Guarding Forever Read Online Free Page A

recognition at the touch, as though she had felt it before, but she knew that she hadn’t.
    He helped her to her feet, and instead of heading for the dancers, he walked through the observatory with her at his side. He carefully helped her up the stairs, across a balcony and out the doors.
    They were on the wide deck, looking out at the world with the stars dancing above them.
    He turned her to face him. “Now, put your hand in mine, place the other hand on my arm and look into my eyes.”
    She looked up into the dark blue gaze and faced him with the stars overhead. In her pale blue gown and he in his smart uniform, they stood and looked at each other while the stars watched.
    He took a step toward her, and she stepped back, the music inside was audible, and they moved in slow concert with the orchestra within.
    Ohra felt a strange recognition in being held in his arms. They danced around to song after song, getting nearer to each other with every change in music.
    “Why do I feel we have met before?” When he pulled her in tight enough for her bodice to brush his uniform, she suddenly felt very chatty.
    “Perhaps we have.”
    She blinked. “I am fairly sure I would have remembered that.”
    “Perhaps not.” Thanloss smiled down at her.
    He held her tight against him and twirled her around. “Are you ready to try this in public?”
    “You promise not to drop me?” She twisted her lips with indecision.
    “I promise.” He grinned.
    She released his hand, and he slowly stepped away from her. Once again, he offered her his arm, and he escorted her back to the party.
    The music was louder, the dance floor was thick with dancers, but General Thanloss held her politely and steered her through the confusion.
    The motion of his body moving against hers became the focus of the dance. She waited for the next brush of heat against her and held her breath when it came.
    They danced for hours, until the crowd dwindled and it was time to go.
    He stepped away from her and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “You look exhausted. You should go.”
    She smiled. “Thank you for a very enjoyable evening. I wish you luck and joy for the future. You and your people are helping us usher in a golden age.”
    Ohra went up on her toes and took her first proper kiss in front of all those remaining at the celebration.
    She collected her clutch from the table and waved farewell to the bemused general.
    At the front gate, she looked around and lifted her private com. She called for a car, but it would be forty-five minutes before it could arrive. She was going to have to wait in the evening air.
    She explained her loitering to the guards nearby and took up a watching position outside the main pathway so she could watch the Edinar and the politicians picked up by car after car.
    The low stone wall let her kick her feet as she watched, and it was only when she felt a gaze on her that she turned her head to look up at General Thanloss on the decking above her. With a smooth move, he leapt over the railing and landed on the stone in front of her. “I thought you had left.”
    “I am waiting for my car.”
    He blinked. “Didn’t they make arrangements for you?”
    She shook her head. “Not that I am aware of. I got an invitation and was told to show up. That was all. At least with most people gone, I won’t have to hike down the hill.”
    He raised his hand and a sleek black vehicle pulled up. “Cancel your car. I will take you home.”
    She pinked in embarrassment. “It is fine. It will all be fine.”
    “Yes, it will, now cancel that car.” He offered her his arm.
    She lifted her com, and against her better judgement, she cancelled the car.
    Ohra hopped off the stone wall and wrapped her fingers around the arm he held out to her. He walked her to his car and settled her in before closing the door.
    Thanloss slid in on the opposite side and closed the door. “Where are we taking you?”
    “Three-seventy-eight Dohl Street.”
    He relayed the