Bound

by Jennifer Dean

  He looked at me as if he had never considered the idea. I understood that. He had gone nearly two hundred years thinking he would be eternally alone. Why rethink that now? I wasn’t eternal. It seemed awfully rude to consider a life with me when I was on a course toward death like every mortal before me.

  “Maybe William will design another in that case,” Liam said.

  He grinned jokingly while leaving behind some truth.

  “Is it hard to watch mortals die?” I shifted my head to rephrase. “I mean the ones who you originally protect from other immortals.”

  He moved his hand to the exposed side of my face. I had almost forgotten how chilly it was outside until I felt the relief of his warmth.

  “It can be difficult, but it’s easier to get through when thinking about the greater good of what we do.” He looked deep into my eyes. “We know that every human has an inevitable expiration. That isn’t for us to stop, it never has been. All we can do is make sure that they get there by the mortal death they were meant to have.”

  It wasn’t a subject I thought needed to be pushed as twilight began to filter through the trees and down onto the river. I sat up to see the sunset’s red and orange glow that was so perfect it felt as if it had been scripted that way.

  “I would like to give you something,” Liam said.

  I turned my head back to see he was sitting up beside me. I nodded with approval as I watched him pull a black box from his pocket. I waited patiently as he popped it open to reveal what was inside. It was an antique gold heart-shaped locket.

  “It’s beautiful.” I said picking it up to lay in my hand.

  As I studied the gold, I noticed the engraving on the back. Close to my heart, you will always stay. I moved my other hand to clasp it open to find a vintage black and white photograph of Liam. He looked just as charmingly beautiful as he did now. My heart warmed as I watched him place his two fingers over the locket.

  “May I?” he asked with permission.

  “Of course,” I said.

  I reached my hands behind me and pulled all my hair to the right as I felt Liam’s arms swoop around my neck and fasten the clasp. As the metal touched my skin, I felt as if it had always belonged there.

  “It was my mother’s,” he said. I dropped my hair and reached for the opened locket once more. “Mary added the photo a few decades later.”

  Cupping the locket with my right hand, I looked up into the emerald eyes that brightened at finding my locked gaze. My eyes awkwardly shifted back to the locket.

  “Do you miss her?”

  “Like any mortal at first. But over the past two centuries she has become a distant memory.”

  I looked up but off to my right at his words, words he would say of me one day. I couldn’t help feeling like leftovers in his life, someone he would forget in time. I felt his finger lift my chin back around to force my eyes back to see the stern bright glow of green.

  “It is different for you, Emma. You are not just any mortal.”

  “But neither was she. She was your mother.”

  “Yes, she was an important part of my former life, my mortal life. But that life ended long ago, and with it the bond I held with her.”

  “How do I know that one day the same won’t happen to me? You could just as easily find another human girl of my age centuries from now.”

  I felt the words were childish and yet worth saying. The back of his hand swiped my check before his fingers held my chin. “My sweet, Emma, you are the only mortal woman that I have ever loved in my two hundred and five years of existence on this earth.”

  I grinned, not quite ignoring the tense. Have loved. Yes, one day I would begin to grow old enough to be seen as Liam’s mother and then grandmother. I would be the once loved, no matter what he said.

  “I can see in your eyes that you do not even understand that love, a love that will be only yours, even after the centuries pass without you. If I must spend the rest of our time proving that to you, then I will.”

  Maybe he was right about how I didn’t understand his love. All I knew was the love I had for him, something that I was going to take with me until my last breath, with my last memory. Of course, that very thought sent a chill down my spine. It was unfair to know that Liam would have to live on without me. It was unfair to see just how short of a life with him I would really get. We didn’t have as much time as both of us might have originally thought. Or maybe deep down we did and purposely left ourselves blind in order to avoid it, but we couldn’t anymore. My fear would now constantly make me wonder which moment would be the last.

  “I guess we should enjoy the time that we do have,” I said.

  Though he was ready to rebut with more, Liam simply nodded before he moved forward to meet my lips with his. There he couldn’t hide it from me. I could feel the hard tension in his embrace. It frightened me. It was too strong the way his lips crushed mine and his hands clung to each side of my face. He, too, held the fear of knowing that we only had so much time left. It was almost as if he had just been made aware of the invisible ticking clock that was counting down above our heads, counting down to the moment of our final goodbye.

  I cupped my hands to the side of his neck as I kissed him back with a fierce passion that refused to let go anytime soon.

  19. The Last Alexander

  I lay wrapped in Liam’s arms with enough warmth that the blankets had become unnecessary. I found myself content to forget our fears in this moment. In fact, as we took turns picking out constellations in the night sky I began to let go of the fear altogether. My heart knew that no time with him would be enough. I was happy to remember that I was with him. That was enough.

  I sighed blissfully at the tension in Liam’s hold. I didn’t know if he had come to the same realization in the hours we spent on the roof. His head was now positioned so that his right ear was parallel with the blankets. Naturally, I turned my neck so that my left side was now parallel to the roof.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  Before I could ask anything more, he rose and was out of sight. I sat up, using my left arm as leverage, only to find a few seconds later that he was back on my other side. He placed something into my left hand. It was my phone. I had even forgotten until now that it was in my backpack. My chin led my eyes down to see that it was my mother calling. Instantly I grimaced at my absentmindedness. She would be worried at not finding one of my usually explanatory notes, but I had not been home to leave one.

  So I flipped my phone open and placed it to my ear, just in time to prevent it from being a missed call.

  “Hello,” I said.

  “Hey, babe. Where are you?”

  I could hear the relief that I had answered in her voice, a relief that also sounded disappointed I wasn’t home to greet her.

  “Oh, I’m on my way home. I stopped by the river with . . . Lauren.” I paused in using her name because originally I was going to use Sean, but didn’t want to risk him having already told her that he was out doing something else. I wasn’t sure what his other approach was yet. “I’m sorry I forgot to leave a note. We left right after school.” My lips curved and my teeth clenched in an “oops” expression at Liam, who sat quietly watching the interaction.

  “Oh, okay.” I could almost see the smile and understanding nod she would make. “I was wondering why your car was here and I couldn’t find you.”

  I exhaled in amusement at the thought of her searching the house and calling for me with unsuccessful results.

  “I’ll be home in twen . . . ” I mumbled in case I had to change my guestimate. But when I looked at Liam and saw his agreeing nod, I raised my voice and clarified, “Yeah, twenty minutes.”

  “All right, see you in a few.”

  “All right.” It was within a second of gazing at Liam’s smile that I changed my mind. “Actually, wait a minute,” I said.

  “Yes,” she said. She still sounded patient.

  “Do you mind if I bring someone over for you
to meet?”

  I watched as Liam’s eyebrows rose unexpectedly. Sure, I wanted to avoid the embarrassment but I knew that it was inevitable. My parents had to meet him sometime.

  “Sure.” In her voice I could hear suspicion at what gender the guest would be. But then again my word choice hadn’t exactly been a difficult clue to decipher. “Will they be staying for dinner?”

  “Umm . . . ” I gazed over at Liam in question. It wasn’t for me to assume anything, but his subtle grin and simple nod were my answer. “Yes.”

  “Well then, I’ll see you both in twenty minutes.” I could hear the excitement as she said, “Bye.”

  I flipped the phone back and placed it in my pocket before turning my body to face him fully.

  “Sorry,” I said.

  I could feel the warm rush of blood forming under my cheeks. Somehow it seemed rude to impulsively invite him over before the actual request. Liam moved his left hand to rest gently on my skin as if to welcome the embarrassment of my blush.

  “There is nothing wrong with wanting me to meet your parents. I did, in all fairness, spring my family on you at the last minute.”

  As he dropped his hand I shrugged.

  “Yeah, that’s true, although I think that was the way to go. If I had had too much time to think about it, then I might have tried to find an excuse.”

  He stood, extending his right hand for me.

  “You have more strength than you give yourself credit for, Emma.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” I said. I placed my hand into his before he pulled me to my feet.

  “I do,” he said. He was resisting a smile as he swooped me into his arms. “Now close your eyes.”

  I found the urge to obey once I noticed he wasn’t taking me toward the hole in his room but the edge of the roof on the east side of the mansion. Suddenly a small gust of wind lightly blew my hair. With the shift of my body back to vertical, I opened my eyes to see the ajar passenger door of Liam’s BMW.

  On the drive home I found the urge to wrap my hand in his. Even when he parked the car and walked with me up my porch steps, our hands were still bound together. With this being my territory, so to speak, he let me lead at my human pace. We had just gotten to the last step when the door swung open to reveal my mother.

  She looked a little too overeager as she waited in the doorframe to let us through. I wished she had simply led us through, because there was no buffer once I caught sight of my dad. No girl looked forward to introducing anyone they dated to their father. Going in, I already expected the air to be filled with tension and awkward glances.

  I heard my mom shut the door behind us as my dad moved forward. His gaze was only on Liam as his arms remained crossed and unwelcoming. I too studied Liam as he respectively focused back and extended his free hand in courteous chivalry. It was hard to resist the pride in knowing how the gesture showed his true age.

  “Hello, Mr. Morgan. I’m Liam Alexander. I wanted to formally introduce myself now that your daughter and I have begun dating.”

  I didn’t even try to resist the smile that grew larger at his words. It was the equivalent of saying that I was his. And even though the locket already said that, I didn’t mind hearing it from his lips, being said to someone other than me. But what was even more amusing was watching the surprise lift in my father’s features at Liam’s proper introduction. There weren’t many boys in Washington who would make the same consideration in their greetings.

  My dad quickly glanced at my mother, who had moved around to be within our view once again. Her gaze and lifted cheeks were in admiration of Liam’s gesture. My father rolled his eyes to this before begrudgingly extending his hand to Liam. He narrowed his eyes in speculation of this random introduction.

  “Nice to meet you, Lenard,” he said.

  I held annoyance in my sigh.

  “It’s Liam, Dad.”

  “Honest mistake,” he said.

  He shrugged as if trying to prove he was not in the wrong. As if the names were commonly confused. I wasn’t having it. Not, when I could see that lift of amusement in his brow. He shifted his gaze in challenge to Liam. It was that instigating expression that was the reason for the many fights between Sean and him. Of course, my father didn’t know just who he was dealing with. Liam’s façade never faltered. If he was nervous he sure didn’t show it.

  “Lenard is not even close,” I said.

  I looked at my mother in hopes of progressing the introductions. Quickly noticing my SOS, she pulled attention to herself by extending her own hand to Liam. It was hard not to contrast my parents and how they treated Liam. I could practically feel how ecstatic she was to meet the person responsible for the jubilation in my features. If anyone could decode my feelings for Liam, it would be her. But even with her delight, I still found some disappointment with the introductions. I would never be able to officially introduce him to my brother, never share him with my best friend, who still had a desire to break us apart for my own good. I wanted his approval most of all and knew I would never get it. I couldn’t ignore the ache of that in my heart.

  “Hello, Liam.” My mother had dropped her hand in order to move forward and offer a brief hug. The embrace was more her style because she always considered handshakes too formal. “It's very nice to meet you.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Morgan. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

  She gestured her hand forward in dismissal.

  “Please, call me Angelia.”

  As I felt myself gravitate toward Liam, I gazed back at my father. He continued to stare at Liam in obvious hopes of breaking him as if he were a suspect in interrogation. After following my gaze, my mom rolled her eyes before nudging him in the ribs. He winced with annoyance and grimaced to show his surprise. It was as if he was asking her silently, what was that for?

  “Paul sweetheart, why don’t you get the bread out of the oven? It should be ready.” She paused reluctantly until he silently agreed. “Emma said you were staying for dinner, Liam?”

  Her eyebrows were raised, awaiting confirmation. Liam looked at me with a grin before looking back up at my mother. I was frozen, unsure of what he’d say. I know if I were him I’d get the hell out of here. Who would want to put up with someone’s constantly narrowed eyes while you tried to eat?

  “If it’s not too much trouble,” he said.

  I looked away from them both to close my eyes in a moment of relief. When I turned my neck back, I simultaneously squeezed Liam’s hand three times.

  “Oh, it’s no trouble at all. I actually made extra before I even got hold of Emma, so there’s plenty.” Liam and I met eyes. I knew that he ate regular food but I had no idea what was plenty for an immortal.

  “Then it would be my honor to join you.” I felt three small squeezes to my right hand before Liam slipped his hand out of mine. “Actually, let me help your husband.”

  He winked at me before walking through the doorframe and into the kitchen. I moved to stand beside my mom, finding it funny that Liam could pick up that she wanted me alone. Girl talk, I thought.

  “It wasn’t Lauren that you were at the river with was it?"

  I felt a slight blush travel to my cheeks. She wasn’t under the impression that Liam could hear but I was. “No, it was Liam.”

  There was a crooked lift in her lips.

  “What?” I asked.

  She was shaking her head slightly. “I’m just surprised Sean didn’t do everything he could to stop you from dating. I know how protective he is of you.”

  The thought of him seemed to involuntarily roll my eyes as I grimaced.

  “Oh, he tried,” I said.

  She chuckled, amused. “The Morgan men in this family can be quite defensive.”

  I nodded as I turned with her to walk into the kitchen.

  “Some more than others,” I said.

  I still wore a grin as I spotted both Liam and my father shifting their gazes at our entrance. There was an awkward tension between them.
Not like it was with Sean, because in this case it was all laid out for my father. I quickly found my seat next to Liam. He gestured with a tilt of his head.

  “Ladies first,” he said.

  I watched as my dad rolled his eyes in annoyance, seeing as he had already taken the liberty of serving himself. He wasn’t a fan of Liam making him look bad, but I ignored him as I reached for the serving spoon. My lips twitched into a grin at the thought of Liam beside me. How nice—or maybe the word was convenient—that Liam still ate human food. No, he might not digest it the same way as humans, I hadn’t asked, but he could at least eat a meal with me.

  I looked back at him, finding his eyes swiftly darting down and away from me. He had his phone in his hand, something I caught only because I happened to be looking right at him. But it was only a few seconds’ glance away before he brought his attention back on me.

  I widened my eyes in worry, having the keen sense that it was another Alexander. I silently mouthed the words, “Is everything all right?”

  He nodded with the simple tilt of his chin before taking the serving spoon from my hand. I didn’t believe him but my mom’s voice distracted the both of us.

  “So, Liam, tell us a little about you. Emma hasn’t told us much.”

  “Or anything,” my dad said under his breath.

  But before I could glare at him, I found karma had taken care of it already. He was wincing from a slight pain from below. It must have been a shin shot. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the warning in my mother’s widened eyes following her kick.

  “Well, I wouldn’t be too hard on Emma,” Liam said. I felt his hand soothe mine under the table. “I kept our relationship from my family too.” It was true. I had only just met his family a few hours ago. Liam’s eyes met with mine in the understanding that meeting my parents could never be completely normal. They could never know everything like the Alexanders would. I felt that there was pity in Liam’s gaze as his shifted his attention to my mother. “But please feel free to ask me anything, Angelia. I know when it comes to your daughter you would prefer to be as knowledgeable as possible on whom she dates.”