Halcyon Rising Read Online Free PDF Page A

incredible opportunity. He must not let his impatience destroy it.
    “Perhaps we can strike a deal.” Her voice quavered with stress and exhaustion. “I will tell you more, but first I must have your assurance you will help me leave this place.”
    He leaned back in his chair, wishing he could see her face. Though his older brother had many faults, his sense of responsibility for the people of Hawkesmere was not among them. As long as Simon suspected she meant his people harm, he would never allow her to leave. “I will speak to my brother. But I can make you no promises.”
    She sighed and settled back amongst the furs, her disappointment palpable.
    “Rest for now, my lady” he murmured. “We will talk more in the morning.”
    To his surprise, she curled up beneath the blankets with gratifying obedience, and within moments seemed to be fast asleep. He found the soft cadence of her breathing distracting, yet undeniably alluring. Arousal hummed through his veins as he returned to his study of the strange items.
    Need was nothing new to him, but he had learned to tamp down his unbidden urges and desires long ago. He had trained himself to focus on his studies and experiments, keeping himself awake until he fell into an exhausted sleep, too tired to think about the desolate wasteland his life had become.
    But tonight, knowing a beautiful siren slept across the room, beneath the same furs that had warmed his own body on countless nights, concentration eluded him. His thoughts strayed repeatedly to the way her odd clothing clung to her sweet, feminine curves. Shockingly indecent, yet breathtakingly lovely.
    Focusing on the amazing objects, he forced himself to ignore her. Lust is fleeting, he reminded himself, but knowledge lasts forever.
    At last, however, he admitted he could find no reason or clarity in the outlandish devices without the lady’s aid. Defeated, he cradled his head in his arms upon the table and let sleep take him.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    As darkness descended over the tower, Rhoswen watched Sebastian through half-closed eyes, trying to decide whether or not she could trust him. Some small, foolish part of her wanted to believe he meant to help her.
    After all, he’d rescued her from a cold, terrifying night in the dungeon. But she was well aware this could be an act, a way to earn her trust so he could get the information he needed. Then he’d probably return her to his brother’s clutches to be tortured and killed.
    When he finally rested his head upon his arms and closed his eyes, she watched him warily, wondering if he slept or if he tested her in order to see what she would do. Her body tensed in anticipation, though she knew his earlier warning should not be taken lightly.
    Attempting an escape would be suicidal. She might make it out of the tower, but beyond these walls lay an entire fortress of stone. She bit her lip and stared at Sebastian’s bowed head.
    Beautiful, confounding man.
    Despite her anger and exhaustion, despite the danger and fear, she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his unique blend of vivid coloring and sharply hewn features — so different from any man of her acquaintance, yet undeniably attractive.
    Trevelan had never engendered this confusing, aching need to press her lips to his or perhaps to stroke a lock of hair from his brow. The realization made her both guilty and sad. For the first time in her life, desire stirred within her, and that frightened her as much as the thought of never seeing Halcyon again.
    If she wasn’t careful, this foolish attraction could get her killed.
    Biting back a moan of pain, she pushed to her feet. She’d made her decision. She couldn’t sit here and meekly await whatever came next. Better she should die while attempting an escape than put all her faith in Sebastian, who couldn’t have her best interests at heart, no matter how kind he seemed.
    With one last regretful glance in his direction, she