Earth Borne Read Online Free Page B

it to Arsenius, the male refused to accept the truth.
    Waiting for him in his study, however, was a letter from his captain. Arsenius had finally accepted the bond, had gone after his mate, and the two were reconciled. He wasn’t surprised. A bonded male could only resist for so long.
    Stepping outside his study, he paced the halls, rubbing his upper left bicep. The thin band beneath his skin throbbed. He’d managed to thwart the bonding once, and he could do it again. If he retreated, he’d retain his freedom. If he remained, it wouldn’t be long before the bond consumed him.
    The bonding didn’t scare him as much now. True, he’d dreaded being tied to one woman. Yet the notion of Kalliste as his mate didn’t seem so objectionable. What terrified him was if he stayed and became bonded, she had the right to refuse him.
    Then he would be…ruined.
    By all accounts, any centaur in his right mind would flee this instant. Why then, did his hooves lead him up the stairs and not down? Did his guilt eat at him so much he sought to punish himself?
    He shook his head, refusing to think any more. At the top, he veered left and strode to the end of the corridor. At Kalliste’s door, he hesitated, before he gathered the courage to knock. Not his wife, but rather a maid answered. The servant’s eyes widened in fear. She gasped and regarded the door like a traitor. He frowned at her. What was she hiding?
    “M-milord,” she stuttered. “What may I do for ye?” Recovering, she curtseyed, hands trembling.
    “I’d like to see my wife,” he ground out. “Where is she?”
    The maid squeaked. “Oh, milord, I’m afraid, she’s not here.” She wrung her hands.
    “Pray tell, where is she?” His suspicions aroused, the animal in him reared. What was Kalliste up to?
    “P-please, m-milord.”
    Ignoring the maid’s pleas, he strode into the room. The bed was indeed empty, so he directed his attention toward a small door beside it. As he twisted the knob, the maid’s protestations increased.
    “Please, no, milord, don’t go in there.” She bolted to block the door with her body. “Milady will throw a fit if you find her with Master Lucian—”
    He snarled at her so fiercely she tossed her hands up in protection and scooted across the room, squeaking like a mouse that had almost gotten its tail bitten off. He didn’t care. His wife was inside, fornicating with her lover, and nothing would stop him from storming inside.
    He slammed open the door, nostrils flared and hands clenched into fists, ready to tear apart his prey. No moans of ecstasy filled the air. No bare flesh assaulted him, no images of lovers rutting.
    Instead, his wife was asleep, her arms curled around a small centaur child. She rested under the blankets, but he slept above them. Centaurs, even as babes, rarely had the need for extra warmth.
    Thereus’s hooves shifted impatiently, his body tense as he readied for a fight. His mind faltered in its attempt to process the scene before him. Was this Master Lucian? A child? Awareness struck him. He swallowed hard. Her child. Aye, this must be Kalliste’s son asleep in her arms.
    He unclenched his jaw and approached the bed, unable to determine what to think, how to feel. Slowly, he extended a hand toward his wife’s hair.
    “I beg you, milord, do not wake them.” The maid inched into the room. Her pleading voice broke through the enormous silence.
    Hanging his head, he withdrew his hand and asked, for he had to know. “Who is he?” The maid didn’t answer. He glared at her, daring her to disobey him.
    She teetered on her feet. “His name is Master Lucian. He’s your son, milord.” The shock must have shown on his face, for she added, “Please, milord, don’t tell anyone. We had orders from your father. You weren’t to be told until morning. They’ll discharge me for sure if they learn I—”
    He held up a hand to silence her rambling.
    A son. He was a father. A father. My son . I have a son. I’m a