Courting Darkness by Melynda Price Read Free Book Online

you.”
    The husky voice startled her. Olivia gasped, spinning around to face the stranger, the train of her dress tangling around her legs. He stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed over his muscular chest, brows furrowed in pain as his gaze raked over her. Those rich amber eyes missed nothing, giving him a beautifully haunted appearance. He was gorgeous—breathtaking…
    The vice around her heart tightened—a wave of regret sent a flood of tears burning her eyes. “I had to,” she whispered, clutching the necklace in her hand, the point of the heart-shaped stone digging sharply into her palm. “How can I marry the man I’m trying to love, while wearing the necklace from the angel that still holds my heart?” The confession pouring from her lips startled Olivia. Her legs propelled her forward until she stood near the table where her veil lay draped over her jewelry box.
    She wanted to keep going—wanted to throw herself into the arms of this stunning male and tell him how much she loved him. But her feet would not move, her voice would not work. Her hand stretched out and pushed aside the chiffon. She pulled open a drawer and dropped the necklace inside the silk-lined jewelry box.
    “Do you love him?” the angel demanded.
    No! her mind screamed, but her lips would not utter the confession.
    Unable to hold his piercing gaze, it dropped to her bead-tooled wedding gown. “Look at me!” she cried, grabbing fists full of her dress, holding them out in exasperation. “I’m getting married!” A fresh wave of tears rolled down her cheeks. These could have been hers or Olivia’s, she couldn’t tell.
    “Trust me, I am well aware.” The brittleness in his voice knifed through her heart. “And that’s not what I asked you.”
    “I love him as much as I’m capable of loving someone else. I’ve been broken for so long. I just want to feel normal again.”
    She wanted to tell Olivia she was a fool. This was not the answer! She was breaking this angel’s heart. Couldn’t she see that?
    The Wedding March echoed throughout the tiny room, and she cast a nervous glance over her shoulder, feeling the seconds slipping through her fingers like the finest grains of sand. Go to him! she screamed, but Olivia wouldn’t move. “That’s my cue,” she whispered. Olivia tried to walk away, but she fought her. A puzzled frown tugged Olivia’s brows when her feet remained fixed to the floor.
    A small victory. If only she had more time…
    “I wish it was me waiting down there for you.”
    The words cut through her like a knife. Her hand flew up, covering the broken sob escaping her throat. “I do, too,” she breathed the barely audible confession.
    A soft knock sounded at the door. “Olivia? We’re ready for you, honey.”
    She tore her eyes away from him, casting an anxious glance over her shoulder. “I’ll be right there, Mom.”
    When Olivia turned back, he was gone. Panic stole her breath. She spun a circle, searching the room, when out of thin air, he reappeared. She was moving too fast, her legs were too tangled in her train to stop. Olivia slammed into him, her chest crushing up against his. His hands dropped to her hips, steadying her, the span nearly circling her slender waist. When she looked up, steel determination flashed in those otherworldly eyes. Without another word, he lifted Olivia up and tossed her over his shoulder.
    Surprise stole her breath, or maybe it was his muscular shoulder digging into her stomach, knocking a little more air from her lungs with each determined step as he strode across the room. The window slid open as if he’d commanded it so, and without breaking stride, her abductor stepped out onto the small metal terrace. He descended the steps in rapid-fire succession. Yes! she cheered, despite Olivia’s indignant flailing. For where her mind failed to recognize this gorgeous stranger, her heart knew him well. Liam…
    The sound of chirping birds invaded her sleep. As