Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83353 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Hanna was hanging on his every word now. Her Aunt Luna had gotten up and was quietly clearing the table, probably knowing that Hanna would fill her in later, since she couldn’t see or hear Wraith.
“I explained my problem to her and she gave me a potion,” Wraith told her. “She said it would enable me to Bond with my female but cautioned me not to take it until I returned to the Mother Ship. I believe her exact words were,
‘Take the brew
And Bond ye well.
But who thou Bonds
Time will tell.
Shalt never see the afterlife
Until thou Bonds
With love, a wife.”
Wraith shook his head as he finished reciting the short verse.
“I know now that those words were a curse. I should have known not to take that potion—my beloved, Mara, begged me not to. She said we could stay together, even without Bonding. But I was stubborn—I wanted what every other Kindred warrior has—a Soul Bond with his mate. And so I drank the potion.”
“And…it killed you?” Hanna almost whispered.
He nodded.
“In very short order. I was already dead by the time they rushed me to the Med Station. I could see my body as they tried to revive it but I couldn’t get back into it. I remember how Mara wept and wept. I hated myself for hurting her, for insisting on taking that damn potion…”
He looked so upset that Hanna squeezed his hand, wanting to comfort him.
“I’m so sorry, Wraith. That must have been unspeakably awful,” she said softly.
Wraith sighed.
“It was a long time ago now. I’ve just…never spoken of it before to anyone. Since I wasn’t able to speak to anyone until you arrived, little one.” He gave her a half smile that made Hanna’s stomach flutter.
She liked it when he called her “little one”—especially since she’d never thought of herself as little before. She was taller than anyone else in her family and she’d always been plus-sized, but compared to Wraith, who was nearly seven feet tall and extremely muscular, she did indeed feel small and delicate. It was a new feeling for Hanna, and one she found she liked immensely.
“Well, are you two ready to go shopping?” Aunt Luna’s voice cut into her thoughts and Hanna looked up.
“Oh, yes—but are you sure, Aunt Luna? I, er, won’t be able to pay you back for a while,” she added, apologetically.
“Don’t you worry about that, my dear,” her aunt said, smiling. “Nobody lacks for anything here on the Mother Ship and there are so many cute little shops down by the parklands in the middle of the ship. Besides, I want to treat you—it’s been a long time since you and I had a girl’s day together.” She paused. “Well—it won’t really be a girl’s day since your new Protector is coming with us, but you know what I mean.”
“Yes, of course.” Hanna turned to Wraith. “Er…do you mind coming with us today?” she asked uncertainly. “I know most guys don’t really like shopping,” she added apologetically.
“Whatever makes you happy makes me happy,” Wraith assured her. “Besides, how can I pass up the chance to see such a beautiful Elite trying on lovely new clothes?” he added, his mismatched eyes going half-lidded.
Hanna felt herself blushing again and couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re bad!” she exclaimed. “Come on, let’s go!”
14
HANNA
Later that evening, Hanna reflected that the shopping trip with Aunt Luna and Wraith was the most fun she’d had in a long time. Her aunt seemed determined to get her every pretty outfit she tried on, but what was even more fun was watching the way Wraith’s eyes lit up when she put on something particularly form fitting.
“That one hugs your curves—you should get it,” he said, his voice going just a bit hoarse when she was trying on a long, shimmering emerald green gown with a low-cut neckline and a long slit up one thigh.
“Thank you, but…I don’t know when I’d ever wear it,” Hanna said, looking down at herself.
“You’d wear it to the Christmas Party we’re going to be going to at the end of the year!” Aunt Luna exclaimed. “The High Council always throws one. I want to introduce you to Commander Sylvan—that’s the head of the Council—and his wife, Sophia—she’s a sweetheart.”
“I wish I could escort you to that party.” There was a wistful note in Wraith’s deep voice. “I would be so proud to step into the ballroom with such a beautiful Elite on my arm.”
“I wish you could too,” Hanna said softly and then had to explain to Aunt Luna what they were talking about.
“Get it,” her aunt said decisively. “You never can tell what might happen, my dear and it looks lovely on you.”
“But, Aunt Luna—it’s so expensive!” Hanna protested.
“Price is no object today,” her aunt declared.
And so the gorgeous, shimmering gown was purchased.
After lunch, which they had at a chic little café in the center of the Mother Ship that served Twin Moons cuisine, her aunt explained that she had a few errands to run.