Read Online Twilight Magic by Shari Anton - Free Book Online Page B

head.
    “My lady, is aught amiss?”
    Emma couldn’t answer Maura, the pain too new and sharp to allow speech just yet.
    Gar shouted an order at someone to fetch Darian, a hint of panic in his voice. As she took her hands from the water and placed fingers at her temples, she hoped everyone would just remain calm and Darian wouldn’t appear until the sharp pain subsided into the wretched ache with which she’d learned how to deal.
    This wasn’t how she’d wanted to begin her stay at Hadone. Not with a headache that could force her to bed and darkness for several days. They would all think her weak, fragile, sickly.
    Damn visions! Why must they make her life so miserable? What had she done to deserve their intrusion? Why was she so flawed?
    On the verge of tears, Emma fought to control her emotions until the sharpness gave way to a throbbing ache. Careful not to look down at the washbasin, she opened her eyes to encounter Maura’s distressed concern.
    Emma grasped hold of the first explanation for her distress that came to mind. “I beg your pardon, Maura, Gar. The journey must have been more trying than I thought. ’Tis merely a headache, but I think it best if I go up and lie down.”
    “Want you aught to eat first?”
    The thought of food churned her stomach. If she didn’t escape the hall soon, she might embarrass herself further.
    “Nay, not now. Perhaps later.”
    Eager to escape the stares of everyone in the hall, Emma rose from the bench. Too fast, too soon. She swayed.
    Someone clasped her upper arms.
    “I have you. Easy.”
    Darian held her upright, his strong hands a counter to her dizziness. She leaned back for further relief and fell backward into his equally strong arms.

Chapter Six
    D arian’s arms enfolded her, and though revealing her weakness wasn’t wise, Emma couldn’t help but lean back and lay her head on his solid shoulder.
    Within moments her dizziness began to slowly subside, an unusual but welcome treat. She credited her speed in halting the vision for the rare luxury. Too often the water held her captive for longer spells. The longer the entrancement, the more difficult to break it, the more painful the headache.
    His heat seeped through her garments, warming her clear through, including places where she shouldn’t be affected when in the throes of a headache.
    Darian held her firmly but gently, as if she were fragile. Emma knew she was as durable as steel, but then, even steel succumbed to fire. If she remained unmoving, pressed against Darian, she might never be cold again.
    “What happened?” His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
    She dare not speak the truth, fearing Darian would be horrified, think her possessed of demons and let go. Surely she’d fall, and she’d embarrassed herself enough for the nonce.
    “Headache. Came on so swiftly.”
    “Let us get you into a bed.”
    Oh aye, let’s!
    Ye gods! How could she have amorous thoughts
now
? The dizziness had eased, but her eyesight was still blurred and sensitive to light.
    Maura came around the table. “This way. Up the stairs.”
    Distrustful of her balance, but well aware she should lie down as soon as possible, she tried easing away from Darian. He held fast.
    “I need to follow Maura,” she said.
    “You are not steady enough for the stairs.”
    She’d done far more than climb stairs when enduring the throbbing in her head.
    “I can manage.”
    He actually chuckled. “So you have told me before. Manage or not, you are not climbing those stairs.”
    How he accomplished the feat Emma didn’t know, but next thing she realized, Darian had picked her up and, with her cradled in his arms, was heading for the stairway.
    “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
    She didn’t even think to disobey.
    ’Struth, she should be mortified. Pride demanded she protest his heavy-handed ordering her about and carrying her around. She did neither. That he lifted her as if she weighed no more than a feather—and she knew her weight