Read Online wcEND.rtf by The Wishing Chalice (uc) (rtf) - Free Book Online
Authors: The Wishing Chalice (uc) (rtf)
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of her mouth, Isabel realized her mistake.
For a moment Hunter looked perplexed, but then probably realizing she'd given him the perfect argument, he stepped closer, invading her space again, f illing the air with his scent, his heat. He cupped her face with his very large hands and a jolt of instant awareness struck Isabel.
"Surely," he whispered as his fingers burrowed beneath the curls of her hair and his thumbs caressed her cheek, drawing goose bumps down her neck, "that fact alone proves that even without memories your heart recognizes me as your lord husband."
Isabel pursed her lip s — t here was no argument against that. No woman in her right mind would forget Hunter's touch. With an emotion akin to regret, she peeled his hands from her face and stepped back, putting some very necessary distance between them.
"I am willing to accept that fact," she said, realizing she must concede that much. "However, I ask you to be patient and wait to resume certain ... aspects of our married life until I can recover my memory."
If she couldn't avoid playing the role of wife to Hunte r — a t least, until she found that damn chalice and reversed the travesty her misguided wish had cause d — s he would surely avoid sharing his bed. She would not add to her sins . No matter how attracted she was to the man.
His nostrils flared in obvious displeasure. "We have been wedded for two weeks and I am to accept a celibate life unless your memory returns?"
Hunter and Détra were still in their honeymoon! No wonder he was freaking out. No ma n — u nless a priest or a eunuc h — w ould consider an undetermined time of celibacy. Worse of all, Isabel was unable to reassure Hunter it would be on l y a temporary arrangement, that soon all would be back to normal.
The back of Isabel's neck and shoulders ached with tension. She rubbed them wearily. Hunter had every right to be angry and to demand an answer from her. After all, though he didn't know, it had been her thoughtless wish that caused this horrible entanglement.
For a moment, Isabel toyed with the thought of asking Hunter for the chalice ' s whereabouts. But how would she explain she remembered it and nothing else? She could give no logical reason for wanting it. She wasn't even sure Hunter was aware of the chalice's magical powers. And if she revealed she was she would also have to reveal her secret. A secret so unbelievable no one, in this medieval time or any other, could possibly comprehend, let alone accept.
Isabel shook her head. No, she couldn't chance it. Her situation was precarious as it was. Maybe later, in a more appropriate time and place, she could spring her request on Hunter without having to give too many explanations.
Meanwhile, she would just keep on working to keep Hunter at bay while she searched for the chalice.
"I agree my request seems unfair," Isabel said. Hunter snorted. "All right, I know it is unfair. However, it is equally unfair of you to expect me to resume our life together as if nothing has happened." Forestalling his challenge and his approach she lifted a hand between them. "Please, hear me out. This is very difficult for me." Her voice shook with the effort to control her emotions and to think coherently. "I have l ost all cognizance of my own person. My request for some understanding and some time to remember, to situate myself, to accept and adjus t — i f necessary b e — t o this new life is not unreasonable."
A lengthy silence followed. Hunter stared at her as if he wanted to read her mind or touch her soul. Isabel understood she might be asking a little too much from a medieval man, but if Hunter cared for his wife the way it seemed he did, then he'd surely give her some breathing space.
"How l ong?” he finally asked.
Isabel let out a sigh of relief. "A month," she said promptly. Not that she had any intention of remaining in this body for that long. It was just a precaution in case things didn't go as smoothly as she
For a moment Hunter looked perplexed, but then probably realizing she'd given him the perfect argument, he stepped closer, invading her space again, f illing the air with his scent, his heat. He cupped her face with his very large hands and a jolt of instant awareness struck Isabel.
"Surely," he whispered as his fingers burrowed beneath the curls of her hair and his thumbs caressed her cheek, drawing goose bumps down her neck, "that fact alone proves that even without memories your heart recognizes me as your lord husband."
Isabel pursed her lip s — t here was no argument against that. No woman in her right mind would forget Hunter's touch. With an emotion akin to regret, she peeled his hands from her face and stepped back, putting some very necessary distance between them.
"I am willing to accept that fact," she said, realizing she must concede that much. "However, I ask you to be patient and wait to resume certain ... aspects of our married life until I can recover my memory."
If she couldn't avoid playing the role of wife to Hunte r — a t least, until she found that damn chalice and reversed the travesty her misguided wish had cause d — s he would surely avoid sharing his bed. She would not add to her sins . No matter how attracted she was to the man.
His nostrils flared in obvious displeasure. "We have been wedded for two weeks and I am to accept a celibate life unless your memory returns?"
Hunter and Détra were still in their honeymoon! No wonder he was freaking out. No ma n — u nless a priest or a eunuc h — w ould consider an undetermined time of celibacy. Worse of all, Isabel was unable to reassure Hunter it would be on l y a temporary arrangement, that soon all would be back to normal.
The back of Isabel's neck and shoulders ached with tension. She rubbed them wearily. Hunter had every right to be angry and to demand an answer from her. After all, though he didn't know, it had been her thoughtless wish that caused this horrible entanglement.
For a moment, Isabel toyed with the thought of asking Hunter for the chalice ' s whereabouts. But how would she explain she remembered it and nothing else? She could give no logical reason for wanting it. She wasn't even sure Hunter was aware of the chalice's magical powers. And if she revealed she was she would also have to reveal her secret. A secret so unbelievable no one, in this medieval time or any other, could possibly comprehend, let alone accept.
Isabel shook her head. No, she couldn't chance it. Her situation was precarious as it was. Maybe later, in a more appropriate time and place, she could spring her request on Hunter without having to give too many explanations.
Meanwhile, she would just keep on working to keep Hunter at bay while she searched for the chalice.
"I agree my request seems unfair," Isabel said. Hunter snorted. "All right, I know it is unfair. However, it is equally unfair of you to expect me to resume our life together as if nothing has happened." Forestalling his challenge and his approach she lifted a hand between them. "Please, hear me out. This is very difficult for me." Her voice shook with the effort to control her emotions and to think coherently. "I have l ost all cognizance of my own person. My request for some understanding and some time to remember, to situate myself, to accept and adjus t — i f necessary b e — t o this new life is not unreasonable."
A lengthy silence followed. Hunter stared at her as if he wanted to read her mind or touch her soul. Isabel understood she might be asking a little too much from a medieval man, but if Hunter cared for his wife the way it seemed he did, then he'd surely give her some breathing space.
"How l ong?” he finally asked.
Isabel let out a sigh of relief. "A month," she said promptly. Not that she had any intention of remaining in this body for that long. It was just a precaution in case things didn't go as smoothly as she
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