Free Worlds Apart 2: Hunter's Revenge by Bonnie Rose Leigh Page A

for you far too much to ever force myself on you.”
    Amy sighed then turned her gaze toward the water. They sat that way for several minutes as they silently watched the water, each lost in thoughts of their own. What would he do if she refused? Did he have the strength to let her go if that’s what she wanted? Yes, it may kill him to see her leave, but if it helped in Amy’s healing, he’d see her on a ship to Earth himself. He loved her too much already to ever cause her misery by keeping her with him when she’d rather be elsewhere.
    When Amy finally broke the silence growing between them, he thought he must have misheard her. “What was that?”
    “I said okay. I’ll let you use the mate bonds, but for right now that’s all I’m agreeing to.”
    Hunter nodded. He could hear the fear in her voice; see the fright in her eyes. Did she fear him or what lay ahead? He just didn’t know.
    Reaching behind him, Hunter grabbed the uniform he’d been carrying when he spotted her. As he dressed, he watched Amy’s reaction to his nakedness. She seemed both enthralled with his body and terrified of it. Until he proved to her he’d never harm her, he had to expect this reaction. He just had to remember not to push her for more than she could give and to step away immediately if she asked it of him.
    By the time he’d dressed, Amy had already dusted the sand from her pants, rolled her pant legs down and donned her shoes. He could feel Amy’s tension, her nervousness as though it were a living thing, choking her.
    “If you don’t want to do this, I understand.’
    Amy shook her head, “No. We both need to know.”
    The fact that his mate would use the Mate Bonds even though her fear nearly consumed her showed him just how courageous and strong she was—a fitting mate for the next ruler of Chantrea .
    Reaching down for her hand, Hunter gave it a quick squeeze. “Remember, all you have to say is stop , and I’ll walk away.”
    Knowing only once they used the Mate Bonds would she truly understand what he was asking of her, he wasn’t about to waste time. With her hand in his, Hunter led her out of the recreation deck. Within minutes, they’d traveled the length of the ship and reached their destination. Before entering his security code, Hunter needed to be sure this is what she wanted. “Are you sure, moya ? There is still time to say no.”
    “Have you changed your mind about bonding with me? I’m not whole. I may never be what you want or need.”
    Hunter shook his head. “That isn’t possible, moya . After we bond, you’ll understand. I promise.”
    He watched her nervously. What would she do?
    “All right. I’m ready if you are.”
    “I’ve been ready my entire life, Amy.” Knowing that only showing her the truth of his words would convince her, Hunter entered his security code and led her into the
Chantrean
Mating
Garden
.  
    “Sit here, moya . There is something I must retrieve first.” With nervous apprehension, Hunter went to the base of one of the nearby statues where a secret compartment was located. Earlier today, he’d placed what he’d need there for the bonding, hoping, praying he’d have use for them. Nestled within several layers of Chantrean silk for protection, were the Manruvian Mate Bonds. The use of the mate bonds ensured the person you wanted to make your mate was indeed the one destined to complete your soul. The men of Chantrea traveled with them in hopes that one day they might come across their mate and have the opportunity to use them.
    He quickly made his way back to the stone bench where Amy waited for him. Hunter paused before attaching the bond to her wrist. He refused to do anything she didn’t want. Even this. When she gave him a slow nod, he took her hands in his and bound her wrists together with the ritual binding straps, hoping that she was truly the one, the one who could complete him.
    When the other end began to seek his own wrist and wrapped itself around