Beloved LifeMate: Song of the Sídhí #1 by Jodie B. Cooper Read Free Book Online

forehead. He curled his hand around mine and carefully rubbed the t-shirt, exactly over the scar marring my ribcage. In a few days the tender ridge would fade, completely disappearing within a week or so.
    “I was furious with myself.” He leaned back and gazed into my face. “Truly, I felt like killing myself, but never you. Once the music sang and I acknowledged you as my lifeMate, how could you think I would hurt you?” he gently asked.
    Several emotions flickered across his face. Primarily confusion covered his face, confusion and pain. I didn't know which surprised me the most.
    It was the first time I actually had to look at him without fearing for my life. I knew I’d never tire of looking into his hunter green eyes. His pointed ears poked up through his midnight colored hair. I wondered how old he was. There was so much I wanted to know about him. For the first time, I had a glimmer of hope that he would accept me as his bonded lifeMate. I knew, even though our 'courtship' started with him trying to kill me, I still wanted him as my bonded mate.
    I quickly answered his question, but tacked on the two things that bothered me the most. “You keep saying ‘you’re my lifeMate,’ but I clearly remember gating away from the monster you left me with and then I woke-up with silver on my neck.”
    I lowered my eyes and bit my lip. After saying it out loud, I remembered this was an entirely different world. He might intend to keep me as a concubine or pet or even a prisoner. After all, I had the blood of his enemies in me.
    He gently tilted my chin up, caressing my skin until I looked at him. “Mirk’s not a monster. I’ll introduce you to him later.” He sighed, heavily. “The silver was necessary.”
    “Am I your prisoner?” I asked in a mental whisper, shivering at the thought.
    At my question, I saw his mouth tighten and my lips began trembling. I glanced away when my eyes filled with unshed tears. I knew it.
    Once I started shivering, I couldn’t quit. I couldn't look at him. I glanced toward the balcony doors, only half dozen feet away, which stood open. At least I had a good reason for shivering. It had to be winter on Sídhí; the wind was frigid.
    “You’re no more prisoner than I am,” he said finally.
    I looked at him and his frown deepened as he watched me. He motioned toward doors and I heard them snap shut.
    He looked to each side of him and his jaw clenched tight. He slipped his hands under my legs and I bit my lip to keep from crying out when he lifted them.
    He left me without another word.
    I didn’t know which hurt worse: the pain shooting through my body or his leaving.
    He swiftly walked away from me. The tears that had been threatening to fall rolled down my cheeks. I normally wasn't this weepy, but he hadn’t even said good-bye. I didn’t think I liked this new world, where a man acted as if he didn't even like his lifeMate most of the time.
    I watched as he grabbed the golden comforter. He hesitated, dropping the stiff bundle on the bed he picked up a fluffy blanket draped across the end of the bed. He turned and was kneeling at my side in the blink of an eye.
    His arms gently wrapped around me and he kissed my cheek. “Mia Cara, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
    “I thought you were leaving without even saying goodbye. I don’t normally cry like this. I’m sorry,” I said, my shoulders drooping.
    He started to say something, but I covered his lips with my fingers. His eyes widened in surprise.
    “You,” I hesitated , “you called me Mia Cara. On Earth that means My Beloved. Can you love a halfling?” I looked into his face and saw him swiftly hide his anger. I couldn’t stop my tears from falling even faster. I choked on a sob; I couldn't have spoken out-loud if my life depended on it. “This world is so different. At home, we would have already bonded and opened our surface thoughts to each other. In this world, you’ve locked silver around my neck, and