full of books.”

“Is this a joke?” I ask, because what he’s describing sounds like paradise.

He shakes his head. “I’d never joke about such things.”

I hesitate, looking around. “I’m really safe here?”

He nods. “And if you realize you are not happy with me, I can simply take you right back here, and you can continue to cry and wonder what to do.”

I laugh.

He smiles. “You have a very beautiful laugh. It matches your beautiful face.”

For some reason, I show him my hand. “Not everything about me is beautiful.”

He cocks his head. “I’m afraid you must have trouble with your sight, because everything about you is wonderful. Don’t worry, we can get your eyes looked at. I know a man who can help.”

I laugh again and climb to my feet, putting my bag on.Going with him is crazy, right?I just met him. He could be planningon chopping me up into little pieces and eating me. He’s not even human.

And yet, what do I have to lose?

“I’m Beva, by the way.”

“Xarex,” he tells me.

I offer my hand and he kisses it, then slides closer, wrapping his strong hands around my waist. My heartbeat quickens as he looks down at me, and his gaze slides to my lips, but he just begins to flap his wings, and then we’re in the air.

And I might be crazy, but this feels like my kind of adventure. The kind I’ll survive from.

SEVENTEEN

Elora

We hold hands as we stare at the barrier to the Ash Realm, which moves in front of us like a translucent bubble. Only, we can’t see what’s on the other side. It whispers of danger and uncertainty, and I try to fight my nerves as Callum nods in my direction.

It’s time.

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