Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

needed protecting, but she was beginning to realize that Noel had a

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power all her own. When it came down to the matter of who was to

be accepted into the family and who was denied hospitality, Noel

had the final say for everyone that lived under her roof. Not even

Lucas would be able to break away from that without being forced

to leave his entire family behind. Helen had been denied Noel?s

blessing, and that was the end of it.

Helen managed to stand up and make her way to the door but

when she got there she paused. ?May I ask you one more question??

Helen said, following an impulse. She waited politely for

Noel to nod before continuing. ?What would you have named

Lucas??

?Tradition would have led us to name him after Castor?s father.?

Noel?s face was closed.

?And what was that?? Helen asked, already half knowing what

Lucas?s name would have been, what it should have been if his

mother and father had followed the rules.

?Paris,? Noel replied, unable to look Helen in the eye.

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.....................................................................

Chapter Fifteen

The meadow went on and on and on?endlessly. There

was only one type of flower that grew here?a small

blossom so pale it was nearly transparent. No bees

buzzed around these flowers and none of them altered

from their precise alignment unless Helen brushed

against them. They were infertile things that had no scent, sustained