I sure as hell shouldn't be involved.
She rushed towards me and hugged me, pressing her body against me in a way I can only describe as 'with intent.' I could feel the blood rushing south from my brain, where I desperately needed it right now. Especially since, when I looked down the hall, the house wasn't the same.
Then a thought occurred to me. Why didn't I have a headache in her presence? It had been so low grade I'd stopped noticing it unless I thought about it. But I was thinking about it, and it wasn't there. Then all thoughts fled my mind for a time as she gave me a mind-blowing, sexy kiss. Our tongues were dueling each other, and she picked me up and took me to my bedroom.
No - I didn't let it go that far. If she wanted what I thought she wanted, we needed ground rules. Solid ones. A relationship is built on more than emotion and desire. It needed a foundation of respect I honestly couldn't say was there. I mean it could be, but I couldn't say. Besides, I wasn't going to risk the... the love of this incredible woman on something as unimportant as sex. That's not to say I didn't suffer a massive case of blue balls. Or that she wasn't upset that I called a stop. But I was sinking way beyond my depths in quicksand here. I needed to build stability before it went further.
I went for a cold shower. Fidelma said she had to call Isolde. I got the feeling there were others she would call. Sergeant McGuire was probably training Isolde, explaining her absence, so he'd probably be coming too. I briefly explored the changed back end of my house. It was four new rooms - three if you count the clothes room being moved. A library with nearly empty shelves and two bedrooms.
I got dressed in a nice shirt and denim jeans. Today, I was on the short side just in case you hadn't realized. I didn't care if an Archangel or a Prince of Hell were being called. Comfort was my goal after so many weeks on the road.
I walked into the kitchen and sat on one of the stools. "So, what's been happening to my house without my knowledge? And why did you decide to stay? Come to think of it, how did anyone afford to get the house changed so quickly?" I asked
"I can answer the first, and maybe the third questions. You'll have to ask your Gran about the second one... sort of. I'd planned to at least stay and teach Isolde how to use a blade." Huh. Knew it wasn't just Isolde she'd rung. "But first... Why stop? I like you, you are attracted to me."
I took in a deep breath. "If I go there with you I want it to be special. Not just a fling. I've had too many of them with people I've helped." Yes, I was curious when I was younger. I know what I want now. "I want to wait. To be sure it's got a chance of lasting. I mean there's nothing wrong with a fling, but I want this to be longer if it can be."
Evidently, that was the right answer. She walked up to me, hugged me with affection and gave me a brief, scorching kiss that made me almost regret walking away from the bed earlier. Almost.
I took another deep breath. "And then there's Isolde. I... I had a lot of time to think while I was finding those skeeves. And she seems to want or expect something too... she kept distancing our family relationship, mentioning we were only half-cousins when I called. I don't want to hurt her, either." I said in a trembling breath. Fidelma's eyes just twinkled.
"You really aren't the gruff loner you put forth when we first met, are you? You should know enough about Elves to know we don't require monogamy. What will be, will be. Monogamy may work for humans most of the time." She frowned at that as if she wasn't sure. "But for people who can live to a thousand, it's not a real option. People grow apart." I shrugged. Obviously, she'd taken in more Elven mores than I'd thought.
"My answers?" I asked again.
"Oh, yeah. We added a few rooms and a basement armory for you. It only seemed fair after all the damage that had been done, and you'll need them with both Isolde and I staying... unless we move in with you... in which case, we might need them anyways, huh?" She smiled at my expression. I must have gone completely white. Kids were not anything I'd ever considered. Nor were they something I was ready for. "So your Gran and I put the money up. She also put a halt to the SSC constables replacing anything but the clothes." She sniffed. "Men have no style sense anyway... with very few exceptions." She stroked my cheek.
She continued "I knew of some dwarves between jobs. They were happy for the work. They even reinforced the existing house. But your Aunt, Gran, Dan, Isolde and McGuire should be here soon, so I need to get back to cooking."
Yup. I definitely should have run. Far and fast. But I wouldn't regret staying. There was something in me that said what was happening would be important. World changing, but important. I was sure my life wouldn't be easy, but it would be exciting.
If I didn't enjoy excitement, I wouldn't have gone into the business of hunting monsters and breaking curses.
Author's Notes
As I sit here writing these notes I look back on the last six weeks with some amusement. This was a fun project. It was also immensely hard. I do not suggest ANYONE try to write a nearly 40k book in 8 days. This didn't happen for me either. It took me nine or ten.
Still I find myself immensely proud of this book. It went through a new process and became one of the longest edit and beta processes of any of my books, in part due to all the other books going through the same process.
I hope you enjoy it. There is a lot of feeling I've had to deal with in my life in this book. I was an outcast at one point even from other nerds, because computers and programing weren't (and still aren't) a huge fascination for me. History, Philosophy and now Storytelling are my passions.
Also as I plan on continuing this story. Some may even appear in future ICG compilations. Some will definitely not. It is funny, how a simple thought experiment can spawn a universe in my head.
Thanks separately to EVERYONE involved in the ICG. The SCARE team, Kat Lind for organizing it, Kathryn for all the effort she put in. And of course he Blind Beta team (I still don't know who you are.)
And I thank you in advance for leaving a review if you liked this book (Or even if you didn't. I can take it!) Reviews help authors with their visibility and with improving their work.
Paul C. Middleton
P.S. I am working on building a Glossary for the series as it was recently pointed out to me that there are a lot of Aussieisms that people will miss. I hope to have it in the next book.
P.P.S. I hope you enjoyed the book, and take a look at all my other books, already published or not.
This is for my Blog
This is for the Betrayed by Faith Mailing list
This is my Author Facebook
This is the Series Facebook
A Mongrel's Curse (Breed Matters Book 1) Page 12