Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove Read Free Book Online Page B

the restroom. What would you have had me do? Go in the tent?” Now she was getting her feathers seriously ruffled.
    Rayn looked at her with a raised brow.
    “Don’t look at me like that! You’re acting like this whole thing was my fault—like I am to blame!”
    “No, Maddie. That is not my intent. You are my obsession, my soulmate, my amashan . I simply cannot allow you to run off unprotected, and I demand that you think about these things first. Sharra was of no help to you and—”
    She put her hand on his mouth to stop him from uttering another word. Maddie was furious. She was a victim in this crime, but he was making her feel like the criminal.
    “Excuse me, my overbearing Royal Pain in the Petootieness! Stop being such a horse’s behonkas. I’m the victim here, not the criminal.”
    Rayn caught himself before he responded. He thought for a minute and recognized he had severely screwed up.
    “Maddie, I am sorry. I did not mean to—”he began.
    He didn’t get any further because she interrupted him. “You need to get out of my bed…right now…this minute. Allow me to explain something to you . I have been through too much to listen to your rants about how you nearly went off the deep end. I was the one who was there …who experienced the attack. I nearly died and I didn’t do it on purpose.”
    “But, Maddie…”
    “Now, Rayn. Out!”
    She was breathing heavily, and Rayn was getting more and more concerned about her. He called for Julian.
    Julian sedated Maddie before her condition could deteriorate any further. After he had her settled, he turned to Rayn.
    “What in the Deity’s name has gotten into you, Rayn?” Julian demanded.
    “I was trying to explain to her…”
    “Excuse me if I disagree, but you were all but blaming her for making you upset. As if she willingly exposed herself to danger. This is the second irrational outburst I have heard from you. Excuse me for saying this, my lord. If I overstep my bounds, I apologize in advance, but you need to gain greater control over yourself.” Julian was uneasy over Rayn’s misguided anger.
    “You are correct. I cannot seem to help myself. The thought of her being hurt in any way makes me senseless and completely out of control.”
    “Have you bonded with her, Rayn? Have you broken your vow of celibacy?”
    Rayn was astounded by the question. As he shook his head, he said indignantly, “Of course not. How can you ask me that?”
    “Because you are acting as such. I have never seen a male so protective of his female. I know you have made a strong connection with her, but—”
    “Julian, it is more than just a connection. It is an overwhelming emotion with a physical dimension to it.” Rayn explained to him what had happened during his first deep kiss with Maddie and how they had both felt utterly electrified by it.
    “This is very perplexing indeed, particularly since she is human. However, you still must keep a tighter rein on your emotions. You cannot be tearing into people for no apparent reason. You will alienate them, and they are the ones closest to you.”
    “Yes, you are correct. I will see that I have better control over my emotions. Thank you, Julian. It seem I am indebted to you again.”
    * * * * *
    Rayn returned to Maddie’s side, resuming his vigil.
    Hours later, Maddie woke to find Rayn sitting next to her, holding her hand. Her first inclination was to jerk her hand away as she remembered her words with him, but then, she thought the better of it. He only had her safety at heart, and she couldn’t blame him for that. He had been through a lot recently, so she would cut him some slack. He had, after all, saved her life.
    When Rayn felt Maddie’s thoughts, he whispered, “I am so sorry for upsetting you so, and for being such a…what is it you called me? Oh, yes, ‘a horse’s behonkas.’ I cannot explain what possessed me to say those things, but I deeply regret it. Maddie, please forgive me.”
    “You are