by Lynn Crain
Cuinn cocked his head toward his brother. “I think she’s enamored.”
Jedrick creased his brow. “Maybe with me…but I don’t think any elven magic was used here.”
“Okay…if you say so.” Cuinn looked at Tessa’s turned back. “So, how’s it going? Really?” he whispered.
His older brother rolled his eyes, remembering the many times they had conversed about women during their college years. “I think that it’s going great. But I’m not going to hold my breath.” He glanced at Tessa back…she was drawing on the window much like they all used to do as kids. “Having fun?” he questioned, arms folded across his chest.
She turned with a surprise look on her face. “Sorry…I didn’t realize I wasn’t paying attention…so are you ready to tell me about some of the things you do?”
For the next hour, Cuinn and Jedrick talked to her about what was being planned for the next year in the way of games and computing products. Both men were surprised with her knowledge of computers and the programming aspects of games. Then she did something that amazed them both. Going into great detail, she informed them that one of their proposed games would bomb.
“It’s not going to work,” Tessa said adamantly.
Cuinn ran his hand through his hair. “And why not?”
“Because the type of game you’re talking about is so passé it’s ridiculous.”
“How can this be out already? That space game was the hottest thing out there this season and we’re just tweaking the design a little,” Jedrick said trying hard not to frown.
Tessa sighed. “Exactly. The key words were ‘this season.’ Lightning usually doesn’t strike twice. You need something new and innovative.” Rubbing her chin, she tried hard to think of something that hadn’t been done or tried before. “Have you ever thought of an elf space quest? Something that would combine the hottest thing in movies the past few years and the current range for space opera? There are lots of wizards and elves in today’s media.”
Cuinn arched his eyebrows. “Why do you think that would work?”
Turning to Cuinn from the vantage point on top of the large table occupying one side of the office, she sighed. “Because it goes along with popular themes as well as what they’re seeing. Fantasy is hot, but if you combine it with the current trends in science fiction and have some parts of both, I think you’d have a winner on your hands.”
Jedrick jumped up and grabbed her face between his two hands. “You’re brilliant.”
She felt his lips touch her like a whisper…a promise of things to come. “Thank you. Just trying to help.” Tessa let the special feelings wash over her, knowing there wasn’t any place she’d rather be.
Chapter Eight
“We need to go to the design group and get them started on this new direction. Want to come?”
She smiled. “I do but I need to go to the bathroom. Why don’t you just tell me how to get there and I’ll join you in a few minutes?”
She listened carefully while Jedrick explained how to get to the rest of the design group. Watching them, she turned and went to the rest room, quickly finishing and washing her hands. Slowly, she walked back into the main office. She gazed at the room again and let the beauty of it flow around her. This place was wonderful and she felt so at home here. She didn’t hear the door open.
“Where’s Jedrick?”
Tessa turned to find Ardan at the door. “Umm…I was just going to join him in the design wing.”
“Ah.”
He stood and looked her over head to toe, making her shiver. Something was going on in that handsome elvish head and she wasn’t sure she liked it at all. Deliberately, she walked toward the door and Jedrick’s brother. She was determined that she wasn’t going to let him intimate her. Surprised, she just looked at him when he held open the door for her.
“Do you know where you’re going?”
Tessa glanced at him sideways. “They told me…so I think I can manage…at least, I hope so.” She came to the main junction and looked both ways. God, did he have to try to intimidate her by following her so closely?
“It looks like you’ve forgotten.”
Tessa sighed and turned. “Is there something that you want?”
“You know that a human and an elf can’t really mix, don’t you?”
She looked at a point on the wall above his right shoulder. She wasn’t going to let him know just how much this scrutiny bothered her. Gathering her composure, she stared him right in the eye. “Well…it’s strange that your parents seemed to have done all right.” She was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath. She had hit a nerve. “Why are you so worried about this?”
“The mental and physical health of all the people here…both elves and men…are my priority. Do you know what can happen if you bond yourself to him and then on a whim, decide to leave Jedrick?’
“No,” she said. Tessa had never really thought about what would happen if she left. Matter-of-fact, she hadn’t even thought of leaving for a while.
“Well, you should. It would break his heart and could possibly kill him. Elves are not like men…we mate for life and beyond.”
She sobered at that admission. “I don’t mind the ‘for life’ part, but the beyond has me a little freaked out. Why do you think I’ll hurt him?”
“All human women hurt elf men…all they want are a handsome man on their arm…and a warm body in their bed,” he spat.
This man had been hurt badly by a human female at some point in his life. Tessa reached out a hand to place on his arm. “Ardan…I am so sorry…not all of us are like that.”
He brutally shrugged her hand off him. “I don’t know what you mean.” His eyes narrowed. “How do you know that you haven’t been ensorcelled?” he questioned savagely.
“Because your brother would never do that,” she said quietly. “He doesn’t have it in him. I can tell…he doesn’t have a devious bone in his body.” Still, the taint of his accusation hung in the air like a living thing.
“I’m not necessarily talking about my brother. What about Santa? The old man has performed his fair share of tricks in the past.”
She was taken aback. Santa? Well, the man had taken her from her home without her permission and offered her as a gift to one of his favorite elves. But would he stoop so low as to make sure she would fall in love with him?
“I can see by the look on your face that you aren’t sure.” Ardan sighed. “Look, I’m not trying to make you leave Jedrick or anything…I can see you both feel something for each other…and I do want my brother happy. If you’re what makes him happy, then so be it.”
Tessa looked down at her feet. “I believe you.” She looked at him again. “So just what do you suggest?”
The man stared at her in utter disbelief. “You’re asking me?”
“Well, you are the doctor here. Yes, I’m asking you.”
Ardan rubbed his face with his hand. “Geez…I’ve never brought a woman home…how in the heck would I know what to do?”
She sighed. “Take me to the design lab and we’ll talk on the way.”
They walked in an uneasy alliance brought by their mutual love for Jedrick.
“You know, I do need to go back and organize my life. I have friends I need to say goodbye to as well as quit my job…what am I talking about? Jedrick hasn’t even asked me to stay!”
“Oh…he will…and soon. Has he talked to about nor’ahkeem yet?”
“No…I don’t believe so…what is it?” she questioned, confused.
“It is the magic process by which we attach ourselves to our mate for life and all eternity.”
“Oh.” She stood there in shock. He wanted her to bind herself to him forever. She almost shuddered…was she really ready for this? Maybe Ardan was right…maybe she did need to take some time and figure out what she wanted.
Ardan stopped in front of a door and turned to face her. “Don’t hurt my brother.”
It almost sounded like a threat
, and she looked at his unreadable face for a moment. “Ardan, I would only be hurting myself if I hurt him. Can you understand that?”
“I understand that is what you’d like to believe. But how can you be sure that you won’t?” He opened the door and pushed her inside.
Tessa heard the door shut behind her and stood cautiously by the door. Everyone was looking at her. Trying to shake off the feeling of dread that Ardan had instilled in her, she looked around the design lab. It too was unlike anything that she had ever seen. The room had the overall appearance of a huge den with a large fireplace and comfortable chairs all around in little groupings for those intimate design talks. Off the main room she could see other doorways that lead away from the center in what she could only assume were individual offices.
Standing there, she wrung her hands momentarily before she could speak. “Hi…is Jedrick around?” The buzz almost started immediately.
“You must be Tessa.”
“He didn’t tell us you’d be here today. He barely told us of the new idea you have. And I would like to say that it is a most excellent one.” The older dark elf bowed low in front of her.
Embarrassed, she waved him up. “Please. You don’t have to do that.” She gently touched his arm forcing her to look at her. “I’m glad you all like my idea. And I wish I could be around to help you with this project but I really need to find Jedrick.”
“Jedrick…your lady friend is here!”
All in all, Tessa counted twelve different elves in all colors and size range. She was rather surprised to find that some of them were nearly as tall as her. Maybe better nutrition and vitamins helped them like it did humans. Still, she was surprised by the diversity she noted among the ‘little folk’, as they were sometimes called. It made her reassess what she thought she knew about them once again.
Quickly, she was rewarded with Jedrick and Cuinn coming out of a side office.
“We really need to talk.”
Jedrick read the concern on her face immediately. “What’s wrong?”
She glanced at Cuinn and swallowed hard. “Alone…if possible, please.”
“Okay…let’s go to my office.”
“That would be fine.” Tessa averted his eyes.
Turning to his brother and everyone else, he said, “I’ll be back in a few minutes so why don’t you all get to work on this new idea.”
Tessa tried hard not to betray her feelings but knew she was losing the battle with her stiff walk. She knew her shoulders were rigid and tight…her back was much too straight…but she didn’t know how to separate herself from the tension inside. And there was no way she could look at Jedrick, her look would betray her feelings immediately.
“Here we are.” He opened the door to his office and walked in behind her. Standing with his hands on his hips, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
She slowly turned and faced him, concern and anguish on her face. “Can Santa make people do things they wouldn’t normal do?”
Scratching his head, Jedrick wondered where this came from. “I suppose. He does have his own special magic. It’s not like the magic of the elves, but it works. What is this all about?”
“And why didn’t you tell me that elves mate forever?” she questioned, her voice laced with tension and accusation.
Jedrick threw up his hands as if to ward off her attack. “Wait a minute…who have you been talking to?”
“I don’t think that matters now…can you keep me here with just your magic?”
“That’s hardly the point…who did you talk to?”
“It doesn’t matter who I talked to…I want to know if it’s true.”
He swallowed hard. “I could…I could keep you here with my magic…I could make you love me. Tessa, I could do a lot of things, but I haven’t and I won’t.” He looked at her with hurtful eyes. “I am sorry you even think I would do something that devious at all.”
Tessa crossed her arms, hugging herself fiercely. “I don’t…not really…but if you have that kind of power, Jedrick, how do I know the feelings I have for you are real?”
He stood there dejectedly. “I don’t know how to answer your question, Tessa. I really don’t. Maybe humans don’t understand their feeling like elves do. We know from the moment we feel something whether it’s right or wrong.”
“Is it true elves can die from a broken heart?”
“Yes…it is true…but the love that causes your heart to be broken must be your one true love. The one with whom you have experienced nor’ahkeem. Elves have a very different definition of forever than humans do. I understand this is a scary proposition for you…I had meant to talk to you about it at another time.”
Tessa’s shoulders slumped. “I need you to take me home. I need to know what’s real and what isn’t. The only way that I will ever find out what I truly feel for you is to get away from here.”
“All right. I told you I wouldn’t force you to do anything you don’t want. I’ll go and tell everyone know I will be gone the rest of the afternoon.”
“Thank you. I would like to get my things from your house.”
The moment that the door shut behind him, Tessa let go. She gulped hard, hot tears searing a path down her face. My God, what had she done? It felt as if she’d ripped her heart out. She didn’t know how long she stood there as tears continued to soak her face.
Gentle arms cradled her and she looked into the face of Jedrick’s mother, Janice. “It’s all right,” Janice murmured rocking her back and forth.
“No. It isn’t. It hurts a lot,” Tessa sobbed.
“Of course it does. You love him.”
Tessa pulled back. “I know.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“I need to know for sure…I need to know it isn’t the elven magic or Santa’s magic…can you understand?”
Janice rolled her eyes, walked Tessa to a chair and forced her down. “I think I can understand better than anyone around here.”
“Really?” Tessa asked and sniffed.
“Yes, really. I mean, Bevan is handsome and I love him more than I ever thought possible…but he isn’t what someone like me would have normally chosen to fall for, if you get my meaning.”
Tessa sniffed again. “I guess it was hard, huh?”
“That’s an understatement. But we managed to work out our problems and here I am, thirty years later. Mother to a brood of six, and in charge of coming up with new ideas in computer circuitry. I could have had a worse life. I’ve managed to keep on top of everything in my field and have a wonderful family.”
Tessa frowned and wiped her nose. “How so?”
“I could have been a trophy wife. My family is part of Boston society.” She stopped and took in a deep breath. “My life could have been very different. I’m very happy with the life I chose. I do my studies through the Internet and have a very rich and full family life. I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else in the world. Now you’ve got to decide what you want…and I don’t think Jedrick is going to regret letting you leave for a little while so you can do this.”
Tessa turned sad eyes to Janice. “What if I decide that I don’t want to come back?”
Janice patted her hand. “I said that once myself. You’ll see…you’ll see. Could you please talk to Jedrick before you leave…try to make him understand a little? Eggther will take you home.”
“I have to go get my things. Could we talk on the way there?’
“That would be fine…I’ll have Eggther pick you up there in an hour. You need to get downstairs, Jedrick is waiting.”
Tessa walked to the door and turned back to face Janice. “How did you know?”
Janice arched her eyebrows. “Jedrick figured out it was Ardan who had talked to you and came into his office like a bull moose. I just happened to be there. And I thought you might be here. Now you go home and do what you need to do.”
Tessa closed the door quietly and walked toward the foyer. Taking the stairs as slowly as she coul
d, she managed to watch Jedrick the whole way down. The very sight of him made her stomach do flip-flops. How could she leave him? She would because she needed to make very sure of what she wanted. And then there was Angie…she’d almost forgotten about her, and that was bad. Just the thought of forgetting about the one human being she cared about the most in the world for, caused tears to well in her eyes. How could she forget Angie? Sweet Angie…where did he come from suddenly?
“Are you ready to go pack your things?” Jedrick asked quietly.
Tessa shook her head and she turned to look back at the foyer. Standing at the top of the stairs she saw Jedrick’s brothers. Cuinn cautiously waved at her and Ardan inclined his head in her direction.
Chapter Nine
Jedrick couldn’t concentrate. It had been two weeks since he had let Tessa leave, and he was miserable. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep and he couldn’t work. God. Why did he ever let her go?
He knew why…you couldn’t keep someone who didn’t want to be kept…and that hurt. No, what hurt more was knowing that the someone loved you, but wasn’t willing to give up their own life to share yours. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand it. Jedrick sighed and knew he was going to go insane at a very young age. Was it like this for every elf?
Santa watched in dismay. Maybe he hadn’t done the right thing after all. Walking across the workshop’s main design room, he knew it was time to talk to the young man.
“Jedrick, I need to talk to you.”
Startled the young man looked up. “What?”
Santa arched a brow. “My office…now.” He turned and walked away.
Jedrick was sure he was going to be the first elf in history to ever be fired. He tossed down his pencil and followed the old man into his office.
Santa ran his hand through his hair. “Shut the door.”
Jedrick turned and closed the door seeing all the faces from the workshop turned in the direction of the office. He shook his head as he quietly closed the big wooden entrance. Rubbing his hands together, he turned. “Sir, I can explain everything,” he began.