Panic took over. "What!" he bellowed. "We need to get you to the clinic!" The men began to gather around to help.
"Just kidding." She stood and did an abbreviated tap dance before lifting an imaginary top hat in his direction. "I'm fine."
Darian dropped his head back and began to mentally count to ten.
One, two, three...
"Four, five, six..." Amelia continued.
Shocked, he opened his eyes. "Can you read minds?"
She shook her head. "No, but I was raised by three brothers; I know that look well."
"This can't be baby Amelia that Caiden is always talking about, can it?" Quinn asked.
"That would be me, and you are...?"
"Quinn Foxglove, and this monster is Graham Armstrong," he said, pointing to the extremely large warrior beside him. Graham smiled at his mate. Darian mentally corrected himself; she was not his mate. She was a random strange woman.
Amelia squealed and launched herself into Graham's arms. Graham laughed until he looked in his direction. Grinding his teeth, Darian forced himself to breathe slowly. Graham gently extricated himself from Amelia's enthusiastic hug.
Darian fought back waves of jealously. Why should he care what this random woman did? Wait, wasn't Graham holding her just a bit too long?
"Not that I don't appreciate the hug, but what was that for?" Graham asked.
"Your mother taught me growing up. I heard about you all the time." She bounced up and down while holding his hand.
Graham's mouth dropped open before he broke out in a huge grin. He laughed out loud and swept her up in another bear hug. "You're Amy!" Still grinning like an idiot, he put her down. "There wasn't a single time that my mother called when she didn't tell me about your latest exploits. My brother, Hunter, serves under Caiden in the Nu Unit. Is it true you hold the speed record for the Storm Keep obstacle course?"
Amelia nodded and let go of his hand to blow on her fingers before rubbing them on her chest. "No one has broken it yet."
"Are you two quite finished?" Darian asked coldly. At least she had stopped touching him.
Graham stepped back. "Now that we know she's okay, we'll get back to drills. Nice meeting you, Amy."
Amelia shook her head. "The only person on this planet who can call me Amy is your mother, and we both know you don't tell her no."
Graham nodded. "That's the Gods' honest truth. Welcome to Lycaonia!" He and Quinn waved goodbye and went back to their exercises.
"Maybe you and Amelia should walk around the property, just to make sure she's okay." Keelan suggested.
"Good idea, Keelan," Aiden agreed.
"Subtle," Darian said, eyeing the two men.
Aiden shrugged. "It's either us, or Meryn gets involved, and you know subtle is her middle name," Aiden joked. Darian remembered Aiden's hard lesson about ignoring his mate and shuddered. Would Amelia set his car on fire? He looked over to see her smiling up at him. He wouldn't put anything past her.
Darian realized there was no way to ignore the suggestion and, without saying a word, began walking toward the front of the house. Amelia jogged to catch up.
"Wait for me, princess."
"Stop calling me that."
"You can only order me to do that as your mate; otherwise, it's just a request, and one I will continue to ignore."
When they reached the back of the house, he slowed down then stopped. He turned around to face her. "Why are you trying to hard?"
She looked surprised at his question. "Because you're my mate. As much as your instincts are telling you to stay away to keep me safe, mine are just as loud--and probably more obnoxious--and they are telling me to save you."
Darian felt his mouth twitch. Something about her got to him. He turned and began walking again, slower this time. "If I knew for certain that I wouldn't drag you down with me..." He shook his head; he might not risk it even then.
"Maybe that is my destined future. Maybe we're meant to fall together."
He stopped suddenly. His head snapped back to face her. "That is unacceptable."
She scrunched up her nose. "You say that a lot."
He resumed walking. "Only around you."
He felt her grab the back of his shirt. When he turned around, he saw tears in her eyes. "Please," she whispered.
Unable to stop himself, he leaned down toward her. When their lips touched, he felt as if he had finally come home. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his body, enjoying the feel of her soft curves pressed against him. When he felt the tiny flicker that was the remainder of his soul trying to merge with hers, he broke off their kiss and stepped away. His breathing was ragged and labored. There was no way he could deny that she was his mate now. She had to have felt the merge begin.
He walked over to the large oak tree at the edge of the property and placed a hand on the trunk. He felt a modicum of control return.
"Damn that spell," he whispered.
"I dreamt of you before the spell remember? We were always meant to be. Almost from the moment of my birth, I belonged to you," she said softly.
He took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. He turned to face her. He owed her that at least. "I'll walk you back."
They walked in silence until they stood at the front door.
"I'll see you at dinner," he said, stepping off the porch.