Free Freeing a Tiger's Soul (Tiger Series) by Amanda Anderson Page B

room with you, but I understand the importance of this.  I trust you both.   Very much. ”  She tried to force her heart to believe it as her mind did, but the stubborn organ refused.  All she was feeling was let down.
    “I still do not approve.”  Collin grumbled, but no one listened to his protests as they were all lead into the Hall where a long table was lade with food.

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    Euan watched as Krisi distanced herself from him.  Since he needed to be near Serina he sat by her side at table.  Krisi refused to sit on his other side.  Instead she surrounded herself with her people and refused to acknowledge him in the slightest way. 
    Euan closed his eyes and tried to penetrate the barrier Krisi had erected around her mind, but he was unable to break through.  She had cut him off as one might do an infected limb.  His heart raged at the injustice of finding a mate only to be refused by her.  his mood darkened and he let it, too miserable in himself to realize the danger he was in.
    Serina gasped and drew his attention from his mate.
    “Euan.  Your hair.”  Serina said with wide eyes.
    Euan frowned and looked at the dark locks falling over his shoulder.  He frowned at the inky hue and felt his mind shutter with the evil that had once again claimed it.  His eyes met Serina’s and he saw the fear spark in her eyes before she shook it off.  She held out her hand.
    “Take my hand Euan.  It will help to fight it off.”
    Euan looked at the slender appendage and thought for a moment.  Then he reached out and took the fragile digits in his hand.  The darkness receded immediately with a searing pain that made Euan want to crumple to the floor.
    “You mustn’t allow the darkness to influence your moods Euan.  Krisi is confused.  She will come around in time.”
    Serina allowed her eyes to wander over the crowd that was seated in the hall.  She found Owen leaning against a great pillar.  He stared at her with unmoving strength, but she felt his anguish at seeing another man touching her.  She smiled at him and he nodded once before he left the room altogether.
    Serina knew the anguish Euan was feeling because she was experiencing much the same pain.  Could she lose the mate she had chosen for herself at birth because she must help this man?
    The thought didn’t bare thinking about.  She felt the sting of tears in her eyes and blinked them back.  She would not allow this to break the bond she shared with Owen, but she felt that this was important too.
    “Why must this be so hard for us?”  Euan asked in an agonizing whisper.
    “I do not understand it.  I feel like I am being torn in half.”  Serina  answered.
    Euan held her soft hand in his and tried to finish his meal.  He felt Krisi’s eyes on him from time to time, but when he looked at her she would avert her eyes.
    “Nay.  This will not work.  I can live with the darkness, but I cannot live without my mate.”  He stood and released Serina’s hand.  The darkness pressed on him the moment his skin lost contact, but he forced his feet to move.  He walked until he stood beside Krisi’s seat and he knelt.
    “I will not permit this to tear us apart.  You are my mate and I will endure any manner of pain to be in your arms.”
    He reached for Krisi, ignoring her protests and crushed her to his chest.
    Krisi felt his warm arms wrap around her and she welcomed the feel of him.  She gasped when his lips crashed over hers and he kissed her savagely.  She could no longer keep him from her mind when he was inhabiting her body.  She let the shield fall away and screamed when she felt the pain ripping through Euan’s body and mind.  Her body convulsed with the sheer intensity of the torment he was forcing himself to endure and she felt selfish and childish for not allowing him the only comfort offered to him.  Serina.
    Euan frowned when Krisi began to writhe on his lap.  He tried to pull back from her mind, but she held him firm.
    “How