I’ll alert her. I’m sure there won’t be a problem. But if she has a concern, I’ll get right back to you.
Okay. We won’t be long.
Natalie felt Grant disconnect. She realized her heart was pounding in her chest. She’d even broken a sweat. She glanced at the back of her hand and there it was, the beginning of her wolf, a sliver of iridescence in a strip across the back of her right hand.
She showed it to Talya who seemed surprised. “That’s really something and so beautiful.”
“I suppose it is.” She forced it away, however. For whatever reason, she didn’t want Grant to see her wolf-sign. The whole thing embarrassed her.
She contacted Agnes telepathically and received permission for the men to come into the compound and join them at the chapel. Agnes said she would let the guards at the front gate know they were coming.
Agnes took no chances when it came to her well-protected compound. She had several guards constantly patrolling the area as well as a high-tech electronic surveillance system. A grid covered the cottages that formed a large U-shape at the back of the property so that no one could even fly over without her system being alerted.
Once Agnes confirmed the guards had been informed, Natalie turned back to Talya and told her what was going on, including that a warlock would be joining them.
Talya’s auburn brows rose. She was a beautiful woman and getting healthier by the moment. “You say his name is Neil? Is that his last name?”
Natalie shrugged. “I have no idea. Why?”
Talya’s lips quirked. “I think the asshole’s name was Neil.”
“Oh, dear.” But Natalie grinned.
“I should stop calling him that. After all, it was only his opening lines that made me think bad of him. Like I said, once he got real, that’s when he almost seduced me, though I didn’t tell him that. He has a unique look, too. Wavy black hair, thick to his shoulders. His features are very striking, and he has unusual gray eyes. You’ll have to tell me what you think once he gets here.”
“I will.” Natalie searched Talya’s face. “He got to you. I mean, he really did.”
“Yeah. After that initial encounter, I had vivid dreams about him. I even wondered if he’d used a spell on me. But after a while, it all faded. I have thought about him, though. The thing is, I’ll probably excuse myself once they get here. I’d leave now, but I’d like to see Grant again, get a feel for him myself in case you want to talk later. Though I confess I’m a bit used up.”
Natalie was surprised by her reaction to these relatively innocent comments. What shot through her mind first was that she did not want Talya ‘getting a feel’ for Grant. She knew what Talya meant, but the words themselves conjured very different images.
She finally said, “I’m not sure what all is going on with me, but it might be best if you kept your distance from the wolf.”
Again, Talya’s brows rose. She nodded slowly. “I’ll make a point of it.”
Natalie released a sigh that came out like it was crossing a series of speed bumps. How ridiculous to be so relieved. “Thank you,” was all she could think to say.
The anticipation of seeing Grant again coupled with the worrisome thought that Neil, the warlock, could discover if she had an invisible entity spying on her, focused her thoughts on what Neil would have to say.
Her gaze drifted along the back wall of the chapel. There was a beautiful stained-glass window in a long arch over the double doors and walls. Light from the foyer beyond lit it up.
Natalie was grateful for something to focus on. The scene was a landscape of rolling hills, blue sky, and trees with lots of violet, blue and green hues throughout. It was lovely.
For a moment, she forgot her worries until of course she heard masculine voices in the foyer and both doors opened.
The men walked through.
She heard Talya’s soft gasp and felt her fingers suddenly entwine with Natalie’s.
Natalie squeezed in response. Odd tears bit her eyes as her gaze settled on Grant. The chapel was small with only a dozen rows of seats and aisles down each side. The distance was no more than thirty feet.
She couldn’t take her eyes off Grant as he moved to the top of the closest aisle and made his march in her direction. Instinctively, she released Talya’s hand and held out both of hers to him. When he reached her, he took them in his firm grip. His fingers were warm as he nodded to her.
She had that same, familiar sensation of coming home.
She released his hands. “You remember Talya.”
Grant smiled and extended a hand to the fae. She took it which caused Natalie a twinge of jealousy, a sensation she loathed. “How are you doing? You look fantastic. You’ve healed up quickly and I don’t see a single sign of sapphire flame.”