Awaken: Shilo Manor, #4

By Charlene A. Wilson

"A soul mate is the most precious thing in the world. So is free choice."

A single glance at Fae Princess K'rańa Dawn is all it takes to turn James' love life inside out. Their souls meet in the eternal void, and he knows she's destined to be his soul mate. There's just one problem—his fiancé, Linda.

Linda waited ten years for James to pop the question, and nothing's going to stop her from getting him to the altar. Especially a tree-hugging nymph like K'rańa. Where Linda comes from, people fight for who they love.

Even if it means war.

Awaken is the fourth installment in the award-winning Shilo Manor series. If you like compelling heroes, whimsical magic, and true love, then you'll love Charlene A. Wilson's Fantasy Romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charlene A. Wilson
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781070222615

Book preview

Chapter One

Relishing a long stretch, James allowed the thick comforter to caress his body. Never in his fifteen-hundred years had he slept past noon, nor had he opted to stay in bed well past that. But, after the night he’d spent with Linda, he needed the little extra sleep. That, and her curves pressed against his brawn in perfect vis-à-vis, and it felt so right.

He skimmed his palm over her voluptuous hip and closed his eyes, savoring the soft skin as it dipped to her slender waist. Burying his face in her blonde waves, he filled his lungs with the salty, sweet scent of her. She’d always smelled of lemon-aid and lilies, but it seemed in the long day he’d spent in the portal, closing the gateway to the Cornerstone Deep dimension, she’d acquired a new scent.

His mind skipped back to check his thought. Not a day, James. Ten years. Ten years without his support, without the touch she always craved. For her it’s been a very long time...in a new dimension.

He grazed his hand down his face, remembering the small wrinkles that had deepened during the ordeal. Thank the Gods Mechenzie and I only aged that much. He thought of the price Cole paid for filling in as conduit to the Gods’ power after his treasured crystal shattered. By all counts, it should have killed him. It aged him to that point.

Letting the thoughts ebb, he wrapped his arm around Linda’s waist and cupped an ample bosom with his palm. How could he deny her the love she’d missed when he finally joined her on Midway Summit? James looked past her messy tresses to her beautiful, relaxed profile. He couldn’t deny her; never would.

He traced her full features with his gaze, allowing memories to anchor the reality of her in his life. His heart swelled until it seemed it would burst while he recalled the purple cardigan and bright yellow sundress she wore when they met, their first kiss...or, attempt at one, when Gryffin, great God of Conformance, called all Sentinels to the Cornerstone Deep portal, their first dance on the terrace to the Song of Meridian, sung by the foul of the woodland. Such treasured moments. Such welcomed memories of the birthing of their love in the Sentinel family’s first assigned dimension, her home.

As he pressed a kiss to her temple, her lids blinked open.

You staring at me again, Lover?

I can’t help it. This is the first time we’ve been able to be together this long without being interrupted by the twins.

Her chuckle shook his arm. They’re not six anymore, James. They’re sixteen. Mandy knows better than to interrupt us until we’re ready to be interrupted. And she’ll keep Kenzie busy. She turned, facing him, and smiled. And it’s been so long since I’ve held you. I’m not ready to let you go yet.

James searched her lovely blue eyes. Fine wrinkles creased the edges of her lids, and the toll of the time hit him again.

He brushed her locks behind her shoulder. Such a long time to endure. I’m glad you had Mandy and Elaina to lean on. I’m sure Vince and Rhune tried to help, but I know...

No. Her gaze jumped to the side, emphasizing the fact. Rhune and Vince weren’t much help at all. After the first year of flying us to the portal day and night, they put their foot down. They said I could watch it on the Utopian. Her lips puttered as she exhaled a long stream of air. I understood their reasons, but it wasn’t the same. I needed to be there the moment Kenzie’s foot stepped through onto Moraine’s soil. I needed to be there for you both.

James traced her jawline with his fingertips as he listened to her retell the story for the third time. No, a tulip-shaped instrument setting on a tripod stand was not the same as being there for her loved ones, no matter how precise it depicted what happened.

Mianna tried, she said. But her mind was so busy deciphering experiences the Gods kept feeding her from the Book of Life, I never knew if she really understood what was going on. And Elaina was tied up with being a new mother.

That would leave a very young child to be her source of comfort when we didn’t show. How could she possibly gain comfort from a little girl who also grieved for the loss of her twin? Linda was alone.

Believe it or not, Jarrett was my biggest supporter.

What? James blinked at the gust of truth while Linda continue to talk about Mandy. She hadn’t mentioned Jarrett the other times she’d shared her frustrations, and James had forgotten the man stepped through the portal with them. After the amazing night he and Linda just shared, who wouldn’t?

The mention of him slapped a sick quirk on James’ face. Jarrett?

Linda paused. Well, yeah. We were both so worried. Mechenzie was so young. Nobody showed for ten years, James! And he was there when I needed to—

James threw the covers to the side and then planted his feet on the soft carpet. Three steps took him to face the large mirror atop the bureau. How could he not have expected it? The moment he learned of the time they’d missed, he should have.

Jarrett, the self-absorbed, knuckle-headed father of the twins had somehow found favor with the Gods who allowed him passage to this dimension. He’d used his own children to make money from the press. He’d cheated on his wife for years before leaving her on the side of the road with nothing. How could they have allowed him passage?

Air rushed from his lungs as he leaned his fists on the dresser. A gasp filled them again. Placing his hand over his stomach, he tried to settle the trembling in his gut. Ten years they’d lost in the time he, Cole, and Mechenzie struggled in the portal of the realms.

Seal the gateway. The Gods had spoken, and as Sentinels to the Arched Spectrum of Realms, they swore to obey. But, how could he have known they’d lose so much in a place not ruled by time? Bodies aged, Kenzie’s from that of a child to a young woman and Cole’s to the brink of death. They had succeeded. But what an expense.

Linda’s reflection sat up, and the thick comforter slid from her. He pressed his lips together as his body reacted to the unveiling and then fell again at the thought of Jarrett being there when he couldn’t.

Her head tilted to the side. James?

Ah, Linda. Tell me you didn’t.

What?

Tell me you didn’t go to him.

She scrambled across the bed and sat on the edge behind him. James, are you thinking what I think you’re thinking? I was in so much pain when Mechenzie didn’t show up for so long. Every day that passed it was like my heart tore open again.

Mechenzie. Of course, Mechenzie. The urge to ask where he placed in her heart flew through him. But not me? How pathetic that sounded. It couldn’t be helped. Vince had already passed through to Midway Summit. We needed Mechenzie to fill the Triad to close the gateway to Cornerstone Deep. How could we have known the time continuum would be thrown off like that?

"And Cole told Jarrett to take us on through. I know very well. I recounted that moment for years. I followed, James. I followed, trusting the Gods would bring my love and my little girl back to me."

A knot formed in James’ throat as he heard the reaffirmation of her love. She did want him all that time. She did need him. His next thought caused the knot to choke him, and he swallowed to dispel the bitter taste. He wiped his face with a heavy palm and then turned to face her, his brow knitted so hard his head hurt. We did come back to you.

It took ten years, James. A hiccup forced her voice to gasp. What was I supposed to do?

Not run for your ex-husband’s arms!

Run for...? She threw her hand over her lips, and he wasn’t sure if he saw the mist of tears or the fire of anger that flared when she protected her loved ones. I don’t love Jarrett like that, James. But he’s the father of my children. She lowered her hand and set it in her lap as a fist. "He understood my pain. He comforted me."

So, it’s the flare. "And what exactly did he do to comfort you?"

He held me! Linda stood, grabbed her robe and then wrapped it tightly around her shapely body. How dare you suspect me of anything else?

Accusations flew through his mind, but they weren’t aimed at Linda. Not you, Linda. I don’t suspect you.

Her lashes batted, and then she closed her eyes. "Oh, I love how you say my name. Leenja. I’ve missed it every single day."

James blushed at the reminder of his Meridian accent.

Opening her eyes again, she sought his gaze. But if you suspect him, part of you somewhere in that hunky body of yours has to suspect me of going along with it.

James pressed his lips together again, biting back his hurtful retort. How could he not suspect something had happened between them? How could something not have happened? Jarrett had been the first person she ran to when she attempted to flee with Mechenzie to keep her from going to Moraine to complete her destiny.

He filled his lungs with the apricot-scented air of Shilo Manor as he allowed his love-tainted logic to take over. It had been to flee...not to reunite.

I’m sorry, Linda, he said, expelling a long breath with his words. The thought of you with someone else...

As her hardened expression melted, he pulled her close and then wrapped her into his strong embrace. He tightened his biceps, causing them to bulge to prove the strength of his commitment to the most precious woman in his life; strong, do-what-needs-to-be-done Linda who would sacrifice anything for those she loved. I should not have doubted you.

Her sigh breezed across his pectorals as she cuddled against his chest. Fingers fanned along the contours of his back, and he closed his eyes, relishing her need to explore with her touch.

Her voice came forth above a whisper. I’ve waited ten years for you, James. I’ve been faithful.

He brushed her pillow-messed hair from the side of her face. I should have never questioned your love. Contentment settled around them like a warm blanket as her voluptuous curves complimented his brawn with perfect comfort. Marry me, Linda.

His whisper caused a small part in her blonde hair, and he noticed several lighter than others. White strands littered the short waves at her temple, an added testament time and worry had taken part of her life, a part stolen from him by the unpredictable portal.

She leaned back a little as she looked at him. What did you say?

He tilted his head as he looked into the beautiful windows to her soul. I never want time to go by again without knowing you’re mine and you knowing I’m yours. Marry me.

As if explosives ignited, her hands flew high, and she squealed. Gods, yes!

She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. Time disappeared, and as he reveled in her acceptance, his pallet tingled, manifesting his Breath of Zephyr. Licorice and cinnamon rode his throaty growl to gift his desire to her. She melted against him with a groan.

"Oh, I have waited so long to enjoy being loud!" Tugging his shoulder, she turned his back to the bed and then shoved.

With a flick of his wrist, it scooted closer to ensure a soft landing. The mattress hissed, and springs creaked as he hit, his full weight causing him to bounce. He chuckled. Why didn’t you say that last night? I would have sealed the room so nobody would hear.

Linda jumped on, straddling his waist, and the panels of her robe parted, teasing him with a peek at her curves. Oh, I don’t know. I mean, you’d been gone so long. I felt like I needed to be proper.

He quirked his brow. "You held back. Linda, there’s never a need to hold back with me. Hearing your pure expression drives my joy higher. Eko silyst. The atmosphere thickened and pressed against his ears. Be loud, Linda. Be very loud."

Her laughter muffled within the silencing spell, and James’ manhood throbbed. He slipped his hands between the robe panels and grasped her hips to fuel the craving. A growl rumbled in his chest.

You are so hot, James Shilo. She pulled her robe open and sprawled on top of his muscular frame. Her bosoms pillowed along his broad chest and voluptuous thighs pinned his waist to the bed. Framing his head with her forearms, she looked into his eyes.

The steamy foreplay he expected halted as her gaze softened and her fingertips traced the borders of his brow. I was hoping you’d ask, she said. You know, ask me to marry you when you got here. Seeing Elaina with her soul mate. Linda looked deep into his eyes. It’s changed her life, James. Knowing Vince loves her that much.

A twinge of unease caught in James’ heart and crushed the excitement of the moment. Was she hoping for her soul mate...in him? He’d never given her a reason to believe she was his. But Jarrett obviously didn’t fill that role either.

Small relief.

James gently rolled with her, pinning her to the bed. He kissed her brow, her nose, and then her full lips. I choose you, Linda. I will love you and protect you to the best of my ability. I will be faithful, this I promise.

Brushing his fingertips along her sweet cheek, he tried to think back to every kiss, every touch. He was certain he never heard her soul’s call, but why couldn’t she be his soul mate, anyway? They fit like a glove on so many levels, but the inner assurance, the undeniable connection Cole spoke of when he met Mianna was not there.

Even so, nothing would drag him from his commitment to her. And I will be yours for the rest of your life.

Chapter Two

Cloud Nine never felt so good as Linda weaved her way down the staircase. The fruity scent that permeated the manor from the apricot orchards surrounding the grounds no longer reminded her of days spent back home on Cornerstone Deep with James. They simply adorned her day with the present and the fulfilled promise of him in her life again.

Her fingers flittered through the air as she hummed and then tapped the nose of the marble seraphim standing at the left banister as she passed. Savory garlic almost overran the fragrant coffee as the aromas wafted down the hall from the kitchen. Linda followed, bopping the cheery cherubim lining the walls on their heads with the tips of her fingers.

Elaina placed a platter of breads on the breakfast nook table and then wiped her wrist across her brow.

Mianna leaned in, looking closer at them. These are knots?

Don’t judge, said Elaina as she gathered her strawberry waves into a jumbled bun. They’ll go great with the pasta tonight.

"It smells absolutely lovely." Linda swayed across the floor and then dipped over