Ivy's Choice (The Fey Quartet Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Larkspur’s . . . problem. Mother left for Dapple Weir the day after Larkspur’s birthday—her new husband has family there, and they’ve gone to visit.” Ivy eyed the roebuck. “You know about my mother’s transformation? She has her youth back and she’s married Ren Blacksmith.”
    Hugh nodded again, and picked his way delicately over the tree roots.
    Ivy blew out a breath. “My birthday’s in four days. Mother will be back for that.” She wants to see me walk freely again . “I shall use my wish to save Larkspur.”
    They came to a tiny creek, barely more than a trickle of water. Hazel always stepped lightly over it. The roebuck did, too. Usually Ivy managed to cross with dry feet, but today, with the basket of food, she was more awkward than usual. She gave up trying to keep her shoes dry and hobbled through the shallow water, embarrassed by her ungainliness, feeling her cheeks flush.
    The roebuck watched solemnly. What was Hugh thinking?
    “If Larkspur finds your presence upsetting . . . would you mind waiting for me in the woods? I promise I won’t leave you there.”
    Hugh ducked his head in a nod.
    “Thank you.” Ivy peered ahead through the trees. “The cottage is just past that oak. Don’t be afraid of the dogs. We won’t let them attack you.”
    Larkspur was waiting beneath the oak tree. How long had she known they were coming? One minute? Five minutes?
    “Keep hold of the dogs, love,” Ivy called, and then saw that Larkspur was already gripping each hound by the scruff of its neck. Because she read my mind?
    She limped as fast as she could, anxiously assessing her sister. Larkspur had always been slender, but in the past week she had gone from slenderness to a frightening, hollow-cheeked fragility.
    Ivy put down the basket and hugged Larkspur. Know how much I love you, Larkspur. Know that I would do anything for you . She released her sister, and smoothed the white-blonde hair back from her face. “How are you, love?”
    “Fine.”
    Hugh had halted half a dozen steps back. He eyed the red-brown hounds warily. They eyed him back with the tense eagerness of hunters seeing prey.
    “Bartlemay, Bess . . .” Ivy waited until she had both hounds’ full attention, then pointed to the roebuck and said firmly: “Friend.”
    The hounds lost their taut-muscled intentness.
    “Stand still,” Ivy told the roebuck. “Don’t run.” And then, to Larkspur, Release them .
    The hounds advanced on Hugh, Bess suspicious, Bartlemay with eager curiosity. They were both as large as the roebuck.
    Hugh stood very still, his ears pricked stiffly, his eyes wide. The hounds circled him, sniffing. Satisfied he was no threat, Bess trotted back to Larkspur. A moment later, Bartlemay followed suit.
    “Does his presence disturb you? He’ll wait back in the forest, if it does.”
    Larkspur shook her head. “He’s much calmer today.” And then her eyebrows rose sharply. “He’s Hugh Dappleward?”
    Whose head had Larkspur plucked that knowledge from? “Yes,” Ivy said. “He returned to his own shape for a few hours last night.” And, despite her best efforts not to think of it, memory of their frenzied lovemaking leapt to the forefront of her mind.
    Larkspur’s eyes widened with alarm. Her lips parted.
    Don’t! Ivy said silently. Don’t speak of it .
    Larkspur closed her mouth and bit her lip. She glanced warily at the roebuck.
    What was Hugh thinking right now? That he’d forced her into something she hadn’t wanted? That he’d been rough and unrestrained? That he’d hurt her?
    He is ashamed of last night, but he has no reason to be, Ivy told Larkspur silently. I wanted it as much as he did, and I enjoyed it as much as he did . And even though she tried not to feel embarrassed making that admission, she did.
    She looked for censure on Larkspur’s face, and instead found deep worry.
    Don’t worry about me, Ivy thought firmly. She held out the basket, and managed a smile. “I brought some