Read Online Promises (Book One of The Syrenka Series) by Amber Garr - Free Book Online

marriage.”
    “ We aren’t married yet,” I
grumbled and began quizzing Daniel so that Carissa would drop the
subject. It took a lot of self control not to look over towards
Kain every time I heard Lily’s squeaky giggle.
    An hour later, we had completed our
exam and were dismissed to prepare for the ball. All five of us
were staying in the boat houses, so we walked back together and
made plans to meet on the front patio just before dinner. Brendan
and I exchange a few quick texts. I missed him and let him know
that. He was busy with work, but promised that he had a surprise
for me when I got home.
    I was so exhausted that I asked if I
could take a shower first. Well that and also because I knew that
if Kain got in there before me, there wouldn’t be any hot water
left. He obliged, and I let the smell of the soaps and lotions
carry me away to my happy place so that I could get through this
evening.

 
     
    Six
    I was sitting in front of the only
mirror in the room trying to do something special with my hair. It
was so long and thick that pulling it up off my neck and out of my
face was a definite in this weather. I looked at my silver gown
hanging on the closet door and smiled. It was fun to play dress-up
every once and a while.
    My hair was almost done when there was
a knock at the door. Kain was still in the shower and I was just
wearing my pajamas. We weren’t necessarily expecting anyone, so I
was curious. When I opened the door, an old man was standing there.
He had been tall at one point, but now he was leaning over on his
cane so much that he’d lost at least six inches. The graying hair
and pale skin hung around his face. Dark circles created shadows on
skin that reminded me of someone who had not slept in weeks. When I
finally realized who this was, my heart sank with
sadness.
    “ Mr. Matthew?”
    “ Hello Eviana. May I come
in?” I backed away from the door so that he could walk inside.
Kain’s father had aged a decade since I last saw him. He hobbled
slowly and stiffly like every step was agony. I could hear him
breathing in short ragged breaths so I went to his side and ushered
him to the edge of the bed.
    “ Thank you, dear,” he
wheezed. He pulled out a cloth handkerchief from his suit jacket
and patted his forehead. “I don’t know how people survive in this
heat. My body is constantly dripping.”
    “ Can I get you some water
Mr. Matthew?” He looked like he was about to pass out and I didn’t
know what else I could do.
    “ Please dear, call me
Harlan. You are a part of our family now and I hate the
formalities. Yes, a glass of water would be very nice, thank
you.”
    I went into the little kitchenette
area and turned on the faucet. From where I was standing, I could
see steam seeping out from underneath the bathroom door like a
morning fog, but I heard that the shower had been turned off.
Hopefully Kain would come out soon. His father did not look well,
and I wasn’t sure if this was his normal appearance or if he was
having a really hard time.
    Handing the water to Harlan I asked,
“Did you just get here?”
    He drank almost the entire glass
before responding. “Yes, I was supposed to arrive earlier today so
that I could act as your sponsor, but I was held up in L.A.” I
gestured to see if he wanted more water, but he shook his head.
Upon doing that, he suddenly seemed very interested in our room. He
looked around in a circular pattern and when he got back to me, he
wrinkled his forehead in concern. “One bed?”
    Oh great. Where was Kain? I could feel
the blush in my cheeks and the nerves in my stomach. This was not
something I wanted to discuss with Kain’s father even though our
situation has been completely innocent.
    “ Yeah.” I had to clear my
throat to get more words out. “But it’s not what you think. We have
an arrangement. I mean, we’re not sleeping together. Well, we are,
but it’s not like that. We sleep in clothes.” Oh just kill me
now.
    Harlan laughed and