The League of Illusion: Destiny Read Online Free

my shoes.”
    “Of course.” She retrieved them, then settled down at his feet to put them on for him. “I cleaned them. I hope you don’t mind. They were awfully dirty.”
    As she slid them on, he stared at her red curls swinging almost to the floor. They looked like silken fire and he had an urge to reach out and capture one tendril between his fingers just to see if it was as soft as it looked. This wasn’t the first time he’d imagined that. Every time he saw Drea in the market square or about the village he wished to touch her. But he resisted. He was no good for her. She deserved so much better than a washed-up coward in hiding.
    But that still hadn’t stopped him from watching her. Protecting her from the shadows.
    She lifted her gaze and met his. Her plump lips split into a smile and his gut reacted. As did another part of his anatomy. He quickly stood, afraid of what she might see in his gaze.
    “Thank you Drea, I’ll be sure to drop by later to pay you what I owe for your care.”
    She stood as well. The top of her head came to his nose, and she had to tilt her head up to look at him. Now they were but a foot apart, and Sebastian could see the gold flecks in her bright green eyes. She was a little thing. Petite but no one would mistake her for a young girl. Her womanly curves were ample and he was acutely aware of them at the moment.
    “You’re in no shape to be traipsing around. I’ll take you in the cart to see your brother or wherever it is you need to go.”
    “That is kind of you, but I’m not entirely sure where he is.”
    “Oh.” She studied him a moment and he had to take a distancing step back. He was afraid she would see too much. He’d tried to keep a low profile. He didn’t want anyone getting involved in his business.
    “I must be leaving.” He turned to the door. “Thanks again for your hospitality.”
    “I saw a flash of light just beyond the Black Woods.”
    He stopped and looked at her. “When?”
    “Earlier this morning, when you were sleeping.” She took a few steps toward him. “I reckon that may be where you should start looking for your brother.” Her lips curled into a smile.
    She obviously saw more than he wanted her to. And knew more then he realized.
    “I could use a ride,” he suggested against his better judgment.
    “That’s what I was thinking.” She brushed past him with a little spring in her step.
    When they were both atop the driver’s bench of the cart, Mr. Blairwood came rushing toward them. “Where are you going?”
    “Just for a short ride, Papa. Sebastian can barely walk.”
    Mr. Blairwood eyed Sebastian suspiciously. “Edward is coming by to see you.”
    “I won’t be long.”
    “Sir,” Sebastian said, “I promise you, your daughter will be home soon.”
    He didn’t look convinced but there was not much he could do as Drea clicked to the horse and steered them onto the road.
    The high sun warmed his skin as they traveled the road from the village to the woods. It felt good and he lifted his face to it and closed his eyes. That was one of the things he’d come to love about this realm. The sunshine. He’d never experienced this much back in London. It rained more days than not. There were other things as well, like the laziness of the place. In London everyone was in a hurry. And he liked the people. Especially the one currently sitting beside him.
    When he opened his eyes again, Drea was eyeing him curiously. He met her gaze. “What is it?”
    She shrugged. “Nothing. How’s your head?”
    He ran his fingers over the lump on the back of his skull. “Sore. I must’ve really fallen hard.”
    She dropped her gaze. “Yes, you must’ve.”
    “Although I’m curious how I ended up in your house.”
    “I found you on the ground early this morning.”
    “Is that so?”
    “It is.” She rubbed her nose.
    “What were you doing out so early?”
    “Checking on the damage the morrigan did around the village. The smithy is close to the