Cecilia's Mate by April Zyon Read Free Book Online Page A

made money too or she would be
into that. And I’m sorry but with the way they kept Sadie and Bracken apart,
they deserve everything that was heaped upon them and so much more.”
    “Thank
the stars,” he muttered. “Bracken wasn’t so sure I should tell you. He was
worried you’d be upset by it all. Oh, and there is just one more little thing I
should likely mention. Your oldest sister got herself arrested, too. Unrelated
matter, but she’s going to be in a spot if your father decides to forgo his
guardianship over her. It then becomes a matter for the state to punish her
directly instead of him. And given the way your mother has apparently set
things in motion, at least according to what Bracken’s discovered on the
diaries, she’s in serious trouble. The same with your sister when they can’t
come up with the funds for bail for her. It appears your family is falling
apart at that end. I’m sorry, little one.”
    “You
have no idea what I’ve suffered at their hands over the years. I hate to admit
it, but truthfully it couldn’t happen to a better group of people. My real
family is here, in my arms. Bracken and Sadie are my family. As long as they
are okay, I’m okay.”
    He
stared at her for a long time before wrapping his arms around her again. “I’m
glad you don’t seem overly upset by the news. I’m also mildly terrified that
you aren’t overly upset at the same time. But as long as you’re okay with it,
then that’s all that matters. I wanted you to know, and now you can inform your
brother that he’s an idiot as I told him he was for even suggesting I don’t
tell you. Not that I told him why I was planning on sharing the news with you.
I only said you had the right to know that your family was finally getting
exactly as they deserved.”
    “Thank
you for that. Please never keep secrets from me. No matter what the truth is,
always share it with me? I’d rather know and be prepared than not know and be
surprised. Bracken still sees me as his baby sister.”
    “I
will always tell you everything, Cecilia. You are my other half. Bracken will
always see you as his baby sister, someone he must protect no matter how old
you get. Apparently it’s one of those eldest-child problems. He loves you,
though, little one. Never doubt that. He doesn’t want you to be hurt by any of
this. And I agree. I just happen to believe you’re strong enough to handle any
and all truths.”
    “I
am. As I said, I’m happy they’re finally getting what they deserve. For far too
long they’ve gotten away with doing anything and everything. I’m relieved to
hear that finally someone is taking action against them.”
    “I
agree. Now, enough of this. You need to eat. Luckily for you I have some basic
skills in the kitchen. Nowhere near as impressive as your brother, but I won’t
poison you. Promise.” He smiled down at her. “Take a seat and I’ll get your
meal.”
    She
moved away from him and took the seat he offered. She settled down with a
napkin in her lap. “I am fairly good with cooking. I learned a lot watching
Bracken but I’m sure that you won’t make me ill.”
    “Who
do you think taught me?” he asked. Winking, he went into the little kitchenette
and returned with a couple of plates. He put one before her and the other in
front of the chair next to hers. He disappeared into the kitchenette again
before returning with a couple of glasses. “If I remember correctly this is
your favorite juice,” he said, placing the glass before her plate.
    She
was stunned. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “And my favorite first meal
of the day. How did you know?” she asked, pulling the plate closer. “I don’t
think even Bracken knows what my favorite first meal is.” She couldn’t believe
he’d watched her enough to realize what she liked.
    “Bracken
is your brother. They don’t tend to notice such things. I’m your bond mate. We
do notice things like that. Now I’m guessing it’s acceptable