Arielle Immortal Passion (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 3) Read online

  Arielle Immortal Passion

  The Immortal

  Rapture Series

  Lilian Roberts

  Booktrope Editions

  Seattle, WA 2014

  COPYRIGHT 2013, 2014 LILIAN ROBERTS

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

  Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

  Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

  No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

  Inquiries about additional permissions

  should be directed to: [email protected]

  Cover Design by Shari Ryan

  Previously self-published as Arielle Immortal Passion, 2013

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

  PRINT ISBN 978-1-62015-428-1

  EPUB ISBN 978-1-62015-418-2

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014908773

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Preview of Arielle Immortal Quickening

  Note to Readers

  About the Author

  More from Lilian Roberts & Booktrope

  Acknowledgments

  There are a few people I would like to thank for their help with the third book in the Immortal Rapture series. Thanks to my so-incredible husband, who is still supporting me with no complaints about the long hours I have spent in front of the computer working on the entire series.

  To Sarka-Jonae Miller, my wonderful editor, for the strong support and encouragement she provided me with while I was working on the manuscript; Booktrope proofreader Katrina Randall; and Booktrope cover designer Shari Ryan, for designing the new cover.

  To Christy, my beautiful daughter, for her overall support, as well as the great suggestions she made, which improved the story.

  To Jiolanda, my lovely niece, who has never stopped believing in me and my ideas.

  To Kat Sheridan, for taking a manuscript of more than 80,000 words and crafting a brief synopsis that would give readers a vivid peek into the story.

  Finally, sincere thanks to all my friends who enthusiastically supported me, and to my fans for the surreal feedback and great reviews.

  For My Husband

  Thank you for seeing the best in me and for being my rock at my weakest moments. I love you!

  Chapter 1

  THEY ARRIVED IN ST. JEAN DE LUZ early in the afternoon. The weather was beautiful and warm, a distinct contrast from the weather in England. Arielle shivered with excitement knowing that this was the place where she and Sebastian had met and fallen in love, which made it forever magical. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her towards the airport exit, where he had arranged for a limousine to pick them up.

  The drive to the house was amazing. Arielle marveled as the car left the airport and headed into the countryside. The scenery was indescribable.

  “How could you ever describe the beauty of this place to anyone?” she exclaimed as they drove.

  There were acres of misty green fields with tall grass and colorful wildflowers popping up everywhere, creating a fascinating multicolored view. The trees were green, full, and open to the sky, absorbing the sunlight. The deep blue shade of the ocean was inviting, and many sailboats were drifting on the horizon. The sight of the white sand beaches filled Arielle’s heart with tranquil contentment. Her heart thumped double-time as they passed the location where she had first set eyes on her dream come true: Sebastian. I can’t imagine my life without him now, she thought.

  Everyone commented on the beauty of the place. “It’s paradise,” Eva said, summing it up. Everyone agreed with her.

  Arielle couldn’t wait for them to see Sebastian’s amazing house. The road traveled mostly along the beach, making it a peaceful and relaxing drive. As they drew nearer to the house, Arielle could see her friends’ faces changing to looks of incredulous wonder. At the huge entrance at the edge of the property was a large sign stating that they were entering private property. The family name was written in beautiful script, “Résidence de Gaulle.”

  The property was covered with flowering rhododendron shrubs with white, lavender, and pink. The aroma from the jasmine was unbelievable. The azaleas were blooming profusely. They drove by a large pond where the reflection of the long grass and the trees surrounding that part of the property shimmered. Slowly, they pulled into the circular driveway in front of the house and stepped out of the car.

  Gabrielle and Eva grabbed Arielle’s hands in excitement. “What a magnificent house!” Eva said, and all of the girls giggled in nervous excitement. Ian looked mesmerized. Troy, on the other hand, looked like all of this was very familiar to him. As they climbed the huge staircase toward the front door, Arielle had to admit the house looked glorious. A thousand times better than I remembered, she thought. With the walls covered in ivy, it looked quite amazing in the sunlight.

  Everyone was speechless trying to absorb the magnificence of the place. Arielle smiled with pleasure as she took Sebastian’s hand and pressed it. He was just preparing to put the key in the lock when the door swung wide open and Mrs. Wilson stood in the opening, a happy smile painted her face.

  “Sebastian, welcome home!”

  “Elena, it’s nice to see you. Let me introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Lloyd, and my friends Troy, Gabrielle, Ian, and Eva. They will be staying with us for a few days.”

  “How wonderful. Welcome, welcome,” she said cheerily. Stepping aside, she let them walk in. Arielle watched her quietly and smiled. She was wondering if Mrs. Wilson remembered her from her visit to the house last summer.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. Wilson’s kind voice.

  “Haven’t we met before, dear?” she asked, gazing at Arielle inquisitively.

  “Yes, Mrs. Wilson, I was here last summer with my little cousin and you gave us a tour of the house,” Arielle replied, smiling shyly.

  “Ahh, that’s right, I remember now. I’m happy to see you again, and please, call me Elena.”

  Inside the front hall Sebastian introduced them to his butler, Mr. Struthers, and another housekeeper, Mrs. Lefevre.

  As they went through the introductions, Arielle and her friends, except Troy, were aware that they were stepping into an amazing world, a world with which they had very little experience. It was thrilling. Sebastian wrapped his arm around Arielle’s waist and pulled her into the foyer. She laughed out loud when she heard all of her friends cry out in harmony.

  “Wow! What a place.” Ian let out a long whistle.

  “If these walls could talk…” Eva said as she lea
ned closer to Ian.

  “What do you mean?” Ian asked, turning back to look at her.

  “Well, I’m sure we would have been told fascinating stories about this house, or should I say this castle. Somehow the word ‘house’ doesn’t fit this spectacular place. I would love to get an evocative glimpse of the past.”

  Sebastian heard Eva’s comments, and as he glanced back, Eva noticed the ghost of a smile touching his lips. Her eyebrows furrowed. “Well?” she asked, looking pointedly at Sebastian.

  His smile became more evident. “It’s true,” he said. His gaze swept the surroundings. “This house has been through some horrid times and has borne witness to some tumultuous events, such as during the Hundred Years War between France and England.” His voice was firm and filled with pride. “There are a few estates similar to this one that are scattered around France and date back to the first century. They have huge landscapes, amazing gardens, stunning lakes, fountains, and awesome, unsurpassed views of the ocean. I have heard that they offer mystique and romance to the people that step inside these estates,” he said. His mouth curved into an enigmatic smile. Silence filled the space between the friends as they stared intently at Sebastian, waiting for him to elaborate on his statement. However, he didn’t. He just shook his head as if he had awakened some long, unheeded memory, and snaking his arm tighter around Arielle, he bent down and brushed his lips against her ear.

  It was Gabrielle who broke the silence. “Was this house ever open to the public?”

  Sebastian didn’t reply at once, his jaw set at a straight line. He seemed to be lost somewhere, in another place and time. Then he replied, his voice cautious, “It was, but that was a very long time ago.”

  Arielle noticed the way the words fell from his lips and the change in the tone of his voice. What in the world is wrong with him? Arielle thought. There’s nothing wrong with Gabby’s question. Looking up, their gazes locked.

  “What is it, Sebastian?”

  Sebastian seemed alarmed that she had been able to see into his troubled thoughts. “Nothing,” he said quickly. Turning his gaze toward Gabrielle, he said, “It is my home now, and it’s closed to the public.”

  Arielle made a mental note to probe Sebastian’s thoughts later on, in the privacy of their room. It was obvious that he didn’t want to discuss it now any further. But again, she couldn’t understand what the big deal was over a simple question such as whether the house had been open to the public.

  “Is the place haunted?” Ian asked, looking around the huge foyer. “I’ve heard that most castles in France are haunted.”

  Sebastian scratched his chin thoughtfully and chuckled. “I’ve never seen any ghosts in this house. I don’t think you need to worry about that. But then again, some mysteries are better kept than shared,” he added, smiling mischievously.

  Arielle’s friends widened their eyes, all except Troy, who laughed out loud at their expressions. Sebastian joined in laughing.

  “He’s playing with you, Ian,” Troy said. “The stories about ghosts are just stories to attract visitors.”

  “Of course, I knew that,” Ian said and laughed along with his friends.

  Gabrielle had moved to the window. She traced the panel with her fingertips. “I sure would love to hear the history behind this house,” she said, glancing at Sebastian with a pleading look.

  “Me too,” Arielle whispered. They were all in agreement.

  Sebastian gave Arielle a playful squeeze. He was happy to walk them through the house and share stories about each face and every portrait. Arielle and her friends were amazed at the amount of information and the details he provided. There were stories behind almost every piece of furniture and every piece of art.

  “It’s like listening to a CD from the History channel,” Arielle said delightedly.

  Sebastian arched a brow. He bent down and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. He told them about the stones and other materials that his ancestors had shipped to St. Jean to create this massive, beautiful structure, as well as the names of famous masons and architects of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries who had put themselves, body and soul, into completing the work. He talked about the woodcarvers who spent thousands of hours carving the shapes and designs that decorated the window panels, doors, and ceilings; about the sculptors who created the beautiful statues in the house; and finally, the famous artists who painted the canvases that covered the walls.

  “What about the tapestries? Were those purchased or made by the ladies who lived here?” Gabrielle asked.

  “Some were purchased during trips to the Far East, and others were handmade in this house,” Sebastian answered. “Some of them were made by my great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Gaulle. She loved to create beautiful art. She made all the tapestries that are hanging on the halls upstairs. Her portrait is right here.”

  He walked slowly and stopped in front of the portrait of a lady. Her beauty was striking. The color of her eyes was a deep green, just like Sebastian’s. Her lips were sensuous, and her hair was long and dark. The hair color made her pale face stand out like a statue of a goddess. Just below the portrait, a label read, “Elizabeth Gaulle.”

  “She is stunning,” Arielle said, wonderment in her voice. “Her eyes are that amazing emerald green color, the same as yours.”

  “I have my mother’s eyes, and she had her mother’s eyes,” he murmured softly so the others couldn’t hear.

  “I would love to see a portrait of your mother,” Arielle whispered, casting a glance at their friends, who were engrossed in examining various portraits on the wall.

  Sebastian clasped her hand and pulled her a few feet down the corridor, stopping in front of another portrait. Arielle was anxious to look at the face of the woman who had given birth to her gorgeous dream. She approached the painting and stared. She was a striking woman.

  “She’s lovely,” Arielle said, smiling with pleasure. Reaching up, she ran the back of her hand down Sebastian’s amazing face. He trapped her with his gaze, and drawing a taut breath, he nodded.

  “Sebastian, she is gorgeous,” Gabrielle and Eva said with one voice, coming up behind them.

  Sebastian smiled and looked at the painting of his mother with pride. “I know,” he said, a slight catch in his velvety voice. “This was my great grandmother,” he added, knowing the questions that would arise from Eva and Ian if he told them the truth.

  Arielle leaned closer to read the name below the portrait. It read, “Syele Gaulle.”

  “Syele,” she whispered. “What a fascinating name!”

  “That was my great-great-great-grandmother’s name as well,” Sebastian added and tightened his grip on her arm. Turning to face his friends, he smiled lightly. “Let’s go upstairs. I will show you the bedrooms, and you can choose where you want to stay. They have all been prepared, and all the views are wonderful, so just make your choices and take as much time as you like to freshen up. We’ll meet—let’s say in a couple of hours—down at the library, if that is all right with you.”

  They climbed the huge staircase together, and suddenly Arielle was back in a familiar hallway. This was the very hallway that had sent waves of fright down her spine the last time she was here. But somehow, she didn’t feel the same way now. She felt safe and warm walking next to Sebastian. As if he could hear her thoughts, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to his side.

  All the bedrooms were spacious and decorated with exquisite taste. Gabrielle and Eva picked bedrooms with views of the cliffs and the beautiful ocean extending as far as the eye could see. Gabrielle looked at Arielle with a great big smile, her eyes bright with excitement. Eva ran over and hugged Sebastian and Arielle, and the guys shook Sebastian’s hand with pure delight. As Sebastian and Arielle walked away, they could hear them all chattering with exhilaration about the house and the location.

  They walked down a long hallway and finally arrived at Sebastian’s room, which was located at the west corner of the house. Ari
elle yelped as he scooped her up in his arms, as if she were completely weightless, and carried her into the bedroom. She felt her mouth fall open in surprise. She was stunned by the grandeur of the room. It was huge and decorated with impeccable taste. The furniture looked expensive and quite old. Arielle was sure that these were precious antiques. Sebastian’s bed was massive. It featured a remarkable backboard carved with beautiful images of foliage, birds, and flowers that looked like rare orchids. The bed cover was magnificent. It was made of black silk with brown and cream designs that matched the backboard carvings. A huge pile of pillows was heaped on the bed. Sebastian set her down, and Arielle suddenly had a strange desire to run and jump on the bed. She was sure it would be soft and inviting. She suppressed the desire, giggling at the thought as she moved around the room exploring.

  Sebastian stood leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed against his chest, watching her.

  “What’s so funny?”

  She glanced his way, and her lips curved up.

  “The bed is huge. I’ll need a ladder to get up there,” she said, giggling again.

  “That will not be necessary,” he said, moving so fast that she gasped in shock. He picked her up and quickly set her in the middle of the bed. Arielle giggled with delight.

  “That wasn’t hard at all, was it?” he said, laughing out loud.

  Arielle loved listening to the sound of his laughter. “No, not for you, but what if I’m here alone?”

  “Oh… trust me, you’ll never be alone in this bed, baby,” he said. He reached out and pulled her off the bed and into his tight embrace. “Welcome home, sweetheart,” he whispered and brushed his lips against hers.

  His words startled Arielle. She had never believed that she could be the lady of a magnificent house like this one.

  “You have got to be joking.”