[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
the goblet, but she felt a lightening of her spirit. She d made her decision, and there was
no turning back now.
Skylar gasped in amazement when they exchanged rings, and Duse slipped a
beautiful pavé diamond and emerald ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. Her eyes leapt
145
Beth Kery
to Duse s, silently admonishing him, but beaming with pleasure, too. The simple gold
band she gave him looked strangely natural on his hand, as if he d always worn it.
Her lips parted in wonder when she heard the minister say that Duse could kiss the
bride. Duse leaned down, taking advantage of her opened lips to brand her with a kiss
that managed to be both reverent and lusty at once. Skylar smiled up at him when he
raised his head and looked down at her. Her husband.
Afterwards, Skylar stood by Duse s side and accepted the good wishes of their few
guests. She felt strangely transported with joy. She would have never guessed that this
ceremony could have so much meaning for her.
It meant more to me than I thought it would, too, Duse suddenly said quietly
from where he stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
It did? Skylar asked, glancing up at him with amazement.
Duse just nodded, a small smile on his lips, the answer to her question broadcast
clearly in his light eyes.
Duse had sensed Jax s leashed tension during most of the afternoon of his wedding
to Skylar, but he couldn t understand its source. Hadn t they at least nominally made
up after their fight? Yet, things had still been tense between them since then, and Duse
knew that Jax was avoiding him. Besides, his attention on Skylar had been complete.
But all of the guests had departed now, with the exception of Sally, who had stayed
behind to help Skylar clean up. Duse took the opportunity to ask Jax if he could speak
to him privately for a moment. Ron and Force took the hint, and excused themselves
amiably.
What are you upset about, Jax? Duse asked quietly, despite the fact that he and
Jax were the only people left in the large living space. Concern entered Duse s
awareness when Jax s gaze flicked everywhere in the room, but never on Duse himself.
It seemed so unlike his younger brother, who was usually so confident, even defiant.
There s something you need to tell me, Duse said slowly, gleaning the truth of his
words even as he spoke them.
Jax swallowed heavily. His eyes finally met his brother s piercing gaze. He couldn t
salvage his own honor, but perhaps, if he was lucky, he could protect Skylar. Jax
wanted to warn Duse, but the words, the message were strangely blocked by his
connection to Rolland Ockley. How could he tell his brother that he had betrayed him
and endangered his mate, no matter that he currently regretted it so painfully that he
was considering death as an alternative? There was still a chance that he could protect
Skylar, but Jax needed to be very careful in conserving the limited amount of energy
that he d managed to gain from the magician s newly formed obsession with him. Still,
Jax had forgotten what a powerful being Duse was. Although his secret was shielded
from his brother, he couldn t keep all things from Duse when his brother examined him
with such an intense strength and Will. Jax panicked a little when he saw Duse s eyes
widen in incredulity and not a little pain.
146
Subtle Magic
You ve been considering taking the Path of Sorrow, Duse whispered, his shock
apparent. Why, Jax?
Duse s lips felt numb as he uttered the words. He knew that his statement was true.
He didn t question it. A heaviness settled in his chest. That his younger brother would
be considering ending his life on a day that had been the happiest of Duse s existence
seemed unreal. What could have happened to Jax to cause this unhappiness? Duse
searched his memory, struggling for explanations. But there was nothing, nothing that
could explain such a degree of misery. Or had Duse just been too wrapped up in his
own life to pay any attention to his younger brother?
Jax blinked at the burning sensation in his eyes. Grief and hopelessness
overwhelmed him. His vulnerability was so intense, that for a moment, he could not
protect himself. Duse s face became rigid when he suddenly felt the impact of his
brother s grief. Jax just shook his head, knowing there was no way to explain.
I m sorry, Duse. You ll never, never& know how much, Jax muttered brokenly.
Duse s forehead wrinkled in confusion and concern as he watched his brother. His
focus was so intent, Bale had to call out his name three times before he turned his head
toward where Bale stood at the entrance to the living room.
What? Duse asked distractedly, pulling his eyes away from Jax s rigid face.
I asked you if you knew where Skylar went just now.
Went? Duse asked, as though Bale was speaking a language he barely
understood.
Bale stepped into the room. He spoke insistently, concisely. Where is she, Duse?
Duse s expression glazed. He stood abruptly. I don t know. The three words
clearly signaled the dawning of fear. He opened his mouth to ask Bale what he knew,
but before he could, he saw the subtle look of disbelief on his older brother s face when
he looked past Duse s shoulder.
What? Duse asked, confused.
Jax, Bale murmured. Why would he just leave at a moment like this?
Duse s already significant unrest tripled when he saw the empty chair where Jax
had just been sitting.
* * * * *
Skylar broke the surface of consciousness sporadically, as though she could only
bear quick snatches at a time. The first thing of which she became aware was a stabbing
pain behind her right eye. The second thing was that she was going to be sick because
the earth was moving. She opened her eyes warily. Her nausea increased. Where was
she? The thought that she had no idea caused panic to seemingly push whatever was in
her stomach farther into her throat, causing her to gag. Her throat and mouth burned.
She began to cough harshly.
147
Beth Kery
She was lying on a narrow bed in a small, but luxuriously furnished room. The
room looked too barren to be lived in, with no personal items or pictures. Something
about the small dimensions of the windows and the sickening surging motion made her
realize that she was on a boat. When Skylar glanced down and saw her wedding dress,
she curled up to stop herself from vomiting.
The door to the room opened and someone walked into the room.
Where s the bathroom? Skylar groaned. Her mind registered that the person in
the room with her was Jax, Duse s brother. But the only thing she was concerned about
at the moment was relieving her stomach.
The next thing she knew, Skylar was being carried in his arms, which only seemed
to increase her disorientation and nausea. Hadn t Duse said that no Watcher could
touch her? But there had been some caveat to the spell. No Watcher could touch her
unless it was to assist or protect her when she was in need. Jax set her down gently in a
luxurious bathroom. Skylar tried to lean over the toilet to be sick, but she was too weak,
and she began to crash to her knees. She let out a small yelp of surprise when a soft
cushion of air prevented her from hitting the tile floor hard. Someone was speaking
angrily behind her, but her convulsing stomach took most of her attention.
What the hell did you give her?
Chloroform. I use it in the lab. Don t worry. I used the correct amount for a general
anesthetic. She ll be fine, once it s out of her system.
Something beyond her personal safety triggered immense anxiety at those coldly
spoken words. Her mind was fuzzy. She couldn t put her finger on it. After she d
vomited until she was completely empty, she felt the soothing sensation of a cool cloth
being held to her face and forehead. Her eyes were heavy and her head pounded
incessantly. The world lurched, and Skylar vaguely realized someone was carrying her
again. The vertigo that enveloped her when she was put back on the narrow bed was
unbearable.
Duse? Where s Duse? she murmured. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl chiara76.opx.pl
the goblet, but she felt a lightening of her spirit. She d made her decision, and there was
no turning back now.
Skylar gasped in amazement when they exchanged rings, and Duse slipped a
beautiful pavé diamond and emerald ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. Her eyes leapt
145
Beth Kery
to Duse s, silently admonishing him, but beaming with pleasure, too. The simple gold
band she gave him looked strangely natural on his hand, as if he d always worn it.
Her lips parted in wonder when she heard the minister say that Duse could kiss the
bride. Duse leaned down, taking advantage of her opened lips to brand her with a kiss
that managed to be both reverent and lusty at once. Skylar smiled up at him when he
raised his head and looked down at her. Her husband.
Afterwards, Skylar stood by Duse s side and accepted the good wishes of their few
guests. She felt strangely transported with joy. She would have never guessed that this
ceremony could have so much meaning for her.
It meant more to me than I thought it would, too, Duse suddenly said quietly
from where he stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
It did? Skylar asked, glancing up at him with amazement.
Duse just nodded, a small smile on his lips, the answer to her question broadcast
clearly in his light eyes.
Duse had sensed Jax s leashed tension during most of the afternoon of his wedding
to Skylar, but he couldn t understand its source. Hadn t they at least nominally made
up after their fight? Yet, things had still been tense between them since then, and Duse
knew that Jax was avoiding him. Besides, his attention on Skylar had been complete.
But all of the guests had departed now, with the exception of Sally, who had stayed
behind to help Skylar clean up. Duse took the opportunity to ask Jax if he could speak
to him privately for a moment. Ron and Force took the hint, and excused themselves
amiably.
What are you upset about, Jax? Duse asked quietly, despite the fact that he and
Jax were the only people left in the large living space. Concern entered Duse s
awareness when Jax s gaze flicked everywhere in the room, but never on Duse himself.
It seemed so unlike his younger brother, who was usually so confident, even defiant.
There s something you need to tell me, Duse said slowly, gleaning the truth of his
words even as he spoke them.
Jax swallowed heavily. His eyes finally met his brother s piercing gaze. He couldn t
salvage his own honor, but perhaps, if he was lucky, he could protect Skylar. Jax
wanted to warn Duse, but the words, the message were strangely blocked by his
connection to Rolland Ockley. How could he tell his brother that he had betrayed him
and endangered his mate, no matter that he currently regretted it so painfully that he
was considering death as an alternative? There was still a chance that he could protect
Skylar, but Jax needed to be very careful in conserving the limited amount of energy
that he d managed to gain from the magician s newly formed obsession with him. Still,
Jax had forgotten what a powerful being Duse was. Although his secret was shielded
from his brother, he couldn t keep all things from Duse when his brother examined him
with such an intense strength and Will. Jax panicked a little when he saw Duse s eyes
widen in incredulity and not a little pain.
146
Subtle Magic
You ve been considering taking the Path of Sorrow, Duse whispered, his shock
apparent. Why, Jax?
Duse s lips felt numb as he uttered the words. He knew that his statement was true.
He didn t question it. A heaviness settled in his chest. That his younger brother would
be considering ending his life on a day that had been the happiest of Duse s existence
seemed unreal. What could have happened to Jax to cause this unhappiness? Duse
searched his memory, struggling for explanations. But there was nothing, nothing that
could explain such a degree of misery. Or had Duse just been too wrapped up in his
own life to pay any attention to his younger brother?
Jax blinked at the burning sensation in his eyes. Grief and hopelessness
overwhelmed him. His vulnerability was so intense, that for a moment, he could not
protect himself. Duse s face became rigid when he suddenly felt the impact of his
brother s grief. Jax just shook his head, knowing there was no way to explain.
I m sorry, Duse. You ll never, never& know how much, Jax muttered brokenly.
Duse s forehead wrinkled in confusion and concern as he watched his brother. His
focus was so intent, Bale had to call out his name three times before he turned his head
toward where Bale stood at the entrance to the living room.
What? Duse asked distractedly, pulling his eyes away from Jax s rigid face.
I asked you if you knew where Skylar went just now.
Went? Duse asked, as though Bale was speaking a language he barely
understood.
Bale stepped into the room. He spoke insistently, concisely. Where is she, Duse?
Duse s expression glazed. He stood abruptly. I don t know. The three words
clearly signaled the dawning of fear. He opened his mouth to ask Bale what he knew,
but before he could, he saw the subtle look of disbelief on his older brother s face when
he looked past Duse s shoulder.
What? Duse asked, confused.
Jax, Bale murmured. Why would he just leave at a moment like this?
Duse s already significant unrest tripled when he saw the empty chair where Jax
had just been sitting.
* * * * *
Skylar broke the surface of consciousness sporadically, as though she could only
bear quick snatches at a time. The first thing of which she became aware was a stabbing
pain behind her right eye. The second thing was that she was going to be sick because
the earth was moving. She opened her eyes warily. Her nausea increased. Where was
she? The thought that she had no idea caused panic to seemingly push whatever was in
her stomach farther into her throat, causing her to gag. Her throat and mouth burned.
She began to cough harshly.
147
Beth Kery
She was lying on a narrow bed in a small, but luxuriously furnished room. The
room looked too barren to be lived in, with no personal items or pictures. Something
about the small dimensions of the windows and the sickening surging motion made her
realize that she was on a boat. When Skylar glanced down and saw her wedding dress,
she curled up to stop herself from vomiting.
The door to the room opened and someone walked into the room.
Where s the bathroom? Skylar groaned. Her mind registered that the person in
the room with her was Jax, Duse s brother. But the only thing she was concerned about
at the moment was relieving her stomach.
The next thing she knew, Skylar was being carried in his arms, which only seemed
to increase her disorientation and nausea. Hadn t Duse said that no Watcher could
touch her? But there had been some caveat to the spell. No Watcher could touch her
unless it was to assist or protect her when she was in need. Jax set her down gently in a
luxurious bathroom. Skylar tried to lean over the toilet to be sick, but she was too weak,
and she began to crash to her knees. She let out a small yelp of surprise when a soft
cushion of air prevented her from hitting the tile floor hard. Someone was speaking
angrily behind her, but her convulsing stomach took most of her attention.
What the hell did you give her?
Chloroform. I use it in the lab. Don t worry. I used the correct amount for a general
anesthetic. She ll be fine, once it s out of her system.
Something beyond her personal safety triggered immense anxiety at those coldly
spoken words. Her mind was fuzzy. She couldn t put her finger on it. After she d
vomited until she was completely empty, she felt the soothing sensation of a cool cloth
being held to her face and forehead. Her eyes were heavy and her head pounded
incessantly. The world lurched, and Skylar vaguely realized someone was carrying her
again. The vertigo that enveloped her when she was put back on the narrow bed was
unbearable.
Duse? Where s Duse? she murmured. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]