The power of her distress breaks through and he whips around. Katie’s long blonde curls are glistening with the snow weighing it down. Wet clothes are plastered to her body and her cheeks have no color, making the horror in her eyes stand out even more. “Ahhh, Kathleen, forgive me.” Gently he cups her cheek with one hand, and she leans into the warmth it provides. “Just a few more steps to our shelter.” Morgan draws her into the cover under the small stone structure. With a wave of his hand the two doors open, and it lights from above. He guides Katie inside.
“Can’t stop shaking,” she gasps through her chattering teeth.
Unable to stand her discomfort he pulls her against his chest and squats down to wrap his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet. Morgan wraps his large wings around them both.
Katie encircles his neck with a groan of pleasure, burrowing into his neck, savoring his heat as it warms her. She is soaked and freezing, but content for the moment to be back in his arms. She pushes back and her eyes drink him in while she traces his jaw with her fingertips. Morgan stops moving and all thought of self-preservation flees. “I should get out of these wet clothes,” her voice says, husky even to her own ears.
A smile curves his lips, “Don’t tempt me, Kathleen.” At that moment he can’t seem to remember why he shouldn’t be alone with her.
“I’m sorry, Morgan, just one kiss…” she leans forward and traces her lips across his softly. Morgan trembles and Katie smiles reveling in the knowledge that he wants her too. When her eyes meet his, Morgan is lost. He takes the kiss he has tried not to dream about. Her mouth is gentle and his lips tender, and he discovers he doesn’t want to fight his need for her. He slides her body down his with excruciating slowness before her feet touch the ground. Katie hums in frustration, “More!” Morgan pulls back for a moment, shocked that her need matches his, before diving back in. Katie kisses him back, meeting his tongue the moment he invades her mouth. She savors the taste of him, sweet and rough, and he pours through her soul washing away the fear and doubt. For this moment she is his and they belong to the intensity raging between them.
A scream of rage filled pain echoes off the tombstones outside, causing the two to jump apart. Katie’s hand goes to her mouth and she stares at him with stunned admiration. Her heart is pounding a desperate drum and Morgan is tempted to take her far away and claim her for eternity. Something dark flashed in his eyes and Katie backs away when he steps toward her.
“Morgan?” The fear in her face stuns him.
“Forgive me, Kathleen. I forget my place when I am with you.” With a shake of his massive shoulders, his wings disappear, and she stares in amazement.
“I didn’t know you could do that. What else can you do?” she wonders.
“Well, for starters, this.” With a wave of his hand, he dries her instantly and dresses her for the cold weather. He thought of everything from coat and gloves to boots and hat. Her long blonde curls are dry around her shoulders.
“Thank you. That could certainly come in handy. Now please heal your thigh. I can’t bear to see you hurting.” Pleased at her show of concern for him, he turns away and tends to his wound.
“What now, Morgan?” He moves around to confront her and grins.
“Now we find the gate and stop Caius.”
Chapter 22
The air is still inside the Vale, there is no sound except that of the booted feet of soldiers positioning themselves for the attack. The Shadow King looks to his bride, Ariana and she nods to him. Facing the ancient vampire, they lower their weapons for they know what Sebastian does not, she is the true threat. Standing in a large courtyard, they are surrounded by soldiers of both their kingdoms, the Shadow and the Light. Tension floats in the air as all eyes watch and wait to see what happens next.
“I understand more than you think, Queen Ariana,” Sebastian states as he stands up from his bow. A red flame flickers behind his eyes and he struggles against his anger and indignity. “For instance, I know that it was your power which destroyed all evidence of Caius’s betrayal.”
Vorn almost groans out loud. “Have you no self-control, you damn vamp?”
“He’s got you there sister.” Drake’s laughter booms out and everyone relaxes. His wife Caderyn watches quietly by his side. “She is often impulsive and quick to act before consulting others.”
“A fact that has saved your life on two separate occasion’s brother,” Ariana snaps and glares at him tossing her red hair over her shoulder. “Surely you would all agree that I had no choice. Caius was breeding his own army intent on destroying the Vale.”
“True,” Sebastian snaps and glares at the army still pointing their weapons at him, “however, the council did not see it that way.”
“They do not see anything but their own agenda, Sebastian,” Caderyn starts to step forward, but her husband stops her with a gentle hand to her arm. She squeezes his hand, reassuring him and looks to Keane.
“I sense fear and… hope,” she whispers before stepping close to Keane. A small hand touches his cheek and she smiles. “You’ve done well raising and shielding her. She will never forget that, Guardian of the Herald.” Keane’s eyes glisten with moisture.
“Thank you, my Queen,” his gravelly voice whispers. “Can you help us find her, she’s in trouble.”
“Of course.”
Caderyn moves to Sebastian and the guards all move forward to protect her only stopping when she raises a hand. Once human,
