Winterland Destiny by Jaci Burton

grinned, his face a twisted mask of evil.
    “She has given up her soul to me. Her life force exists no longer. In moments, I will extract her essence and become even more powerful than you.”
    Garick railed against the bars. “You bastard! You will die for killing the one I love!” The wizard threw his head back and laughed, then dropped Noele’s limp body on the cold floor.
    “Oh, the great king has found the love of his life, only to have her taken away on the night of their marriage. How sad for you Garick. How pathetic that you could not open your heart and protect her.” Garick refused to heed the wizard’s words. “No! She is mine. She lives.” The wizard’s laugh drove him mad. “She would have lived, had you the capacity to love her. We knew it was only a matter of time until you gave her to us.”
    “Noooooo!” Garick railed.
    “Too late, elvin king. Watch as I take her magic and her soul.” The wizard raised his hands in the air.
    Now, my love, Garick pleaded. Please show me you are still with me. I need you, Noele.
    Instantly, Noele’s eyes opened. She transferred her magic into Garick’s mind and he sliced through the bars as if they were wood instead of steel. They crumpled before him like stale bread.
    With a cry of surprise, the wizard tried to run past, but Garick grabbed him and with one arcing slice, beheaded the evil one.
    He ran to Noele and gathered her against him, transferring her essence back into her body. Closing his eyes, he prayed to the magical gods to restore Noele’s magic, feeling it leave him and enter her body.
    He only hoped it would be enough to restore her.
    “Come back to me, faerie,” he pleaded.
    Her silvery tipped eyes partly opened. She lifted a small hand to his cheek and smiled.

    “You came for me.”
    Garick fought back the emotions threatening to make him weak in the knees. So grateful for Noele’s life, he sent up a silent prayer to all the gods in the heavens. “Aye.”
    “I love you, Garick.”
    Her eyes fluttered closed and he gently picked her up, carrying her back the way they came. By the time he reached the opening in the wall, Roarke and the guards had dispatched the wizards.
    Roarke frowned and raced to his side. “Is she well?” He nodded. “Weak, but she will recover. She has much strength.” Roarke grinned and nodded. “Your new bride is quite a warrior.” They left the cavern and made haste back to Winterland.
    Garick’s wounds were tended to, despite wanting only to remain at Noele’s side. But the physician told him she only needed rest to build up her strength, and he was to leave her be.
    By the time nightfall came, Noele’s sisters had been to the chambers to impart some of their magical strength to her. Garick waited patiently by her side as her sisters fluttered about, asking her questions about her ordeal.
    He wanted them to leave. He needed to be alone with his wife.
    When he was ready to scream at them, they kissed Noele and bade her goodnight.
    After they left, Noele slumbered deeply. Not wanting to wake her when she needed rest to restore her body, he undressed quickly and slipped into bed with her, cradling her close against him. His mind and heart remained fully open, not wanting a repeat of the previous night. He slept fitfully through the night, waking several times to be sure she still lay protected in his arms.
    By the time morning came, Noele still slumbered peacefully. A fierce need to protect her coursed through him. He had failed her before. If she so allowed, he would never do so again.
    She would have been safer if he had given her to Roarke. And yet he could not cast her aside any more than he could cut off one of his own limbs. She was his, and would forever be.
    She murmured low in her throat, a husky sound that stirred his cock into full awakening.
    No, he should not touch her. She needed rest.
    But her voice entered his mind. I am fully awake, my husband. And what I need has nothing to do with rest.
    He