Embrace the Night

Page 47



Of course it didn't matter, she thought; she'd rather be here, with him, than anywhere else.
"No, but…" She plucked nervously at the bed-clothes. "I can't believe I slept the whole day." "You needed the rest."

She made a soft sound of assent. "And now I need to… you know."

With a nod, he carried her into the monk's cell, waiting in the corridor while she relieved herself. It would be so easy, he thought, so easy to mold her mind to his way of thinking, to make her long to stay with him always. He could arrange it so she would be content to sleep days so that she might spend her nights with him. What bliss, to keep her by his side, to watch her blossom into womanhood, to be the one to teach her of the ways between a man and a woman. It would all be so easy, but so wicked, because he wasn't a man at all…

A startled cry drew him quickly to her side. "What is it?" he asked, glancing around.
"My legs, they feel so strange."
Gabriel frowned. "Strange?"

"They tingle, like someone is poking me with pins and feathers."
Dropping to his knees, he lifted her gown and ran a hand along her right calf. "That tickles! Gabriel, I've never had any feeling in my legs before. What's happening?" He rocked back on his heels, then shook his head. "I'm not sure."

Frowning, he carried her back to his chamber. Was it possible that the power of his blood had healed her infirmity? There was, he thought, but one way to tell.

Gently, he stood her before him, her feet touching the ground. "I'm going to let you go, Sara."
"No!" she clasped his shoulders.

"Only for a moment. Trust me." He relented a little when he saw the fear in her eyes. "Here, hold my hand."

She stared at him, her eyes wide with apprehension, as he took her hand in his, and then let his other hand fall away from her waist. She swayed unsteadily, but didn't fall.

"Gabriel," she breathed. "I'm standing."

He took a step back, his hand still holding hers. "Come to me, Sara." She shook her head, afraid to move for fear of falling.

His gaze held hers, dark and mesmerizing. "Come to me, Sara. Don't be afraid. I won't let you fall."