“First, when twoCauld Ane bond, the rest of us know. There’s an energy in the air, and it’s notsomething to be embarrassed about. Because you and I have now bonded, my directblood relations closest to me would feel the emotion. My parents and siblings,for example. And the second I rang my mother, she knew exactly what was aboutto happen because she’s been through it and has helped several others throughit.”
I grabbed hisarm as another pain shot through me, this time in my chest.
“The second youcan touch her, Phin, don’t let go,” Samantha called out. “You can ease herpain, even if it’s small.”
Phin took thehand I’d just used to grab his arm and linked his fingers with mine, lifting itto his mouth and kissing my palm.
“As soon as shecan breathe a little, carry her in here and settle her in the tub,” Samanthacalled. “I’ll step into the hall and walk you through what to do next.”
“Thanks, Mum,”Phin called back, focusing back on me. “You let me know when you feel like Ican lift you.”
“I think I canwalk.”
“I’m going tohelp you, okay? Don’t let go of my hand.”
I nodded andgingerly slid off the bed, gripping Phin’s hand like a talisman. I didn’t getfar as pain shot through my belly and I fell to the floor with a groan. “I’mgoing to be sick.”
“Let’s get youinto the bathroom, love,” Phin said, scooping me up, despite my agony, andcarrying me next door.
He set me intothe tub and the cold water covered me like a blanket, giving me almost instantrelief. I let out a quiet sigh and he handed me a bowl in case I needed tothrow up, then grabbed a pair of sweatpants and pulled them on.
Kneeling besidethe tub, he stroked my cheek. “Better?”
“Much.” I leanedinto his touch. “I’m sorry I was sassy with you earlier.”
Phin grinned.“Sweetheart, if that’s what you consider sassy, I think I’m going to have tointroduce you to my aunt Pepper. She’ll give you a lesson on how to really giveme a good hiding.”
I gave him atired smile. “How much longer is this going to last?”
“I’m going toask Mum, love, okay?”
I nodded,leaning against the edge of the bath as he stood and opened the door to thehallway. He returned quickly and took my hand again. “Not long now,sweetheart.”
I met his eyesand frowned. “You’re lying.”
He sighed,lifting my hand to his lips. “I’m not, love. It’s different for everyone andthe fact you’re already in the tub is a good sign. You’re also forming amatching birthmark on your right hip. It mirrors mine, which is a sign yourtransformation is almost done.”
I glanced downat my side and noticed that I did, in fact, have a birthmark that lookedidentical to his, only on my opposite side, and leaned heavily against the tubagain.
In the end, mypain lasted another two hours, but I stayed in the tub for three. Phincontinued to add ice to bring my body temperature down and at some point,Samantha had had the staff replace the bedding with special ice sheets, so thatwhen I was finally able to leave the bath and climb into bed, I was met withpure bliss.
Phin wrapped hisarms around me and pulled me close and I fell asleep in a cocoon of love as mybody did the rest of the work to fully transform me to my new self.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Phineas
AFEW DAYS later, I awoke early to find Lennox missing from our bed. Sensing herlocation, I walked into the kitchen to find her tucking into a veritable feastof assorted leftovers and pantry goodies strewn about the breakfast table. Shepaused only momentarily to give me a smile before returning to, from what I couldsee, was bacon and cheese sandwiched between two Pop-Tarts.
“Up early forbreakfast?” I asked, sweetly.
“How come youdidn’t tell me I’d be so hungry?” she accused in between bites.
I poured a cupof coffee and sat down opposite her. “You’ll find an increased appetite foreverythingnow that you’re Cauld Ane.”
“If stuhlshowsns cruvee—”
“Chew, chew,swallow,” I directed.
