Lost Heart: A Celta Novella (Celta HeartMate Series) Read Online Free Page A

apologies for initiating the scanning spell so quickly without an interview," he said. "Please, take the chair."
    Her knees had weakened and she felt fully as awful as every time she'd left Secure Vault Prime this month.
    This fateful morning she'd surrendered to continual ill health and had taken a tonic the Healer had prescribed when Enata had gone in early for her annual health check. The potion had removed the last of the lingering headache, nausea, and muscle cramps. Now they'd returned.
    She slipped into the chair and smoothed her gown around her, then linked her fingers and kept them close to her waist.
    "Pardon me for a moment," the GreatLord said and crossed to his chair behind his centuries-old desk. He sat and turned toward the scryscreen inset into the paneled wall. "D'Licorice at the PublicLibrary, please." He shot a glance toward Enata. "That's where your parents will be, correct?"
    "Yes," Enata said, her heart pulsing fast. Why would T'Willow want to speak to her parents? Could he not match her?
    Clearing her throat, Enata said, "Neither of my parents had appointments outside the Library, though Father may be working at home."
    "D'Licorice here." Their mother appeared in the screen. "T'Willow? Is everything all right?" Her gaze went past him. "Enata?"
    Words rushed from Enata, "I don't know what's going on."
    "I suggest you and your husband join us for the consultation," T'Willow said smoothly. "At once. Matchmaking at your level is always a Family matter."
    Enata's mother's brows rose, then she smiled though tears showed in her eyes. "We'll be right there–" She stopped, swallowed her smile. "Enata? You permit?"
    "Yes," Enata said in a small voice, still unsure what was happening.
    "We'll be right there." D'Licorice signed off.
    "Private screen and channel," T'Willow said. His hands waved in a pattern for a call to a Family that Enata didn't know.
    "Glyssa?" Enata said plaintively, all her muscles tense. She wanted support.
    Glyssa and Jace came over to flank Enata. She gave Glyssa one of her hands that Enata suspected might be clammy, then offered her other hand to Jace. Hesitantly, he enveloped it. "Thank you," she whispered. "Brother."
    He flinched and Enata frowned. She'd thought he'd accepted her — them — better.
    "Here," said a man's voice from the darkened scry screen. Enata frowned. She should know that voice. Almost . . .
    "This is Saille T'Willow. I suggest you send your brother to me at T'Willow Residence immediately."
    There was a long pause. "This is regarding his appointment three weeks ago?"
    "Yes."
    "He'll be right over," the man said. "Can I, or my parents come–"
    "No," T'Willow said.
    "Damn."
    "Give me a septhour, maybe two before you scry me about results," T'Willow said.
    "Maybe," the person grumbled. "Later." The sounds of a busy office faded. Who had a busy office?
    "Brother," Enata whispered. She wasn't talking about Jace, but the man with a busy office who had a brother who'd met with the matchmaker three weeks ago. “What about my interview and ah . . . my evaluation?”
    T’Willow rose, circled his desk and leaned back on it, giving her a brilliant smile. “As soon as I took your hand, I believed I knew a man who’d match you well. When I scanned you, I confirmed that. Your prospective husband is on his way here.”
    "Why all the secrecy?" Jace demanded, surprising Enata, but she liked that he asked the question she wanted to.
    "It's best for the parties to be surprised, have no preconceptions that might come with a name," T'Willow said. He winked at her. "Such as those who believe the Licorices are archetypical librarians and scholars."
    They were archetypical librarians and scholars.
    "People don't realize we are passionate about our studies," Enata said.
    T'Willow nodded. "Passion is a good thing to have in a relationship." He went to a no-time, pulled out a clear tube containing a dark blue fizzy drink. "Please drink this potion." He held it out to Enata.
    "What does the