Page 18 of Bound
Chapter 7
Amoret
I pace before the windows, trying and failing to quell the ache in my heart.
My Branwen. My brother.
Taken.
The weight of that settles over my shoulders again, beating in me like a drum of desolation. I press one hand to the warm glass and peer out over the city. “Bran, where are you?” I breathe.
A door cracks off the hall, and I turn as Gage slips into the main room. The charred remnants of his T-shirt are gone, the black expanse replaced with a tunic in rich, earthen brown. He left the toggles at the throat loose, flashing the smooth, moonlit hollow with every step.
His deep emerald eyes skirt the space before alighting on me and staying there. I can still feel his arms around me. His heat. The rasp of his voice as he swore his aid. I want to walk to him, to seek that solace again. I remain rooted in place, aware of the others stationed around the room.
“Thank you,” he says, his deep voice rolling through my insides. He plucks at the shirt. “I appreciate this.”
The memory of him poised in the doorway, of his glorious fire crackling over his shoulders and arms is forever ingrained in my mind. As is the icy death that was written into his features.
Every inch of Gage screams warrior. Not like Vish and Ivo, who are seated at the table, but like the legends of what our people used to be. Their ferocity. Their wildness.
I tremble and wrap my arms around my waist. “Of course,” I say simply. “It is the least I could do.”
He walks closer. “I have contacted my team. They are working with the police to track down any leads.”
Leads. A chance to find my brother.
I nod.
“In the meantime, Lady Amoret, Markus has once more extended the offer of sanctuary with the colony.” I am aware of Wena and Sila’s tear-streaked faces turning toward us out of my peripheral. “You would be safe there. The manor is like a fortress, and the best we have to offer would be guarding every entrance and exit.” His gaze is not quite beseeching, but the plea is there.
“I appreciate your Lord’s offer, Captain,” I tell him. “But if the kidnapper demands a ransom, I should be here to answer the call.”
His jaw works. “As you wish.”
I turn back to the window, scouring the city as though I can find Branwen by some extra sense. An extra sense I do not possess.
“My Lady?” Sila’s voice is stuffy, and I peer at her in the glass as she approaches. She wrings her hands. “You need to eat.”
My lips purse. “I am not hungry, Sila. As I have said.”
Gage turns toward her. “Can you take the food into the conference room?”
Silence.
I peer sidelong at him. In profile, his face is even more masculine. Strong. Sila shifts from foot to foot, her uncertainty coming through loud and clear.
“Of course, Captain,” Wena says as she guides the older Fae back. My head whips to her, but she just gives me a pointed look. I glower. “Will you be joining her?” Wena asks.
Gage nods, and my stomach gives an odd swoop. “If there is enough. And coffee, if you have any, would be welcome.”
I stare at him, my heart racing.
He turns to me. “If you don’t mind, that is.”
Swallowing hard, I drop into a curtsy. “Not at all, Captain.”
“Gage.”
