Scarred Protector (Midworlder Trilogy Book 2)

by Mundy, Maggie

  “What he’s done is extremely rare amongst Midworlders. We can live and love humans, but they grow old and we never die. Some of my kind over the last thousand years have bonded with people and tried to change humans to be like us.”

  He avoided her gaze. “From your expression, I get the idea it didn’t work.”

  “He has a month to get you a guardian so he would not have to risk the conversion. You could, of course, ask for the bond to be broken. Not all bondings have been a failure. One Midworlder has succeeded in connecting himself to a human.”

  “I assume they were a happy couple in love with one another and prepared to risk it, and not complete strangers like us.”

  She must have said something amusing because Luke laughed.

  “They were strangers when they bonded, but they did learn to love each other. I have to warn you: the longer you’re bonded, the more you’ll feel connected regardless.”

  “You mean whether I want to or not. I don’t like being told what to do, or think, or feel. I also like being on my own.” Evie knew she was raising her voice, but she felt threatened by being out of control.

  “You sound like the perfect partner for Heath. Those are exactly his traits. Let me assure you, we will do everything in our power to understand what is going on here.”

  “Let me know when you work it out.”

  “I will need to check on the others’ injuries after the fight, but someone will be here with you at all times.”

  Luke left the room, and Tiny walked in. He smiled but stayed near the door. At least he helped her relax a little. Luke just looked deadly serious all the time. Heath had loosened his grip on her hand, and she decided to have a nose around his room to see if it would tell her more about him. The furniture, like everything else in the house, looked like it was from the Regency Period. She always loved Jane Austen and all the stories but didn’t really want to be part of one. She ran her fingers along the beautiful wood of the dressing table across from his bed. It had a brush and a small painting of a woman in a Regency-style dress. She wasn’t sure why, but she had an inkling this was Elizabeth. She was beautiful with blond hair put up in small curls around her face, with blue eyes, and she looked to be about a size six. The exact opposite of her. Evie put her hand up and pushed a strand of her out of control curly brown hair behind her ear. She was black with a curvy figure and about as far as you could get from his past love. She turned to Tiny.

  “Can I ask you a question about him?”

  “I’ll try to answer, as long as I don’t feel it is something he wouldn’t have told you himself.”

  That was fair enough. She liked the fact he would keep a confidence. “He mentioned someone he loved once, called Elizabeth. Is this her?” Tiny raised his eyebrows, as if shocked.

  “Yes, but I’m surprised he mentioned her to you. He does not talk about his past much.”

  “He brought it up because he said he failed her and didn’t want to fail me. That was why he bonded with me. It was the only choice, he said. After what has just happened, I wonder why he didn’t bond with her.” Evie stared back at the picture and wondered what the young woman’s story was.

  “That’s something you’ll have to ask him when he’s well.”

  Maybe he hadn’t told them anything, or maybe Tiny was keeping silent because he didn’t trust her. There was nothing she could do about it either way.

  She looked around the room and saw there was a painting on the wall of man riding a beautiful chestnut horse. She had always wanted to learn to ride, but it was too expensive, and Dad couldn’t afford it. She peered at the painting closely, she reckoned the man on the horse looked like Heath but was dressed in clothes from hundreds of years ago. She glanced back at the photo of Elizabeth.

  “How old is Heath?” Evie asked, as she stood next to the bed and peered down at him again.

  “Two hundred and twenty-five, I believe. Why do you ask?”

  “I assumed the paintings were real. That’s freaky. He only looks about thirty. My twenty-five years have been too eventful. I can’t imagine living that long and not going mad.”

  “Many of us do go a bit mad. Some of us go back to the Homeworld to die.”

  “They won’t just look after you and let you live there?”

  “No. We are half-breeds. We become telepathic at puberty. We have to choose death or to come live down here permanently.”

  Evie suddenly didn’t think these people were so lucky with their wings, strength, and long life. They seemed lonely. She might be bonded to Heath, but she didn’t fit in here anymore than she fitted in anywhere else. The problem was, she had nowhere else to go.

  “Can I stay here and sleep next to him. It feels right. Is that weird?”

  Tiny nodded. “No more weird than the other shit going on.”

  She lay down beside him on the great big bed but stayed on top of the covers. She didn’t touch Heath but looked at him as he lay there next to her. Who was this strange man who had come into her life so suddenly? Did she want him there? It seemed she didn’t have much of a choice at the moment. She wanted to stay awake and try to clear her thoughts, but her eyelids started to droop.

  Chapter 5

  Mind Connection

  Heath opened his eyes and glanced across to see Evie lying next to him. They were in his room, alone, and the curtains were pulled, and candles had been lit. He was naked beneath the sheets and, spying her bare shoulder above the cover, he assumed she was the same. He was well-aware this wasn’t the real world. He was trapped in his mind, and because of the bonding he had brought Evie here as well. He hoped she would understand when she awoke.

  She opened her eyes, yawned, and stretched her arms up. Realizing she was unclothed, she pulled the covers up around her neck. Her next reaction was not what he expected, as she started to giggle.

  “Okay. It gets more bizarre then. I would have sworn a moment ago I was lying on your bed fully clothed with one of your men standing by the door to the room. There were no candles or daylight, and now I’m naked. Is this a dream, because it feels weird?”

  “It appears real but is in my mind. In reality we are still back on my bed.”

  “So your mind has me naked?” She raised an eyebrow and wagged a finger at him.

  “I apologize. You must believe me when I say I would never touch a woman against her will.”

  “I should be screaming pervert, but I do believe you. Plus, if this is in your head it won’t do me much good yelling.” Evie placed her fingers against her temples and then shook her head as if to clear her thoughts.

  “Are you all right?” Had he hurt her by bringing her here into his mind?

  “For the past five years I’ve felt an incredible darkness within me, and for the first time I feel free of it. All it took was to be in someone else’s head. Go figure.” Evie turned on her side and rested her head on her hand as she looked down at him.

  “I can get you a nightgown, and we can talk away from my bed if you would feel more comfortable.”

  He went to leave the bed, but Evie put her hand on his arm.

  “No, stop. It may sound crazy, but I like this. We’re truly just ourselves. Will we remember this when we go back to our bodies?”

  “Yes.” He wondered if she would want to.

  “Your friends are neat, but they don’t trust me. Which is okay, I don’t really get me anymore either. Everything has happened so fast, but I need to tell you something.” He nodded for her to continue. “I used to live a normal life like everyone else until five years ago. Well, maybe not completely normal, but I didn’t hide at home thinking I was going mad.”

  “What happened?”

  “I was driving home from university one day and had a car accident. I was going through a junction, and a guy ran a light and drove int
o me. He died. When I eventually came around in the hospital, I could see angels and demons when I touched people. It’s really hard not to stop people from touching you at all. If I stayed at home surrounded by my dad’s trinkets, they stayed at bay. He believed in voodoo. I hadn’t been out of the house for five years until that night at the hospital.”

  A tear rolled down his cheek. Heath couldn’t remember the last time he had cried, even an imaginary time in his mind. Evie reached across and wiped the tear away. She was so close, and he didn’t normally let people get close. It led to pain.

  “Apart from Dad, no one has felt sad for me. Thank you.” She bent down and placed a light kiss on his cheek. It lasted a second and was probably nothing more than a friendly gesture, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her lips. That was until he looked into her eyes. He wanted to touch her.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “You said you were studying . . . What was it?” He needed to change the subject or he would kiss her.

  “Psychology.” She raised her eyes as if she had said something funny.

  “You know all that will tell you is that our lives have been difficult.”

  “So can we have peace here in your mind for a little while then?”

  Heath turned on his side and looked at her. She was biting her lower lip as if hesitant about what would happen next. “I want to touch you, Evie, and perhaps find peace in someone’s arms for the first time in centuries. I hope I can offer the same.”

  Evie smiled and took his hand in hers.

  “Have you been with a man before?”

  “Yes. A few guys at university, but no one who kept phoning when I disappeared off the grid. It’s nice that you ask though.”

  Heath moved closer, and Evie let their bodies touch completely as they wrapped their arms about each other. He closed his eyes and heard her sigh as she rested her head on his shoulder. Heath knew she would die if he could not save her. She was not like Nicole, who Ridge had saved and converted. He was well-aware something was terribly wrong with Evie. He had sensed the entity within her and didn’t know how she was still sane. Was he sane anymore to be touching her like this, even in his mind?

  They didn’t move. Their minds were connected, and he knew she was simply enjoying the closeness. He ran his hand up and down her back slowly, letting her adjust to having someone near. Eventually, she relaxed and wrapped her leg around his hip. His fingers traced each groove and curve and held her close. He could feel her breasts pressed against him and knew his hard cock pressed against her lower abdomen, but she didn’t move away. Their arms gripped around each other in desperation of need, and he knew it was going to be difficult to hold back.

  She turned her head so she was looking at him and moved forward so their lips touched. He lost himself in those lips. They were so soft, and yet he pressed back firmly as he encouraged her to open to him. He ran his tongue along her lower lip and gently nipped. She opened to him, and he found himself lost in her mouth’s interior. Their tongues teased each other as their bodies fought to get closer. She rolled onto her back and pulled him with her, so he was on top of her. He had forgotten how wonderful it felt to be so close and to feel the soft curves of a woman beneath him.

  He wanted to explore her body. He trailed kisses down her neck to her breasts as he threw the bedclothes off them. She bowed her back and pushed her body up into him as he sucked on her nipple. Her breasts were beautiful and full, and he sucked on each nipple in turn until they were swollen from his touch. He moved his hand down between her legs and could feel the heat there against his palm as he inserted his finger into her core. Evie groaned as he joined her, feeling how wet she was for him.

  “I want to taste you,” he said.

  “Don’t talk, just do it.”

  He trailed kisses down her abdomen to her thighs, where he nibbled as she opened her legs to him. In the candlelight, she lay there before him, beautiful, and he could not resist as he delved into her with his tongue. He moved to her clitoris, flicking his tongue and sucking until her body bucked beneath him. He moved his fingers back and forth inside her, feeling her body tensing for him.

  He had to be inside her, and moved up her body again so his cock pushed against her opening. The head of his dick was so sensitive and his balls so tight he thought he would explode before he was in her. She wrapped her legs around him and he pushed his whole length into her until she completely encased him in her heat. He kissed her hard on the mouth, their tongues fighting as their bodies pounded each other. The release, when it came, might only be in their heads, but it was as if their bodies had exploded as they ultimately joined together.

  He lay there, wasted on her body, as they both breathed heavily and their bodies pulsed together. She ran her fingers up and down his back as he relaxed, and she said the words that undid his heart. A heart he had kept closed for a long time.

  “Thank you for making me believe someone could or would want me like that again.”

  He rolled off of her and gazed down at her face. She was beautiful. “You have honored me by trusting to give your body to me, even in my mind.”

  “My mind has been a gloomy place for so long. I’d see such terrible things in my dreams where I’d kill people. This was beautiful.”

  “I’ll keep the demons away from you, Evie. Sleep now.” Evie turned on her side, and he cuddled against her back. It was wonderful to lay with his arms wrapped around her, knowing for the first time in a long time he had made a woman happy. It was an addictive feeling and one he did not deserve. In the long run, he doubted he would be able to save her, and the fact gnawed away at him. Whatever darkness was upon her, it was clear it would not let them join completely, and it was preventing them from going to Pergor. Unlike Ridge in America, he had never tried to convert someone. Elizabeth had killed herself before he could. Even after such a short time, he already knew he would not hurt Evie by attempting such a thing.

  Evie’s breathing steadied as her body fitted against his. He would try to rest, for he had a feeling whatever was to come, the fight would be bad for both of them.

  Chapter 6

  Fighting the Bond

  Evie stretched and yawned. When she opened her eyes, she found she was still fully dressed and lying on Heath’s bed. That had been one of the most vivid dreams she had ever had. She didn’t think she would be telling Heath about it in case he got the wrong idea. The bed was empty and her breath caught as the panic hit that he was gone. Sitting up, she glanced around the room. Suzie was sitting in a chair near the door.

  “Finally, Sleeping Beauty wakes up. Don’t worry, he’s fine and being a pain as usual. Doesn’t trust anyone, including you, and is doing a reci of the house as we speak.”

  “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Twenty-four hours, though you both made a few noises on occasion that would suggest neither of you were sleeping soundly but sharing some saucy dreams.”

  “What do you mean?” Evie could feel herself heat up as she blushed.

  “Well, let’s say it was embarrassing being in the room with you two for a bit. Whatever was going on in your heads sounded like you were having a really good time, and, in all likelihood, without your clothes on.” Suzie laughed.

  Evie couldn’t believe it. She was sure it had just been a dream, and not a shared one at that. She would go bright red the next time she saw Heath. He probably thought he had attached himself to a sex maniac.

  Evie sat up on the edge of the bed. “But it was just a dream.”

  “As Midworlders, we can take your mind to another place. It’s almost like another reality. Trust me, it would have been real to both of you. You’re bonded, so your minds are linked. Look at it this way: the boss seems to like you, and he never takes to anyone. Look, follow me. He said to put you next door. There ar
e some clothes there, and you can have a bath. When you’re done, I can take you downstairs so you can meet everyone.”

  A bath had never sounded so wonderful before. She followed Suzie to the room down the corridor, and it was a beautiful, a more feminine version of the one they had left. Clothes were laid on the bed, and she could see the bathroom door was open. Running the water, she poured some bubble-bath in, stripped off her clothes, and sank into the water. Her whole body relaxed, and she sighed as she leaned back and closed her eyes. She rarely allowed herself such luxuries at home. That was a strange thought. Was this her home now? Would she be able to go back and get some of her stuff? Her laptop was there, and so were her clothes and family photos.

  Everything was happening so fast, it was good to have five minutes without someone watching her. She didn’t know if it was the house or the connection with Heath, but the darkness didn’t seem so strong at the moment. She could still feel it in her mind, but no longer felt like she was at the bottom of a dark pit with no way out. For the first time in a long time, she thought she could fight and had friends to help. She also seemed to have acquired some enemies, too.

  Her muscles relaxed as the warmth of the water seeped through her, and she found herself humming. It was a song she had performed for a concert in high school. It was a time before the darkness came. A time before Dad was sick. They had both survived Mum’s suicide and had built a life they thought would do them well. Maybe not do them well, but at least allow them to get by.

  The water was getting cold, so she got out of the tub and dried off. It was strange, but she didn’t want to leave the room and make a decision about where things were going. Staring at the door was doing her no good; she needed to walk through it. In the bedroom, she looked at the clothes on the bed. She wore jeans, big combat boots, and bomber jackets. The underwear that was laid out was rather basic, but the rest of the clothes looked like they had cost more than her and Dad would have had in the bank. The jumper was a beautiful pale blue, and when she ran her hand over it, she reckoned it was cashmere. She had never cared what clothes were made of before. She had no intention of going down that track now. She would wear them for now until she could get more of her own stuff.