Heavenly Desire Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Praise for J. L. Sheppard

  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

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  A word about the author...

  Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  Heavenly Desire

  by

  J. L. Sheppard

  Elemental Sisters Series, Book III

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Heavenly Desire

  COPYRIGHT © 2014 by J. L. Sheppard

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by Angela Anderson

  The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  PO Box 708

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Black Rose Edition, 2014

  Print ISBN 978-1-62830-454-1

  Digital ISBN 978-1-62830-455-8

  Elemental Sisters Series, Book III

  Published in the United States of America

  Praise for J. L. Sheppard

  “Ms. Sheppard provides a solid foundation and introduction to a unique band of characters with each one standing up to be counted.”

  ~Coffee Time Romance

  ~*~

  “The author uses vivid descriptions and intense details to capture the imagination and enchanting characters with strong charismatic personalities that grab the reader’s attention and doesn’t let go.”

  ~The Romance Reviews

  ~*~

  “If you love a good paranormal romance, then I can’t recommend this book highly enough. This series ranks up there with some of my favorites.”

  ~Paranormal Romance Guild

  ~*~

  “I was sucked into this story and all the accompanying supernatural creatures and couldn’t put it down! Dang Real Life for invading my reading time!”

  ~My Secret Romance Reviews

  ~*~

  “The only question you will have when you finish each book is when is the next one coming out?”

  ~Paranormal Romance Guild

  ~*~

  “This story was filled with, action, danger, hot, steamy, sexy moments and tense ones as well... If you are a paranormal lover, this is the book and series for you!”

  ~Book Fri-Ends

  Dedication

  For Charlie.

  Gone, but never forgotten.

  Chapter 1

  Peace filled Clyde’s soul as the scent of lavender fully infiltrated his senses. The blinding light surrounding him shined brighter than the sun on a cloudless day, permeating his body and soothing any worries, burdens and sorrows. In heaven’s light, beauty and peace were one. The world’s true brilliance and harmony were felt as deeply as they were sensed. Kneeling in the Dome of Angels, the dwelling where angels gathered to soothe their souls and banish all human thoughts, Clyde felt heaven’s light radiating inside him.

  Over the last few months, he’d spent more and more time in the dome fighting diligently to rid himself of his earthbound mannerisms and emotions.

  He was an angel. His primary duty was to ensure destiny was met. Because of an angel’s main purpose, his mind had to be unbiased and impartial. Emotions only hindered this ability.

  And yet, the many undesired qualities he’d acquired hadn’t faded, and he constantly wondered if they ever would. He wouldn’t be in his current predicament if he hadn’t been assigned as guardian to an Elemental, a new breed of immortals. His duty had forced him to live among mortals and immortals who felt and expressed themselves freely for two decades, and it had cost him. He’d acquired earthbound mannerisms and emotions. While still his duty to protect Jenna, the Elemental he guarded and guided, she’d recently mated a demon, the most reviled of the immortal breeds, and she hadn’t had much need for Clyde. Jenna, to his disbelief at first, was safe with her fated mate.

  Jenna…

  Her name still caused a stir of emotions within him. For thirteen years, he’d guarded her out of sight, from the time she was orphaned until she entered college at New York University. He had come to the conclusion over the last several months it was then and there he’d shed himself of his status. Carrying a power-concealing medallion, he’d become “mortal,” registered at New York University and befriended her. Years later, their bond was so strong he’d been unable to accept she was destined for a demon, an immortal who loved and would give his life for her, but a demon just the same.

  Clyde couldn’t deny he loved Jenna, and he feared he’d always love her no matter how much time he spent in heaven, no matter how much he tried to ignore the emotions she’d stirred, but his love for her was the type of love mortals and immortals felt for siblings. It wasn’t the kind of consuming, carnal love of a mating for he was an angel, and angels didn’t mate.

  Nonetheless, at the time, Jenna mating a demon appeared the most ludicrous idea he’d heard or seen since his creation two thousand years ago. He had broken rules and revealed who he truly was before he was instructed to do so. In time, he’d realized the demon was mated to Jenna, and he’d unwisely told her to ignore destiny, her need for the demon. In the end, he’d been wrong. Jenna was destined for the demon as the demon was destined for her. But he’d let his love for her cloud his judgment and he’d interfered, failing her as a guardian, failing himself and his breed. Why the Angel Lords had praised him for his success was still beyond him.

  He briefly shook his head before he realized what he’d done, then berated himself for the earthbound mannerism and quickly prevented himself from sighing in defeat.

  Now he spent his spare time in heaven hoping to rid himself of the undesired qualities he possessed, as if he were part of any other immortal breed.

  He heard his name in a whisper like a hymn and felt a pull inside him urging him to seek the Angel Lords. Closing his eyes, he envisioned himself in the Angel Lord den. A white light surrounded him then enveloped him. Opening his eyes, he was greeted by the five Angel Lords: Gabriel, Ariel, Uriel, Raphael and Halaliel.

  “Welcome, Clyde,” Gabriel said, his piercing olive-green eyes settling on him.

  Clyde bowed, then regarded each of the Lords.

  “We have decided your time has come to become a warrior,” Gabriel said.

  Clyde’s eyes widened. Becoming an angel class warrior to fight for God’s will had always been his goal. Although his wings had recently grown specks of silver, a clear sign he was becoming a warrior, he never imagined it would happen this quickly. After all, in all the heavens he was the least deserving. His weakness and his faults were too many.

  “We have another assignment for you before the time comes for your promotion,” blond-haired Ariel said impassi
vely.

  “We also realize you have been spending more time in the heavens, you may not be aware one of the guardian angels entrusted to one of the Elementals has fallen,” Uriel advised.

  Clyde listened stoically, though the knowledge of one of his own falling grieved him.

  Uriel continued, “His duty was to guard Jade. Why he decided to attempt to capture Jocelyn instead is beyond us as is the reason for his betrayal.”

  Without thought, Clyde nodded then once again berated himself anew because an angel, a real one wouldn’t nod.

  “You are to ensure her safety. Take her to her sisters, and do not under any circumstance leave her,” Raphael warned.

  “There will be a decision made on your behalf. I hope you do not fail us,” Gabriel finished.

  With those words, a reel of images assailed him: Jade as a child, as a teen, in high school, moving to Paris and then a final glimpse of Jade in a bakery in London with her dark hair cascading around her and a spark of humor in her eyes.

  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen with chocolate dark hair, big expressive eyes, high cheekbones, a slightly upturned nose and a smile that he was sure made men stumble.

  He shouldn’t be surprised, after all both Jenna and Jocelyn were beautiful.

  He shut his eyes as his chest tightened painfully unhinging something deep inside him then he released a heavy breath.

  “Clyde, we do not need to remind you how important the Elementals are in the upcoming war. They will determine whether mortals survive.”

  “You do not. I will not fail you,” he replied.

  With those last words, he faded from their presence.

  Chapter 2

  The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries filled Clyde’s senses as he strode inside the bakery in London, England, mere blocks away from Big Ben. Dozens of mortals waited to order their first meal of the day. He stood behind the last mortal and patiently searched for a glimpse of Jade. His eyes drifted behind the counter scanning the employees of the bakery: a woman in her mid-twenties with dark hair and green eyes, an older man in his forties with bushy eyebrows but no Jade.

  As he neared his turn, he noticed the fair-haired cashier. She must have been in her late teens, wore rose-colored trimmed glasses, and freckles sprinkled her cheeks. She took the mortal male’s order then Clyde drew closer to the counter. It was his turn. Still he hadn’t laid eyes on Jade.

  “One moment, please,” the cashier said then quickly turned and strode toward a swinging door leading into the kitchen. She pushed it open, focusing her attention toward the back of the bakery and yelled, “Ashley! Ash! We’re running low on bread.”

  A thin brunette with high cheekbones marred with flour, a slightly upturned nose and full lips, dressed in a pair of jeans and a white baker’s chef coat stepped from behind the door. Her dark hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and her aura, a luminescent blue, surrounded her like a halo.

  Jade, who apparently didn’t go by Jade, but by Ashley, which he knew was her middle name.

  He recognized her instantly. If his sight had failed him, still he would’ve known her because his heart recognized her, his chest ached when she came to view. He pressed the palm of his hand to his chest unsettled by the feeling the vision of her evoked, a feeling he couldn’t quite describe.

  “It’s almost out of the oven. I’ll bring it out in a few,” she said. Her gaze drifted and met his, and she smiled genuinely.

  His heart lurched at the sight. He’d been right. With that smile, men would stumble. Beautiful, the thought glided through his mind.

  Too soon, she turned and wandered into the kitchen.

  “Sir.” He barely heard the cashier. “Excuse me, sir.”

  He shifted his attention toward the sound of the voice calling him and settled his gaze on the cashier. He blinked then shook his head attempting to dispel the image of Jade seared in his brain. The haze surrounding him partially lifted then further when he noticed the soft smile tugging at the sides of the teen’s mouth.

  He released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d held then cleared his throat. “Yes, sorry. I would like whatever the baker recommends.”

  Her smile widened. “She recommends everything in this bakery. You’ll have to be more specific.”

  “Does she? Well, what’s her favorite? I’ll have that.”

  “She loves the puff pastries,” she giggled. “Anything to drink?”

  He wondered what the teen found so amusing, then just as easily disregarded it when Jade walked through the door holding a large rack of bread that dwarfed her. He watched her, enthralled as she set it on the countertop then placed the loaves on the display.

  “Sir, would you like anything to drink?” the cashier asked again distracting him.

  Without removing his gaze from Jade, he mumbled, “Yes, coffee, black, no sugar.”

  “That will be 5.50 pounds, sir.”

  He pulled out his wallet and handed her ten pounds. “Keep the change,” he said as his gaze continued to trail Jade heading toward the door and out of sight once again.

  He sighed heavily, missing her already.

  “Sir… sir.”

  His stare snapped toward the cashier.

  “Your coffee and pastry.”

  “Thank you.” Grabbing his coffee and puff pastry, he headed to the front of the bakery intent on watching Jade from a distance.

  He had a job to do, keep Jade Ashley safe, and he would do it thoroughly while he decided when and how to tell her he’d come for her. As an angel, he possessed superior abilities—abilities immortals from other breeds could only dream of. One in particular would come in handy during the next few days, his ability to shift to spirit form, becoming invisible to mortal and immortal eyes.

  For the next hour, he pretended to read the paper, enjoying his coffee and pastry and waiting for his next glimpse of her.

  He was rewarded every so often catching sight of her from the corner of his eye as she brought out freshly baked pastries, bread and pies.

  Every time the urge to turn and stare her way gnawed, and every glimpse made him crave the next.

  You’ll never be the same, his conscience advised in forethought. He tensed wondering where the thought had derived.

  Not a moment later, Ashley reappeared. He couldn’t help himself if he’d tried. He gazed her way.

  The warning forgotten.

  ****

  “Ash!” Brenda, the fair-haired cashier with freckles, hollered.

  Ashley turned her attention from her pastry mix toward the teen. “Yeah.”

  “He’s here again,” Brenda said excitedly.

  Her eyes darted toward one of the ovens ensuring the baking bread was rising then she absentmindedly asked, “Who?”

  “The guy.”

  Ashley played the fool knowing exactly who Brenda referred to and gave her co-worker a befuddled expression.

  “You know the handsome dark-haired, blue-eyed stud who’s been coming in every day for the past four days just to get a glimpse of you.”

  Ashley sighed and waved her hand in disregard, “So?”

  “What do you mean so? The guy is into you. He comes every day for breakfast and lunch just to get a look at you.”

  “So you’re saying he’s stalking me?”

  “No. I’m saying he’s into you. You know he’s hot,” Brenda said, fanning her face with her hand.

  Ashley didn’t know what to think. Yes, the guy was extremely attractive. Her knees had practically buckled when her eyes had met his and held that first day. Who could blame her? His eyes were a deep, bright sapphire color, intense, engrossing and alluring. She’d barely been able to look away. From what she had heard he was polite, too, but it didn’t change the fact she didn’t know him, and she didn’t need or want any complications.

  Her hours at the bakery were long and unpredictable. One of their evening employees often called in sick, and pushover that she was, Ashley always filled in for her. As a result,
she’d been working fifteen hour days every other day for the past month. Her boss had yet to fire the employee or hire someone new and didn’t seem interested in the prospect either. In her opinion, they could use at least two new hires. The bakery’s business was at an all-time high.

  “How do you know he’s interested in me? He could just really like our puff pastries,” she said nonchalantly.

  “Don’t you wish,” Brenda replied. “I mean they’re great because you’re a great baker, but people can’t live off of them. Besides, you should have seen him that first day—”

  “I know. I know,” she said cutting Brenda off.

  Having heard the story every day for the past four days, she was simply tired of hearing how he couldn’t take his eyes off of her and how he asked about her favorite menu item. Her co-workers found it very amusing.

  “Aw, come on. Don’t get mad. You know we only tease you so you’ll finally start dating. You’ve been here for what…two months, and you’ve yet to socialize with anyone but us. You really need to get out and enjoy the city.”

  Ashley shrugged, pondering how she was expected to enjoy the city when it was always raining. She’d hated the rain now more than ever.

  Why had she decided to move to London? Oh right, because her French sucked. Had she done some research on the weather beforehand, she would have never moved to London. There were other job offers. Several in France, another in Italy, one in Germany and several others in the United States, but she refused to move any other place besides London. It had appealed to her the most since English was the primary language, and it was still an ocean away from her adoptive father in the U.S.

  “I don’t know what you mean. I really don’t have time for anything besides work, and I’m still trying to settle in,” she reasoned.

  “First, you need to stop filling in for Maggie. Second, I’m sure you’re still trying to settle in. But listen, you can ignore this guy all you want and pretend you aren’t interested in the least. I know better, and you know how men are. They don’t wait around forever.”

  No they don’t, she thought as the memory of her first and last boyfriend came to mind. They had dated for two years in her hometown. When she told him she had been accepted to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, he had broken things off. As expected, she’d been heartbroken. He was her first and only love and believed they would marry someday. He’d had other plans, plans that didn’t include her. That and he was “done waiting” for her as he claimed.