“That’s just a side effect. It’ll pass in a few minutes. How do you feel otherwise?”
The expectation in the room rose as the Fighter tested his body. He stood, and she moved back, surprised by how tall he was.
He stretched his limbs and rolled his head before he met her gaze and grinned. “The pain is almost gone. I can still feel it deep down, but the edge of it is gone.”
Celise smiled. “Give it a few hours. Before nightfall, you should be pain-free.”
His grin softened as gratitude filled his eyes. “Thank you, Celise. You’ve given me my life back. My bond still screams for a new bound one, but I can live with that now that the hurting is gone.”
Joy filled her, and a feeling of satisfaction followed. Helping cyborgs was what she lived for, it was her passion, and she’d just saved a cyborg who’d likely put a bullet through his head in the near future if she hadn’t.
Cheers broke out in the room, making her jump. Fighters applauded and yelled praise.
Heat traveled to her cheeks, and she grasped for Wind.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. She didn’t miss the pinch of pride she saw there.
Even Faye seemed thrilled.
Their fate had caught up with them, and it was time to change it.
CHAPTER 30
“Are you sure about this?” Celise asked Faye.
They stood in the forest next to her car. Nightmare and Blaze had driven them back to the place they’d first met.
Faye nodded, but insecurity was in her eyes. “I’m sure. I’m staying. I have to deal with Silver somehow. Just don’t forget to stop by my house and pick up a few things for me.”
She nodded. “We’ll be back in a few days after we’ve buried Diane. I also have a few appointments with some cyborgs. I have to make sure Jade doesn’t suspect anything. She’s supervising Wind and me.”
Nightmare handed her a cell phone. “Here, take this. Use it if you need to get in contact with us, but keep it hidden.”
Celise nodded again, smiling at him. She’d never expected to see him in a new light. He still reminded her of that dangerous, unpredictable, and stern Fighter she’d seen many times on the news, but now, she also saw a gentler side to him. It was a side he probably didn’t show often, but something told her he’d chosen to trust her now.
“Thank you,” she said. “I will.”
Wind crossed his arms over his chest. “Shade and Phoebe aren’t going to like this.”
Nightmare’s gaze shot to him. “You intend to tell him?”
“Of course. Considering what you did to him, even if your intentions were good, he has the right to know. They both do. Besides, we can prove to him what’s going on now. He’ll be pissed, but he’ll accept it eventually.”
The leader’s jaw tensed, and anger lit his eyes.
“I don’t care if you like it or not,” Wind said. “You wanted to hurt me too, to find answers, so even if I now know what you say is true, don’t assume you and I will be friends. Besides, if you want to free all cyborgs from the bond, you’re going to need as much support as possible.”
Wind and Nightmare glared at each other, flinging invisible arrows.
“Wind’s right,” Faye said, turning to Nightmare. “You’re going to need all the help you can get.”
His gaze only darkened. “What if they talk?”
“Don’t worry,” Celise said, trying to calm him. “We’ll make sure they won’t. I know Phoebe and Shade well.”
Nightmare didn’t seem pleased. “Fine.”
They said goodbye and got in the car. Celise waved to the Fighters and Faye as they drove away. She hoped her friend would be all right. Who knew what awaited her alone with these cyborgs, and especially with Silver. Celise couldn’t help but worry. Nightmare had said Silver was locked up. Where, she didn’t know, but probably somewhere deep within their underground compound.
And something told her Silver was angry … very angry.
It was silent inside the car for several minutes as Wind drove back to his and Diane’s home.
Celise remembered her promise that they could live there once Diane was gone, and that day was now upon them. She hoped Wind still wanted that. It was his home, after all, his life, but maybe too many memories lived there. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to get past that.
The sadness around them grew as they approached the beautiful home. Celise inhaled when the house came into view, tensing. She watched his face.
Wind seemed relaxed and focused on driving, but he wasn’t able to hide the sorrow in his eyes.
When he noticed she was watching him, he spared her a glance.
To her surprise, he smiled.
Her cyborg placed his hand on her leg, as if to comfort her. “I know what you’re thinking.” He paused. “I still love her. My feelings are still there, but now, I also feel an inner calmness. She has finally found peace. It’s over, and I don’t have to worry about her anymore. She doesn’t have to suffer anymore, and even if I miss her, I have to try to look at the future positively.” Wind dried away a tear and gave her another smile. “I have you now, and I intend to make the best out of it. I love you, Celise. Don’t ever doubt it. Even if the bond forced those feelings upon me, they are real, and they won’t change. I want to make you happy.”
His words warmed her heart. “I want to make you happy, too.”
“Then let’s make each other happy.”
She smiled and nodded.
He parked in the driveway. They got out of the car and looked up at the house as they held each other’s hands.
“Do you still want to live here?” Wind asked.
Celise held her breath. “Of course. Do you?”
He gently squeezed her hand. The gratitude shone in his eyes. “Yes, I wish to stay. My past is here, but I want my future to be here as well … with you. Thank you.”
Their future didn’t seem easy now that they were involved with the Fighters, but they’d always have each other.
They kept staring at the house. They couldn’t avoid what they had to do next. It filled Celise’s heart with an unavoidable ache.
Eventually, Wind started walking, never releasing her hand, and she followed. He opened the front door.
It was almost too quiet, and even the sounds of her own breaths sounded too loud.
Everything was as they’d left it, with the bright staircase in front of them, and the chandeliers in the ceiling still lit.
Her cyborg’s grip on her hand tightened, and then he led her up the stairs, going to the guest room where Diane still lay. His breathing increased with each step they took, and when they finally stood in the doorway, he was almost hyperventilating.
Celise had her bag—in case she had to try to save him again—but she couldn’t save him from a broken heart.
Wind inhaled when he saw Diane’s body lying where they’d left her. Her eyes were closed, but she looked peaceful. He sobbed and wiped away tears.
Celise let go of his hand when he moved toward his first bound one’s body.
This was his moment. Wind needed this.
He needed time to grief, even if he’d said he’d tried to be happy.
Wind lifted Diane into his arms and placed her on the bed. He sat on the edge, caressing her cheek. His chin trembled, and he was unable to keep his hand steady.
There was so much love in that single caress.
Emotions wreaked havoc in Celise’s heart, making her cry and ache as she watched the man she loved. She slowly approached Wind but didn’t touch him. Something told her he didn’t want to be touched right now.
Celise could almost feel his pain, and she wished she could say or do something to ease his agony, but there was nothing no one could do.
He laid his head against Diane’s chest and wept.
CHAPTER 31
“Thank you for the medicine, Celise. I really appreciate it. My stomach already feels better.”
She smiled at the brown-haired cyborg.
He was at least a head taller than her and built like a dancer. It wouldn’t surprise her if he was one, but she wasn’t familiar with either him, or his bound one, who stood next to him with a wide smile by the front door. “You’re welcome, Trance,” Celise said. “Make sure to take one pill every day to calm your stomach fluids, and stay away from the candy. You might be a cyborg, but too much candy isn’t good for anyone.”
He blushed. “It was so good, and I’ve never tasted candy before, but I’ve learned my lesson. I should’ve listened to Abby when she told me not to eat too much.” He gently squeezed his woman’s hand.
“We just left MedAct a few days ago,” Abby told Celise. “Everything is still new to him.” There was so much love and happiness in her blue eyes.
She was a sweet-looking woman with blonde hair, and Celise could do nothing but wish them the best, but her new knowledge about the bond lingered in the back of her mind. “Congratulations,” Celise said with a smile she didn’t feel on the inside. “I hope your time together will be amazing.”
“Thank you,” Abby said, beaming with joy. “Are you a bound one, too?”
“Yes, Wind and I live here. He’s upstairs right now, not wanting to disturb us.”
They looked around with wide eyes, admiring the chandeliers and paintings.
“This is an amazing house,” Trance said. “You’ve really created something beautiful together. Was your time at MedAct with Wind just as eventful as mine was with Abby? I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to another cyborg about it yet.”
She hesitated. “I never spent time with Wind at MedAct when he was newborn. I’m his second bound one.”
That wiped the grins off their faces, and she regretted telling them.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Abby said. “Is he … all right?”
She nodded, giving them another smile to ease the sudden pressure filling the hallway. “He’s still a little bit sad, but we’re getting there.”
“That’s good. Let us know if you’d like to spend some time with us. That might take his mind off of things.”
Celise liked this couple more and more. “I appreciate it.”
They both gave her a hug before they left.
She closed the door behind them, breathing in air deeply into her lungs. This was the first time she’d received a patient at home, but she liked it. Usually, she went to her patients’ homes. Besides, she didn’t want to leave Wind, and taking him with her could’ve created an unnecessary scene.
He still felt overwhelmingly overprotective of her, but he was able to stay in another room. He’d told her how difficult it’d been to watch her take care of Sense, but the Fighter had needed help, and he’d pushed his instincts aside the best he could.
Celise headed upstairs.
Wind was in his study painting, and she looked forward to seeing what he was creating.
Since they’d buried Diane two days ago, he’d spent almost every waking minute in there. Whenever he needed a break, he came running to her, but he wouldn’t let her see his painting. He wanted her by his side as much as possible, and Celise didn’t mind it at all.
She opened the door, and the scent of fresh paint hit her. It made her lips twitch. She spotted Wind on the other side of the room, standing in front of a canvas with his back toward the huge windows.
It was bright outside, and he seemed to be in a good mood. Fresh paint spots decorated his loose pants and bare chest as he worked on his masterpiece. In her eyes, he was a masterpiece himself.
His rippled muscles and big biceps made her mouth water as arousal spread through her, settling between her legs. She couldn’t wait to wash the paint off of him like she’d done last night.
Celise slowly approached but didn’t move in front of the canvas. She wouldn’t until he wanted her to see the painting.
Wind’s eyes lit up when he spotted her. “Did everything go well?”
“Yes. Trance still has a lot to learn, but he seems eager to do it, and his bound one is walking on clouds.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I remember that time. It was both amazing and confusing.”
Wind had spent hours crying next to Diane’s body after they’d gotten home.
Celise had just sat next to him, giving him her support, but once the tears had dried, they’d been gone for good.
They’d called the funeral home, who’d come a few hours later, and taken her body to prepare for the funeral.
He’d made love to Celise that night with pure passion and longing. Wind had never held onto her the way he’d done that night. Afterward, they’d fallen asleep in each other arms.
“How’s the painting coming?” she asked, trying to focus on his face, but his appealing body made her gaze rake over him with hunger in her gut.
He raised an eyebrow when he noticed. “I’m almost done, but you seem more interest in other things.”
Heat seared her face. “Well, I can’t help it when you’re dressed like that. You’re too tempting.”
Wind laughed and put the brush on the table next to the canvas. The surface was filled with all kinds of different containers of paint and dirty water. He gave her a wicked grin and pulled down the top of his pants, revealing a part of his hip bone, but hiding all the other deliciousness he had there.
Celise winced as her sex clenched with need. “Now you’re just mean.”
He pulled her into his arms, but moved her around, with her back to his chest as he chuckled. “I love teasing you, and I’ll tease you more in just a little while, but first, what do you think of the painting?”
Celise turned her gaze to the canvas and gasped. He’d created a beautiful sunset in delicate and colorful colors, and in the sky, she saw him, herself, and Diane holding each other with closed eyes and peaceful smiles. “Oh, wow. It’s amazing.”
His arms tightened around her. “This is my way of saying goodbye to the past. I’ll cherish it always in my heart, and I’ll remember it with a smile. It was a wonderful time, but life moves on, and now I’m here, with you, and I’ll stay with you, no matter what happens. Bond, or no bond.” He pressed his lips above her ear. “I’ll always love you, Celise.” His voice was like a seductive whisper, filled with exciting promises.
She turned to him with a lump in her throat, caressing his face, and looking deep in his eyes.
Wind was the man she loved.
She’d loved him ever since she’d laid eyes on him. She’d suffered in silence ever since, but now, they were here … together. It’d been a long and tough journey, but they had their whole lives in front of them to make the best out of it.
Celise gently kissed him. “I love you, too.”
“I love hearing you say that.”
“Then I’ll make sure to say it as often as you need to hear it, but first …” She looked down. Despite the loose pants, he wasn’t able to hide the bulge he sported. “I intend to take care of you … right here, right now.”
His body jerked when she slipped her hand inside his pants and grabbed his warm hard cock. His breathing came out ragged, but his grin widened. “Show me.”
“Count on it.”
She pressed her lips to his as she slowly began stroking him, showing him the passion she felt on the inside.
He answered with a groan.
From the corner of her eye, Celise noticed it became brighter in the room, and rays of light touched Wind’s painting like a delicate caress. It gave her the feeling Diane was whispering her final goodbye, but it was also as if she was saying, ‘He’s yours now. Take good care of him for me’.
And Celise promised she would.
THANK YOU
Thank you for reading my story! I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave a review. I would love to hear your opinion. The third book in the series, Kissed Cyborg, Faye’s and Silver’s story, is coming soon!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nellie C. Lind lives in Sweden with her son, but she was born i
n Poland. Writing has always been one of her greatest interests. Today, she runs the publishing house, Sense of Romance.
She writes passionate paranormal romance, fantasy, and science fiction books for adult readers. You’ll find all sorts of beings in her stories, such as angels, vampires, gods, and elves.
You’ll also find everything from short stories to novels among her books. Keep an eye open for upcoming releases!
More about Nellie C. Lind:
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OTHER BOOKS BY NELLIE C. LIND
THE ELDERS OF THE SEASONS SERIES:
Winter’s Bride - Book 1 (2015)
A Night with the Autumn Lord (2017) (Available for mailing list subscribers)
Autumn’s Lady – Book 2 (Coming soon)
BOUND BY HER SERIES:
Her Cyborg - Book 1 (2016)
Tempted Cyborg - Novella (2016) (Available through mailing list)
Loved Cyborg - Book 2 (2017)
Kissed Cyborg – Book 3 (Coming soon)
ENCHANTED EVER AFTER SERIES:
The Sacrifice - Book 1 (2014)
The Monster Under the Bed - Book 2 (2014)
Within a Heartbeat - Book 3 (2015)
Deny Me If You Can – book 4 (2014)
THE BLOOD OF ANGELS SERIES:
Angel in Chains - Book 1 (2014) (Unavailable)
Loved Cyborg (Bound by Her Book 2) Page 17