A Wild Conversion by Katherine Gilbert

Author:Katherine Gilbert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Katherine Gilbert
Published: 2020-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Emma

All of her life overturned with a simple few words, Emma could barely think. Before them, she had thought that her world made some sense, but now even her very birth was a mystery.

Moving back from Frederick’s kiss with a gasp, the torment pounded through her soul. While she understood, and appreciated, his concern and his love for her, they couldn’t answer the necessary questions. Her thumb stroked over his cheek once, her eyes begging for forgiveness. Then, she turned to her oldest friend and sought comfort in her arms.

Natalie received her warmly, holding her close, her soothing tones in her mind. Ssh. It’s okay.

Emma started to cry, as Nat stroked her back.

It will be all right, Em. We’ve gone through a lot. We’ll get through this, too.

Natalie’s presence settled her, as it always had as a child.

You know I’m not going to let you go through this alone.

There was a part of her which knew that she wouldn’t have had to, anyway, Frederick’s presence in her soul already established. And showing the good man he was, she could feel not anger or disappointment that she had abandoned him for the comfort of her oldest friend but simple sadness. He wanted to be the one she came to for support, was more than willing to be her strength. That she already had that source of comfort he accepted without a fight, even if it were a subtle desolation for him now.

Saying nothing, he was trying to hide the feeling from her, which she appreciated but knew to be futile. Even if she hadn’t claimed him as her partner in return yet, they were already entwined. Not saying the words was only putting off the inevitable.

Cherishing this bond, she let him feel her love flowing toward him, even as she sat with her head on Natalie’s shoulder, crying softly. She knew that both her companions understood. In different ways, she was connected to each of them. She had no idea what would happen if she had to give any of that up.

That neither was asking her to was her only bit of sanity now.

Smiling warmly, Frederick’s acceptance of their bond soothed her futher, but her pleasure in his look was distracted by the sight of her grandfather.

“Benjamin,” she whispered, finally noticing the cats’ meowling. Trying to sit up, still holding Natalie’s hand, she stared at Frederick, begging him to do something, but he was already at the other man’s side.

“Benjamin?” he whispered softly. “Benjamin?”

Nothing. The man’s eyes were blank, as though something had been turned off within him—and Emma prayed that Penelope’s information hadn’t triggered some sort of defensive system in Hester’s spell. It would be just like the woman to snap off the mind of anyone who dared to work around her ensorcellment.

A brief memory of Frederick’s nearly-comatose sister in the other bedroom came to her, deepening the fear—but she was fortunately distracted by a very loud, “MEOWL!”

The cat had said it as though they were all idiots not to understand—and way too slow at picking up hints.

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