Page 137 of The Ranger

I know.

She shook with impossibility of it.How can this be?

He blinked back the tears trying to escape.Because you are mine, and I am yours, little one. We are bonding.

She sucked in a breath, once again aware they were not alone. But it didn’t matter. All that did was Markhel.Who are you?

She didn’t know why she asked, other than the question of who he was burned in her brain. So much so, she asked it again, and in the same bizarre manner.Who are you?

He straightened but didn’t get to his feet.Yours.

She shook her head.How is this possible?

He drew in a deep breath.You are Muiraran and so am I.

She’d heard the word before, but for the life of her, couldn’t remember where.

She was distracted by voices behind her. Whispers mostly, but she ignored them. Whatever was happening, she didn’t want it to stop. She still had no idea what it was. She only knew it brought her closer to him.

She smiled as she studied him and noticed little things about Markhel she hadn’t seen before. His eyes were such a bright blue they were mesmerizing. He hadn’t shaved in a day or two, the stubble on his jaw more pronounced. His chest was broad, the features of his face chiseled, his cheekbones higher than before. His hair seemed whiter and...

Her jaw dropped. He waschangingbefore her very eyes. His eyebrows had more of an upward slant, as did his eyes. But it was his ears that broke her out of the awe inspired stupor she was in.

And for some insane reason, she smiled. He was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. The only thing missing, as far as she was concerned, were angel wings.

She moved her lips, but nothing came out.What are you?

He closed his eyes, and thankfully whatever connection had formed between them didn’t break.I am the same as your cousin Jefferson’s wife, Lorelei. I am the same as your cousin’s wife Pepper. And I am much like you. But I suspect you do not have as much Muiraran blood as everyone thinks. I beleive your heart was always meant for mine.

She stared at him, said heart in her throat. She understood him deep down inside of her. He was slowly permeating a place she didn’t know existed.

Pain shot through her at the realization, and she cried out.Thatbroke their contact.

Markhel threw his head back and cried out so loudly, her teeth rattled. He then bared his teeth and hissed like an animal; his eyes fixated on whatever was behind her.

She clutched her stomach—was this what it felt like to be stabbed?—and turned to see who was there.

Her parents, grandparents, and the rest stood huddled in the hallway, watching them with wide eyes. No one moved, no one said a word, and she was glad for it.

* * *

Every musclein his body tightened. He got to his feet, bringing Maida with him. Her family stood in the hall, staring at them with a mix of horror and curiosity. Major held a gun.

Markhel shook as a tremor of pain wracked his body. “You are frightened.” He kept his voice steady but with great effort. “You need not be.” His eyes flicked to the gun in Major’s hand. He must have grabbed it from the pantry again. How many guns did he keep in there?

“Let her go,” Major said. “Just… let her go.”

“No.”

Vale stepped in front of Major. “This is normal. It’s all part of the process. Makama and I went through it too.”

“Major,” Honoria said, and put a hand over the gun. “It’s all right; I don’t think he means to hurt her.”

Major turned to her with wide eyes. “You just saw it; you heard her screams.”

“She’s fine for now,” Makama said. “Please lower the gun. Donotthreaten him.”

Major gave Markhel a hard stare. It was all he could do to keep still. His instinct to protect was overwhelming, and his control thin.