*WHISPERS OF THE FORGOTTEN SHORE* Chapter 1: The Arrival The sea mist curled around the towering c

le, that resisting had

veal her to the night. And then, as if summoned by the silent ache of her longing, she saw him. Gab

w his power-over the sea, over the secrets buried in t

ed, his voice a quiet storm that s

n return, though her body betrayed her wo

thing dark, something knowing.

jaw, tracing the delicate skin as though committing it to memo

t intimacy of his touch. She had fought this for so long, denied the hunger that stirred whenever h

th fanning against her lips. "The way the

elf, stronger than reason. It was in the way the waves crashed,

had always belonged to them, Eleanor clo

filled with all the words they had never spoken. Gabriel's arms tightened around her, crushing her to him, as though

heir feet, bearing witness to a love that had

forgotten shore, their st

11: Dawn

th Gabriel's coat, her body aching from exhaustion, but warmth lingered where he held her through the night. The sand was damp b

ky, once angry and violent, now stretched in soft shade

efore his dark lashes lifted. When his gaze met hers, something

e murmured, voice

ssed her closer to him. His warmth was intoxicating, the

it," she

into a tired s

his damp shirt, her pulse betraying her.

coming up to frame her face, his thumbs brushing gently al

ear, but from the way his touch sen

she asked, her voi

aid, his fingers trailing down her arms, sending goo

ough her. No cages of duty.

harp line of his jaw, her touch f

t rose sharply, in the way his grip on her tightene

d, but it was a ple

ced him w

esting, teasing. But the moment Gabriel res

solid heat of him. A low groan rumbled in his throat as he deepened the kiss, hi

ing the sensitive skin of her neck. She clutched at him, her na

rmured against her s

swering before her lips c

ht upon them, as if blessing the lovers

d, his lips following the path of her racing p

with the next chapter, or r

: Surrende

barely noticed. All she could feel was Gabriel-his touch, his heat, the way his bre

had never known before. His hands roamed her curves with ach

n, his voice rough with restraint. "If

ugh the damp strands of his hair. "I don't w

this, fought them, but now there was no stopping the inevitable

he sand, his hands working the laces of her gown with agonizing slowness. She arched beneath h

st her lips, though his own

a gasp as his hands slid lower, mapping the curves of her

he tempo of their movements. Eleanor surrendered completely, her hands roamin

ers, her fingers tracing over the scars and muscles that spoke of a li

dmitted, her voice

with intensity. "Th

into a storm more powerful than

stars, on this forgotten shore, they found something

and Gabriel's moment of bliss was short-lived. Reality pressed in

s muscles tense with thought. Eleanor, wrapped in his coat, watched him in silence. She

murmured, her fingers traci

her, but she saw his

resting her hand over

. "We keep moving. There's a ship that docks near Ravensport. If

ything. The thought both

ce. "And if they fi

hers, his warmth ground

his own path through the world despite the odds stacked against him. But Thomas and h

rees above the cove m

flashing in the sunlight. Eleanor followed, her

gain, and then- a fig

A Ghost fr

s caked in mud. He carried himself like someone who knew the weight of battle, and when he pus

de loosened only slightly

s furrowed. Ga

a slow smirk. "You lo

weapon. "And you still look like you

toward Eleanor with curiosity. "And this mu

ed, lifting her ch

. "An old frie

who came to warn you. There's a bou

stomach

ession darkene

ded. "Enough to make

there was a price on their he

to Nathaniel. "Why ar

as reckless as you are, I don't like the thought of you dang

you know if Thomas

or last night. They're heading toward Ravensport." He paused. "

s. Her father and Thomas were relent

gaze filled with quiet de

ring the twist o

u always did have a talent for trouble. Try no

irked. "No

into the forest. They had until nightfall to reach

The Road t

ir. Eleanor's skirts were torn from the underbrush, but she hardly noticed.

ng far from his weapon. "We'll cut through

med by the inevitable confrontation ahead. Wou

want to kno

ht of exhaustion pressing on Eleanor's limbs. But

voice carried t

area! They m

med against her ribs

r his breath, grabb

ursuit growing closer. Eleanor's breath came in

hot rang ou

him as they ducked out of sight. Eleanor's pulse pounded again

and his men. Their torches flickered in the fad

. "Eleanor!" His voice cut through the sil

d her teeth

hey were outnumbered. If they were found

gaze, a silent questio

t n