Thane frowned up at Samantha. “Can you give her something, Sam?”
“No, not yet. I’m sorry, Thane. I know this sucks, but her body just needs to do its thing.” She squeezed his shoulder. “It’s harder on you guys than it is on us, trust me.”
“Speak for yourself,” Sydney retorted, her eyes still closed, but her body back to its normal color and temperature.
Samantha smiled. “See? The snark’s a good sign.”
Thane settled his free hand on Sydney’s forehead. “Are you in pain, love?”
Sydney finally opened her eyes and squeezed his hand. “No, not pain. It’s kind of like...I don’t know?”
“Something tickling your skin?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, exactly! I’m on the verge of itchy, but not like I need to scratch.”
“Good,” Samantha said. “We’ll get the bed ready. You’ll sleep in ice sheets for a few hours and then you’ll be a little groggy tomorrow, but you’ve actually come through this faster than most of us.”
“I have?”
Samantha smiled. “You have.”
“That’s because she’s a star,” Thane said.
“Takes one to know one,” Samantha said, and left the bathroom.
Sydney giggled. It was the best thing Thane had heard all day. Her laugh settled in his soul and drove away the gut wrenching fear he’d been feeling for the last hour.
“I’m okay, honey,” Sydney whispered, releasing his hand so she could cup his face. He grasped her arm, afraid to let any distance come between them.
“Is the pain okay?” he asked.
Sydney smiled. “Yep. I actually feel really good. Just a little sleepy.”
“Thane?” Samantha called from the bedroom.
“Aye?”
“If the pain’s done, you can help Sydney dry off so she can sleep.”
“All right.” He smiled at his mate and kissed her palm. “You ready to get out before you prune?”
“You have a problem with prunes?”
He kissed her gently. “I love prunes, particularly if my mate happens to be one of them.”
“Look who’s all romantical now,” she quipped.
Thane grinned, pulling the plug on the tub and grabbing a towel. He helped Sydney to her feet and wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her anchored while she climbed out. After drying her off gently, he secured the towel around her and carried her back to the bed.
“I’m so thirsty,” Sydney rasped as he pulled the sheets over her body.
“I have a saline drip for you, Sydney,” Samantha said. “It’ll help.” She slid the needle effortlessly into Sydney’s arm and taped it off before hanging the bag on a hook by the bed. “I wish we’d had this when Kade bound me. Pepper could have used one too. We just didn’t know how our bodies would react to anything, but we’ve been finding things out as we go.”
“Thanks for everything, Sam,” Sydney said with a sleepy smile. “I can’t imagine having gone through this without help.”
“I know, hon,” she said, and squeezed her arm. “It was terrifying for Kade more than me, so I promised I wouldn’t let any more of our people deal with this.”
“Not for you?” she asked.
Samantha giggled. “Not like it was for him, no. Neither of us knew what was happening, because his parents had held back a lot of information about their...ah, our race. It was a nightmare for Kade. He thought I was dying.” She closed her eyes and then smiled. “Sorry, he’s arguing with me now as we speak.”
Sydney chuckled. “I have no idea what that’s like on any level.”
Cheeky.
“Like right now,” she retorted.
Thane smiled and shook his head.
“Okay, I’m going to feed my newest munchkin.” Sam checked the fluids bag and then Sydney’s pulse. “I’ll check in on you in an hour and if you’re feeling good, we’ll take that pesky needle out of your arm. If you need anything in the meantime, ring the bell. Bearnas will either know what to do or find me.”
“Thanks for everything, Sam.” Thane hugged her, giving her a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“If I’d known all I had to do was take care of a friend to get some affection from a big movie star, I would have done that earlier.” She giggled. “Hush, Kade.”
Thane wasn’t sure if she was aware she’d said that out loud, but he didn’t mention it, and Samantha left them alone. After getting another glass of water for Sydney, he climbed into bed beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. “I love you, sweetheart.”
She sighed and kissed him gently. “I love you, too.”
“Sleep now.”
And she did.
* * *
Sydney felt a small tug on her arm and opened her eyes to find Samantha pulling the needle out. “Sorry, hon. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No, that’s okay.”
“I figured you’d feel better if you could move a bit.”
Sydney smiled and bit back a yawn. “Where’s Thane?”
“He’s just getting fresh ice sheets.” Samantha took her pulse again and then checked her temperature. “Your temperature’s rising a little again.”
Sydney sat up a little. “Is that bad?”
“I don’t think so. It’s just not something we’ve seen before. I’m going to get another drip in case. But I’ll wait until Thane gets back.”
“Okay,” Sydney whispered, unable to keep her eyes open.
“Sydney?”
“Hmm?”
“Sid?” Samantha said, her tone urgent.
Sydney couldn’t concentrate and then the burning started again and she heard herself cry out.
* * *
Thane heard Sydney’s cry and rushed back into the bedroom, dropping his burdens as he let out a bellow of rage. “What the hell is going on?”
Sydney was on the floor in the fetal position, shaking violently as she vomited into a bowl while Samantha and Bearnas packed her with ice.
“It’s all right, Thane,” Samantha assured. “This is all part of it. She just started a little later than the rest of us, so I’d kind of hoped she’d skipped it.”
Thane knelt beside Sydney and laid his hand on her head, soaked with sweat. “Shite.”
“I know it’s frightening,” Samantha said. “But this is all normal. It’s okay. She’ll be okay.”
“I’ve got a new bath, Majesty,” Bearnas said as she walked into the room.
“Thank you,” Samantha said, and focused back on Thane. “In a minute, I’m going to need you to lift her again and take her into the bathroom.”
Thane wasn’t listening. He was trying to keep Sydney from choking on her hair. It was plastered around her face and he was trying to slide it away from her mouth. A small but strong hand grabbed his arm and he was forced to look at Samantha.
“Did you hear me?”
“What? No, sorry, I didn’t,” he confessed.
“When this is done, I’m going to need you to carry her back to the tub.”
“Aye, lass. When this is done.” He focused back on Sydney, stroking her hair.
I’m dying
You’re not dying, love.
She let out a broken sigh. I’m totally dying.
He tried not to smile, but lost the battle. Even in pain, she was trying to make him feel better. “As soon as you’re ready, I’m going to lift you, okay?”
No. There’s no point. I’ll be dead.
He stroked her cheek and her shaking calmed. “I’m here, baby.”
She pushed up just enough to lay her head in his lap. I feel like my body weighs a million trillion pounds.
That’s a lot in kilos.
It’s a lot in pounds too. Sydney gave him a slight smile as she glanced down her body. “I have a weird mark on my knee.”
“It’s my mark,” he explained.
Her eyes closed. What do you mean?
“I have the mark on my left knee. Now that we’re bound, you have the one on your r
ight.”
“Is that normal?” she whispered.
“Aye, love, it’s normal.” Thane squeezed her hand. “I’m going to lift you now.”
One more minute. She took a ragged breath. I just need a little more time to enjoy no pain.
“We’re ready,” Samantha said. “But take your time.”
How’s your stomach?
“It’s better I think,” she whispered.
“I’m going to lift you now,” Thane said. “Arms around my neck, sweetheart.”
She did as he instructed and he wrapped the ice sheet around her to keep her covered. Holding her close, he carried her into the bathroom and settled her into the water again. She let out a deep sigh and slid all the way under the water before sitting up with a smile. “Oh my word, this is awesome.”
Thane sat on the edge of the tub and took her hand again, glancing up at Samantha. “Do you think it’s over now?”
Samantha nodded. “It should be. Vomiting is typically the last thing to happen. It’s interesting she slept for so long between. Her conversion was actually a lot less violent than some. It’s a good sign.”
Sydney squeezed Thane’s hand. “I’m okay, honey.”
He leaned down to kiss her but she turned her head.
He frowned. “Hey.”
“I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
Thane grinned. “You don’t need to now that you’re Cauld Ane.”
She frowned. “Seriously?”
“It’s a definite perk,” Samantha said. “That and being able to heal yourself and your family.”
“I can do that?”
Thane nodded.
“What if I’m stabbed...or shot?”
Thane scowled. “You won’t be stabbed or shot.”
“But if you were,” Samantha rushed to say. “You could heal yourself.”
“Damn it, Sydney,” Thane said.
“Just checking.” Sydney gave him a slight smile as she ran her tongue over her teeth. “My teeth do feel clean.”
“Way to change the subject, baby.” Thane chuckled. “I’d like that kiss now, love.”
She raised her head and obliged.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SYDNEY AWOKE TO darkness, her body pressed up against the warmth of her mate. She shifted and felt Thane’s strong hand grip her thigh. “You keep moving yer bum against me, love, I won’t be able to remain the gentleman.”
Sydney giggled and rolled to face him. “I didn’t marry you... ah, I mean, bond with you because you’re a gentleman.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I bonded with you so you could show me a good time... debauchery and all.”
He gripped her waist and rolled with her so she was straddling his hips. “Before I show you the true depth of my debaucheries, how are you feeling?”
“Amazing.” Sydney leaned down and kissed his chest. “My body feels healthier than it’s ever been.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “I think we need to practice making a baby.”
Thane laughed. “Already?”
“Hell, yes.”
He flipped her onto her back. “Okay, love, we’ll go slow so that I can teach you everything I know.”
“What happens when the student becomes the master?”
Thane kissed her neck. “Then the fun really begins.”
He made love to her and then it was time for their bonding ceremony. The official “marriage” for the purpose of Cauld Ane recordkeeping.
Thane had surprised her with a new dress to commemorate the occasion. A lace, off-white cocktail dress that settled a few inches above her knees. It had one shoulder and a wide satin sash and, with a pair of matching Jimmy Choo stilettos, she felt like a modern day princess.
Thane pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “You are beautiful.”
“So are you.” He wore his traditional tartan kilt, the green and blues exceptional against his coloring.
“You’re missing something,” he said.
“I am?”
He grinned and pulled out a small, black, velvet box.
“What’s this?” she asked, and gasped when he pried it open. A pair of white gold diamond teardrop earrings sparkled in the black satin. “Thane,” she breathed out.
“Do you like them?”
She smiled. “Honey, they’re exquisite.”
“I have to admit, I wanted to buy the six-carat ones, but I know you enough to know that you’d feel uncomfortable wearing them.”
“You’re right.” Sydney stroked his cheek. “I would. But these? These I can wear almost every day.” She secured them to her ears.
Thane ran his thumb gently over one. “Perfect.”
“Thank you, honey.” She squeezed his hand. “I have something for you too.”
“Something other than the red lacy gift I tore off your body last night?”
She giggled and pulled open the bureau drawer. “Yes.”
Pulling out the gift bag with the statue, she handed it to him. “That’s not all,” she said, and stepped into the closet, sliding the real gift out of the front pocket of her tote. She walked back into the bedroom and pointed to the gift bag. “Open that first and then you can have this.”
He raised an eyebrow and peeked into the bag, letting out a laugh that made Sydney grin. He pulled out the Oscar and studied it. “This is the best gift I’ve ever received.”
“It’s a major award, honey, and you earned it.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I love it. Almost as much as I love you.”
She smiled and handed him the leather box, unwrapped. “Elspie helped me pick this out.”
He set the Oscar on the dresser and took the box, opening it and shaking his head. “Baby.”
“Is it okay? Do you like it?” She’d had the timepiece engraved and now she wasn’t sure about it.
He pulled the watch out and kissed her again. “It’s amazing, love. Even better than the Oscar.”
“Wow, that’s high praise. I won’t tell the Academy.”
Thane turned it over and read the back. “I’m blessed to call you mine. All my love, Mrs. Movie Star.” He smiled. “I’m the blessed one, Sydney. I love you.”
“I love you too.” He kissed her, sliding her dress up over her hips. “Thane, you’ll ruin the dress.”
“I’ll be very, very careful.”
“Even if you are, honey, we don’t have time.”
“I’ll make it quick.”
“You haven’t made it quick yet.”
“I will now,” he promised, and kept his word.
After putting themselves back together, Sydney followed Thane downstairs and into the throne room. She was shocked to find his entire family in attendance. Even though they’d discussed the option for her to invite hers, she’d decided that she wanted to experience the traditional ceremony, rather than one that was “human sensitive.” Thane had promised a wedding to rival all weddings once the situation with her mother was sorted, so she was happy to keep their bonding between them for the moment. But her heart swelled when they joined the pastor and Thane’s family was there, along with their closest friends.
Isolde wrapped Sydney in a warm embrace and kissed her cheek. “You look stunning, love.”
“Thank you.”
Domnall was next and his gruff, but no less warm, hug brought tears to Sydney’s eyes. “You’re the best of who we could have imagined for him, lass. A gift from God.”
“Thank you,” she rasped.
It took several more minutes to hug each of the rest of the family and then it was time to start the ceremony.
As the group settled in their seats, Thane and Sydney faced each other and Pastor Kent smiled at them and then the congregation. “Thane and Sydney have chosen a traditional hand fasting until they can join together in human matrimony. I am to understand you have bonded?”
“Aye, pastor,” Thane said.
“I’m happy for you both.�
� He reached for the Allen tartan ribbon and studied each of them. “Join your right hands.”
Sydney giggled when she nearly raised her left, but recovered quickly and clasped Thane’s hand.
“May the best you’ve ever seen be the worst you’ll ever see.” Pastor Kent bound the ribbon around their hands as he recited the ancient Scottish blessing. “May the mouse never leave your pantry with a teardrop in his eye. May you always keep healthy and hearty until you’re old enough to die. May you always be just as happy as we wish you now to be. You may now kiss your mate.”
Using their joined hands as leverage, Thane tugged Sydney to him and kissed her deeply. Domnall hollered and pulled Thane away from Sydney, causing the guests to laugh...she, however, blushed beet red.
Domnall untied their hands and they signed the royal book, then it was time to party, which they did until the wee hours.
* * *
The next morning, Thane drove Sydney down to the stables and they mounted a couple of horses to ride over to Max and Grace’s home, just a few miles from the castle.
Sydney was a little nervous to hang out with the famous rock star, but it helped that Niall and Charlotte would be there as well. It was one thing to shake the man’s hand, and an entirely different one to spend a morning with him. Arriving at the expansive white mansion, Sydney did her best to take it all in. Ivy wove its way up one side of the house, adding to the historical façade, while the cobblestone courtyard offered the perfect welcome that led to the blue seven-foot-tall, six-foot-wide double doors at the front.
Thane’s hand on her leg drew her focus to him as he stood below her and she smiled down at him. “Mmm, I like this angle.”
He chuckled. “Would you like me to stand here for a while?”
“I’d say yes, but then we’d be late to brunch.” She giggled and slid her foot out of the stirrups, dismounting with the help of her very sexy man.
A groom walked the horses away, and Thane took Sydney’s hand and led her to the front door.
Grace pulled the door open before they’d even reached the porch and hugged Sydney then Thane. “Welcome! I’m so glad you guys could make it.”
A flurry of blonde slammed into Thane’s legs. “Unca Thane!!” the little girl squealed.
Thane chuckled and lifted her into his arms. “Well, hello there, sweetpea.”
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