Love's Call by C. A. Szarek Read Free Book Online

healer? Would everyone know all about her?
    She winced and ended up tripping over her feet.
    The large knight was at her side in seconds, his hand swallowing her upper arm. But his grip didn’t hurt. “Are you all right, Avril?”
    Avril met his pale eyes and her heart thumped. “I’m…I’m fine, thank you.”
    He was huge indeed. She barely came up to his shoulder.
    Sir Roduch lifted and carried her to the bed as if she hadn’t answered him.
    Her face burned even more when he set her down as if she weighed nothing. Avril met the healer’s eyes.
    He smiled, amusement rolling off him.
    She looked away as her magic surged in reaction to his. He was powerful. More so than any other healer she’d ever met. His aura was bright and pale, and it glowed around his tall, slim form.
    Most of the time, she had to concentrate to read an aura, but the healer had so much magic it was overt, as if it rested on the surface of his skin. It was thick, almost gold. This man was not only a healer, his soul was clean. He cared for people and had a pure heart.
    A good man.
    “Avril, this is Lord Tristan Dagget. He healed you last night. He won’t hurt you,” Sir Roduch said, his voice low and gentle. He must have misinterpreted the reason she’d shied away.
    “Thank you,” she whispered, meeting the lord’s warm hazel gaze. This man was gentle, too. Strong of body and mind, but a healer through and through.
    The lord nodded and reached for her hand.
    She couldn’t refuse him. Calm washed over her the moment their fingers touched, and Avril sighed.
    “How are you feeling this morning?”
    “Good. Better than before,” she said, looking down.
    He knew.
    His magic would have told him every bit of her physical history. Embarrassment warred with the artificial serenity his healing powers were pushing on her.
    It’s all right. Let the magic relax you. His mental speech tickled her mind with the thought-send. Soothing, even like his words moments before.
    I’m sorry, Avril thought-sent.
    His smile dismissed her need for an apology. His skin glowed as he probed her, gripping both her hands.
    Heat washed over her, and Avril sank into the softness of the bed, letting Lord Dagget search for what he would.
    “There we are,” he said, pulling her gently into a sitting position what seemed hours later.
    Limbs languid, her whole body was warm, as if she’d just gotten out of a hot bath. Comfortable and safe, Avril sought out the one person who’d been by her side, showing her she wasn’t alone anymore.
    Sir Roduch.
    Lord Dagget took a step back, breaking their physical contact.
    Her knight looked nervous.
    Avril scooted closer to him, reaching for his hand.
    “She’s thoroughly patched up,” the healer said.
    Sir Roduch’s large frame shuddered, as if her health mattered to him.
    She swallowed hard. Their eyes locked and Avril smiled.
    He froze, his pale eyes intense. Her heart sped up when she saw unshed tears. After entwining their fingers, he brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss into her knuckles.
    Avril shifted on the edge of the large bed. She forced her gaze away, making eye contact with the healer. “Thank you, Lord Dagget.” She fought for composure, ignoring the emotion in the knight’s gaze.
    I don’t even know him .
    “You’re very welcome.” His warm smile was infectious, and Avril smiled for the second time.
    “Well, Avril, is it? Nice to meet you. I’m Cera.”
    A very pregnant—but still striking—redhead stepped forward, a smile on her full lips. Her tan gown was plain, but she carried herself with elegance, despite her large tummy.
    The duchess.
    Beside her was a small woman with dark hair almost as long as she was tall. She wore a shimmery dark green gown with gold leaves embroidered on it. It was fancier than Lady Aldern’s.
    Who was she?
    There was a third woman, also a redhead, but a lighter shade than the duchess, her hair in a thick plait that fell to her waist. She wore brown breeches and