Twilight's Eternal Embrace (32 page)

Even Bram
'
s father stared at the man, with the eerie colored eyes, with concern before he addressed her again.
"
You will come with us tonight.
"

Padric stepped forward.
"
Surely, you will let her say goodbye to her family and gather her belongings.
"

"
No,
"
the eerie-eyed male said.
"
She rides with me. Now.
"

Fear tingled down Adryanna
'
s spine at the thought of riding with this male, but her options
appeare
d limited.

The elder hesitated, but then gave his consent with a nod.

Adryanna glanced toward her clan, knowing she most likely would never see them again. Her father stood by her mother, his arms around her to comfort her. She spotted Talia. She did not look upon her with disdain. She nodded her head in farewell. There were others who spat at the ground
,
the act telling her they believed she deserved whatever fate awaited
.
B
ut she cared not what they thought of her. She chose her destiny a long time ago and was glad for it.

"
Come.
"

She jumped at the sound of the eerie-eyed male’s voice, not realizing he had moved beside her. He gestured toward his horse, a formidable beast not unlike its master.
She was a
seasoned
rider and able to mount the horse without aid. This seemed to impress the Oiche Sith. His lips curved, softening his features.

"
You should smile more often,
"
she blurted out without thinking.

The Oiche Sith chuckled as he mounted the horse and sat behind her.
"
And why is that?
"

"
You do not
appear
so fierce when you smile.
"

"
Perhaps it is fierce I
am
aim
ing for. Hiyah!
"
He kicked the horse into motion with his command.
"
I am Gareth.
"

She half turned to
stare
at him
with curiosity
. So this was Bram
'
s brother, the one who returned with a f
ie
nd in a cage. She would not have expected him to be cordial. Now she
'
d met Bram
'
s entire family.
"
I am Adryanna.
"

He nodded.
"
You are different from the other daywalkers.
"

"
How do you mean?
"

"
Your scent…
"
He inhaled deeply.
"
It is a mixture of both species.
"

Adryanna feared it was because she drank from Bram, but she did not reveal the secret. The elders knew she let Bram sample her blood. They did not know she had tasted his.

"
You have little to say on the matter?
"
Gareth pushed.

"
I know not what you would want me to say.
"

He chuckled again.
"
You are a wise one. It is probably better for you that you keep your secrets.
"

Did he suspect what she and Bram had done? She swallowed back the lump in her throat, wondering what Gareth would do with the knowledge.

"
You
r
heart beats fast, little one. Are you frightened of what awaits you?
"

"
No. I did not want to keep my love for Bram a secret. I am glad it is out in the open now.
"

"
You are in love with my brother?
"
He seemed surprised at the confession.
"
Hmm… and you are not enthralled. I believe you are telling the truth. It does not happen very often—love between a Lathe Sith and an Oiche Sith. Infatuations, aye… How can we not fall for the children of the sun? They radiate the warmth we crave and can never have. I do believe Bram loves you, too. Why else would he try to sacrifice his life so you may live?
"
He sighed with pity.
"
I hope you survive the blooding ritual. It would please me to speak with you further.
"

She was surprised by his sincerity. H
is
fierce
persona would put most on guard
, but she sensed he was
also
sad and lonely, but before she could say anything more to him, he pushed the mount into a run, preventing any more conversation.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"
You lie
!"
Bram screamed and lunged toward Loreto, but his brother sidestepped with ease.

"
Lie? No
,
brother.
"
Loreto chuckled.
"
Your
bloodling
is here in the castle
,
awaiting the marriage ceremony.
"

Bram didn
'
t understand. It was his right to refuse the ceremony. He wanted to save Adryanna
,
not bring her here.

The door to his room opened and Gareth entered.
"
Leave us, Loreto.
"

Loreto
hesitat
ed
. His gaze darkened and his mouth opened as if
to refuse, but Gareth had a way of
leveling his gaze
on someone with fierce determination that willed compliance.

Bram couldn
'
t imagine anyone not obeying his command.

"
As you wish.
"
Loreto bowed with respect before he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Bram tensed as he leaned against the bedpost for support. His limbs felt as if they were on fire. Every muscle in his body ached. His throat felt dry and his fangs throbbed. What did Gareth want from him? He had no doubt the male was here with a purpose in mind.
"
Loreto claims that Adryanna is here.
"
He forced himself to meet Gareth
'
s eyes, no matter how disturbing they were to gaze upon.

"
Aye. Our mother came with your request to Coomkeen, but father would not bend.
"

So it had been their father who went to represent the elders and their decision, Bram thought. His father had been furious when he found out what he
'
d done. Usually he could placate his father, but not this time. He had gone too far when he chose a Lathe Sith over his own survival.

"
It was either she came with us or it would be death for her family.
"
Gareth took a step toward him.
"
In truth, I believe your female would have come without such a threat.
"

Bram closed his eyes.
"
I do not want her.
"

Gareth
'
s low chuckle grated on Bram
'
s nerves.
"
You do, but you fear what will become of her. Aye?
"

He met Gareth
'
s gaze once more.
"
Can you blame me? I will kill her. I do not want to, but it is in my nature, is it not? I will take her blood, her essence and she will die in my arms, seeing me as the monster I am.
"

Gareth said nothing for a moment, but Bram had no doubt the male was formulating his next words with a purpose in mind.
"
Sit, before you fall at my feet.
"
He waved his hand toward the bed.

Bram eased down onto the soft furs with considerable effort.

"
She has accepted her fate,
"
Gareth confirmed.
"
She is a brave lass, a worthy lass. Do not disgrace her pledge to come to you by refusing her. It will not end well for either of you if you do.
"

He knew Gareth spoke the truth. He heard the warning loud and clear. The elders would make them pay for breaking the rules the clans had put forth. However, it was Adryanna who paid the bigger price in this matter. His gaze caught sight of Gareth
'
s hand reaching beneath his mantel. He pulled out a notebook he recognized as Sheerin
'
s. His gaze riveted to Gareth
'
s, fear finding a new place in his chest reminding him of his impending doom. Sheerin wrote his findings in
that
book about Adryanna, the blood exchange—every experiment they performed.

"
Is it true? Did you share your blood with the female Lathe Sith?
"
Gareth wanted confirmation.

"
I do not know what you speak of.
"
He turned away les
t
his eyes betray him.

In a flash, Gareth held his chin like a vise, forcing Bram to look at him.
"
Sheerin has made himself scarce and he does not name names in his book, but it is easy for me to imagine the star-
crossed
lovers are you and the Lathe Sith that rode here with me last night.
"

Bram blanched. Adryanna was brought in by him?
"
If you hurt—
"

Gareth
'
s laughter drowned out his threat.
"
How gallant you are to protect her.
"
He let Bram go and stepped back.
"
The female is fine. Now speak the truth. Did she taste your blood?
"

Bram confirmed with a curt nod. He did not know what Gareth thought to gain from the confession. Adryanna was already doomed. What more could they do to her, but perhaps Gareth meant to make him suffer for the crime.

"
Relax.
"
Gareth waved his hand at him as he paced.
"
I wish you no harm. Sheerin may have discovered something I had not considered.
"
He seemed to be talking more to himself as he paced and tapped the edge of the book on his chin. Finally, he turned toward him.
"
Perhaps your female will not perish this night.
"

Before he could question what Gareth meant by his words, the doors flew open and two guards strode in, followed by his mother. She held his
ceremonial
garb in her hands. She glanced at Gareth with surprise.

"
Bram must dress. The ceremony is tonight at sunset. You must go, Gareth,
"
his mother demanded.

Gareth bowed.
"
Aye, I shall
t
ake my leave.
"

Bram wanted to call him back, but he could not voice his questions while his mother and the guards were present. Gareth turned at the doorway and
regarded Bram, giving him a warning look he couldn't miss
.
Trust me.
The words rang in his head as if Gareth had spoken them out loud. Had he imagined it or had his brother truly communicated with him
?

He had no time to dwell on it. The guards gripped his arms and led him to the drawing room where a bath awaited him.

Once bathed and dressed, he would be led to the blooding chamber where he would lay upon the altar. One of the elders would enter the chambers to slit his wrists and allow his blood to pool into the trenches carved in stone around the table. He would not be drained, but enough of his blood would seep out, giving room to accept his bride
'
s blood.

She would be left to his mercy.
However, s
he would find none once
the bloodlust took hold.

Chapter Forty

The guards came for
Bram
as soon as the sun dipped
beneath
the horizon, leaving only the
darker
color
s of
Twilight
.
He was
dressed in finery befitting a groom
, a
sword
strapped at his side,
and
his garments were of the
fin
est
silk
accented with
gold
thread
.