Page 54 of Earth-Bound

But I was suddenly terrified that Joe would leave. He was upset. He’d already told me that he moved on quickly and the chances of me being able to find him again, as weak as I was, were slim.

I couldn’t let him out of my sight.

“Terrund?” Arram shouted after me, and I could hear the shock in their voice. I suppose they’d never seen an earth spirit sprint, either.

I rushed across the grass until I had nearly caught up with Joe. He was walking swiftly, heading straight back towards the spot where his vehicle was parked.

“Joe, wait,” I called.

He didn’t stop but he asked, “What do you want?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“I’m done talking.”

“But I need to explain. Please wait.”

I caught up to him and reached out to grab his arm, but pulled back at the last minute. I didn’t want to physically restrain him.

“Please, just listen. We weren’t making fun of you. I can guarantee that.”

He slowed down, glancing over his shoulder at me. I saw the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes and pressed my advantage.

“Joe, I need to tell you something important. I was too frightened to tell you before.”

His eyes narrowed and he looked back at the house, to where the dragons and the dryad were waiting. “Are you afraid of them?”

“No. Well, perhaps the dragons make me a little nervous,” I admitted.

He sighed and turned around again, walking off. I chased him again, barely keeping pace with him. He was walking fast.

“Where are you going?”

“Away.”

“But you can’t.”

“You can’t stop me.”

He was right. I couldn’t stop him. Terror filled me and my chest constricted. My mate could walk away and there was nothing I could do about it.

I managed to gasp out, “But you said you wouldn’t leave without telling me.”

“I’m telling you now.”

The lance of pain was actually so sharp and sudden that I doubled over. Joe faltered, turning back towards me.

And then the dragons arrived.

They put their hands all over me, yanking me upright and asking, “Are you ok?”

“Did he hurt you?”

“Do you want us to hurt him back?”

“You don’t have to watch us do it.”

I gasped, “No! No, don’t hurt him.”

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