Page 71 of To Trap a Soul

She could barely believe it. Lindi never thought he’d actuallybendto her will. Not so easily, at least.

“Yes, little human. It is that simple.” Then his voice softened as he muttered, “But... it would be nice if youtriedto be a partof this bond, rather than so detached I can do little more than witness you.”

“Fine,” Lindi conceded, tipping her head side to side while holding back her groan. “I’ll try to be more forthcoming and cease my wanderlust.”

“And try not to be so presumptuous. It irks me greatly. Heed that warning now.” His deep and gruff voice held the smallest rumble at the end.

Just like that, her anxiety and worry evaporated, not just for the conversation, but for some of the weight she’d been holding since she first met him.

Not all, but some.

“It only took us twenty-one years to have such a conversation,” Lindi murmured as she scratched at her forearm, embarrassed now by her outburst.

This was the first time they’d truly communicated or connected in any way. She was to blame for much of that, but it took two to talk, and he hadn’t been very open either.

I guess we’ll be doing that strange tendril thing he did last time.To say she wasn’t pleased was an understatement, but she’d deal with how uncomfortable it made her without complaint.

“Has it been that long on Earth?” Weldir laughed, and it sounded much more jovial than she could have mustered with the awkwardness that clung between them. “For me, it has been a little over a year.”

Her head reared back at that.What?

September 3rd, 1704

Running while she thought she might be the equivalent of six-and-a-half-months pregnant might not have been the brightest idea, but Lindi couldn’t resist. When she saw four figures emerge at the edge of the cliff not too far down, she needed to act fast – jiggling, rounded belly be damned.

She hoped her child was okay in there being bounced around.

With one of her hands supporting it, she sprinted as hard as her aching and heavy body could handle. Her winter gear caused her skin to flush with heat in the balmier spring air. She tolerated it and ignored the sweat clinging to the inside of her jacket and tickling down her temple.

There are occultists near the canyon.Although she’d promised Weldir she’d cease hunting them, it didn’t count if they came right to her! Right? It’s not like she went out of her way to do it.I can’t let them sacrifice the woman.

When she saw them approach an area of the cliff not far away, she’d just been about to enter the trees and leave this forsaken place. Honestly, it was a miracle she’d seen them at all, and itwas only the call of a bird that brought her gaze that way in the first place.

Then she’d bolted into the forest to hide her presence and chase after them. It was after a few long strides that her stomach had clamped up with a contraction, and she’d held it to soothe her muscles, knowing it wasn’tthattime yet. Just her muscles tightening in protest and her inner walls stiffening to protect her unborn child.

Lindi redirected her path slightly when she heard voices and brought herself closer to the border of the Veil she’d just left.

Drawing close enough that she could almost make out their clothing, she ceased running to slow and approach strategically. She wasn’t at her optimal strength, was pregnant, and needed to make sure her child was safe above all else – including the woman.

Usually, Lindi would have crouched when she wanted to be hidden, but she just didn’t think her aching back and tired knees could muster up the will to do so. Instead, she lightened her footsteps and was careful as she moved around low-hanging branches.

One of the three men was making some grand speech with his hands towards the air, so she had time. The other two were holding back a frightened brunette woman, trying her hardest to escape now that she looked at the yawning depths of death.

Bright sunlight showered over the Veil, helping to take away the last of mid-spring’s chill. It was bright against her pupils after being in the thick shade of the forest.

Squinting, as if that would focus her sight, she lifted her hands to ready Weldir’s magic. As always, she was thankful for it and that she still breathed.

The past two and a half weeks had been her wandering the forests surrounding the Veil in search of any left-behind souls. She’d only found one in that time, which she brought back toWeldir today since she planned to leave in order to give birth. It was a show of good will, and that she’d adhere to the promise she made when she was last in his realm.

Their argument had been enlightening, although their relationship remained almost the same except for a little more chatter between them. The conception of their child had been as impersonal and strange as the last time, but her chest had been swarmed with the emotional high of their disagreement and she barely registered the awkwardness of it.

She’d agreed to do it immediately, since he so graciously adhered to her will regarding the sanctity of their marriage... matehood.

Lindi had chosen to forgive, putting it up to a clash of culture. He hadn’t stated his desire for other mates maliciously or because of a dislike of her. She was not a problem, or unsatisfactory, and that made her feel better about it. He’d also chosen her and her wants over his own.

That was the best outcome possible.

I wonder how close I would need to be to the Veil’s edge to be in Weldir’s mist.Unless he was directly watching her right then, he wouldn’t sense her nearness. She needed to be standing in his mist, from what she gathered.

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