Twilight's Eternal Embrace by Karen Michelle Nutt Read Free Book Online Page B

and with only a few of their own injured, the Oiche Sith celebrated their victory in the grand hall until the morning light pushed them to find comfort in their beds. Bram was indeed grateful, but his happiness was for a lovely lass with hair the color of a blazing sun.
    His steps took him downstairs to the lower level where the dogs and horses were kept. Since Twilight was still hours away, he didn ' t expect to run into another one of his clan, but Camden stood in the shadows, leaning against the stone wall for support. His friend revealed himself as he entered.
    " You could not sleep? " Camden spoke the obvious.
    " As I see you cannot either . "
    Camden smiled. " Aye. I have not slept well in days. "
    Bram noticed Camden held something in his hands. On closer inspection, he realized it was Fianait ' s ribbon.
    Camden held it up. " She gave this to me on our wedding night. "
    Bram wasn ' t sure he wanted to hear a confession, but with the sun beating down on the land, he was forced to endure. " A strange gift to give a warrior, do you not think? "
    Camden chuckled. " I said as much to her. " His eyes met Bram's now. " But she told me it was meant as a token of her love. "
    Bram frowned. " I do not understand. She only just met you. How could she claim her love for you? "
    Camden didn ' t answer at first. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he squared his shoulders. " I met her one time before we were wed—in the woods. "
    It took a moment, but Bram then understood. " She came to you willingly. "
    Camden nodded. " But I failed her. I swear, I tried not to take too much of her blood. I thought I succeeded. She still lived come the morning light, but she was weak. So very weak. " He shook his head. " I did not know how to help her. I closed the wounds. I made her drink wine and managed to give her some nourishment, but she still slipped away. " He gripped the ribbon in his fist. " I am a warrior and I could not save a wee lass. "
    Bram didn ' t know what to say. He hadn ' t known his friend cared so deeply for the female chosen for him. " I am sorry. " The words sounded hollow to his ears.
    Camden ' s eyes didn ' t waver from him. " I tell you this as a warning. Do not take a lass you care about when the change is upon you. I cannot say I loved Fianait, but it would have been easy to fall in love with her if I had but the chance. I witnessed the way you looked at the Lathe Sith—Adryanna. You hold her fate in your hands. Do not claim her. "
    He had no intentions of doing so. It would never happen anyway. " She will not be chosen. She is the last surviving female of her mother and father. "
    Camden nodded, but something in his gaze told Bram he was still worried.
    " What is it? Why do you stare at me with such a forlorn expression? "
    " You drank her blood. I saw you. "
    " You are wrong. " His heart beat fast in his chest. How did Camden know? Did it somehow show in the way he appeared or was Camden only guessing? If anything , Camden sensed his fondness to Adryanna.
    " No, I am not wrong ," Camden stated with conviction. " You closed her wounds, but her blood would have seeped into your mouth. "
    Bram breathed a sigh of relief , though he should not. What he did was still forbidden and having tasted a Lath e Sith ' s blood, he realized why. One taste was not nearly enough. He wanted Adr y anna ' s blood, the sweet taste of wild flowers and sunlight. No other Lath e Sith would do.
    " A Lathe Sith ' s blood is an aphrodisiac to us. Did you know that? "
    It was a rhetorical question and Camden did not expect an answer. Bram waited patiently as his friend gathered his thoughts.
    " One taste ," Camden said, "a nd we cannot stop the urge to take more. Why else do you think it is forbidden for us to drink from them until the blood ritual? "
    It was true, he wanted Adryanna, but he could control the urge. " I would never harm Adryanna and I would kill anyone who would dare touch her. "
    Camden ' s ruddy brows rose. " It is