Bound by Tears (Cauld Ane Book 6)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  “Why did you go to Brady’s home?” he asked.

  “Because I wanted to tell them about you.”

  “You did?”

  She glanced up at him. “Yes. They were really happy and gave me their blessing.”

  “They did?”

  “Yes. They said that I’d waited too long to let myself be happy and he wouldn’t have wanted that.” Jesska forced back tears as Kaspar pulled her close again. When she felt she could talk without blubbering, she pushed away from him. “Now tell me what happened.”

  “Let me shower first,” he said.

  “Are you stalling?”

  “No, baby, I will tell you everything, but I want to wash off the blood.” He pulled off his shirt and headed to the bathroom.

  Jesska followed. “I’ll listen while you wash.”

  “Jesska, do you really want to tempt this?”

  “What?”

  He frowned. “Ari said how frightened you were with Megan’s conversion.”

  She shuddered at the memory. “What’s that got to do with you talking to me while you shower?”

  “I can’t have you in here right now, sweetheart, unless I know I’m binding you. I’m too keyed up to control my reaction to you.”

  “I’m not leaving, Kaspar.”

  “You’re certain about that?” he challenged.

  “Definitely.”

  “Suit yourself,” he retorted, and started the shower.

  Jesska sat on the toilet lid while Kaspar undressed. When he removed his perfectly tailored kingy trousers, she bit her lip. Boxer briefs looked incredible on this man. Her heart sped up at the sight.

  “Why don’t you wait outside, Jesska?”

  She shook her head.

  “Baby.” He leaned down and cupped her chin. “You do this, it means I shower and then I bind you.”

  Her breath hitched and she took a minute to think. “Will you tell me what happened while you shower?”

  “Does that mean I’m binding you?”

  She bit her lip, staring up at the man she hadn’t expected, realizing she was no longer angry with him, and nodded.

  His sexy smile was intoxicating as he leaned down and covered her mouth with his, kissing her slowly. He broke the kiss and stroked her cheek. “Last chance to change your mind.”

  “I’m not going to change my mind.”

  She’d never seen a man move so fast. Suddenly, he was naked in front of her and stepping into the shower. Good lord, he was gorgeous. Jesska took a moment to compose herself, gathering up Kaspar’s discarded clothing and dropping it into the laundry bag. “Tell me.”

  “The blood was some Russian soldier who has ties to the same mob that kidnapped Vandi Whitmore a few months ago.”

  “Who’s Vandi Whitmore?”

  “She’s Charlotte’s sister. Charlotte is Megan’s middle daughter who was taken from her. Vandi is the sister Charlotte was raised with.”

  “So, these people who took Vandi are the threat?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

  “They are part of the threat, but the person, or persons, pulling the strings is someone different.”

  Jesska frowned, sitting back on the toilet lid. “So, what does that mean?”

  “It means we have to go to Scotland.”

  “When?”

  “Gunnar, Ari, Megan, and Sophia are going tomorrow. You and I will follow when the plane returns.”

  “I don’t understand,” she said. “Why aren’t we all going together?”

  The water stopped and Kaspar grabbed a towel. “As king, I have to travel separately.”

  He stepped from the shower, the towel around his waist, wet and sexy, and Jesska swallowed. She watched as he picked up his phone, sent a text, and then focused on her. “What do you want, baby?”

  “I want to take a shower,” she said.

  “And then?”

  She took a deep breath, staring up at him.

  “Elskan?” he prodded.

  “I want you to bind me, but on one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  She frowned up at him. “If you ever threaten to put me over your knee again, I will make your life a living hell.”

  “I don’t know about that, sweetheart.” He bent down, face-to-face, and smiled. “I think you might enjoy it.”

  At her shiver, he leaned in and kissed her and then walked out of the room. Jesska stayed seated for several seconds, letting the weight of her decision sink in. She knew that she could change her mind if she wanted to. Kaspar would never force her. But she also knew she wanted this more than anything she’d ever wanted. She rose to her feet, removed her clothes, and took the fastest shower on earth before grabbing the hotel robe on the back of the door and sliding it on. She walked into Kaspar’s room and stopped short. Candles were the only source of light, and she noted a bottle of champagne on top of the bureau. Kaspar wasn’t in the bedroom, but she could hear him in the other part of the suite, talking low; whether he was on his phone or talking to someone in person, she wasn’t sure.

  A flat white box sat on the bed, and Jesska saw her name scrawled on an envelope on top of it. She slid the envelope out from behind the red ribbon and opened it.

  Elskan, I love you more than you could ever know. Here is the first part of my bonding gift to you. Thank you for the gift of your love. Kaspar.

  Jesska set the note on the side table and untied the ribbon. She opened the box to find a black lace baby-doll with matching underwear. She smiled. This was really more a gift for him. She removed her robe and slid on the lingerie, noticing it fit as though it had been made for her.

  “Elskan?” Kaspar called through the door as he knocked.

  “Come in.” She turned, not entirely sure what to do with her hands. She’d never been so exposed before. She took in a deep breath and stared up at him. He wore black satin pajama bottoms, his chest bare, and if there was a more beautiful man, she couldn’t bring one to mind. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” His gaze swept over her and he smiled. “You’re stunning.”

  She dropped her head, heat creeping up her neck. “Thank you.”

  He lifted her chin and she stared up at him, her heart racing as he gently touched her face. She calmed, and leaned into his palm.

  “Why do you tremble, elskan?” he asked.

  She licked her lips. “Because you frighten me.”

  “I would never hurt you.”

  “No, I know. Not that way.”

  “What way?” he pressed.

  “My heart.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I couldn’t take another…”

  “You won’t,” he promised.

  “How do you know?”

  He smiled and ran his thumb across her lower lip. “Because I know.”

  Jesska rolled her eyes. “Cocky man.”

  “Confident,” he corrected.

  “Confident, cocky, kind of the same thing.”

  “You’ve forgotten something big, however.”

  “Have I?” She raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

  “I never break my promises.”

  Kaspar tilted her chin and covered her mouth with his. She sighed as he cupped the back of her head and held her tighter. Guilt crept in and she tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her retreat. “Let it come, baby. We’ll deal with it together.”

  “I haven’t dealt with it in ten years. What makes you think we can deal with it together?”

  “Because it’s done, Jesska. There is nothing you can do to change it. But you can love me and let me love you, and remember your friend fondly.”

  She blinked. “He was far more than my friend.”

  “Perhaps I can’t wrap my mind around that just yet.”

  “I feel like I’m forgetting him.”

  “You’ll never forget him,” Kaspar said. “He made an indelible mark.”

  “True.” Jesska nodded and sighed. “But, honestl
y, I really wasn’t expecting you.”

  He chuckled. “I wasn’t expecting you either, but I’m very glad I found you.”

  “Me too,” she admitted. “I never thought I’d feel again.”

  “What do you mean? You feel deeply. I can sense it.”

  “I loved Brady, but I love you very differently.”

  He swept her hair from her forehead, slipping it behind her ear. “Do you? How?”

  “Deeper, I guess.” She shook her head. “I’m not making sense.”

  “You’re doing fine, sweetheart.”

  “When I lost Brady, I thought I’d never feel the same way about anyone the way I felt about him, and I don’t. What I feel for you has surpassed him.” She bit her lip. “I feel like I’m disrespecting his memory by saying it, but what I felt for him wasn’t even close to what I feel for you.”

  “It’s our way, elskan.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.”

  He grinned and stroked her cheek again. “Are you ready?”

  “Do you know what to do?”

  Kaspar raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

  She stroked his chest. “You said that your people had never bound a human before. How do you know what’s going to happen? How did Ari?”

  “Ah.” He smiled. “I called Kade Gunnach.”

  “Why does that name sound familiar? I think Megan talked to him, right?”

  “Yes. He’s the one who gave the order to release Ari, but it was because his mate, Samantha convinced him to do so. She’s a doctor and used to be human. I called him and she was kind enough to get on the phone and fill me in on a few things. She was also able to assist Ari tonight.”

  “I wondered who he was on the phone with.”

  He kissed her temple. “Are you ready, baby?”

  She nodded.

  “I will say the words first and then you will say them, já?”

  She nodded again.

  “And then together. Understand?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned close. “One more kiss and we’ll begin.”

  She kissed him and he took her hands. “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.” (I give you everything I am, all I want to be and all I can be. I’m yours forever. Our bond will never be broken. My love is absolute.)

  “Now me?” she asked.

  He nodded. “I’ll help you if you get stuck.”

  “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem…um…”

  “You’re doing great. Ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.”

  She nodded. “Ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þín að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.”

  “Well done, baby,” he said. “Now together.”

  “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger,” they said.

  Jesska felt her legs give way beneath her, but Kaspar caught her and settled her on the bed. As he made love to her she couldn’t stop a quiet sob as peace and all-encompassing love covered her. She’d never been loved like this.

  “Shhh, elskan. Did I hurt you?”

  She shook her head, her tears leaking down her temples.

  “Hvers vegna ertu að gráta, elskan?” (Why are you crying, baby?)

  “I’m crying because—wait, how can I understand you?” she asked.

  He wiped her tears. “Við erum bundin, elskan. Þú skilur... og munt brátt vera fær um að tala íslensku... reiprennandi.” (We are bound, sweetheart. You can understand... and will soon be able to speak Icelandic... fluently.)

  “Wow. I mean, I remember you saying that, but I didn’t realize it would be so fast.”

  “Each person is different.” He kissed her quickly. “Now, why are you crying?”

  “Because I’m so happy.”

  “You’re crying because you’re happy?”

  She nodded, slipping her fingers through his hair. “I didn’t really think I’d ever be happy again.”

  Kaspar chuckled. “I love you, silly girl.”

  “Yeah, yeah, keep talking like that, buddy and I’ll show you just how unhappy you’ll be.”

  Kaspar laughed as he kissed her neck. “I apologize…little one.”

  Jesska couldn’t stop a giggle, even though she tried to scowl…unsuccessfully. Within seconds, pain shot through her abdomen and she gripped Kaspar’s arms as she groaned.

  “Allt í lagi, elskan, ég hef þig.” (Okay, baby, I’ve got you.)

  He reached over to where he’d put his phone, fired off a quick text to Camilla, and then pulled Jesska’s back to his chest, sliding the sheet up to cover their lower bodies. He heard Camilla moving around in the other room and he prayed a quick prayer of thanks for his efficient and caring assistant.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  KASPAR HELD JESSKA close, despite the fact she tried to push him away. He felt the heat and knew her skin burned, but he had no choice. “If I don’t keep contact, baby, it will hurt more.”

  She hissed as she tried to scoot away again. He moved with her. It took a few minutes for him to calm her, but she finally stopped trying to fight him. “Good, baby. Breathe.”

  “Thirsty,” she rasped.

  “I know. Camilla will be here in a minute with water and ice.”

  As if on cue, his assistant knocked quietly on the door. “Yðar hátign?” (Your Majesty?)

  “Come,” he called.

  Camilla pushed open the door. She had the ice sheets he’d asked her to retrieve from the plane. She laid them over the couple, averting her eyes as she did so.

  Jesska whimpered as the sheets touched her, but she quieted quickly.

  “Jesska’s thirsty,” Kaspar said, and Camilla nodded, holding up a bottled water.

  She walked to Jesska’s side of the bed, and Kaspar helped Jesska sit up to drink, keeping the sheet around her for modesty. Camilla placed a bowl on the side table next to Jesska and then walked back to the door. “I’ll be right outside, Sire.”

  “Thank you,” he said, and wrapped the ice sheet tighter around Jesska, relieved her body was starting to relax.

  “When does this stop?”

  “Soon, baby,” he promised.

  “That’s not really an answer, Kaz,” she complained.

  He sighed. “I know.”

  Kaspar had no way of knowing exactly how any of this would go or how long it would last. He knew there were books on the subject of humans being converted to Kalt Einn, but he’d had no reason to read them up until now. He and his brothers—their entire clan—had been raised to believe it was impossible for a Kalt Einn to mate with a human, and it was one of the reasons Kade Gunnach’s father had been exiled to Scotland. Or so he’d believed. Ari had said he’d discovered a few things Kaspar didn’t know, and he would explain once he’d reunited Megan with their daughters. They would regroup in Scotland.

  Jesska groaned, dragging Kaspar from his thoughts. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  He grabbed the bowl Camilla had left and held it under Jesska’s chin. When her stomach calmed, he gave her more water. She rolled over to face him, burrowing into his chest.

  “I’ve got you, baby.”

  “My skin feels weird,” she said, and glanced down, gasping. “The scars…”

  Kaspar looked at her legs. Her scars were disappearing in front of them.

  “They’re going in order.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  She pointed to where one of the scars used to be on her arm. “This is where I made my first cut.” Then she pointed to the scar on the inside of her thigh, already fading. “That was the cut that got me admitted to the psych ward.” She blinked up at him. “They’re all going away. Like whatever you did to heal my soul, is worki
ng to heal my body.”

  “I don’t know that I had much to do with it.”

  “Okay, fine. God did it, but he gave me you to be my saving grace.”

  He grinned, kissing her nose. “I can live with that.”

  Jesska wrapped her arms around his waist and stroked his back. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.”

  Another wave of pain hit her, but Kaspar wouldn’t let her retreat from the shelter of his body. He pulled her closer and waited it out. The pain didn’t last as long this time and within an hour, it seemed the worst was over.

  “Can I sleep now?” she whispered.

  “If you’re tired, baby, sleep.”

  She nodded against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Kaspar held her for as long as it took for her breathing to even out and her body to completely relax, before sliding from the bed and pulling on clothing. He snuck out of the room and Camilla rose to her feet from her seat.

  “Sire,” she said. “How is she?”

  “She’s sleeping.”

  “Is she comfortable?”

  “Já. Thank you for all your help.”

  “It’s my pleasure, Your Majesty.”

  Kaspar glanced at the clock on the wall. “The plane will not be back until tomorrow afternoon and will need time to refuel, so we won’t be able to leave until tomorrow evening.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “I think you should take the day tomorrow to explore.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Take Jóvin, if that is acceptable to you, and see Portland. You don’t need to be back until five tomorrow afternoon to supervise packing.”

  “I…I don’t really know what to say,” she said.

  “Would you rather not?”

  “No,” she rushed to say. “I’d love to. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “I will make sure Jóvin has everything you need. For now, please take the rest of the night off. I can take care of Jesska.”

  Camilla’s eyes widened and then she nodded and lowered her head. He didn’t miss her smile as she left the room, giving Kaspar much desired privacy.

  Kaz?

  He heard her voice in his head and turned to find Jesska standing in the bedroom doorway, the sheet draped around her and her hair a mess. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight. Did I wake you?