Fate War: Alliance Read Online Free PDF

door next to a small wooden box attached to the wall at eye level. A golden horn protruded from the box in the center.

    “Water for tea please,” he spoke into the small horn.

    “Certainly sir,” the voice returned through the box.

    The communication device was not unknown to Samantha. The transaphonic was actually a design of her home country, invented many years ago. The distraction had brought her back to her senses, and the small reprieve left her ready to face whatever may come. Her breathing came under control, and she watched as Cole crossed the bedroom in quick purposeful strides. He opened the door directly across from the foot of the bed and disappeared within. After a metal on metal screech she could hear the sound of running water. That must be a washroom.
    Moments later he reappeared. He didn’t look at her, but kept his eyes set forward in determination, headed for another door by the head of the bed where again he disappeared. Samantha could hear the clinking of glass and papers shuffling. Completely confused by his actions, she concentrated on her nothing.

    After a few moments Cole returned to the bedroom with a large mortar and pestle, along with a small clay mug. He set them on the desk at the far end of the room next to the door Samantha supposed was the wash room. She watched him intently, more curious than fearful. Having set the objects down, he stood facing the wall with his hands on the desk. His head hung, and his shoulders rounded. The silence and posture were only fodder for her fear and her breath caught.

    He turned and half sat on the desk, crossing his arms across his chest. His face still held the sorrowful hurt. She was unexpectedly moved. It made her want to tell him everything would be okay, but her voice had taken leave a few hours ago. His intense stare became uncomfortable, and Samantha decided her fingernails needed her attention more than her new husband. As she pushed back her cuticles, Cole spoke.

    “I…I’m very sorry about…for…”

    In her periphery, she saw his gaze shift from her to his shoes.

    “I’m just sorry.”

    Samantha was at a loss for thought much less for words. She heard Cole say he was sorry, but the words refused to register in her mind. She truly couldn’t understand what he could be apologizing for. She should be apologizing for crying and being so un-wifely. As the thought formed in her head, she prepared to speak it, but there was a knock at the door. Both of them startled, and Cole let out a one syllable nervous laugh. He opened the door to a servant who handed him a silver tray containing a tea service.

    Cole thanked the porter and took the service to the desk. Samantha watched as he poured the boiling water into the mug. He then took the mortar to the washroom. The sound of running water stopped with a screech, and Cole reappeared. He leaned uncomfortably on the door frame to the wash room rubbing the back of his neck. Samantha went back to perfecting her nails.

    “I’m supposed to take care of you. I don’t really know how to do that.” Cole seemed to find his boots as interesting as Samantha did her nails. “Hell, I didn’t really want any of this.” He waved his hand arbitrarily to encompass the room.

    Samantha’s cheeks burned with those spoken words as if his hand had actually slapped them. Neither did she want this, but it was one thing to think it and another to actually speak it. He continued quickly.

    “But I made vows to you today. And it’s not just that.”

    Now she could feel him looking at her again with that intense gaze that demanded reaction. She dared to meet it and found it surprisingly soft, honest.

    “I hurt you today. It wasn’t all my fault, but it was me doing the hurting so….well I don’t ever want to see you hurt again.” He took a step toward her, and his words came out in a tumble. “You hurt enough for a lifetime, and I guess I want to spend a lifetime making it up to you. Samantha, you