Winterland Destiny Read Online Free PDF

Elise added with a laugh.
    Solara remained silent, staring into the fire. Noele leaned over the chaise and touched her sister’s hand.
    “What is wrong?”
    “Nothing.”
    “You are silent.”
    “I am pondering.”
    “Yes, pondering how she can be the one to fuck Roarke,” Trista said with a laugh. Elise and Mina smothered their snickers behind their hands.
    Solara turned her sharp gaze on Trista. “I was thinking no such thing!” She stood and fluttered about the room, settling at the window and gazing outside.
    “She is quite taken with Roarke,” Trista whispered to Noele.
    Taken, indeed. Solara’s pheromones had shot from her essence when Roarke laid his forehead upon her yesterday. Never before had Noele witnessed her sister have such a strong reaction to a man.
    She dismissed Isolde and her other sisters from the room, intending to speak to Solara privately.
    “What plagues you, Solara?” she asked, trying not to hover too close to her sister.
    “Nothing plagues me. I miss D’Naath.”
    Misery clenched her middle, causing physical pain. “I know. I do, as well. I will always miss our home.
    You, at least, will be returning soon.”
    “My destiny is the same as yours, Noele. I, too, will be leaving our home soon, only traveling south.
    Further from D’Naath, further from you.”
    Noele flew to her sister and pulled her into her arms. Red-flecked tears rolled down Solara’s face. She swiped at them and held her sister’s hands. “I know. But we have known all our lives that this day would eventually come. It is our destiny.”
    “Destiny be damned. I wish to make my own choices.” Noele’s heart ached at her sister’s pain. Yet, she was surprised. Solara had never indicated her feelings about her betrothal to the southern elvin king. “You do not wish to marry him?”
    “I do not wish to marry anyone not of my own choosing. Why must we do this, Noele? Why must we give up our freedoms to become slaves to men we’ve never even met?”
    “Because it is our duty.” And one that Noele had conveniently chosen to ignore for most of her life. Until just recently, when she knew what was to come. But she’d never complained to her sisters of her fate, had never let them see how much it disturbed her to be taken away from the land she loved.
    “Bah!” Solara moved away and sat in front of the hearth. The flames cast a burnished light against her wings, making them appear as if they, too, were on fire.
    Solara’s sadness emanated from her being. Noele sat with her, loath to admit she felt the same way.
    “I know it seems unfair, but we must do what has been preordained. It is the faerie way.” The words rang empty in Noele’s heart, even as she said them aloud.
    Turning pained eyes to her sister, Solara said, “I know. I am sorry. Here it is the day before your wedding and I am only concerned with myself. Forgive me, sister.” She laid Solara’s head on her shoulder and petted her wings. “There is nothing to forgive. We have always spoken honestly with each other.”

    “Have you ever considered what would happen if you wanted a man other than the one chosen for you?”
    Solara’s question surprised Noele. “No. Then again, I have never been interested enough in a man to wonder.” She raised Solara’s head and searched her face. “Why? Is there someone for you?”
    “No. Maybe. I don’t know. I just…there was…something. Something I have never felt before.”
    “With Roarke.” They had all experienced Solara’s reaction to Roarke.
    “Yes. He frightens me. The way my body responds to him frightens me. And yet, it is more exciting than anything I have ever known.”
    “You realize that nothing can happen with the two of you. You must remain untouched by a man. You are betrothed, body and soul, to the southern king.”
    “Aye, I know. Roarke would not be interested in me, anyway.” Solara laid her head back on Noele’s shoulder.
    This was quite unusual behavior for her sister,