Brides of the Kindred(136)

“Uh-uh, forget it. That’s what got us into so much trouble in the first place.” Liv backed away, her hands held up to ward him off.

“It’s all right, Lilenta.” Baird placed the thin metal wire on her head, around her temples. “We’re bonded now. Your mind is linked to mine—there’s no way the Scourge can intercept anything.”

“You’re sure?” She touched the cool wire tentatively, adjusting it. “I don’t want you getting in trouble with the Kindred Council.”

Baird frowned. “Well, we will have to go before them and explain what happened and why we’re bonded after having a breach of contract in the first place.”

Liv froze. “We do?”

“Don’t worry about it, Olivia. I’ll take care of it.” Baird smiled at her. “Now why don’t you bespeak Sylvan and let him know I’m back in the land of the living.”

She looked at him uncertainly. “You’re sure you don’t want to do it yourself?”

“Just do it.” There was a twinkle in his eyes she didn’t quite understand but Liv decided to go with it anyway. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the blond warrior who she supposed was now her brother-in-law. “Sylvan? Sylvan, can you hear me?”

“Olivia?” His mental voice was as cool as his physical one but this time it was tinged with surprise. “Why are you bespeaking me?”

“Because I wanted to tell you that Baird—”

“That Baird is back,” A new and familiar voice cut in. Liv opened her eyes in surprise and stared at her new mate. Baird grinned and tapped his temple. But she had bespoken Sylvan, not him. So how—? “It’s an effect of the bond we share now,” Liv heard him say inside her head. “Limited telepathy.”

“Baird? Baird is that really you?” Sylvan’s mental voice cut in. His tone was much less cool now—in fact he sounded like he was going to burst with excitement.

“It’s me, Brother,” Baird assured him. “Olivia brought me back. And, as you can tell, we’re bonded now.”

“That’s wonderful.” The relief in Sylvan’s tone was unmistakable. “How did she bring you back?”

“How do you think?” Baird sounded amused. “I just wanted to let you know and ask you to set up a time for us to meet with the Council. There are a few things we need to get cleared up.”

“There are indeed.” Sylvan sounded thoughtful. “I take it you’re asking me to set it up because you’re still…ah, indisposed?”

“Let’s just say we’re gonna be unavailable for awhile.” Baird gave Liv a look that made her shiver.

“Again?” she thought before she could stop herself. “But we just spent hours—”

“And we’re going to spend a lot more than that. There aren’t enough hours in the day for me to show you how much I love you, Lilenta.”

“All right, I think I’d better let you two go.” Sylvan’s mental voice was dry and slightly amused. “It sounds like you have better things to do than talk.”

“You got that right, Brother.”

“Good bye, Sylvan,” Liv barely had time to say before Baird took the silver wire off her head and pulled her in for a heated kiss.

“Come on, Lilenta. Let’s take this someplace more comfortable,” he murmured, scooping her up in his arms.

“Maybe the bathing pool?” Liv suggested. “I’m, uh, kind of sticky. In fact, I think we both are.”

“You have to get dirty before you can get clean. And we’re going to get a whole lot dirtier before we’re done.” Baird kissed her again as he carried her into the bathing room. “Gods, I love you. So damn glad you’re finally mine.”

Liv felt a warm rush of desire as she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back. “I love you too,” she murmured. “Let me show you how much.”

“You can show me all night,” he promised her. “And I’ll show you right back.”

It sounded like a great way to pass the time to Liv. As she sighed and snuggled in his warm, strong embrace she was glad she’d finally found her way to him. It had been a long and winding road but at last she was where she belonged—in Baird’s arms—and she never wanted to leave.





Chapter Twenty-three



“So the Council absolved you of all wrong doing?” Sylvan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“They were very understanding.” Baird smiled at his brother and clapped him on the back. They were at their favorite bar, the same one they’d met at over a month ago to discuss how badly things were going with his new bride. Everything was completely different now but he felt he’d been neglecting Sylvan for the past few days and he wanted to catch up.