Chapter Eight-Knight in Shining Armor

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• Beckoned   Chapter Twenty/ Wedding Night

  The reception seemed to last forever. There were too many people to hug, too many gifts and good wishes, and too much dancing. Finally, after the last dance, Andre and I were able to leave. Exhaustion took over and I fell asleep with my cheek resting against Andre’s shoulder in the limousine. I did not wake until I sensed I was being lifted. My eyes flew open and I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep from falling. “What are you doing?” I asked. I gripped his neck tighter, pulling myself closer to him. His woodsy scent wrapped around me. He grinned. “I’m carrying my wife across the threshold.” I laughed nervously. “Andre, you don’t have to do that,” I whispered into his shoulder. “We both know that our marriage was arranged.” He grinned, glancing down at me, his eyes sparkling. “Let me have a little fun, okay?” “Okay,” I said. My face heated to a bright red. I laughed as he tried to find his keys

• Beckoned   Chapter Nineteen/ Conversation

  I sat in the limousine beside Andre, my hands clasped on my lap as we drove toward the hotel where the reception would be held. I shifted in my seat as I bit my bottom lip and glanced out the window, afraid to speak first.I didn’t know why I was so shy with him now. Perhaps it was because I had just received my first kiss…or maybe it was because I was still not used to his presence. Either way, it left us in total silence.I glanced down at my hands, squeezing them while trying to think of something to say, finding nothing. Finally, Andre’s rich, beautiful laughter echoed through the limo, causing me to jump.I narrowed my eyes at him. “What are you laughing about?” I asked, tilting my head. There was fear he was laughing at me.It took a moment before he answered. When he did, he was almost breathless. “You scared me when you didn’t say ‘I do’ right away,” he said, still chuckling. I sighed, relieved. “I thought you were going to run.”I chewed on my lip for a moment, wondering how h

• Beckoned   Chapter Eighteen/ Wedding Bells

  Everything was surreal as I stood in the lobby of the church. The arched double doors opened, my flower girls and bridesmaids making their way down the aisle. Mirella glanced back at me and grinned just before walking down with Marco. I trembled as I grasped Gavriel’s arm, waiting just out of sight. “It’s okay,” Gavriel whispered, smiling as his grip on my hand tightened. “It isn’t as bad as it seems. It gets better.”I frowned, then smiled. “Was it horrible with Sophia at first?”He laughed. “Yes. I thought she hated me. Eventually, we became friends and fell in love.”“You really do love each other, don’t you?” I asked, gazing up into his face.His eyes softened, his love for her undeniable. “With everything in me.” He glanced down at me, smiling. “She makes me a better man.”I studied him as he led me to stand in front of the double doors, which someone had closed again. The preacher’s booming voice came to me, causing me to jump.“Everyone, please stand for the arrival of the bri

• Beckoned   Chapter Seventeen/ Miracle Worker

  As Mirella promised, I didn’t have to do anything. She curled my hair, piling it high on my head, then did my make-up. I was relaxed. Because of her constant chatter, I felt excited. I could almost pretend I was getting married because of love, not because of an agreement made shortly after I learned to walk.Mirella finished with my make-up and hair but wouldn’t let me look in the mirror yet. Then she took my hand and helped me step into the dress, which lay puddled on the floor. She pulled it up and I slipped my arms through the small white straps attached to the bodice. It seemed to take forever for her to fasten the buttons along the back.Once done, she turned me to face her, then clapped. “You will not believe how beautiful you are!”I shook my head. “I’m sure you’re just being kind.”She rolled her eyes. “Fine. See for yourself. However, I want you to know your lack of faith in me is hurtful and mean. I’ll expect a full apology.”I laughed. “It’s not a lack of faith in you, Mire

• Beckoned   Chapter Sixteen/Wedding Morning

  As I slept that night, the wolf who had attacked Garridan invaded my dreams. But unlike my other dreams, these weren’t frightening. I felt protected…like the wolf was my guardian and he would appear if any form of danger presented itself.The dreams continued through the night, expelling all nightmares. When I woke, the image of the wolf’s eyes stayed in my mind, haunting me in a way that made me feel safer than I had since arriving in Timbly Mountain. I blinked, still lying in my bed as I thought of the dream, wondering what it meant.I had only been awake a few moments before Mirella came bursting through my bedroom door without knocking, my wedding dress draped over her arm. I glanced toward the window and groaned. It wasn’t even light out yet and I had planned to sleep a little longer.“Really?” I asked as I stared at her wrinkling my nose in annoyance. “Can’t the sun at least have a chance to rise before you burst into my room? It’s still dark outside.”“No,” she said with a wide

• Beckoned   Chapter Fifteen-Wolf

  I was exhausted, but sleep eluded me. My mind continued to replay the conversation with Katie.Had he really been with her?I groaned as I pushed the thought away again. I didn't understand why it mattered. Worse, I couldn’t understand why I felt the insane urge to find Andre and demand that he not see her again. It was crazy, insane.I had been so deep in thought, I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone. The darkness was thick around me when a hand suddenly covered my mouth. A weight pressed on me as my wrists were grabbed by a large, rough hand. Terror froze my heart when I peered up into silver eyes. My eyes widened as they adjusted to the darkness, seeing the identity of my attacker…Garridan.I inhaled sharply, wishing I was having another nightmare, knowing I wasn’t. I twisted my body, but he rested his weight upon me even more.“I told you I’d be back for you, Aurora,” he whispered in a harsh voice. “I didn't want to do it this way, but your father insists. I must do what he tells me.”I