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Authors: Jaci Burton
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Solara. You know you are betrothed to another.”
“I feel nothing for Roarke, I assure you.”
In her heart, Noele knew Solara was not telling her the truth. And what would happen this eve between her and Roarke was bound to cause Solara pain.
“What happens at the consummation, Solara, I want you to know that I—” Solara raised her hand. “I do not wish to discuss it, Noele. You do your duty, as we all do. I realize where your heart lies, and it is not with Roarke. Nor is mine. Please, enjoy your wedding night and do not worry of me.”
Solara kissed her quickly and fluttered from the room before Noele could say anything more.
Noele ran to the closed door, wanting to go after Solara and offer comfort.
Her sister could deny her feelings all she wanted, but Noele knew how she felt about Roarke.
At least Solara knew who she wanted, even if she couldn’t have him.
Did Noele know what she wanted?
If Garick accepted her, kept her, then what? Did it mean he loved her? How did she even feel about him? Was it love she wanted from him, or merely acceptance?
Desperately wishing for her sisters’ counsel, she stared at the door for a few minutes, then moved back to the hearth to warm the chill that had settled over her body.
Chapter Six
Nearly an hour passed and Noele was still alone in Garick’s chambers.
Alone, and thinking entirely too much about things she should not think about.
Solara’s predicament was one thing. She trusted her sister to know that some things could not be changed, and to accept her fate.
But acceptance was not easy. Noele knew that to be a fact. For twenty-five years she had done as she pleased, knowing her boundaries but having plenty of freedom to enjoy life as she chose.
Now, she had no choices. Garick held all the answers.
And yet, try as she might to blame him, she could not. He, too, was saddled with his fate as much as she was.
If he would but give her one inkling of where his thoughts lay, she would be content. But he kept his emotions, his heart and desires, a mystery from her.
That rankled more than anything. Did he not know how difficult it was for her to accept that someone else would choose her fate?
She fluttered nervously about the room, waiting. The heavy drapes had been pulled aside and moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting a soft glow throughout the darkened chambers. Dancing flames from the sweetly-scented candles flickered against the walls. The fire burned hot and bright in the hearth.
But she was cold. She lifted her arms and cast warmth from her fingertips. Silvery waves of heated air surrounded her, erasing the outer chill from her body. Still, she shivered within.
She let the waves roll over her, the magic calming her, the ethereal dust settling inside her soul to soothe her nerves. Was she more anxious about Garick’s decision, or about the consummation? That she could not answer.
Garick walked in before she had a chance to dissipate the waves. His gaze focused immediately on her and he stopped. His eyes widened, his pupils dilated, and she sensed his arousal from across the room.
Tugging at her lower lip with her teeth, she waited. Roarke followed Garick and she swallowed, anticipating a quick tumble. Watching other couples have sex in the forest glen had always fascinated her and her sisters. It had always been heated—fast and very passionate. Now she would be the first of her sisters to experience it in kind. Would it be quick and fierce like so many episodes she’d witnessed?
Garick’s eyes widened appreciatively as he scanned her from head to toe. She felt his growing arousal, her body in tune to his in some strange way that went beyond their magic.
“Release your spell, my bride,” Garick commanded. His voice was neither gentle nor gruff, but was clearly an order. It rankled, but she wriggled her wings and the waves of heat disappeared.
“Wine?” he asked, his emotions now masked behind a visage of indifference.
She
“I feel nothing for Roarke, I assure you.”
In her heart, Noele knew Solara was not telling her the truth. And what would happen this eve between her and Roarke was bound to cause Solara pain.
“What happens at the consummation, Solara, I want you to know that I—” Solara raised her hand. “I do not wish to discuss it, Noele. You do your duty, as we all do. I realize where your heart lies, and it is not with Roarke. Nor is mine. Please, enjoy your wedding night and do not worry of me.”
Solara kissed her quickly and fluttered from the room before Noele could say anything more.
Noele ran to the closed door, wanting to go after Solara and offer comfort.
Her sister could deny her feelings all she wanted, but Noele knew how she felt about Roarke.
At least Solara knew who she wanted, even if she couldn’t have him.
Did Noele know what she wanted?
If Garick accepted her, kept her, then what? Did it mean he loved her? How did she even feel about him? Was it love she wanted from him, or merely acceptance?
Desperately wishing for her sisters’ counsel, she stared at the door for a few minutes, then moved back to the hearth to warm the chill that had settled over her body.
Chapter Six
Nearly an hour passed and Noele was still alone in Garick’s chambers.
Alone, and thinking entirely too much about things she should not think about.
Solara’s predicament was one thing. She trusted her sister to know that some things could not be changed, and to accept her fate.
But acceptance was not easy. Noele knew that to be a fact. For twenty-five years she had done as she pleased, knowing her boundaries but having plenty of freedom to enjoy life as she chose.
Now, she had no choices. Garick held all the answers.
And yet, try as she might to blame him, she could not. He, too, was saddled with his fate as much as she was.
If he would but give her one inkling of where his thoughts lay, she would be content. But he kept his emotions, his heart and desires, a mystery from her.
That rankled more than anything. Did he not know how difficult it was for her to accept that someone else would choose her fate?
She fluttered nervously about the room, waiting. The heavy drapes had been pulled aside and moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting a soft glow throughout the darkened chambers. Dancing flames from the sweetly-scented candles flickered against the walls. The fire burned hot and bright in the hearth.
But she was cold. She lifted her arms and cast warmth from her fingertips. Silvery waves of heated air surrounded her, erasing the outer chill from her body. Still, she shivered within.
She let the waves roll over her, the magic calming her, the ethereal dust settling inside her soul to soothe her nerves. Was she more anxious about Garick’s decision, or about the consummation? That she could not answer.
Garick walked in before she had a chance to dissipate the waves. His gaze focused immediately on her and he stopped. His eyes widened, his pupils dilated, and she sensed his arousal from across the room.
Tugging at her lower lip with her teeth, she waited. Roarke followed Garick and she swallowed, anticipating a quick tumble. Watching other couples have sex in the forest glen had always fascinated her and her sisters. It had always been heated—fast and very passionate. Now she would be the first of her sisters to experience it in kind. Would it be quick and fierce like so many episodes she’d witnessed?
Garick’s eyes widened appreciatively as he scanned her from head to toe. She felt his growing arousal, her body in tune to his in some strange way that went beyond their magic.
“Release your spell, my bride,” Garick commanded. His voice was neither gentle nor gruff, but was clearly an order. It rankled, but she wriggled her wings and the waves of heat disappeared.
“Wine?” he asked, his emotions now masked behind a visage of indifference.
She
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