Read Online Fate War: Alliance by E.M. Havens - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: E.M. Havens
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unfamiliar jealousy and its new companion suspicion.
“I heard voices.” He crossed his arms in an accusatory stance. Seeing a flicker of alarm in Samantha’s eyes, and realizing his appearance, he nervously moved his hands to his hips. Still feeling the stance a little harsh, he awkwardly clasped his hands behind his back.
“Oh, yes.” She averted her eyes and fidgeted with her hands. “I was practicing my enunciation.” A nervous chuckle escaped her lips, but nothing near as carefree as moments before.
It wasn’t like Cole to let things go, and she was lying to him. Everything in her posture screamed it. He was about to demand the truth when he remembered his current directive. The goal was to woo her. Possibly, yelling and calling her a liar could detract from that purpose. Putting on his most debonair smile, Cole pushed his jealously and suspicion aside managing another first.
****
The amber light shining through her hair set it ablaze. Her features transformed in the glow of the setting sun. Everything about her was softer, less severe as they strolled through the rose gardens. The air around them blended into a monochromatic blush as the sun slipped below the horizon. Even the myriad colors of the roses blended into one.
It took much convincing, cajoling and reassuring to get Samantha to leave their quarters. He hadn’t even given her the gift yet, but Cole was glad she had consented. He stole glances at her as they walked side by side. They didn’t speak. The crunch of gravel beneath their feet, and the buzz of insects were the only sounds about them. His hands were clasped behind him and hers held her skirts to hover just above the ground. He wanted her hand on his arm, but he would settle for their proximity and the contented smile she wore for now. He held out a hand indicating the next path they should take. They walked in silence a moment more, then Samantha cleared her throat.
“I would like to thank you, Lord Cole. Although this is highly irregular, I have quite enjoyed our walk.”
Success! Cole wanted to jump in the air and whoop. Instead, he gave her a measured nod. He now knew one thing about Samantha. She liked to walk. Scrunching his face, he realized this wasn’t much of a start, but at least she had indicated an opinion. For a moment, he thought maybe he should take the small victory and return to the castle, but he was too excited about the gift he had chosen. With the sweep of a hand he ushered Samantha down yet another path in the fading light.
The breeze began to carry quiet whinnies and snorts as they strolled along. Then, the deep rich odors of manure and straw wafted past, and Cole breathed deep, letting the comforting smell infuse him. As he exhaled, a similar sound drew his attention to his side. He saw Samantha, eyes closed and nostrils flared, sampling the earthy bouquet as well. Cole stopped short. At the abrupt sound of skittering gravel, Samantha’s opened her eyes in alarm. She quickly raised a gloved hand to her mouth and coughed ineffectually. Giving him an apologetic look, she gathered her skirts again and continued walking. Ignoring the odd interaction, he caught up with her in two strides.
“I would like to introduce you to a very dear friend of mine.”
“Certainly. I’m sure we can arrange a visit to our quarters.”
“I was actually thinking more like, now.”
The path ended, and they found themselves at the stables. Cole stepped forward and opened the worn door. Samantha hesitated, but with Cole’s reassuring nod she stepped into the well-lit corridor beyond. As she passed him, the lantern light glinted off a piece of jewelry Samantha wore. He squinted at the bright reflection and stepped in behind. He was determined to see what nearly blinded him.
“Nice brooch.” Cole said, catching his sarcasm too late. Her hand flew to the palm-sized, oval medallion that sat over her heart and caressed it protectively.
“Thank you,” she replied, but it
“I heard voices.” He crossed his arms in an accusatory stance. Seeing a flicker of alarm in Samantha’s eyes, and realizing his appearance, he nervously moved his hands to his hips. Still feeling the stance a little harsh, he awkwardly clasped his hands behind his back.
“Oh, yes.” She averted her eyes and fidgeted with her hands. “I was practicing my enunciation.” A nervous chuckle escaped her lips, but nothing near as carefree as moments before.
It wasn’t like Cole to let things go, and she was lying to him. Everything in her posture screamed it. He was about to demand the truth when he remembered his current directive. The goal was to woo her. Possibly, yelling and calling her a liar could detract from that purpose. Putting on his most debonair smile, Cole pushed his jealously and suspicion aside managing another first.
****
The amber light shining through her hair set it ablaze. Her features transformed in the glow of the setting sun. Everything about her was softer, less severe as they strolled through the rose gardens. The air around them blended into a monochromatic blush as the sun slipped below the horizon. Even the myriad colors of the roses blended into one.
It took much convincing, cajoling and reassuring to get Samantha to leave their quarters. He hadn’t even given her the gift yet, but Cole was glad she had consented. He stole glances at her as they walked side by side. They didn’t speak. The crunch of gravel beneath their feet, and the buzz of insects were the only sounds about them. His hands were clasped behind him and hers held her skirts to hover just above the ground. He wanted her hand on his arm, but he would settle for their proximity and the contented smile she wore for now. He held out a hand indicating the next path they should take. They walked in silence a moment more, then Samantha cleared her throat.
“I would like to thank you, Lord Cole. Although this is highly irregular, I have quite enjoyed our walk.”
Success! Cole wanted to jump in the air and whoop. Instead, he gave her a measured nod. He now knew one thing about Samantha. She liked to walk. Scrunching his face, he realized this wasn’t much of a start, but at least she had indicated an opinion. For a moment, he thought maybe he should take the small victory and return to the castle, but he was too excited about the gift he had chosen. With the sweep of a hand he ushered Samantha down yet another path in the fading light.
The breeze began to carry quiet whinnies and snorts as they strolled along. Then, the deep rich odors of manure and straw wafted past, and Cole breathed deep, letting the comforting smell infuse him. As he exhaled, a similar sound drew his attention to his side. He saw Samantha, eyes closed and nostrils flared, sampling the earthy bouquet as well. Cole stopped short. At the abrupt sound of skittering gravel, Samantha’s opened her eyes in alarm. She quickly raised a gloved hand to her mouth and coughed ineffectually. Giving him an apologetic look, she gathered her skirts again and continued walking. Ignoring the odd interaction, he caught up with her in two strides.
“I would like to introduce you to a very dear friend of mine.”
“Certainly. I’m sure we can arrange a visit to our quarters.”
“I was actually thinking more like, now.”
The path ended, and they found themselves at the stables. Cole stepped forward and opened the worn door. Samantha hesitated, but with Cole’s reassuring nod she stepped into the well-lit corridor beyond. As she passed him, the lantern light glinted off a piece of jewelry Samantha wore. He squinted at the bright reflection and stepped in behind. He was determined to see what nearly blinded him.
“Nice brooch.” Cole said, catching his sarcasm too late. Her hand flew to the palm-sized, oval medallion that sat over her heart and caressed it protectively.
“Thank you,” she replied, but it
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