Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Her fiery hair, which I love spreading across my white pillows, came loose from its usual upswept ‘do and now falls gently to her waist. Her hazel eyes look wide and stricken above sooty cheeks, as if she barely escaped the heat of the battle. A rip in her soft cinnamon blouse bares her shoulder. Her long skirts are shredded, as if she caught them on something sharp as she fled.
But no matter how exhausted and horrified she is, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never felt anything like this primal need to guard, to possess, to never let her out of my sight again. Every instinct screams at me to wrap her in my arms and never release her. To tell Sean Blackbourne to sod off, that she’s mine. That she’s always been mine.
I can’t.
When she sees me, she gasps and runs for me. Merely for safety and comfort, I know. But the way she whispers my name is a jolt to my heart.
I meet her halfway, my arms open. I’m grateful when she slams into me, and I clutch her tightly, wishing I never had to let go.
“T-they came so quickly. I…I didn’t know what to do. Father yelled at me to run. Mathias made it impossible to teleport and—”
“Shh,” I comfort her. “I know. I…saw.”
Wildly, she shakes her head, her fiery hair lighting up the morning. “He killed them, didn’t he?”
She doesn’t know her family is dead? No, and I have to tell her. She already despises me for walking away. The pain of her fury already burns. But she deserves to know. No one else will break it to her as gently.
Lifting her in my arms, I carry her to a nearby sitting room, shutting the door against my curious father. I set her on my lap. For a heartbeat, she clings to me, her fingers digging into my shirt as if I’m her anchor. God, I wish I could be. I wish I had that right.
Using my magic, I pour her a bit of water from the nearby bar and levitate it to her. “Drink this.”
“Answer me!” That temper of hers flashes hot and suddenly. “Are they dead?”
What the hell can I say? “I’m so sorry, Tabby.”
Tears flood her eyes as pain crests over her face. “A-all of them?”
I nod. “I brought them here for burial.”
Her eyes darken to twin wells of anguish. I don’t know what to do except hold her as long as she needs me. As long as she’ll let me.
She sobs against my chest, her grief raw and all-consuming. I stroke her hair, murmuring meaningless words of comfort, wishing I could take away her pain.
Finally, her tears slow. She pulls back slightly, her hazel eyes meeting mine—red-rimmed but fierce.
“Everything happened so suddenly. I wanted to fight, but my father opened a hidden door in his office,” she whispers, her voice hoarse. “I’d never seen it. Never even knew it existed. He shoved me inside and made me promise to run. I left to get help but…”
My blood chills. “Do you have any idea why you were attacked? Any idea at all?”
As tears slide down her sooty cheeks, she nods. “Not precisely, but Mathias was searching for something.”
Chapter
Three
Tabitha
* * *
I bury my face in Raiden’s neck and do the one thing I swore I’d never do again: I cling to him. As always, he’s solid. Hard body, substantial shoulders. He’s pulled his long golden hair away from the dazzlingly masculine angles of his chiseled face.
The sight of him, distressing even days ago because I ached so badly for him, is now a desperate comfort.
Everything I’ve ever known, everyone I’ve ever loved—except Raiden—is gone. I’m virtually alone in the world. I scarcely know my intended mate. I have no one else to turn to, especially anyone knowledgeable in fighting Mathias.
I press my trembling lips together to hold in the tears threatening, but emotion overwhelms me. Sobs wrack my body.
For months, Raiden has been a right bloody bastard. I doubt I cross his mind much. But he’ll protect me; I’m convinced of that—purely for our youngling’s safety. I mean nothing to him.
Still, I can’t stop myself from sinking into him as he holds me tight, caressing my back whilst he whispers assurances. No, everything won’t be all right. I know better. I haven’t felt safe for a moment since the attack. Until now. This Raiden is the attentive lover who seduced me months ago, not the unfeeling cad who broke my heart weeks later.
I shove that thought aside. My feelings no longer matter. Only staying alive for my youngling does.
“It-it was terrible,” I mutter. “So unexpected. We’d just finished eating dinner. Mother was pouring wine. Father informed me that Sean would be around tomorrow evening, then…”
Raiden’s grip tightens. “You don’t have to say more.”