Page 48 of The Noldrin Witch

As Kurt was just recovering from another rasping fit of the throat, Elise studied the strong lines that defined his face. It was as though he had been sculpted rather than born. Every feature seemed in perfect agreement with the rest. One might have thought his nose, jaw, and cheeks had all been designed to assemble themselves into an irresistible monument to masculinity.

Elise was still deep in admiration when the cabriolet came to an abrupt stop. Her body leaned against Kurt’s muscular frame, and she could not help but smile.

“We have arrived,” he managed, looking deeply into her eyes and returning the smile. He rose to open the door and assist Elise out of the coach.

But the romantic haze was quickly shattered when no hand reached out to help her down.

“Who are you?” a demonic voice called from outside.

She hurried out on her own, hoping to prevent any calamity.

Once Elise stepped onto the freshly soaked soil, she witnessed the unimaginable. Only a couple of feet separated Kurt and Seth. She remained beside the cabriolet, debating whether to fetch Morgaine’s help or send one of the remarkably stubborn gentlemen away herself.

“I’m the Duke of Dornheim. And you are?” Kurt said brusquely.

“He’s a friend,” Elise interrupted before the demon could reply with something too alarming.

Kurt’s entire body went rigid, as though preparing to lunge at the other man. Seth’s tall, bronzed figure tensed as well. They locked gazes, and Elise immediately grew nervous.

She placed a gentle hand on Kurt’s arm. “Thank you for bringing me home.”

He turned to her. “Are you certain you’ll be safe here?”

“I am. Thank you,” she replied softly.

A slight grumble escaped Kurt’s wounded throat before he forced himself toward the cabriolet. He mumbled something to the driver and then set out on his return journey at the speed of a melting candle.

Elise figured one could travel faster by walking at a brisk pace, but she waited patiently until at last the cabriolet was out of sight.

With Kurt gone, she felt the demon’s intense gaze settle on her. The rain had ceased, but even Bruno was shivering from the damp cold. The bird croaked excitedly around Seth. It was difficult to tell which gentleman Bruno favored more, though if Elise had to guess, it was the infernal one who inspired the strongest fluttering.

She clutched herself in hopes of preserving some warmth against the chill, but she needn’t have troubled herself for long. As soon as Seth drew nearer, she began to warm from the heat emanating from the strong pillar that was the demon’s body.

“Is that man your lover?” the demon asked suddenly. There was a sternness in his expression that startled Elise for the briefest moment.

“No,” she said with an air of offense. She wondered why he cared, though she preferred not to find out. Instead, she chose to mention a matter of more immediate concern.

“I was at the castle. I’ll be there every day starting tomorrow, if you must know.”

“You haven’t been there until today?” Seth mumbled. “You mortals take things too slowly. It’s a wonder, considering how brief your existences are.”

“Well, if you have nothing more to offer than a reminder that I’ll be dead one day…”

Seth grumbled. He took her arm and held her firmly.

Elise felt the heat between them rise all the quicker. It was almost as though the demon’s countenance regulated his temperature.

She pulled her arm free and began to walk toward the house as the demon watched her dodge a few puddles on her way.

“I’ll be watching you,” said the infernal before he disappeared into the forest.

Elise paid little mind to the warning and unbolted the door of the house, ready to run and tell Morgaine the good tidings and everything that had transpired at the castle.

The witch was nowhere to be seen, so Elise took a cape and made for the garden, where she knew Morgaine liked to recover from a hearty meal. Amid the wet grass and the smell of moss, there she was, stretched out like a squirrel after an unreasonable quantity of nuts.

Morgaine shifted on the bench where she lay and with a lazy glance, she asked, “When do you start, dear?”

A gasp escaped Elise. “How do you know it went well?”