In Rapture (Destined) Read Free Page B

lifeless body. She knelt on her knees and offered up a prayer
to any god that would listen to her. “Please watch over Grandmother in death as
in life. Grant her eternal peace from her mortal pains, and let her soul travel
across the universe to her beloved husband.”
    A
loud knock made her jump from her reverie. A foggy haze had crossed over her
eyes as she sent every last bit of energy she had into sending her grandmother’s
soul to a higher plateau from its earthly realm. She blinked in confusion when
the heavy pounding started again. She rose, ever so slowly, and opened the door
to find that Halfscomb was standing outside the door, one hand on his hip and
the other holding a missive. “My lord has sent this for you.”
    Malinda
opened the parchment and stared down at words that made absolutely no sense to
her. ‘Debt Paid in Full.’ ‘Marriage.’ ‘Contract.’ ‘Wedding.’ The words blurred
before her. “What is this, Sir Halfscomb?”
    “Well,
you see, a matchmaker happened upon Tinley Faire just last eve. As the good lord
had heard that your grandmother was now dearly departed, he decided it was in
your best interest to provide a future for you.”
    “How
is my debt paid in full?” It did not make any sense to her at all.
    “Well,
the matchmaker paid a good sum for his finder fee.”
    “Finder
fee?”
    “Yes,
dear girl, a bride finder’s fee. He offered several gold coins for your hand in
marriage. You’ll be wed by proxy tomorrow morning. I would have had you wed
today, but the good Lord Tinley has decreed that this is your day of mourning,
that you should have time to bury your grandmother.”
    “I’m
sorry, but what if I refuse?”
    “Then
you will have to find a way to pay your taxes. Have you changed your mind?” He
rubbed a hand across his face, and a wicked gleam filled his eyes.
    Malinda
knew good and well what plans Halfscomb would have had for her. She could read
the sarcastic sneer on his face. He would have been more than happy to torch
the hut with her grandmother’s corpse inside it. She sighed deeply, thinking of
any way out of this situation. She rubbed the parchment one last time and an
image flashed in her mind; the dream she had dreamt for over a year played hide
and seek in her mind, and the slight flush that crept up her body made her put
her hand to her throat defensively. A whisper echoed gently on the breeze. He
needs you. He needs you. She sighed deeply, pushing the fear that rose
within her aside, as she made the only choice that seemed reasonable. She would
have to leave this life behind and start a new journey into the unknown. “Very
well, Sir Halfscomb. I will accept my lot in life and take part in this
marriage.” At least she would never have to see this lopsided swine again.
    “Best
wishes to you then, Ms. Grier.”
    When
Halfscomb cleared his throat, Malinda looked at him. She knew he was waiting
for her to thank him for bringing her such happy news, so she curtsied
politely, murmured an appropriate phrase, and asked to be left alone to finish
her mourning. She closed the door when his short chubby legs hobbled from
sight.
    Malinda
walked over to her grandmother’s body once more, and tears started to flow down
her face. How could she leave behind the only home she had ever known? She
would never be able to visit their graves, for her intuition told her that
wherever she was being sent to was far away from here. She put her hand on her
grandmother’s cold forehead, stroking the gentle face that had loved her so
completely throughout her life. Since her mother had passed when she was an
infant, her grandmother had been the only mother she had known. How could she
just leave her behind?
    “Stand
up, Malinda.” Malinda’s breath caught in her throat. Was that? No, it could
not be! She stood slowly and turned to the sound of the voice.
    “You
are a woman of Lena, my child. Start showing it.” A bright glowing light
reflected everywhere around her. It was