“Armand, I–”
“I know.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her, the light sliding from his eyes and over her. Though she could barely think in pleasure, in the exchange of his soul, his past, his spirit and hers, he seemed to become more and more calm as light gathered between them and over them. It blazed white and silver, and between the brightness and the pleasure, she had to close her eyes, but gripped tight to his hands, twined between hers against the sheets as he leaned over her and drove in, and together they explored the entirety of their gifts together, gasping, moaning, and shivering.
She had soundly lost track of time, but as her energy dissipated and she grew weary, so did he, and without opening her eyes she gathered him close, kissing him as he rested on top of her. “Armand…I love you.”
“I love you.” He sounded different, but her throat was raw from crying out, so perhaps his was as well. He shifted, staying deep in her and stroking her cheek. She could hear the smile in his voice as he murmured, “Giselle. Open your eyes. See what you’ve done.”
She did. Silver eyes met hers and great white wings tangled with hers on the bed. She smiled. “Armand…my Armand.”
“All that and more,” he whispered, catching her lips. “So much more, love.”
* * * *
“Was the evening to your taste?” Eli teased as he sat down with a steaming mug of coffee, pressing another into Samantha’s waiting hands.
“I can’t remember the last time I partied so hard.” Samantha groaned faintly, and then grinned. “It was pretty amazing.”
“Room party wasn’t too bad either.” Eli winked.
Samantha snorted, but soon tilted her head. “Speaking of room parties, I wonder how our intrepid traveling buddies did?”
“Come on, they’re still asleep or fucking like bunnies,” Eli said. “In fact, we should go bang on the door as a joke.”
“And drive away the only friends we’ve had in a year?” Samantha sipped her coffee. “Not a chance in hell. So to speak.”
They traded quips for a few more minutes, nibbling on continental breakfast, when Eli nudged her. “Well, there’s one.”
Samantha glanced up, and then raised her hand as Giselle swept her gaze over the breakfast area. The angelic woman looked as if she’d had a shower, her dark skin fresh and black hair combed back. She sat down across from them. Samantha blinked. She didn’t look like a woman who’d just consummated the love of her life. In fact she looked rather confused. She spoke quickly. “Everything okay?”
“It’s fine,” Giselle said, sucking on her lip. “Just…I don’t know how to say it…”
Eli and Samantha glanced at each other. “Well, is Manas okay?” Eli said.
“Yes.” Giselle sighed. “I’ll let him do it. Don’t freak out, okay? We’re in public.”
Raising an eyebrow, Samantha nodded. Giselle rose, leaned out of the doors, and said something.
“Oh hell,” Eli spat, and Samantha felt it too. There was a power out there which matched Giselle in depth, but blazed brighter and sharper, more dangerous. “What in the…”
“Armand.” Samantha paused, and then laughed as Armand took Giselle’s arm and they sat down together. “Of course. Life changing events! Good heavens, I wonder if Cassie knew?”
Armand smiled, silver eyes flashing. “I’m certain she did, at least as much as she can.”
“What makes you think so?” Eli asked, leaning away as he studied the angelic man.
Armand’s lip quirked. “Do you two remember what she called me?”
Samantha thought, back to the small apartment looking over Bourbon Street, the sweet tea, the hushed conversation. “Child. She kept calling you, child.”
Armand nodded. “It was an exceptionally apt descriptor.”
Giselle’s smile grew, thought she still looked confused. What in the world had happened? Samantha glanced at Eli, but he looked as confused as she felt. Child? What did that have to do with anything? They hadn’t been looking for a child. They’d been looking for Cyrene and her…
Eli’s face changed at the same time, and they turned in unison back to Armand. “Silver eyes, and you could always see Eli and Giselle…” Samantha said, almost giddy. “Child. Child!”
Armand nodded, glancing at Giselle almost proudly, and then back to them. “I was Armand. I was Manas. And before them both, I was Aristaeus, born of Cyrene.” He took Giselle’s hand. “She saved me from the torment of her madness. Now I return to do the same.”
Kaitlin R. Branch
Kaitlin graduated from college for Biology, taught English in South Korea, briefly entertained a stint as a zookeeper, and finally decided that after all she wanted to write books. It just so happens that she married a man who had the same idea. She loves to read mysteries, but writes romance and high fantasy. Go figure. She also happens to be completely wild about Greek myth, which might explain a bit about The Cinereal Series.
You can find Kaitlin and her Husband, Michael, at www.kaitlinandmichaelbranch.com and on twitter with @theatheleseries.
Valeria
Sometimes, ya just gotta let your hair down.
Mache Harcming is an airfoil pilot having a bad day. Forced to make an emergency landing on an unmarked dirigible, he discovers a genius inventor, Valeria. She is beautiful, fascinating, and unlike any woman he has ever known before. Sheís also dangerous. Mache is certain f the CEO of her company, Elthgo Inc., discovers his presence aboard her aircraft, he will die.
But Valeria begs him to stay. And stay he does, hiding in the vents of the airship whenever the CEO visits. How can he refuse such a beautiful woman? More importantly, how long will the ruse last before he's found out?
WARNING: Brief torture scene.
Pandora’s Ring
The Damned found something too precious to destroy.
Harvesting the soul of a first-born should be an easy mission for Eli Tawson, Scavenger of the Damned. But when he meets Samantha Parker, he finds there is more to his mission than meets the eye. Samantha can see through his illusions and, after some instruction, creates the most powerful binding spell heís ever experienced. Eli is intrigued and makes it his mission to find out why she was not collected by the demon who should own her soul.
Samantha wants nothing more than a normal life and to be left alone. She is both leery of and attracted to the strange Eli. The young woman finds herself thrust into a world she never knew existed of magic, angels and demons and nothing is what it seems. Pursued by another powerful demon and discovering her own hidden abilities, Samantha must discover the truth of her mother’s “death”. Her mother’s ring proves to be the key to her past and her future, leaving her straddling two worlds.
Eager to protect his newfound love, Eli soon finds Samantha might be the one who has to protect him.
CONTENT WARNING: Molestation, rape triggers, insanity
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2013 Kaitlin R. Branch
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: January 2014
ISBN-13: 9781616504946
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