The Captain of the Manor by Nicole Dennis Read Free Book Online

would," Aiden said as he closed the laptop. He raised hands over his head for a full body stretch. "The sun is going down."
    Edmund stared only at Aiden, ignoring everything around him. His form flickered with his concentration.
    Rising, Aiden strolled over to Edmund, taking more care than ever, used a finger to push back his glasses, and placed his hands on the arms of the chair. He leaned forward, smiled, and captured Edmund's in a soft, lingering kiss. One of his hands lifted to curl around Edmund's cheek, the skin smooth and cool as marble under his touch. There was a flicker of energy, mist, but nothing to show he was truly alive.
    Pulling back, he stared deep into Edmund's gaze.
    "Aiden… I couldn't ask you to do…"
    "You don't have to ask. I agree. Come, we need to do this in your room. What else do we need?"
    "Candles, moonlight, and hope," Edmund said as he stood, brushing against Aiden's body.
    "And lube. Lots of lube," Aiden said with a grin. "Though, I hope neither one of us needs to stay inside the other the entire night, because… umm… ow."
    Edmund laughed as he wrapped an arm around Aiden's waist and led him out of the room. "No, I don't think it will be necessary. Perhaps we should make love a couple of times to prove our love for one another or the beginnings of love."
    "I'll definitely second those ideas and I insist on lots of cuddling for the rest of the time."
    "I say that sounds good and hope I can cuddle you for a long time beyond one night. I never thought I would even have the chance to end this curse. My life seemed to stretch endless ahead of me."
    "We'll make it better if this all works," Aiden said.
    This time, Edmund made sure to open the door instead of ghosting through. "I learned after last time."
    Aiden broke out into laughter at the sheepish smile on Edmund's face.
    They stopped at the threshold, not because of a spell, but the transformation of the interior room.
    "Umm. This isn't your room, is it?" Aiden asked as he looked around at the lavish blankets, pillows, the bed piled with more, breezy curtains flowing with the sea breeze, a fire roaring in the hearth, and candles flickering everywhere.
    "Not the way I left it earlier," Edmund said as he stepped forward and stopped to stare in a corner. "Priestess…"
    "What…" Aiden moved until he was behind Edmund, his hands clutched his waistband as he poke his face around Edmund's shoulder. He saw the shadowy image become clearer of a dark-skinned female with her hair wrapped in a colorful cloth and her clothes were gauzy and flowing. She wore several amulets around her neck and waist.
    "Happy All Hallow's Eve, gentlemen. Captain Edmund Carslyle, the one who doomed my love to death and cursed by myself, do you come into the relationship under your own free will and bidding?" the priestess intoned.
    "I do," Edmund said, not arguing any points tonight.
    "Aiden Joseph, the one who entered this manor without pretense or knowledge of the aforementioned curse, do you come into this relationship under your own free will and bidding?"
    Aiden blinked and fixed his glasses. "I do, Priestess."
    "So polite, dear boy," the woman said with a smile, bright against her skin. "By your free will and power of this night, I open the spiritual world and release you from your curse this evening, Captain Edmund Carslyle. If the two of you prove a love strong between you, life will remain beating in your heart, your soul replaced intact. If you break apart and are false with one another, Captain Edmund Carslyle, your soul and life is mine and you will cease living among this world."
    Edmund swallowed under his throat. "I understand, Priestess, please do thy bidding with me."
    Aiden clutched him tighter to support the man.
    Raising her hands, the priestess chanted and spoke with her spirits and gods until a line of smoke flared from the fire and wrapped around Edmund, forcing him away from Aiden's grip.
    "Edmund!" Aiden called out, but couldn't get through the