chest, closing her eyes and clinging to him, unable to keep her bearings in the swirling bleakness. As quickly as it began, it ended.
*
Solitary, it stood upon the slow grade straight and proud. Well cared for, no hint of disrepair showed about the house, but loneliness hung about the white and brown exterior. The ground, yet green, rose to meet the foundation of the large home. Soggy beneath her foot trail along the slope to the main entrance, swampy depressions in the earth brimmed with water from the nearby loch. Stillness pervaded the air, peaceful and welcoming. Liking the scenery about her compounded Paige’s anger. She wanted to find fault, to nurse her ire.
Cael spoke not, sensing her volatile mood, and silently scooped her into his arms and carried her through the front door. Planting her on the shiny wood floor he gestured toward the coat hooks and shoe bench along the entryway hall. He continued about his familiar routine without a glance at her and disappeared into the house, leaving her alone. Sinking to the bench in confused despair, Paige Kinnell let loose the tears of frustration that had steadily built. Taken against her will and frightened of what was to become of her, Paige sobbed uncontrollably. Her aunt’s veiled confession carried the sting of betrayal, and Cael’s bringing her here despite her flat out refusal angered her beyond belief.
Collecting her torrid thoughts and wiping her tears, Paige hung her coat and set her shoes neatly on the rack. Minutes ticked by, but she remained alone in the entryway. Curiosity, at last, got the better of her, and she began exploring the rooms which opened off either side of the center hallway.
Simplicity reigned in the living room. An Egyptian area rug anchored the leather sofa and loveseat before the massive fireplace, its terra-cotta tiles stretching out toward the wooden floor planks. Mismatched stone edged the tiles, taken uncut from the earth and fitted to display its natural beauty with stunning effect. Cream colored draperies lined with a darker fabric blocked the light. And along the farthest wall situated beneath a bank of tinted rectangular windows, built in bookshelves stood, carved with magnificent detail. Paige concluded they must be Cael’s work. Reaching for a book whose cover caught her eye, she jumped when fire roared to life behind her - even though she remained the sole being in the room.
The pause in activity interrupted her thoughts, and she first heard the howling wind as it whipped around the house’s corners and up over the hills in the fore. A groan, wrenched from the house itself, carried a living quality that made Paige shudder in spite of impressive heat radiating from the nearby fire. The baying of hounds, however, froze her in her tracks a moment, and she abandoned these bookshelves to inspect the other side of the house, gazing out upon the rolling green in hopes of catching a glimpse of the dogs.
Retracing her steps she crossed the hallway, entering a large library and office. From floor to ceiling books lined the shelves here, and it was all she could do to pass them even for a moment in her search for the yowling dogs. Their beastly howls ceased, but Paige was certain the dogs freely prowled the grounds.
This is to be my prison…
Fresh tears brimmed at the prospect.
Ye know better, lass. Ye cut me to the marrow with that way of thinkin’.
Her cheeks flamed in humility, and anger.
You forced me here against my will, Cael Maccinnis, and you can keep me here with your dogs. But stay out of my thoughts! They’re all I’ve got of myself left, and I don’t want you in them.
His chuckle vibrated through her body even in his absence.
I can no more leave ye than ye can leave me, Paige Kinnell. Ye know I speak the truth. Doona fight what’s happenin’ to ye, and doona push me away. Ye need me now like ye need air and water. And soon, lass, ye will need my blood.
Never!
Her single worded response spat vehemently in
*
Solitary, it stood upon the slow grade straight and proud. Well cared for, no hint of disrepair showed about the house, but loneliness hung about the white and brown exterior. The ground, yet green, rose to meet the foundation of the large home. Soggy beneath her foot trail along the slope to the main entrance, swampy depressions in the earth brimmed with water from the nearby loch. Stillness pervaded the air, peaceful and welcoming. Liking the scenery about her compounded Paige’s anger. She wanted to find fault, to nurse her ire.
Cael spoke not, sensing her volatile mood, and silently scooped her into his arms and carried her through the front door. Planting her on the shiny wood floor he gestured toward the coat hooks and shoe bench along the entryway hall. He continued about his familiar routine without a glance at her and disappeared into the house, leaving her alone. Sinking to the bench in confused despair, Paige Kinnell let loose the tears of frustration that had steadily built. Taken against her will and frightened of what was to become of her, Paige sobbed uncontrollably. Her aunt’s veiled confession carried the sting of betrayal, and Cael’s bringing her here despite her flat out refusal angered her beyond belief.
Collecting her torrid thoughts and wiping her tears, Paige hung her coat and set her shoes neatly on the rack. Minutes ticked by, but she remained alone in the entryway. Curiosity, at last, got the better of her, and she began exploring the rooms which opened off either side of the center hallway.
Simplicity reigned in the living room. An Egyptian area rug anchored the leather sofa and loveseat before the massive fireplace, its terra-cotta tiles stretching out toward the wooden floor planks. Mismatched stone edged the tiles, taken uncut from the earth and fitted to display its natural beauty with stunning effect. Cream colored draperies lined with a darker fabric blocked the light. And along the farthest wall situated beneath a bank of tinted rectangular windows, built in bookshelves stood, carved with magnificent detail. Paige concluded they must be Cael’s work. Reaching for a book whose cover caught her eye, she jumped when fire roared to life behind her - even though she remained the sole being in the room.
The pause in activity interrupted her thoughts, and she first heard the howling wind as it whipped around the house’s corners and up over the hills in the fore. A groan, wrenched from the house itself, carried a living quality that made Paige shudder in spite of impressive heat radiating from the nearby fire. The baying of hounds, however, froze her in her tracks a moment, and she abandoned these bookshelves to inspect the other side of the house, gazing out upon the rolling green in hopes of catching a glimpse of the dogs.
Retracing her steps she crossed the hallway, entering a large library and office. From floor to ceiling books lined the shelves here, and it was all she could do to pass them even for a moment in her search for the yowling dogs. Their beastly howls ceased, but Paige was certain the dogs freely prowled the grounds.
This is to be my prison…
Fresh tears brimmed at the prospect.
Ye know better, lass. Ye cut me to the marrow with that way of thinkin’.
Her cheeks flamed in humility, and anger.
You forced me here against my will, Cael Maccinnis, and you can keep me here with your dogs. But stay out of my thoughts! They’re all I’ve got of myself left, and I don’t want you in them.
His chuckle vibrated through her body even in his absence.
I can no more leave ye than ye can leave me, Paige Kinnell. Ye know I speak the truth. Doona fight what’s happenin’ to ye, and doona push me away. Ye need me now like ye need air and water. And soon, lass, ye will need my blood.
Never!
Her single worded response spat vehemently in
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