by Maira Dawn
Back at his spot in the entryway, Ian saw Blake and Sonora on the dance floor. Blake had told him that there would be two dances for the wedding party and relatives, after that anyone could dance. When the second dance was over, a young man moved to Sonora. He said something to her. She laughed and nodded. The man moved to take her into his arms.
Ian tried to stop his feet even as he moved through the doors dividing the entry from the rest of the hall. He cursed his own stupidity as people quickly moved aside for him as he strode down the aisle between table sections. Ian reminded himself Sunny didn’t want him until she looked up and tracked him with those large blue eyes. Then he melted. He would give up everything for only a moment with this woman. Centuries would be nothing to leave behind if he could have even a human lifetime with her.
May I?
Chapter forty-four
Sonora shivered as something like electricity sizzled through the air. She turned toward it, ignoring the arms her cousin held out to her. She bit her lip as she raised her eyes. Ian.
His last words to her slammed through her mind. "Go and never tell me where you are. Because if you do, I cannot stay away. I will come for you and drag you back here."
This was either her best dream or worst nightmare.
All other sound fell away except for Ian's steps striking the floor as he moved toward her. Sonora's vision narrowed to him, only him.
His determination became plainer with every step he took. Sonora's heart thumped, hard. Her gaze scraped over Ian, the length and breadth of him. He was such a man.
Ian stopped in front of Sonora, ignoring her cousin as he crowded him away from her. He locked eyes with Sonora. Neither spoke. Their breathing aligned until dizziness caused Ian to hold his. Too much oxygen. Too much her.
Ian slowly reached out to run a hand over her golden hair. He watched for any objection, but Sunny allowed it. His fingers shook as he fought what he really wanted. To grab her up and race out of here, taking her back where she belonged— his home. But maybe there were other options.
With a smile, Ian leaned toward her and tenderly kissed Sunny on her forehead. When he moved back, she smiled at him, her blue eyes bright. He couldn't rush this.
Ian's voice demanded, even as his eyes begged. "Tonight. I am asking for tonight."
Sonora's throat tightened, and she trembled. The thought flashed through her mind that this must be how Cinderella felt when faced with her prince. Something was happening here. Something more than before. Maybe it was nothing, but perhaps… She took Ian's hands, feeling as though sparks arced between the two of them. It was too strong to ignore now. "Til midnight."
Ian nodded. It was more than he had dreamed possible. If he had tonight, he wouldn't endure the agony of seeing her in another man's arms. That sight wouldn't haunt him for the centuries he would carry on without her. Ian held out his arms.
Sonora floated into them, laying hers on Ian's and enjoying the feel of him beneath her hands. His palm touched then held the small of her back as if it were a leaded weight. A smile came to her lips.
She had been floundering like a fish out of water since she'd been back. Going through the motions, but even with her classes, nothing had seemed right. But this—this was right. It was the first time since leaving Atlantis she felt anchored. How could she ignore this?
Sonora looked down at Ian's feet realizing, at some point, they had danced across the floor, then back up at him with widened eyes. "Dancing? How do you know human dancing?"
"There are many things about me of which you are unaware."
Apparently, that was true. Well, Ian did have sixty years on her. Sonora tripped over Ian's foot, and they both laughed. "You're even better at it than I am."
Ian's chest warmed at Sunny's giggle. "I have missed your laugh, my heart."
Sonora winced. Ian frowned at her reaction. "Nothing has changed. You are still my heart, as you will always be."
"I'm sorry," she said, tears flooding her eyes. "It's just—it's been two years. Everything has changed." Sonora hung her head.
Ian tipped her face back up to him. "No, do not worry, not everything has changed. But something has." The corner of his mouth lifted, and he leaned to whisper to her. "You know me now, Edinara."
Confusion, then surprise filled Sonora. Those little flashes. "You were at the wedding?"
Ian's eyes brightened. "Yes."
"And here? Before I saw you?"
Ian pulled Sonora closer. "I reached out to you."
Sonora gasped and trembled with the feel of it as he gently sent his emotions to her again. "Oh, Ian!" Her hold on him tightened. It was as if he were her air when she hadn't known she was drowning. Sonora's feelings swirled as quickly as her thoughts. She understood now what she felt for this man. But there was still her home, her family. Leaving everything she'd ever known… It would be hard.
She lifted her troubled gaze to Ian's. And watched his dull.
He stared at her. "There is a war raging within you, Sunny. A bit of light has flooded my world. Because if there is a battle, perhaps there is some kind of hope for me."
"Ian!" Sonora lifted a hand to his face and covered his cheek. "Oh, Ian! We have tonight. And at the end, I think… we should talk about our future."
Ian brightened and raised an eyebrow. "Together?"
Sonora pulled his face to her and nodded. "Together."
Heedless of everyone around him, Ian grabbed Sonora up and twirled her. She threw her arms around his neck and giggled, truly happy for the first time since she'd left Atlantis. Her feet dangled over air as Ian brought his forehead to hers.
He halted in the middle of the dance floor, couples spinning around them. Ian’s heart thundered under the hand Sonora laid on his chest. He glanced at her mouth, then stared into her eyes. "My love, my heart," he breathed, “May I?"
Sonora knew what he wanted. Her breath rushed from her as she stared at his full lips. "Please."
His mouth came to hers, gentle then more demanding. Ian stopped and raised his head to gauge her reaction. After seeing her glazed look, he smirked. And came back for more.
Sonora tightened her grip on Ian's wide shoulders. He wasn't going anywhere without her.
Everything was perfect now.
The End
Sample of SeaBound: The Atlantis Cure
Azurine watched her daughter and an immensely attractive man as they kissed on the dance floor. He certainly had been determined to get to Sonora. Who was he? Certainly, no one she met before. Azurine tapped a finger against her cheek. Maybe Claire had been right. Perhaps Sonora fell for the man who saved her that day in the ocean, and this was him. What was his name? Oh, yes, Ian.
Sierra dreamily smiled as she laid her head against her new husband. She looked over at her sister with a question in her eyes and a raised eyebrow. So is he the one Sonora refuses to talk about? He seemed like a determined one. She wouldn't be surprised if her sister was the next one in a wedding dress.
Blake turned a deep shade of red as he eyed the couple. Ian hadn't mentioned he knew Sunny, let alone was in the habit of kissing her. But now so many little things were falling into place. Ian's confusion and anger at the wedding when he thought Sunny was the bride, and his insistence on coming to the reception when he had at first refused. Blake's hands clenched into fists. "No, never!" he muttered, "Over my dead body!"
He walked across the dance floor, his anger building with every step he took. On reaching the dancing couple, Blake grabbed Ian's arm and said, "We have to talk."
Sonora's eyebrows creased as she tore her gaze from Ian. "Grandpa?"
Ian continued to stare at Sunny, unwilling to acknowledge Blake, but Blake wasn't giving up. "Ian!" he whispered harshly.
"Go away," Ian said, "I have until midnight."
"Until midnight? What kind of—" Blake shook his head. "This isn't a fairy tale! I need to speak to you now before it is too late." Perhaps if he was able get Ian away from Sonora, the worst wouldn't happen.
Ian shook his head. "It's already too late. She's my Intended. She's been my Intended."
"What? When?"
"When she was missing," Ian said.
Blake swung his gaze to his granddaughter, who now had her eyes glued to the floor.
"Sorry, Grandpa," she said.
Blake stared at Sunny, then Ian. How had this happened?
"Ian. Now!" Blake barked, causing those near them to turn their way.
Ian ran his hand down Sonora's arm as he turned to leave. Sonora frowned and grabbed an arm of each of them. "You two know each other?" she asked.
Neither answered her question, instead, turning in unison and saying, "Stay here."
Sonora stayed a moment, hands on her hips and a question on her face before she threw her hands in the air and mumbled, "Like I'm going to stay here in the middle of the dance floor with this going on.” Her heels clipped across the wood floor as she trailed the men.
I hope you enjoyed this sample. Seabound: The Atlantis Cure will be out soon!
Also by Maira Dawn
Sanctuary’s Aggression Series in order of release:
Sanctuary’s Aggression
The Road: Sanctuary’s Aggression 2
The Climb: Sanctuary’s Aggression 3
Sanctuary’s Aggression Box Set - Books 1-3
The Girl: Kelsey’s Story - Sanctuary’s Aggression Novelette
SeaBound: The Beginning Prequel 1
SeaBound: The Atlantis Cure Prequel 2 (Coming Soon!)
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About the Author
This is Maira Dawn’s fifth book in the continuing Sanctuary’s Aggression Series. Maira first wrote on Wattpad and quickly developed a large following. Sanctuary’s Aggression hit #1 on Wattpad in Science Fiction, Pandemic and other categories. The series is now being released on Amazon.
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