Unbound by Georgia Bell Page A

They
would sit here,” he touched the bench, “and talk while you slept in your
carriage. Your family seemed so human, so normal.” He rubbed the back of his
head, his hand making his hair stick up wildly. “I envied the three of you more
than I thought possible. The longer I watched you, the harder it became to
stop. Your family helped me feel tied to the world – connected in a way I
that I hadn’t allowed myself to be in hundreds of years.”
    He
was silent again for a time. “It was a pleasure to witness your childhood,
Rachel. I felt honoured to be a part of it in some small way.”
    I
had nothing to say, but the loneliness I had carried with me since my father
died, ebbed slightly. Someone else knew my story. I wasn’t sure why that felt
important, but it did.
    “Do
you remember the first time we met?” he asked.
    “In
the mall?” I thought back to the memories I had of his strong hand in mine.
    “Yes,”
he nodded, his expression dark. “It was a mistake. I hadn’t meant...it was very
irresponsible to have revealed myself to you in that way. There are strong
prohibitions against...” He stopped. “Afterwards, I told myself that it
wouldn’t happen again. That I wouldn’t interfere with your life.”
    I
couldn’t take my eyes off him, no longer caring whether or not I was staring.
    “I’m
not proud of myself, Rachel. My behaviour has been reckless beyond reason. I
had convinced myself that simply observing your life would be enough, that I
wouldn’t be compelled to interact with you.” He frowned. “It was very wrong of
me. After your father died... you were so sad. I wanted to offer you some
comfort in return for...” His shook his head. “There is no excuse.”
    “And
after that?” I wondered how much he knew.
    He
raked a hand through his hair again, dragging the spikes in the other direction
like a cat rubbed backward, but his words were quiet. “I saw what happened to
your mother, saw how you responded. I told myself that by staying in your life,
I was making it easier for you.” His voice was filled with self-reproach. “But I’ve
been incredibly selfish and I’m truly sorry.”
      I felt something akin to anger flicker
within my chest. “Are you serious? You’ve saved my life, helped me when I’ve
been hurt, watched over me.” I felt indignant. “Eaden, I wanted you in my life.
Since my father died, the only times I have felt safe are the times that you
were near me. What are you sorry for?”
    His
expression was anguished, but his voice was bitter. “Don’t make me a hero,
Rachel. I’m not. Believe me when I say that my regret is justified.”
    “I
don’t understand,” I said, frustrated.
    “I
hope you never will.” He stood and faced me. “Can you trust me?”
    Looking
down to shield myself from the intensity of his gaze, I realized my hands were
shaking and hid them in my lap. Could I trust him? I think I already did. I
nodded.
    “I’m
going to make this right,” he said. I wasn’t sure if he was reassuring himself
or me. He extended his hand. “Let me walk you to work.”
    “Um,
sure.” I’d forgotten about work. I tried to reconcile the knowledge that the
man standing across from me was a supernatural being with the knowledge that
I’d be shelving books for the rest of the day.
    I
grabbed his hand, feeling my heart stutter at the touch of his skin on mine.
The heat rose into my face and I pulled my hair down to hide it as we walked. “Can
I ask you another question?”
    He
nodded.  
    “What
happened that morning in Sam’s store? Who were those men?”
                  “I’m not entirely sure.” Eaden’s mouth
twisted slightly. “ But I think your friend Sam had gotten himself into trouble
at the racetrack. Those two gentlemen were there to encourage him to be
timelier with his payments.”
                “Oh.”
Realization dawned on me slowly. No wonder he had been so scared. “Poor Sam.”