Abandoned (Book Two of the Castle Coven Series): A Witch and Warlock Romance Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

hand.
    “I never thought I would have a space like this all to myself,” she said softly.
    “I had the fortune to build as I pleased, and after you spend enough time marching through mud and trying to decipher Latin while sitting on a bench cushioned with rotting straw, you develop a love for comfort.” Piers paused. “This is all yours, Hailey,” he said quietly. “Use it, don’t use it, leave it as it is, decorate it, sleep in that bed alone or choose to bring someone in with you. It really is yours as long as you choose to honor us with your presence.”
    “Bring someone in?”
    Piers felt a curl of desire move through his belly when she eyed the broad expanse of the bed, and then glanced at him. She must have realized what she did, because she looked away quickly, hand coming up to hide a blush.
    “Well, I suppose that is something I could do,” she said quietly.
    As quickly as her excitement over the room had started, it fell away again. He was no mind or aura reader, but he could tell that a veil of sadness had dropped over her. Even her eyes looked a little duller.
    “Hailey, this is a lot to take in, I do understand that. That’s why I want to make sure that you don’t feel pressured to do this or that. This room is yours, and as long as you live at the Castle, it can be the place that you call home.”
    “Thank you.”
    Her voice was soft and subdued. Piers had to fight the urge to go over to her and take her into his arms. He wanted to take care of her and give her some of his energy. He knew that it was far too intimate a thing, however. To make sure that he behaved himself, he took a step back. Was that surprise or regret that crossed her face? He wasn’t sure.  
    “Take all the time you want. Sleep, and when you wake up tomorrow, come find me. You want to get to know more about the Castle, and I can guarantee you that there is no one else around who can show you more than I can. I want to give you all the opportunities you require to find out if this is the right place for you.”
    For some reason he could not fathom, jewel-bright tears welled up in her green eyes.  
    Piers acted without thinking. He swept her into his arms and cuddled her against his chest. She was stiff at first, but then she dissolved into him with a cry. He sat back on the bed, pulling her into his lap. She tucked her head under his chin, wrapping her arms around his neck. For one quick, guilty moment, he realized how soft she was and how right she felt there. He ran his hand up and down her narrow back, massaging gently and willing her to relax. She sobbed quietly, like a child afraid of being found out. After a timeless span, she finally sat up, and pushed her hair out of her face.
    “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen,” she murmured, and he shook his head.
    “I don’t mind at all,” Piers said firmly. “I promise. But just tell me why it happened. Perhaps I can fix it.”
    She gave him a watery smile and shook her head.
    “There’s nothing to fix. It’s just when Julie brought me here, she flew me overhead so that I could see the Castle. It’s amazing, Piers. It’s breathtaking when you see it for the first time that way. I was thinking that I didn’t know what was coming or what this place could mean to me, and then Julie just told me ‘welcome home.’”  
    “She was right to tell you that,” Piers said urgently. “This place can be yours if you want it, Hailey. I will not allow anyone to deny you.”
    That nearly made her start crying again. Her body tensed up, and he could see the tears gathering in her eyes. Before they could spill however, she took a deep breath and quelled them.  
    “I believe you,” she said, her voice only cracking a little. “I heard her, and I wondered at it, but now in this room? For the first time, I think it might be true. This might be my home.”
    Piers wrapped his arms around her again, wondering at how much pain this girl might have known in her