Free Blood Destiny by Tessa Dawn

blankly ahead into space, numb to the night's events, withdrawn from her fate.
    Nathaniel unfolded the blanket and gently wrapped it around her narrow shoulders before kneeling down on one knee in front of her. "Jocelyn," he whispered.
    There was no reply.
    The crackling of the fire could be heard coming from several different directions at once as the acoustics in the vaulted great room bounced the sound from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, and back again.
    The stunning hard-wood floors were laid with large planks of knotted-pine, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Northern Mountain Ranges as far as 77
    Blood Destiny
    by Tessa Dawn
    the eye could see. The blood-red moon had vanished, and the now soft-white moonlight illuminated the earth tones of the room, with its ancient pieces of art, like a celestial lantern burning in the night sky.
    With another wave of his hand, Nathaniel lit several candles and turned on a large granite water fountain that sat adjacent to the stone fireplace.
    Without even trying, the descendants of Jadon often arranged their homes to flow in harmony with the universe around them. They included the basic elements of earth, wind, and fire in the physical structures, and paid homage to the celestial gods by placing each piece of furniture in perfect synchronicity with the natural rotation of the planets.
    They were the ancestors of Celestial Beings, the prodigy of humans who had once mated with gods, becoming a race of people ruled by the moon and stars, a culture that had walked in perfect accord with the world around them before they had been corrupted. Before the Blood Curse. And some things had remained instinctual.
    "Jocelyn..." He tried again. "Won't you please speak to me?"
    She squinted, her eyes narrowing as if gazing through a blanket of fog, and then she just shook her head. "You promised," she whispered. "You promised."
    Nathaniel looked away. "I know I did...." He sighed. "And there's absolutely nothing I can say to make up for breaking that promise." He looked back at her then. "But you have to believe me when I tell you; I had no idea this was going to happen."
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    Blood Destiny
    by Tessa Dawn
    Jocelyn shifted uncomfortably. "You had no idea what was going to happen, Nathaniel?" She spoke in a tentative voice, looking up at him from behind dark lashes.
    "The Omen."
    "You mean whatever happened with the moon and the stars?"
    "Yes."
    She looked down at her wrist and studied it absently, as if she knew it was of great importance but had no idea why.
    "Angel..." He took her hand and held it gently in his own.
    "Look at me, please; do not just withdraw from the situation."
    He brought the back of her hand up to his mouth and brushed a soft kiss against her knuckles. This was his future—his destiny—and she had much to learn.
    She frowned and pulled back her hand.
    "I know you're scared," he said, undaunted. "And I know you feel powerless. But I am willing to answer any questions you have...if you'll just ask."
    She eyed him suspiciously. "Have you calmed down?"
    He nodded. "You were never in danger, sweetheart. At least not from me."
    "From the other one?" she asked.
    "No." His tone was adamant. "My brother would never intentionally harm you."
    Jocelyn shrugged and shook her head. "What difference does it make what I say or do, Nathaniel? You've already decided what's going to happen. Even your brother seems to have more control over me than I do." She sighed in despair.
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    Blood Destiny
    by Tessa Dawn
    "So, tell me then, what do you need my opinion for? I'd honestly rather you didn't patronize me."
    "Jocelyn."
    "What?" she huffed, this time sounding more exasperated than resigned. "Nathaniel, just tell me the truth for once: Will it make a difference? If I ask every question I can think of; say everything you want to hear; do everything you ask me to do, will you let me go?"
    Ouch. Nathaniel stroked her cheek. His heart was heavy.
    "It's not that simple,