I screwed up my face and stuck out my tongue at him. Devdan leaned forward and licked my tongue.
“Ew!” I cried out, quickly closing my mouth.
Devdan’s shoulders shook with laughter. “That’s not what you said earlier.”
“Let’s focus on skiing, not smooching,” I answered.
“Sure. We can save the kissy stuff for later. Tonight. In our hotel room.” Devdan’s eyebrows lifted, and he smiled suggestively.
“First, you have to survive the double black diamond,” I said in a taunting voice.
“Oh, I have plenty of motivation.”
“More than hot cocoa?”
“More than hot cocoa,” Devdan said in a husky voice that warmed my belly without the use of fire magic.
“More than marshmallows?” I pressed.
“More than hot cocoa and marshmallows.”
His smile was impossible to resist. I leaned into him, our lips touching and said, “Should we give the fools behind us another show?”
Devdan answered with a kiss.
Two hours later, we propped our snowboards onto outdoor ski racks and clomped into the resort’s café. The building at the base of the main chairlift was large and bustling with families and groups of friends warming up with hot beverages and snacking on junk food like nachos, tater tots, and pizza.
Devdan and I waited in line to order our instant powdered cocoas. The hot chocolate at the lodge tasted way better, but I didn’t want to waste time riding the chairlift over and back when there were still a couple hours of daylight left.
Paper cups in hand, Devdan and I found a table near the big windows and sat down.
“I thought I was going to wipeout after jumping one of those cliff edges,” Devdan said. He blew on his cocoa.
“You were awesome,” I replied.
“So were you.”
“We both totally rocked it.”
“Totally.”
We grinned at one another then blew on our cocoas before taking a sip. As the warm, watery mixture slid down my throat, a stiff, male voice spoke from the edge of our table.
“Pardon me, are these seats taken?”
What the pit? There were empty chairs all around us. And who spoke with such airs in a noisy ski café?
I turned in my seat, my jaw dropping as I looked up at the tall elf looming over our table. Jhaeros Keasandoral. My brother-in-law. At least, I assumed he was now officially family. After parting ways in Faerie, I’d lost all track of what Aerith and Jhaeros were up to.
“What . . .?” I couldn’t even finish my sentence.
Jhaeros smirked at my look of shock. He wore a dark gray peacoat with a short black scarf and stylish knit black hat covering the tips of his ears.
“Hey, you two!” Aerith called out cheerfully as she stepped over to his side. Unlike boring old Jhaeros, my sister wore a puffy pink jacket and fluffy white earmuffs. Her fingerless gloves had unicorns on them.
My mouth hung open. Why were they here? Had something happened? From their glowing faces, it didn’t look like there was any big emergency back home. And it was way too early for the baby.
“What are you doing here?” I finally managed to ask. “How did you even find us?”
“I got your postcard,” Aerith said as she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a glossy rectangle of paper. She held the photo in front of my face. “It says, ‘Wish you were here,’ so here we are!” She pointed at the swooping script that had come preprinted on the picture of mountains, including the resort’s name.
“That’s just nonsense humans print on their postcards,” I explained. “They don’t really wish you were here. It’s more like you wish you were here.”
“Well, I don’t have to wish. I am here.” Aerith bounced on the balls of her feet and slipped the postcard back inside her pocket.
Jhaeros pulled back the plastic chair beside me for Aerith. Once she’d scooted in, he took a seat beside Devdan, who looked as though he was fighting back a grimace. Yeah, couldn’t say I was thrilled either. We didn’t want chaperones.
“What have you two been up to? Tell me everything,” Aerith said as she rested her unicorn-gloved hands on the table. At least Jhaeros didn’t try to dress her, unlike a certain Fae king I didn’t care to think about.
Devdan pursed his lips while I searched my mind. There was so much I wanted to share with Aerith—and so much I didn’t. I needed time to sort it all out.
“Why don’t we catch you up at dinner?” I glanced out the window. “There are only a couple more hours of natural daylight remaining.”
“Are the two of you snowboarding?” Devdan asked dubiously.
I looked at Jhaeros and raised a brow. He looked ready for a winter fashion runway show more than a ski slope. Catching my gaze, Jhaeros sat up taller.
“We did a little cross-country skiing earlier,” he answered.
I groaned.
“Jhaeros didn’t mind it, but I got bored.” Aerith grinned across the table. “We switched to sledding, which is so much fun! Have you two been sledding?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Sledding’s for kids.”
Aerith shook her blonde head. “It’s for all ages. I saw men and women older than I am engaged in the activity, alongside children.”
“Exactly. Parents. Families.”
Aerith shrugged. “I’m going to be a parent soon. Plus, it’s fun.”
I gulped my cocoa down and glanced out the window.
Aerith chuckled. “Don’t let us hold you up, Mel. Why don’t you meet us in the swimming pool later?”
Jhaeros wrinkled his nose. “Does that mean I have to put on those deplorable rubber ears?”
Devdan and I were lucky we’d had our pointed ears glamoured to look round and human before leaving Faerie.
“It means you get to see me in a bikini.” Aerith flashed him a smile and a wink.
“Should you be wearing a bikini in your condition?” I asked.
Aerith lifted her nose. “Why shouldn’t I? I’ve only recently begun to show. Who wouldn’t want to see my cute little baby bump?” She rubbed her belly, which did look rather smooth even through the layers of winter gear.
Jhaeros coughed into his fist.
“Sure, sounds good,” I said, scooting my chair back. “Ready, Dev?”
“Yep.” He grabbed his cocoa, still two-thirds full but marshmallows gone, and we said our see you soons to Aerith and Jhaeros.
After dumping our cocoas in the trash, I leaned into Devdan and whispered, “Should we make a run for it?”
He chuckled and pressed against me. “I’m game. I heard Aspen’s great.”
“So tempting.” I sighed. “Aerith’s been through enough stress all ready. Let’s just hope they don’t want to tag along with us when we head to Hawaii.”
“Well, she did pack a bikini,” Devdan said.
I groaned as we pushed through the café’s glass doors.
There was a time not long ago that I would have loved to travel with my sister, but I didn’t want this to turn into a couples vacation—always having to check in and meet up at specific locations and times. I wanted to be “footloose and fancy free” as they said in these parts. Plus, Devdan and I were having a really good time. Just the two of us. Hopefully, this was merely a brief check-in. Then Aerith and Jhaeros would be on their way back to Pinemist.
Devdan and I grabbed our boards and headed for the chairlift.
After ripping down the slopes, Devdan and I returned to the lodge in high spirits. We deposited our rented boards into tall lockers and walked into the lobby where we spotted Aerith and Jhaeros playing a board game at a table beside a roaring fire. No surprise.
Aerith had changed into black leggings and a bright multicolored striped fuzzy sweater. Her blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders, covering her ears.
They didn’t notice me until I spoke. “Don’t tell me you brought your campaigne board with you.”
Aerith kept hawk eyes on the bo
ard, not responding until she’d moved one of the white pieces.
“I didn’t need to,” she said cheerfully. “Humans have an almost identical version called chess. Isn’t that wonderful?” She picked up one of the smaller pieces with a round top and held it up to me. “They call shrubs, pawns; mages, bishops; archers, knights; and towers, rooks. Isn’t that interesting?”
“Yeah, fascinating,” I answered, not masking the boredom from my voice. “What do they call kings and queens?”
“Those are the same.”
I folded my arms. “So, are we going swimming?”
Aerith looked over her shoulder at the darkened windows. “Oh, gosh. We lost track of time. We can start up a new game tomorrow.”
“We can?” Jhaeros asked, his face falling. He still wore his hat, which wasn’t uncommon with humans coming in from the mountain wearing winter gear.
Aerith stood and looped her arm around mine. “Jhaeros, why don’t you and Devdan have a drink at the bar while Mel and I change into our suits?” She gave Jhaeros a pointed stare.
His gaze went from Aerith to Devdan and seemed to lock there. “I could use a drink,” Jhaeros said.
Devdan forced a smile. “Me too.”
“Great! Give us about twenty minutes.” Aerith yanked my arm, pulling me toward the elevators. “What floor are you on? We’ll grab your suit, bring it to my room, and change together.” Inside the elevator, I pressed the button to the third floor. Aerith beamed. “We’re on the third floor, too. How perfect!”
As soon as the doors closed, I turned to Aerith, hands on my hips. “Tell me Jhaeros isn’t about to give Devdan some kind of lecture.”
Aerith squinted at me. “Mel, whatever do you mean?”
“A birds-and-the-bees talk, as humans call it.” When Aerith continued to stare at me in confusion, I spelled it out. “S-E-X.”
She leaned back and snorted. “Can you imagine Jhaeros speaking to Devdan about sex?”
“Then what are they doing together?” I hadn’t missed the secretive look Aerith flashed Jhaeros.
“Having a drink while I have a sex talk with you.”
I lifted my hands and covered my face. “Ugh.”
Luckily, the elevator doors opened and I was able to rush free of the metal box into the corridor. Aerith kept pace, following me inside my room. The bed was freshly made, and everything was put away nicely thanks to the lodge’s friendly housekeeping staff.
While I fished through my suitcase on the floor, Aerith spoke at my back.
“I realize that you and Devdan are, in all likelihood, having sex.”
I groaned, which didn’t deter Aerith.
“I want to make sure you’re taking precautions.”
“Yep. Got it covered.” Like literally. Humans had these handy little things called condoms. I really didn’t want to explain them to my sister. I pushed aside several sweaters and a pair of pajamas before reaching my two-piece bathing suit. The top had a pineapple pattern that covered my entire chest and part of my torso where it met with a pair of bright aquamarine boy shorts.
“I never thought I’d get pregnant, so I didn’t bother with tinctures—and now look at me.”
“Oh my sky, Aerith!” I swung around, bathing suit gripped against my middle. “We’re taking precautions every time!”
“Have there been a lot of times?” She cocked her head to one side and stared into my eyes, unblinking.
I squeezed my eyes closed. “Can we not talk about this?”
“Sure. I just want to make sure he’s treating you well.”
I reopened my eyes. “He is. Devdan’s a complete gentleman, but not the boring kind. He treats me with respect and doesn’t do anything I don’t want to do.”
Aerith nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. I mean, I packed my bow and arrows just in case.”
“Aerith!”
She laughed. “Just kidding. Let’s go to my room and get changed before Jhaeros finishes his drink and walks in on us.”
“Arrrrrrg. I’m putting the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door and bolting it until after we’ve changed.”
Aerith’s room was at the other end of the hall. Unlike my room, the sheets were bunched up and rumpled. Ew! I did not want to think about Jhaeros on top of my sister, which naturally, led my mind in that very direction. “Oh, oh. Aerith.” His lusty, pretentious voice echoed inside my head. “Oh.” Nooooo! Marshmallows with cocoa. I mean cocoa with marshmallows.
“Mel? What are marshmallows?”
Had I said that out loud?
“They are these squishy white sugar puffs,” I answered. “You’d love them.” Yes, let’s talk about marshmallows.
“You eat them?” Aerith asked.
I nodded vigorously. “Soft, chewy sweetness.”
Aerith rubbed her lips together. “I need to try these.”
“Yes, you do, but let’s take a swim first.” I needed to cool off before I combusted from this mortifying conversation.
I went into the bathroom to change. Elves weren’t typically modest, but I’d never been into group nudity, especially in the bedroom Jhaeros shared with my sister. I changed into my suit and put an oversized T-shirt over it. When I returned to the bedroom, Aerith stood in a pink string bikini with ruffles along the edges. Her belly had a soft swell, and her breasts had gotten bigger and were jostling to free themselves from her top.
I was about to ask whether she had a T-shirt or cover-up for the trip down to the pool when a firm knock sounded at the door.
“That must be Jhaeros,” Aerith said cheerfully as she swept by me.
I heard the click of the deadbolt before she opened the door—followed by a male gasp.
“Oh. Sweet. Berries,” Jhaeros murmured.
More like melons.
I snatched a towel from the bathroom and hurried over, afraid Devdan was in the hallway gaping at Aerith as well. But Jhaeros was alone, wide-eyed with his jaw hanging open.
I pulled the door open wider and glowered at Jhaeros. “Hey, Jhaer. Humans have these things called cameras. Why don’t you take a picture? It will last longer.”
Aerith chuckled. “Well, we did buy a photo frame in the gift shop earlier, but I want us all to be in the picture.”
I threw the towel at Aerith, hoping she’d catch it and cover up, before pushing past Jhaeros into the hallway.
“I’ll see you at the pool.”
Jhaeros and Aerith didn’t answer. Judging by the heated look they shared, they weren’t leaving their room anytime soon.
Chapter Three
Aerith
“Now this is more like it.” I sighed happily.
A light tropical breeze wafted over my bare legs, as ocean waves lapped against golden sand from several feet away, and the Hawaiian sun warmed my belly. I sat sprawled out on an oversized beach towel with Jhaeros beside me on a funny compact chair that folded open near the sand.
A tan safari hat shaded Jhaeros’s face. He wore a pair of sunglasses, stone-colored shorts, and a short-sleeved shirt which was—gasp—left unbuttoned three holes from the top. We’d finally found a place that inspired Jhaeros to loosen up or “hang ten” as they said on the islands.
I lifted the hollowed-out coconut I was drinking from and latched my lips over a hot pink straw. The mini paper umbrella poking over the side was the cutest thing ever. I sucked down the cool, refreshing sweetness and smacked my lips.
“Yummy. What are these things called again?”
Jhaeros looked up from the book of crossword puzzles he’d been studying. “Piña colada,” he answered with a knowing grin. “Virgin, which I learned means without alcohol.”
“It doesn’t need any. I love it!” I said before sucking down the rest of the slushy goodness.
Jhaeros’s eyebrows rose over the rims of his sunglasses. “More than sweetberry fizz?”
“Hmm.” I pressed my lips together as I thought it over. “Maybe?”
Jhaeros chuckled. “Would you like another?”
/>
“Definitely!” That question was much easier to answer. “But can you rub some more sunscreen on me first?”
Jhaeros’s lips parted, his speech temporarily paralyzed. Oh sky, I’d never get tired of that look on his face.
I grabbed the extra towel beside me and rolled it up, positioning it to help cushion my baby bump as I turned onto my stomach. Once settled, I reached back and untied my bikini top. When I heard Jhaeros swallow, I smiled.
“Okay. Ready,” I announced.
Jhaeros settled on the edge of my towel. I heard the squirt of the bottle right before strong, warm hands rubbed lotion over my back. Jhaeros worked his way methodically down my body until reaching my ankles. He lifted them one at a time and rubbed the lotion into my skin tenderly. I sighed with pure contentment.
He set my ankle down and cleared his throat. “Perhaps a little more on your back. I don’t want you to burn.”
“Better to be safe,” I agreed. And better to have his hands on me for as long as possible.
Tingles of pleasure tickled along my spine as Jhaeros massaged my shoulders. I wasn’t sure if he had applied more lotion or not. His fingers trailed down my back and slid to my sides, his knuckles brushing the sides of my breasts. I sucked in a breath. Jhaeros repeated the motion, this time allowing his fingers to roam over my breasts to the hardening tips.
“Hey, Shawn. Catch!” someone yelled from nearby.
Jhaeros’s hands stilled on me then drew slowly away. One hand slid stealthily over my ass before he settled back in his chair.
“That should cover it,” Jhaeros announced.
“Are you sure? I think you missed a few spots,” I teased.
“I’ll tend to them later,” Jhaeros returned huskily.
“First I want to work on my tan so I can be your bronzed beauty.”
“You’d be beautiful in any color, Aerith.”
Heart. Melt. I felt like the luckiest elf in all the realms to have such a devoted, handsome, and kind male at my side.
“Maybe after you finish one of those crosswords we can go up to our room for a nap.” I turned my head to face Jhaeros and winked at him.
He smiled back slyly. “I’ll never finish one of these silly things. Human history and culture are beyond me. At least we’re able to speak their language.”
False Queen Page 3