Read Online Origins (A Black Novel, #1) by Jessa L. Gilbert - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jessa L. Gilbert
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a grin to spread across my face. I did like her spirit. Behind her Sera nudges her gently in my direction with a questioning look. “This is my daughter, Adelin.” This girl is the newfound Immortal Mother was telling me about?
Things just got a lot more interesting. Looks like I’ll be staying with my parents a bit longer than I had planned. “Adelin,” I repeat as she reluctantly takes my hand.
Surprising us both, I bend down and place a lingering kiss on the back of her hand. The clean, delicious scent of her soap mixed with the tang and sweetness of peaches and honey invades my nostrils and my hunger immediately flares to life bringing with it thoughts of blood and innocence stolen. I keep my eyes locked on hers, noting with satisfaction the blush that begins to slowly creep over her cheeks. Against her better judgment a shiver wracks her body and her cool grey eyes warm even as she gapes down at me with an appalled expression. My lips curve as I think of all the fun we could have together; the things I could do to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I respond smoothly as I straighten and politely drop her hand. Annie, my mother’s servant, appears just then and announces “Dinner is served,” before quickly retreating.
“Shall we, ladies?” I ask as I offer an arm to both Sera and Adelin, knowing full well Adelin wouldn’t be able to refuse in her mother’s presence. She steps forwards with a defeated sigh and neatly wraps her arm around mine, all the while refusing to look at me.
I chuckle softly as I lead the two women down the hallway and into the dining room, dominated by the overly large, gleaming solid oak table at its center. Working quickly, I seat Mother at the head of the table with Sera on her right before escorting Adelin to the opposite side. I stop and pull out the chair on Mother’s left, gesturing for her to sit, before plopping into the seat beside her with a small smirk.
Adelin looks around confused as she takes in the place settings.
“Isn’t Mr. Black joining us?”
Mother’s eyes snap up. “ Who? ”
“Your husband, Mr. Black,” Adelin clarifies innocently.
Shit! Didn’t she know ? Mother’s going to have a fit . “Woods,” I murmur beside her, my voice barely audible.
“What?” she asks, eyebrows scrunched.
I sigh and clear my throat before speaking so everyone can hear,
“My father’s surname is Woods. Elrich Woods.” My voice comes out much sterner than I had hoped and Adelin tenses up beside me. I silently curse myself but remain otherwise unresponsive.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Sera- er, Mom, mentioned him. I just assumed his last name was Black,” she stutters looking flustered.
Mother glances at Sera incredulously, “Have you not taught her anything ?” Her voice resounds harshly throughout the room causing me to cringe inwardly.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss everything yet,” Sera replies meekly.
Mother’s face sets into a stern expression as she turns back towards Adelin. My hands clench the underside of the table firmly to keep from speaking up as she begins to lecture her, “In the case of Immortals, women hold all the power. When a couple marries, if the male is richer or more powerful than the bride, he is allowed to take her name. If not, he keeps his own to distinguish between the two.
Their children automatically take the female’s surname.” She pauses and levels her gaze silently on Adelin for several seconds before continuing, “My husband is known as Elrich Woods, not Black. Your Immortal offspring, should you choose to have any, will be given the surname Wynford, as will you after the change, after your mother.”
“But—” Adelin opens her mouth to protest, a questioning look on her face.
“Don’t,” I whisper lowly as I gently place my hand over hers under the table to silence her. I fix my eyes on her cool grey ones, silently pleading with her, and shake my head slightly. For some reason I want to
Things just got a lot more interesting. Looks like I’ll be staying with my parents a bit longer than I had planned. “Adelin,” I repeat as she reluctantly takes my hand.
Surprising us both, I bend down and place a lingering kiss on the back of her hand. The clean, delicious scent of her soap mixed with the tang and sweetness of peaches and honey invades my nostrils and my hunger immediately flares to life bringing with it thoughts of blood and innocence stolen. I keep my eyes locked on hers, noting with satisfaction the blush that begins to slowly creep over her cheeks. Against her better judgment a shiver wracks her body and her cool grey eyes warm even as she gapes down at me with an appalled expression. My lips curve as I think of all the fun we could have together; the things I could do to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I respond smoothly as I straighten and politely drop her hand. Annie, my mother’s servant, appears just then and announces “Dinner is served,” before quickly retreating.
“Shall we, ladies?” I ask as I offer an arm to both Sera and Adelin, knowing full well Adelin wouldn’t be able to refuse in her mother’s presence. She steps forwards with a defeated sigh and neatly wraps her arm around mine, all the while refusing to look at me.
I chuckle softly as I lead the two women down the hallway and into the dining room, dominated by the overly large, gleaming solid oak table at its center. Working quickly, I seat Mother at the head of the table with Sera on her right before escorting Adelin to the opposite side. I stop and pull out the chair on Mother’s left, gesturing for her to sit, before plopping into the seat beside her with a small smirk.
Adelin looks around confused as she takes in the place settings.
“Isn’t Mr. Black joining us?”
Mother’s eyes snap up. “ Who? ”
“Your husband, Mr. Black,” Adelin clarifies innocently.
Shit! Didn’t she know ? Mother’s going to have a fit . “Woods,” I murmur beside her, my voice barely audible.
“What?” she asks, eyebrows scrunched.
I sigh and clear my throat before speaking so everyone can hear,
“My father’s surname is Woods. Elrich Woods.” My voice comes out much sterner than I had hoped and Adelin tenses up beside me. I silently curse myself but remain otherwise unresponsive.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Sera- er, Mom, mentioned him. I just assumed his last name was Black,” she stutters looking flustered.
Mother glances at Sera incredulously, “Have you not taught her anything ?” Her voice resounds harshly throughout the room causing me to cringe inwardly.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to discuss everything yet,” Sera replies meekly.
Mother’s face sets into a stern expression as she turns back towards Adelin. My hands clench the underside of the table firmly to keep from speaking up as she begins to lecture her, “In the case of Immortals, women hold all the power. When a couple marries, if the male is richer or more powerful than the bride, he is allowed to take her name. If not, he keeps his own to distinguish between the two.
Their children automatically take the female’s surname.” She pauses and levels her gaze silently on Adelin for several seconds before continuing, “My husband is known as Elrich Woods, not Black. Your Immortal offspring, should you choose to have any, will be given the surname Wynford, as will you after the change, after your mother.”
“But—” Adelin opens her mouth to protest, a questioning look on her face.
“Don’t,” I whisper lowly as I gently place my hand over hers under the table to silence her. I fix my eyes on her cool grey ones, silently pleading with her, and shake my head slightly. For some reason I want to
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