Page 62 of Bound

It’s the vampire’s turn to sound disbelieving. “More likelyhe will simply go insane and attempt to track me. This is wrong. I only camebecause I thought the consort needed saving. I’m not about to get involved incarting off a screaming consort, and I’m certainly not about to hurt one. Youknow what they say, be kind to consorts or you will never find one yourself.”

I nearly scream in frustration. My plan is falling apartbecause of an old vampire proverb? The royals have rules about handlingconsorts, but I didn’t expect them to be vigorously upheld during a time whenthere are so few to be had.

The vampire turns away from the sight of the couple kissing.“Besides, it’s a good thing in the long run. If the Finns can take back Tír nanÒg, our access to consorts will return. It is obvious that you are angry atthe brothers. Did they break off relations with you? You have to be realistic,miss. They were always going to marry a bondmate. I have to be realistic, too.”Palgrave pulls his hood up as he makes to leave. “I came because I want aconsort, and she’s lovely. She isn’t available, so the best I can do is makesome money off the situation. I don’t think anyone knows the Finns have bondedyet. I’m sure that Beck went to the Vampire plane to make a deal with hisrelatives. I might have time to buy up some Dellacorp stock before the pricegoes sky high. I’ll make a bundle and look like a genius in the trades.”

The vampire looks pleased with himself as he turns to go. Hecame alone, and now I’m grateful for that fact. It’s easier to deal with asingle vampire than a couple. The last thing I want is him telling his tale toall and sundry. The minute he mentions my name, the brothers will be after me.

I pull the silver knife from my sleeve. I say a quick spellto make my aim true and then plunge the knife into the vampire’s back. I’m farstronger than I look. The form I present makes me look frail and weak, but mytrue body is solid. The vampire jerks once, and then he falls apart as hisheart is torn asunder by the silver.

I shiver as I look down at my previously pristine clothing.I really shouldn’t have worn my second-best dress. Killing vampires is a filthybusiness. They tend to explode when their hearts rip apart. I’m covered inblood.

Though if I move quickly enough, I might be able to preservesome of it. Vampire blood is powerful. Perhaps the day isn’t a complete waste.

The sound of laughter filters across the pond. I have tofind a way to get that bitch alone. I must get her off this plane and make itlook like she walked away. If the brothers think she was taken, they’ll movemountains to find her. If they think she’s been killed, it could get ugly. Idon’t like to think about what they will do to me. I have no plans to martyrmyself.

As I make the long walk toward my cottage, an idea comes tome.

No. The day isn’t wasted at all.

ChapterThirty-One

Beck

I stride out of the caves and hand my sword to ColinDellacourt. The heat of the desert scorches everything it touches. I’m filthyand covered in blood and I don’t want to think what else, but the job isfinally over.

Colin takes my sword and reverently wipes it clean. Hemotions to the employees walking around camp. A young vampire walks up toanswer the sidhe’s call.

“His Highness is finished,” Colin announces. “Take thetelemetry unit and gather the data we need.”

The young vampire looks to the mouth of the cave withobvious anxiety. “He’s sure?”

Colin’s brown eyes narrow. I hide my smile as the formerfarmer scares the shit out of a young executive with just a look. “Are youquestioning His Highness?”

The young executive shakes his head. “Not at all, Mr.Dellacourt. I’ll get you those readings immediately.”

Colin stares at the small group of Dellacorp employees asthey scramble to do his bidding. I pull my filthy shirt over my head and reachfor my robe. I need a shower. The vampires’ camp is set up with all theluxuries their technology has to offer. One of those luxuries is the portableshower that cleans with something called sound waves.

I prefer a good soak, but it isn’t available out here in thedesert. I can’t help but think about the gift I approved before I left for theBad Lands, as they called this place. Susan was insistent on getting us awedding gift. It’s probably being delivered this very day. I can’t wait to liein the soaking tub with Meg in front of me. I’ll hold her as we soak in the hotwater and talk about our days. I’ll tell her about the work I do in the fields,and she’ll talk about…

“What do you and Susan talk about?” I hear myself asking. Ididn’t mean to. It just popped out. I won’t take it back, though. I’m curiousabout the consort’s relationship with my cousin.

Colin sits down beside me and pulls out a bottle of whiskey.He’s quickly handed two glasses by an assistant who always seems to anticipatehis needs. I gratefully take the glass and tip it back. I’m going to be damnsore tomorrow.

Colin thoughtfully sips at his well-aged whiskey. “We talkabout everything, Your Highness. Mostly, it’s business, of course. She is theCEO of one of the most powerful corporations on the plane. It helps that I havea fairly decent head for numbers and processes.”

He does. It surprised me when Colin announced he wasaccompanying me on this job. Susan told him to send detailed reports but didn’targue. She wasn’t his CEO when they parted, however. She was simply his wifewhen they said good-bye. She asked Colin three times if he rememberedeverything and checked his bag. She kissed him good-bye and made him promise tocall.

“I also have a very thick skin,” Colin says cheerfully.“That helps a lot when your wife is also your boss. Damn woman can flay a manalive with that tongue of hers. I screwed up the quarterly reports a few monthsback, and she took a chunk out of my hide right there in the boardroom.”

“She yelled at you?” I’m surprised my cousin would yell at aconsort. Vampires are supposed to be as gentle with their consorts as the Faeare with bondmates.

“Yelled, screamed, threatened me with all manner ofhumiliation,” Colin explains with a smile on his face. “That woman of mine is arighteous bitch when she wants to be. It’s all right, though. I took my fairshare out of her pretty ass later that night, if you know what I mean.”

I’m pretty sure I do. I’ve spent a lot of time thinkingabout Colin and Susan while working in the caves. Colin doesn’t seem to wantthe type of life I expected a consort to require. He seems to like to work, andhe’s tough. His wife doesn’t treat him like he’ll break, but she still loveshim. “You were rough with her?”

I try to ask the question with expectant curiosity ratherthan accusation.

“Vampires are rough, Your Highness,” Colin explains withouta hint of self-consciousness. “Relationships here, at least sexualrelationships, involve a dominant partner and a submissive partner.”