Changeling Winds: Episode Two (The Bachelor Battles Book 2) (26 page)

“We’re heading out in the morning. Should I stay close to him?”

I heard Candice snort.

“She won’t let him travel through here alone. Free or not, he still has a protector. I’m betting she’ll return at dawn with the guard crew. Bachelors aren’t the only ones who get attached.”

They moved toward another area of the cave as the meal finished, and I realized she’d said it to make me feel better. Had it?

Maybe
, I admitted. Knowing I might see Angelica as soon as morning had me reconsidering my plans. Could I change what I’d always wanted, if it meant I got to stay with her? I hadn’t expected being away from Angel to bother me. We’d only had a short time together, but there was no denying that I was now feeling empty on the inside.

I watched the other males flinch from the storm that was full on us now, following Daniel further inside the tunnel, but I didn’t share their worries from the whipping wind. I had a small lea where I was sitting, and Rankin was still my only terror in the darkness.

I’d come out here to be away from the sound of Angelica’s name on everyone’s lips, to get myself together. Many of the rebel males were interested in my former owner. If she wanted one of them, willing wasn’t a problem, and after spending time with her cousin Candice, I understood.

She was so kind to Daniel, so loving! They were a reminder of my parents, of that happy family I wanted returned. It had hit me hard, watching them, that even if I never had a child, at least I would have that caring bond with Angelica. We’d been in enough uneasy situations for me to know she wouldn’t ever force me, wouldn’t take what I offered and use it against me. She would become my obsession, like Candice was for Daniel.

Those two hadn’t been more than fifty feet apart the whole time I’d been here and it was both encouraging and awful. I wanted that life, but I’d also spent years dreaming of what I needed from freedom. Having a family mattered to me. I had to hug my own sons, feel that connection, that sense of love that no anger could break…

But now, I also wanted Angelica.

Chapter Sixteen

Jason

The sound of the returning crew was one I couldn’t ignore, and I followed a small group of males out to the wide tunnel just inside the main entrance. The sounds were good - boasting - and I scowled over the relief I felt. I’d been terribly worried for her safety - a
Changeling
!

The incoming Runners were also coated in thick desert dust, heavy layers that fell to the floor as they shook themselves off. I hung back as they moved into the morning-brightened cave, seeing Sam in the lead. Where was
my
Changeling?

Angelica came through last… found me first. Her expression immediately lightened, saying she’d been worried for me as well. It was so odd that we would feel this way already, and I gave her an uneasy smile.

She seemed to sense my reluctance, because her expression grew shuttered. I wasn’t surprised when she turned away, but the need to recapture her gaze was unexpected.

Why was I so drawn to her? No other females had that effect on me - not even Candice and she was incredible to see as she helped the rebels. They’d finally distracted me with that last night and I’d snoozed in the corner afterwards, refusing a bed. Outside, the storm was almost gone now, but the dust coated everything. It was in our hair and shoes, and even on the tables. It would take a lot of sweeping, but I could already see places where it appeared someone had tried to conquer the dust and given up. Once the wind finished settling down, it might even be possible.

I ignored the successful gloating of the louder females, instead straining to hear what words were being exchanged between Candice and Sam. I made out a few parts - no signs of Rankin, two-day wait on the storm, not leaving in the morning - but the noise grew as more males came into the tunnel from workouts and chores. I had to settle for staring hard and trying to read their lips.

 
“She likes you…”

Angelica had come up behind me, gravelly voice in my ear.

“If that’s what you want, Sam would take a service…”

“I don’t.” I flushed at my own quick denial of her coming offer to make the arrangements, but didn’t censor my words. “She’s not you.”

Angelica flashed pink orbs, and quickly pulled it back in.

“There might be females at the Safe Zone - ones who would give you children.”

Telling me she knew what stood between us. Instead of another protest, I turned back toward the large group of rebels now heading for the dining hall. As they moved by, their attention was on us…
Angelica.

I felt that jealousy again and didn’t like it. “Have you chosen one of them?”

I knew she frowned by the sudden rush of hard bodies moving away from where we were standing.

“No.”

“I’ll still help with that… if you want.”

I wasn’t sure I could stand much of it, but the thought of her being alone with them didn’t sit well, either. Why? Because I wanted her, was the obvious answer, but I wasn’t sure in what way. She refused to take a service or have children, while I didn’t want to be owned, and longed for my family returned. What did that leave?

“It’ll have to wait until we reach the Zone,” she finally answered.

“We could do it on the way. Narrow it down a little by your list.”

That sent her mind to the questions, to our moments on the train. I knew because it did mine too, and I felt the heat already coming from her body, increase.

“You don’t have to. I’ll…”

Sounding tortured, she spun away from me and I reacted without thinking. I grabbed her arm and jerked her around.

“You’ll what?” I demanded, not caring that males were rushing for help, sure I was about to be hurt in retaliation. I knew better.

Angelica didn’t move away from me, but she didn’t lean into my arms either.

“I’ll pick one later!” she ground out through clenched teeth.

I shifted my balance so that we were flush, and felt her breathing grow rough. Need flashed out, sharp and hot enough to burn me.
Damn.
Now, I wanted to kiss her again.

“Am I still… Are we…” I drew in enough air to allow a full sentence. “Can I stay with you, until we get there?”

For an instant, I thought I’d gone too far. Angelica’s eyes faded to deep, full red and the muscles against me swelled, vibrated with tension. Prepared to accept what I’d drawn, I waited as calmly as I could, determined to get what I needed - time alone with her.

After a few seconds, Angelica closed her lids and I felt that dangerous heat recede.

“Yes.”

I’d expected the opposite answer and I reacted instantly. I blasted her with my emotional voice. “Good! I don’t feel like myself when you’re gone. I don’t want to eat or sleep, and I…I’m sure it’s because I missed being close to you!”

A harsh shudder went through Angelica and she turned us, moving our bodies into the darkest shadows of the corner.

“I’m sorry!”

Her tone was guilty,
greedy
. Her mouth slanted over
mine,
searing me with the heat I’d missed. Need, hot and heavy, settled into my legs and began moving upward.

My tongue slid along hers, and my pulse increased, the blood rushing. No, Sam wouldn’t be able to make me feel this way, and neither would Candice.
This
was the Pruett I wanted.

I jerked Angelica closer, throbbing against her when she moaned lowly against my lips. I liked the sound of that - a lot.

Angelica came back to herself all at once, ending our kiss. She took a single step back, eyes flickering dangerously.

“What game are you playing?”

I honestly wasn’t sure. I just couldn’t seem to leave her alone. I dropped my head.

“Tell me what you want.”

“To be…” I hesitated. I’d already seen that Daniel was free to do as he pleased, even though he was owned. Was that enough for me?
At least for now?

“You don’t know!”

Her lowly-growled discovery had my cheeks turning redder.

Angelica moved back another step. “I don’t want a…”

“I haven’t offered one,” I countered quickly.

Angelica nodded tightly. “Until we reach the Safe Zone, I’ll keep you close. After that, you need to make a final choice.”

“Between you and freedom?”

Angelica gave me a sad look. “Only you can answer that, Jason.”

She turned toward the hall, where Baker was lingering, listening.

“But, I need you willing, and there’s little I won’t give in return.”

Did that mean she was weakening on her stance against kids? Could I treat her that way, knowing I’d worn her down, made her go against her ideals?

Angelica stepped past Baker with a shake of her head, meaning he wasn’t supposed to comfort me or explain. I was glad when he disobeyed her and moved my way.

“If you plan on staying with her, then make it clear to the other males. Right now, she’s considered fair game.”

He stepped around me to get to the main door, and I realized he hadn’t gone against Angelica at all, but he had managed to rile me. Had he known it would or did the rebel leader really want me to give the other males my approval?

My head turned to the dining area, where Angelica was now being handed a plate and cup by Greg. He was glowing with admiration as he spoke to her, not afraid of her reaction to his voice… or the touch of his scarred hand along her wrist as he gave her the items.

Something inside me twisted angrily.
That was my liberty to be taken!

I started to move their way, but realized Baker had stopped in the main entrance. His silver gaze read it all, had me tensing for his scold.

“Do you know how to make a Changeling snap?”

I nodded, flushing as I waited for him to tell me I should try it with Angelica.

Instead, his gaze went to the line, where there were now no less than five rebel males in very close proximity to Angelica. Not one of them was hesitating to hit her with their scents or sounds.

“So do
they
.”

Baker ducked outside and I tried to remember how to breathe through the anger.

The males knew she wasn’t satisfied. The pink orbs that I could see from here proved it to them. I saw Angelica’s hand tremble as Greg leaned in to say something low, felt the waves of need flow out to find me.

Our eyes locked over their shoulders, sparking. In that moment, I knew what she was thinking. Could one of them erase the attraction she felt for me? Would one of these willing males ease her pain just as well?

My feet were moving before I could growl in protest. I followed Baker outside.

Angelica

He was a fire in my blood.

I listened to the rebel males chattering, hearing their unspoken offers as well, but all I wanted was my ward. There was no denying that the lust could be slaked with one of these eager-to-please men, but it was Jason’s fire I craved.

When he turned away, my need flattened back into a disinterested throb and I knew the moment for what it was.
The end of me.

Remission
.

What an impossible dream that had been! There was no magic cure, Sam was right about that. The only relief to be had was the blood… or service.
That
, Jason would give willingly.

Heat flared again, and the two closest males smiled eagerly. I felt their open offers coming, wanted to stop them, but my mind was too full, already spinning in the new direction I’d just allowed. If I agreed to let him service me, I could keep him...

“Can we offer you anything?”

“Many here would be honored to provide a service.”

Those words, from these two, meant little more than the constant agony of their bell-like voices. I shook my head. “No, thank you. Have you asked my sister?”

Distracted, they turned toward the corner where Sam and her loud, crude Runners were enjoying the meal. Freshly roasted deer and rabbit, and ears of tall corn graced the table, along with an assortment of baked goods that I recognized from Stone Mt. I assumed they’d traded for the corn, but I could tell from the proud smiles that the meat had been hunted.

As I recognized the color of the husks on the corn, I realized someone among the rebels had been trading with the lepers for their carefully tended crops. It was a large risk to take, but after seeing the way the colony was careful about their food handling, I didn’t protest. For now, it was needed. When we hit the Safe Zone, I would insist on our own garden to eliminate the possible contamination of our males.

Our males.
I went back to my horrible, dangerously-tempting thoughts.

Candice and Baker had been happy during their time together… and I would have Jason as much as he would allow. Could I settle for that? Wouldn’t it be easier to just head for the worst part of the Borderlands and spill blood until I couldn’t taste him on my lips anymore?

I moved away from the group of rebel males while they were still considering my words, faces full of worry. I set the plate and cup down on the way out of the room. I didn’t want food or drink. I wanted Jason.

I would never be free of this pain, but for some of my dark, agony-filled nights, he would be mine… and I thought it might be enough to ease this new, empty ache that nothing cured. I’d thought the pain of the Change was the worst I would ever know, but to have such a determined desire for someone who had so little for
me,
was a level of hell I’d never imagined.

I turned as the main door opened, and instinctively ducked out of sight when Baker and Jason stepped in. Their voices were low, but my Changeling ears didn’t miss a word.

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve seen it.”

“But it’s a legend…”

“It’s fact and right here.”

Jason was surprised. “You mean Candice and Daniel.”

Baker didn’t react to my cousin’s name. It told me she’d been right when she implied the rebel leader wasn’t as attached to her as he’d seemed.

“Yes.
In love, without burning out or up.
What would you call that?”