Written in the Stars by Patricia Rosemoor, Sherrill Bodine Page B

terror, she couldn’t move until her birthmark began to tingle,
     warming her body, giving her the strength and knowledge to defy him. “You do not match
     me this day, my lord.”
    Eyes wide, laughing, he again moved toward her. “My bewitching Elizabeth, it is heedless
     to struggle. The old gods have decreed this the time and place where we shall join
     our powers.”
    The force of her revulsion flung him to the ground. “I believe the gods have decreed
     this the time and place for me to discover your darkness and reject it.”
    His face a mask of disbelief and rage, he leapt to his feet. “You shall not defy me!”
    On its own power, her golden dagger left her fingers to hover at his exposed throat.
     She sucked air into her hot lungs in awe at the power she felt coursing through her
     and with the dagger as if it was a part of her. “Leave now, Carlyle, or I shall destroy
     you. I swear it.”
    Laughing, he ripped off his robe, hid it once more, and leaped upon his horse. “Follow
     the setting sun back to Dunham Castle and ponder what we will soon be together. For
     I swear it shall come to pass. There is naught you can do to defy the old gods. You
     cannot flee from this destiny. Even if you try, you shall fail.”
    Fearing he spoke the truth and, weakened by despair and horror, she fell to her knees
     as she returned the dagger to its place in her girdle.
    I shall never be a creature of darkness with him. Never. Never. Never.
    Hearing the sound of an approaching rider, fearing Carlyle might be returning, she
     swayed to her feet, ready to pull the dagger free once again
    Will slid off his horse and ran rapidly across the glade to her. “Elizabeth! Love,
     I am here.”
    Her relief was white-hot, scalding, a blaze too bright to bear.
    Instinct, hunger, desire long denied and now free drove her hands into the hair at
     the nape of his neck, bringing his face, his lips so close.
    Every reservation gone, Will pulled her even closer, parting her lips, tasting her.
     His mouth stroked over hers again and again as he dragged her tight against his body.
     She breathed in his heat and his scent, craving more.
    In burning desire, in full acceptance of what she wanted, she twisted into his body,
     throwing back her head, exposing her throat and breasts to his searching kisses.
    His hands ran up and down her spine, sending shuddering thrills along her tingling
     nerves.
    “If Carlyle hurt you, I shall kill him!” His voice sounded hoarse.
    Afraid, she held him tighter. “Leave him! He did not harm me, though he’s revealed
     himself to be a monster.” She cupped his face with her palms. Every cell in her body
     burned for him and against these feelings duty faded to nothing. “Only you have the
     power to hurt me, Will.”
    Laying his forehead softly against hers, he lifted his hands to stroke her face. “Forgive
     me, Elizabeth. I was wrong. I can never let you go. Ever.”
    “Nor I you. I pray that out of love my father will release me from my pledge to marry
     Carlyle and I will beg him on my knees to bless our union with a dowry. As I pray
     the duke’s love for you shall sustain us,” she whispered and kissed him deeply and
     tenderly with an intensity which left her weak. “Please take me somewhere safe. Away
     from this evil place. Where we can be together as we are meant to be.”
    Will hesitated, his heart pounding against her breasts.
    She saw the decision in his eyes before, at last, he nodded. “My grandfather’s cottage.
     He keeps my old room ready for me.”
    Elizabeth clung to Will, resting her cheek against his shoulder, as he cradled her
     in his arms before him on his horse.
    Leading her stallion, they galloped into the courtyard of a large cottage at the edge
     of deep woods.
    Purple twilight surrounded them as Will’s grandfather, dressed in a knee-length cloak
     for traveling, hurried across the cobblestones toward them. “Will, you have returned.
     What has happened?”
    “Crucial