Summer Moon by Jan DeLima

Author:Jan DeLima
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2014-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Luc’s words tempted her more than they should, and as Rosa made her way toward Cadan’s rooms, she couldn’t help but picture the night to come. She had never slept in the same bed with a man, let alone one she was attracted to. Likewise, her infertility regimen needed a reapplication since she had shifted and was now fully healed.

Cadan’s rooms remained next to Math’s old chamber. She knocked and waited. When there was no answer, she tested his door, finding it unlocked. Decorated simply in shades of black and gray, his bed remained empty while steam wafted from the bathroom, fogging the terrace doors.

“It’s just me,” she announced from the open bathroom door before peeking her head around the corner.

“Over here.” His voice came from the direction of the vanity where he sat with a thick towel wrapped around his waist. Clumps of red hair formed a tangled pile on the marble floor. His eyes found hers in the mirror, haunted and challenging, with shears held midair as he hacked away his beautiful hair.

Walking over, she covered his hand with hers and gently pried the shears from his fingers. “Let me.”

This was Cadan’s first act of freedom and she would assist him in any way she could. And as he sat quietly on a carved seat before her, she removed the tresses Math had cherished.

Afterward, she combed her fingers through his shortened hair and smiled at his reflection. “If possible, I think it makes you look even more handsome.”

“Better,” he whispered thickly. “Mae hasn’t woken yet.”

“I know.” Setting the shears on the vanity, she rested her cheek on the top of his head. Before Luc, Cadan was the only other male whose touch didn’t bother her—because it was brotherly and pure and came without demands.

“The Council will return for me,” she eventually said. “But one of us can be free. Take anything you want from Math’s vault,” she offered, knowing Cadan had always wanted to live in the mortal world. “And I have some modern currency—”

He stiffened, and she sensed both temptation and regret. He didn’t belong within stone walls to serve the whims of kings and Council. Like an exotic animal, he deserved to fly without broken wings, to live as he chose, and to love whom he wanted.

“I’m not leaving you, Rosabea. Not until after summer and I know you’re safe.”

“Cadan—”

“Has your new husband been kind to you?” he interrupted, changing the subject. “It’s only us now, so be truthful with me.”

Looking up, she met his gaze in the mirror. She noted, too, that he made an effort to lose the formality of his speech. They were a pair still, were they not, taking their freedoms in the steps of babes?

“Luc has been very”—she searched for the right explanation—“considerate.” Heat crawled up her neck then, remembering how considerate.

“Didn’t you just return from a run?” Green eyes darkened with alarm when she nodded. “Your wolf has risen again.”

“I like Luc,” she admitted. “And my wolf . . .”

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