MakeMeBelieve
ShilohWalker
Copyright
©2003ShilohWalker,Inc
Reissued2017
CoverDesign©ShilohWalker
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are
products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be
construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or
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ChapterOne
“Nikolai.”
Thegleamingblackheaddidn’tsomuchasliftinacknowledgment.
Buttheleaderknewhewasaware.
“Youdidnotcometoourmeeting.”
Asoftsighfilledtheroom.
“HowmanytimesmustItellyou?‘TisbadenoughintheeyesoftheCouncilthatI
havechosenanunmatedmanasmysuccessor–”
“Oneofthree.”
ThelowdeeptimbreofhisvoicestillheldtherichhintsofRussia,theechoesofhis
homelandfromcenturiespast.
“It doesn’t matter if you are one of a thousand. You are unmated, you shirk our
traditions,youdonotactasoneofus,dressasoneofus.”
“Renounceme,”Nikolaisuggestedpithilyashecontinuedtocarveanangelfroma
pieceofcrystal.Dreamyblueeyesnarrowedinconcentration,thoughhewasfullyaware
of the concerns of his mentor—once his master. Now his friend. But Nikolai had more
importantconcernsonhismindthanwhetherornottheNorthCouncilchosehim.
Once,ithadbeenthemostimportantthingtohim.
Once…
Chelly lowered herself gently down onto the couch, afraid her body was going to
shatter.Thepapersinherhandsealedherfate.
The bastard was trying to take Bryan from her, saying she was unfit, losing her
mind,dreamingofplaces,men,worldsthatdidn’texist.Certainlynotfittotakecareofa
normalboy,muchlessahandicappedone,onewithspecialneeds.
“Our son isn’t handicapped, you cold ass son of a bitch,” she hissed. Then her
emerald green eyes narrowed. “My son. My son.” Drawing her knees to her chest, she
restedhercheekonthemandsighedshakily.“Nikolai…thisisallyourfault.”
Ofcourse…whatgooddoesitdoblamingitonyou?
Youaren’treal.
Iamgoingcrazy.
Shehadfirsthaddreamsofhimwhenshewassmall,justfive.Rightafterthedeath
ofherparents,onChristmasEve.Theyhadbeenoutdoingsomelastminuteshopping.A
desperate druggie, looking for money, needing that next fix and her parents had been
wealthylookingtargets.Hehadn’tcaredhehadrobbedachildofherparents,herfocus,
andonChristmasEve,themostmagicaldayoftheyear.
Itwouldhavestoppedbeingsomagicalthatday.
Butagentle,smilingmanwithkind,caringeyeshadcometoherinhertear-filled
dreams and whispered soothing things, promised her that her parents were well, and
together and she would see them again, she just must be good and patient…and she
mustn’t cry so…Christmas was coming. A man who made magical things happen as he
spun snowflakes from his hands, and made rainbows come alive in midair while she
watched.
Amanwhohadeyesthatglowedinthedimnessoftheroom,andcurving,pointed
ears.
DamnChristmas!
Hehadlaughedatheroutburstandpickedherup,cuddledher,strokedherdowny,
goldencurls.Da,da,youfeelthiswaynow,Iknow.Butnotforalways.Sleep,littleone.
Sleep.
Thatwasthefirsttimehehadcometoher,thoughnotthelast.Herimaginaryfriend
wasn’tthetypicalone.Herswasatall,handsomeman,withhairthatbilloweddowntohis
waist, impossibly blue eyes, and curved pointing ears…elf ears. A handsome fairy tale
prince.Andasshewentfromgirltoteen,hebecamethefocusofallherdaydreams,her
firstteenagecrush,amanwhodidn’texist.
This imaginary friend who never went away, who knew her better than she knew
herself.
Itwouldn’thavebeensobadifshehadkepttheknowledgecompletelytoherself.If
shehadn’ttakentowritingherdaydreamsdowninjournals,orletterstohim.Whichwas
howNatehadfoundoutaboutNikolai.Hehadfoundthejournalsinsidethewoodenchest
in her home office, filled with years of lovingly cared for journals—page upon page of
thoughts,letters,andsketchesofthemanwhowasn’treal.
Chellyhadlaugheditoff.
Shedidn’trealizehowveryrealNikolaiwastoher.Itwaswrittenalloverherface,
inthewayhereyessoftened,hermouth,thewayherentirebodyseemedtorelaxandgo
into preparation for his touch. Nate had seen it—and hated the man whose image was
vaguelysimilartohisown.
No.Sheshouldhavekeptherthoughtstoherself.
And she should have listened when Nikolai had warned her, hell, threatened her
aboutmarryingNatewhenshefoundoutshewascarryingBryan.Shehadfullyintended
totakecareofthebabyonherown,butNatehadtalkedherintoit,lulledherintothinking
hetrulylovedher,thepompousbastard.
Nikolaihadwarnedher—
Andshewasdoingitagain,thinkingabouthimasthoughhewerereal.
MaybeNatewasright,maybeshewascrazy.
ChapterTwo
“I am real, you contrary little minx,” he murmured into the mirror, narrowing his
eyes,frowningassheburiedherfaceagainstherknees.Whywasshesosadnow,hislittle
angel?Histimewithherwasbitterlyshort,andithadbeennearlysixmonthssincehehad
seen her and the little one last, just a few days after she had broken her union with that
bastardwhowassounworthyofher.
Nikolai shook his head and pulled himself away from the mirror, away from the
womanwhohadpulledhimforyears.Somuchtobedone.Christmaswasonlyamonth
away,andhehadmuchtodo,theyalldid.
He did not have the time to sit around and yearn for the sloe eyed minx that had
hauntedhimforyears.
Rhys would love to see him now, yearning and sighing after a young mortal he
could never have. Just another thing to make him even more melancholy, another mark
againsthim,intheeyesoftheCouncil.Rhyswasunmatedaswell,butatleasthewasnot
asomber,unsmilingbastard,ashesooftenpointedouttoNikolai.
With a grim sigh, Nikolai turned away from the mirror and focused on the task at
head.Work.Therewasworktobedone.
*****
OneYearLater
Gone…
Missing…
Every mother’s worst nightmare, and Chelly was living it. Nate hadn’t returned
Bryanfromhisvisitation.Had,infact,abscondedwithhim,withhisnewfiancée,clearing
out their house, and fleeing the state. Chelly paced the living room as cops and federal
peoplesurroundedher,talkingaroundherandthroughher,butrarelytoher.
She jumped every time the phone rang, and slept only in stops and starts. With
shaking hands, last week she had flushed her medicines down the toilet. Medicines she
hadn’t needed—she wasn’t depressed and she wasn’t suffering from hallucinations or
delusions. Her headaches still plagued her and would take a while to go away, but she
wouldnolongpretendthatshewasdelusionalandneededmedicinesjusttokeepherex-
husbandhappy.Hell,hetakenBryanawayfromanyway.
AsshepacedtheroomontheeighthdayofBryan’skidnapping,shegrewawareof
howquiettheroomhadfallen.Slowly,sheturnedandmetAgentMcKiernan’sfadedgrey
eyes,setinhistiredface.Hegazedatherfromacrosstheroomashecrossedovertomeet
her,andsherealizedheheldhiscellphone.Cellphone…
Shepulledhereyesawayfromitandstartedtobackaway.
No.
“Chelly…they’vefoundyourex-husbandandhisfiancee.Andyourson…”
*****
Herpainwastearingathim.
Nikolaifeltitinhisheartlikeagreatrippingbeast.
It was her need that pulled him, her hunger, her wishes. More often than not, she
merely pulled his consciousness into her dreams, and he would try to soothe whatever
troubledher.
Ofttimes,hermiserywasgreat–shetookonmuchandshedidtoolittleforherself,
ignoredherownheart,herdesires,herneeds.Ahh,therewouldbenosimplesoothingthis
time,Nikolaiknew.Staringthroughthemirror,hestudiedthechild.Bryan,ahappy,rather
astoundingchild,heknew.Andhelayfightingforhislife.Mortalbodiesweresofrail.An
oldscar,veryold,lowonhisbelly,wasproofofthat.Nikolaihadbeenmortal…once.
Awoundedchild,grievouslywounded,inRussianearlythousandyearsago,hehad
been hunting with his father at the age of nine. His father hadn’t survived the thieves
attack on their camp. Nikolai wouldn’t have. But Alisdair had come upon them, that
wintry frozen night as he lay bleeding to death from the ragged knife wound low in his
belly,stillclutchingtheknifehehadusedononeofthethievesashetriedtoprotecthis
father’sfallenbody.
Da.Mortalbodieswerefrail.
Chantelle lay with her head down on the bed linens on the narrow hospital bed
sobbing.
Theboywasstillyoungenough…hecouldbemadeelf-kin.
Butthemother…thatoptionsimplywasn’tthere.
Andshewasn’tlikelytoforgivehimeasilyeither.
Hewaiteduntilshehadfallentohersleep.Shewasweary—oncesleepheldherin
itsbond,therewasnowakingforher,buthebrushedhismindtohersandwhisperedof
sleep just to be certain. Then Nikolai went to the boy and hunkered down beside him,
cuppinghisfaceandeasinginsidehismind.Ahhh…thepain…soyoungtofeelsuchpain…
Hefelttheboy’ssuddenjerk,hisstartlementasherecognizedaphantomtouchin
his mind. Then his fear…”Do not be afraid, boy, I come to give good thing,” he
whispered.“Totakethiskindofpainawayforeverandever.”
“Nonononononono….Mama!”
In reality, the boy did was whimper, but it was enough. Wrapping his arms tight
aroundthechild,Nikolaiopenedhiseyes,aflashofmoonlightfallingacrosshiseyesas
hestaredatChellyjustasshewoke.“Nomorepain,Bryan,Ipromise.”
*****
Chelly awoke to see a familiar, glowing pair of eyes… dreamy, soft and blue…
awash with light, the face in shadow…as a man lifted Bryan, still hooked up to various
machinesandmonitors.Andtheyweregone,beforeshecouldevendrawinthebreathask
whointhehellhewas.
Butshedidn’tneedto.
Chellyknewthoseeyes.Theyhauntedherdreams,bothsleepingandwaking.
Nikolai…
The soft husky voice rolled through her mind even as she opened her mouth to
screamasnursescamerunningin.Shootingupoutofherchair,shefilledtheroomwith
lightsandwhirledaround,staringattheroom.Hewasgone.Wellandtrulygone.Notout
thewindow,orthedoor,justgone.Herbreathleftherlungsinashudderinggaspandher
teeth were chattering as she stared at the nurses who started to ask where the boy had
gone.
Andshehadtowhisper…“Idon’tknow…”
Butthenshegotmadandwhirledonthenurses.“Howcansomebodyjustcomein
hereandtakeachildwhiletheirmomissleeping?Whereismyson?”Notthatanybody
hadanyanswers…saveforoneman,amanwhosefaceandmemoryshehaddrownedout
withpillsandwillforayear.
Stalking into the room, she went to the small bathroom and splashed water on her
face,draggedherhandsthroughherhair.Sheglaredatherreflectionandleanedcloserto
whisper,“Nikolai,whereismyson?”
ChapterThree
“Whereismyson?”
ThatlowfuriousfemalewhisperraspedthroughthehallsofNikolai’sroomsandhe
lifted his head the still child who lay on his bed. Ganessa looked up from Bryan and
smiledsympathetically.“Shewillbesoangry.”
“Angry is better than heartbroken, da? He would not have survived such grievous
injuries,Ganessa.”Longsilkenhairspilledlikeanebonycapearoundhisbroadshoulders
ashekneltbesidethebed,strokingonehandovertheboy’sdownygoldenlocks.Nikolai
liftedhiseyestostudythehealerwhohadcometoassisthimandheshrugged.“Heranger
Icanhandle.HerbrokenheartIcannot.Andtheboy–Ilovethischild.Hehasaholdon
myheart,andhassincehisbirth,firstbecausehecamefromher,butthenbecauseofwho
heis.”
GanessasmiledatNikolai,shakingherhead.“Iwishyouluck.Awoman’swrathis
aterriblething.Andmortalanger…”
Nikolai arched a brow at her. “I was mortal, Ganessa. Once.” Lowering his eyes
backtotheboy,heasked,“Howishefaring?”
“Well. He is younger than most than are brought into the kin-bond. Elf-kin isn’t a
pleasantjourneytomake,butheistakingitbetterthantheolderchildren.Hewillsleep
through it all and wake with no memory of the accident that nearly killed him. But his
mama needs to be here when he wakes…hadn’t you best bring her here now?” Ganessa
askedassheranmentalhandsthroughtheboy’sspiritandpsychicselfandherhandsover
hishealingbody.Lastly,shecuppedherhandsoverhisears,lingering,wondering.
Nikolaigrimaced.“Da.AndwhatapleasanttaskIgoto.”
When Nikolai’s face appeared in the mirror, Chelly had to stifle a scream. She’d
hopedhewouldanswer.Hadprayed.Butsoquickly?
“Whereismyson?”
Likeavoicefromawell,Nikolai’svoicecameechoingandrippling,caressingher
ears,Here…withme…healing.Yourmortaldoctorscannotsavehim.Wecan.
“Bringhimback.”
Nikolaismiled.Thereisnocomingback.Heishere…herehestays.Comeandjoin
himorstaythere…buthewilllive,knowthat,Chantelle.
Chellycouldhavethrottledhim.Fromonekidnappertoanother…,shereachedout,
intendingtoslamherfistagainstthemirrorbeforedemandinghetakehertoBryan.She’d
findawayback,damnit,fromwhereeverherewas.Butdarknessswarmedupandcaught
her,andshefellscreamingintoit,feelingwarm,strongarmscomearoundherandhold
her.
And that familiar voice…purring in her ear…At last…you are here. At last. And
youwillnotbefindingawayback.
ChellycouldsmellBryan,thefamiliarscentofbabylotionandflannelpajamasand
Downey.Andpine,musk,therich,deliciousscentofmale…familiar.Nikolai.
Hereyesflewopen.
Nikolaisatacrossfromher,sittinginachair,staringatherwithdark,broodingeyes.
Hungry eyes…a small smile curved his mouth as he studied her, watching her as she
pushed up on to one elbow, staring at him with wide eyes. His gaze moved from hers
down to her mouth, down the line of her neck, to linger on the curve of her breasts,
followingthecoveredlinesofbodybeneaththesilkblankets.Chellyfeltahot,slowpulse
movethrowherloinsandasighshudderedthroughher,hernipplesstiffeningashersex
startedtoheat.
Asoft,muffledsighingsoundcametoherearsandChellytorehereyesawayfrom
Nikolai.Withacry,ChellythrewbacktheblanketsandstareddownatBryan,wholayin
thebedbesideher,curleduponhisside,kneesdrawnuptohischest,facecuddledinto
thepillowashesighedinhissleep.Andheheldhisbelovedbear,aragged,muchrepaired
littlestuffedcreatureshehadreceivedfromhermotherwhenhewasborn.Thebearshe
hadleftathome…“Bryan…”shewhisperedraggedly.
Though he couldn’t hear her, it never stopped her from talking to him, even as he
slept. Bryan had been born deaf, and he would die deaf, but he was a smart, precocious
littleboyandhewaslearningintimewithotherkidshisage,hejustneededothertoolsto
helphimlearn.Chellystartedtoreachforhimandpullhimtoher,butherhandsfaltered
and slowed and she settled for just stroking his brow after she remembered his injuries.
“Youcan’tkeephimhere.Heneeds—”
“Yourboyisfine,healingquitewell.Pickhimup,holdhim.Youneedit.”Nikolai
rose in a slow, fluid motion from his sprawl and lifted Bryan in strong, gentle arms,
placinghiminherlapevenasChellystaredathim,sputteringblankly.
“He is fine.” He covered her lips with two fingers and whispered, “Da,heisfine.
Look at him, with your eyes. Not with what you saw last.” As Chelly watched, Nikolai
unbuttonedthesmallone’spajamatop,revealingasmallplumpbody,freeofallbruises,
scrapes,scars.Whichwasimpossible.
“How?”Chellyasked,runningherhandsoverBryan’ssmoothskin,reachingback
toprobethebackofhisscalpwhereafourinchgashhadbeensuturedclosed.Nosutures.
Nosogash.Noscar.Nothing.Likeithadneverhappened.“Thisisn’tpossible.Whatin
thehellisgoingon?”
“We healed him. Well, Ganessa did. She is a Healer among us.” Nikolai’s eyes
droppedandfellawayandChellyfeltherbellydroptoherknees.Somethingwasn’tright
—
Butthen,asoftmuffledlittlevoicewhisperedagainstherneck,“Mama?”
“Oh,baby…”
“Mama, I can hear…they fixed me all better…” and Bryan lifted his head away
fromherneckandsmiledupatherwitheyesthatglowed,justbarely.
ChapterFour
ChantellestoodstaringwoodenlyatNikolaiandBryanastheyplayedinthemiddle
oftheroom.Itwastooopulenttocallitalivingroom,aseaofgoldengleamingwood,
coveredwithjewelcoloredrugsandwhitefurniturethathuggedandcuddledyourbodyas
yousatdown.Herlittleboycouldhear,forthefirsttimeinhislife.Sheshouldhavebeen
ecstatic.Shewas,inaway.Buthewasn’tjustBryananymore…washe?Hiseyesgleamed
at her in the dark, and he had asked Nikolai if he’d learned how to make magic
rainbows…Bryanknewaboutthemagicrainbows.Nikolaihadbeenpayingvisitstoher
son.Itbroughtabittersweetsmiletohermouthbeforesherecalledtheman’sanswer.
“Da.Magicrainbows,andmore.Youwillbeabletobringmuchjoy,tomany,many
people.”
Chellyhadlittledoubtofthat.Bryanhadagiftforbringingjoy,toallaroundhim.
But he wouldn’t be going home with her. How could she take home a boy whose eyes
glowedinthedark?Soshewasstayinghere…withNik.Ifhehadaskedher,orifshehad
askedtocomehere,oranythingotherthanhavingherchoicetakenaway…
Chellyhatednothavingthechoice.
Thetraitor.Atinylittlevoicewhisperedinherhead,HesavedBryan…
Iknowthat.Shefeltlikeapetulantchild,butshealsofeltasthoughshewaslosing
hersonasshewatchedNikolaipatientlydrawalacypatternoficeinmidair,onlytohave
it disintegrate the minute Bryan touched it. And then they started all over again. Jeans
clunglovinglytohismuscledthighsandcuppedthebulgeathiscrotch,whilethecotton
of his shirt stretched over his flat belly and the taut wall of his chest as he laughed at
Bryan’s squeals of delight. The masculine laughter faded as Bryan launched himself
through the misty wall of pseudo-ice and wrapped his arms around Nikolai’s neck,
laughing and chortling with glee. Nikolai’s face softened, and his lids lowered as he
wrappedhisarmsaroundtheboy’stinylittlebody,cuddlinghimclose.
AndthepicturehitChellyrightinthesolarplexus,bringingtearstohereyes,and
knottoherthroat.Bryanhadneverthrownhimselflikethatathisfather.Notonce.And
fromthelookofsheeraweonNikolai’sface,itwasararepleasureforthisman,andone
hewaslikingmuch.
Hekidnappedus.
Turningonherheel,shewalkedaway.
“SoBryaniswhatnow?Magic?”
“Elf-kin.”Nikolaienteredtheroomslowly,feelingthetensionintheair,temptedto
reachoutandtouchhermind,butrefusingtotrespass.Healreadytakenherawayfromher
home,herlife…eventhoughheknewshewouldhavegladlycometosaveherson,hehad
notasked.Hewouldn’ttakeanythingelse.
“Elf-kin,” she repeated drolly, rolling the words over her tongue, then pursing her
lipsandstaringathimoverthelipsofhercoffeecup.Frenchvanillacappucinno.Hehad
recreateditjustforher,liketherecipeforFrenchOnionsoup,andguacamole.Andhehad
learnedtomakegrilledcheesesforBryan.Andchocolatechipcookies.Ofcourse,those
wererathertasty…nowonderAlisdairwassofondofthem.“Exactlywhatiselfkin?”
“Amortalwithanopenmind,agiftedchannel,thatwechoosetomakebloodbond
with. Our blood mingles, mixes with his, reproduces with his, and in time, changes his.
Andsoyoung,heissoyoung.Thechangeswillbequite…thorough.Theyoungerachild
iswhenheismadekin,themorecompletethechange.
“Hewouldhavehadsomegiftsanyway,Chantelle.Aspecialboy,youalreadyknew.
How special, I can not even begin to tell you. A deaf child who can already speak, and
onlythreeyearsold?Butthegiftedchannelsinhismindarewideopennow…hispotential
inunknown,vast,limitless.He—”
“Youlookthesameasyoudidtwentyyearsago,”shespokesoftly,interruptinghim,
staringpensivelyhisshoulder.“Elves…theyreallyexist.Andtheydon’tage.Atleastnot
theywayhumansdo,huh?”
“Da, not the way humans do.” He moved closer, cupping her face in his hand,
strokinghisthumboverthecurveofherbottomlip.“Sopretty,sosoft.Beenwantingyou,
Ihave,forseveralyears.Howlongwillyoustayangrywithme?”Hislidsdrooped,lashes
hanginglowoverhiseyes,ashestudiedhermouth.Hisotherhand,bigandwarm,came
uptorestonthecurveofherhip.Chelly’seyeswidened.Hermouthwasdry.Otherparts
were…not. Her heart was racing a mile a minute, and her nerve endings were sizzling.
Blankly,shesaidtheonethingthatcametomind.“ArethereelvesinRussia?”
“Hmmm.Elves,elf-kinandelf-mateaswell.”Hecockedhisheadasheresponded
and a ribbon of hair fell over one muscled shoulder, thick, black and shining. His eyes
movedfromhermouthdownthelineofhernecktofocusonthemovementofherchestas
shesuckedabreathinandtriedtorememberhowtobreatheagain.
Chelly followed the gleaming lock of hair as it curled over his chest, her mouth
watering. The rippling muscles of his belly almost vibrated and as she stared at him, a
hungry growl rumbled out of his chest. Hypnotized, her eyes slid further downward,
staringatthebulgingswellofhissexunderthebluefabricofhisjeans.
Jeans?“Elveswearjeans?”
“Wouldyoupreferpointyshoeswithbells?”heaskedblandly.
Herbrowcreasedinconfusionandsheshookherhead.“Ialwaysthoughtofelves
wearing…”herhandsmovedhelplesslythroughtheairandsheshruggedhershouldersas
pictures of flowing gowns, tunics and cloaks moved through her mind. “Ummm, bells?
Whywouldyouwearbellsandpointyshoes?”
Justthen,outside,abelltolled.AndNikolairolledhiseyes.“Da,weknowit.Five
bleeding days, we have. We will get the work done, have we ever failed him yet,
Georgeann?”hegrumbled,stalkingtothewindowandjerkingthedrapesclosed.
Fivedays…
Whathappensinfivedays?
Chantelle’smentalclockfilledinthatblank.
Christmas.
“Da,Christmas.”
Her eyes widened and she swallowed the lump in her throat. She hadn’t said
anythingoutloud.Sheknewit.Sohowhadheheardheranyway?Couldhereallyread
herthoughtsthewayithadalwaysseemed?
Yes,hecould.Hislipscurvedupinasmileashestaredather,hisheadcockedto
theside,hisblackhairfallingoverhisshoulderashestudiedherface,followingthetrail
ofherthoughts.Andashefollowedthem,thesmileslowlyfellawayandhisfacegrew
pensive.
Sheturnedhereyesbacktothesparkling,crystallinevistaoutsideoneoftheother
windows, then back to the outrageously magical, beautiful man in front of her with his
gently curved, pointed ears and eyes that glowed. The view reminded her of how, when
she had been younger, he had carved little statues and sculptures from what looked and
feltlikeice.Inalowhushedvoice,sheasked,“Whatisgoingon?”
“Youareinmyhome,theNorthernReach.MortalshavecalledittheNorthPolefor
many,manyyears.”
“And the ‘him’ you haven’t failed?” There was a hysterical giggle building in her
throat.Oh,man.IfNatehadanyclue…
“YoumortalsknowhimasSantaClaus.”
ChapterFive
Ittookthelittleminxaverylongwhiletostophergiggling.
Averylongwhile.
Nikolai finally left her to it while he went about his job. As Head of Interworld
Communications, he had many responsibilities. It was his job that had first led him to
Chantelleafewshortdecadesago.Suchasadlittlechildshehadbeen,havingherfamily
takenatsuchayoungage.Itwasn’tanunusualthing,alas,butitstillbrokehisheart.But
she had broken it even more, as she defiantly sobbed out her frustrations against
Christmas.Herspunkhadendearedhertohim,somuchsothatevenafterthosefirstfew
years,hehadkeptgoingbacktocheckonher.
Butthen,shehadgrownup.
Andhehadfalleninlove.Thekindly,gentleguidancehehadalwaysfeltcompelled
to give to her had turned into a burning, driving desire to own that green eyed little
wonder. Deep inside his soul he knew this woman was the only woman he would ever
love.Heachedandburnedforher,likehehadfornoneother,inallhismanycenturies.
Nearlyninecenturieshehadwalkedthisearth,andsomanyladieshehadknown—
fleetingloves—somelastingafewyears,othersonlynights.
Andnowhewasinlovewithamortal.
Who was even now smothering her laughter and trying to dry her tears while she
struggledtoacceptthetruthshehadtoldher.
And her child—that wide eyed little boy whose body was changing inside with
everyrapidbeatofhisheart—wasplayingwithatoythatthemortalworldwouldnotsee
foranotherfifteenyears.
Oh,whatawonderfullife.
Nikolaismirkedandsettleddowntowork,hislongfingeredhandsplayingoverthe
grid in front of him, his psychic skills connecting him to the children of the world, and
thenherelayedtheneedsandwishesbacktotheworkroom.Rhyswasincontrolthere,the
lunatic.Whowouldwanttobeincontrolofallthatchaos?
Fivedays.
Da,morethanenoughtime.Timeenoughtofillthewishesofthechildren,buttime
enoughtogethis?Ah…thatwasthequestion,wasn’tit?
Astheysteppedoutside,Chantellebracedherselfforwhatwascertaintobebiting,
bracingcold.ThoughNikolaiassuredheritwasverymild,shedidn’tbelievehim.Orher
mind didn’t. Her heart did, otherwise, she wouldn’t have let him carry her son out that
doorwithoutacoat,blankets…
Itfeltlikespringtime.
“How?”sheasked,turningaroundandstaringintothedistanceatthesnowcovered
landscapeoutsideNikolai’shouse.
“Environance-dome.Thetechnologyforbuildingitwillbeinyourscientist’shands
within a few more decades. We keep the temperatures moderated to sixty-five degrees
throughthemajorityoftheworkseason.OnceDecemberisover,wewillallownatureto
takeitscourse,butfornow,itismucheasierforustoworkifwedonothavetobundleup
likebearseverytimewecrossthethreshold.”Nikpointedtothemyriadreflectivelights
overeachhouseandexplained,“Thoseprovidecamouflageontheoutside,makingitseem
asthoughwearenothere,mufflingourpresence.It’squiteadvancedbutitis–”
“No,”sheinterrupted.“Please.Don’texplainittome.”
He shrugged, smirking a little at the pained look on her face. She wasn’t really
interested in technology. Like some of the elves. Even Alisdair was not fond of
technology,thoughhisjobrequiredhehaveadecentunderstandingofit.
Nikolai smiled down at the little boy who cuddled against his chest. Bryan stared
around them with huge, wide eyes and a big smile. Unlike his mama, who stared with
suspicion and a narrowed gaze, occasionally rolling her eyes at the garb many of the
peoplewore.
Nikpreferredthemorecomfortableclothingfavoredbymortals,andoverthepast
few decades, it had disgusted the Northern Council to see some of the younger elves
wearingsimilarclothing—jeans,sweaters.T-shirts.Hegrinnedwidelyasherecalledthe
sheerhorrorinoneCouncilman’svoice.
“Wewillseeifheisavailable,sinceyoucontinuetogiggleanddisbelieve,”Nikolai
told her drolly as she stared with wide eyes at one lady who wore skin tight velvet
breechesindeepgarnetred,aflowingwhiteshirtandavestofredtomatchthebreeches.
Her upswept hair revealed the lovely arch of her ears, a higher, more curved point than
Nikolai’s, and her slightly slanted eyes which twinkled merrily as she caught sight of
Nikolai.
“Areyoulookingfortheboss?”HerliltingvoicecarriedthemusicofIrelandasshe
stoppedbesidethem,reachingoutabsentlytocaressBryan’shairasshespoketoNikolai.
She smiled with friendly curiosity at Chantelle before turning her gaze to the boy and
Nikolai,waitingforananswer.
“We are, da. Brenna, this is Chantelle, and her son, Bryan. They are going to be
staying with me for a time,” he said, not glancing at Chantelle as he spoke. He felt her
resistanceandurgetoargue,andtheequallystrongneedtostaysomeplacewhereherson
was safe, loved, able to live a normal life. Her husband didn’t really want the boy—not
really.Hejustwantedtostrikeoutandhurther.Shehadgivenhimachildwhowasless
thanperfect.
A growl of rage struggled to surface in Nik’s chest and if the man wasn’t already
dead…Nikolaihadtoremindhimofwhathewas,andhowwrongitwastowishillonthe
dead.Anditdidn’twork.Bryanwasasperfectasanychildcouldbe.Hishearingmattered
little.Agifted,brightchild,andhisownfatherhadshunnedhim,andthenhehadtaken
himawayfromhismotherandendangeredhim—
“Welcome, Chantelle.” Brenna gave her a broad smile. “Though I canna see how
youwilltoleratethisbear’ssurlymoodsformorethanaweek.Thebossisinhisoffice.
TheCouncilisnagginghim,tellinghimheshouldatleasttrytolookmore…rotund.”She
pokedNikolai’sleanbellywithonefingerandsaidimpishly,“Whateverwilltheydowith
you?”
Nikolaismiledandshruggedasshemovedaway.
“Sowegettoseehim,huh?SantaClaus?IwonderifI’llfindoutwhyInevergot
that black cat I wanted when I was ten,” Chantelle said. “You’ll have to do something
prettyimpressivetomakemebelieve.”
Nikolaiwiselydidn’trespondastheyroundedthecorner.Helovedthiswalk.The
hall was of golden oak, polished and gleaming, the windows of stained glass. Each one
madetoresemblethelastreigningClaus.Soon,AlisdairMcNeilofScotlandwouldjoin
themasheretiredbacktohishomeland.Hehadsatintheofficeattheendofthiswalkfor
threecenturies,thetenureforeachClaus,andhewasready—veryready,andverytired,
verysad,sincehiswifehaddiedsuddenlylessthanadecadeago.
Elvenfolktendedtolivewellintotheirsecondmillennia.AndBriellehadonlybeen
852 years old. Alisdair had never quite recovered from the loss. He would retire, and
quietlygrieve.
Andanewelfwouldtakehisplace.
Nikolai knocked on the carved wood of the door and waited until the heavily
accented Scots voice invited, “Enter, Nikolai. And ye’d better be in a better mood than
youhavebeenthesepastmonths.I’minnomoodtotolerateyouafterlistening…”
Alisdair’s voice trailed away as he caught sight of Bryan and Chantelle. His eyes,
twinklingblue,gentleandsoft,settledfirstonBryan.Theboy,usuallysonervousandshy,
looked at the bearded man and smiled. Broadly and easily. And he said simply, “Hi,
Santa.”
“Hello,Bryan.Didyoulikethetrucksandtrainsyougotlastyear?”Santa/Alisdair
askedasBryansquirmedoutofNik’sarms,trottedovertothechairandclimbeduponto
theolderman’slap.
Bryannoddedvigorously.
Alisdairlaughed.“Ithoughtyouwould.Especiallysinceyouplayedsohardoneof
themwasbrokenbyNewYear’sDay.Butyourmamafixeditallup,didn’tshe?”
NikheardChantelle’ssoftgaspandhemovedbehindher,restingastronghandon
herwaistasherbodystartedtosag.
“Andwhatofthisyear?Whatdoyouwantforthisyear,lad?”
“Ialreadygottedit…myearsareallfixed.Andweneverthoughttheycould,”Bryan
said,grinninghugely.HIsfrecklednosewrinkledandhescratcheditwithasmallhand.
“Thewordssoundfunny.Andsometimespeopletalktoofast.ButIcanhear,andMama’s
voiceissopretty.”
Chelly muffled a sob against her hand as Alisdair smiled gently as Bryan. “Your
hearingisn’tagiftwegaveyouforChristmas.Thatdidnacomefromus,notexactly.It
camefromtheMaker.TheonewhomadeChristmaspossible.Soit’snotthepresentwe
neededtotalkabout.Andwecantalkniceandslow,andusesomesignlanguageaswell.”
AlisdairwentonashestrokedBryan’shead,speakingslowly,staringintotheboy’s
face,signingafewwordsfromtimetotimeashesaid,“Irememberyourmama.Chelly,
your grandparents called her when she was little. And she wanted a black cat when she
wasoh,tenIthink.Butshe’sallergictocats.Shedidnotgofindingthatoutuntilshewas
inhighschool,butweknew.Can’tgogettingherapresentshewouldn’tbeabletokeep.”
Makemebelieve.
Nik heard the words circling around in her head and felt the impending dizziness
justasshestartedtosway.Hecaughtheragainsthimandcarriedheroutthedoorwitha
quick thought to Alisdair to occupy the boy. He was already doing it, with a pleased,
happysmile.Playingwithchildrenwassomethinghenevergotenoughof,andsomething
hetrulyenjoyed.
Chellyawokebackinthatwidesumptuousbed,herheartracing,hermouthdry,and
herheadwoozy.
ShewasintheNorthPole.
ShehadseenSantaClaus.
Hewasreal.
The presents last year…the ones she didn’t think she had bought, and convinced
herselfshehad.Theyhadcomefromhere,theyhadtohave.
AndNik…Nikolaiwasoneofhiselves.Nikolaiwastrulyanelf.Trulymagic.
“Da.”
Shebarelysawhimmoveandthenhismouthwasagainsthersinthedarknessofthe
roomandhisthoughtswerefillinghermind.Somany,manyyearsIhaveachedtotouch,
taste,hetoldherashardhothandssliduphertorso,aroundherribcageandupherback,
untilhewascuppingherneckandanglingherlipsupforhiskiss,pushinghistonguedeep
insidehermouth,groaninggreedily,hungrily.
Nikolai.
One of his hands fisted in her hair while the other went racing down her body,
cuppingandmoldingherbreast,pinchinghernippleuntilshewassquirmingagainsthis
body.Droppingtohiskneesandstaringdownather,hiselectricblueeyesglowinghotly
in the dim room as he watched her. Gripping the edges of her shirt he tore it open, and
fastenedhisgazeonherbreasts,hiddenstillbythelaceofherbra.
“Lovely.”Hisvoicewasdeepandgutturalasherantheroughenedtipofhisfinger
overtheedgeofthebraandsmiledassheshivered,archingup.Slidinghisforearmunder
her and lifting her up, arching her higher and taking one pebbled nipple into his mouth,
drawingdeepandsucklinghard,hehadhermoaningandkeeningagainsthismouth.Her
legsstraddledoneofhisthighs,andsherockedagainsthim,ridingthemuscledlengthof
histhighandwhimpering.
Nikfeltthethrobbingofhiscockandgroanedassherubbedherbellyagainsthim,
hersmallsofthandsroamingrestlesslyonhisshoulders.Theydippedinhishairandfisted
as she clasped him against her breast and the frantic movement of her hips increased.
Nostrils flaring, he caught the desperate, hungry scent of her body. She was close, very
closetocomingandthroughthebarriersoftheirclothinghecouldfeelhowhotshewas,
howwetshewas.Hungrylittlemoansroseanddiedinherthroatasshepushedhertongue
insidehismouth,hernailsbitingintohisshoulders.
Hemovedhislipsdownherpointedlittlecat’schin,andbitlightlybeforekissinga
hottraildownherthroat.Liftingherupandclosinghismouthoverthehot,erectpointof
one swollen nipple, he listened with sharp satisfaction to the little scream that filled the
room. “Scream again, Chantelle.” His mental voice purred inside her mind, pushing
beyondthesurprisinglytoughshieldssohecouldmurmurinsideherhead.“Comeforme,
letmefeelit.”Hetuggedatthefasteningofherjeansashewhisperedtoher,strokingthe
budofherbreastwithhistongueandteeth,worryingitgently,thenroughlyasheworked
her jeans down lower and lower. Palms on the firmly rounded cheeks of her ass, he
caressed the crevice there before stripping away her jeans and silk panties and tumbling
herontoherback—staringhungrilydownather,pushingherthighswide.
“Hmmm, look at that,” he purred roughly, sliding one finger through the wet heat
gleaminginherfolds.Heslippedhisfingerintohismouthandgroanedhungrily.“Whata
tasteyouhave,sweet.Oh,whatataste.”Hesprawledbetweenherthighsandopenedher,
plunginghistonguedeepinsideherasshearchedupwithaweak,wildcry,climaxingat
onceagainsthismouth.
Heworkedtwofingersinsideher,feelinghertightenaroundhimandshudderasshe
twistedandwhimperedunderhishandsandmouth.Thesweetclaspofherclefthugged
hisfingersandNiksworeashiscockpressedintohisbelly,burninghimlikeabranding
iron. He wanted, badly, so badly, to get inside her. The chaotic whirl of her thoughts
filteredthroughhismindandheknewhecouldhaveher,buthedidn’twanthertoregretit
later.
Shehadtostay,hadtowantit.
As if she had been reading his mind as clearly as he had been reading hers, she
whimpered,“Nik,please.Damnit,youdon’tknowhowlongI’vewantedthiswithyou.”
Sheopenedhereyesandstaredupathim,hergazegleamingwithwant,need,andtearsof
sheer frustration as she surged up and pressed her mouth hungrily to his. Eating at his
mouth,suckinghislowerlipintohers,shegaspedwhenhecaughtherhandsandpinned
hertobed,crushingherbodybeneathhis.
“Knowthis.”Hisvoicewasaroughgrowlinherearashewedgedherthighsapart
with his and reached for the buttons at his fly. “I want badly to take you, mark you as
mine.AndifIdo,youaremine.Iwillneverletyouortheboyleaveme.Minetokeep.I
cannotleavetheNorthernReach.Mydestiny,mylifeishere.Areyoucertain?”
Inreply,Chantellereacheddownandpushedhishandsaside,slidingthebuttonsof
his fly free and shoving the heavy denim of his pants aside, catching his hard, heavy
length in her hands and sending a rumbling growl through him as she stroked him with
soft, cool hands. Nikolai shuddered, lowering his brow to press against hers. “Mine to
keep,da?”heasked,staringwithneardesperationintohereyes,ashepressedthetipof
hiscockagainstthewetportalofhersex.
Aslowfelinecurlofherlipshadhisheartleapinginhischest.
Heusedonebighandtotiltherhipsupashesurgedslowlyforward,hot,wettissues
closingoverthefatengorgedheadofhiscockashestareddownintohereyes.Herlids
loweredtohalfmastandhertongueslidouttowetherlipsasasighshimmeredoutofher.
“Nik…”
At the sound of his name on her lips—in that heavy, sultry voice—his control
snapped,andhepusheddeep,drivinghardandfastintoher,untilhewaslodgedhiltdeep.
Theheadofhiscockrestedattheverymouthofherwombashereyesopenedinshock
andshescreamedouthisname,hernailsbitingintohisskin.
He moved higher on her body, shifting so that he was riding her clit with each
stroke, and she started to convulse around him, the clasp of her pussy tightening around
himwitheachdeep,drivingthrustashecaughtherthrashinghead,fistingthegleaming,
golden-brownlocksaroundonehandandpushinghistonguedeepintohermouth,feeding
onhertaste.
Chelly sobbed into his mouth as he caught one thigh in his other hand, pushing it
high,drapingitoverhisarm,openingherwidesohecouldfuckherdeepandhard.She
wailed,herheadfallingback,awayfromhishungry,greedykiss.Hisavid,seekingmouth
foundonehard,pebblednippleandfastenedontoit,suckingitdeep,untilitwaspressing
againsttheroofofhismouthandthrobbing.
“Minetokeep…”
Hismentalvoicefilledhermind,asoftseductivecaress,asharpcontrasttothethick
burningfullnessofhiscockinvadinghercleft.Shescreamedouthisnameasshestarted
to come again, opening her eyes and staring up at him as he pushed onto his knees and
caughtherclitbetweenhisthumbandforefinger,staringdownandwatchingtheplayof
hisfingersonherbody.
Shestaredhypnotizedathisbody,thegleamingmusclesofhischest,coveredbya
lightfilmofsweat,therhythmicplayofhiswashboardbellyashepushedhisthickcock
inside her. Something odd…a twisted, puckered scar, old, low on his belly, between his
hipboneandhisnavelcaughthereye,butthenhiscocktwitched,andhermouthwentdry
as she stared at his sex, ruddy, and gleaming wet with her cream—the sheer erotic sight
sent her screaming into another orgasm, and this time she felt his cock jerk, and the hot
floodofhiscomeasheclimaxedinsideher.
He crushed her body into the soft mattress, his mouth coming down on hers as he
poundedhishipsagainsther,growlingdeepinhisthroat,bitingherlowerlip,histongue
seeking out hers and tangling with it hungrily as they both went flying into orgasm. A
seriesofhot,rhythmiccontractionsfromherdrewouthisclimaxuntilhefinallycollapsed
atopherinexhaustion.
“Where’s Byran?” she asked numbly once she was able to breathe again. She still
couldn’tfeelhertoes.Orherfingers.Shewasn’tsureshecouldfeelherhandsorknees
either.Shewasgoingtohavetotakestockinafewminutes.Butfirstthingsfirst.Bryan.
“With Alisdair.” He had rolled onto his back, taking her with him and now he
cuddledherslimbodytohischest,smoothingonehanddownhernaked,gleamingback,
sighingincontentment.Oneofherhandsranoverhispecs,flatteningoverthepounding
ofhisheart.Hefelthersmileslightly.
“Yourheartisracingasfastasmine.”Thensheliftedherhead,herfeatherybrown
bangsfallingintohercloudy,sleepygreeneyes.“Alisdair,yousaid?Idon’twantmyson
withsomebodyIdon’tknow,somebodyI’venevermet.Evenifyouknowandtrusthim
—”
“Youhavemethimalready.Youwerejustinhisofficeawhileago,”hereminded
her, reaching up and brushing her hair away from her eyes. “And Alisdair is more
trustworthythananymanyouwillevermeet.”
“I’veonlymetSuh—hell.Ican’tevensayit.Itdoesn’tseemreal.”
“Thatismoreatitle,likeMr.President,orHisMajesty.HisgivennameisAlisdair,
notSantaClaus.AndBryaniswithhim.”Nik’slidsdroopedassheshiftedandsatupatop
him,staringdownathim.
A dry laugh escaped her lips. “My son…my son is being babysat by Santa Claus.
Oh,that’srich.That’sagoodone,”shesaid,sighingandshakingherhead.
“I’llbesuretolethimknowhowamusedyouare.”
Her nipples puckered and tightened in the cool air and she smiled as his eyes slid
fromherfacedowntohertorso,darkeningtocobalt,glowinginthedimnessoftheroom,
apalpableheatflowingfromthemtocaressher.“Solovely.Youliketoteaseme,da?”
The husky, low timbre of his voice flowed over her like a caress, tightening her
flesh. “I like knowing you want me, knowing you are real. I’ve dreamed of you, for so
long.”Hishandscameuptorestonherwaist,thenstrokeupward,untilhewascupping
her breasts in his hands, pinching and tweaking her nipples until she was shifting and
rockingagainstthethick,hotlengthofhiscock.
Shebracedherhandsagainstthebroad,goldenexpanseofhischest,staringdown
intohisbewitchingeyes.Hisblackhairwasspilledbeneathhim,likeasilken,blackcape,
andthecarved,exoticbonesofhisfacecapturedhereyeandmadeherchesthurt,hewas
sobeautiful.Andhekeptstaringatherlikeshewasthemostbeautifulthinghehadever
seen.
“Da,youare,”hemurmured,reachingup,twininghishandsinherhairandpulling
herlipstomeethis,shiftinghishipsandpiercingher,slidinghiscockinsideher,where
shewaswetfromhim.“Mostbeautiful,mostlovely.Andminetokeep.AndIwillmake
youbelievethat,Chantelle.Youwillsee.”
He breathed the words against her mouth before plunging his tongue deep inside,
strokinghertongue,herpalate,everywherehecouldreach,asheslidhishandsdownand
cuppedherass,movingherinaslow,steadyrhythmandrockinghishipsupanddown,
pushinghiscockdeepandhigh,piercingtheverymouthofherwomb.
Asalong,shudderingcontractiongrippedhiscock,Nikpulledhismouthfromher
andburiedherfaceinhisneck,grittinghisteethandholdingontohiscontrol.Not yet…
notyet.Heranhisfingersthroughthecreviceofherbottomandfeltherquiver.Shifting,
hemovedherbodysothathecouldstokeherclit.Thehot,silkycreamofhersexcoated
him, and her cleft hugged him tightly, making him swear silently as she started to come
aroundhim.
With a rough groan, he threw control to the wind and drove his shaft inside and
fuckedherroughly,settinghisteethintohershoulderandlisteningtoherscreamouthis
name.Grippingherasswithonehand,hewetonefingerwithherhandeatstartedtoprobe
herrosettewiththeother.Feelinghershudderandsobandgointospasmsaroundhimthe
hot,silkenlittleholegrippedhisfingertightlyevenashiscockjerkedandhepumpedher
fullofhisseed.
“Hmmm,sweet,sweetlittleChantelle,”hepurredintoherhair,cuddlingheragainst
hischest,rubbinghischinagainstherhairasshegaspedforair.“Mine…”
A wave of bitterness washed up out of nowhere and she sighed against his chest.
“Youmadecertainofthat,didn’tyou?I’mstuckhere,aren’tI?Bryancan’tgobackinto
therealworldnowcanhe?Myplaceiswithmyson.”
Andtothat,Nikolaihadnoanswer.
ChapterSix
ChristmasEveintheNorthPole.
No, the Northern Reach. Chelly stood watching as people hurried around her. She
wasn’ttheonlymortal.Asshestoodinherborrowedjeansandsweater,cuddlingBryan
againstherchest,shesawmoremortalsrushingbythanshecouldcount.
Itwaseasytopickthemout.
Thehumans,includingherself,wereless…vibrant.
Lacking something. The elves had larger eyes, Bambi’s eyes, Bryan had called
them,almondshaped,largeandgleaming,inbrilliantjewel-tonehues.Andshimmering,
gleaminghair.Eventheirskinseemedtoglowwithvitalityandhealthand…life.
Thehumanswere…human.Pretty,handsome,somemoreso,othersplain.
Butthenhereyesstartedtopickoutahumanshethoughtatfirstwasanelf.Eyes
thatgleamed,notquiteasbrightlyasanelf’s.Butmorethanamortal’s,ahuman’swould.
Hairthatshiftedandswirledandgleamedwithalifeofitsown.Afireinside.
Notwhollyhuman.
Butnotelfeither.
“Elf-touched, elf-mated,” Nikolai murmured behind her, sliding one brawny arm
aroundherwaist.
Hebrushedhislipsacrossherheadasshejumped,andBryanlaughedatthelookon
hismama’sface.“NikfwightenMama?Mamajump.”Theboyclappedandtugged,jerked
and squirmed until she set him down and he made a beeline for the window to the
workshop, trying to raise up on his toes and peer inside. “Can’t see nothing…magic
windows.”
“The Northern Reach is full of magic.” Nikolai was murmuring to her as they
watchedthesmallchildpacebackandforth,castingawedglancesattheworkshop.Sucha
franticpaceinside.Nikhadtakenashort,quickbreaktocomeseeher,butthenhemost
goback.Toomuchtodo,toolittletimetodoitin.Wouldsheunderstand?“Iwanttoshare
thatwithyou.Chantelle,please…”
Chellystoodstifflyinhisarms,foldingherarmsoverherbelly,rubbingherhands
upanddownagainstsomeinnerchill.“Elf-touched?Whatdoyoumean?”
“They’vematedwithoneofmykind.”Hegentlyturnedherinhisarms,takingher
handsandliftingthemtohismouth.“Joinedsouls,minds,lifeessence.Theirbodiesare
mortal no longer. They are not truly elf, but not truly human, either. My mate…this is
whatyouaretome,havealwaysbeen.I’vejustbeenwaitingforyou.Icouldhavetaken
thetimetoexplainbeforebringingBryanhere,buthedidnothavethetime,soIdidwhat
Iknewyouwouldhavewanted,da?”
Chellyfeltherbreathleaveherlungsinahot,shudderingrushasNik’slasheslifted,
revealingthesmoky,smolderingdepthsofhiscobaltblueeyes.“Iwishtosharethatwith
you, all of my long life, all of my heart. I have loved you since you were eighteen,
Chantelle,andIshallloveyouforalltheyearsthatIwalkuponthisearth.Idonotwishto
spendthoseyearswithoutyou.AndIhatefeelingyourangerandhelplessness.”
Helplessness…achoicetakenfromher.
Yes,hehadsavedBryan,andbroughtherhereagainstherwill.
Liftinghereyes,shemethisandjustmutelyshookherhead.Andthensheturned
awayfromhim.
Sheonlyheardhisroughsigh,butsheknewwhenhewasgone.Chellycouldfeel
hisabsenceinherheart.
“Youmadetherightchoice.”
Thevoicewasfriendlyenough.
Therewasnoreasonforhertodisliketheownerofitsointenselybeforesheeven
saw the emerald green eyes appraising her so thoroughly. None at all. But she did.
Meetingthatintentstare,shepattedBryanonthebackandtoldhimtokeepplaying.He
studiedthevisitorwithdistrustingeyesbeforegoingbacktothebrightlycoloredpicture
infrontofhim,onehandgrippedachunkycrayontightly.
Then she rose in a smooth, fluid motion and met the man’s eyes. “I beg your
pardon?”sheasked,liftingadarkbrow.Hereyes,asoftergreenthantheelf’s,wereblank
andpolite.
“Nikolai is infatuated, but you cannot truly believe he would love a mortal, can
you?”Hesmiledashesaidit,asiftotakethestingaway.“Youareasweetthing,I’veno
doubt.Butsurely,youcanseethisisnotafatedthing.”
Chellystudiedhimwithcuriouseyes.Hewasahandsome,almostangelicman,with
longgoldenblondhairthatfelljustbelowhisshoulders,andthosebiggreeneyes.“You
expectmetobelievethatNikolaidoesn’tknowhisownheart?”Shesmiledinreturn,just
aspolitely,slidingherhandsintoherpocketsandcockingherhead.
Hiseyesglinted,flashed,withwhatlookedlikeamusementbutitwasgonesofast,
she couldn’t be sure. “Elven men are quite captivated by mortal women—” He moved
towardherinasmooth,stalkinggait,musclesripplingandflexingunderhisclothes.
A mountain lion. Her head spun dizzily for a brief moment, then she shook it and
threwofftheodd,muffledfeelinsideit,thenaggingsenseoffearthatresidedinsideher
belly.Itdidn’tfeelright,didn’tfeellikeher.Andassoonasshethoughtthat,thefearfell
apart,andhewasinfrontofher,glaringangrilyather.“Captivatedbyyourstubbornness,
yourcharm,thewayyouclingtoyourshort,insignificantlives—”
Chelly narrowed her eyes and spat, “Insignificant? You pompous, self righteous
bastard.Insignificant?BecauseIwon’tliveforever?”
He smirked at her. “No, because you could have. Because you could have had
everything you had ever wanted…and you turned it down. Because you fear tomorrow.
Allmortalsdo.Andthatfearrobsyouofyourjoyoftoday.”
He turned on his booted heel, an old style boot, to match his old style velvet
breeches—thatsameimpossiblegreenofhiseyes.HesmiledatBryanwhostaredathim
with a rather ambivalent stare now, instead of outright distrust, and left in smirking
silence.
Thatfearrobsyouofyourjoboftoday…
Oh,hell.
Chelly knelt beside Bryan and ran her fingers through his downy soft blond hair.
“WhathaveIdone?”
ChapterSeven
Alisdair’s voice filled the chamber just as Rhys was closing the door behind him
withaself-satisfiedsmirk.Shewasthinkinghardnow.Andabouttimetoo.Rhysdidn’t
knowhowmuchlongerhecouldtolerateNik’sbrooding.
“Whatexactlydidyahopet’accomplishbythat,Rhys?”alow,silkyvoice.
Theroomwasempty.
Rhysturnedaroundlazily,awhimsicalsmirkonhislipsasthetallred-hairedgiant
wentfromnothingnesstoamist,toasolid,massivemountainofamanwithblueeyesthat
weren’ttwinkling,butsnappingwithanger,hisfullsensualmouthdrawntightwithrage
ashestaredatoneofhissuccessors.
“I’venoideawhatyou’retalkingabout,”Rhyssaidsmoothly.
That fear robs you of your job of today… Rhys grimaced as his voice echoed
throughthecorridor.Alisdairsnarledangrily,“IguessIshouldbethankin’ye.Chantelle
haslovedNikolaiforyearsandyears.Butherprideandfeariswhatkeepsherfromtelling
him.Youjustpushedherintoacknowledginghowfoolishthatis–“
Rhys smirked. “I know.” His golden hair fell in a curtain around his face and he
shoveditbackbehindwithonehand,ashemettheboss’seyes.“WhyelsewouldIhave
goneinthere?Afterall,Nikolaiismybestfriend.”Thenheturnedonhisheelandambled
down the hall, whistling under his breath tunelessly as Alisdair stared at him in
bemusement.
Over his shoulder, Rhys called out, “Both of us being made Successor to the Line
didn’tchangethat.”
Alisdair was weary when he returned to the Northern Reach at noon the next day.
ThelastfewchildreninBereaandNome,Alaskawereopeningtheirpresentsashisshiny
black boots settled down on the polished wooden floors of the Great Hall. There was a
dim echo in the back of his mind where he could hear their jubilant cries, some
disappointed groans—those always made him smile—some bittersweet. Like Chelly’s
had.Sheknewnowthattheblackcatshehadwantedwouldnothaveworkedout.
Butmanychildrenwouldneverunderstand.
Ah,well.
Onevoiceinparticulardrewhimthismorn…anditwasclose.Ittookonlyathought
and the rich, red velvet he wore faded away and was replaced by a flannel shirt that
hugged his massive shoulders and faded jeans that clung comfortably to long, muscled
thighs.TheCouncilhadcoveredtheireyesandallbutwhimperedwhenthebosshadalso
startedwearingthecomfortablemortalclothing.
He ran a hand though his red hair and tucked it behind his pointed ears before
knocking on the door to Nik’s apartment. Nikolai wasn’t there. Out sulking, Dair
imagined.WhenChellyopenedthedoor,andhestudiedthesoft,sweet-smellingmortalin
frontofhim,hedecidedthatwasunderstandable.
Butneedless.Shewasasmiserableashe,achingandyearningforhim.Itwasthere
inthemiseryinhereyes,intheslumpofhershoulders,alloverherface,ineverylineof
herbody.
With a wide, brilliant smile, Dair held his arms out to the boy and then they were
gone.
Chellylookeddownatherselfwithagasp.
Becausesowereherclothes.
Nikolai was in the process of chopping wood. A tedious, back breaking job,
guaranteedtoleavehimachingandsore,whichwaswhyhehadchosenit.Hehadbeenat
histhistaskformorethanfourhourswhensuddenlytheaxewasgoneandhewasbeing
flungthroughtimeandspaceashisclotheswerestrippedaway.
“Damnit,Dair,whatinthenameofHellareyoudoing?”hesnarledashebattled
againstthesuperiorelf’spower.
He heard the distant echo of his friend’s laughter as he landed bare-assed in his
room.“You’veaweek,man.Don’tbewastin’it,”theScottoldhim.
HeliftedhiseyestoseeChellystandingoverhim,hereyeswideandluminouswith
shock,needandlove.
Hebarelyhadtimetostandbeforesheflungherselfathim.
Her mouth covered his, her tongue pushing its way into his mouth, hungrily,
desperately as her hands raced over his body, squeezing each muscle, massaging and
rubbing every body part she could reach as she urged him backwards. Nik growled and
reachedforherwaistandrasped,“Now.”Thebedwastoodamnfaraway.Grabbingher
slim hips, he lifted her and guided her legs around his waist, arching and using the
musclesinhisbackandthighstoburyhiscockinherclefttothehilt.
“Nik…” His name fell from her lips on a ragged moan, her eyes wide, the pupils
dilatedanddarkasshearchedupagainsthim.
“Donotturnawayfromme,”hewhispered,fistingonehandinherhairandpulling
her mouth to meet his, staring into her eyes as he kissed her hungrily. He sucked her
tongueintohismouth,andbitdown,thenhepulledawayandnibbledhungrilyonherlips
beforeraspingoutagain,“Please.Donot.”
“No. I won’t.” Her arms came up, winding around his neck. “I won’t. I couldn’t.”
Hiscockjerkedinsideherandshecriedout,twistingagainsthim,theslickswollentissues
ofherpussycaressinghimasshemovedherselfupanddown.
Sweat gleamed on his powerful, nude body as he worked her up and down on his
impalingsex.“Screamforme,beloved.Come,letmefeelit,”hepurred,onehandgliding
downtocupherass.
Her womb contracted and she started to come, as Nikolai rumbled against her ear,
“Ah,yes…that’sit.Letmefeel…”
Rhythmic, waving contractions caressed him and Nikolai’s cock jerked, then he
startedtopulseandjethisseeddeepinsideher,seekingouthermouthandmoaningashe
kissed her, pushing his tongue inside her mouth, taking in more of her sweet, addictive
taste. The silken walls of her pussy hugged and stroked him, tightening, relaxing,
tightening,untilhethoughthe’dgomadwithit.
Onlegsthatshook,hecarriedhertothebed,keepinghissexstillburiedinsideher
asherheadslumpedagainsthisshoulder.Soft,weaklittlemoansfellfromherthroatashe
benthisheadandkissedtheexposedarchofherneck.“Iloveyou,Chantelle.”
“Iloveyou,too,Nik.I’msorry.I’vegotthispridething…andIcouldn’tletitgo,
just being snatched away from everything I know and brought here.” Chelly opened her
eyes, blinked sleeping as he laid her on her back and started to surge over her, moving
deeply.Alow,roughkeeningsoundcamefromherashepushedherlegswideandpulled
away,sprawlingbetweenherthighsandburyinghisfacethere,catchingherclitbetween
histeeth.
Shefistedherhandsintheblacksilkofhishairandscreamedwhenhestabbedat
the sensitive little bud with his tongue while he worked moisture from her cleft lower,
easinghisfingerinandoutofherass,untilshewasliftingeagerlyforthatcaress.Thenhe
startedto use twofingers on herand she shrieked outhis name andcame, waves of hot
pleasurewashingoverherwitheachlittlebitingthrust.
He mounted her and drove in one deep thrust, covering her mouth, catching her
wristsandpinningthemoverhead.“Mineforalways…Youswear?”heraspedagainsther
mouth.
“Yoursalways,Iswear.”
With a triumphant, savage grin, he rode her fast and rough, until they both went
tumbling into bliss, Chelly screaming out his name, raking his arms and back with her
nails,ashesuckledonenippledeepandgrowledouthername,slamminghishipsagainst
her as he flooded her with a hot wash of come before they slid into sleep, gasping for
breath,andholdingtighttoeachother.
“HaveyouchosenyourSuccessor?”
Dairsmiledashestrokedtheheadoftheboywhocuddledagainsthisshoulder.The
Councilhadnotlookedpleasedwhenhestrolledincarryingamortal’schild.Granted,this
child was now elf-kin, with the glowing eyes and the bloom of magic already growing
underhisskin.
ButtheCouncilwasstodgysetandhadalways
NonebutCouncilandSuccessorhadeverbreachedthesechambers.
Dairsmirkedinwardly.
Butoutwardly,hepastedonapolitesmileandsaid,“Nikolai.Asyouknow,hehas
alwaysbeentheoneIsayistheidealChosenone.”
Asoftspoken,sweettemperedelfspokeup,shakingherheadasshesaid,“Theman
isunmated.Heisagrim,melancholycreature–”
Dairdroppedonelidinawinkashemadesuretheboywasstilldeepinslumber.A
bit o’ magic made sure he would stay that way as he pictured the looks on a few more
faces…“Holdontoyourhats,myfriends—”
“Damnit,Dair,whatareyoudoing?”
Chellywasonherhandsandknees,alookofraptureonherheart-shapedface.Dair
hadfasteyes,buthecaughtnomorethanahintofherbreasts,thepalegleamofherbody
beforeNikhadhismatecoveredwithbedlinensasherolledoutofthebed,hiscockwet
andshiningfromherbodyasheglaredangrilyatbothDairandtheCouncil.
Chellywasabitslowertoreact,hereyesblinkingsleepilyasthelastbitofclimax
rolledthroughherandherbodyshudderedwithit.
“Asyoucansee,Nikolaihasamate,andaverysatisfiedoneatthat,”Dairsaidwith
asmirkhedidn’tbothertohidethistime.
Chelly heard voices and squealed, and Nik settled down on the bed, bringing her
againsthissideandmurmuringtoherastheCouncilstudiedthegrim,hardasironman
goingas soft asa newborn snowrabbit’s fur as hecuddled his mateup against him and
strokedhergently,murmuringintoherhair.
Sheflushedredandhesmiled,asmileaswideasDair’s,andtheCouncilfellsilent.
Dairfelt,underhismagic,theboytryingtowake.HesentasilentthoughttoNik
and Nik blinked, used a bit of his magic to don some jeans before he looked up at the
Council.“Ihadplannedonabitmoreformalmeeting,butthisladyhasagreedtobecome
myladywife,mymate.Mylife,”NikannouncedjustasDairallowedtheboytowaken.
And Bryan saw Nik and squirmed his way out of Dair’s arms, taking off for Nik
withalaugh.
Nikcaughthimwithasmile,andadded,“Andthis…thisismyson.”
Not one Council member argued as Dair turned over the reins of Leadership to
Nikolailaterthatday.
Theydidofcourse,waituntiltheyweremoreformallydressed.
Bio
ShilohWalkerhasbeenwritingsinceshewasakid.Shefellinlovewithvampires
withthebookBunniculaandhasworkedherwayuptothemore…ah…seriousworksof
fiction.Shelovesreadingandwritinganythingparanormal,anythingfantasy,andnearly
everykindofromance.Onceuponatimesheworkedasanurse,butnowshewritesfull
time and lives with her family in the Midwest. She writes romantic suspense and
contemporaryromance,andurbanfantasyas
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CheckShiloh’sotherhalf…J.C.Daniels
LookforothertitlesShilohWalker
TheGrimm
UrbanFantasyRomance
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TheAshTrilogy
IfYouHearHer•IfYouSeeHer•IfYouKnowHer
TheSecrets&ShadowsSeries
BurnForMe•BreakForMe•LongForMe
DeeperThanNeed•SweeterThanSin•DarkerThanDesire
TheFBIPsychics
TheMissing•TheDeparted•TheReunited
TheProtected•TheUnwanted•TheInnocent
TheHunters
ParanormalRomance
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