Freeing a Tiger's Soul (Tiger Series) Read Free Page A

that she was always given when she visited Cara.  It was a lovely room with a huge bed hung with dark blue curtains.   Krisi often sat in the window and gazed out to the forest where sh e knew Euan had made his home.  She had even walked the parapets on occasion hoping to catch a glimpse of him in his glade.  
    She had been too young to go to him when she felt the pull of her mate.  Her father had forbidden her to be anywhere near the man who would be her future.  She had stayed away, but she had stayed near too.  She wanted to feel his arms around her, but she knew that in his madness it would not be wise.  The darkness that had almost killed her all those years ago had attacked him too through their mating bond, which no one knew existed.  No one knew of his turmoil until she had seen it in his eyes and felt it ripping through her very soul.  She feared the darkness and she was too frightened to help Euan.  She felt useless and wept bitterly for her shortcomings.
    She heard the sound of the horn in the baily and knew it signaled approaching horses.  She hoped it would be James or even Eva.  There had been a grand party planned to celebrate the birthday of Angelica as well as the rescue of Eva MacKinnon and the peace treaty between wolf and tiger.   Fifteen years had passed in peace between the once bitter enemies and Liam felt it was cause to celebrate.   The party was to take place here at McNeal castle because of the vast lands that surrounded it.  The guests would be able to change and hunt with little fear of discovery from the outside world.  Many prominent families were to attend.
    The Stewart was not going to be able to attend however which was unfortunate.  He had matters to deal with in London and would not make it back in time to join the party, but he sent his regrets.
    Krisi stood on her toes and tried to see who approached.  She let out a squeal when she recognized the standard to be that of The MacKinnon and she ran from her room.  She would soon feel the soothing comfort of Eva’ s presence as well as Cara’s.  T hey had been very close in the past few years.  They were bonded since the night Eva and Cara saved Krisi from the darkness.  They were tied together with bonds that were unbreakable and Krisi knew that only they would be able to lift even a portion of her sadness. 
    She waited impatiently at the gates as the party grew closer.  She heard a shout and knew that Eva had spotted her.  She ran out to meet them and found herself lifted from the ground by strong arms.  She looked up in surprise as Darren placed her in the saddle before him.
    “Eva would never forgive me if I didn’t protect you, little sister.”  He whispered in her ear as he turned his horse and rode back to the approaching party.
    They were all soon ensconced at the long low table in the great hall.  No one had mentioned Euan and his sorrow was weighing on Krisi’s mind.  She looked up to find Darren MacKinnon watching her closely.
    “I will go with ye lass.  We will see to him now if you like.   He may be hungry.  We will bring him his nooning meal. ”
    She nodded gratefully and rose.  Darren smiled down at his wife and led Krisi to the tower where her mate sat chained to the wall.
    Darren could feel the pain emanating off the small fair woman beside him as they made their way to the tower room.  She was trying to mask her heart rending agony behind a cool mask of calm, but she was fooling no one.  Eva was hurting for her and that made Darren want to help even more.   He could not stand for his mate to be hurt in any way and this circumstance was torturing her and making her feel helpless.
    Eva had become very close to the young elfin girl since she aided Darren in Eva’s rescue so many years ago.  If it hadn’t been for Krisi and her kind Darren knew that he would have probably lost Eva and his own life as well .  He was grateful for them and he would always be in their debt.
    They