Chapter 3

"Is speaking to one's self a normal human quality?"

Hailey whirled around with a shriek. "God! Could you make your presence known even more terrifying?"

He had the grace to look chagrined. "Sorry. I didn't think you were so easily surprised."

"I'm not. I was just thinking, is all." She crossed her arms across her chest, clenching the bed sheet even tighter around herself.

"You're not dressed." He stated the obviously, moving forward and circling hers. "Or do you intend to wear this to dinner?"

"No!" She backed away. "I looked in the armoire. Those clothes aren't mine."

"Of course not. I didn't pack anything for you, not that it would have surveyed the journey."

"I can't wear that. its not mine and it looks really expensive."

The smile on his face faded quickly. "You're gonna be difficult aren't you?"

She scoffed. "You take me from my home, and you say I'm being difficult. You want difficult, I'll give it to you."

He dropped down into a nearby chair. "What I mean is ... you don't need to be so independent here. I'm here for you, whatever you need I'll give you. I'll feed you, I'll clothe you, and I'll shelter you. There isn't a thing you need to worry about here."

"Are you serious?" She stared at him.

"Yes, of course. Am I smiling?"

"That's so sexist!" She sat on the bed. "I don't need you to take care of me, I've worked ever since I could and since then I've done a damn good job of taking care of myself. I don't need a man to survive." She continued. "I had my own food, I had my own clothes and I had my own place before you swept me into this ... this ... this place!"

"This place is your new home." He told her patiently.

She groaned. "I don't know anything about you! I don't know where I am, what I'm going to do. You could be sacrificing me to some freaky god for all I know."

He laughed. "Not likely."

"You want me to accept all of this so quickly, you want me to put on your clothing and go to dinner with you like I've done it every day of my life but I haven't. I might be living in some damn palace or castle by the looks of things but ... I will not be some idiotic woman falling into whatever you want. I won't have it."

He rose and moved to her and took her hands in his, entwining their fingers. "You do not want someone to care for you?"

She blinked at him. "Why would anyone want to care for me?" She whispered.

"You're very silly, you know that?" He stared into her dark hazel eyes. "I want to take care of you, I want to love you ... I want a lot with you."

"You don't know the first thing about me, neither do I of you. How could you know what you want?"

"I like what I see in you." He told her.

"How did you even find me? If you live here and I live ... on an entirely different world..."

"Because I was told to look for you there. You are my soul mate, its written in the stars. You just have to take a chance and you'll see."

She smirked. "Its nice to know there are stars here too."

He kissed her hand. "I promise to ... take care of you, Hailey. I will try not to make you feel helpless or dependant upon me. I'm sure there is something that you can do around the castle. I won't buy you any more clothing, but please wear something of what's there. As much as I would rather you naked all the time, I would be filled with a jealous rage if anyone else were to."

"How can you be so sure you like me so much? I've just gotten here hours ago and all I've done was yell and scream at you."

"I understand what you are going through. I suppose I should have come to you sensibly and asked you to come back with me ... but I couldn't chance that you might refuse."

Hailey glanced down. "If you had come to me, and had explained everything to me sensibly I probably would have come. I've always wished something extraordinary would happen to me, take me away. This would have made my day if I wouldn't have woken up here dazed and confused like I did."

He winced. "Bad choice I made, then." He rubbed her hands then let them go so he could sit beside her.

"Probably. But you never know. I always dreamed but you never know until it happens. I'm sorry for being so mean, you've probably done me a favor."

"So ... you'll be my mate, willingly."

She scooted backwards awkwardly. "I wouldn't go that far but ... I'm willing to try things out here. Maybe we could just get to know one another?"

He stared at her. "Everyone here expects me to mate with you."

"You can explain to them, can't you?"

He frowned. "I might but everyone will see you as my woman."

"This place isn't barbarian is it? I'm not your woman. I'm a woman."

"But you are my life mate. I would not have brought you here otherwise. Every man here searches for theirs and gets them. I have done the same, Hailey. The women and men know this and will treat you as such."

"You cannot change that?"

"No I can't. I don't wish too either, I do not doubt that you and I are meant for each other. If you want to wait and court, then we shall. I will help you along the way."

"Court?" She repeated. She chuckled. "What era are you in, Cullen?"

He tugged on her hands until she was standing with him. He let go of one hand reluctantly as she grappled at the tie in her breasts.

"You will find that we are a civilized people here. We just ... use the good useful technology and ignore the things that destroy other people."

"Like?" She wrinkled her nose at his back as he moved to open the armoire. "Stuffy dresses?"

"I have studied your world for many years. When I was a boy, the grand priestess told me I would have to search out of the realm for my wife. So I studied." He informed her.

"Wait, wait. Grand Priestess, that tells me much about your people but why would a grand priestess tell you anything? I mean ... grand is for like people of..." She swore loudly. "You're not a prince are you?" She looked distressed.

He glanced back at her over his shoulder thoughtfully. "Damien thought all earth girls wanted to be princesses. Nevertheless I am not a prince."

"Thank you." She let out a relieved sigh. "The last thing I need is some renaissance prince wanting me for his princess."

"I'm a duke actually." He murmured as he riffled through the armoire.

"A what?" Hailey whirled around from where she had begun pacing. "A duke. You mean like, the only other noble under a prince... ?"

"You know your stuff." He commented. "In all reality, I am only the heir but my father delegates to me much already. I am cousin to Damien, who is second in line to inherit the kingdom. Alexander is first in line, Marius is third and I guess I am fourth. You don't have to worry about being a princess or a queen but a duchess."