Consumed (2 page)

Keegan turned to watch Rourk with a small smile. Beyond the counter that separated living room from kitchen, he was bustling around as if he had been doing it forever. He was putting her mother’s groceries away. Keegan sighed. “I guess I am a little happy. He’s perfect isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is your perfect match.” Her mother nodded, and a big grin broke across her face. “This is so exciting. We need to start making plans.”

Startled, Keegan asked, “Plans for what?”

“Your wedding, of course. There is so much to do. I haven’t given it any thought since you lost the bond. Do you want the hand fasting to take place on the property or somewhere else? Ohh…we could have the wedding in Ireland. Keegan, we are going to have so much fun shopping for a dress.” Her mother’s enthusiasm was infectious, but the whole idea was crazy.

“My wedding? I barely know him. I just started college. There is no way I am getting married right now.” Planting her hand on her hip, she glared at her mother.

Emerald rolled her eyes. “Keegan, you know that is the elfin tradition. You meet your mate at eighteen and you get married. Tradition is the foundation of our society. I married your father a month after we met. It’s the way it is. This is not news to you, so stop overreacting.”

Shaking her head vehemently, Keegan stood firm. “You can forget it. It’s not happening. At least not until I finish college. I’m sure Rourk will understand.”

“Understand what?” Rourk appeared at Keegan’s side and looked back and forth between the two women, his brow furrowed.

Turning her glare from her mother to her chosen, Keegan said, “My mom wants to start planning our wedding. I told her I’m not getting married until I graduate college.”

Rourk grinned, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You are so cute when you are angry.”

“Are you ok with waiting?” Keegan asked, exasperated.

“I think this is something we can talk about later. I don’t see the need to rush into anything.” Rourk put his arm around Keegan and looked down at her with a big smile. “I’m just happy our bond has been returned.”

Keegan shot her mother a satisfied look and said, “I told you so.”

Her mother rolled her eyes and headed for the kitchen. “Well, we’ll see what your father says about this.”

Keegan smiled at Rourk after her mother was gone. “Thank you, for understanding. We have our whole lives ahead of us. I don’t think we need to rush into getting married.”

Rourk reached over and touched the side of her face, his eyes searching. “Whatever you want is fine with me. As far as I am concerned, we are bonded and that is enough.”

“Are you sure?” Keegan touched the side of his arm and electricity shot through her. She jumped. “Did you feel that?”

Rourk laughed. “Yes, Keegan, it always feels like that when we touch.”

She grinned. “That is pretty cool. I still don’t recall our time before the bond broke. I wish I did.”

He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a brief but tight hug. “We will start fresh today. So how is school going? I have no idea what you have been doing this last year. It was torture for me not to be able to see you through my mind’s eye.”

“Can you see me now?”

Rourk closed his eyes and thought of Keegan. She materialized as clear as if he was looking at her in front of him. He opened his eyes and grinned. “I can see you again. Every night I would close my eyes and think of you and all I could see was darkness.”

“I’m sorry.” Keegan stared down at her hands.

“It’s not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry about. Tell me about school.”

Shrugging, Keegan sighed. “It’s ok. It’s actually a lot harder than I expected. I’ve always been used to not having to study. Now I actually have to pay attention and take notes. I’ve made a couple of friends. Really the only thing I enjoy is volunteering at the wildlife station, and taking photos. It’s so beautiful there. You have to come see it.”

“I would love to come see you. I get weekends off most of the time now that we are in the advanced training. They don’t treat us like children any longer.”

“What about you? How’s your training going? My father told me you were making quite the impression.” Keegan tugged him to the couch and pulled him down beside her.

“It’s going well. I’m going to be stationed in Washington. It was the closest I could get to Alaska.”

Keegan’s hand covered her mouth. She stared at him wide-eyed. “You were trying to get stationed closer to me? Even though our bond was gone?”

“The bond was gone for you,” he said quietly, gently squeezing her hands between his. “For me it was as strong as ever. I’ve always wanted to be close to you.”

“Why did you leave then? You could have tried harder.” She couldn’t help the tiny bit of irritation in her voice.

“Keegan, leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. I left because it wasn’t fair for me to stay here. You were too young and besides I saw you with the shapeshifter in the woods.” Rourk clenched his jaw.

Keegan froze, her heart pounding. “You saw us? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was too hurt. I had to get away before I did something stupid. I knew you weren’t doing anything wrong. You had not yet turned eighteen. You were
supposed
to be dating until you met me. Things just got messed up with the black magic.” Rourk paused briefly. “Hell, I couldn’t even blame the shapeshifter. Why wouldn’t he be attracted to you?”

“I’m glad you came back for me.” Keegan reached over with both hands and pulled his head towards hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips against his. The electricity raced through her body.

Rourk pulled away and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”

Keegan sighed and snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. “I love you too. I don’t think I can ever recall feeling this content.”

The front door opened and her father appeared. A huge grin spread across his face as he caught sight of his daughter. Closing the door firmly, he said, “I see you got quite the birthday present Keegan.”

Keegan laughed. “I guess you could say that.”

Rourk stood up and shook Richard’s hand. They didn’t have to say anything, they just exchanged knowing grins.

Emerald came out from the kitchen grinning like a fool. “Isn’t this great? I knew it would all work out. Although, your daughter is refusing to get married. She wants to wait until after she graduates college.”

Richard shook his head. “Why is it every time Keegan does or says something you don’t agree with she is my daughter?” He winked at his wife. “Let’s worry about this another day and just enjoy having Rourk back into our family. What’s for dinner? I’m starving.”

Keegan interrupted whatever her mother was going to say by jumping up and thrusting her hand out for them to see. The ruby was hard to miss with the lights reflecting off it. “I almost forgot to show you my ring.” Keegan looked down at her hand, smiling. “I used to dream of this exact ring when I was younger.”

“Yes, I recall all the times you asked me what would happen if your chosen didn’t give you a ruby ring.” Emerald chuckled. “It’s beautiful. I love the antique setting and how the ruby is set flush.” Emerald glanced over at Rourk. “How long has this been in your family?

Rourk shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know the exact timeframe. My mother passed away when I was too young to understand all of this. I just know it has been many generations.”

“Fate is a wonderful thing.” Emerald looked over at her husband and they shared a smile.

“Keegan, can’t we talk you into a wedding? We’re long overdue for a party, and I’m sure the men would love to see Rourk.” Her father rubbed his beard, looking at her from thoughtful, hazel eyes.

Keegan shot him a dirty look, then sighed. “Dad, forget it. It’s not happening. You’ll get your wedding. Just not right away.”

Richard looked at Emerald and shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t try.”

Rourk put his arm around Keegan. “Richard, how is the camp? Have you still been working closely with Creed?”

“Things are going as well as can be expected. Creed has turned out to be a great ally. We’re making progress, but as you know it’s often one step forward and two back. I don’t think we’ll be out of a job anytime soon.”

Rourk nodded in agreement. “I’m looking forward to getting back to the Army of the Light. I have to admit I have been enjoying the training, and working with the humans. I can understand why it is tradition for elves to join the human army. It’s a great experience.”

“We look forward to having you back. Did you sign up for four or six years?”

“Just four. I figured Keegan would be done with college and ready to move back by then. If not, we’ll figure something out.”

Keegan shivered, leaning into Rourk’s side. “I think I’ll be ready. Alaska is already freezing and it’s only September.”

Thaddeus came down the stairs, his heavy footsteps pounding the hardwood. “Rourk, how long are you going to be here?”

Keegan’s heart dropped. She hadn’t thought he would be leaving soon. They would be separated again. She clung tighter to his waist, peering up at him with her eyes wide.

“I only have a couple of days off. I have to be back by Monday,” Rourk told Thaddeus, glancing down at Keegan apologetically.

Keegan pouted, pulling away from his arms. “That’s so soon. I have to back to school on Monday, too. I can’t believe we just found each other again and we’re already going to be separated.”

“You might as well get used to it, Keegan. Rourk is a warrior. He will often be gone,” Emerald said matter-of-factly, leaning on the kitchen counter.

“It still doesn’t make me happy.” Keegan crossed her arms and kicked the floor, her lower lip jutting out even more.

Thaddeus shook his head at Rourk. “I feel bad for you.”

They all laughed before going their separate ways to wait on dinner. Her mother ended up making steak for fajitas.

When dinner was ready, they gathered around the table and chatted. Keegan reached for her second tortilla, and said, “This is good mom. Have you been working on your cooking skills?”

“Keegan, you should know better than to ask that. It’s a frozen mix I just had to throw it in the pan and let heat up. Just because elves can’t use modern technology in battle doesn’t mean we can’t use it in the kitchen. Speaking of cooking, I’m surprised you haven’t wasted away on your own. Have you been cooking or eating out every meal?”

“A little of both. I’ve found I actually enjoy cooking but it just kinda sucks cooking for myself.”

“You can cook for me next weekend.” Rourk grinned at her across the table.

“Really? You will come see me next weekend?” Keegan’s face flushed with excitement.

“I will come to see you every chance I get.”

Richard pointed his fork and spoke through a mouthful of food. “Don’t forget to sign up for frequent flyer programs. You’ll have free tickets before you know it.”

Emerald rolled her eyes at her husband. “He is obsessed with frequent flyer programs.”

Thaddeus took a bite, then asked Rourk, “How’s Tommy?”

Rourk grinned. “Tommy is doing great. It’s like he’s a new man.”

“Who’s Tommy?” Keegan asked.

“A friend I made during training. He’s also going to be stationed in Washington. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“There is so much I don’t know about you. For some reason I never pictured you having friends. You sort of come across as a loner.” Keegan grabbed her glass and took a sip.

Thaddeus laughed. “I think Tommy is Rourk’s first friend.”

Keegan frowned, looking intently at her boyfriend. “Is that true?”

“I guess he is. I never really thought about it.”

After they finished dinner, Rourk asked, “Would you like to go for a walk?”

She smiled. “Of course!”

Grabbing her phone on the way out the door, she saw she had several texts from her friends asking what had happened after they left.

She slid the phone in her pocket; she would fill them in later.

Chapter 3

K
eegan grabbed a sweater before they left the house. She looked at Rourk while she slipped her arms into the green wool. “I get cold easily since I came back from the dead.”

“Well, you picked the wrong place to move. You must be freezing in Alaska.” Rourk laced his fingers through hers, leading her down the path.

Keegan laughed. “Yeah, it wasn’t a very well thought-out plan. I just always wanted to go to Alaska. Their marine biology program is one of the best.” She ran her fingers over his hand and giggled. “That is the weirdest thing. I can feel the vibrations from your skin.”

He stopped, pulling her near. His hands spanned across her back as he smiled down at her. “I’ve missed hearing your laugh. Hell, I’ve missed everything about you.”

“Well, looks like you are stuck with me now.” Keegan wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head against his chest.

“You have always been the only one for me, Keegan.” Rourk turned and lightly ran his thumb across her bottom lip before he leaned down to kiss her—softly at first and then with more urgency. He eventually pulled away, his grey eyes searching hers. “I can’t lose you again.”