Bound by Thorns (The Dragon Soul Series)

by Sean Michael

  “I know you want to. This place would depress the happiest person in the world.”

  “Are you suggesting this isn’t the Magic Kingdom?”

  “Sure it is. If the Magic Kingdom got eaten by the hotel from Psycho.”

  Greyson began to laugh, the sound wild, brightening Greyson’s entire expression. Luke found himself unable to look away. He shook himself. The urge to grab Greyson and drag him out of there by his hair surged through him. He was ready to stop visiting this little cabin and have Greyson tucked away in the guest bedroom. That would be less disruptive to his routine. It wasn’t like they’d have to interact much or anything.

  “So, have you got anything to bring or should we go?”

  “I have my clothes. That’s all.”

  He found Greyson’s so-called winter coat and handed it over, then grabbed the duffel bag from the corner near where Greyson’s crutches were. He grabbed those, too. “This everything?”

  “Yeah.”

  Shit.

  “Put the damn coat on, Greyson. I’ll be back for you in a minute.” He went out and added the bag and crutches to the trailer, then went back for the man.

  “That’s a long way to walk without my crutches.”

  “Snow’s pretty deep, I figured I’d carry you.”

  “Carry me?” Look at those eyes.

  “Yep.” He picked Greyson up, cradling his lean body. Bullocks, someone needed fattening up. “Don’t tense, I have you.” And he wasn’t letting go. He put Greyson on the back of the snowmobile, meeting those icy eyes, watching them widen, dilate. “You have to hold on.”

  “I will. Don’t worry.”

  “I worry.” After all, Greyson hadn’t shown very much instinct for self-preservation so far that Luke had seen.

  He climbed on and waited for Greyson to wrap his arms around Luke’s waist.

  He took a deep breath and started up the snowmobile, letting the motor run for a moment before he took off, heading home. All the way, Greyson leaned into him, cheek hidden against his back.

  Despite the parka, he swore he could not only feel Greyson’s heat, but every line of his body. It was crazy, but he couldn’t shake it. Greyson held him tight, even laughing once when they took a sharp corner.

  If Greyson liked this, he’d love flying.

  Luke shut the thought down. Greyson needed a place to land. That was all. What was wrong with him, thinking about flying with anyone? Hells, he was going to have to curtail his morning rounds while Greyson was staying with him. Or at least figure out a way to do them without being noticed. So, Greyson was already proving to be as much trouble at the station as he had out there at the cabin. Great. He supposed Greyson not dying of hunger or exposure was a plus he couldn’t deny.

  Right now, he needed to focus on driving. Hitting a tree would complicate matters. To say the least.

  He kept his eyes peeled, and when the snow started about five minutes from home, he was glad he’d insisted they not linger. Getting snowed in at that little cabin wouldn’t have been a lot of fun, even with the supplies he’d brought.

  He pulled the snowmobile into the garage. They could leave the bulk of the goods in the trailer and bring in Greyson’s bag and crutches.

  Greyson was already shivering, shaking hard against him. Luckily the garage was attached along one side with the house—Greyson wouldn’t have far to go. Hells, he didn’t even have to go out into the snow again.

  Luke climbed off and helped Greyson get off, too. “Don’t worry about your stuff, I’ll get it once you’re settled. Can you make it in holding on to my arm instead of your crutches?”

  Greyson held his gaze. “I can walk.” So much pride there. And stubbornness, too.

  “Go ahead then, I’ll grab your stuff.” It was only a few steps to the door and there were hallways after that. And if Greyson fell, he fell. Luke ignored the little voice inside that demanded he make sure that didn’t happen. He wasn’t the man’s mother.

  Greyson managed to get off the snowmobile, but that was it. He collapsed in a heap, expression utterly confused. Luke dropped Greyson’s stuff and went to the man, pushing his hands beneath the thin body.

  “I’ve got you.”

  “I’m sorry. They... I’m cold.”

  “Yeah. Your winter gear really isn’t up to par. Don’t worry—it’s nice inside.” He liked it cozy, but he’d turn the heat up even higher to keep Greyson from being cold.

  He carried Greyson in and took him to the living room. The couch was more than comfortable enough to fall asleep on. Goddess knew, he’d done it more than once himself. He set Greyson down carefully.

  “I’m sorry, man. I swear. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not looking for apologies from you. Relax, okay?”

  He worked Greyson’s winter gear off and wrapped him in a blanket. Then he went to the hearth and blew the embers back to life, slowly adding extra kindling and then the bigger logs.

  Greyson began to relax, melting into the cushions with a sigh.

  “I’m going to make us some breakfast.” Second breakfast for him, but he was always up for food, and he was pretty sure Greyson hadn’t eaten yet. “I’m going to assume you like eggs and sausage.” Thank the Goddess Greyson wasn’t a vegetarian or worse; that would have made Luke cry.

  “Does anyone not like eggs and sausage?”

  The answer came easily, given he’d been thinking about it. “Vegans.”

  “I don’t know any of those, man.”

  “I’ve met one or two granola crunchers hiking in the woods. Mostly ‘finding themselves’.” He hated that term. Not to mention, Luke preferred it when people stayed out of his woods whatever their reason for being there. Goddess bless the winter.

  “I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with me, man. I wasn’t out here to cause trouble.”

  “It’s okay. You’re not a vegan and you were lost on purpose.” He pulled out the big cast-iron pan, then grabbed a half-dozen eggs and a package of farmer’s sausages. He put the fat little oblongs on first, then cracked the eggs into a bowl, adding some milk and some garlic, salt and pepper.

  Greyson watched him with tired eyes, the bags underneath dark enough to look like bruises.

  He’d have suggested the guy go ahead and nap some more, but he didn’t want to have to wake Greyson up for food in ten minutes.

  “So where are you from?” As soon as Greyson had eaten, he’d show the man to the guest room and insist Greyson get some shut-eye.

  “Vancouver, originally.”

  “You’re a long way from home.” All the way across the country. “Was that a deliberate choice?”

  “My family is gone, my life is gone, and I needed a change.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear about your family. Was it an accident?” One didn’t just lose one’s family. Things had to have happened.

  “My mom died of breast cancer. My dad committed suicide a year later while I was overseas.”

  “Son of a bitch.” That was way harsh. “I really am sorry.”

  “Yeah. It sucked.” Looked like Greyson was the soul of understatement.

  He cut up the sausages and threw the egg mixture in on top of them, letting everything cook. “Coffee, milk, or juice with your breakfast?” he asked as he put four slices of bread into the toaster.

  “Coffee, please.”

  “What flavor do you want? I’ve got a Keurig and about six thousand flavors.” He handed the big box of containers to Greyson.

  “Whoa.” There was a smile. Like a true, genuine smile.

  “I know, eh? It’s like a magical mystery box of coffee.”

  “Hazelnut Cream, please. That sounds decadent.”

  “It’s awesome. I might have actually picked up a box of those.” Grinning, he put th
e big box back in the coffee cupboard and pulled out the half-full one of Hazelnut Creams. He took two containers out and put one in the Keurig, setting a mug to catch the coffee as it dripped. Then he checked on the eggs and sausage.

  “Can I do anything, man?”

  “It’s almost done. You’ll have plenty of chances to take on a meal or twenty.” He gave Greyson his coffee, then changed out the container and stuck his own mug on the stand. Getting down a couple of plates, he dished up the eggs and sausages.

  He set a plate down in front of Greyson and one in front of his own chair.

  “I’ll be out of your hair. I don’t... I’m not sure why I let you bring me here.”

  “Because you didn’t want to freeze to death or starve at that cabin. And you’re not in my hair—you’re in my chair.” He wasn’t going to let Greyson leave until spring. He’d have to figure out how not to go insane with someone else living here, but if he took Greyson back to the cabin and the guy died out there, well, Luke would never forgive himself.

  His little chair/hair joke earned him that laugh again, and it echoed inside him, made him eager to hear it again. He grabbed the salt and pepper shakers off the counter and set them on the table, then picked up his own coffee and sat.

  “I don’t stand on ceremony when it comes to meals. Dig in.” He grabbed his own fork and started eating.

  Greyson ate, slowly at first, but with increasing eagerness. Luke wasn’t surprised. He bet that Greyson had been so hungry he didn’t know that’s what the problem was. Once he’d started eating his body had woken up and said yes, please, lots more.

  They finished their breakfast, Greyson managing to get three-quarters of it down before giving up. “That was great, man. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He’d already finished his and went to grab Greyson’s plate, but he paused. “You want me to wrap it up for later or finish it up myself?” He didn’t believe in wasting food. Especially not during the winter.

  “Go for it, man. I’m stuffed.”

  “I can always find a little extra room.” He had an extremely good metabolism. He finished Greyson’s plate quickly then sat back with a happy sigh, hand on his coffee cup, enjoying the heat of it.

  Greyson sat wrapped in the blankets, quiet and still.

  “The fire’s blazing pretty well now. Why don’t you go lie on the couch and have a nap in front of it?” He thought Greyson could use about twenty more meals like this breakfast and a week’s worth of sleeping to start looking human again. It would be easier to get another meal into the guy if he napped on the couch for now instead of on the guest bed.

  “Are you sure? I’m not in the way?” Greyson was almost asleep, head bobbing.

  Luke went over, helped him up, and walked Greyson back to the couch. “I’m totally sure. If you were, I wouldn’t have brought you back.” Okay, so that wasn’t entirely true. He wouldn’t have left anyone there to freeze, and Greyson was kind of in the way. He wasn’t going to say that out loud, though. Even a cantankerous grouch like himself wasn’t that mean.

  Chapter Four

  Greyson stood, trapped on all sides by images of skulls and crossbones dug into the sand. He stood in a tiny square, swaying, his AK-47 held at the ready as he fought to keep his balance.

  Please God, he prayed. Don’t let me fall. Don’t let me fall.

  The ground shook beneath him, moving him around. Shit! An earthquake was the last thing he needed.

  “Fuck!” He tensed, trying to hold himself steady. Maybe he could jump, maybe he could leap over the danger zone.

  “Greyson. Open your eyes and look at me.” The voice was firm, forceful, and his eyes flew open.

  Oh.

  He stared into concerned eyes. Luke.

  The man smiled. “There, that’s better. You were having another nightmare. No wonder you’re so tired. Every time you go to sleep you have bad dreams. That’s not restful.” Luke’s hand was on his arm, and while he was quite warm, that spot was even hotter.

  “Sorry. They gave me pills, but I ran out.” He hated them, anyway. The sleeping pills left him worn out, dazed.

  “Well, I’ve got an idea or two to help you. We’ll see how it goes tonight. Meantime, you did get an hour or two before the dreams started. Are you hungry? You want to watch a movie? Play a board game?” Luke’s voice was like a hand patting his back, soothing him.

  “Okay.” He wanted to lean in and let Luke hold him, which was stupid as fuck.

  “Okay to all?” Luke chuckled. “Let’s do popcorn and a movie, that way we cover two of the options at the same time.” Luke kept touching, though, not getting up to make popcorn or do the movie thing.

  “Yeah. Sorry. I just... I dream.” And it got bad sometimes. A lot.

  “You don’t have to apologize for having nightmares. I know it’s not what you’d be doing, if you had a choice.” Luke’s hand was still on his arm, keeping him right in the here and now.

  “No. It’s not a lifestyle thing.”

  “Yeah. There’s a lot of things you have a choice about. That’s not one.” Luke petted his arm and finally stood, then crossed into the kitchen, smiling at him from behind the counter.

  As he watched, Luke put a package of popcorn into the microwave. “You like toppings? I’ve got a bunch of different flavorings.”

  “I’m not a picky guy, honest. I’m easy.” Had to be when you were in the army.

  “That could be a dangerous thing to say to me,” Luke teased. At least he thought the guy was teasing. Maybe he was flirting? Which meant that Luke was gay. That seemed right somehow.

  “I’m going to put a bit of jalapeño jack on it. You drink Coke?” Luke went over to an old-fashioned drink dispenser, giving him a glance.

  “Cold and bubbly. I do.” It always reminded him of being a kid somehow. The old-timey dispenser did, too.

  Luke grabbed a couple of bottles and opened them on the built-in bottle opener. He brought them both over and set them on the coffee table. “What kind of movies do you like? I have a huge variety.”

  “No war films.” That was he sure about. “And I’d like to avoid explosions, please.”

  “How about something animated? I’ve got or have access to pretty much any animated movie you can come up with.”

  Oh, that was adorable. “No shit?”

  “No shit. Have you seen the one with the little robots? It’s a great movie. That one I actually have a physical copy of, too.” Luke went to look at a shelf full of movies, coming up with the one in question pretty quickly. “I shelve them alphabetically.”

  The popcorn began popping in the background.

  “That’s cool.” He meant that. He liked order, appreciated it.

  “I have a lot of time on my hands, especially in the winter.”

  Luke put the movie into the Blu-ray player on a shelf next to the fireplace. Then he opened a well-camouflaged cupboard over the fireplace, revealing a large TV hanging there.

  “Oh, that’s cool!” Greyson hadn’t had a TV since he came home. He’d sold everything in his folks’ place that hadn’t been destroyed, then walked away.

  “Nice and hidden, eh? I’ve basically built this place myself. Added to it over the years. So it’s what I want. I’m the only ranger this far north.”

  The microwave beeped. “Let me get that and we can settle.” Luke went to rescue the popcorn.

  Greyson was basically settled, but he sat up and wrapped his legs in the blankets, giving them the pressure they needed. The fire crackled merrily, an amazing counterpoint to the snow falling down from the sky outside the huge windows that filled the wall opposite the kitchen. The woods outside were beautiful, like a postcard.

  Luke came back a moment later with a big bowl of popcorn dusted with a brownish-red powder and a handful of n
apkins. Luke sat next to him, closer than he needed to although the guy was just plain big and managed to make the large couch seem, if not small, at least less than it was. Damn, he was so warm. It made Greyson want to lean against him. He didn’t.

  Luke set the popcorn bowl in his lap. “If you don’t like the topping, let me know and I’ll make another batch to have plain.” Leaning forward, Luke grabbed the remote and his Coke before turning on the TV, and pressing Play.

  “I’m sure it’s fine.” To be honest, he was still full from breakfast.

  “It’s my favorite. A little bit cheesy, a little bit spicy, and some extra butter—yum.” Luke grabbed a huge handful and shoved it into his mouth as he started the movie.

  Soon Greyson was nibbling, too, chuckling at the little robot.

  To his surprise, he didn’t doze off at all through the movie. Once they’d finished the popcorn, Luke moved the bowl to the coffee table and settled in again, a little closer this time. Greyson shifted the tiniest bit, not even on purpose, and their shoulders rested against each other. When Luke didn’t complain or shift away, he went with it. Luke was comfortable and he smelled nice.

  Maybe if he didn’t mention they were touching, Luke wouldn’t, either.

  They watched the rest of the movie like that and he felt...safe. It was stupid, he knew that. He was lonely. He was used to being part of a unit, of a squad, and he’d been part of nothing for twenty-two months now.

  When it was over, Luke yawned and stretched, then settled back, not touching him this time. “You enjoy that one?”

  “I did. It was cute but not cutesy.”

  “Exactly. And he got his Eve in the end.” Luke shrugged when Greyson let his surprise show. “Don’t judge me. I like happy endings.”

  “I do, too.” Greyson wished they were real. His eyelids were heavy now. He managed to keep his eyes open, but caught himself yawning hugely.

  “You’re tired. I’ll leave you to sleep. You can stay on the couch if you want—the less walking you have to do the better, I’m guessing.” Luke turned the TV off and closed it in its cupboard.

  “I don’t know why I’m sleeping so much.”