Chartreuse (26 page)

     “No one can tell me I can’t do this now,”
Rowan declared as he released one of Kasen’s hands to reach into his pocket. 
He fished out a little black box and flipped it open, revealing the simple, yet
eloquent silver band within.  His smile grew bigger as he stared lovingly into
Kasen’s eyes.  “Kasen Michael Reed, will you-”

     “Yes,” Kasen said without hesitation. 
“Yes, I will marry you, Rowan Kelly.”

Thank
you for reading 
Chartreuse
!

Other
books by T.E. Ridener:

The
Blood Betrayal Series

Blood
Betrayal (Book #1)

Mirela
and Her Vampire (Book #1.5)

Blood
Revelations (Book #2)

Blood
Resurrection (Book #3) COMING SOON

The
Descendants Series

The
Fire King’s Daughter (Book #1)

The
Water King’s Bride (Book #2)

The
Ice King’s Heart (Book #3) COMING SOON

The
Kadenburg Shifters Series

The
Truth about Kadenburg (Book #1)

Return
to Kadenburg (Book #2)

The
Siege of Kadenburg (Book #3) COMING SOON

Keep
reading for a sneak peek at Guarding Abigail.

Guarding
Abigail

By
T.E. Ridener

Prologue

     “As your friend, Cillian, I am asking you not to do
this,” Rolfius stated sadly. “No good ever comes from such decisions.”

     The two males stood unnoticed in the hallway of a busy
hospital, peering in at one of life’s most difficult scenarios; death. 
Rolfius’ dark eyes moved to his colleague’s, a frown twitching at the corners
of his lips as he shook his head. 

     Cillian was silent as his ocean blue eyes drank in the
sight before him.  She was crying so freely; allowing her heart to bleed
through the hot tears cascading down her pale cheeks.  Her shoulders shook with
grief as she clasped the ailing woman’s hand more tightly.

     “She will not survive this,” Cillian whispered as he
pressed his nose against the glass.  “She needs me, Rolf.”

     “Yes, but you can focus on that task from a distance. 
We must always keep our distance from them- you know that,” Rolfius argued in a
gentle tone.  He was not angry or delighted over his friend’s decision.  He
could not stop Cillian if he decided to carry through with it.  It was a
decision that most made during great times of tragedy; a decision Rolfius would
not allow himself to make no matter how grave the circumstances were.

      “No,” Cillian shook his head slowly.  “She doesn’t
have anyone now.  I must be there for her.  Her heart will not survive.”

     “Her heart is not your concern,” Rolfius reached out to
touch his arm gently.  “It is her soul that you must protect, Cillian.  Allow a
human the opportunity to heal her, with time.  That is how it must be.”

     Cillian turned his head to stare at his friend.  A
thousand questions were written in his eyes.  It didn’t matter if he had seen
Centuries pass; all that mattered right now was that she was crying.  She
needed him.

       “I beg of you, Cillian….” Rolfius whispered.  “Do not
do this.”

     “I have to,” Cillian swallowed hard, his brows knitting
together as the hairs on his arms stood.  He quickly turned his head to see the
tall, dark man standing only a few feet away.  He knew that face all too well,
and he understood it meant he was running out of time. 

     “Gentlemen,” Kol bowed his head in greeting before
taking a step forward.  The temperature surrounding them dropped several
degrees as the angel of death approached the window, peering inside.  “She is
almost ready to make her leave, I see.”

     “Yes,” Rolfius nodded.  “But I fear I am not worried
about her departure at this time.”

     Kol laughed lowly.  It was a deep rumble that could be
mistaken for thunder if a human could actually hear it.  His thin lips curled
into a grin as he cast a glance in Cillian’s direction, “Will you really give
up what He has given you for one of them?”

      Cillian’s jawline tightened as his eyes returned to
the grieving female seated near the bed.  She was gripping her mother’s hand as
tightly as possible.  If only her strength could keep the woman grounded to
earth.

     “She needs me,” He repeated softly.

     “You say that now,” Kol sighed.  “But time heals all
wounds, Guardian.  You know that better than any of us.”

     Cillian and Rolfius watched as Kol stepped towards the
window, sliding through it without interference as he appeared on the other
side.  Cillian watched as the young woman shivered and he knew she could feel
it; she could feel death coming for her mother.

     Kol leaned over the bed, his dark eyes sweeping over
the dying woman’s face before snapping up to study her daughter.  The young
girl released a sob of despair as she heard the heart monitor slowing down. 
Frantic green eyes stayed glued to the illuminated numbers as they dropped.

     “Please reconsider,” Rolfius pleaded as his grip
tightened on Cillian’s arm.  “We are not meant to enter their world, Cillian.”

     As Kol touched the dying woman’s hand and beckoned her
soul forward, Cillian’s gaze connected with Rolfius’ once more.

      “I must do this,” He stated in a soft voice.  “She
doesn’t have anyone else.”

     “Cillian, please…”

     But it was too late.  Cillian pulled his shirt over his
head, exposing the muscular torso he possessed.  The large wings expanded from
his shoulder blades, unseen by the human eyes of nurses rushing past them.  He
held his hand out in front of himself, a large silver blade materializing in
his palm as his eyes stayed on Rolfius.

      Rolfius tore his gaze from Cillian, unable to witness
the act he was so willing to commit.  Cillian took in a deep breath, closing
his eyes as he plunged the blade into his abdomen.  Time stood still as bright
red crimson leaked from the self-inflicted wound.  The doctor that had been
running down the hallway was frozen in place; the nurses pulling open the door
that led into the dying woman’s room were nothing more than fleshy statues as
Kol helped another soul cross over; and Cillian’s wings disintegrated as his
screams of pain echoed throughout the second floor of Bartholomew Medical
Center.

     When time finally started again, Rolfius gazed at the
very mortal version of his long-time friend.  He looked the same, but he most
certainly was different.

     “I hope you know what you are doing,” He whispered
before vanishing into thin air.

Releasing
on May 23
^rd
, 2014

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