Bound by Duty (Bound Series Book 1)

by Smith, Stormy

  When I looked up, the shock on Micah, Cole, and my father’s faces was no match for the anger I found in Bethany’s. She was livid. Her eyes said what her lips couldn’t. The same word I had just thrown at Micah. Traitor.

  I paced the bedroom for the millionth time. It had taken some extra pleading from everyone at the table, but Julia finally allowed Bethany to leave with Cole.

  She had taken me in a hard hug and I barely caught the words, “I won’t let this happen. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.”

  I quietly responded with, “You have to,” and sat back down.

  I didn’t look at her, Cole, or my father as they left. My eyes stayed on my plate until I was also dismissed and Micah walked me to the bedroom. We had never even eaten dinner. Before he closed the door, his last words were, “Thank you, Amelia. And, I’m sorry, but we leave in two days.”

  Based on sleeping and meals, it had to be late the next afternoon. I wasn’t expecting anyone when a light knock came through the door. “Come in,” I answered. I was sitting on the bed, flipping through the same book for the third time when Micah slipped in. He looked back out into the hallway as he quietly shut the door.

  “What’s going on?” I asked. “You know I volunteered for this. You don’t have to act like we aren’t stuck together.”

  He set a small duffel bag on the bed, not acknowledging my snarky comments. “I’m coming back for you later, once everyone is asleep. Make sure you’re wearing all of this and your hair is up.” With those few words, he was back out the door again.

  I lunged for the bag and was confused to find my own black jeans, a black Henley, and a black zip hoodie. In the bottom, I found my favorite black tennis shoes. As I dug around, I found a small zip pocket and in it held the true treasure. Mom’s bracelet. Only Cole knew that I kept our mother’s infinity bracelet in my top drawer in a small velvet pouch. I never wore it for fear of losing it, but it was the only thing I had of hers and I loved it more than anything. I hadn’t even opened the pouch in years because it hurt too much.

  As I slipped it out, I grazed my fingertips over the symbols that coated the cuff bracelet. Instantly, there was a measure of peace in holding something that had been my mother’s favorite. I’d asked my father once to explain the symbols to me and he had told me he would explain when I was older. Thanks, Dad, I thought sarcastically.

  After changing into the clothes in the duffel as Micah had directed, I laid back on the bed. I continued rubbing back and forth over the cuff, wishing I could find even a spark of my power and wondering how I was going to get myself out of my current mess. My impulsive decisions had surely gotten me in deeper than I’d ever thought possible.

  I stared off into space, once again searching every corner of myself for my power. I clutched the cuff as I hunted. Where was it? Who was I without it? COME BACK! I screamed inside my head. Without warning, a jolt shot through me and I felt it. I was back. She was back. We were back!

  But, how? I stared down at the bracelet and sent up a prayer of thanks to my mother, wherever she was. I heard a light knock and quickly shoved the bracelet into its pouch and then my hoodie pocket. I tamped down my ecstatic power so that Micah hopefully wouldn’t realize what had happened.

  I didn’t have to worry though because he wasn’t there for chit chat. Micah wasted no time beckoning me out into the hallway. He was dressed similarly and had a dark beanie covering the majority of his bright blond hair. We hardly made a sound as we sprinted through the halls and up what I guessed were back stairs. It wasn’t until we had actually made it outside and into his waiting Acura, that I finally took a deep breath and started badgering him with questions.

  “What’s going on, Micah? Where are we going? Why are you doing this?” I couldn’t bring myself to fully trust him. “Are you letting me go?” The last question was much more eager than the first three and I grasped his arm as I asked. He had been smiling during my initial inquisition, but it faded.

  “I’m sorry, Amelia. I can’t let you go,” he said, the guilt and pity evident in his drawn features and quiet words. “There would be severe consequences involved for everyone. Me. You. Your family. Bethany. I can’t take that chance. But, I don’t agree with what my mother has done, so I’m trying to give you a small measure of happiness before we leave. I know I am not who you wanted.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to say so many things. I wanted to keep asking questions. I wanted to scream at him about how unfair it all was. But, he was right. Damn it, he was right. I had to stop making snap decisions that did nothing but hurt everyone. So, instead of saying anything, I just sat silently and watched as the side streets of Brighton passed me by, probably for the last time.

  We drove for quite a while down the coast and I realized that the scenery was one I recognized. As we pulled into the same secluded parking lot I had been in with Aidan months before, the day we ditched, I could only stare at Micah. He half-smiled and gestured for me to get out. “He’s there, just off in the trees. I asked him to stay hidden in case we were followed, but I don’t see anyone. Go, Amelia. Say your goodbyes.”

  Part of me wanted to sob, but the larger part couldn’t stop the excitement. As we had driven farther and farther away from Esmeralda’s, I let my power slowly build back up so that Micah wouldn’t notice. It was impatient for me to find Aidan. I jumped from the Acura and took off running for the tree line. As I got to the edge, Aidan stepped out and l leapt into his arms. Our magic crashed together in complete bliss as we wrapped ourselves around each other, both physically and spiritually. He carried me back into the trees.

  I was hugging him as if my life depended on it. I had myself completely tucked into the safest place on earth. He smelled like ocean water and fir trees. He pulled me back a little and I pulled his head down and brought his lips to mine, not giving him the chance to talk as I presumed was his intention. It was as if stars were colliding. I could feel our magic completely intertwine. I could feel his confusion and relief. I could feel his love. His love.

  I gave just as much as I got, trying to convey to him everything that he brought out in me. How he had made me feel truly loved for the first time. I pushed every ounce of my passion and love for him back in those few moments as we did so much more than simply kiss. In that brief interlude, we were as whole as we could ever be. Aidan had captured my heart, and with him it would stay, even when I walked away.

  As our kisses slowed down and we finally pulled apart, I opened my violet eyes to find myself staring directly into his bright blue ones.

  “Hi,” I whispered, feeling shy suddenly.

  “Hey there, doll,” he returned, his voice low and thick.

  I slid to the ground and steadied myself, still not letting him go. Realizing just how bright his eyes were, I looked around. “Does Micah know?” Aidan shook his head. “No, that’s why I pulled you back here. I didn’t want to give myself away.”

  Aidan took my hand and led me to a bench just a few feet away. It was amazing how just the feeling of his strong hands holding my small ones made everything seem a little less scary. I batted away the fears and realities that were swirling in my mind. For just a minute, this was what I needed.

  “I thought you had a plan, Ame. Why did Micah set this up? What’s going on? It’s been almost a week since I saw you. You’ve completely fallen off the grid.” His anger and frustration of not knowing and not being able to control himself to try to help was seeping through.

  “Stop, Aidan. Don’t beat yourself up.” I hung my head a little. “There’s so much you don’t know. So much I doubt I have time to explain. I was so stupid.” Seconds ago, I was on a high like no other. Now, I was falling faster than a comet plummeting to the earth, just waiting to create a giant explosion. Just like a comet, I had no idea exactly how much damage I would leave in my wake.

  I looked up to find Aidan patiently waiting. “Oh, no. Don’t do this, Aidan. Don’t be good to me. Don’t trust me. You’re going to hate me.
” I choked on the last words. Tears filled my eyes, blurring his face ever so slightly.

  “Hey,” he whispered as he tilted my chin up with his finger and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I could never hate you, Amelia. I love you.” I was staring into eyes the color of the brightest blue sky and hearing the words I’d longed for my whole life, but I didn’t deserve them. I couldn’t have them.

  I pulled my hands from his and stood. He winced and dropped his hands to his sides when I didn’t return the sentiment. I had tried, so hard, during our reunion to show him exactly how I felt, but I couldn’t give voice to it. I knew what lay ahead and it would crush me to say those words knowing I could never act on them. That they could never be truly mine to give him.

  I started to pace in front of Aidan, finally stopping to help in the only way I could before I crushed him completely. “Aidan, no matter what else you hear tonight, I want you to remember to go to Cole. Go to him and show him what you are. He’ll help you, okay? Are you hearing me?”

  He sat staring at me and then stood, stopping my pacing by placing his hands on both of my shoulders.

  “Amelia,” he said, emotion choking his voice. “My life has been completely turned upside down since I met you. I have something inside me I can’t control and know nothing about. I know how you feel about me, but you won’t say it. Micah Clair is driving you to me in the middle of the night and you’re dressed like you’re on a spy mission. You are the absolute best part of my life, I promise I won’t hate you, but I need you to just say it.”

  The tears were back. I stood there, looking up at him, knowing these words were going to ruin the only perfect thing I’d ever had.

  “Aidan.” I dug my nails into my palms, reminding myself that I was strong and could take the pain. Then, I let the words fall out. “When I was born, I was betrothed to the prince in the Immortal court. I am an Elder, a Keeper if you want to be completely accurate. I found out five days ago that Micah is that prince. I tried to stop it. That was my stupid, grand plan, but the only thing I did was piss off his very psychotic mother who also happens to be our queen. So, tomorrow, I leave with Micah. As his fiancée.”

  Chapter 27

  There were so many reactions I expected but what I got was none of those. He simply looked at me and said, “No.”

  I watched him shake his head. His power rising in tandem with his emotions. My own power — both of them — beat on me from the inside out, screaming in my head. Wordless wailing assaulting me from all sides.

  I had to explain. To make him understand. “Aidan. Please. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. It wasn’t fair of me to start this thing with you knowing my destiny, but I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t stop how I felt. How I still feel. But, I can’t stop this. No one can. You have to let me go, Aidan.” I was grasping at his forearms and pleading with him. Finally, the tears started to fall as he backed away from me.

  “No,” he said again. “This can’t be happening. You can’t do this. They can’t make you do this.”

  I watched in awe as his eyes became even more iridescent than before. He stood straighter and seemed to grow taller before my eyes. I ran to him. “Aidan. Whatever is happening, please stop it. Just stop it!” I was sure I knew what was happening, but it couldn’t happen here. Not now.

  I put my hands on his cheeks and pulled him down to me, smashing our lips together. His power was nothing I’d ever encountered. It wasn’t like Elias or Melinda, and it wasn’t like Micah or Cole’s. It seemed like it was overtaking my own and his fear was penetrating both of us. He stood still at first and it was like kissing a statue. I kept murmuring for him to come back to me and he slowly relaxed and started to kiss me back. Finally, everything felt normal. Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Micah stepped into the clearing.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’ve already been gone far too long. We need to get back before anyone realizes and the guards change for the morning shift.”

  Aidan looked as if he might kill Micah where he stood. “GUARDS?” He yelled, his tone alarming. He almost shoved me away as he stalked toward Micah. “You have her guarded? Is that how you treat your friends, Prince? You think you can just take her from me? Maybe you could have, but not now.”

  I saw Micah’s face as soon as he registered the brightness of Aidan’s eyes. You couldn’t miss them. He looked at me, bewildered and I just shrugged. The next look I saw was panic because the blue ball of magic building in Aidan’s palm was aimed at Micah. I screamed his name as I rushed at Aidan and leapt at him right before he let loose. The magic blast took out a few trees, but missed Micah as he dove the opposite direction.

  I landed on top of Aidan and was immediately pleading with him to stop. “Please, Aidan. You just have to let me go. If you hurt him, the queen will find you. They’ll hurt my family. They’ll kill you.”

  My fear had turned my tears to sobs and I heard the release of his breath as he pulled me closer and tucked me into his chest. As we stood and righted ourselves, I thought I had finally gotten through. Instead, Aidan held me at arm’s length. He caressed my cheek and I leaned into his palm, savoring the warmth of him. As I opened my eyes and he dropped his hand, I could see that I wasn’t going to like what came next.

  Aidan took three steps back. I was standing the same distance from him as I was from Micah, positioned at the tip of our triangle. Aidan glared at Micah and his expression only softened slightly when it came back to me. Micah still hadn’t spoken and seemed to understand that he should just stand there.

  “Amelia,” Aidan started. “You didn’t choose this. You don’t have to go with him. We’re already this far. We can run and I can protect you. We can get Bethany and Cole and your dad and we can just go. They can’t hurt us if they can’t find us.” His love wrapped around me as his power still intertwined with mine, pulling and pleading internally as he did externally. I wanted him to be right. I wanted it to be that easy. The last intact parts of my own heart broke and crumbled as he begged me to go.

  I choked up as the tears clogged my throat. I tried to use my own power to strengthen my resolve but it rebelled against the very idea of what I was about to do, abandoning me to my own demise. Everything in me wanted to go to him, but I couldn’t. It would only make it worse. I rooted myself to the spot I was in. I couldn’t look away from Aidan. I could see Micah in my peripheral, but he was just staying quiet as he stood, waiting.

  “Aidan, I’m sorry.” My words came out much stronger than I thought possible. “It’s just not that simple. You haven’t lived in this world and you don’t understand. This woman is evil. I don’t have a choice, no matter how I feel about you. I have to go.”

  I started to turn to Micah as I heard his quiet words. “Pick me, Amelia. Please, pick me. Be the one who finally picks me.” My whole body seemed to cave in on itself as my soul ripped in half.

  Everything inside of me bellowed for me to run to him and let this love carry us as far as we could go, but I couldn’t make another selfish decision. I didn’t allow myself to turn back around and face him as I whispered myself, “I can’t. I’m so sorry. Goodbye, Aidan.”

  I walked to where Micah was standing and followed him from the clearing. My uncle Derreck had been right all along. The moment had come and I had chosen duty over love. Just as I had for Bethany.

  My destiny had been dictated from the very beginning and I would always have to choose my people over myself. The further I got from Aidan, the more it felt like very best parts of me were being shredded to pieces as our powers were forced to separate. The tears slowly fell and rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t bother to wipe them away. I swore to myself that these would be the last tears I cried, so I just let them come for all the days I would wish I had them back.

  As we got in the Acura and Micah backed out, I saw blue eyes shining from the trees. Moments later, I heard the most bone-chilling howl. I couldn’t stop the audible gasp and from my peripheral, I saw Micah’s eyes flash
as we watched Aidan drop to all fours.

  Neither of us looked away, but the red of Micah’s eyes shone in the dim lights of the interior as his power reacted to the perceived threat.

  “Did you know?” It wasn’t accusatory. It was barely a whisper between us in the dark. I could only shake my head as Aidan completed his shift, snarled in our direction, and loped away. I had wondered. I had guessed. But I hadn’t known. I could only hope he had heard what I said. That he wouldn’t try to go it alone.

  I finally turned to look at Micah as he said, “Then no one else needs to.”

  Amelia’s journey is just beginning. Stay tuned for the next installment in the “Bound” series.

  Acknowledgments

  Abe — From the first day I brought up the crazy idea that I wanted to write a book, you were nothing but supportive. This book would not exist without you. Thank you for reading it in secret, even when I told you that you didn’t have to, and knowing what I needed in the process — even when I didn’t know myself. Muah.

  Renee — You read the first chapter and told me it was good. You built my self-esteem and told me I could actually do this. Thank you, lovely. Thank you.

  My Betas — I can’t believe all I put you through! Shannon, Callie, Kristin, Christina, Natalie, Carrie and Renee…you read draft after draft. You were nicer to me than you should have been. You cheered me on and let me freak out along the way. I love you, ladies. For real.

  Kristin — You get a special note, because you truly took this book to the next level. I cursed your name at first but the drafts that came from your edits were a Phoenix rising from the ashes. You saw the bones of the story I really wanted to tell and you made me tell it. Thank you. From the absolute bottom of my heart.

  The Rebel Writers — Oh, ladies. I haven’t gotten to meet a single one of you in person and yet you are among my dearest friends. You kept me sane, you pushed me to keep going and you believed in me when I didn’t. You shared your secrets and made me better. And you made me laugh, constantly. The Rebels will truly take over the world — I have no doubt.