Impassion (Mystic) by B. C. Burgess Read Free Book Online Page B

Morrigan’s embrace. She was being held in motherly arms and felt as if she belonged there. In fact, she never wanted to leave, but after several seconds of cuddling into loving warmth, she wondered if hugging the others would feel as fantastic. Embarrassed to test the theory, she blushed when she left Morrigan’s arms and faced Daleen.
    “Your blush is lovely,” Daleen noted, taking her hot cheeks, “but unnecessary. We would cross the earth a million times for the chance to hold you again.” And with that, she pulled Layla in.
    The embrace didn’t disappoint, and soon Layla was buried in Daleen’s shoulder, floating in a sea of contentment.
    “Thank you,” Daleen whispered, smelling and kissing her curls. Then she leaned back and dried their tears.
    Layla stared at Daleen’s beaming face with wide eyes, feeling dazed as a smile tugged on her lips, but her nerves flared at the prospect of hugging her grandfathers. The idea was as foreign as the final frontier. But as scared as Layla was to make the journey, she burned with curiosity, so she cleared her throat and got to her feet.
    Serafin offered a hand, and she timidly took it, letting him pull her into a strong hug. One large palm urged her cheek to his chest as the other encircled her shoulders, and she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his torso.
    As wonderful as a mother’s hug, but completely different and brand new, Serafin’s embrace flooded Layla with another wave of emotion. She choked on a sob, and he rested a cheek on her head, strengthening the sanctuary encasing her. His chest vibrated as his heart thrummed in her ear, and she listened closely, finding peace in its rhythm.
    If she’d known how natural and wonderful it would feel to hold her biological family, it would have saved her a lot of worry. They shared a connection not even twenty-one years apart could stifle. It was right. It was the way it should be. It was magical and perfect and she was home. Katherine had been her home for eighteen fantastic years and three very lonely years, but this was Layla’s home now, and she knew, without a doubt, that she belonged there.
    “Layla Love,” Serafin whispered. “You just made me the happiest man on earth.”
    Layla squeezed her response, unprepared to let go, but one grandparent remained.
    She turned to Caitrin without hesitation, and he happily pulled her into a cozy hug filled with security and love.
    What a day! Layla couldn’t believe it. In mere minutes, she’d obtained four loving relatives and was already comfortable with them. Another whoosh of relief lightened her body and mind.
    “You’re as sweet as your mom,” Caitrin offered, leaning back to find her face. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity. We could speak a million words and still not express how much this day means to us.”
    “I had no idea it would be like this. You guys are more wonderful than I ever imagined.”
    “You’re every bit as wonderful as we imagined,” he countered.
    In a flash of movement, Morrigan and Daleen were at Layla’s side, brushing her hair from her face and tenderly touching her arms. Apparently they couldn’t get enough of her to satisfy their neglected maternal need.
    “We want to get to know you,” Daleen insisted, laying her cheek in Layla’s hand. “We’ve been missing you so much for so long. We want you to stay here with us, so we can learn who you are and give you all the love we’ve been saving up.” She paused, hopefully searching Layla’s eyes as she swept a curl from her forehead. “Is that something you’d like?”
    Layla had no problem committing to her grandparents. In fact, she was ecstatic about it. “Yes. I want to stay and get to know the life I’ve been missing. You guys are wonderful. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
    “Oh, darling,” Daleen approved, pulling her into another hug. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made us.”
    Indeed. The room glowed with delighted auras and golden