Twilight's Eternal Embrace (22 page)

Adryanna lifted her brows at her choice. He didn
'
t seem like a good match for the spirited Talia, but who was she to judge? She was in love with an Oiche Sith. As far as she knew, no one from her village was foolish enough to entertain the thought. They feared the Oiche Sith and
cowered
down to them, handing over one female a year like a lamb for slaughter. She knew this. She knew what her future held by loving Bram.

Yet, she would go willingly into Bram
'
s arms if it were permitted. She was the only surviving child of her parents. She would never be chosen to be Bram
'
s mate. They were star-crossed lovers at best
,
with no future.

"
Do not look so glum,
"
Talia whispered.
"
Fergus is eyeing you.
"
She giggled.
"
There may be a greenwood marriage in your future. Aye?
"

Before she could discourage Talia from the thought, the girl whirled away to go with the fair-haired Moira.
"
Come with us. The King and Queen are coming,
"
Moria threw over her shoulder, inviting Adryanna at the last second to follow.

Adryanna didn
'
t want to be left standing alone when it would invite unwanted attention from Fergus. She didn
'
t want to encourage his advance
s
. It was better he f
i
nd someone more accommodating this night.

Denny and Siobhan were elected to lead the party, representing the God and Goddess. Siobhan
wore a
gown of gold, red
,
and blue
, a perfect array of colors for a Goddess
. She sat upon a white horse, while Denny rode the dark steed. The crowd gathered in awe as the striking couple made their way around the square. Later, they would perform the mating ritual to ensure they had a fruitful crop next year.

Talia
'
s frantic waves to her drew her attention.
"
Come on, Adryanna. We
'
re going out to the fields to collect the flowers.
"

She made her feet move to join them. She
'
d enjoyed this ritual in the past, when her sister was at her side, but now she longed for the day to be over so she could put to rest the forced smiles and jovial responses.

Chapter Thirty

On his way out,
Bram
spotted Loreto loitering in the stables, no doubt setting up guard, but he escaped his brother
'
s watchful eye with Camden
'
s help once again. His friend did not know all the details of his relationship with Adryanna, but he did not discourage it.

Bram went on foot this night through the forest, steering clear of the path leading to Coomkeen and keeping to a lesser trodden course.

As he neared the village, his keen hearing picked up merriment
,
as if all there celebrated a special event. He stayed to the bushes and trees, but curiosity pushed him to take a closer look
to
what Coomkeen rejoiced. He peeked through the bushes, spotting the bonfire and the maids and men dancing around the Yule pole. He knew of the Lathe Sith
'
s customs from his studies, but he had not seen any of the rituals actually performed.

Like
a moth drawn to flames, he could not prevent himself from searching for Adryanna, his guiding light. He spotted her among the other dancers; her strands gleaming like burnish
ed
gold in the firelight. She wore flowers in her hair and a gown of soft
blue
. Her slender fingers held a white ribbon as she danced around the pole. One man in particular kept his eyes on her. A low growl escaped
Bram's
lips as the significance of what the ritual entailed became clear, but then he drew back. This ritual was a part of her life
,
as his rituals were his. Only this ceremony was a promise for a future for her. His w
ere
not.

Bram knew he
should let Adryanna go with the young man
;
he could not promise her a fruitful life. His hand slipped into his pocket and removed the vial Sheerin had given him. His hand fisted
over it
and he shoved it back into his pocket again. His good intentions were fine and good, but his nature was to claim what he deemed his. His nostrils flared at the thought of another touching Adryanna.

He took a step back to temper the anger and lock it down before he let the beast inside loose and attacked the young man who dared to
gaze
at Adryanna. Thoughts of ripping his throat open entered his mind like a tease, but he forced his
feelings
back and brought forth the image of Adryanna…her sweet kiss…her tender caresses. If he thought of her, he would not act on his selfish motives to possess her. She was not his and he had no right to claim her.
"
Not yet,
"
he murmured. Sheerin was working on a way.

A soft
,
high-pitched giggl
e
reached his ears, the sound only a female could muster when bubbling over with happiness. The humorous outcry was all but foreign to his clan
,
with so few women there. He chanced a look again between the leaves and brush, to find the dance had ended. Some of the women were bold and had already chosen a man, but the others ran toward the woods in hopes a young male would follow.

Adryanna bolted, her steps leading her directly to where he stood. He leapt with ease to the lowest limb of the tree, hoping to stay hidden in the shadows.

She came into view
,
h
er features alight with anxious tension. Did she wish to be found or was she hiding? His gaze traveled toward the fire and landed on the male who had eyed her with anticipation. He had no doubt the male searched for her.

Bram remained still, fading against the tree trunk. He would have his answer soon enough to what Adryanna wanted and then he would know what he must do.

The male jogged toward the woods, a beeline to where Adryanna stood as if she were the honey he sought. He knew how the young man felt. Her sweet nectar called to him too.

Adryanna
'
s eyes widened. He could hear her heart beat
ing
rapidly, but still he did not know if it was because she loved the chase or feared discovery. She circled the tree, keeping close to it as she stood there and watched the male
run
past her. She did not call to him or give
away her position with a sound.

"
He will be most disappointed,
"
he called down to her.

She gasped
, her gaze locking on his.
He couldn't help but throw her a
wicked smile, relieved she
'd
stayed behind.

"
Were you spying on me?
"
Her eye
s
flashed with
irritation
and her blood rushed to her cheeks in a crimson display of passion. True it was anger and not desire, but the result made her as beautiful as ever.

"
I was only passing the time as I waited to see if you would go with the young buck.
"

"
Then what?
"
Her hands went to her slim waist.

He jumped down from his perch to stand before her, somber now.
"
If you want him, I would let you go.
"
His fingers slid over her silky strands.
"
I want you to be happy, Adryanna.
"
His gaze met hers in all honesty.
"
Even if it means I must give you up.
"

Her anger seemed to rush out of her all at once. Her gray eyes lost their spark as she stepped closer with a sigh.
"
I have no wish to be with Fergus. I want only you.
"
She glanced
toward the path Fergus took before she met his eyes again.
"
I suggest you take me away before Fergus figures out he has lost my trail and heads back.
"

"
I am at your service, of course.
"
He bowed with reverence. Her soft chuckle was music to his ears. He swept her up into his arms and used his swiftness to take her far from the festivities and far enough away that the male who sought her hand would not find her. He brought her to the cave where they had spent the magical evening. Her parents would not expect her back before the light of day. He could have her to himself until then.

Once inside, he put her down. She was unsteady from flitting across so much space and time. It would take a moment for her to find her footing. He held her until her heart slowed to a normal pace and her grip on his forearm lessened.

She
glance
d at him
, h
er lips part
ing
in invitation
and h
e took
the offer.

H
is lips covered hers. She tasted of sweet berries and wine. The Heavens, he loved the feel of this female. It was a cruel twist of fate they were born to different clans when their souls surely sought each other. He pulled away. She was breathless and hungry for more, but he tempered his passion.
They could not let it go too far.

"
Your eyes glow in the dark.
"
Her hands held his face when he would have turned away.
"
No. I do not fear who you are, Bram.
"

He gripped her wrists, but didn
'
t
push
them away.
"
Maybe you should.
"

"
Never,
"
her harsh whisper was like a pledge.

"
Let me start a fire and we shall sit for a while. Aye?
"
He liked to do more than witter away the evening
with idle chatter
—like surrender to the restlessness inside him, but talking would have to suffice for the time being.

He was gone
briefly
to gather bramble and wood. The fire came alive in moments. He laid his fur mantle on the ground for Adryanna to sit down upon and he joined her.
"
It is not like the bonfire you left behind, but it will keep you warm.
"
He draped his arm around her shoulder and she nestled into his embrace.

"
The company is far better here.
"

He chuckled.
"
What of the young male who chased after you? He seemed rather taken by your beauty.
"

She harrumphed.
"
I have known Fergus all my life, but I have not spoken to him in ages.
"
She sighed.
"
I am afraid my father may have encouraged him.
"

It did not surprise Bram that her father sought to find her a husband. Her father wanted to discourage Adryanna from continuing her relationship with him. He could not blame him. If he were to have a child
,
he would protect her at all cost. He hugged Adryanna closer.

"
Has Sheerin found anything of use from the blood he took from me?
"

He almost forgot about the vial.
"
Aye.
"
He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled it out to show her.

"
What is this?
"
She held the vial between her fingers as she gazed at the reddish substance. It might have passed as wine, but with the light from the fire shining bright, the substance could not be mistaken as anything other than precious blood.

"
It is our blood mingled as one.
"

Her shapely winged brows drew together.
"
Of what use is this to us?
"

"
It means our blood is compatible. It does not separate or so Sheerin has told me. When he
peers
in his looking glass, he says the different components in our blood mingle.
"

She turned to look at him.
"
I am still not following. Is this good?
"

"
Aye, it is. Sheerin took your blood and mixed it with a few drops of mine. At first it rejected my blood, separating, but as he added more, your blood started to transform. It is not exactly like a nightwalker
'
s blood, but there is enough properties to make it close enough.
"
He paused, wondering how he should broach what Sheerin suggested.