Chapter 60: Chapter 60
“Ah, don’t tell me you play too? Ryder is obsessed with music. You’re a match made in heaven.” Jennifer’s lips curled in silent amusement as she studied Elena, whose cheeks were colored with a pink hue.
“Don’t tease them so much,” David reminded her with a sigh and a shake of his head. “Or else she won’t come back.”
Jennifer covered her mouth with her hand, hiding a smile. “Elena darling, as my future daughter-in-law, I want you to stop by as often as you would like.”
Elena coughed, almost spitting out her wine. She set the glass down on the table and wiped her mouth with a napkin. Jennifer seemed dead-set on playing matchmaker tonight. Just how long had she waited for her son to find his soulmate? Mischief glimmered in her eyes, proving that she knew very well what she was doing. Even though Jennifer’s remarks sounded innocent and lighthearted, she was a clever woman, choosing her words with care.
“Please don’t hesitate to call me whenever you need advice, alright? I know you’re not familiar with all the customs and traditions of us vampires, but I want to offer help,” Jennifer added with a warm smile. “It seems like you haven’t sealed your soulmate bond yet.”
Confusion spread across Elena’s face. She glanced at Ryder, but his expression remained unreadable and void of emotion. “Mother, I told you not to pressure her. We don’t have any reason to hurry.”
“What do you mean? I thought our bond was fine the way it is?” Elena asked.
Ryder sighed and set his mother a dark look. “It’s too soon, Elena. We will get there eventually, but not right now.”
“But…”
“Trust me,” he said firmly and fixated her with his deep blue eyes. “It will happen once the time is right.”
“Oh,” she replied and lowered her head. Her gaze fell on her empty plate. She had already had dessert, and while it had tasted amazing, she now found the sweet aftertaste to be a bit strong.
“I hope you will tell me soon. As your soulmate, I should know.”
Ryder was not used to her demanding tone, so he arched his brow. His larger hand cupped hers on the table surface. The rings he wore were as cool as his skin when he touched her. “And you will, buttercup. But as of right now, I believe it’s too soon.”
“Did I hear that right?” Jennifer interrupted, her smile somewhat impish. “Did you call her buttercup?”
Ryder groaned, realizing his mistake. She would never let him hear the end of this.
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Jennifer’s comment about Elena’s and Ryder’s soulmate bond stayed on Elena’s mind, along with Ryder’s dismissive reaction to it. She wondered what his mother could have meant. Why did they need to seal their bond, and what would change afterward? Moreover, why was Ryder so reluctant to tell her? Elena had to get to the bottom of this.
The next morning, while Ryder was busy working on one of his songs, Elena used the opportunity and sought out her friend Helen. She found the vampire in Edgar’s atelier, where she watched him working on a new painting.
“Good morning,” Elena said after entering. “Do you have a moment?”
“What’s up?” Helen asked.
“I have a question about soulmate bonds.”
Edgar and Helen exchanged a curious glance. He put down his paintbrush, focusing his attention on her. “I wonder why you don’t ask Ryder about it,” he commented, somewhat amusedly. “Is there a reason?”
“He doesn’t want to answer my question,” Elena sighed. “It bothers me.”
“Well, maybe we can help. What do you need to know?” Helen asked and crossed her arms, casually leaning against a shelf with art supplies.
“Um… I want to know how we can seal our soulmate bond. What do we have to do?”
Edgar and Helen stared at her for three seconds without moving or blinking before he snorted and hid his smile behind his hand. Helen giggled and almost fell over with laughter, clutching her stomach. And Elena felt even more confused seeing their reactions.
“What’s so funny?”
“Haha… I think… haha… I know why he didn’t… tell you,” Helen forced out. “You’re so cute, I can’t handle it.”
“Tell me.” Elena pouted. Her cheeks warmed.
Edgar calmed down and offered her a smile. “Ryder’s decision not to tell you yet is understandable. You should trust him.”
“Why? Is it something bad? Why won’t you say it?”
Helen wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and approached Elena, beaming in amusement. “My innocent baby,” she cooed and hugged the younger woman. “You’re so adorable.” She patted Elena’s back before she let go and exchanged another glance with Edgar, who rolled his eyes at her doting behavior.
“When it’s time to seal your bond, I’m sure you won’t regret anything,” Helen smirked. “Look forward to it. You’ll love it.” She broke out in another fit of giggles while Edgar tried to calm her down. He was exasperated, running his hand through his hair while he attempted to regain his soulmate’s attention.
“That wasn’t very helpful,” Elena frowned. She only felt embarrassed now that she had asked.
“Sorry, Elena,” Helen teased. “Maybe you could try asking Ryder again.”
“Fine. I will.”
She left the couple alone and stormed back to where she came from. This time, however, she didn’t enter her own room, but Ryder’s. She found him at his desk in front of the computer screen, concentratedly staring at it.
“Ryder.” Elena burst out as soon as she arrived.
“What is it, buttercup?” he mumbled without taking his eyes off the screen. “I’m working.”
She stood in front of his desk and wrung her hands, flustered from her encounter with Edgar and Helen. Her irregular heartbeats didn’t stay unnoticed by her soulmate, making him wonder what she wanted. He saved his document and closed it, directing his attention to her.
“Pleasetellmehowtosealourbond,” she sputtered so fast, not even a vampire could understand what she was saying. Ryder scrunched his forehead and leaned back in his seat. He gnawed on his silver lip piercing.
“Say it again,” he demanded.
“I want to know what we have to do to seal our bond,” she repeated slowly.
His eyes widened a fraction, but his expression remained stoic. “I won’t tell you, buttercup.”