Forever and Beyond Read Online Free Page B

dress.”
    I didn’t want to point out that I was wearing jeans. Something was definitely wrong with him because his compliments were beginning to suck more than usual.
    “Sleep well?” Aidan said, pecking my cheek. He smelled of lavender and honey, of home and hope that, now that we had arrived in Morganefaire , everything would turn out all right.
    “Like a baby. I haven’t slept that well in ages.” I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.
    “You look stunning,” he whispered against my neck, his soft breath making my skin tingle. My heart began to race. “Are you ready to leave? We’re being expected at the Council Court.”
    “Let me grab my purse and then I’ll be ready to go.” I broke our embrace and turned to head up the staircase, my mind already searching through the wardrobe for the right outfit to meet the Council when Aidan reached out to stop me.
    “Please, Amber, don’t sneak back into the bathroom or change your clothes again because we’ll be late.”
    “That’s so unfair,” I said. “I bet you two had enough time to prepare.”
    Kieran frowned but didn’t comment. I could sense he was worried about something, especially when he didn’t have a sarcastic comeback. Besides, he took forever in the bathroom and was never ever finished before me, which led me to the conclusion they had used my absence to discuss matters they didn’t want me to hear. There was definitely more to that conversation than they were letting on.
    I swung my purse over my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of making a bad impression.”
    “Thank you…for not arguing more than necessary.” I could hear the relief in Aidan’s voice, which pissed me off a little. He made me sound horribly argumentative, which I wasn’t. I swear.

Chapter 4

     
    The sun stood high on the horizon, bathing the medieval streets in glaring brightness. Even though it couldn’t be later than nine a.m. , Morganefaire’s inhabitants were gathered on the narrow streets, going about their daily business, paying us no attention as we walked past. They were streaming toward what I assumed was the main business area, all of them witches and warlocks, all of them carrying Morganefaire’s magic inside their blood. It was a melting pot of origins, of ages and sizes, but not necessarily of fashion. After seeing our guest quarters, I don’t know what I expected. Maybe white wigs and the embroidered satin corsets of seventeenth-century France, or black robes and lots of pentagrams that screamed magic. What I saw, however, was mostly our century’s trademark: blue jeans and cotton shirts, sprinkled with the odd flowing, oriental dress. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. Had I seen any of them walking down London’s High Streets, I would never have guessed they were involved with the paranormal world.
    Aidan seemed to know the way well for he navigated through the crowds at a hasty pace, only stopping here and there to utter a greeting or shake a hand. As I followed after him, I tried to ignore the sudden pang of hunger in my stomach and the burning sensation on my skin. Even though Kieran turned me after the Shadow ritual was performed, the spell was not fully passed onto me. Or maybe it malfunctioned because recently I had begun to suffer from bloodlust and now the sun was slowly starting to burn my skin.
    “Are you okay?” Aidan whispered, sensing my thoughts.
    Gritting my teeth, I nodded. “I’m fine.”
    “You shouldn’t be out here in the sun until we figure out exactly what’s going on.”
    “I’ll buy a long sleeve shirt or something because I swear I’m not going back,” I said.
    “Let’s check out the booths,” Kieran said. “One’s bound to sell clothing.”
    I rolled my eyes. Why were they so protective? “It’s not like we’re going to be in the sun all day.”
    “Yeah. Maybe a sweater or a shawl,” Aidan said to his brother, ignoring me.
    I shook my head grimly and pointed at the