The Green Man (Love Beyond Death - The Inns Book 3) by Elizabeth N. Harris

Author:Elizabeth N. Harris [Harris, Elizabeth N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven.

Cole

He walked the gardens quietly, noting where the workmen had made huge inroads in the mess that there had once been. He’d slipped out when Henrietta and Cecilia began discussing the books. Cole found he needed some time away from everything and everyone. There were too many revelations happening for him to absorb easily. While he hoped Cecilia would get the same happy ending as her brothers, he was reluctant to dwell on it.

“Too much?” Lucian asked from behind him.

“Yes,” Cole admitted, standing by his newly restored pond. It was missing fish, and Cole planned to fill it with Koi Carp. The water fountain was working well now, and Cole allowed the noise to waft over him.

“I understand. From both sides. I was the aggressor with Maggie, chasing her from The Jekyll and Hyde. Without her, I wouldn’t have a life again, Cole. But I can understand how overwhelming it was from her side. Being asked to believe in ghosts, the paranormal, witches. Yet Maggie took it in stride,” Lucian exclaimed.

“What do you expect from me, Lucian?” Cole questioned. Lucian was after something. It depended on what.

“Give my sister a chance,” Lucian said.

“For what? The moment I moved in here, she was at my throat. I understand why, but if she’d explained to me, we could have got off on a better foot. People don’t deal well with threats. I get that in your time, your title and blood would have made individuals jump, but not now. I’m quite fond of your sister despite the stunts she pulls, but, sorry Lucian, if you are looking for love, I do not feel it,” Cole replied bluntly.

“You say you don’t care, but you’re defensive of her,” Lucian challenged.

“I never claimed I didn’t care. When I thought she was some poor innocent victim, my heart bled for her, and I wanted to help her rest. When I understood she was a warrior, a fighter, and she was protecting people again, I was there, ready to offer aid. But she slapped me back and belittled me when possible. Until today, when she needed me. Then it was ‘fine, let’s use the human.’

“I’ve tried not to be bitter over it, but it’s there. Her actions rankle, and they hurt. Cecilia has cruised through life protected from her actions because of you and your brothers. She was fully able to protect herself from the dangers of the world. She had physical and magical training and was self-sufficient. But it taught her not to trust people or lean on them when she needed support. Instead of fighting me, Cecilia should have been working with me. That, Lucian, is hard to swallow. I offered the hand of friendship, and she spat on it,” Cole said as he gazed at the sky. It was as blue as Cecilia’s eyes.

“Cecilia wasn’t allowed to be a proper young lady. She was raised to be tough and excel in a man’s world. CeeCee was never a dutiful woman. Father never let her be.

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