Divine by Choice Read Online Free

will settle your stomach.”
    I sniffed at it hesitantly, waiting for it to turn rancid in my hands (kind of a twist on the Midas touch thing), but the soothing scent of herbs and honey thankfully stayed enticing. I sipped at the mixture and let it comfort my rebellious stomach.
    â€œThanks, girlfriend, I feel better already.” If I said it, it would be true…If I said it, it would be true…If—
    â€œThe maid said the sentries have spotted ClanFintan’s warriors,” Alanna’s chatter was comforting. “They should arrive soon. I knew they would be on time. Carolan said theywould return within the days that prelude Samhain—it is two days before and he will be here today.” Her voice was washed with the expectation of a newlywed.
    I knew exactly how she felt. I let visions of my husband’s strong, sexy torso drift through my mind as I soaked.
    â€œMan, I’ve missed him.”
    â€œAs I have missed Carolan.”
    We shared girlfriend smiles.
    â€œBetter hand me that sponge. I want to be sweet smelling and well dressed when they arrive.” Well, for a little while I wanted to be dressed.
    I poured my favorite vanilla nut-scented soap from its delicate bottle, and started scrubbing with the thick sponge. Alanna began rummaging through one of my overfilled wardrobes.
    â€œIt’ll be nice to see Victoria again, too.” I had missed the Lead Huntress the past couple months. Her nomadic duties caused her to travel almost constantly, and I was happy to hear (by way of centaur runner—a little like the Pony Express, only with the rider built in) that she had joined with my husband’s band of warriors and would be returning with him. We had become close friends, and I was hoping that Epona’s Temple would be a second home to her.
    â€œPerhaps we will see Dougal smile again.” Alanna’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
    â€œHe’s smiled, you bad thing.”
    â€œIs that what that expression was?” Her musical lilt intensified as she teased. “And here I was sure he must have caught part of your stomach upset.”
    â€œPoor Dougal, between you and ClanFintan teasing him about his thing with Vic it’s a wonder his face isn’t permanently pink from blushing.”
    â€œWhich reminds me, what exactly do you think happened between the two of them?”
    â€œWell, I thought it was just a crush he had on her, but before she left I noticed they were both absent from the temple quite a bit—at coincidentally the same time. Add that to his misery since she’s been gone, and his pink face whenever Vic is mentioned, and I do believe we have a pair of lovers.”
    Alanna giggled. “He really is a sweet blusher, isn’t he?”
    â€œOh, look who’s talking!” I splashed some water at her, which she neatly sidestepped.
    â€œI do not blush.”
    â€œYou don’t blush like I don’t cuss.” We giggled at each other. “Toss me that towel, please.” I began drying myself vigorously, determined that tonight, surrounded by my friends and my husband, I would feel well again. “I’m glad ClanFintan had Dougal stay here and take charge of the construction of the new centaur quarters. It’s kept him too busy to do much moping.” Dougal had lost a brother a few months earlier, and then the centaur he had apparently fallen for, Ms. Lead Huntress Victoria, had broken off their budding relationship and left him to go back to her old life. He was definitely a young centaur who desperately needed diversion.
    â€œYou know, Rhea, perhaps it is not a coincidence that Victoria just happened to meet up with our warriors. Perhaps she was looking for a reason to return here—” she raised her eyebrows suggestively (which made her look like a blond bunny) “—to Dougal.”
    â€œI hope so.” I finished drying myself and ran my hands appreciatively over the