Q
Sally’s eyes watered as she desperately tried to focus on anything but the pain, which had become a constant companion as she fought her need to be with Costin. He was behind her with all the other males and she could feel his eyes on her, burning a hole in the back of her head. She could feel him willing her to turn around, to come back to him. And she wanted to so very badly.
“How’re you holding up?” Jen asked, matching Sally’s pace as they continued trekking through the mountains.
Sally gritted her teeth and composed herself before she spoke.
“I’m dealing,” she finally answered.
“Do you think we’re doing the right thing?”
Sally’s brow wrinkled as she looked at Jen in surprise. “You’re having doubts?”
Jen shrugged. “We’re not the only ones hurting. Dec is in more pain now, than when I died.”
“How?”
“I think because I’m rejecting what was determined for us before we were ever created. I belong by his side and I’m choosing to deny him that.”
Sally frowned. “Not to sound childish or anything but they denied us first. There are consequences to every action Jen, and their action to keep their mates out has brought on this consequence. It’s up to them to fix it.”
Jen grinned at her and Sally saw the gleam in her eyes.
“You did that on purpose didn’t you?”
Jen gave a little nod of her head. “I could tell you were really struggling and so I thought maybe you needed reminding of why we are doing this. Decebel is relentless, pushing on my mind, and I honestly don’t think he is using his full power because I’m pregnant.”
“Are you hurting?” Sally asked.
Jen’s mouth tensed just before she spoke. “Badly.” Then as only Jen could do, she pushed away the pain and sought out a way to ease the tension. “So I was examining my mate’s oh so encouraging words from earlier. He said that we had given ourselves to them in every way, basically. Because of that fact, then we no longer can make our own choices. I found a loop hole.”
Sally laughed as she shook her head. “Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the loop hole?”
“You,” Jen grinned. “I thought about Crina and Elle, and they may very well fit into that category as well. However, I don’t really know their business like I know yours.”
“What?”
“Sally, my little wall-flower, you haven’t given your body, as B so eloquently put it, to your mate. You’ve completed the Blood Rites, but that is only one of the ingredients in the mixed drink that is bonding.”
“So,” Sally drew the word out, waiting for Jen to elaborate.
“Oh good grief woman, I’m saying that according to Dec’s jacked up idea of independent thinking, you my dearest, are still allowed such a liberty.”
Sally laughed and though the pain didn’t leave, for that brief moment in time, it wasn’t consuming her.
She heard a growl and a powerful push as Costin shoved his way into her mind.
“It will be remedied as soon as this ridiculous tantrum of yours is over.”
Sally’s mouth dropped open and she couldn’t believe he had just said that to her. She whipped around to look at him, and refused to give him the intimacy he was trying to force by using their bond.
“Are you seriously talking about making love to me while calling me childish in the same sentence?” Sally watched in satisfaction as Costin’s eyes began to glow. She had struck a nerve and maybe it shouldn’t have, but, damn, it felt good.
“Sally,” he started, but Sally cut him off.
“I’m not real experienced in this aspect of a relationship, but I’m pretty sure calling your mate childish is NOT the way to go about getting some.”
Jen coughed on a laugh and watched as not only Costin’s face contorted in anger, but all of the males. She just couldn’t resist this one.