Jacqueline stood, turning her back to Thordin and sliding her arms around her lover\u2019s waist. \u201cYou\u2019re worried. Why are you worried, Phelan?\u201d<\/p>\n
He sighed and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. How could he describe the nameless, formless fear that had begun to coil itself around his heart? The unsettled feeling he knew was there but couldn\u2019t shunt aside, couldn\u2019t forget. Jacqueline\u2019s arms tightened around him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay if you don\u2019t know,\u201d she whispered, then titled her face up to his. Their lips met and Phelan reveled in the all-too-brief moment, savoring the taste of her lips against his. He drew her tight against his chest and exhaled a ragged breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing I can name,\u201d he breathed against her hair. \u201cJust a feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d She rubbed his back gently, comfortingly. He relaxed a fraction, inhaling the scent of lavender from her hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d he murmured, and meant it\u2014meant it with every fiber of his being. Jacqueline rested her chin against his chest and looked up at him, smiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you do. I love you, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
He swallowed and smiled faintly, letting the smile fade after holding it for a brief moment. \u201cShe saw the Morrigan, Jac.\u201d<\/p>\n
His lover stiffened and drew back. \u201cWhat?\u201d She cast a quick glance toward Thordin. Phelan\u2019s grip tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t come for him,\u201d Phelan said. \u201cDon\u2019t panic. If someone was coming for him, it\u2019d be bloody Valkyries. You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know anything for certain anymore,\u201d Jacqueline said, then shot him a wry smile that faded as quickly as his had. \u201cSo why did<\/em> she come to Marin, then, if it wasn\u2019t…you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo warn her,\u201d Phelan said. \u201cTo tell her that Seamus had to go with Cameron and Thom. I don\u2019t know more than that. She wouldn\u2019t say.\u201d He looked at Jacqueline again and took a deep breath. \u201cStay close to her, Jac.\u201d<\/p>\n Her brows knit. \u201cOf course. She\u2019s my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know she is,\u201d he said. \u201cBut stay close to Marin. Please?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n Relief flooded through him, relief that he couldn\u2019t explain, just as he couldn\u2019t explain why he\u2019d felt the need to ask her to stay close to Marin. Phelan drew Jacqueline tight again and buried his face in her hair. \u201cThank you,\u201d he whispered. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jacqueline stood, turning her back to Thordin and sliding her arms around her lover\u2019s waist. \u201cYou\u2019re worried. Why are you worried, Phelan?\u201d He sighed and closed his eyes, resting his forehead against hers. How could he describe the nameless, formless … Continue reading