AT ELEVEN FORTY-FIVE, Thane pulled her aside and gave her a sweet kiss. “Do you want to go up and I’ll join you shortly?”
Sydney nodded.
“Are you all right, love?” he asked, and stroked her cheek. “We can wait.”
“I don’t want to wait, Thane.” She smiled. “I’m excited. It’s just a little overwhelming.”
“I know.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
Sydney walked up to their room and found the lingerie she’d packed for their special night. After changing, she stepped into the bathroom to brush out her hair and clean her teeth. She heard the bedroom door click shut and walked out of the bathroom to find Thane pulling off his shirt.
Sydney leaned against the doorframe and watched him.
He caught sight of her and his eyes swept her body. “Shite, love.”
She giggled. “Do you approve?”
“Aye. You’re stunning.”
“So are you.” She moved further into the room. She licked her lips. She wanted to run her tongue over every ridge of his twelve-pack abs…and other places. “Now what?”
Thane smiled. “First, I’m going to kiss you, because I have to.”
She snapped her fingers. “Well, hustle on over here, then.”
He closed the distance between them and covered her mouth with his. She couldn’t help herself from sliding her hand up his chest, breaking the kiss and sighing. “You’re ridiculously gorgeous, Thane Allen.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
The little clock on the fireplace mantel chimed twelve times and he cupped her cheek. “Do you want wine first or do you want to start?”
“I want to start.”
“Me too,” he said. “Okay, repeat after me. “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” she droned sarcastically.
“I’ll think it as we go, so pull the words from my mind,” he suggested. “Ready?”
Sydney nodded.
“Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið.”
“Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið.” Sydney felt her knees buckle and she grabbed for Thane.
He wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” Sydney raised her arms and linked her fingers behind his neck.
“Ég er þinn að eilífu. Skuldabréf okkar mun aldrei vera brotinn.”
“Ég er þinn að eilífu. Skuldabréf okkar mun aldrei vera brotinn.” Sydney held onto his neck a little harder.
“I won’t let you fall, love,” Thane promised. “It’s part of the bonding. Ready?” At her nod, he continued, “Ást mín er alger.”
“Ást mín er alger.”
Thane lifted her before she could fall, and carried her to the bed. After he removed the rest of his clothing, he climbed onto the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I give you everything I am, all I want to be, and all I can be. I’m yours forever. Our bond will never be broken. My love is absolute.”
Thane grinned and kissed his way down her body, stopping at her panties, and running his tongue over the barely-there lace covering her mound. Sliding her panties to the side, he licked her bare pussy and gently sucked her clit, before tugging the material at her hips and tearing them off of her. Moving back up her body, he drew a nipple into his mouth and bit gently as he tore her lingerie from her body.
That was brand new.
I’ll buy you another, he promised.
Sydney arched into him, sliding her hands into his hair as he gently bit down again on one nipple, then the other. Kissing his way back down her body, he knelt between her legs, and ran his tongue over her already slick folds. “Fucking honey, love,” Thane breathed out, covering her core with his mouth again. She shuddered as he continued his assault on her clit, then he slid a finger inside of her and she came apart.
“Perfect, baby, come for me.”
As she shook with an orgasm, he focused back on her pussy, and she tugged gently on his hair as she ground her core against his mouth. “Thane,” she rasped. Unable to wait, he sat up, sliding his cock against her wetness, before slipping inside of her, stopping at her barrier. Sydney mewed, pressing harder against him, drawing him further inside of her.
“It’s going to hurt a bit, love,” he warned.
“I’m ready,” she said, and he surged into her, catching her cry with his mouth as he kissed her.
He rolled her nipple between his fingers and waited for her body to get used to his size, then when her hips began to move, he took the cue and buried himself inside of her over and over again. As her nipples tightened and her body took him deeper, her arousal swamped him, and his burning hunger needed assuagement.
Even when her walls contracted around him, he continued to bury himself unable to stop. He wanted more…needed more.
Sydney cried out his name as she came, at the same time, she wrapped her legs around his waist and took him even deeper, dragging her nails down his back as another climax built. They came together and Thane rolled them onto their sides, keeping their connection.
Sydney stroked his face. “Wow.”
“Aye, love,” he said as he pulled the covers around them and settled her firmly over his body.
She kissed his chest then grinned up at him. “I want that every day.”
“No problem.”
He smiled, kissing her gently. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She kissed his chest. “What happens now?”
Thane chuckled. “We wait.”
“I don’t like to wait.”
“What?” he asked in mock surprise. “I had no idea.”
She laughed and smacked his chest gently. “I just want all this over with.”
“I get it, love.”
“Sorry, that’s not very romantical is it?”
“Romantical?”
Sydney grinned. “Something my mom always said.”
“I love it.”
“She hated anything to do with schmultz. It was about the only thing we disagreed on. Anytime I wanted to watch a movie, she’d say, “It’s not one of those romantical ones, is it?” It just kind of stuck.” Sydney smiled, realizing her pain wasn’t quite as heavy as she talked about her mom.
“I’m glad, love.”
“You can still read my mind, I see.”
Thane chuckled. “You were hoping for a different result?”
Before she could respond, hot fire shot through her legs and she cried out in agony.
“All right, love, it’s starting. It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
The pain shifted to her feet and she whimpered, but she never got the chance to get used to the pain, because it moved to her left breast. This time she screamed. “I can’t do this,” she panted. “I can’t.”
Thane kept hold of her hand as he slid from the bed. “You can, sweetheart, I promise.”
The fire licked at her stomach and then headed straight for her skull. Sydney groaned, trying to grab for her head, but Thane wouldn’t let her. “Thane!”
“I have to stay connected to you,” he said, and reached for his phone. “It’s the only way I can alleviate any of your pain.” With one hand, he grabbed a pair of sweats and tugged them on, then called Samantha.
Sydney couldn’t focus on anything Thane was doing as the pain raged on in her body. Everything was on fire. “Thane,” she rasped.
He squeezed her hand. “I know, sweetheart. Sam’s on her way. It won’t be long.”
“I’m so hot.”
“Okay, love. We’re going to help.”
* * *
A knock came at the door and Samantha walked in quietly, followed by Bearnas. The maid headed straight to the bathroom and Thane heard the water in the tub start. Another maid arrived with a bucket and also headed into the bathroom. Kade and Samantha had ice machines installed in each of the bathrooms, which helped with convenience, particularly in a situation like this. The Cauld Ane rarely got sick, but if they did, ice always helped to heal what ailed them.
“Pepper’s coming with ice sheets,” Samantha whispered, and made her way to Sydney’s side. “I’m going to take your pulse, Sydney. You’ll feel my fingers on your wrist, okay?”
Okay.
Thane smiled at Samantha. “She’s ready.”
Samantha grasped Sydney’s wrist and Sydney let out a hiss of pain. “Take it from her, Thane,” Samantha directed. “You’re not focusing.”
Thane nodded and concentrated on Sydney. She relaxed in stages as he kissed her palm.
“Good, Thane,” Sam said. “Her pulse is slowing.”
“The bath is ready, majesty,” Bearnas said.
Samantha smiled at Sydney. “Thane’s going to carry you into the bathroom, Sydney. It might hurt a bit, but the ice will help.”
Sydney licked her lips. “I don’t like the cold.”
“You will now.” Samantha squeezed her hand. “I promise.”
At Samantha’s nod, Thane lifted Sydney off the bed, trying to ignore her whimper as he carried her into the bathroom and lowered her into the ice water. Sydney let out a sigh and then opened her eyes. “Better. Thank you.”
“Good, love.”
“Can I please have some water?”
“I’ll get it,” Samantha said, and grabbed a glass, filling it from the tub and handing it to her.
Sydney gulped it down, choking a little as she drank.
“Slow down, love,” Thane ordered.
“I’m so thirsty.”
“That’s normal, Sydney,” Samantha said. “As soon as the worst is over, I’ll set up a drip to rehydrate you.”
“Can I have some more water, please?” she pleaded.
“Yes, of course.” Samantha filled the glass again. This time Sydney sipped a little slower.
Thane’s heart raced as he watched Sydney’s body burn red. She cried out again as the glass slipped from her fingers, but he caught it before it shattered against the porcelain tub. “Shite! What’s happening to her?”
“Her body’s expelling her human elements. It’s okay, Thane. We just need to cool the water. Don’t lose touch.” Samantha reached in and pulled the stopper, letting a little water escape while Bearnas began to dump buckets of ice into the water. Samantha secured the tub again and then took the glass from Thane and refilled it.
Thane knelt on the floor and kissed Sydney’s hand gently. “I’m here, love. I won’t let go.”
She smiled and turned her head toward him, but didn’t open her eyes. “I’m okay, honey. It’s better now.”
Thane frowned up at Samantha. “Can you give her something, Sam?”
“No, not yet. I’m sorry, Thane. I know this sucks, but her body just needs to do its thing.” She squeezed his shoulder. “It’s harder on you guys than it is on us, trust me.”
“Speak for yourself,” Sydney retorted, her eyes still closed, but her body back to its normal color and temperature.
Samantha smiled. “See? The snark’s a good sign.”
Thane settled his free hand on Sydney’s forehead. “Are you in pain, love?”
Sydney finally opened her eyes and squeezed his hand. “No, not pain. It’s kind of like... I don’t know?”
“Something tickling your skin?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, exactly! I’m on the verge of itchy, but not like I need to scratch.”
“Good,” Samantha said. “We’ll get the bed ready. You’ll sleep in ice sheets for a few hours and then you’ll be a little groggy tomorrow, but you’ve actually come through this faster than most of us.”
“I have?”
Samantha smiled. “You have.”
“That’s because she’s a star,” Thane said.
“Takes one to know one,” Samantha said, and left the bathroom.
Sydney giggled. It was the best thing Thane had heard all day. Her laugh settled in his soul and drove away the gut wrenching fear he’d been feeling for the last hour.
“I’m okay, honey,” Sydney whispered, releasing his hand so she could cup his face. He grasped her arm, afraid to let any distance come between them.
“Is the pain okay?” he asked.
Sydney smiled. “Yep. I actually feel really good. Just a little sleepy.”
“Thane?” Samantha called from the bedroom.
“Aye?”
“If the pain’s done, you can help Sydney dry off so she can sleep.”
“All right.” He smiled at his mate and kissed her palm. “You ready to get out before you prune?”
“You have a problem with prunes?”
He kissed her gently. “I love prunes, particularly if my mate happens to be one of them.”
“Look who’s all romantical now,” she quipped.
Thane grinned, pulling the plug on the tub and grabbing a towel. He helped Sydney to her feet and wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her anchored while she climbed out. After drying her off gently, he secured the towel around her and carried her back to the bed.
“I’m so thirsty,” Sydney rasped as he pulled the sheets over her body.
“I have a saline drip for you, Sydney,” Samantha said. “It’ll help.” She slid the needle effortlessly into Sydney’s arm and taped it off before hanging the bag on a hook by the bed. “I wish we’d had this when Kade bound me. Pepper could have used one too. We just didn’t know how our bodies would react to anything, but we’ve been finding things out as we go.”
“Thanks for everything, Sam,” Sydney said with a sleepy smile. “I can’t imagine having gone through this without help.”
“I know, hon,” she said, and squeezed her arm. “It was terrifying for Kade more than me, so I promised I wouldn’t let any more of our people deal with this.”
“Not for you?” she asked.
Samantha giggled. “Not like it was for him, no. Neither of us knew what was happening, because his parents had held back a lot of information about their... ah, our race. It was a nightmare for Kade. He thought I was dying.” She closed her eyes and then smiled. “Sorry, he’s arguing with me now as we speak.”
Sydney chuckled. “I have no idea what that’s like on any level.”
Cheeky.
“Like right now,” she retorted.
Thane smiled and shook his head.
“Okay, I’m going to feed my newest munchkin.” Sam checked the fluids bag and then Sydney’s pulse. “I’ll check in on you in an hour and if you’re feeling good, we’ll take that pesky needle out of your arm. If you need anything in the meantime, ring the bell. Bearnas will either know what to do or find me.”
“Thanks for everything, Sam.” Thane hugged her, giving her a gentle kiss on her cheek.
“If I’d known all I had to do was take care of a friend to get some affection from a big movie star, I would have done that earlier.” She giggled. “Hush, Kade.”
Thane wasn’t sure if she was aware she’d said that out loud, but he didn’t mention it, and Samantha left them alone. After getting another glass of water for Sydney, he climbed into bed beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. “I love you, sweetheart.”
She sighed and kissed him gently. “I love you, too.”
“Sleep now.”
And she did.
* * *
Sydney felt a small tug on her arm and opened her eyes to find Samantha pulling the needle out. “Sorry, hon. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“No, that’s okay.”
“I figured you’d feel better if you could move a bit.”
Sydney smiled and bit back a yawn. “Where’s Thane?”
“He’s just getting fresh ice sheets.” Samantha took her pulse again and then checked her temperature. “Your temperature’s rising a little again.”
Sydney sat up a little. “Is that bad?”
“I don’t think so. It’s just not something we’ve seen before. I’m going to get another drip in case. But I’ll wait until Thane gets back.”
“Okay,” Sydney whispered, unable to keep her eyes open.
“Sydney?”
“Hmm?”
“Syd?” Samantha said, her tone urgent.
Sydney couldn’t concentrate and then the burning started again and she heard herself cry out.
* * *
Thane heard Sydney’s cry and rushed back into the bedroom, dropping his burdens as he let out a bellow of rage. “What the hell is going on?”
Sydney was on the floor in the fetal position, shaking violently as she vomited into a bowl while Samantha and Bearnas packed her with ice.
“It’s all right, Thane,” Samantha assured. “This is all part of it. She just started a little later than the rest of us, so I’d kind of hoped she’d skipped it.”
Thane knelt beside Sydney and laid his hand on her head, soaked with sweat. “Shite.”
“I know it’s frightening,” Samantha said. “But this is all normal. It’s okay. She’ll be okay.”
“I’ve got a new bath, Majesty,” Bearnas said as she walked into the room.
“Thank you,” Samantha said, and focused back on Thane. “In a minute, I’m going to need you to lift her again and take her into the bathroom.”
Thane wasn’t listening. He was trying to keep Sydney from choking on her hair. It was plastered around her face and he was trying to slide it away from her mouth. A small but strong hand grabbed his arm and he was forced to look at Samantha.
“Did you hear me?”
“What? No, sorry, I didn’t,” he confessed.
“When this is done, I’m going to need you to carry her back to the tub.”
“Aye, lass. When this is done.” He focused back on Sydney, stroking her hair.
I’m dying
You’re not dying, love.
She let out a broken sigh. I’m totally dying.
He tried not to smile, but lost the battle. Even in pain, she was trying to make him feel better. “As soon as you’re ready, I’m going to lift you, okay?”
No. There’s no point. I’ll be dead.
He stroked her cheek and her shaking calmed. “I’m here, baby.”
She pushed up just enough to lay her head in his lap. I feel like my body weighs a million trillion pounds.
That’s a lot in kilos.
It’s a lot in pounds too. Sydney gave him a slight smile as she glanced down her body. “I have a weird mark on my knee.”
“It’s my mark,” he explained.
Her eyes closed. What do you mean?
“I have the mark on my left knee. Now that we’re bound, you have the one on your right.”
“Is that normal?” she whispered.
“Aye, love, it’s normal.” Thane squeezed her hand. “I’m going to lift you now.”
One more minute. She took a ragged breath. I just need a little more time to enjoy no pain.
“We’re ready,” Samantha said. “But take your time.”
How’s your stomach?
“It’s better I think,” she whispered.
“I’m going to lift you now,” Thane said. “Arms around my neck, sweetheart.”
She did as he instructed and he wrapped the ice sheet around her to keep her covered. Holding her close, he carried her into the bathroom and settled her into the water again. She let out a deep sigh and slid all the way under the water before sitting up with a smile. “Oh my god, this is awesome.”
Thane sat on the edge of the tub and took her hand again, glancing up at Samantha. “Do you think it’s over now?”
Samantha nodded. “It should be. Vomiting is typically the last thing to happen. It’s interesting she slept for so long between. Her conversion was actually a lot less violent than some. It’s a good sign.”
Sydney squeezed Thane’s hand. “I’m okay, honey.”
He leaned down to kiss her but she turned her head.
He frowned. “Hey.”
“I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
Thane grinned. “You don’t need to now that you’re Cauld Ane.”
She frowned. “Seriously?”
“It’s a definite perk,” Samantha said. “That and being able to heal yourself and your family.”
“I can do that?”
Thane nodded.
“What if I’m stabbed... or shot?”
Thane scowled. “You won’t be stabbed or shot.”
“But if you were,” Samantha rushed to say. “You could heal yourself.”
“Can I heal myself if I’m almost dead?”
“Goddammit Sydney,” Thane said.
“Just checking.” Sydney gave him a slight smile as she ran her tongue over her teeth. “My teeth do feel clean.”
“Way to change the subject, baby.” Thane chuckled. “I’d like that kiss now, love.”
She raised her head and obliged.