Cyndi Friberg

Authorized Excerpt: ECHOES AND EMBERS

Copyright © CYNDI FRIBERG, 2008

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

A door banged open, causing Rosalind to start. Cursing the interruption, Sariel turned as a furious young woman advanced across the church. A cloud of bright red curls bounced and bobbed with her purposeful stride. Her hands clenched and bright flags of color stained her high cheekbones.

Deep in Sariel’s being carnal hunger stirred. He ignored the urge to clutch his chest and abdomen. What was wrong with him? He had battled long and hard to banish these yearnings. Why would they reawaken now?

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Fear battled anger within the woman’s expressive eyes.

“You could not have looked everywhere or you would have found me.” Rosalind raised her chin.

“I’ve been frantic, young lady.” Her tone was tight, but her lips trembled. Clearly, Rosalind had given this woman quite a scare. “Not even Lailah knew where you’d gone.”

Rosalind angled her hands, gesturing toward herself. “It would appear I’m more capable of caring for myself than you believe.”

The redhead stood her ground. “You will address me with respect or this will end our conversation.”

“I didn’t invite this conver—”

“But if this ends our conversation, you will be taken back to the castle under guard. Then you will find a guard stationed outside your bedchamber door, ensuring that you remain within the curtain wall for the next sennight.”

Sariel watched the battle of wills, far more intrigued than he cared to admit. What was the relationship between these two females? They couldn’t be mother and daughter; hardly a decade separated the two. The red-haired beauty handled Rosalind’s belligerence with remarkable aplomb. Violence was the response of many to such rebellion.

As Rosalind considered her alternatives, the woman’s gaze drifted to him. Silver, gray and blue, her eyes combined the colors into a shade both pale and intense. He’d never seen their like before. The beast within him yawned and stretched. Restless. How long had it been since he’d held a woman, felt her softness and caressed her smooth skin? Picturing himself with his face buried in her soft, fragrant curls, he swallowed awkwardly.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been tempted. Why now? Why this woman?

Turning back to Rosalind, she asked, “What is expected of you when you leave the castle compound?”

“They are your expectations, Alyssa. I was never in any danger.”

The girl’s gaze darted toward Sariel and he fought back a smile. Rosalind was performing for him. He recognized the cunning gleam in her eyes. This was not good.

“Go back to the castle.” Apparently Alyssa reached the same conclusion. “I’ll be with you momentarily.”

“I’m going to take my guest—”

“I will see to the needs of your guest.” Alyssa pointed toward the doorway. “Go.”

Images of all the ways he would like Alyssa to “see to his needs” bombarded Sariel. His shaft hardened and lengthened. He barely suppressed a moan. Impossible! He had conquered his carnal nature, transcended the need for physical release. This couldn’t be happening to him, not after all these years.

Rosalind’s nostrils flared, her lips compressed and her chin quivered.

“Now.”

The girl spun on the ball of her foot and stormed from the church.

Perhaps he should insist they accompany her. He didn’t trust himself alone with Alyssa.

How ridiculous. He wouldn’t hide behind a child.

Gathering the full strength of his angelic intuition, Sariel scanned the lovely creature at his side. She was an angel and yet she was not. Stunned, he delved deeper. Conflict and confusion battered his senses like a tempest. He’d never encountered anyone with a nature quite like hers. He didn’t think she was Fallen, yet undeniable passion surged through every fiber of her being. What was she?

Alyssa sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose before she returned her gaze to Sariel. “I apologize for Lady Rosalind’s rude behavior.” Her features relaxed, her full lips softened, increasing their sensual appeal. “Hers has not been an easy life.”

“How came you to be her guardian?” Sariel focused on the issue at hand. His mission must take priority over the mystery that was Alyssa.

She narrowed her eyes, her brow furrowed in speculation. “Who are you? Why were you with my ward?”

ECHOES AND EMBERS