Earth Bound by Christine Feehan Read Free Book Online Page A

her soul. They would be forever bound together. That rise of energy from a Prakenskii to the one woman he claimed as his own, weaving that connection tight from his soul to hers.
    â€œLet me see.” He tugged at Lexi’s wrist until she reluctantly allowed him to examine her palm. Satisfaction rose when he saw that faint brand, two circles intertwined, embedded into her palm, under her skin, already disappearing from prying eyes. It was an intimate, private mark that was for no one else to see but the two of them.
    He lifted his gaze to his brothers. He knew what they saw, and it wasn’t going to give them much reassurance. He wouldn’t pretend he was anything but who and what he was. But they’d better heed his warning. He wouldn’t give them another, not now that they knew.
    Levi cursed under his breath and turned away abruptly. He’d been on the farm the longest and he clearly loved Lexi as a sister. Thomas scowled at him but didn’t say a word. He turned on his heel and took the steps two at a time.
    Max stood there looking at him. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Gavriil. I really do.”
    Gavriil didn’t bother with a reply. Of course he didn’t know what the hell he was doing, he was in brand-new territory, but he’d figure it out. He had time. Ignoring Max, he pressed his mouth to the center of Lexi’s palm, brushing his lips over the wound in a brief kiss.
    â€œI’m sorry,
solnyshko moya
, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
    â€œLexi,” Levi commanded her attention, forcing her to look at him. “If you need anything at all. If you want help, just call.”
    She smiled at him. “I may be asking for you to cook after a day or two. You’re awesome, and I’m sort of mediocre in that department.”
    Clearly she didn’t comprehend the danger she was in. Gavriil realized she was still thrown by what had happened earlier. He’d already dismissed the incident, clearing his mind of Caine and his associates. They were dead and gone and no one would ever find the bodies, but Lexi hadn’t dismissed them.
    Levi shook his head and reluctantly followed his brothers and Airiana, leaving them alone.
    Lexi stared after her brothers-in-law, realizing for the first time that her safety net was gone and somehow, without knowing how or why, she’d insisted Gavriil Prakenskii stay with her. She turned away from him to give herself a moment to think. Her sisters were frequently at her house, running in and out, and lately, Airiana’s children often did the same thing. But no one stayed.
    She spent long hours alone and wasn’t certain she knew how to talk to anyone without being awkward.
    â€œLexi.” Gavriil spoke softly. “If you don’t want me to stay, I can find somewhere else to sleep. I’m not really picky about where. I’m a stranger to you. You don’t owe me anything, and I’d never want you uncomfortable.”
    She spun around to face him. Exhaustion was in every line of his face. He looked . . . alone. Pain clung to him like a second skin. The pain was so severe, she couldn’t understand how Airiana and Judith hadn’t seen or felt it.
    â€œI don’t want you to leave, Gavriil. I know it’s a littleawkward because we don’t know each other, but I think we can get past that. I do have to say something to you though.” She bit down on her thumbnail and then her eyes met his.
    He felt the impact like a physical blow. It was almost terrifying the way his body and his mind reacted to this woman. He had no idea it was even possible for him to react to a woman, to another human being, the way he did to her. She moved him. She moved the earth beneath his feet. There was something very satisfying in knowing he still had a few human qualities left in him. There might not be much in the way of humanity, but if he had anything at all, if there was something left