Eluria's Enforcer (The Argadian Heart Trilogy Book 1) by Adrianna Dane Read Free Book Online

her presence was
new to him, causing an aching need his body demanded be relieved.
    He felt her inner war of need and denial. It
flared inside him, halting his intent to take her. He would not force himself
upon an unwilling female—no matter the circumstance.
    Devon’s thoughts wandered back to her
certainty they were protected here.
    How?
    In one fluid, movement, he rose and then stepped
from the crystalline spring. Water slid from his body and pooled at his feet as
he surveyed the rocky, uneven walls of the cavern. There was something within
them that masked their presence. He was certain of it. He walked to the rocky
face to peer closer, splayed a hand to the surface and smoothed it along the
uneven contours.
    He bent closer, inhaled deeply, noticing a
scent not of earth or heated rock, but slightly metallic. Again, he raised his
gaze to peer more closely at the rocky interior and noticed a shimmer caste of
violet interspersed throughout the rock.
    Of course! It had to be traces of plordium.
It was the only ore which could possibly cloak their presence inside the walls
of the cave. Again, Devon found himself admiring the female for identifying and
putting to good use this naturally secure hiding place.
    He was still not convinced the zyflamite was
meant for him or that he should remain within the confines of the cave for
protection. But these new emotions he felt gave him pause to consider what
would be his best course of action. There could be no doubt his role as
Enforcer would be severely hampered by the feelings churning inside him. Until
he was able to control them adequately, he would stay.
    Devon winced as a knife of pain stabbed
through his head. He staggered as another arc of pain drove him to his knees.
Reaching up, he cradled his head, as another surge shattered, crashing through
him. Lights burst behind his closed lids, images of people and events flashing,
mingling, colliding.
    It was as though a steel gate had been
opened, and he was tossed out within the midst of reclaimed memories. For
remembrance is what it had to be. He tried to grasp an image, any image, hold
fast to it, understand it, but they moved too quickly, one after the other,
drilling into his brain.
    “No!” he yelled, trying to control the swarm
of images and the emotions they elicited in response.
    Suddenly he felt gentle yet firm hands on his
shoulders; the scent of rozanna caressed him. “Devon, what is it?” A concerned
voice hovered above him. Blinded by the images, he tried to push her away.
Another deadly dagger speared through his mind.
    “Images,” he gasped, pressing hard with his
hands against his temples. “Too fast,” he groaned, “too fast, too many.” The
blanking numbness of unconsciousness sucked him away from the whirling colors
as he collapsed back into a steadying embrace.
     
    *          *          *
     
    Symion! What do I do? Eluria panicked when
Devon lost consciousness. As he began to fall forward, Eluria tightened her
arms and twisted, cradling him close as she sank to the ground in a sitting
position. She calmed a bit after locating his pulse and finding it strong and
steady. Wrapping her arms around him, she waited, praying to Guardian for
guidance, to return Devon to her.
    An eternity seemed to linger as she sat
there, recalling a time when he’d held her in his arms. Bittersweet memories of
his strong arms and the security they represented in the Before. His laughter,
like warm honeyberry nectar flowing over her, infusing her with happiness. When
was the last time she’d felt real happiness?
    There was some sense of joy in the reality of
touching his warm supple skin, after so many years of fantasizing of doing just
that. She leaned forward and inhaled his scent. It was different from Before,
yet the same, seasoned by time and experience, like the most rare Dalanian Ale.
    Knowing she shouldn’t, but unable to stop
herself, she traced the line of his finely-sculpted lips with her