Forbidden

Megan decided to head into the library and when she told Gabriel, he let her go without complaint. It didn't escape Megan's notice that he wouldn't look at her. Maybe he needed to sort through his thoughts as badly as she did. That kiss had caught her by surprise but the kiss itself hadn't been as surprising as her response to it had been. 

It seemed that being terrified of the man was not enough of a reason for Megan's body to be repulsed by Gabriel. Not only had she kissed him back, but she also hadn't wanted him to stop kissing her. Heaven help her, but Megan now knew that she desired Gabriel in a way she had never desired anyone else. 

Megan had enough suitors in the last five years to understand how nice it could feel to be pursued by a handsome man. She also knew what it was like to enjoy the thrill of a few stolen kisses, but she had never wanted before. Megan had never wanted to find out what came next. She had never responded to anyone's touch like she had Gabriel's. The only reason she wasn't absolutely mortified was because he was her husband. 

Megan was somewhat mollified by the feeling that Gabriel had been equally as desperate for her as she was for him. What bothered her was that she knew he was also the monster she had seen the night before and didn't know what that meant in relation to the man she went into the garden with today. 

Could Gabriel be both man and monster and if so; what happened to his previous wives? Were they all happily living out their lives in exotic locals rich from Gabriels's hush money? Why had they each failed to keep him when the thirty days were up? Megan desperately needed to know what was going on there. Had Gabriel turned into the monster and accidentally killed his wives? 

Megan flopped down on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. Everything that had happened since meeting Gabriel North had felt like a mystery. The mysteries had mysteries in this place. Megan stood again walking from shelf to shelf checking out the contents of the bookshelves. There were all kinds of books from every genre in both fiction and non-fiction. This place had everything. 

Megan threw her head back expelling a heavy breath and stared at the ceiling above her. When she went to straighten up something odd caught her attention. In the top shelf of every bookshelf, Megan could see books covered by a metal grate. Each of these metal grates was held secure by an old-fashioned heavy padlock. Megan grabbed the rolling ladder and climbed to the top step so she could inspect the grate and lock. It was secure and would not open without a key. 

Why were these books forbidden? Were they rare expensive books? Megan read a few of the titles curious to see what kinds of books were locked up. There were books about religion, some about creatures, and many about magic. Magic? Could magic explain what was going on in this house? That would assume of course that Megan believed that magic could exist, which she didn't. Megan didn't believe in the supernatural but what other explanation could there be? 

Megan felt like she was trying to outdo her own confusion with each new discovery. She needed to understand why there were so many books in this library that were forbidden. She hoped it was that they were expensive first editions that were being protected from dirty fingers. She was sure that was what it had to be. 

Megan was not sure what to do or think about her reaction to Gabriel in the garden but perhaps she was now at an age where her body wanted something more. He was her husband after all. Perhaps there were worse things than sharing an attraction with her husband. If he didn't intend to kill her maybe they could use their time better in the future when they had to deal with each other. 

For the next thirty days she had to acquiesce to Gabriel as her husband. She could fight every minute, or she could try to get by without causing waves. She wasn't going to be a pushover and she would get to the bottom of what was going on in this house, but it would be easier if she wasn't terrified or despondent. 

Dealing with Gabriel was simply necessary in this situation. There was no way around it. Megan didn't want to see the monster again; it had been too scary, but she hadn't been attacked. Had Gabriel been about to attack her? It didn't seem like he had been doing anything other than getting close to her.

If being close to her brought out the monster, then shouldn't she keep him away from her? Was that even possible? Megan's thoughts swirled like a hurricane around her. She felt like she was going in circles and getting nowhere. 

Megan flopped back down in the leather armchair wishing she had her cellphone. A moment later she heard the familiar notification ding and looked up. Her lavender smartphone was sitting on the edge of the coffee table in front of her. She knew that hadn't been there before.

Megan knew where in her family's home her cell phone had been left. It had been on the nightstand in her room on the charger. Her charging cable was still plugged into the phone on the coffee table. This was completely impossible. 

Megan reached out and picked up the phone. She double checked to see if it was indeed her phone, and it was. After a moment of disbelief, she unlocked the phone and began scrolling through her notifications. Megan had multiple calls and texts from Angelina. She also had a dozen calls from Caden and at least that many texts. 

Caden was frantic knowing that her father was likely being hard on her. He was worried that something bad had happened to her. Angelina was much the same as Caden, wondering if the fallout was bad and asking if there was anything she could do to help. Megan wanted to respond to them both but wasn't sure what to say. She knew that Angelina would want to see her, and she wasn't sure if that was even possible. 

Finally, after a few more minutes contemplation Megan sent out texts to both telling them that she was okay, she would call them soon, and not to worry or stop by. She would be in touch soon. Megan hoped that would be enough but somehow doubted it. Megan hit the lock on her phone and stored it in her back pocket stuffing the cord in her front pocket. 

Megan headed out of the library toward the study to tell Gabriel she was headed upstairs. Megan wanted to really look at the closet and see whether she needed to send for her clothes or not. When she came up to the study door it was open a crack. 

"Do you think that will affect her?" Gabriel asked near the door. 

"I don't know, Sire..." Afton responded from across the room. 

Suddenly the door was pulled open, and Gabriel was right there. His expression was severe until he noted that Megan's hand was raised in the process of knocking. 

"Sorry to interrupt, I wanted to let you know that I am heading upstairs to see if I need anything from my father's house." Megan said, feeling slightly on edge from the look Gabriel had given her when he first opened the door. 

"That is very considerate sweetheart. Thank you. I will be up to check on you soon." Gabriel tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Megan nodded and walked off as Gabriel turned back into the room. 

Megan had a new mystery. Afton had called Gabriel, Sire. Wasn't that term reserved for Kings?