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Published by eXtasy Books, a division of Zumaya Publications, 2005 Look for us online at: www.zumayapublications.com www.Extasybooks.com Fair Warning! ~ Pure Vanilla! This story contains No unusual or kinky sex. eruditus university city of aesculetum, emeritus prime evening cycle - One - H is Eminence, the Scion of the Eruditus University strode down the narrow hallway with Elise in his wake. He turned and smiled, his striking sea green eyes crinkling only the tiniest amount at the corners under his arched golden brows. Luke is a fully trained Peregrine Knight from the pilots guild. He will be able to help you with yourproblem. Elise winced under his devastating smile. Mother of Mercy, she hoped somebody could help her. She tugged her hand from her pocket, lifting a finger to curl it around one of the uneven locks of the unseemly bright red hair brushing at her chin. Someone had once said, what goes up, must come down. Well, not in her case. That was the problem. Small lights glowed along the upper edges of the walls, casting a gentle golden wash across the hallways peaked, plaster and oak-beamed ceiling. The Scions flowing cobalt blue and opalescent white teaching-masters robes seemed to glow under the sparse lighting. His slippers made no sound on the smooth floor. In complete contrast, Elises serviceable ankle- boots thunked loudly and clumsily on the stone flags. She swept her palms across the soft gray canvas of her coveralls, then stuffed her hands in her pockets. Next to the Scions silk-robed elegance she felt like a complete drab, but her simple moss-green short- sleeved top and coveralls were comfortable, and very practical for her work. The silk robes the Scion wore didnt appear to be all that comfortable, or have any practical use whatsoever, but they were lovely to look at. He was lovely to look at; broad shoulders, nice hands, gorgeous green eyes. His long pale gold mane was pulled back in a snug and precisely trimmed tail that fell down to the center of his back. She rolled her eyes. The women were probably throwing themselves at him. Ah, here we are The Scion stopped at a tall, heavily carved door of dense black Emeriti oak. He pushed it open. Elise ducked through the door to avoid another of the Scions lethal smiles. He really needed to point that smile at someone else. All that blinding masculinity was completely wasted on her. She was engaged. Elise blinked and squinted. After the brightness of the well-lit hallway, the stone-walled chamber was dark. The heavy black velvet curtains were drawn tight across the entire row of gothic arched windows on the facing wall. Only one lamp was lit, in the very far right corner A man stood in the center of the shadowed chamber with his back to the door. His bone pale hand, resting on the back of the chair he stood beside, seemed bright in the rooms darkness. His snug black throat-to-wrist ship-suit made him near invisible, though the fabric shimmered with midnight rainbows. His knee-high boots gleamed a highly polished black. The Scion lifted his chin. Guild Pilot Luke, this is the young woman I spoke to you about. The man in the rooms center turned his head slightly showing pale cheek. Light caught in the sun- tinted bronze hair falling about his shoulders in a tumble of unruly waves. Elise frowned. Shed expected a dark sorcerer to be a bit moreintimidating. He wasnt particularly tall; the Scion had to be a full head taller. His shoulders were fairly broad and his waist narrow, but he clearly wasnt as heavily muscular as some of the foresters she worked with. She nibbled on her bottom lip. He just didnt look...evil. The Scion cleared his throat. Guild pilot? Lukes pale fingers dug into the chairs arched back. Leave her and get out. Huh? Elise blinked. The Scions gaze narrowed. Youll have to forgive him. He can be a littledirect. No kidding. Elise felt a smile lift her lips. That was pretty direct. Luke turned to face the chamber door, moving behind the chair. His face was fine-boned and rather nice-looking, but not screamingly masculine, like the Scion. His eyes seemed huge; the color of summer skies, framed with long dark gold lashes. His pale mouth was set in a tight line, but color pinked his cheeks. His gaze narrowed on the Scion. I said, get out! Elise rocked back on her heels. That wasnt direct. Luke was seriously pissed off. Something definitely wasnt right. She turned and offered the Scion a friendly smile. Why dont you go? Im sure Ill be fine. Luke choked out a sour laugh. Oh, you are perfectly safe with me. His gaze razed the Scion, and then Elise, and then slid away. The school-master has me collared and leashed. I cant lay a finger on you. One hand fisted on the back of the chair. Not even if my life depended on it. The Scions green gaze chilled as he watched Luke, but he continued to smile. Hes right, youre perfectly safe. He turned to Elise and his expression warmed. Ill return for you in an hour. In a whisper of expensive silk, the elegant Scion of the University of Emeritus walked out, closing the door quietly behind him. Lukes breath exploded from his lungs. Damned prick! He walked around the wooden chair and dropped heavily into it, kicking one booted foot out and folding his arms across his chest. He scowled and let his head fall back against the chair. Blood and Night, how the hell do I get myself into this shit? Elise inched a step closer. Is there anything I can do to help? Luke barked out a laugh, then groaned and looked at her with a sour smile. Sure, you can fuck me. Thatll fix everything. Elise jerked back sharply. What? Luke snorted Never mind. He rolled his eyes. I can see from here that youre not that kind of girl. Elises mouth popped open. She set her hands on her hips. What is that supposed to mean? Luke smiled. Are you kidding? Red hair and green eyes aside, you are obviously one of those good-girls, the kind that waits for marriage before she even kisses a guy. Elise folded her arms to keep from tugging at her freshly cropped waves, and looked away. Thats not exactly true. Luke sat up in the chair and dropped his arms across his knees. You cant tell me youre not a virgin? Elise felt her cheeks warm. Harlot hair, harlot heat She looked down at the smooth wood floor. Umno, Im not. Lukes brows shot up and grinned. Oh, you naughty girl! He grimaced and held up his hand. Oh, wait! Dont tell me, hes youre betrothed, or some such nonsense. The guy you plan to marry! Elise clenched her jaw. Yeah, so? Luke sank back into his chair, closed his eyes and groaned. He raised a hand and rubbed his forehead. Night save me Elise tapped her foot. Is there a point to all this? Luke opened his blue eyes and snorted. Actually there is. The school-master The Scion? Luke curled his lip. Yeahhim. Never mind, forget it. He sighed and sat up a little straighter, raising a questioning brow. He said you were floating? Elise winced. Yes. Luke scrubbed both hands through his tumbled bronze hair. Okay, so show me. Um I cant. I cant control it. She threw her hands out. And thats the whole problem! I float when I dont want to, and when I want to, I cant! I see. Luke leaned forward and set his elbows on his knees, dropping his pale hands between them. When did it start? I was at my engagement party She felt her cheeks warm and stopped. Fate, this was embarrassing. Luke smiled. It wasnt a breath-taking smile, like the one the Scion occasionally used; it was nice, and a little encouraging. Go on. Elise grimaced and tried looking up at the distant plaster and beam ceiling. It didnt make her feel any better. She took a breath. Well, my soon to be mother-in-law had hired some She swallowed. Entertainers. She shoved her hands in her pockets and dropped her gaze to the floor, looking anywhere but at Luke. AndI just startedfloating. She groaned. Like a balloon. Ah Elise looked up from the floor. Luke sat back in the chair, his arms folded across his chest, still smiling. Let me guess. Male entertainers? He lifted a brow. Elise nodded and rolled her eyes. The naked ones. Lukes brows shot up and his eyes widened. He looked away, then r...
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