Io blinked and looked away, suddenly nervous again. “What do you mean?”
Jack laid his hand against her belly in the same spot she had touched before. “I mean, about this.”
The impulse to continue to deny any knowledge of what he suggested was neurotic in origin, the result of past history, past mistakes—not even her own—and she knew that she had to suppress it. Their new life required honesty. Jack deserved it too.
“It’s too soon to know for certain,” she said quickly, reluctantly looking back at her lover. “It is too early for any test.”
“But we both know what we can’t prove, don’t we?” He stroked her gently.
“I…” Io exhaled and relaxed under Jack’s gentle hand. “Yes, I’m pretty sure.”
“And when were you thinking of sharing this news with me?” he asked.
“I haven’t known for long—just a day. And I was waiting for a moment when we weren’t being chased by gargoyles, stealing cars, or bleeding on live wires,” she said indignantly. “This isn’t the sort of thing you blurt out between ‘pass the napalm’ and ‘look out for that gargoyle.’ ”
“I see.” Jack’s lips twitched. “I suppose it isn’t. And I guess it hasn’t been that long, has it? It just sort of feels that way. Last night was at least a month long—maybe two or three.”
“Jack? Are you happy about this?” Io asked, adhering to her policy of high-minded honesty, even if the answer wouldn’t be one she wanted to hear. “I mean, it is all rather sudden and could complicate things immensely.”
“Well, little fey, I’ve never done an easy thing in my life. Why should this be any different?”
“Jack, I’m serious.”
“I know. But damn!” Jack grinned suddenly. “Goddess, yes, I’m pleased. Do you have to ask? I’ve had nothing but death around me my whole life. Now, this once, I have participated in something wonderful and life-affirming. Io, think about it! We have created life. We may be the first of our people to have managed it since the holocaust took our kind. And if we can do it, then others can too. It may mean that this isn’t the end of fey existence. Am I happy? I’m delirious!”
Io smiled happily. “Then we should celebrate the good news.”
Jack sat up and pulled off his shirt. Most of his burns had already healed, but she still touched him gently, enjoying the warm skin and rippling muscles of his back and chest.
Jack rolled onto his back and pulled her against his half-naked body. “We will celebrate,” he said.
“No room service,” Io pointed out, folding arms on his chest and propping her head up on them. She loved looking at Jack, knowing that at any moment he could take her to that place of deep, dark magic. “Can’t send out for champagne.”
“I don’t think we need room service, do you?”
Longing rose up in a rush, taking her breath away. “No, we don’t.”
Io crawled up his body. She began at his mouth with a kiss that was almost an assault, but which she knew would delight the part of Jack that wasn’t gentle. It thrilled the magic also, making it glow with incandescent vibrancy as it swirled around them.
Jack slid her shirt up her back and pulled it off over her head. He had to roll onto his side to finishing undressing her, but his sweatpants were gone only seconds later. He made no effort to hide his need of her, his eyes remained unveiled, his expression open to her.
“I can see you,” she whispered.
“It’s my party too,” he pointed out. “I want to enjoy it without reserve. There’ll be no more hedging or holding back.”
“Be my guest. Enjoy.”
His hands went exploring and then his mouth, too, down the swell of her breasts to the flat of her navel. He paused there, giving her belly an extra kiss. The fire, as always, was waiting to consume her.
“Lovely,” he said, his voice low.
She wondered how he could sound so calm when even her voice trembled.
“So, what is your pleasure tonight?” he asked, turning his cheek so he could look up at her over the length of her body. His heat, his intent radiated out with purposefulness and sunk deep into the curve of her belly. It made the muscles in her abdomen flutter wildly in anticipation.
Eat me. Drink me. Love me.
Io shivered, shifting her hips and rubbing herself against his smooth cheek. She knew that her face was flushed but not with embarrassment. There was no place for reserve in their relationship, no space for shyness between them.
“Love me, Jack,” she answered softly. Then with all the passion she felt, with all the magic she had, “Now. Tomorrow. Forever.”
Jack smiled as he felt her magic curl around him, gently reshaping their destiny, carefully crafting their future.
“Always, little fey. Always.”
Magic ghosted over skin and then sank deep inside, leaving her body suddenly warm, alive to every sensation, and aching to be filled. Her own magic rose up asking for completion.
She closed her eyes and let Jack take her where they both wanted to go. The living heat of his mouth and hands were a second course in the romantic feast, a pleasure after the magical aperitif, but not the main event they both needed. The blood surged and the heart pounded, in its own way crying for more and then more.
“Jack!” she whispered, straining against him.
He laughed softly, delightedly and worked his way back up her body. His lips smiled but his eyes were wild.
Io wrapped her legs around him and pulled him inside.
“Goddess yes!” he groaned, falling into her heat. Their bodies slid together into a perfect rhythm, and they let the music take them.
“You know the very best part about being siren fey?” Io asked later, trying to keep laughter from her voice, but mostly failing.
“What?” Jack asked, cracking open an eye. He added smugly, “Your eyes are still glowing.”
“So are yours.”
“Hmm. I’m not surprised. So what is the best part of being a siren fey?”
“Well, I can, um…I can make you do that again. Now. If you want to.”
Jack rolled onto his side, an eyebrow raising.
“You know the best part of being a death fey?” he asked in return.
“Uh…no.”
“We can do it again and it won’t kill me.”
Io laughed and wrapped her arms around him.
Author’s Note:
House Goblin is a perfectly respectable occupation, and I wish to apologize to those hard-working goblins everywhere who might feel offended by the portrait of the modern lutin community painted here. It is only in my imagination that the goblin habits of extreme tidiness have ceased to exist. Also, I must extend thanks to the historic goblins Neveling, Glashtin, and Hille Bingels for allowing me to use them in an updated form. It can only be hoped that Hille’s shade is pleased with the idea of being a rock diva. The creature, Horroban, is an almost human monster of my own making and should not be seen as an example of prime goblinhood.
I also apologize to everyone in Detroit for destroying their city. It was all my husband’s fault. He said, “goblins.” He said, “Detroit is perfect!” And he was right.
Lastly, I have to thank the shade of the late Christina Rossetti for writing her magnificent poem, “The Goblin Market.” It is from this Victorian masterpiece that I drew the notion of goblin addicts, and it was from the magic powers of goblin fruit described in that poem that L’Air de Lutin perfume was born.
As a thank-you to all of the lovely readers who have supported me, an exclusive Traveler screen-saver is available to anyone who visits www.lutinempire. com. And, as always, I love to hear from you at either [email protected] or at PO Box 4792; Sonora, CA 95370.
I hope you enjoy goin’ down to Goblin Town.
Melanie Jackson http://www.melaniejackson.com
Praise
CRITICS RAVE ABOUT MELANIE JACKSON!
TRAVELER
“Jackson often pushes the boundaries of paranormal rom
ance, and this, the first of her Wildside series, is no exception.”
—Booklist
DIVINE NIGHT
“Not to be read quickly, Jackson’s latest is closely connected to the two previous Divine stories…This is an excellent addition to this series.”
—RT BOOKreviews
“If you’re looking for a light and fluffy romance, this isn’t the book for you. But, if a literary experience with an entertaining romance on the side intrigues you, pick up Divine Night and enjoy.”
—Romance Reviews Today
DIVINE MADNESS
“Jackson amazingly weaves the present-day world with her alternate reality.”
—RT BOOKreviews
“This tale isn’t your everyday, lighthearted romance…Melanie Jackson takes an interesting approach to this tale, using historical figures with mysterious lives.”
—Romance Reviews Today
DIVINE FIRE
“Jackson pens a sumptuous modern gothic…Fans of solid love stories like those of Laurell K. Hamilton will enjoy Jackson’s tale, which readers will devour in one sitting, then wait hungrily for the next installment.”
—Booklist
“Once again, Jackson uses her truly awe-inspiring imagination to tell a story that’s fascinating from beginning to end.”
—RT BOOKreviews
MORE PRAISE FOR MELANIE JACKSON!
THE SAINT
“This visit to the ‘wild side’ is wonderfully imaginative and action-packed…[A] fascinating tale.”
—RT BOOKreviews
WRIT ON WATER
“An intriguing mix of mystery and romance, with shadings of the paranormal, this is a story that pulls you in.”
—RT BOOKreviews
THE MASTER
“Readers who have come to expect wonderful things from Jackson will not be disappointed. Her ability to create a complicated world is astounding with this installment, which includes heartwarming moments, suspense and mystery sprinkled with humor. An excellent read.”
—RT BOOKreviews
STILL LIFE
“The latest walk on the ‘Wildside’ is a wonderful romantic fantasy that adds new elements that brilliantly fit and enhance the existing Jackson mythos…Action-packed.”
—Midwest Book Review
THE COURIER
“The author’s imagination and untouchable world-building continue to shine…[An] outstanding and involved novel.”
—RT BOOKreviews
OUTSIDERS
“Melanie Jackson is a talent to watch. She deftly combines romance with fantasy and paranormal elements to create a spellbinding adventure.”
—WritersWrite.com
THE SELKIE
“Part fantasy, part dream and wholly bewitching, The Selkie…[blends] whimsy and folklore into a sensual tale of love and magic.”
—RT BOOKreviews
Other books by Melanie Jackson:
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR STRUTTING (Anthology)
A CURIOUS AFFAIR
DIVINE NIGHT
WRIT ON WATER
DIVINE MADNESS
THE SAINT
THE MASTER
DIVINE FIRE
STILL LIFE
THE COURIER
OUTSIDERS
THE SELKIE
DOMINION
BELLE
AMARANTHA
NIGHT VISITOR
MANON
IONA
Copyright
LOVE SPELL®
July 2008
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2003 by Melanie Jackson
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E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0511-7
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