Red Moon by Elizabeth Kelly Read Free Book Online

of Nicholas’ waving hands.
    “Thank you.”  She murmured.  Her stomach was in
knots and she prayed to the gods that he couldn’t see the way his presence was
affecting her.
    He frowned and stared down at the baby, and she took the
opportunity to study him.  His dark hair was long and he kept it tied back
from his face in a low ponytail.  His face was tanned from the sun and he
had high, wide cheekbones.  His eyes were so dark they looked nearly
black, and he had a generous mouth and straight, white teeth.  She had
always admired tall men with broad shoulders and his shoulders were so wide,
both she and Maya could have easily hidden behind them.
    He was attractive.  Avery could admit that to
herself.  She could also admit that she was attracted to him.  But it
didn’t mean that she could allow herself the luxury of taking him into her
bed.  Her first priority had to be Maya and ensuring her safety.
 Mrs. Lanning’s almost immediate hatred of both her and Maya meant she needed
to be careful about what she said and did.  She had a feeling that
sleeping with the lord of the house would not help her worm her way into Mrs.
Lanning’s good graces.
    “You were right.”  Tristan murmured.
    “Hmm?”  She asked.
    “About your sister having a way with babies.  I think
this is the first time I’ve seen Nicholas happy.”  He tickled the boy
under his chin and smiled when he giggled softly.
    He plucked the thin baby from her lap and held him up in the
air, looking him over critically.  “He seems healthier as well.”
    Avery smiled.  “The fresh air is good for him.”
    “I guess.”  He tossed the baby into the air, catching
him gently, and Nicholas laughed and squealed.
    Maya leaned over Avery.  “My lord, Sophia has fallen
asleep.  Would you help me carry her to our tent?”
    “Of course.”  He handed the baby back to Avery and
stood, reaching for Sophia.  He picked her limp body up and cradled her
gently against his shoulder, burying his nose in her cloud of fine hair and
inhaling her good, clean scent.  She snuggled into him and he rubbed her
back as he carried her towards the tent.  Maya smiled at Avery and took
the baby from her.
    “Good night, Avery.  I love you.”
    “Good night, baby sister.  I love you too.”
    * * *
     
    Tristan was just crawling between the blankets when he heard
Marshall’s voice outside the tent.
    “Enter.”  He called and Marshall ducked inside. 
The storm had started just shortly after they had retired to their tents and
after only a few hours on watch, Marshall was soaked through.
    “What’s wrong?”  Tristan frowned at him.  “Where’s
Leo?”
    “Nothing’s wrong.  Leo just took over for me and I’m
headed to the tent to dry off and get some sleep, even with Jeffrey’s awful
snoring.  I’ll thank the gods when we’re finally home and I can sleep in
my own bed.”
    “Is that what you came in here to tell me?”  Tristan
said irritably.
    “I thought you should know the Red is huddled next to the
wagon.”
    “What?”  Tristan stared at him.  “What do you mean
she’s huddled next to the wagon?”
    Marshall waved his hand impatiently.  “I mean she’s
huddled next to the wagon.  I was heading to my own tent and that damn red
hair caught my attention.”
    “Why is she not in the tent?”  Tristan asked.
    “I don’t know.”  Marshall gave him another look of
impatience.  “Perhaps she’s doing some sort of spell, or perhaps she finds
the rain refreshing.  I just thought you should know.” 
    He stretched, his back cracking loudly.  “Good night,
Tristan.”  He slipped out of the tent and into the darkness.
    Tristan cursed and dressed quickly before throwing on his
cloak and heading out into the dark.  The rain was pouring down and he
waited patiently for his night vision to kick in.  He could see nearly as
well in the dark as a cat, and he had no trouble finding Avery curled up in a
small ball next to the front