3
" Hesitantly, he brushed back a few errant strands of her hair, his hand resting along the side of her face. "You have no idea how much I wish I could change thing."
"I think I might," she whispered.
His gaze dropped to her lips, causing her heart to race even faster. When he lowered his head, she held her breath, the memories of their first and only kiss flooding her, a kiss that seemed like it was a lifetime ago. She wanted to experience that again, to feel his lips on hers. She held perfectly still as he closed the distance between them, her breath catching.
When his lips pressed against hers, his touch was soft, exquisite and tender, stirring a fire within her that she had never felt before. She pressed herself closer to him as he worked a hand into her hair.
She wanted more of him. More of the precious connection between them that made her blood heat even as it filled her with an indescribable rightness. But almost as soon as their exploration of one another had begun, he pulled away, his breathing ragged and his expression pained.
"I can't," he softly said, his voice coming out strangled. "I'm sorry. I just... I can't do this. "
― Hannah E. Carey , The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen (Legacy, #1)
4
" Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said, letting out a noisy breath. "I'm just winded, I'm not that fragile."
"You've never been fragile," he replied, holding her gaze. "But something is bothering you."
She shook her head, biting her lip as she stared down at her boots. "I'm fine, Niall."
"You're certain?"
"I'm certain."
He dared to risk taking a few steps closer to her. trying to calm his pounding heart as he took her hands in his. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
She looked away, a sad smile crossing her face. "I don't even know what I want anymore."
A lump settled in his throat. He should leave, shouldn't press whatever was still between them, but he couldn't. Not while looking at the pained expression on her face.
"You know that I'm always here for you," he said, inwardly chastising himself for his foolishness as soon as the words slipped out.
She held his gaze, a haunted look in her eyes. "Are you?"
The simple question cut him to his core, leaving behind a physical ache, one that grew when he thought of how much he hadn't been there for her, not like he had wanted to be. Not like he had hoped. "
― Hannah E. Carey , The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen (Legacy, #1)
6
" He turned on his heel, calling to Rhew as he hurried down the shadowy hallway. The wolf trotted along to catch up with him, but he wasn't fast enough. An all too familiar voice called his name. A voice he had always struggled to say no to.
Taking a deep breath, he turned and faced Ciara. Longing and heartache warred within him at the sight of her, leaving his chest tight. She was wearing a light green, gauzy gown, the color reminding him of the young grass that would blanket the valleys every spring. Her dark hair had been piled on top of her head, a few wavy locks left down to frame her face, while her diamond studded hair pins glittered in the torch light. She was breathtaking and he was caught in her gaze, unable to look away.
"Maura said you weren't feeling well," she said, her movements tentative as she closed the distance between them.
He cleared his throat, wetting his lips. "Yes, I... the afternoon took much out of me."
She tilted her head to the side, her full lips pursing. His gaze dropped to them, his breath hitching.
Lips that you have no business focusing on, he reminded himself, slightly shaking his head.
"But you're feeling better now?" she asked.
"Considerably." He paused, glancing behind her to see if anyone was coming up the steps. "Is dinner over already?"
She looked away, biting her lip and fidgeting with her pearl bracelet.
"I left early," she answered. "I found that I wasn't quite up to the company."
Her words were hollow, leaving a dull ache in his chest. "
― Hannah E. Carey , The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen (Legacy, #1)
7
" Nonsense," Brynn waved her off, "You'll be family soon enough. Come, have a seat. Odran and Doran and working and I sent Macsen to the market with Quinn, so I'm afraid you'll only have me for company."
"You're always my favorite company," Niall said with a cheeky grin. "And my favorite aunt."
Brynn rolled her eyes, but the amusement in her expression made Ciara want to laugh.
"I'm your only aunt," she said, swatting lightly at him. "
― Hannah E. Carey , The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen (Legacy, #1)
