The Nymph's Curse: The Collection
Page 40
“That’s right … You can call me Dane.” Dane glanced up at her and smiled, as if he too was thinking of that fateful moment.
Natalie wiped the tears from her face. “Thank you, Dane … Aura … Thank you for finding and saving me.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Natalie peered out the window of Aura’s truck as they made their way from the hospital to Dane’s house. Some of the pink hues of life had returned to her cheeks and her body had taken on a new life, as if she knew how lucky she was to be alive.
Her beautiful copper-tinted brown locks flowed perfectly over her shoulders, framing her petite face. For everything that she had gone through, it was incredible to see how much better she had looked from the pale-faced, dirt-covered woman they’d pulled from the cellar only a week before.
“Are you sure you were ready to be discharged? You could have stayed a little while longer,” Aura offered as she tried almost in vain to focus on the road.
“No, it was time. I want to get out and Ryan’s waiting. Plus, I could really use a run.”
“You mean shift?”
Natalie passed her a guilty grin, but Aura couldn’t blame her. It came as no surprise that her sister would want to return to her horse form as soon as possible. She seemed so much more at home as the beautiful chestnut-colored mare.
“What are you going to do, Aura?” Natalie pushed her hair away from her face. “Are you going to head back to Arizona?”
The whir of the tires on the highway filled the cab. She hadn’t made a plan. For so long, all she had worried about was finding Natalie, but for the last week she had been considering their options for the future. They would head back to Arizona — go back to work training horses and saving more wild Mustangs from slaughter, but her heart sank in her chest every time she considered leaving Dane.
She loved him with every fiber of her being, and leaving him would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do; yet their money was running dry. They needed work, but more importantly she still needed to keep Dane safe. He had heard the warning and he’d lived through Shawn and fate’s attempts to kill him — but the blows wouldn’t stop coming as long as she was in his life. If she loved him she had to walk away — and even the thought threatened to kill her.
Aura tried to ignore the aching throb in her chest. “I bet you want to get out of Montana?”
“What do you mean?” Natalie answered in an overly chipper voice.
Aura gave her a forced sardonic grin. “You don’t have to fake anything with me. I know how hard this has all been on you, how hard it would be to stay here and be confronted with the memories of your horrific ordeal.”
Natalie fidgeted in her seat for a second. “Actually, it might surprise you, but it hasn’t all been bad here. I found a little bit of a silver lining.”
Sometimes her sister still surprised her. Few people — or nymphs for that matter — could come through a kidnapping and witnessing multiple murders and still be focused on the bright side of life. Perhaps there was something to be said for her softhearted, Bohemian-styled sister.
“I found something for you and Dane … A bit of a thank you present.”
“Natalie, you didn’t have to get us anything. I’m just glad that you’re back. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Her sister smiled. “From what I can see you’ve done pretty well on your own. Dane’s a great man. You did good.”
“I think so … ” She tried to sound happy, but the fears that lingered in her heart filled her voice with ghostly reservation.
She pulled the truck to a stop in front of Dane’s house. A fresh layer of perfectly white snow blanketed the ground, freshening the world around them. Ryan had crutches under his arms as he stood next to Dane beside the door as they both waited for the women to arrive. A sexy, wanting smile played on Dane’s lips. She hated herself for what she was going to have to do.
Natalie jumped out and sprinted to Ryan, throwing her arms around him. “Ryan! Did you tell Dane yet?”
Ryan gave her a wide smile. “Not yet. I was waiting for you.”
Natalie pulled from Ryan’s arms and turned to Dane and gave him a hearty hug. “Hey, little Danish! Long time no see.”
He looked taken aback, but his normally stoic face broke into a wide smile as Aura slogged to the front door. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He gave Natalie a quick squeeze before she fluttered out of his arms and helped Ryan walk into the house.
Ryan hobbled into the house as the lively Natalie moved through the living room. “This is a really great place you’ve got.”
“Thanks,” Dane called after Natalie. He waited for Aura to step beside him. “She seems a lot better.”
“So does Ryan. I’m glad it was only a broken leg.” She forced herself to give him a weak smile. “Natalie always has been the one to keep moving forward. She’s always looking around the bend for the next adventure. It’s one of the best parts of being a wild mare.”
“She’s amazing, but so are you.” He wrapped his fingers in hers and walked with her into the house, shutting the door behind them. Natalie was down the hall, already making herself at home as she looked over his collection of pictures.
“I think you need some new pictures, Danish.” Natalie picked up the picture of him and Zeb and made a sour face. “Ryan, did you see this? I mean, I’m as sorry as I can be about your brother’s death and all, but I don’t think he needs to see these anymore. Don’t you agree, Ryan?” She sat the picture face down on the shelf.
Ryan gave Dane an apologetic smile, as if he knew Natalie was overextending her welcome.
“Natalie … ” Aura’s cheeks flamed with her sister’s brashness.
The funeral had been a county-wide event; not for Zeb’s memory, but more as a show of support for Dane and all that he’d gone through with his family.
“No, Natalie’s right.” Dane squeezed her hand as he smiled. “I think I’m going to move out.”
“What?” Aura couldn’t believe it. What was he thinking? “Are you going to just buy another place?”
She could understand his desire to find a new home, somewhere that didn’t have Angela’s phantom touch.
“Actually … I have some great news.” His smile grew. “The woman who owns the property next to the Diamond, Mrs. Mullen, has agreed to buy the ranch and this property. She’s paying more than it’s worth — enough for me to retire very comfortably. In fact, there’s enough for us all to never have to worry again.”
“Dane … ” Aura’s hands flew up and covered her mouth. “No … We can’t. You can’t sell the ranch.”
“It’s already done.” He walked to the kitchen and picked up a paper-filled yellow file. “It’s all taken care of. And every horse in the place has found a new fabulous home, under the care of Mrs. Mullen and her family. All except one.” His smile grew even wider. “She said she couldn’t handle Dancer … He’s too much horse for her. She required that he find a great trainer who was willing to take him in.”
Aura rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much.” If nothing else, she would have a wonderful horse to remember all the great times that she had spent with Dane — and their night in the snow.
He dropped the file on the counter and wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, sweetheart.”
Ryan moved to the sofa and, setting down his crutches, dropped down on the couch.
Dane looked over to him. “And Ryan, you are welcome to come along too. We can start up a new place, wherever we end up.”
“Thanks, Dane … That’s mighty gracious of you.” Ryan smiled. “I mean … especially after my Dad and all. I’m real sorry about him … and what he did.”
Dane looked down at Aura as if he was waiting for her to answer Ryan, but it was unnecessary �
�� she held no ill-feelings toward the man who loved her sister.
“If Natalie loves you and you love her, then that is the most important thing.” Or the most dangerous. But to love him was her sister’s decision to make.
Dane leaned back in her arms. “I do have one condition to all of this.”
Her heart lurched in her chest. “What?”
“You have to marry me. We can go anywhere you want. Back to Arizona … anywhere.”
“What about your job? You love your job.”
“I can be a cop anywhere. Plus, I’m looking forward to getting away from Grant. There’s nothing here for me anymore — only some burned out memories.” He dropped down to his knees and pulled a small black velvet box from his pocket.
Her breath caught in her throat and the world spun around her.
“I never thought I would do this again, but I can’t live without you, Aura Montgarten. You are everything that I’ve ever wanted. Please, will you marry me?”
She smiled her best smile, even though her heart was breaking. “Dane,” she said as she dropped her hands to the box and forced it closed. “Thank you for your generous offer, but you and I … We can’t — ”
“Can’t what?” Natalie interrupted. “Are you crazy? Marry him!”
Aura blinked as she tried desperately to focus on her sister’s face and not the world that spun around her. “Nat, you know the curse. I can’t do that. I love him too much.”
Natalie’s laugh flew through the room like a perky yellow canary as she reached into the pocket of her jeans. “I told you I had a surprise!” She pulled out her hand and uncurled her fingers. Sitting in the middle of her palm was a small blue crystal-like stone.
“A rock is your surprise?” Aura asked, utterly confused.
“Don’t you remember?” Natalie rolled her eyes. “Katarina Homeros … Yes?”
Aura nodded, recalling the murdered woman from Crete. “What about her?”
Natalie stepped over and slipped the sky-colored stone beneath the black velvet box in Dane’s quaking hand. “Do you remember what she did?”
Aura paused as she recalled the history of their kind — the Goddess Epione’s ill-fated run-in with Zeus and Katarina’s role in hiding her healing staff … The staff that Katarina had broken.
“It isn’t?” Aura stared down at the chip of stone in Dane’s hand.
Natalie excitedly skipped from one foot to another, like a prancing horse. “It is! It’s a piece of Epione’s staff. Katarina kept talking about her and Ariadne … and just before she died she entrusted me with it.”
Aura stood in stunned silence, her fingers still touching Dane’s warm, open hand. They could have one another. They could have love. They could escape the curse.
“What about you and Ryan?” Aura asked, trying to control her heart from exploding in her chest.
Natalie smiled guiltily and pointed toward Ryan. “Show her.”
Ryan stuck out his hand and held out a small blue stone that matched Dane’s.
“I broke it in half. We can both have what we’ve always wanted … ” Natalie wiggled with visible joy.
Dane looked at Aura with a look of confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Our kind was created by Epione, the goddess of soothing pain and healing. She’s why we can heal ourselves. She had a staff.” Aura’s fingers traced the blue stone in his hand. “It was broken, but the pieces still hold the power of the staff. Those who hold it cannot be killed. As long as you and Ryan keep this stone you will not die.”
He stroked her fingers with his thumb and smiled up at her. “You’re saying we can be together forever?”
She nodded wildly. Aura couldn’t speak as the tears of relief and joy flooded from her.
“Then will you please marry me?”
Dropping to her knees, Aura opened the black velvet box. The light danced over the surface of the beautiful solitary diamond that rested in the center of the perfect gold band.
“Dane … We can … I do … I will.”
She’d always thought she was free, yet at that moment, as Dane slipped the ring upon her finger, she knew the truth — she’d never been truly free until now. For the first time in her immortal life she was free to love.
About the Author
Danica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic. When she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
Please feel free to contact her through her website: www.DanicaWinters.net
Or on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DanicaWinters
Or Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DanicaWinters
Winter Swans
Book 3 of the Nymph Series
Danica Winters
Avon, Massachusetts
This edition published by
Crimson Romance
an imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
10151 Carver Road, Suite 200
Blue Ash, Ohio 45242
www.crimsonromance.com
Copyright © 2013 by Danica Winters
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, corporations, institutions, organizations, events, or locales in this novel are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. The resemblance of any character to actual persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental.
ISBN 10: 1-4405-6547-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-6547-2
eISBN 10: 1-4405-6548-1
eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-6548-9
Cover art © 123rf.com
To Herbie —
Thank you for being so gracious, wonderful, kind, and loving.
I know it’s not always easy to be married to a woman who has her mind in an imaginary world.
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
About the Author
Acknowledgments
To me there is nothing better than getting a letter from a fan telling me how much they’ve enjoyed my work. To all those wonderful fans out there who take the time from their busy lives to read and enjoy my books — Thank you. Your support and love is what keeps me writing on those days that the words are a struggle.
I hope that if you are in search of escape, or a break from the stresses of the real world, you can find what you need within the pages of my books.
I must also extend my thanks to my many author friends who take their time and energy to work with me in making my books the best they can possibly be. A special thank you to Casey Dawes, Rionna Morgan, Clare Woods, Pam Morris, John Zunski, Nancy and Parris Ja Y
oung, Brooke Barnett, Kristi Fitzgerald, Heather Somerlad, Chris Karlsen, Jennifer Conner, Margret Best, and Melanie Calahan.
I would like to give a special thanks to my family, Herb, Penny, Bridget, and Gavin. Thank you for understanding that sometimes I have to sacrifice our time to follow the dream of writing.
Thank you to my lovely agent, Amanda Luedeke. You always work your tail off. Thank you for your constant support, back and forth emails, and phone calls. Above all, thank you for being a person I can trust.
And thanks couldn’t be complete without thanking my editors: Jess Verdi, Julie Sturgeon, and Tara Gelsomino. Thank you for your hard work in bringing my projects to life.
Chapter One
The chapel of the funeral home was filled with familiar faces, each one drawn into a somber expression as they wandered past Harper Cygnini’s sister’s casket. A blonde nymph laid a single crystal swan inside the box, carefully placing the bird by the hundreds of others. The bird sat with its wings touching those of the one next to it, looking as if they would come alive and fly Jenna to the realm of the gods.
Harper stood at the head of the casket and shook hands as people passed by, never looking her in the eyes. There were no words to express the sadness that filled the room. This didn’t happen. Nymphs rarely died.
She dabbed at her stinging eyes. She had cried so much in the last week it came as a shock to her there were any tears left to be shed. Her heart wasn’t merely broken — no, the pain ran much deeper — it was almost as if she had died as well. Maybe she should have — the gods knew she deserved to be struck down. If she had just been more involved with her sister, if she had paid more attention, perhaps this would have never happened. She could have stopped her sister from being kidnapped. She would have noticed that Jenna had been missing. Instead Harper had merely gotten the call that Jenna’s body had been found frozen in a snow bank on some mountain.