“That bastard hit me with a vase. He knocked me out cold. Funny thing, when I came out from it, I remembered everything again. Is that so cliché or what?”
“He hit you?” A flash of anger made his voice rise an octave. Liam made a mental note to visit Harrison and arrange some payback. He extended his hand and touched Eva’s head, checking her wound.
Eva flinched.
“Where did he hit you?”
“Here.”
Liam felt a bump on her scalp and something wet. “You’re bleeding.”
“Not much.”
“We have to do something about it when we get home.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re definitely not fine.”
Eva quieted. Then she asked meekly, “Are you mad at me?”
Liam sighed with resignation. He was mad at himself for not being able to protect her. If he hadn’t carelessly put her photos and diary out in the open, she wouldn’t have gotten curious or hurt. His heart chilled thinking about how narrowly she had escaped death for the second time. If he had arrived a few minutes later… He shook off the bad thoughts. “No,” he said. “I was worried sick.”
“I’m sorry. I was curious. I had to know the truth.”
He couldn’t blame her for that. He guessed if he was in her shoes, he would resort to the same thing. “Please, don’t do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“I don’t think I could stand the thought of losing you.”
Eva became bright-eyed. “You like me that much?”
“I love you.”
She flustered. “So it wasn’t a lie?”
“I put rings on your fingers, didn’t I? Listen, love, whether you like it or not, we are now bonded.”
“Bonded?”
Liam explained the ritual of blood magic he had performed in order to bring her back to life. Her eyes grew wider and wider as he recounted the tale of the night he found her. How relieved he was when she started breathing again and her mortal wounds knitted close. And his vow that he wouldn’t let anybody hurt her again. “I know it might be difficult to accept this, but I’m hoping you can learn to love me too. You are mine and I would never let you go.”
Eva went silent. She bowed her head, staring at the engagement and wedding ring on her fingers.
Liam wished he knew what was going on in her head.
*
Rosa was standing under the portico when Liam pulled the SUV into the driveway. Hades barked with excitement at the sight of his master. Rosa looked relieved when she saw Eva. The housekeeper muttered to herself while patting her chest.
They went inside. Eva took a shower and changed her clothes. Rosa served her dinner when she got out of the bathroom. Salisbury steak with pasta and crunchy salad. Eva ate ravenously. Having cheated death for the second time made her hungry.
Her gaze lingered on her rings while she ate. He said he loved her and she was his bonded. Giddiness rushed to her head. It was hard to believe a man like Liam would desire somebody like her. He saved her and she was indebted to him. It wasn’t hard to love a man like him. She was already falling for Liam.
After Rosa took the tray away, Liam came knocking on the door.
“Hey, how do you feel, love?” he asked.