The Binding Read Online Free PDF Page B

but she’ll learn. Give her time to adjust . I t’s a lot that we’ve put on her this night. She actually seems to be holding up pretty well , considering.” After a moment’s pause, he quietly adds, “Besides, she’s beautiful .”
    I glance back at Tolan , my back stiffens, but I make an effort not to clench my fists. It doesn’t matter . H e’s no t looking at me , but toward Lily’s bedroom. For the first time in my life , I want to hit my brother in the face. Wh at ’s come over me ? I try to regulate my breathing. I let out a sigh , following his focus to the closed door.
    “We’re in a hurry, b rother , ” I answer quietly . “We can’t wait for her to make up her mind. I’m her betrothed. If she can’t decide, I’ll decide for her.”
    Tolan looks at me with a raised brow. I ignore his look . T o be honest, I’m ashamed of my actions , especially because of the real reason why we were two days late coming for her. I wanted more time with Kalis, and truthfully, I didn’t want to meet or know Lily. E ven though I know I should be sorry, I only become furious at her instead for forcing me to be so hostile . This is all her fault. This whole mission to bring her back, the treaty, the Ange, Lucas … it’s all her fault .
    *

Chapter Eleven Lily
     
    I look around my room knowing that after tonight, I may never see it again. Marilyn. I have to leave her a note to let her know that I’m okay and not to worry. She ’ll be leaving for Australia in two days to stay with her sister who recently was diagnosed with throat cancer . Six , maybe seven month s she thought she would be gone. So I just need an excuse that will cover my absence for the next two days before she leaves.
    I rush over to my small desk and quickly write out a note explaining that I would be at Juli a’s house for the weekend. I don’t know if Tharin is really only giving me five minutes, but I’m not taking any chance s . I pull off my sweat pants and top. Grabbing my jeans, I yank them up and button them. I quickly take off my workout bra and find a regular one, slipping it on. I have my t-shirt over my head ready to pull it down when the door flies open. I jump back pulling the shirt down quickly and stare at Tharin standing at the door. I can feel my heart beating hard and just know that he can see it pounding against my shirt.
    He stands for a minute watching me not saying a word, then his face ch anges and the scowl is gone. Silently , he turns and walks back into the front room. I stand looking at the empty doorway, and then mentally slap myself back into action. I don’t bother closing the door again . I grab my boots from the closet and shove my feet into them, tying the laces as quickly as I can. They’re my old hiking boots that I haven’t worn in a few months. I’m leaning over them when a drop of water lands on top of my left boot. A tear… seriously ? Why am I crying now? I haven’t shed a tear since Lucas’ disappearance four years ago , but it seems that’s all I’ve been doing since his reappearance earlier.
    I don’t know how things got to this p oint, but I know that I’m alone, again. I straighten up wiping at my eyes. I don’t know why Tha rin hates me so much, but he did save my life from my own brother. Despite his animosity toward me, I know that one fact is true : H e saved my life tonight . Regardless of his feelings for me, I know he’ll protect me from the Ange and from Lucas . I have to also consider both Marilyn’s and Julia’s safety. Julia! Without thinking twice, I take out another piece of paper and write down an address.
    As I stand I find myself looking in the mirror. I look a wreck. S tanding in front of me is a girl with hair tied hastily into a ponytail and about ten pounds overweight. My t-shirt is a little tight from the extra pounds I’ve gained the last few months , but it’s not stretched to its limit. My eyes , the color of “ light beer ” according to Juli a , are red