Page 31 of The Noldrin Witch

“A pleasure to have you here.”

Elise curtsied back.

“Thank you for having me,” she said.

“He’s having none,” Morgaine interrupted. “Always looking for new flesh, aren’t you?”

Devon laughed. “I heard you ladies frightening this noble soul even beyond the flames. I felt the urge to come and amend your hospitality.”

“How kind.” Morgaine smiled.

“Always.” Devon threw a kiss into the air toward Morgaine.

Morgaine shook her head. “And it appears I’m not the only one bringing a guest to this sacred event.”

Devon took a step back and placed a hand on the mysterious cloaked man’s shoulder.

“This is Seth. He’s…my nephew. He’s learning the ropes.”

The hood came down, revealing a dark mane framing an exquisite, handsome face. Seth could rival the duke in good looks, but the two men couldn’t be more different. His eyes were dark as night. His gaze haughty and cold. His lean build lent him an aristocratic air that made Elise think of him as a prince of the underworld.

“Woo!” the witches hollered.

Elise was still taken aback by the man’s presence when he turned to her, and this time she could feel the full weight of his gaze studying every angle of her. His expression was unreadable. This was nothing like his playful uncle, but a closed book...a book Elise thought better left unread.

Elise was glad she had chosen a more modest dress than the one Morgaine was wearing. Even with the protection of thick wool, she felt as though she were standing naked before Seth’s scrutiny.

The witches started to murmur, and Devon whispered something to his nephew. Seth stole a few more glances at Elise and then walked toward her like a man about to claim lost property.

“Let me show you around.” Seth’s voice was deep, and the warmth emanating from his body reached her at once.

“Show me where?” Elise turned to Morgaine, who held a grin so knowing that asking her for aid seemed pointless. Instead, Elise searched for a way to free herself from the situation. Her whole body shivered at the mere closeness of the man. “Isn’t this your first time here as well?”

“Here, yes,” he said, unexpressive. “But not my first time around.”

“Come on,” Isadore yelled. “If you don’t take him, I will!”

The small crowd laughed, and Elise caught Morgaine’s nod, silently answering her dilemma.

“Show me, then.”

Chapter 14

Elise walked beside Seth as he circled the clearing and explained the role of his uncle and his own in a way that left her with more questions than answers. He was not a man of many words, and Elise imagined that with a face like his, he rarely needed more than a few well-placed remarks to get by.

Seth and Devon were not there to host the merriment but to witness the rites. Elise couldn’t stop thinking of the demonic entrance the two men had made. With steam still clinging to Seth’s cloak and the steady heat of his presence, she couldn’t help but wonder about the man who appeared to be one of Hell’s finest representatives.

“So you are also a…” Elise prepared her question carefully. “Demon?”

“Ha,” Seth laughed. This was the first time there was a hint of emotion in him.

“Sure.”

He walked a couple of steps ahead of her. Elise looked about for a tail or any other sign of his fiendish nature. He had no horns after all, and his skin held the shade of muted gold cast on living flesh. The whole vocabulary of the infernal regions began to stir in her mind, and she grew uncertain of what to expect. She knew, however, that demon or not, this was a creature of magic and plainly dangerous.

For the life of her, she could not tell if he was offended or simply bored. Entirely in character, Seth continued to emanate a heat that rivaled the fire. Elise’s body warmed rather quickly. The air seemed slower to reach her, and before any sweat could ruin the wool of her dress, she resolved to remove the extra layer. She had two more beneath: a light linen dress and her chemise. Failing to see any other practical solution, she took a bold decision.

“Do you mind if I…” Elise began, but Seth seemed intent on ignoring her. Seeing no need for modesty, she proceeded to refresh herself. The distraction helped her swallow the fact that she was walking beside someone from a considerably lower department of the world.