Winterland Destiny (11 page)

Her eyes widened. “My choice?”

He nodded. “Aye. Do you wish to stay with me?”

Her frown amused him. “I do not have a choice, Garick. You know the customs of our people. This is our destiny.”

“That may be, but if you had not wished to be with me or with Roarke I would have allowed you to make your own choices. You were never a prisoner here, Noele. I am sorry I did not give you the option of release before our marriage. I neglected to offer you a choice in the matter, and for that I am truly sorry.”

Noele was certain she’d misheard Garick’s words. “You would give me choice over my own life?”

“Aye. I would not wish to hold you here if it is not your desire.” He gave her a choice. What she’d always wanted…the freedom to make her own decisions. She fought to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. “If I wanted to leave, you would allow it?” He nodded, but no happiness sparked his handsome features.

Her heart swelled with joy. He truly loved her. She’d worried that perhaps he had said it because of her capture. But in her heart, she knew it to be true. It was clear in his face, and yet he would let her go if that was her wish.

A few days ago she would have taken the freedom he had offered, and returned to D’Naath.

Or would she? Perhaps in her mind it was having the choice that mattered, not whether or not she wanted to be with Garick.

She searched within and realized that she’d fallen in love with the elvin king the moment she met him. If he’d given her the choice to leave or stay with him, she knew now what she would have said. “I wish only to remain by your side the rest of my days,” she answered.

Garick grinned and pulled her against him, taking her mouth in a kiss that seared her senses and renewed her desire for him.

“That you shall be, my queen. By my side, in my bed, and always in my heart. From now until forever.” As Garick took her in his arms and made love to her again, Noele knew that her destiny had, indeed, been fulfilled. She may have been bound by honor and duty, but had freely chosen love.

Noele stood and looked out over the cliffs at the northern sea. Rolling dark clouds headed in Winterland’s direction.

A storm was coming, and from the looks of it, a wicked one. She was glad that her sisters and the rest of the faerie had departed for D’naath this morning. Although she would miss her sisters greatly, Garick had surprised her when he said they would visit D’naath in the spring, and her sisters could visit Winterland any time she wished.

Thinking back on all that happened in the past week, Noele’s heart soared. When she’d first arrived at Winterland, she thought she would merely be fulfilling her destiny, that her life would no longer contain the magic it once had.

She had been wrong. The magic of Garick’s love filled her heart, her soul, her very being. Contentment surrounded her like a warm cloak.

Strong, warm hands enveloped her waist and pulled her against a hard, masculine chest. “You watch the weather, my queen?”

She leaned back and lifted her hand to caress Garick’s stubbled cheek. “Aye. We are in for some wintry weather, I fear.”

He turned her in his arms and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Winter is coming. We will soon be shut inside with nothing to do.”

She arched a brow. “Nothing to do? Are you sure of that, my king?” Garick looked thoughtful, then said, “True. There will be many sword playing lessons with the guard.”

She pushed at his chest. “Not quite what I had in mind.” Refusing to release her, Garick tightened his hold. “What did you have in mind, faerie?”

“I think I won’t tell you now.”

Garick kissed the affected pout of her lips, his heart soaring with love for his wife. “I think you will reveal all your secrets to me, Noele.”

Her blue eyes sparkled with a teasing glint. “Is that a command, my king?” He shrugged, offering a feigned indifference that he no longer felt. “Your choice, as always, my queen.” She arched a brow. “Ah, it is to be my choice, then. Let me tell you what I choose, then, Garick.” Noele whispered to him as they strolled back to the castle courtyard, her choices very compelling indeed. As they neared the archway of the gates, he stopped and turned to the sea, watching the approaching clouds.

His gaze gravitated to the cliffs and caves beyond Winterland, knowing that the wizards were merely lying in wait.

Until the next time.

Indeed, a terrible storm was brewing.

But he wouldn’t think of that cold fact right now. Time would come for war with the wizards later.

Right now, warmth could be found in the arms of the woman he loved.

About the author:

Jaci Burton has been a dreamer and lover of romance her entire life. Consumed with stories of passion, love and happily ever afters, she finally pulled her fantasy characters out of her head and put them on paper. Writing allows her to showcase the rainbow of emotions that result from falling in love.

Jaci lives in Oklahoma with her husband (her fiercest writing critic and sexy inspiration), stepdaughter and three wild and crazy dogs. Her sons are grown and live on opposite coasts and don’t bother her nearly as often as she’d like them to. When she isn’t writing stories of passion and romance, she can usually be found at the gym, reading a great book, or working on her computer, trying to figure out how she can pull more than twenty-four hours out of a single day.

Jaci welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.