Sin Incarnate by T. C. Archer Read Free Book Online Page A

wonderful expression played over his features. “I hope we can spend more time together.” She frowned, and he added, “Tonight, that is.”   
     
     
     
    Chapter Eleven
    Lorna blinked into focus the pink morning sky outside the living room window. Snow-covered fir trees stretched out as far as the eye could see. She lay, her back nestled against Jace’s groin in front of the hearth. She looked down at his arm wrapped around her waist. Embers bathed his muscled flesh in soft light.
    Sometime during the night she’d awakened to his caresses, strokes that lifted her into another frenzy of pleasure. Her sex tightened with the memory of his strong hands on her.  She had never experienced a man as she had him. Yes, she had taken pleasure from all of them, but no fond memories had lingered the following morning. Why did Jace have this affect on her?
    “I hope we can spend more time together. Tonight, that is,” he had said.
    She choked back tears. Like the others, Jace Buchanen wanted only to enjoy her body for the moment. Despite the millennia that had passed, her beauty hadn’t brought her love. If she had accepted her fate as one of the cunning folk, her life and agony would have ended long ago. Instead, she would spend eternity knowing even great beauty hadn’t made her worthy of love.
    The click of the door opening from down the hallway intruded upon her thoughts. Lorna tensed. Ryan. She had forgotten him. Aeden could claim them both. Tears rushed to the surface. They hadn’t saved her, hadn’t loved her, but it wasn’t their fault that she was unworthy of love. They didn’t deserve to live out eternity in Shade . A figure stepped into view and Lorna gasped. Aeden. What was he doing here? He always appeared inside the vortex that connected Shade to the mortal realm. His mouth was set in a thin line of anger. His gaze slid down her body, then rested on Jace’s arm wrapped around her waist.
    “What the hell.” Jace’s voice boomed in her ear. She started to rise, but he shoved her back down and jumped to his feet. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
    Aeden looked at Lorna. “We must go, now.”
    Panic bubbled to the surface. “He is not like the others,” she said as she pushed to her feet. “He doesn’t belong in Shade .”
    From the corner of her eye, Lorna saw Jace shift. Too late, she realized his intent. He threw a right punch to Aeden’s jaw. Aeden’s head snapped back with a crack and he stumbled backwards.
    “Aeden,” Lorna began in a rush.
    Aeden seized Jace’s neck. Jace punched his belly. Aeden gave a low laugh. Lorna launched herself onto him as he threw Jace backward. Jace hit the wall beside the hearth and crumpled to the carpet. Lorna shoved Aeden with all her might. He propelled through the air and slammed into the desk near the window. She whirled. Jace was on his knees and pushing to his feet. Aeden rushed toward him. She shot forward, intercepting Aeden. They crashed into the small table, her arms wrapped tight around him as they slammed into the couch. He broke free. She leaped to her feet as he did.
    “You cannot kill him!” she shouted.
    “No mortal attacks me,” he snarled.
    Her mind whirled. Jace had attacked Aeden. No other man had done that. When Aeden came for her after her other lovers had been tested, the men hadn’t fought for her.
    “What the fuck is going on?” Jace demanded. “You know this man, Lorna?”
    She jerked toward him. He stood, shoulders squared, weight balanced, ready to battle Aeden.
    Jace’s eyes shifted to Aeden. “Who the hell are you?”
    A corner of Aeden’s mouth lifted in a predatory smile. “I am your new master…and her mate.”
    “Mate—what—”
    “Bring him,” Aeden ordered.
    Lorna’s mind raced. Jace had fought for her. Was it possible he cared? Was she free? Aeden hadn’t appeared from the vortex. Why? Something was different about this time.
    “No,” she said.
    “I will kill him.”
    “He has proven he cares