Beyond Secret Worlds: Ten Stories of Paranormal Fantasy and Romance by Easterling Aimee & Swallow Lisa & Salidas Katie & Herbert Debbie & Corcino Kate & Stine Catherine & Castillo L.G. & Leroux Lucy & Hamilton Rebecca & Stec Susan

Author:Easterling, Aimee & Swallow, Lisa & Salidas, Katie & Herbert, Debbie & Corcino, Kate & Stine, Catherine & Castillo, L.G. & Leroux, Lucy & Hamilton, Rebecca & Stec, Susan [Easterling, Aimee]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Shifters, Alpha male, paranormal romance
Publisher: Bestselling Boxed Sets
Published: 2015-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Damascus, 1808

Ophelia sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The one small window in the cabin, located right beside her bed, was covered with a wool blanket, but the morning light that slanted in had roused her awake. The mark along her neck radiated a warm tingle, a reminder of the night before. A reminder, also, of the way Ethan’s fingers had so delicately brushed her skin there as he’d unbuttoned her gown.

“Good morning, Ophelia.”

At the sound of Ethan’s voice, the whole of the situation came rushing back to her. Her gaze darted to the fireplace. He was still sitting in the same place, staring into the crackle of the fire.

“Is it?” she snapped.

There was nothing good about this morning. Ophelia reached to pull the blanket away from the window, to peek outside, but as soon as the light cut into the room, something thumped behind her.

Ophelia’s gaze averted to the broad-shouldered man now standing behind her. The morning light revealed translucent, butterfly-like wings that stretched from his back to up above his head and down to the floor.

The sheer wings, however, were not beautiful as she’d imagined. Instead they were amniotic, like the filmy membrane that clung to animals during birth, with black veins spreading throughout like bloodshot eyes.

Ophelia gasped a small intake of air, and a bit of peace settled over her. At the very least, he was what he claimed.

“Close it.” His tone was stern but his dark eyes conveyed . . . panic? Once she’d honored his request, he eased back into his chair. “Please keep the blanket up until nightfall.”

“Are ye afraid of being seen for what ye really are?” Ophelia asked.

In that moment, Ethan’s expression relaxed. Was it her wide-eyed gaze that softened him? Or perhaps the innocent note of questioning in her voice?

Part of Ophelia hoped his wings would be seen—that someone would happen upon their cabin and rescue her. The other part of her, however, could not deny her heart’s strange desire to stay. Her father would have scolded her to make up her mind. She had, though. Ethan left her curious, to say the least. He made her cheeks warm when he was near and often left her fighting off the urge to giggle. She could slap herself for being so childishly infatuated with him, but ultimately she could not resist. Her only doubt now was whether she’d become sure of something that would only lead her to tragedy.

Regardless, she couldn’t go anywhere until she did something about the burning mark of the serpent. She would allow her mind and heart to debate later.

Ethan sighed, lifting his gaze to her. “Direct sunlight does more than reveal our kind. It also alters our physical form. When you accept your calling, you will have to avoid the light as well.”

The stories rushed back into Ophelia’s mind: the sun could shrink the Ankou over time, reducing them to little more than the size of a dragonfly.

“My mother,” Ophelia said, “walked in the sun many times.