Bound by Blood (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  He stroked her cheek. “Och, Sam, I don’t deserve you.”

  “Kade?” his mother’s voice floated through the door. “May I come in?”

  “No,” Sam squeaked. “I’m naked.”

  “I wasn’t going to let her in, love.” He smiled gently. “Mum, you’re going to need to wait a bit.”

  “You need to check for something,” she called through the door.

  “What?”

  “The birthmark below your right buttock, has it appeared on Samantha’s body?”

  Kade frowned. “Where should I look?”

  “Why is your mother talking about your butt?” Sam rasped.

  “She did give birth to me,” Kade whispered.

  “It will more than likely mirror yours, so check her left side,” his mother said.

  “I’m going to shift you, love, okay?”

  Sam nodded.

  “Don’t let go of my hand,” he directed and lifted her hip. “Aye, mum, it’s the direct opposite of mine, but it’s faint.”

  “All right. It will darken and then turn blood red. When that happens, be prepared. Samantha is going to be in excruciating pain and some physical changes are going to happen that may be frightening to her.”

  “What’s going to happen?” Sam rasped and gripped his hand. “Kade, don’t leave me.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, love. I promise.”

  “I have the ice sheets in here, Kade,” his mother said. “Sam is going to need to be out of that tub before the next phase.”

  Kade let out a frustrated breath. He glanced at Sam and his heart broke. She stared at him with a mixture of fear and trust. He shut off the water and reached for the towel closest to him. “I’m going to lift you out of here, Sam. I need you to keep contact with me. Slide your hand up to my neck.” She shook her head. “I know it’s hard, love. Just try.”

  She did as he asked, but her weakness alarmed him as she slid a shaky hand to his neck. He wrapped the towel around her, ignoring her protests, and carried her from the bathroom into the bedroom. Either his mother or one of the maids had brought the king-sized ice sheets and prepared his bed.

  “Lay her here, Kade.” His mother pointed to the bed.

  Kade nodded and settled Sam in the middle of the mattress. She sighed as her body connected with the cold.

  “You’ll need to remove the towel so that the top sheet cools her,” his mother instructed.

  Kade nodded, grateful his mother turned her back for the sake of Sam’s dignity. He pulled the towel away and slid the top ice sheet over Sam.

  She sighed again and smiled. “This is heavenly.”

  He gave her a wary smile. “I’d have to agree.”

  “I feel like…like when you’re freezing and you take a really hot bath, only in reverse.” Sam turned her head toward him. “Now, if I could just stay awake enough to enjoy it.”

  “Don’t fight it. Sleep, sweetheart.” Kade sat next to her and stroked her cheek. “Mum’s here and we’re going to do a little research, okay?”

  Sam nodded. Kade joined his mother at the fireplace.

  * * *

  His mother handed Kade the large antique book and he started reading. A sigh from Sam brought him back to his surroundings.

  “You need to check her mark, Kade,” his mother said.

  Glancing at the clock on the mantel, he realized he’d been reading for almost two hours. He handed the book back to his mother and made his way to the bed. Sam still slept, her face looking much more relaxed, easing his worry immensely. He pulled the sheet back and lifted her hip gently. “It’s dark brown,” he whispered.

  His mother nodded. “Good. She’s strong, Kade. It usually happens much faster than this.”

  “What do I do now?” he asked.

  “We have to wait, love. The staff has the tea and other herbal remedies ready. They will help ease the discomfort, and we have plenty of ice sheets. You should try to get some sleep. This is a long process, and you’ll need all your strength.”

  Kade touched Sam’s hair gently. “I can’t sleep, Mum.”

  He sat in the chair next to the bed and took Sam’s hand. The clock moved painstakingly slowly, but he still wasn’t ready for the next phase that occurred almost an hour later.

  Sam whimpered and her eyes flew open, horror covering her face. Her scream was like a dagger to Kade’s heart, and his body froze.

  “Check her mark, Kade,” his mother said. She had to repeat herself.

  Kade went into motion. “It’s red.”

  “I’ll get the staff.” Alice rose to her feet, setting the book on the chair. “Don’t panic. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but you need to not panic. She won’t die, even if it looks like she might.”

  “Aye,” Kade said.

  Sam screamed again, then her body began to thrash violently. He understood now why his mother said she needed to be out of the tub. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and waited for her to calm, but it took several minutes.

  “I’m going to be sick.”

  He grabbed a bowl and held it under her chin. Once her retching calmed, he laid a cool cloth over her forehead.

  “Help me, please.” Her eyes searched for him.

  Kade laid his palm on hers. “I’m going to do everything I can, love. I’m here. Shhh.”

  “It hurts, baby.”

  “Are you still hot?”

  “No. Just pain.” Sam shifted and squeezed his hand. “My skin feels too tight. And I feel like I’m being crushed. Tell me what’s happening. Please.”

  Kade moved the sheet aside and bit back a curse as he studied her stomach. Her skin was red again. The book said that once the mark turned red, the human would experience horrific pain. “You’re changing, becoming Cauld Ane.”

  “Kade Úlfur Gunnach,” she ground out. “Tell me something I haven’t already figured out.”

  Kade covered her again. “I don’t know much more. I haven’t read the entire book.”

  “Can you please find me someone who does know? Preferably a female?”

  “My mother will be back shortly.” A knock sounded and Kade pulled the sheet back up to cover her. “Come in.”

  Fiona peeked inside.

  “Fi? What are you doing here?”

  “Con called. I’m here to help,” she said, and stepped inside. “Everyone’s downstairs, and I’ve been speaking with a few of the elders about the change.”

  “Fiona,” Sam rasped. “Do you know what’s happening?”

  “In layman’s terms, yes.” She made her way to the bed. “The best analogy is that your body’s acting a bit like a self-cleaning oven. It’s burning up the human parts of your body that don’t work with the Cauld Ane parts. It’s really clinical and complicated. I’m sorry I don’t have the correct medical terminology.”

  Sam groaned and fisted her hands in the sheets. “No, that’s perfect.”

  “Fi, I’ll come down when this is done,” Kade said.

  “No problem. Call us if you need us.”

  Fiona left the room and Sam screamed again. Kade held her wrist again, but this time he wasn’t able to calm her. His mother arrived with two of the housemaids. Bearnas and Iona were mother and daughter and had been with his family since their arrival from Iceland. The women had been caught in the middle of a bloody clan war at the time and both of their husbands had been killed. Kade’s father offered them refuge and they’d stayed with the family, assisting with their acclimation to the Highlands.

  “As soon as she calms we’ll give her the herbs,” Bearnas said.

  “How long will that take?” Kade asked.

  “Your mother says she’s strong, my lord,” Iona said. “It won’t take long.”

  Kade sat on the edge of the bed and held Sam’s hand.

  Several hours later, Sam’s fever broke and her skin returned to normal, although he noticed it was softer and younger looking than before. Her steady breathing was a relief, and Bearnas declared she was over the wors
t. “Let’s sit her up so she can take some tea. It will boost her strength.”

  Kade stroked Sam’s cheek. “Sweetheart, I need to sit you up. You need to drink some tea.” She nodded, but kept her eyes closed. Kade lifted her and settled her against the pillows, making sure the sheet still covered her chest. “Can you open your eyes, love?”

  She shook her head.

  “I’m going to put the cup to your lips. I want you to drink, okay?”

  She nodded. Kade fed her the tea, grateful that she drank almost the entire cup.

  “My lord, we need to change the sheets,” Iona said. “She’s past the change now. She’ll be very tired for the next day or two, but she’s going to be fine.”

  Kade nodded and wrapped a robe around Sam before lifting her from the bed and settling her on his lap in one of the large chairs by the fireplace. He kissed her neck, breathing in her familiar vanilla scent. She sighed and snuggled closer to him. Once the bed was changed, the women left him and his mother reached to take the book with her.

  He laid his hand on hers. “No, Mum. That stays with me.”

  She frowned, but nodded and then left as well. Kade took Sam back to bed and climbed in beside her. He hadn’t realized how exhausted he was until he had her safely in his arms again. He pulled her close and closed his eyes.

  * * *

  Samantha woke to the sound of quiet crying. She forced her eyes open, still heavy with exhaustion, although the pain of the night before was gone. Kade wasn’t in their bed, and at some point, someone had dressed her in a light nightgown.

  She turned her head to the sound of sadness and frowned. Fiona sat in the chair in the corner with a handkerchief pressed to her nose.

  “Fiona?”

  “Oh, Sam. Did I wake you? I’m so sorry,” she said as she stood and made her way to the bed.

  “What’s wrong? Where’s Kade? Is he okay?” Sam’s heart started to race.

  Sweetheart? Are you all right? he asked.

  “Kade’s fine.” Fiona rushed to assure her. “Sorry if I scared you. He’s meeting with my brothers and the Council. Are you all right?”

  I’m fine, honey, Sam thought. She took a deep breath. “A little tired, but feeling much better.”

  “Can I get you anything?” Fiona asked.

  “No. I’m fine. How long have I been asleep?”

  Fiona checked her watch. “About twenty-six hours.”

  “Really?”

  “Aye.”

  Sam stretched and then patted the mattress. “Tell me why you’re so upset.”

  Fiona sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. “It’s nothing. Really. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “Fiona,” Sam admonished. “Tell me.”

  “I’ll not burden you with my insignificant disappointments when you went through all of that pain for me.”

  “Aw, honey, who told you your disappointments were insignificant?”

  Fiona shook her head and pressed her lips into a thin line.

  Sam laid her hand over Fiona’s. “Let’s forget for the moment that I’m your chieftain’s mate.”

  “You mean, my queen?”

  “Yeah, that too.” She smiled. “He’s also your big brother, and I’m pretty sure he can be a pain in the butt, right? Mine sure as heck can. I’m sure Kade gave you a myriad of well-intentioned instructions on everything you’re not supposed to say or do, just in case you might upset me, but I’m a big girl and you and I have a relationship outside of your brother that’s quite frankly none of his business.”

  Fiona let out a quiet gasp and then giggled.

  Sam smiled. “Tell me.”

  “I’m not a Gunnach.”

  “Oh, Fi. Of course you are.”

  “Not technically. I’m the result of my mother’s infidelity.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “My father hated me. I never understood why. Now I do. I always thought it was because I was a girl. But it’s because I wasn’t legitimate. I thought my life was…I don’t know…set, I guess.”

  “It’s hard to change tack when you think your life’s going one way but it’s really going another. It doesn’t always mean the change is a bad thing. And if you look at the situation for what it is, nothing’s really changing. Your family’s still your family and Angus is still your mate.”

  Fiona stood and paced the floor. “But I’m not the woman he thought he was getting.”

  Sam frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You wouldn’t understand, Sam. You’re American.”

  “Try me,” she ground out, her irritation with Fiona’s condescension rising.

  You’re supposed to be resting, Kade reprimanded.

  I’m fine, honey. Go back to your meeting.

  “Kade is king and my brothers are nobility. I always believed I was as well, but with my mother’s confession, I’m now not only half-human, I’m also a nobody. Angus was to bind Lady Fiona Gunnach, but now he’s stuck with the bastard daughter of Einar Jónsson.”

  Sam pushed herself to a more upright position and stifled a snort. “Fiona, Angus loves you, and you’re still Lady Fiona Gunnach. Nothing has changed.”

  Samantha, love, you need to sleep.

  I will when I’m tired, Kade. I’m fine. Just go back to your meeting.

  “I’ve changed. Everything my mother told me is a lie. How can I trust that everything else isn’t as well?” Fiona’s cell phone pealed and she made her way to her phone. “Just a second, Sam.” Fiona answered the call. “Hi. Fyrirgefðu. (I’m sorry).” She sighed. “Yes. Yes. I’ll tell her. Okay. ’Bye.” She hung up and dropped her phone on the chair. “You’re supposed to rest.”

  Sam rolled her eyes. “He’s not the boss of me.”

  Fiona chuckled. “Well, he’s the boss of me, so I should probably quit whining.”

  Sam smiled. “We can talk whenever you need to. But keep in mind that unless I have this all wrong, we only have one mate and we mate for life, right?”

  Fiona nodded.

  “Well, then it wouldn’t matter if you were Fiona, the Queen of England, or Fiona the janitor, Angus would still be your mate, right?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but—”

  Sam held up her hand. “No buts. He loves you. Don’t start putting words in his mouth about what he might be thinking or feeling. I’m pretty sure you’d be wrong.”

  Sam’s door flew open, causing her to jump.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  KADE FILLED THE doorway and Sam rolled her eyes at the dramatics.

  “Leave us,” Kade snapped at his sister.

  Fiona kissed Sam’s cheek. “Sorry.”

  “Think about what I said, okay?”

  Fiona nodded and then headed toward the door.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” Kade threatened.

  “Já, herra minn,” Fiona said, and left the room.

  Kade closed and locked the door before making his way to the bed. He slipped off his shoes, stretched out beside Sam, and pulled her into his arms. “You’re supposed to be asleep.”

  “And you’re supposed to be in a meeting,” she said, and snuggled against him.

  “We’re finished.”

  “Really finished, or you called it to a close early because I wasn’t doing what you wanted me to do?”

  Kade lifted her chin and gave her a quick kiss. “Finished is finished.”

  “Hmm-mm. Fiona said you were meeting with your brothers and the Council. What does that mean? Who’s on the Council?”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Nothing you need to worry about, love. Right now, I need you to worry about resting.”

  “Is that code for I’m on a need-to-know basis and I don’t need to know?”

  Kade chuckled. “No, it’s code for you need to sleep.”

  Sam tried to stifle a yawn, but she failed. “Okay, maybe I’m a little tired.”

  “I know, love.”

  His cell phone rang and he stared at the screen. “It’s yer mum, love.” />
  “Why’s she calling you?”

  “Mrs. Moore?” he said without answering Sam’s question. “I’m sorry about that. Sam’s had a bit of tummy bug, so I turned off her phone so she could rest. She’s right here, would you like to speak to her?”

  He handed Sam the phone.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “I have been worried sick! What’s going on with you?” she asked.

  “I think it might have been something I ate. Not sure.”

  “Oh, honey, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just really tired. Sorry about my phone.” Sam scowled at her mate. “I’m sure Kade was just trying to help, but I’ll turn it on right now so you can get me if you need to.”

  “I’m just glad you’re okay…I began to imagine all sorts of horrible things.”

  Sam grimaced. “Sorry.”

  “How did everything go?”

  “Y’all held the secret very well,” Sam said. “I was sufficiently surprised.”

  “Did you say yes?”

  Sam giggled. “Absolutely.”

  “Good. I won’t keep you. Get some rest.”

  “I will, Mom. Love you.” She hung up and settled herself back in Kade’s embrace. “No more phone tampering.”

  He set his phone back on the side table. “No promises.”

  “Brat.” She closed her eyes and kissed his chest. “Don’t be hard on your sister, okay? Her world’s been turned upside down.”

  He sighed. “I know.”

  “Promise me you’ll give her heaps of grace.”

  “Heaps?” he asked. “Do I have to promise heaps?”

  Sam giggled, her eyes growing heavier by the second. “Heaps,” she mumbled.

  * * *

  The room was dark the next time Sam opened her eyes. She felt for Kade, but he wasn’t in their bed. She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

  This is becoming a habit, honey. Where are you?

  “I’m here, love,” he said from the chair by the fireplace. He rose to his feet and made his way to the bed.

  She sat up and sighed. “I don’t like waking without you.”

  He sat on the edge of the mattress. “I’m sorry. How do you feel?”

  “Better. I’m a little groggy and my muscles feel like I’ve run a marathon, but otherwise I’m good.” She dropped her head onto his shoulder. “Are you okay?”