CHAPTER 9
“Are you sure about this?” Wind looked at Celise, where she stood by the open front door, throwing her bag over her shoulder. Through the door, he noticed Jade driving away.
She gave him a gentle smile. “I’m sure. You don’t have to come with me to my place. I’ll just pick up a few things, and be back soon. I’m going to need some clothing, my toothbrush, and other things if I’m supposed to live here for a while. Besides, Diane needs you right now. This is your last chance to ... to be together ...”
“I’m bound to you now. I should go with you.” Saying those words made his bond protest, and all he wanted was to go back to Diane and forget this was happening. At least it didn’t make him feel sick to think or say he was bound to Celise anymore.
She stilled. “Only on paper.”
Wind didn’t reply. Instead, he looked toward the living room, where Diane sat, and just the thought of her warmed his heart.
“I can’t help but think I’m doing something wrong.” Celise’s voice was barely a whisper.
His gaze returned to Celise. “What do you mean?”
“You want nothing more but to be with Diane. I see the longing in your eyes, and here I am, taking you away from her.”
Wind grabbed her hand. “You have no idea how difficult it is to say this, but I have to. The three of us must move beyond those kind of thoughts if we want to make this work. Yes, the bond is protesting like crazy. Yes, you’re taking me away from Diane, but don’t let those feelings rule you. We’re all doing this because we have to. Our fates are sealed. The contract is signed. I’m yours now. We have no other way to go but forward.”
Celise blinked and stared at him with wide eyes. “I thought you didn’t want this.”
“I want to die with Diane, but I also want to live.” He sighed. “I’m a little bit messed up right now.” He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. Hers was tiny compared to his. It looked so fragile and gentle with long fingers and slim palm. “Jade has given us plenty of ideas. I think we should try them.”
“The kissing game.” Her cheeks turned pink.
Wind couldn’t help but smile. Strangely enough, the idea started to appeal to him more and more. “Yes, the kissing game.”
She cleared her throat. “Jade said we have to do everything in our power to make this work.”
“She did, but I worry my bond will turn on the primitive instincts that rule every newborn cyborg.”
Celise pulled her hand back, her cheek trembled. “You believe you’ll want to protect Diane from me.”
“Yes. Jade didn’t say anything about it, but it has crossed my mind a few times.”
She took a shaky breath, and her gaze darkened. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”
He didn’t like the sudden coldness in her voice, but he understood. His words had hurt her ... again. It was written all over her face as she dried away a tear. He was becoming an expert on that lately.
“I need to go. I’ll be back within the hour. Don’t waste it.” She stormed through the open front door.
Wind didn’t move from his spot as he watched her drive away. He’d never meant to hurt her, but his bond didn’t allow him to be on the usual friendly terms with her anymore. Instead, it made him edgy, and overprotective of Diane. He, who usually never raised his voice, was in defense mode.
It sure was a messed up situation.
Wind closed the door and went back to the living room.
Diane sat where he’d left her. She was crying again. Her eyes were red and swollen, and he wanted nothing more but to hold her. He wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but it would be a lie.
Nothing was going to be all right.
Once Celise returned, he’d show her to her room, and they would initiate the process of making her his bound one.
Diane dried her eyes with a tissue as he entered the room.
Wind sat by her side but didn’t touch her. He remembered Jade’s words.
She gave him a gentle smile. “I’m trying to tell myself, over and over again, we did the right thing, but it hurts more than I thought it would. At least, now I know you’ll be safe when I die.”
Wind lowered his head. “You should let me die with you.”
Diane gasped. “Never. That would be selfish of me, and what if you’d survive my death?”
He clenched his jaw. “Most cyborgs die when their bound one dies.”
“I’m not willing to risk it. Besides, the contract is already signed. Celise is your bound one now. She loves you, and I know she’ll take good care of you. I know you two will take good care of each other. I just wish—”
Wind couldn’t hold back the need to touch her anymore. He placed his hand on hers. “Wish what?”
She gave him another smile. “I just wish I could have you by my side until the very end.”
He pushed the damaged table away and placed himself on his knees in front of her. “I just told Celise that we must look beyond our emotions; that we must be professional about this, but I don’t know if I can. I don’t want this, Diane.” He laid his head on her legs. “I’m so torn. One second, I’ve accepted this, and the next, I feel like this. Everything protests within me.” Wind felt Diane’s hand on his head.
She pulled her fingers through his hair.
Her touch was bliss, and it calmed his chaotic emotions.
“Have your feelings changed toward her since all this began?”
He hesitated. “There was a moment in the hallway, when she and I spoke, it felt like the bond had slightly accepted her. It was as if it allowed her to come a little bit closer.”
“That sounds like progress.” She dried her eyes yet again with a handkerchief. “I have stopped crying now. The ache in my heart will never go away, and I’ll miss you like crazy, but you’re right. We must handle this professionally. Your life is at stake, and I refuse to let you die with me.”
Her words filled him with pain he couldn’t ignore. It meant he wouldn’t be allowed to touch her ... ever again ... “Celise told me she’d be back within an hour. She also told me not to waste it.” Wind sat up on the couch again. “Let me hold you one last time.”
Diane moved closer and nodded.
Wind wrapped his arms around her. He closed his eyes and took an unsteady breath.
A new chapter in his life was about to begin ...
... and another was closing.