Page 12 of Bound
Chapter 4
Amoret
It’s him. It’s Gage, and I do not understand how or why fate would force our paths to collide again after so many years. Nor do I understand how he survived the fire.
But if I thought decades away from the Sith would make Gage more approachable, I was mistaken.
He is quiet across the room as Branwen speaks. Contemplative. I once thought Gage’s silence was scholarly. Now it screams the cool distance I remember.
His heat is still under my hand and over my side. There was something almost scalding about his touch. It was like standing too close to an open flame, and now the temperature of the room is icy in comparison.
It doesn’t help that he looks the same too.
He braided his long, white waves down his back, the lengthy line of his plait marking his status despite his distance from the Sith. The triple-lined hue of his irises hold emerald, fern, and evergreen in rings so electric I can’t look into them for long. I want to hate the moonlit cast of his skin, or the jet-black tattoos visible down his arms. Or how his T-shirt and jeans are poured over a muscular frame so much thicker than I remember. And so much thicker than most of our kind.
He towers over all but the male he brought with him, and even Jarrah is an inch shorter. Next to me, he made my pulse race at the difference in our sizes, but the emotion I felt was not fear.
Even his ash and pine scent does interesting things to my insides.
It’s unfair that time has not touched him. He is still as masculine as ever. Strong square jaw, aristocratic nose, and sharp cheekbones to compliment his fuller bottom lip.
With a slight tremble, I pull my gaze away from his stony features as Bran speaks.
“I confess, my sources did not tell me that the captain of the Lock Lake colony was Folk,” Bran admits.
Gage seems unfazed. “I have been captain for only a handful of weeks.”
“And how long have you served the colony?”
Silence.
I dare a glance from under my lashes and feel my body flush as Gage’s gaze remains locked on mine. “Fifteen years,” he rumbles.
Bran nods out of my peripheral. “That is no easy feat for anyone. Such dedicated service.” Gage’s focus shifts to Branwen, but he doesn’t speak. “So many years away from your kind. From good company. Kin.” I peer sidelong at my brother at his tone.
“I have good company, Master Knyt,” Gage responds, his own voice empty of all inflection. “And my men are my kin.” Truth rings through his words.
The reality of that is like a lead weight inside me. I lower my eyes to my mottled hands. The day I thought Gage died is still ingrained in my mind. A day I have tried to forget. But, not only is he alive, he managed to find a family so far from the Hill, in a world I do not understand.
“Yes,” Bran mutters coolly as his eyes dip to the male at Gage’s side. The look is assessing. “I suppose they are.”
The male smirks and folds his arms over a powerful chest. He looks like a cat who ate the family canary.
Gage arches a brow. “The colony house is open to you and your kin for as long as you have need,” he says, his achingly deep voice rolling around me. Through me. “My lord wanted me to extend the offer of respite, as well. The haven attached to our grand hall is quite large. It could more than accommodate your party.”
Bran dips his head in acquiescence. “We hope to rule over the trial in a timely manner,” he says as his gaze dips to mine. “However, that may be better achieved by lessening the transport time.”
My heart skip several beats. Does he mean—
Jarrah shifts out of the corner of my eye. “I believe my team capable of better serving you here, my lord.” His voice is low, meant only for our ears. Or more accurately, Bran’s.
Bran glances at him. Something passes between them. Some unspoken conversation. “We will see.”
Jarrah’s jaw flexes, but he remains silent.
Bran turns back to Gage and his partner. “I have but one request, then.”
Though Gage reacts to those words like he is chewing nails, he inclines his head. “Whatever Lock Lake can do to accommodate your party, we will.”
