by Mistletoe
He had to come to her. Her fingers tingled from cold and nervousness. When he came, she would be waiting. And if he had any doubts as to her desire for him— and how could he— then he would know the truth the moment he saw her.
Ariana returned to her bed and lay on her back. Her heart refused to slow its wild beating. She adjusted her hair to fall evenly, yet casually, around her head and shoulders, then selected a thick wave to draw along her breast. She tried to close her eyes, so he wouldn't know she had been waiting when he arrived, but she couldn't keep from watching the door.
Every sound struck her; every squeak might be the floorboards heralding his approach. Someone walked to her door, and Ariana jerked up in bed, her hand over her heart. But the person passed by, and another door closed across the hall. Ariana flopped back onto the mattress. It was too soon, obviously. Taran would wait until everyone in the household slept, then come to her.
He had to come. She wanted him so.
the rafters outside her window creaked in the cold wind, but she heard no other sound. It was possible that Taran wasn't coming to her, after all. She had misread his interest so many times, and been hurt because of his indifference. Whenever she had thought he wanted her most, he ignored her, proving how wrong she could be.
Ariania's eyelids drifted shut and her breathing deepened, but her chest still felt tight from sorrow. Why did she allow herself to hope this way, when everything that passed between them destroyed that hope further?
She had an answer: It had been a long day. She had been removed from a position she loved, cast out into the snow, almost frozen, then tossed into a group of people who needed nothing. With her former lover at her side, it was natural she might feel some vestige of their brief passion.
If only hope didn't return, even in its smallest measure, her attraction for him might fade over time. Everything did. But every time he turned his dark gaze her way, the fire between thein started again.
Sleep approached, but Ariana couldn't stave off her disappointment. She blew out her candle, then lay on her side, curled up and facing the door. The light from the hall seeped beneath her door. A shadow darkened it, and Ariana blinked. Her heart skipped a beat and she sat up, staring at the shadow. Someone stood outside her door.
She felt him there and her breathing quickened. She closed her eyes and whispered, "Yes," but the door stayed closed. She remembered that she had locked it, because she had been angry that he left.
Ariana slipped out of her bed and crept to the door. She placed her hand on the lock, then stopped. If she looked out, it would seem she had been waiting for him. She hesitated. It would be better if he had to knock.
She felt his presence as if she could see and touch him, and her body burned with need. He had to knock, to ask her. And she would hold him and kiss him, and make love to him with a fire he had never dreamed possible. But first, he had to knock.
She waited for the sound, but none came. After an eternity of waiting, the shadow moved soundlessly away, then disappeared. She waited, but no further noise came, and beneath the door no shadow blocked the hall's light.
Ariana went back to her bed. She had made a fool of herself. The desire in her body cooled to shame. Ariana curled up on her side, facing the window, and by the strength of her will, forced herself to sleep.
She woke with the same ache in her heart that had accompanied her to sleep. Ariana sat up in bed and felt as if her limbs were made of lead. He hadn't come. She had been a fool to think he would. Ariana bowed her head. Tonight was Christmas Eve. They had so little time to find the person Nicholas spoke of, and then even less to find a cure for that person's sorrow.
If she could focus her attention better, she might see what was wrong. But all Ariana could think of was Taran. One more night, and she would lose him. He would return to his homeland, so far away, and she would go back to the dark woods of Wales.
I will never see you again.
They had destroyed their chance at happiness, so perhaps it was for the best. Still, while Ariana didn't expect his love anymore, she wanted to see him every day, to know what he was doing, to feel the sweet comfort of his presence.
Someone knocked on her door, and Ariana jumped. She pulled her cape over her nightgown, adjusted her hair in the looking glass, then ran to the door. She stopped, drew in a quick breath, then opened the door.
"Good morning, my dear." Lady Emilia stood holding a breakfast tray, but Ariana's heart sank. "I've brought you some sweets and cakes and tea for breakfast. I hope it's not too early."
The cold winter sun slanted through the French doors, low on the hilly horizon: Ariana sighed. "Thank you. It was very kind of you to think of me."
Emilia entered the room and set her tray on a table. "The snow has cleared, and my guests will be going for sleigh rides today. I have a winter picnic planned on the frozen loch. I hope you and your cousin will join us."
"I'm sure we would both enjoy such a venture." It might prove a good chance to view Emilia's guests, and a chance to spot grief among them. "Please tell my cousin to make ready."
Ariana seated herself at the table and realized she was extremely hungry. Emilia smiled and held open the door. A thin maid brought in a second tray and placed it beside Ariana's. "You can tell him yourself, my dear. His room is cold, so I thought he might enjoy breakfasting with you."
Ariana tried not to smile, but she trembled with anticipation as she waited for Taran's arrival. Emilia left, and Ariana heard him greet their cheerful hostess. Her nervousness soared, so she pretended to sample a scone. What if he mentioned her behavior last night, that she had stood out on the balcony dressed in only her nightgown? What if he knew she had been trying to entice him?
He came into the room and said nothing She didn't dare look up. Her hands shook as she lifted the teapot. "Would you like some, Taran?"
He seated himself opposite her. "You do it on purpose, don't you?"
She looked up at him, still holding the teapot aloft. "Do what?"
"Play with me."
Ariana splashed tea over his cup, then smacked it back down on its stand. Her face felt hot, both with anger and shame. " have no idea what you're talking about."
He cocked his head to one side, lips curled in annoyance. "You went out on that balcony and stood there dressed like a goddess, with the light behind you, which you know perfectly well shows every curve of your delectable little body…"
A small squeak burst from her before she could stop it. "I was hot!"
His brow angled. "Indeed? As was I after watching you."He gave her an intense glare.
Wild tingles coursed through her veins. At least, he didn't claim indifference. "I did nothing provocative."
"Is that so? You stood, with your arms to the side so that I might see every portion of you, looking at me. You're a fiend, Ariana. The worst kind of fiend."
Tears burned her eyes. "Your conceit astounds me. Yes, I went onto my balcony. It was hot in my room, and I wanted cool air to clear my thoughts. I saw you come out on your balcony, so naturally I looked at you, but I meant nothing by it. I was surprised to see you, so I forgot to covet' myself." She paused, her lips tight in annoyance. "And at that distance, I don't know what you could see, anyway."
He leaned toward her, bracing his elbows on the lace covered table. "I could see your hair fluttering in the wind. I could see the curve of your bottom, which is enough to entice any man. I could see the tips of your breasts—"
She squealed again and hopped up from her chair. "You could not?"
His glittering brown eyes defied her as he stood, too. "You may as well have been standing naked before me."
Ariana felt weak. "It is not I that am the fiend, but yourself."
He drew nearer, but didn't touch her. He reached his hand out to her cheek and just held it there— close but not touching her— as if he could feel the raging energy of her body nonetheless. " am a man possessed by desire. A desire that I would thank you not to enflame at every oppor
tunity."
"You started it!" She rose up subtly on tiptoes to better face him.
"In what way?"
She pointed her finger at him. "You know perfectly well." Ariana leaned closer to him, then snapped back to stop herself from seizing his long, black hair and pulling him to her… She paced in small circles before him, then spun back. "When you said good night to me, you worked quite hard giving me a look— standing there so tall and strong, as if you could do anything to me, and I would thank you for it in the morning." Ariana clamped her hand over her forehead and groaned, then shook her head miserably. "Why do you make me say such things?"
She felt his hand on her shoulder. It seemed comforting, so she let him draw her into his anus. He stroked her hair, gently, then kissed her forehead "We torment each other. Maybe, when we're separated by both time and distance
She fought a sob and closed her eyes tight. She rested her cheek against his chest and listened to the strong beat of his heart. "I'm sure that will be for the best." The words hurt to speak. She didn't mean them. Her life would be empty without him, but if he thought he would be better off without her, then what more could she do?
Taran smoothed her hair from her forehead. "Neither of us seem capable of protecting our hearts. For mine, and for yours, it is probably best to never see each other again. Even if we must give up our work for the children."
She couldn't stop her tears. "If that is what you want, then we should abandon our quest and accept our fate."
He hesitated, and she knew he wanted more. He looked at her, and he seemed shy. "Is that what you want, Ariana?"
She couldn't meet his eyes, so she bowed her head. "What I want… hurts so much." Ariana turned away to look out the French doors, and he stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "I want to go back to the way we were, living in the Vale, working on our toys." She peeked back at him. "I promise to be kinder to you, and not to trouble you as I did. I am sorry I caused you such grief."
He ran his hands down her arms and she shivered with brief pleasure. "Not grief, Ariana. Distraction. But I will tell you a secret. Not a day went by when I didn't look for you to pester me in some way, nor a night when I didn't dream up someway to provoke you."
Ariana smiled and felt warm. "I must confess also to enjoying our encounters. I like to see you angry. It's almost like…"
He turned her in his amis, and she saw his desire. "Like passion?"
Ariana bit her lip, but she nodded. "Yes."
"I thought so. I could swear I'd noticed… When your eyes are glittering with mischief, it's not so different from the way you looked when…" He swallowed and she held her breath. She felt sure he was going to kiss her, if she held very still and didn't stop him in anyway.
Ariana reached up and fingered his hair, then finished for him, "When I want you to kiss me."
He looked vulnerable, as if he didn't quite dare to speak. "You are looking at me that way now, you know."
She gave him a tentative smile. "Am I?"
He closed his eyes. "Ariana, when you look at me this way…"
"Maybe I should do more than look." She entwined her fingers tight in his hair, pulling him down to her, and kissed him. The feel of his firm mouth drove all doubt from her mind. She parted her lips against his to taste him, then slipped her tongue along his. His arms closed around her, his heart thudded and her whole body seemed to mold to his.
His hands shook as they traveled down her back, holding her closer to him. So much passion raged between them, and so much tenderness. How could she lose him now, when she felt hope flaring inside her so brightly?
Ariana kissed the side of his face, then wrapped her arms tight around his neck. She had to stand on hen- toes to hold him. "There is so little time. What are we going to do?"
He rested his forehead against hers, and their noses touched. "We still have a day left. Emilia has some sort of sleigh party arranged. Maybe we can find the person we must save there."
She nodded, but her fear refused to abate. "But what if we can't?"
"Nicholas wouldn't have sent us on a hopeless quest. We must trust that he knew what he was doing, and that there was some chance of us succeeding"
From downstairs, she heard the sound of Emilia's guests readying themselves for the outing "We must join them. Finding the right person is our only chance."
Taran gestured at their untouched breakfast trays. "You haven't eaten."
Ariana seized a scone, pinned her gaze on Taran, then stuffed it in her mouth. She was frustrated, sexually and emotionally, so she ate with particular vigor. Taran watched her for a moment, then took a flat cake and ate it. He ate sensually, probably with the same thoughts that filled her.
They sat opposite each other, never looking away. She poured a fresh cup of tea and he drank, his beautiful dark eyes glittering as he watched her over his cup's rim. Ariana drank, too, then licked her lips. Taran reacted to her every action as if their bodies were touching in passion.
She ate everything on her plate, and finished every drop of tea. Taran's plate was left empty, too. they stood up at the same time. She cleared her throat, and tried to sound formal. "That was quite good. Truly, I have not enjoyed a breakfast so much in a long while. Ever."
A slow, teasing smile grew on Taran's face. "If breakfast affects us this way, my dear nemesis, what then will dinner do?"
"Lady Emilia has promised us a 'winter picnic,' whatever that is. We will see there, shall we not?"
He touched her hair and played with a thick spiral. "If you practice your arts on me today, you're likely to distract me from our purpose." He was teasing, but Ariana's eyes widened and she bit her lip.
"You are right!"
Before he could speak, Ariana snatched a blue velvet dress from a wardrobe closet. "Tell Emilia I'll be right down. We can't afford any distractions now."
He went to the door. "We must keep our eyes on our task, lest we lose… everything."
Taran left, but Ariana stood awhile, motionless. She placed her hand over her heart and closed her eyes. "The only thing I fear losing is you."
Emilia's winter picnic proved less useful than Taran had hoped. Many of her guests had already returned to their homes since the storm had cleared, and those that remained seemed blissfully happy. The old man sat in a sleigh, informing them of prime "toading" areas near the loch, as well as where polliwogs might be found in spring. Jane and David walked together holding hands, and the pear-shaped woman chatted amiably with Emilia, though she too often found occasion to grope Taran's arm for his taste.The low winter sun rose to its highest point, then began its journey back to night, and still, Taran had no idea of who might be suffering even the slightest discomfort.
It was hard enough to concentrate on others when his own discomfort seemed so obvious. Over and over, he relived Ariana's kiss, and the look on her face when she pulled his face to hers. He recalled the utter delight she took teasing him, and her natural sensuality as she ate.
She had denied, weakly, any attempt to entice him the night before, but she had countered with the satisfying claim that he had done so himself. Apparently, she found him nearly as desirable as he found her.
Maybe they had to be kicked out of their comfortable existence in Nicholas's domain, in order to rekindle the passion that once enflamed them. Taran had never lost that desire, but he had learned to hid it. Here, in Scotland, hiding was impossible— especially with the pressure of time upon them.
Ariana sat beside him in the third sleigh, to which was harnessed two heavy-boned gray horses. Emilia had placed a strange bonnet on Aliana's head, which covered her ears and squeezed her cheeks into unusual roundness. Taran couldn't stop looking at her, wondering with a laugh how a woman who so closely resembled a chipmunk could hold him so utterly enthralled.
She stuffed her small hands into a white muff and looked out at the snowbound loch as if at the end of the world. Purple and gray hills etched an endless line on the horizon, casting shadows that darkened
the frozen water. The end of the world.
Ariana fixed a dark glare upon two wolfhounds who frisked ahead of the party. "Everyone here is happy. Even the dogs." She spoke as if an army had utterly defeated her own, leaving no hope for survival. "And it's Christmas Eve."
Taran eyed the dogs as they rolled and jumped through the snow. "Perhaps we'll find they've been troubling the housekeeper's cat."
Ariana sniffed. "How can you joke now? When we're about to lose… everything." She hung her head, which had the effect of further rounding her cheeks, grown pink in the winter air. Snow that had melted under the morning sun had turned to ice and hung in crystal droplets from tree branches. It was a beautiful day, and it felt tinged with eternity.
This could be his last day with Ariana.
Taran placed his gloved hand over her muff and squeezed. "We have to be missing something Someone."
Ariana looked around at Emilia's guests. "The trouble is, we don't know these people well enough to judge their temperaments." She paused, thoughtful. "Emilia knows them best. Perhaps we should consult her."
the party made ready to leave, and Emilia said her farewells to the other guests. She climbed into the sleigh beside Ariana and patted her pink cheek fondly. "You look chilled, my dear. We will get you back to the manor at once and pour you a nice cup of tea."
the two other sleighs turned in the opposite direction, and Ariana clutched Emilia's arm. "Where are they going?"
Emilia looked at her in surprise. "Why, they are going back to their homes— to spend Christmas Eve with their families. Tomorrow night, they will return to dine with me."
Ariana glanced at Taran, then at Emilia. "So you're by yourself on Christmas Eve?"
Emilia smiled. "Not this year." She placed her hand on Ariana's shoulder, then reached to pat Taran's arm. "I have you two, and it is a joy to me."
Ariana's face betrayed sudden eagerness and hope. "Are you usually sad on tilts night?"
Taran held his breath for the woman's answer, but Emilia laughed. "I am not sad to be alone, no. Christmas Eve is a time of peace to me, when I reflect upon the many blessings of my life."