Bound by Light (27 page)

“As soon as possible, aye?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Thank you.” Thane hung up and set his phone
on the counter. He felt Sydney’s fear and heard her scream a few
seconds later, but he was already in their bedroom.

She was sitting up, breathing heavily until
she caught sight of him and then she calmed. “Sorry.”

He slid onto the bed beside her and pulled
her onto his chest. “Don’t apologize, love. It’s been a tough
day.”

“You can say that again.” She kissed his
chest. “I liked Beth.”

“I did too.”

“I did not like her mother.”

Thane chuckled. “You’re entitled to feel
that way, love. She was the woman who stole your dad.”

“I don’t know if I can believe she didn’t
know.”

“Well, I can’t imagine you can know. Only
she and your dad really know what happened.”

“Do you think I’m a bitch for not liking
her?”

He lifted her chin. “Sweetheart, you don’t
have to like her. You met with her. You treated her with respect.
No one can expect any more than that from you.”

“My mom would,” she whispered.

“I don’t know that she would, love.”

“I just don’t want her to be disappointed in
me. I don’t know where my allegiance is supposed to lie.”

Thane gave her a gentle squeeze. “Your
allegiance lies with you and me now, love, and I’ve got you. I was
so proud of you today. You were calm and sweet, and you didn’t jump
to any conclusions. You let Beth have her say, which was gracious
of you.”

“She doesn’t look well, honey.”

“I know.”

“I think we need to help her.”

He smiled. “I know that too.”

“You already called Wallace.”

“I already called Wallace.”

“Man, I love you.”

He laughed. “Love you too, baby.”

“Can we go home now?”

“Aye, love, we can go home. How long do you
need to plan a ceremony?”

“A week.”

He lifted her chin again. “Are you
serious?”

“Yep. We’ll get Elspie on it and it’ll be
done in two days.”

“You’re probably right about that.”

Sydney giggled. “One week.”

“Aye, lass, one week.”

He kissed her gently. “I’m starving. How
about you?”

She sat up and straddled his hips. “Yes, but
not for food.”

“Let’s feed you then.”

“Good plan.” She leaned down and kissed him,
and Thane fed her until she was stuffed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

S
YDNEY STOOD IN
front of the full-length mirror in the bedroom she shared with
Thane and studied herself in the brand-new wedding gown he’d
insisted on buying her. He had a small obsession with dressing her
in lace she’d discovered, and this gown didn’t disappoint. The
entire bodice was lace, embellished with tiny pearls and beading,
and the cap sleeves were removable. A draped skirt flared out the
back into a sweep train that could be pinned up to avoid
tripping.

“You look amazing,” Lucy said as she joined
Sydney at the mirror.

“So do you.”

Any bruises Lucy had left on her body were
covered by her bridesmaid dress, and the ones on her face were
light enough now to hide with makeup, so she looked like herself
again.

“I have something for you from Thane.” Lucy
handed her a velvet box.

What did you do?

Nothing less than you did, sweetheart. Thank
you for the flask.

Sydney grinned.
Thought you might need
one to calm your nerves.

Cheeky.

She opened the box to find the most
exquisite necklace. A simple, but elegant white gold chain with a
teardrop diamond that matched her earrings perfectly.
Honey,
it’s beautiful. Thank you.

I love you, sweetheart. I’ll see you in a
few minutes.

I love you too.

“Ohmigod, Sid, it’s gorgeous.”

“Help me put it on, will you?”

Lucy grinned and helped her with the clasp
while Sydney held her hair up. The stylist had suggested she sweep
it into a side bun on the left side of her neck and, rather than a
veil, she wore a lace flower embellished just like her dress. It
was the perfect accessory to a perfect gown.

Elspie and Lucy were Sydney’s attendants and
Elspie joined them with a gift from her parents. “This was Mum’s
mum’s mum’s,” Elspie said with a giggle and handed her a
beautifully carved wooden box. “Us girls all got something from
Mummy on our wedding day, and this is yours. I haven’t seen it, so
will you please open it right now?”

Sydney laughed. “You’re so impatient.”

“Aye, love, I am. Now open it.”

She did, and the three of them put their
heads together and let out a collective, “Ahh.”

Inside sat an intricate silver bracelet that
appeared to have been handmade.

“Och, lassie,” Elspie said, excitedly. “It’s
Great-granny’s bracelet. Her mate, um, husband hand-forged it
before they sailed from Iceland. He gave it to her after their
first son was born.”

Sydney gasped. “It’s stunning.”

“Aye, ’tis. And it’s almost a thousand years
old.”

“I thought you said it was your
great-granny’s,” Lucy said.

“Give or take a few greats,” Elspie
improvised.

“Oh, wow,” Lucy said. “You’ve saved things
that old?”

“Aye.” Elspie smiled as Sydney slipped it on
her wrist. “It sits nicely next to the one Thane gave you, eh?”

Sydney blinked back tears. “It’s
perfect.”

“No crying, cuz,” Lucy ordered even as she
dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “None. Stop right now.”

The ladies laughed and then Clara poked her
head in. “How’s my favorite niece?”

“I’m great, Auntie.”

“Your man’s ready for you, love.”

Sydney nodded and followed her family
downstairs and to the doors that opened onto their back garden. Her
uncle waited by the door, and despite his tension with Aunt Clara
(they were working it out), he was the man who loved her like a
father. She couldn’t have imagined anyone else walking her down the
aisle.

He kissed her cheek and smiled. “You look
beautiful, love.”

“Thanks, Uncle Cary.”

“Ready?”

She nodded, took her flowers from her aunt,
and looped her hand through his arm. Niall led Aunt Clara to her
seat and then it was time.

Sydney kept her eyes on Thane as she walked
down the aisle and forced herself not to cry even though he was.
They might already be technically married, but the day was still
just as special and as they said their vows again, she sent up a
silent prayer of thanks.

Thane had brought light into the darkest
part of her life, and she couldn’t have been more grateful. She was
safe in the peace that their life together would be more than she
could ever hope for.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

Sydney grinned and raised her head as Thane
stroked her cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Their kiss sealed their vows and his love
healed her pain. Life was finally perfect.

EPILOGUE

Three years later...

S
YDNEY CRADLED HER
one-year-old son, Ryder, to her chest as he tried to fight sleep.
“You’re just like your Mama, huh?”

She rocked him as she walked down the hall
to the nursery and settled him in his crib. He tried to fuss, but
she laid her hand on his chest and smiled. “No, baby. It’s time for
you to sleep. Sleep now, little man.”

Sydney had perfected Thane’s ability to
“suggest,” and she giggled quietly as Ryder’s hands fell to the
side and his eyes closed.

I’ve created a monster.

Oh my word, honey, this is the best power
ever.

Not the telekinesis?

Sydney slid the blanket over her son using
said power and bit her lip.
Okay, maybe it’s the
telekinesis.

Thane’s chuckle sounded in her mind.
I’m
almost home.
You best have my supper on the table,
wench.

She sneaked out of Ryder’s room and pulled
the door closed.
You’re hilarious, mister movie star.

She arrived downstairs just as Thane walked
through the front door, pulling her into his arms and lifting her
off her feet before she’d even stepped off the last stair.

“Och, love, I’ve missed you.”

Sydney giggled, sliding her fingers through
his hair. “It’s been two hours.”

“Aye, lass. Two long hours.”

He lowered her to her feet and laid his hand
on her belly. “How’s our wee girl?”

“Right now she’s doing cartwheels because
she knows her daddy’s close.”

“Are you tired?” He frowned. “You should
rest, love. I wish you’d let me hire someone to help.”

“Thane,” she admonished. “I’m two months
away from delivery. I’m fine. Beth arrives in six weeks and with
Elspie and your mom here every day, I’m flush with help.”

Samantha had informed Sydney that because
she shared a blood bond with Beth, she’d have the ability to heal
her now that she was Cauld Ane. Sydney had met with Beth once more
before she left for the States and Beth had let her know a few
weeks later that the cancer had disappeared. It had been a medical
mystery as far as the doctors were concerned.

Beth and Sydney had forged a tentative bond
at first, one that had gradually grown into a sweet friendship that
the sisters found to be greatly satisfying. They didn’t talk about
their moms or the sadness they had both suffered because of their
father.

Zach had been sentenced to life without
parole for the murder, plus twenty years for the kidnapping of
Lucy. He’d been extradited to the United States, which meant his
mother could visit. No one could rejoice in it, but it was at least
some form of closure.

The man who’d killed Sydney’s mother had
never woken up from his coma, dying a few weeks after Zach’s trial.
Another sad end to a sad situation.

Thane wrapped his arm around Sydney’s waist.
“Well, come and put yer feet up now and I’ll make supper.”

“And fill me in on the council meeting?”

He smiled. “Aye, love. I’ll fill you in on
the council meeting.”

Sydney folded herself onto the large suede
sectional in the great room and watched Thane move around their
kitchen as though he was born in it. “Why aren’t you a celebrity
chef?”

He laughed, setting steaks on the counter.
“We’re supposed to be lowering our profile, love, not starting new
careers that will add to the fame.”

“Oh, right. Stupid immortality, it screws
everything up.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he countered. “I quite
like the fact I’m going to see you every morning for the next
several hundred years.”

“Or thousand.”

“Aye, lass. That would be better.” He pulled
open the fridge and brought a bottled water to Sydney. “Hydrate,
please.”

“Aye, bossy,” she retorted.

He leaned down and kissed her gently. “More
and more practice as the years go on, baby, remember that.”

She grinned. “You never let me forget
it.”

“Well, that’s true.” He headed back to the
kitchen and started his masterpiece.

“So, what was the final decision?” she
prompted as she checked to make sure the baby monitor was on,
setting it back on the table next to the sofa.

“We’re all going underground for a bit.
Everyone in Fallen Crown was ready to anyway, now that Ollie’s
found his mate, so we’re all settled. I don’t think we’re going to
make a big deal about it to the media. My people have told the
press I’m focused on my family right now, but if I want to do
another movie in the future I can. It’s not unprecedented that
someone who’s in their “fifties” can’t still be an action
hero.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Well, provided you
age like Jason Statham, not John Travolta.”

Thane laughed. “Sure, we’ll go with
that.”

“What will we tell my family? Lucy’s going
to notice if I don’t age.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,
eh?”

“Okay,” Sydney said. “So what are we going
to do with ourselves?”

“We’re going to raise our children, run our
charities, travel. Anything we want to.”

She sighed. “It all sounds too good to be
true.”

“Does it?”

“Yep. Little bit.”

“Don’t fret, my wee worrier, our children
will keep us plenty busy, especially considering you’re going to
give me six more.”

She choked on her water. “You want me to
have eight?”

“Over time, lass. Not all at once.”

“Oh, that makes me feel so much better.
Thanks, honey.”

He grinned, walking out onto the patio and
throwing the steaks on the grill. Leaving the door open, he walked
back in and set the plate in the sink.

“So if the Cauld Ane are officially going
underground a bit, what does that mean for us in general?”

Thane settled himself on the sofa next to
her. “Not a whole lot, to be honest. We’ll still have our parties
and our celebrations; we’ll just do it away from the public eye.
Samantha’s thrilled, let me tell you.”

“I bet.” Sydney giggled.  “What about
you? Will you miss the lights of the marquee with your name big
enough for everyone to see?”

“I’ve never cared much about that,
baby.”

She smiled just as the timer sounded and
Thane stood and headed back out to the patio to flip the steaks.
“Are you worried about the decision?” he asked, sitting beside her
again.

“Not unless it’s going to rob you of your
joy not to do movies for a while.”

He squeezed her knee. “You’re my joy, love.
Ryder’s my joy. And when she comes, Gertrude will be my joy.”

Sydney choked on her water again. “Stop
doing that to me,” she demanded. “We’re not naming her
Gertrude.”

“Well, we need to come up with something if
you’re not going to name her after your mother.”

“Linda, honey. We can’t name her Linda. It’s
an old person’s name.”