[excerpt] by Editor Page B

wiser.
    Lucian’s jaw dropped. “She tried to kill herself?” Confused he mumbled, “Ray? What the hell are you doing?” He picked her up from the floor and headed back to the bedroom.
    Serina eyed Lucian. It was a toss-up as to who looked worse. Serina grabbed a clean cloth and dabbed sweat from Lucian’s brow, then lifted his thick mane of curls from his neck and wiped the cloth across him. “Feel better?”
    Lucian gave her a sluggish nod. “Why? Why would she do this?” Once he had Raven tucked in, he walked to the hearth, knelt down, and gathered some kindling. It didn’t take long for the room to fill with a sweet aroma of black cherry wood once the fire took hold. Tired, Lucian rested his head on the side of the bed.
    Understanding the type of day he’d had, Serina suggested, “Lucian, why don’t you go freshen up. I’ll make us some hot tea.”
    Lucian lifted his head to meet Serina’s gaze. “Better idea. You go freshen up and I’ll make the drinks. I’ve seen your balancing act. I’d like to drink it, not wear it.” He winked. “You’ve done more than humanly possible for us today, Serina. I can ask no more of you.” Lucian stood and walked to her. He snuggled her in his arms and regardless of circumstances, a shudder of need engulfed him. With his head atop of hers, he let his lips linger. This, he could get used to. Forcing himself away, he told her, “I’ll draw your bath. Stay put.”
    “Don’t you need Duncan?” Serina asked.
    Lucian smiled. “Funny!”
    With a few minutes to kill and a sore back, Serina stretched out next to Raven. The heat from the fire found her a welcome target.
    After filling the tub with some of Serina’s scented oils and placing rose petals in the water, Lucian sought out Serina only to find her sound asleep beside Raven. He looked over both his ladies. He loved one dearly, since the day they were born. The other, he knew he would love until the day he died.
    He grabbed Raven’s toes and wiggled them. “Ray, wake up. We need to chat.”
    Serina stirred. “Lucian?” She climbed from the bed and motioned him to follow her. “Come to me.” She opened her arms to him and waited.
    Lucian wiped his eyes, but he didn’t move. Because right now—if he moved to embrace her, he was certain he couldn’t stop himself. He needed Serina right now more than he needed air. He wanted to lose himself in the woman and forget the day’s past events, and that wouldn’t be fair to her. When he did make love to Serina it would be from passion and a mutual trust, not sympathy. Lucian stood, took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her palm. “I’ll send Duncan up now.” He walked out without turning back.
    Serina’s arms fell to her sides. Her tears followed, stinging her cheeks. She moped down the hall like a scolded dog with his tail between his legs. Serina wanted to comfort, to hold him close and let him know she was there for him, that whatever he needed she would provide. Instead, she’d been cast aside like a pair of old shoes that were too small or not the right color or just plain ugly.
    “Hi, Doc,” Duncan said as they passed. “Guess I’m on watch for the night. Lucian left. Said he needed air, a lot. Want to fill me in?”
    “Not really.”
    “Anything specific I have to do?” Duncan asked.
    “Just be there when she wakes. I’m turning in for the evening.” Serina entered her room, closed the door, threw herself atop her bed and attempted to drown herself in tears.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    Magpies squabbled outside her bedroom window louder than a marching band. Serina pulled the covers over her face. It didn’t lessen the boisterous birds’ cackles, but it did knock out the sunshine telling her it was well past her time to rise and shine. Eyes clamped shut, she attempted to go back to sleep. She found no reason to hurry out of bed and subject herself to one, Lord St. James. She couldn’t face him, certain he’d laugh in her