Anth - Mistletoe & Magic

by Mistletoe

  He noticed her posture and his brow angled. "You invited me, my angel. I have come. Is this how you greet me?"

  She dampened her lips with a quick dart of her tongue, nervous, then swallowed. "I don't know what to do."

  He smiled, not simply an expression for reassurance, but one that said he had made his decision, and that they were about to share something amazing. His gaze fixed on hers as he pulled off his clothing and tossed it aside. He stood naked before her, and Ariana gaped. He had been beautiful before. She knew that he was well-built, strong, and finn, but each time she saw him, the effect grew more overwhelming,

  She chewed her lip. "What are you going to do?"

  His smile deepened. "I'm going to give you something so that in a lifetime apart, you won't forget me. Whatever happens, Ariana, you will remember this night, and what I do to you now."

  She gulped, but he pulled back her sheets. She shuffled herself to the side to give him room, but he didn't lie down as she expected. Instead, he traced a line with his finger over her bent knee, to her ankle, then back along the same path.

  Rather than lie down, he knelt by her feet. Ariana choked back a startled squeal when he edged her knees apart, then maneuvered himself between. She wore only a thin chemise, with nothing underneath, so she tried to adjust it to cover herself, but Taran caught her hand.

  She felt giddy and terrified. The first time they had made love, they had been caught up in a whirlwind of passion. She barely remembered how they reached the climactic moment, just holding him and feeling his body inside her, driving her to the sweetest delight of her life.

  This was different. Taran was different. He held her hand and kissed it, but she found her nervousness double. Ariana caught her breath. "Aren't… aren't you going to kiss me?" She sounded as breathless as she felt.

  He leaned toward her, dangerous and strong and so beautiful she couldn't look away. "Oh yes. I'm going to kiss you, my sweet, beautiful angel. I'm going to kiss your mouth and your face and your neck. I'm going to kiss every part of you until there is nothing in your memory or in your dreams expect me."

  She wanted to tell him he held that honor already, but no words came. He bent to her. His lips molded to hers, and he tangled his fingers in her hair, pressing her back to deepen the kiss. Ariana moaned deep in her throat. Taran's touch, his kiss, they were so powerful. Everything he did was sensual. "Every part of you…"

  Her legs curled around him and her chemise bunched at her waist, but she didn't care. He was caressing her with his mouth, and she wrapped her arms around his wide shoulders, gripping his muscles to steady herself. She kissed him, then tipped her face to look at him. "This is what I've wanted for so long"

  He didn't answer. He pulled off her chemise and kissed her again. She ran her hands greedily over his finn skin, delighting in the hard contours of his chest and back. She pressed her mouth against his chest and licked, tasting his skin, loving him. Her hands traveled down his stomach, meeting his arousal.

  He groaned when she touched him, and her assurance increased at his reaction. She wrapped her fingers tight around his swollen staff, squeezing as she massaged him. She felt his body quiver as she pressed her lips fiercely to his throat. "Taran, I want you so, and I've waited so long"

  Taran caught his breath, then grabbed her hand. His breath came in harsh gasps, and she felt intoxicated by seeing the effect she had on him. "Not yet, my dear love. Not yet."

  She puffed an impatient breath. "You want me. I want you, too."

  He smiled. "Do you? I think you can want me more."

  She shook her head vigorously, certain he was wrong. "I can't. I'm sure of it."

  Tie back."

  Ariana hesitated, then obeyed him. She expected him to enter her, but when she lay back, he began kissing her neck. She felt his finn, puiposeful lips grazing her flesh, and his tongue tasting her skin, lower as he cupped her breast in his hand

  He teased its small peak with this thumb, then took it between his lips, laving it until she moaned with pleasure. He lavished attention on one breast, then the other. Her whole body demanded him. Liquid heat filled her woman's center. Her hips squirmed with need, but he made no move to take her as she desired.

  His kiss left her breast and moved across her stomach. He woke every nerve with a light touch of his tongue, and his hands slid with sensual ease over every curve of her body. Wherever he touched came alive, yielding to him before he asked it.

  He slid himself lower so that he knelt between her legs. Ariana watched in astonishment as he bent to kiss her there. She clamped her knees together, but he laughed and held them apart. "Ariana, all of you. It was a promise I intend to keep."

  He met her eyes, then slipped his finger along her woman's cleft, dabbling in the moisture he had inspired. His lips curled into the most seductive smile she'd ever seen, and then he followed his touch with a kiss.

  Ariana bit her lip to keep from crying out, but his kiss turned sensual, too. She felt the tip of his tongue as it swirled out to taste her. It flicked over her small woman's peak, and she gasped his name in surprise.

  He looked up at her, his eyes heavy and dark with passion. "You will never forget me, Ariana. No matter where you go, or what comes between us. You are mine."

  He didn't wait for an answer. He returned to his sweet, excruciating attention, teasing her until she flopped back on her pillows and gave herself over to his skill. He licked her and sucked and teased until every breath she took was a gasp and a plea for release, but each time the moment came upon her, he slowed, then resumed again. She wrapped her legs over his shoulders, and he kissed her and teased her until she had no secret left inside her, no restraint to the depths of her soul.

  As the first sparkling waves of ecstasy swept through her, she seized his hair. With all her fury and passion, she pulled him up, arched her back, and curled her legs over his hips. He held back for a moment, watching her, then drove himself into her.

  She cried out his name and writhed around him, shaken all through herself with the pinnacle of bliss. It faded, then started again as he thrust inside her. He filled her, and withdrew, and filled her again, moving in unison with her until she lost all sense of time and place.

  Nothing stopped them. His release came, shaking him, pouring into her, but he didn't stop. they moved together, unable to part, until the fires took hold of them both, and started again. They made love until Ariana went weak, her legs dangling over his, but still she held him, demanding and murmuring as he filled her. His release came again with shuddering intensity, and her own spiraled around his.

  At last, when every star burned through the frost and shone upon them, they stilled and lay quiet in each other's arms. Ariana refused to release him, holding him so that his body stayed inside hers. "I will not let you go. We will fight, when they come to separate us. I will not lose you."

  She felt Taran nod.

  They looked at each other. Ariana steeled herself to an unimagined blasphemy. "We're going to oppose Nicholas?"

  Taran hesitated, but his expression finned. 'Tf we must, if it's the only way to stay together." He paused. "Although, you realize what that will mean."

  She laid her palm gently against his cheek and her eyes filled with tears. "I would rather be in hell with you, Taran, than in heaven without you."

  Chapter Six

  "What in God's name are you two doing?"

  Emilia appeared carrying a tray of tea and breakfast cookies, aghast as Taran and Ariana pulled down every one of Gurthington Manor's ancient swords and shields.

  Ariana turned to her, wearing the smallest mail shirt she could find. "I'm sorry, Emilia. We know this is odd, but it is necessary." Taran helped Ariana with the belt, but the shirt still hung past her knees. She looked small and adorable, and his heart filled with love as he looked at her.

  Emilia stared at them, astonished by their sudden turn to crime. "Is it?"

  Taran tried an old war ax, found the blade dull, then set it aside for a
shorter Saxon scram sax. "Tin sony this had to happen in your home, Lady Emilia. We bear you no ill will, and are grateful for your kindness."

  "Well, this is a fine way to show it!"

  Ariana seized a sgian-dhu, then tried a wobbly rapier. "I wish she had a wooden bow! I was proficient with the bow."

  Emilia gestured toward the hunting lodge across the gardens. "I believe the gameskeeper has a bow for deer hunting…" She clamped her hand to her forehead. "What am I saying? This is hardly the way to celebrate Christmas morning! What are you two doing?"

  Ariana's chin finned. 'Tin afraid for us today, this is the only way."

  Emilia placed her hands on her rounded hips.

  "And who is it you two plan to fight?"

  They looked at each other. Taran saw no reason to lie now; he laughed at the absurdity of the situation. "You would know him as Saint Nicholas."

  Emilia exhaled a long breath. "Saint Nicholas. the patron saint of children? I see. And you're going to fight him."

  Ariana tried a stab into thin air. Her fighting posture was remarkably good. Taran tapped her elbow. "Keep your arm up, aim straight, slice up."

  She nodded, but Emilia grimaced. "You cannot be talking about stabbing and slicing the patron saint of children."

  Ariana winced, revealing a spasm of guilt. "Only if he attempts to send us back." Emilia popped her lips. "Back where?"

  Ariana stuffed the sgian-dhu into her belt and abandoned the rapier. "It's a long story. We assist Nicholas in his task serving children."

  Emilia's brow rose. "You're elves?"

  Ariana looked confused, then glanced at Taran. "Elves?"

  Taran frowned. " don't like that term."

  Ariana shook her head, too. "Nicholas employs people who have aided children to assist him in the Vale of Snow. We make toys."

  Emilia liked that. She nodded as if she understood and accepted what they said, much to Taran's surprise. She studied them a long while. For a reason Taran didn't understand, a small smile formed on her lips. "You are both very dramatic young persons, I see. It is your instinct to fight when all else fails?"

  Taran hesitated, but since he was armed with a broadsword, couldn't deny the obvious. "We fight only as a last resort, butwe will fight."

  Emilia's smile widened. "I do not approve of violence, but something tells me this battle isn't going to be violent."

  "I hope not." Taran touched Ariana's shoulder. "It is my hope that Nicholas will let us live in peace."

  An ana looked small and vulnerable as she peered up at him. "Will we stay here, then?"

  "Is that what you want, love?"

  "I have never loved a home as I do the Vale of Snow, but where you are… that is my home."

  Emilia looked back and forth between them, perhaps assessing the depth of their feeling for each omen-. "The Vale of Snow. It sounds lovely. What kind of toys do you make?"

  "I make dollhouses. Taran makes toy soldiers with perfect little weapons." Ariana checked the window and Taran came up beside her. "Nothing yet."

  Emilia glanced out the window, too. "What are we waiting for?"

  "He'll come for us in his sleigh."

  "And then you'll ambush him?"

  Ariana peeked up at Taran.

  He hesitated. "As desperate as I am, I cannot imagine attacking him without warning. He is a good man, even if he has forced us to desperate straits. We will give him a chance to let us stay here, together."

  Ariana's brow puckered. "Nicholas is a kind man, but he can be stubborn. If he refuses…"

  "We fight."

  "Where does he want to send you?" Emilia broke in.

  "He's sending me to Wales, where I came from — but long ago. Taran would have to go back to his mountains, back to his home, too."

  Emilia seated herself in a comfortable chair. "I'm sure such a man as Saint Nicholas has much to do. I'll offer him tea when he arrives, in case he is chilled." She paused. "Tell me of him. Is he handsome?"

  Ariana eyed her doubtfully. "He is somewhat stout. But his presence can be imposing."

  Emilia nodded. "Sturdy of build. With a fine beard?"

  Taran fingered the blade of his sword. "He takes pride in its fullness, yes."

  Emilia poured herself a cup of tea and ran her fingers along the rim. "And his wife… is she of a similar temperament?"

  She sounded overly casual, so Taran stopped to study her expression. "Nicholas has no wife. His life has been his work, bringing joy to children."

  Ariana siglied. "He is a good man, although stubborn at times."

  Emilia looked confused, and not without reason. "You care for him… and yet you still plan to…"

  Ariana moved close to Taran. "We have no choice. We failed in the quest he gave us, so he will feel it necessary to send us away as he vowed."

  "Why has he punished you this way?"

  Ariana looked embarrassed. "Our fighting became tiresome to him, so he sent us on this mission."

  "What were you supposed to do here?"

  Taran held Ariana's hand in his. Every second now was precious. "He told us to find someone who was suffering, where no pain showed, then solve their problem. Unfortunately, we found you, and you have already alleviated any lack in all those nearby."

  Emilia looked thoughtful. "I can think of no one in this area who needs your help. I am sorry. It appears you will have to fight him after all. But I can't believe he would be so stubborn as to keep you apart— it's so obvious that you love each other."

  Ariana's lips curled at one comer. I'm afraid it wasn't obvious to us, until last night."

  Emilia rose from her chair. "Then this has become my quest as well as yours. I have great admiration for a man who devotes his life to children— whoever he may be— but it is plain he has gone too far."

  Taran looked at Ariana, but she looked equally baffled by Emilia's meaning. "You're going to help us?"

  "Tarn."

  Taran hesitated. "How?"

  Emilia seized a medieval helm and placed it on her round head, then picked up the war ax. "I'm going to fight, too. What else?"

  The winter sun reached its highest point. Emilia stood beside Ariana, holding her ax with surprising strength. Taran positioned himself in front of them. From the sun's pale golden center, a shape appeared and took form. It was the sleigh of Saint Nicholas. It lowered, then came to the ground before them. The Laplander elves sat perched behind him, and bounced down to tend its team, whose coats steamed from exertion.

  Nicholas took one look at the trio, dropped the reins to his lap, then burst into the deepest, heartiest laughter Taran had ever heard. He hopped down from the sleigh with agility much belying his shape, then laughed again. He drew a breath to clear his amusement, but his blue eyes glittered. "I take it you have failed."

  Taran gripped his sword, but pain filled his chest at his own intention. He loved this man, this kindest of men. Could he draw a sword against him? He glanced to where Ariana stood with Emilia. She held her sgian-dubh, but her hands were shaking and tears glittered in her eyes.

  For Ariana, he would risk all, but what good would their love do if they won it at the expense of another? He met Ariana's gaze, and they looked at each other, filling themselves with the love they shared, and would always share.

  Together, they dropped their weapons. Ariana fell to her knees before Nicholas. "Please, sir. Send us away if you must, but please send us together. I'm sorry we failed. I'm sorry we fought as we did, but we were so afraid, and it was easier to fight than to love. But here we have learned that love is stronger than fear. Please, can't that count for something, even though we found no one suffering?"

  Nicholas looked down at her and touched her head gently. "Dear girl, do you ever draw a breath when speaking? Your capacity for chatter amazes me."

  Taran dropped to one knee beside Ariana. "Sir, I beg of you, too, don't part us. We have done much ill, and many times made mistakes and taken wrong turns. But I can't let you send her back. It's too dangero
us, and she's too brave. I can't let her go where I can't protect her."

  Nicholas arched his heavy brow. "She's affecting your speech, too."

  The sound of ringing steel came from behind.

  Emilia swung her ax in a dramatic arch, then stomped forward. "You let these dear young people stay together, or I'll…"

  A broad smile formed on Nicholas's face as he looked at the headstrong woman. "Or you'll fell me like a Scotch pine, my lady?"

  "If I have to."

  Taran and Ariana looked at Emilia, surprised by the ferocity of her tone. Nicholas, however, seemed intrigued. "Is true love worth so much to you, madame?"

  "I imagine it's worth everything. And I won't let you stand in its way— no matter how handsome you may bef"

  Nicholas stepped over Ariana and Taran and went to her. Taran helped Ariana up and they stood watching, astounded by the change in the old man's demeanor. He suddenly seemed… suave. Masculine. Taran exchanged a quick glance with Ariana, and she gripped his arm.

  "Taran! I know who she reminds me of, now. It's him! Nicholas. She had the same expression on her face yesterday when she was gazing across the loch as he did looking out his window in the Vale. I know what it is now."

  Taran took her hand in his. "Loneliness."

  She nodded, tears in her bright eyes. She whispered, "I never imagined that he might be sad… in the same way I was. In the same way we were."

  "We should have recognized it sooner."

  She rested her head on his shoulder. "How could we see it when we were drowning in it ourselves?"

  Nicholas turned to them. He lifted the helm off Emilia's head and smiled at her pinkened face. "I should have realized that when I sent you here. How could you see into Emilia's heart when you didn't understand your own?"

  Ariana peeked around Nicholas to Emilia. "You are lonely, aren't you, Emilia? You seemed so happy."

  "Aye, and happy I am, my dear. But lonely…" Emilia looked up at Nicholas and her face glowed. "I thought love was for the young and the truly fortunate, like yourselves. I hoped for a man, a great man, when I was young, but the years passed and hope faded. I made the best of my life, and I have lived it well. But I've been lonely… for someone to share my thoughts and my heart. Is there anyone on earth who hasn't felt this longing?"