Immortal Sacrifice: #4 The Curse of the Templars (41 page)

“I find myself unable to do so, however, for there is a greater problem I must address.”

Caradoc drew back in surprise. The last thing he had anticipated was forgiveness for his wrongs. “Aye?”

“Indeed, it seems a child must have a father, and to protect September, I must keep her within these walls.”

Though Caradoc refrained from responding, Isabelle smiled.

“You shall not have my apology, Caradoc.
You have erred. Only my faith that it will not happen again, and that the reasons for your misdeeds have come to a conclusion, keep me from escorting you out and confining September within.”

Isabelle crossed her arms over her breasts.
“If you think—”

“
Enough
, Isabelle,” Mikhail ground out through clenched teeth. “You have my concession. Tomorrow, when you wake, bring me September. I shall cloak her powers for the duration of her childhood, so she may exist in the true innocence children should possess.”

Taking the reprieve for what it was, Caradoc moved to Isabelle’s side and clasped her hand in his.
“My thanks, Mikhail.”

“Tomorrow also, Isabelle shall show herself to Anne and begin to learn the nature of the sword.
You,” he frowned at Caradoc, “shall explain to Tane what you have done and assure him I find no fault in his actions.” He turned to the door, then stopped, one hand on the knob. He glanced over his shoulder to appraise Caradoc thoughtfully.

Caradoc lifted an eyebrow in silent inquiry.

“There is one thing I shall thank you for, Sir Caradoc. The matter of Declan. He is safely confined and cannot interfere. His seraph has been found. ’Tis the only reason I have not yet set his soul free and given him peace.”

Yanking the door open, Mikhail swiftly disappeared.

Isabelle did not give Caradoc time to digest the revelation that Declan’s seraph had been discovered, before she wound herself into his arms. Tugging on his hair, she brought his mouth to hers. Her kiss was sweet and thorough, the play of her tongue an enticement Caradoc could not resist.

Freed from his failures by her words, he indulged in the rich flavor of stirring arousal.
His blood warmed from the press of her breasts against his chest, the sway of her hips against his swelling shaft. He wrapped his good arm around her and pressed her closer.

God’s teeth, she had but to touch him and he could forget everything.
’Twas no wonder he had tossed the tears at Azazel’s feet. He would do so again, a dozen times over, if she or September were threatened. Thankfully, he need not worry about their safety with Mikhail’s insistence they remain within the temple.

Isabelle drew the kiss to a lingering close and whispered, “Will you let Noelle heal you now?”

Refusing to acknowledge the fire that ripped up his injured arm, he wound it around her also and grazed his teeth down the side of her neck. “I would rather investigate your promise to be gentle.” His gaze strayed to his daughter’s closed door. “If you are certain we will not wake her.”

“Mikhail’s outburst didn’t.”
Laughing softly, Isabelle nudged him backward to their large, canopied bed. “Unless you touch her, she’ll sleep until she’s had enough.”

The backs of his knees hit the mattress, and he sank into the soft feathers, more than willing to surrender to the woman he loved.
Her body followed his, her robe falling away with a shrug of her shoulders. She sat atop his thighs and with nimble fingers, freed the button of his jeans.

“Gentle it is, my noble knight,” she murmured as she bent forward and feathered her mouth across his.

Author’s
Note

Thank you for reading my book! 

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~Claire

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About
the Author

Building on a background of fantasy game design, a fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, award-winning author Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled, passionate journeys of the heart. Her paranormal series, The Curse of the Templars, marries the history of the Knights Templar with the chilling aspirations of the most unholy--a must-read for speculative fiction fans. She also writes darkly arousing espionage novels as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire and historical romance as Sophia Garrett.

In her non-writing time, she’s runs Finish The Story, a full-scale editing house co-founded with Bryan Thomas Schmidt.  She lives in Missouri and enjoys cooking, studying ancient civilizations, and spending downtime with her two sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs.

To learn more, and view her other published novels, visit her at:
www.claireashgrove.com
For all the latest updates look for the Untamed Spirit blog, via her website.