Page 11 of Bound By Love
CHAPTEREIGHT
The second Carotouched the citrine-colored stone, a flash of color went through it. Her hand clenched around the walnut-sized stone.
“It’s mine,” she whispered.
The others remained standing in the doorway of her shop, watching as she unloaded the stones. Brie hovered a few feet away as she placed the stones on a workbench ten feet away from Caro’s forge.
“What is?” Saber demanded.
“The orange stone; it’s mine.”
The possessiveness in her voice was undeniable, and when she lifted her head to look at him, fire shone in her eyes. That stone washers, and they would have to pry it from her cold, dead hands.
He knew how she felt about it butloathedthis new development. Caro was supposed to make the swords and stay out of the rest of it. He’d intended to keep her somewhere safe, even if it meant locking her there.
His teeth clamped down so forcefully that his jaw ached from the pressure. She had to make the swords, but if that stone washers, she would have to march into battle too. Unless she refused, but she was too stubborn and kindhearted for that.
She wouldn’t walk away if it meant millions, or more, could perish. She was a fighter and would carry her sword proudly into any battle. Charles had taught her to fight, but she shouldn’t have to.
“Shit,” he growled.
Declan clapped him on the shoulder and squeezed it before lowering his hand. “I know how you feel.”
When Saber scowled at him, Declan smiled in return.
“You should probably show everyone to their rooms,” Caro said to Saber. “It’s time I got to work.”
Unsure of how many would come, they’d prepared the other two rooms in the house, and Saber’s, for visitors. She’d loathed the idea of anyone using her parents’ room, but it wouldn’t be necessary. One couple could stay in Saber’s room and the other in her old bedroom. Saber would stay with her.
She wasn’t exactly thrilled about having him in her space; with his size and domineering ways, he would be impossible to ignore. Plus, she’d always enjoyed her freedom. However, shereallydisliked the idea of spending a night without her mate.
They would have to get used to sharing space and spending more time with each other... without killing each other. She wasn’t sure how easy that would be, but she had plenty to keep her occupied over the coming weeks.
If he annoyed her too much, she had a good excuse to hide here. Plus, the armchair in the corner was comfy; she’d taken a few naps there as a kid and could sleep there again if necessary.
It probably wasn’t a good sign that she was already plotting ways to avoid her mate, but this adjustment could be rocky, and options were necessary. Their mate bond was new; they needed time to figure it out. Once they did, everything between them would be good… she hoped.
“I’ll be back soon,” Saber said.
Caro waved at him but didn’t lift her head from the stones as her fingers trailed lovingly across the orange one.
“We brought some clothes for you too,” Brie said as they turned away from Caro.
“Thank you,” Saber said.
He was beyond sick of wearing the same things and had asked Ronan if someone could pack some things for him. While the others retrieved their stuff from the vehicle, Brie handed him a stuffed duffel bag.
“I’m happy for you,” she said. “A mate is a precious discovery, and the love shared between mates—”
“It’s not love,” he interrupted sharply.
“Maybe not yet—”
“Not ever. I don’t love. I’m not capable of it anymore.”
He saw sadness settle over her before her gaze fell to the ground. She understood he wasn’t just talking about Caro.
“Oh,” she murmured.
