Free Dawning of Light by Tami Lund Page A

I knew he knew exactly how we mated, in the way of the shifters.”
    Mating in the way of the shifters . An image of Finn popped unbidden into Cecilia’s mind. “You two do it that way all the time. At least every time I’ve walked in on you, that’s what you’re doing.”
    “That’s how Tanner likes it. He says to a shifter, it reaffirms the connection between mates. It’s the most intimate way to be together. A shifter’s way of saying ‘I love you,’ maybe?”
    “He doesn’t tell you he loves you? He just—you just make love shifter-style and know how he feels?” Cecilia sounded dubious.
    “Oh no,” Olivia assured her. “He says the words, don’t worry. Constantly, it seems, now that I’m carrying his pup. Like he never wants me to forget it—as if I ever would.” She smiled. “It’s hard to explain. I think in his mind, he needs that connection, I mean really needs it. Not that I mind, because, ho boy, I promise you, there is nothing quite like—well.” She blushed furiously and fanned her face with her hand. “Suffice it to say, we are both quite satisfied with that aspect of our relationship.”
    Cecilia laughed. “I can tell. And I doubt you’ll ever get bored of each other.”
    Olivia sobered. “Is that what you are afraid of? Getting bored?”
    “No. Maybe. I don’t know. Yes, a small part of me worries about getting bored. But honestly, I am just not ready, Olivia. And even if I was, how would I ever find a mate, with Finn stalking me at every turn?”
    “Stalking you?” Olivia laughed.
    “Yes,” Cecilia insisted, although in truth, this morning, it had been a very good thing he’d been stalking her. If not, she might very well have died out there in the lake. “Speaking of men, where is Tanner?” she asked, thinking that wherever he was, if he wasn’t with Olivia, he was likely with Finn.
    “I have no idea, actually. Finn stopped by earlier, and he and Tanner disappeared into my father’s library for a short time, then Tanner came and found me and told me they were going out. I figured they were going to go practice with the guards.” She shrugged, not concerned in the least.
    Ever since Quentin was killed and Tanner had moved into the beach house with her, Olivia discovered a new appreciation for life within the coterie. She was happy to—finally—live the life her parents had wanted for her from the beginning. Of course, they hadn’t intended for her to be mated to a shifter, but at least she was settled and carrying the heir to the kingdom in her womb. That was something, right?
    Cecilia stayed through dinner, and then she bade her goodbyes to Olivia and her aunt and uncle and headed home. Samuel waylaid her halfway. Maybe she had two stalkers.
    “Hey, Cecilia,” he said as he fell into step with her.
    “Are you following me, Samuel?”
    “Actually, I was on my way to the tavern. Would you like to join me?”
    The tavern was in the village square, at the base of the cliff. The only way he could possibly be on his way to the tavern was if he’d just come from a practice session with Finn and Tanner. Cecilia supposed that was entirely possible and tried really hard not to be annoyed.
    “No, thank you.” She politely declined his offer.
    “Why not? Plans with that shifter?”
    Something in his tone gave her pause. She stopped and turned to face him. “No, actually, I have no plans with shifters or otherwise. I’m just tired, and frankly I want to be alone right now. And to tell you the truth, I’m really tired of your matchmaking attempts. I’m not interested, Samuel. I’m sorry if that injures your pride, but I am just not ready to consider taking a mate, okay?”
    Samuel blinked at her, looking faintly bewildered. “Who said anything about mating? I mean, certainly, I guess, maybe, someday. But really, I just wanted to have a drink. No strings attached.”
    Guilt hit her. “Really? You aren’t, you know…” In retrospect, he had not come right out and