Persuasion by Frances Stockton

Author:Frances Stockton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance, Paranormal, Shapeshifters, Panthers
Publisher: Frances Stockton
Published: 2016-07-13T00:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Garrick watched the color leech from Aisley’s fair skin and swept her into his arms as she fainted. Worried, he carried her toward the manor house.

“Shall I summon Jerold?” Catarina offered.

“Nay, I’ll take her to her quarters,” Garrick said with patience he did not feel. “Aisley has much to accept when she awakens. She’ll want to do it in private.”

He’d been wrong to wait this long to reveal himself. He couldn’t change his actions over the past sennights, but he could give Aisley the dignity of accepting what she’d learned in her own way and time.

As he carried her with ease, tiny tremors coursed through her body. She’d ache even more when she opened her eyes, another mistake he’d have to atone for.

The leopard needed the primal release of a hunt and he’d gone into the forest to be alone, but Aisley felt his change. To her, it must’ve felt as if he’d been torn apart. Soon, he would teach her how to be prepared for it. Until then, he would make certain she’d not hurt herself.

Before they reached the entryway to the house, Garrick felt a strong hand on his shoulder. The same hand caught his hair and arranged it to cover his back.

“Garrick, easy your mind. Aisley loves you. I saw it when she vowed to kill the leopard she adores because she thought it was hurting you. Be patient with her when she wakes, she’ll need you to be.”

“I will, Lucien,” he said.

“Is it wise for you to be alone with your mate, milord?” Catarina asked as Garrick marched inside.

“She will go unharmed in my care. Once she is settled, I will seek the forest. While I’m gone, see that she is guarded and safe.”

“We will,” Lucien agreed, catching his wife’s elbow and steering her away.

Garrick reached her quarters and was pleased to find the servants absent. Brandon must have moved ahead of him and cleared the way. Walking faster, he entered the room, someone behind him closed the door and he carried her to the bed.

Keeping her feelings foremost in his mind, he settled beside her to brush an errant strand of hair from her face. She was smeared with mud and the twin braids coiled in a knot atop her head were beginning to fall. Gently, he caressed her cheek to awaken her.

“Come back to me, my love,” he urged, noticing her color had already returned.

“Umm, Garrick,” Aisley murmured.

“Open your eyes,” he insisted, nudging her.

“Rather sleep,” she said more clearly, her eyes still closed. “My whole body aches. Mayhap you could find me some marigold for a fever?”

“Worry not, you aren’t ill.”

Aisley’s frown deepened. “I must be. Why would I ache so? All I wish to do is sleep.”

“You are the healer. Shouldn’t you know the answer to that?”

“Healing has nothing to do with how I feel.” She opened her eyes. They were deep brown, her brow furrowed. “It is very dark in here, milord. Is it nighttime? Have I been dreaming?”

“It is midday.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.