Creche (Book II of Paranormal Fallen Angels/Vampires Series) by Cox Karin

Author:Cox, Karin [Cox, Karin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: epic fantasy romance, paranormal fallen angels, urban romance, gothic dark fantasy, vampire romance, mythological creatures
Publisher: Indelible Ink Press
Published: 2013-11-08T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Skylar, you cannot truthfully expect me to wear this.” I looked at the cotton shirt, sun-bleached whiter than the inside of a shell. A fringe of feathers ruffled the neck, hem, and sleeve.

“All dress like this for the Cygnus Amoratus, all who have not yet nested.”

Rolling my eyes, I grumbled, “Tell me I don’t have to wear feathers in my hair.”

She laughed, patting the feathered rosette that pinned her hair behind one ear. “No. Only here.” Her hand warmed the hollow of my throat.

“Let me help you.” She pushed my arms up, slipping the shirt down over my head and then batting the ruffle of feathers at my throat into order.

The action brought her closer than I expected, her face just inches from my own. I felt her breath, warm against my face. Her hands halted, as if wanting to move up to trace my lips as her eyes did.

Taking her forearms in my hands, I stepped back away from her, dropping my eyes down to her gown, which skimmed her hips and fell away in a confection of feathers at the skirt. It was tight at the bodice, enhancing her womanly waist and the high fullness of her breasts. I felt my face flush as I noticed they might have spilled from the neckline if not contained by a lace made of down. A single white feather, silver-dipped at the shaft and the tip, swung from a chain at her throat, rising and falling with each breath. She had added a bracelet of woven feathers, crystal, and shells and her hair was loose and swinging but for the rosette of feathers. She had never looked more beautiful.

I wanted to lean forward and kiss her lips, reddened with berry juice and half-parted as she watched me appraise her.

I let go of her wrists.

I stepped back.

Guilt crashed down on me. Sabine had risked her life to save me from Gandler. She had borne his tortures. More than that, she had depended on me to save her from her nightmares and her loneliness. I had failed her once. I could not fail her again, not like this. Had my heart always been so fickle, I supposed so. Each half gifted to a different woman. Was it possible to love just one? Was it possible to truly love more than one?

“You’ll need to wear them here, too.” Skylar bent to scoop up the matching trousers, feather-free except for the hems of each leg. She threw them at me.

I grimaced as I rubbed the cotton and feathers between thumb and forefinger. “And everyone will be dressed like this?”

“Yes, except those who have already nested.”

I quirked one eyebrow at her, suspicious. I had seen the nest. I knew what affect it had on me. “What is this ritual?”

Skylar smoothed her gown. “Cygnus Amoratus is the dance of the Swans, a celebration for those who are betrothed.” Her gray eyes were dewy as spring as she lifted them to mine. “It is a day of love.

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