Page 60 of Immortal Bastard

“Delilah?”

When she faced him, her expression wore a riot of emotion. “You didn’t have to talk to her like that.”

He frowned. “It’s not appropriate for her—or anyone for that matter—to interfere in the affairs of a mated couple. There are laws.”

She sighed. “Christian, I don’t have parents. My grandmother raised me, and she passed away when I was twenty. So many times in my life, I wished I had just one parent to go to when I was confused or scared.”

“I’m not a seventeen-year-old child,” he reminded.

“No, but you’ll always be her son. Maybe at your age you don’t feel the need for guidance. Maybe it’s a cultural difference I don’t understand, but I think she was only trying to help. And to be honest, I wanted her help. You can’t be my only source of knowledge around here or I’ll never catch up. I don’t like gatekeepers, and I don’t like the way you just spoke to your mother.”

“You’re disappointed.” His desperation to have her see him in a favorable light had him rethinking his words and actions.

“I’m a lot of things—mostly, I’m confused and scared.”

Fearful he might have been too rigid with his mother, he crossed the foyer to comfort his mate, but she held up a staying hand.

“I just want to be alone right now.”

Her rejection sank through him like cold poison constricting his veins. There was no deceit in her mind, only mental fatigue and worry. “There’s no need to worry.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. You should be worried too, Christian.”

A prickle of fear teased up his spine. “Why?”

“Because I’m me and you’re you. No matter what brought us to this point, I don’t belong here.”

CHAPTER 9

Adriel paced in front of the bishop’s grand fireplace, venting her fury. “You didn’t hear him, Eleazar. He reminded me so much of his father, so absolute and arrogant.”

“Adriel, you should not have interfered. You know that. Family law states—”

“You males and your family law! I am so tired of hearing that used as an excuse. How can you even justify such rubbish after learning what Silus did to your wife?”

The bishop’s eyes narrowed and his mouth formed a hard line across his face. “Christian is not Cerberus or Silus,” he growled. “I know what my wife suffered, and I corrected the situation, much like I fixed yours. Do not mention his name again in my house.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right.” She should not have brought up such a fresh and painful subject involving his new mate. She was angry and scared for her son. “But what if Christian’s more like his father than we realized?”

“Your son is a good and honorable male, Adriel. He’s done nothing to make me believe otherwise. If he’s struggling, it’s only because he’s finding his way. There are centuries between him and his mate. Of course, it will take time. He’s adjusting.”

“He hasn’t let her leave the house.”

“Because she tried to run.”

“And why do you think that is?”

“I understand you’re only trying to help and you care for the young female’s well-being, but do you honestly believe your son would harm his mate?”

She recalled the blood on her son’s temple and the way his mate deferred to him so meekly. The young female had markings on her hands that told Adriel she was of a modern time. Her behavior didn’t match her appearance, but the blood covering her son might explain why.

“Not all men possess limitless patience, Eleazar.”

“He’s not Cerberus. You raised him. Believe me, his bullheadedness is of your line, not his father’s. He will not hurt his mate.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Her mind traveled back a lifetime, to a place she would never forget, a place that existed long before they arrived in the colonies and made their pilgrimage from Philadelphia, a journey she never assumed she’d live to see. Three hundred years later, she still feared she was in the calm before the storm and her mate would eventually find her.

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