Eternal Bond : (The Cursed Series, Book 3)

by Kara Leigh Miller

  “If I do, will you cry for me like this?”

  “Never mind.” I spun around and marched back into the house.

  “Chloe, wait.” Jax was right behind me. He clutched my arm and turned me to face him. “I’m not leaving. As long as Zoya is sticking around, so I am. I don’t trust him around you, and I can’t believe my brother does.”

  Weight lifted from my shoulders. I didn’t trust Isach, and I didn’t believe Trent did, either, but he had trusted him enough to help rescue me. Knowing Jax was going to hang around to watch out for me made me feel safer.

  “Don’t leave,” he said quietly. “Just… go wait in Trent’s room. I know he’ll come back.” He smiled sadly and shoved his hands into his pockets again.

  Exhaustion clung to me, and my body slouched. I really didn’t feel like going home right now, and I didn’t have a ride anyway. “Yeah, okay,” I said.

  I trudged back into Trent’s room and hid beneath the covers. Hugging his pillow close, I inhaled deeply. If I didn’t have him here to hold me, at least I could take some comfort from being surrounded by his scent.

  I only hoped he’d come back soon so we could talk.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN:

  Forgiveness

  MY HEAD POUNDED, AND MY EYELIDS were heavy with lingering sleep. I groaned and rolled over. Then I yelped and scrambled into a sitting position.

  “Trent?”

  He sat in a chair next to the bed, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. He glanced up and dragged his fingers through his hair.

  “How long have you been sitting there?” I asked, willing my heart to slow to a more normal rate.

  “A while.” He stood and wandered toward the window, his back to me.

  “Sorry about stealing your bed. I wasn’t sure if you were coming back, and I didn’t have a way home.” I fidgeted with the blanket, unsure what to say.

  I mean, there was plenty to say, but I had no idea where to start. “I’m sorry I kissed your brother” didn’t seem like enough. So, instead, I apologized for sleeping in his bed. God, I was such an idiot. I let my head fall against the headboard with a thud.

  “I’m glad you didn’t leave,” he said, turning toward me. “And I’m sorry I did.” He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over me, one hand propped on the mattress near my hip. “I shouldn’t have taken off like that. I was just so… angry.”

  “I know.” I continued to run the edge of the blanket through my fingers, refusing to meet his gaze, because I knew the moment I did, I’d start to cry. Again. “I’m so sorry.” My voice caught.

  Trent put his finger under my chin and tilted my head. He still looked as exhausted as he had last night, but he was no longer pale, and his eyes were brighter, not sunken. He must have fed.

  “Did anything else happen with Jax?” His gaze was piercing.

  “No,” I said without hesitation.

  “And that kiss…” He said the word kiss as if it were poisonous. “It meant nothing?”

  “Nothing,” I lied.

  At the time, it had meant something, but not anymore. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. I didn’t want it to mean anything.

  “It happened right after he fed on me. I was caught up in the—”

  “Yeah, I get it.” He smiled sadly. “I warned you. For a human, a vampire bite is euphoric. It’s physically overwhelming.”

  “No kidding.” I scrunched up my face, fighting to keep the memory of that night locked away. “Still, it never should have happened. And I’ll regret it forever.”

  “Chloe, it’s okay.” He cupped the side of my face.

  “It is?” I asked, stunned.

  “It was a physical reaction. Nothing more. I know that. I know you’d never intentionally hurt me. All that stuff Jax said last night…” He shook his head. “He knows how to get under my skin.”

  “Yeah, I’ve noticed. You really need to stop letting him do that. It scares me when you fight like that,” I admitted sheepishly.

  “I know, and I’ll do my best to stop.” He momentarily closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, they were a deeper shade of blue—not quite black, but on the verge. “You know I didn’t mean it when I screamed at you to change, right?” His voice was tinged with regret.

  “Yes, you did,” I whispered, placing my hand over his. “You asked me to change for you, Trent, to spend an eternity with you. I know that’s what you want, and it’s okay that you want that. I’m not mad.”

  Trent caressed my cheek with his thumb, then leaned closer. “I’m sorry. Seems like that’s all I’ve been saying lately.” His expression turned serious. “Can you forgive me for bringing Isach into this and taking your choice away?”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I’d cheated on him—with his brother—and he was apologizing to me, asking for my forgiveness? Was I dreaming? Or had I awoken in some twisted alternate reality? I was still upset about the whole Isach thing, but if Trent could so easily forgive me for my wrongdoings, I could forgive him, too.

  Besides, Trent was the one who made the deal with Isach, not me. I wasn’t technically bound by that deal, and if I decided I was ready to change, I wasn’t going to let Isach stop me.

  “Yes,” I said finally. “I just want us to be okay, like we were before all of this happened.”

  “We’re more than okay. Promise,” he whispered a moment before his lips brushed over mine.

  His kiss was tender at first, then more urgent, more demanding, and I gave myself over to him without reservation. I needed this—him—more than I realized, and the pressure of his mouth against mine grounded me in the moment, in the reality that I was back in his arms. Safe. Loved. Wanted.

  He broke away from my mouth long enough to yank me down so I was flat on my back. Our touches and kisses became frantic and greedy. I couldn’t get enough of him, and I knew I was exactly where I should be. Where I was meant to be.

  “I LOVE YOU,” TRENT said for what had to be the millionth time.

  Not that I was counting. Or complaining. Smiling, I wiggled closer and tightened my arm around his stomach. “I love you, too,” I said.

  He kissed the top of my head, and I sighed with contentment. I ran my fingers across his pecs and down his abs, reveling in the perfection. Last night, I’d cried myself to sleep, convinced I’d lost him. But I hadn’t.

  He was here with me, and I wasn’t ever going to do anything to mess this up. What Trent and I had—despite all the issues with him being a vampire and me being a human—was perfect.

  “Y’know, I wasn’t actually going to do it,” I said, dragging my fingers across his stomach.

  “Do what?” His voice was the most relaxed I’d ever heard, and I debated bringing this up for fear of ruining the moment.

  “Kill myself. I wasn’t going to do it. I just needed Jax to think I was.” I placed a kiss to his cheek. “I wasn’t going to let him die. I knew it would devastate you, and I don’t think I could’ve survived there without him.”

  Trent squeezed me closer. “It should have been me there with you.”

  “What?” I said, horrified. I propped myself on an elbow and looked down at him. “No. Ivy would have done the same thing to you. Starved you. But you wouldn’t have fed on me, no matter what I said or did, and then you would’ve died.” My voice rose with panic. “And it would have been my fault. Just like it was my fault Jax had been there.”

  “Hey, it’s okay.” He smoothed his hand over my hair and cradled the back of my head. “It’s over. Ivy won’t be coming after you again. Isach will make sure of that. And I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

  I laughed. “You do know I’m going to have to go home, right? I can’t stay here.”

  “You can if we don’t tell anyone you’re here.” He hauled me over on top of him, and I straddled his waist, my hands on either side of his head. “We can tell your aunt and uncle that you’re still traveling. Maybe you’re studying abroad.”

  I grinned, then le
aned down to kiss him. “As tempting as it is to just stay here with you, I can’t do that. I miss my family. I want to go home.”

  It’s all I’d wanted since I left Keene Valley months ago, and now I was so close to getting what I wanted. I couldn’t just give that up.

  “I know you do. But I just got you back, and I’m not ready to let you go yet,” he said.

  “So selfish,” I teased. “Okay, I’ll stay one more night, but I’m going home tomorrow. And I have to call my dad.”

  The idea of talking to him made me nauseous. What was I supposed to say? Thank him for lying and assure him I was fine? He was going to ask questions I couldn’t answer.

  “Deal.” Trent captured my lips in a kiss I wasn’t expecting, dragging me from my thoughts and dropping me back in the present moment. “So, what do you want to do today?”

  “I want to go outside.”

  He laughed. “Go outside?”

  I nodded. “I haven’t been outside in so long. Ivy only let me outdoors one time.” I climbed off him and stood, suddenly unable to sit still. “I want to lay in the sun and walk barefoot in the grass. Oh!” My eyes widened with excitement. “I want to go swimming.”

  He rolled out of bed gracefully and stood. “I have the perfect idea.” He smiled, his dimple showing, and I had to consciously stop myself from swooning.

  “What?” I asked with giddiness.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “You know I hate surprises.” I crossed my arms and pouted. Though, the last surprise Trent had given me was pretty spectacular.

  “Too bad.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “The only thing of yours Ivy didn’t take was your backpack and phone. It’s over there.” He nodded toward the corner. “Shower. Get dressed. Call your dad. I’ll be back in less than an hour.” Trent was out of the room before I could argue.

  I let out a small squeal of excitement. I had no idea what he was planning, but I couldn’t wait to find out. But first, I had to call my father. Even though I really didn’t want to talk to him, I needed to let him know what was going on. And I did want to say hi to Larissa and see how Little Frank was doing.

  A pang of sadness hit me—I actually missed them.

  With a heavy sigh, I lifted my backpack onto the bed. It was considerably lighter than the last time I’d picked it up. All the proof of my lineage was gone. Sean probably kept it, which was fine with me. I dug around until I found my cell phone, and then I dialed my father’s number. Nerves tightened my stomach.

  “Chloe? Is that you? Where are you? Are you okay?” Dad said as soon as he answered the call.

  His rapid-fire questions left me speechless, and shock settled over me. He sounded like he actually cared. Had Ivy done something to him? This wasn’t the father I’d left behind.

  “Chloe? Are you there? Are you okay?” he asked.

  I shook the disbelief away. “Yeah, I’m here.”

  He exhaled loudly. “Thank God. Where are you?”

  “In Keene Valley.” I cleared my throat. “I’m not at Aunt Beth’s right now, but I’m going there tomorrow. I’m staying with… friends. But I’m okay.”

  I had no idea why I was lying to him. It wasn’t like he didn’t know the witches had been looking for me. Had they told him about Trent, though?

  “Ivy paid me a visit,” he said after a moment, his voice much too quiet. I had to strain to hear him.

  “I know. She told me.” I stood and paced, needing the mundane action to keep me from going crazy. “She found me and held me hostage for a while.”

  Dad muttered a string of curses. “How did she find you? Wait… you’re not with her anymore, are you?”

  “No. I managed to get away, but I’m sure she’ll show up again sooner or later.” I rubbed my forehead in an effort to erase the building tension. “It’s a long story, Dad, and not something I really want to relive right now. I just wanted you to know I was okay, and to thank you for what you did. Lying to Larissa and Ivy about where I was.” My voice caught, and I cleared my throat. “I’m sure that wasn’t easy for you.”

  “Don’t forget your Aunt Beth. She’s been calling me, too. Said she hasn’t been able to get in touch with you. Now I know why.” He huffed.

  “Oh. Right. Thanks.”

  Of course, Aunt Beth has been worried. Abby probably has been, too. I really needed to call both of them. I hadn’t checked any of my notifications, but I was certain I probably had a few hundred missed calls and texts.

  “Honestly, Chloe, if my previous actions haven’t proved what I’m willing to do to protect you, I don’t know what else I can do or say.” Exhaustion dripped from his words, and my heart ached for him. “You’re my daughter, and I’d do anything for you. I have done anything for you. I love you.”

  I gasped and slapped my hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t sob into his ear. That was the first time he’d said those words since before he’d left me and Mom. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I sank down to the floor, my back against the bed, knees tucked to my chest.

  “I love you, too, Dad,” I mumbled, though I wasn’t sure it was very coherent. My throat burned with the effort of holding back my tears.

  “Please come home,” he said. “We miss you, and Larissa is on my case daily about when you’re coming back.”

  I lost my battle against my tears, and they streaked down my face. “I’m not coming home, Dad. I’m sorry.” I sniffled and wiped at my wet cheeks. “I want to stay in Keene Valley with Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean.”

  He was silent for a long while, and I worried he might have hung up on me.

  Finally, he said, “Okay. If that’s what you want, then I’ll respect your decision. But please come visit. Any time. Just call and I’ll send you money to fly home, okay?”

  “Okay,” I choked out between sobs.

  Ever since my father had left, all I’d wanted was a “normal” life—two parents who loved me. A stable, happy home. Friends. And now I had more of that than I could handle. Aunt Beth and Uncle Dean. Dad and Larissa. Trent and his family. Without realizing it, I’d gotten what I always wanted.

  Taking a deep breath, I wiped my tears and stood. “How are Larissa and Little Frank anyway?”

  “Little Frank is still growing up way too fast.” Dad chuckled, though it was strained. “And Larissa is busier than ever with her charity work.” He paused. “Are you really okay? You’re not in danger, are you?”

  How was I supposed to answer that? “Yeah, I’m okay. I’m happy, actually,” I said, an unbidden smile forming. I was always happy when I was with Trent. “And I’m not in any danger. Not anymore.”

  But I wasn’t positive about that. Still, I didn’t want to worry him anymore than I already had.

  “Well, that’s good.”

  “For what it’s worth… I forgive you. For leaving me and Mom. And for everything else you did.”

  He cleared his throat loudly, and I wondered if he was crying. “Thank you.”

  I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Well, I have to go, but I’ll call again soon, okay?” I wandered toward the window and peered outside. My earlier excitement started to creep back in, and I couldn’t wait to find out what Trent was up to. “Bye, Dad.”

  “Chloe, wait!”

  My stomach twisted at the urgency in his tone. “Yeah?”

  “Are you with the Halsteads?”

  My heart stopped, and I swallowed around the sudden lump that had formed in my throat. Clearly, Ivy must have told him everything. That woman did like to hear herself talk. I should have known.

  “Yes,” I whispered. “But it’s not what you think. They rescued me from Ivy. I’m safe because of them.”

  Urgency filled my veins—an urgency to explain, to make my father understand and accept how I felt about Trent and his family. But I couldn’t get the words past my lips.

  “Please tell me you’re still human,” he said desperately.

  “I am.” I stopped short of adding “for now” because I didn’
t need to freak him out, and I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do about my mortality.

  “Goodbye, Dad. I’ll talk to you again soon.” I ended the call before he could say anything else and tossed my phone onto the bed.

  That was probably one of the strangest conversations I’d ever had—and I’ve had a lot of really weird conversations lately. Relief eased through me. Dad knew I was okay, and he and I were on good terms. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

  Now, I just needed to explain myself to Aunt Beth tomorrow. Until then, though, I was going to enjoy a day outside, in the sun and fresh air.

  CHAPTER TWELVE:

  Seeing Red

  AFTER SHOWERING, I RETURNED TO TRENT’S room only to realize I had no clean clothes. I’d left everything behind at the coven’s house. What was I supposed to do now? I didn’t want to wear the same dirty clothes from yesterday. Now that I thought about it, I didn’t even know where they were.

  Whitney!

  She and Wyatt were staying here for a while. She’d have something I could wear. Opening Trent’s bedroom door, I peeked into the hallway to make sure no one was out there. Walking around his house in nothing but a towel was a terrible idea, but I literally had nothing else to wear at the moment.

  I raced out of his room and down the hall, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was behind me. When I turned back, I ran face first into a hard, damp wall of flesh.

  “Oof,” I grunted.

  Two strong hands darted out and steadied me. Hands that I knew, the instant they touched me, didn’t belong to Trent. Slowly, I lifted my gaze and came face to face with Jax. My heart rate spiked.

  “Not very practical clothing for trying to run me down,” he said, his gaze drifting down the length of my body. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  Heat erupted on my face and neck. I jerked away from his hold and crossed my arms over my chest. Not that it helped all that much—I was in a freaking towel—and my heart pounded so wildly it’s like it was trying to shove my arms away.

  “All my clothes were left at Ivy’s,” I said. “I’m hoping Whitney has something I can borrow.”