by Kelly Risser
She loved this room. It was her sanctuary for so many years. Dropping onto the giant beanbag that served as her bed, she let the tears fall. She wasn’t sad exactly. Her new life was wonderful, and she loved each of the men like brothers, or in Vesh’s case, something different and more. She wasn’t ready to admit that to him yet, though.
A light rap at her door had her sitting up and wiping her eyes. She cleared her throat and called, “Come in.”
She was relieved to see it was Vesh and not David. Although she loved her brother, he was often intense, and her emotions were on edge at the moment. Part of her wondered if this was what Meara felt like, this tugging between worlds. Ula made a vow to talk to her niece when she arrived.
“Hey.” Vesh’s smile crumpled when he saw Ula’s face. He crossed the room and sat next to her, lifting her chin. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, loving the feel of his warm fingers on her skin. “Just feeling sentimental.”
With the pads of his thumbs, Vesh dried the fresh tears from her cheeks. “I can see why,” he said, and she looked at him curiously. “This room is wicked.” His face broke into a wide grin. “What do you call these comfy circles?”
Her laugh was watery, but genuine. Vesh always made her feel better. “Beanbag chairs. You’re welcome to take one for your room, if you want. I have plenty of them.”
“I think I’m enjoying being right here.” He wiggled until they sank into the middle and pressed against each other. Blood pounded in Ula’s ears while her body tingled everywhere their bodies touched. With darkened eyes, Vesh bent his head, lowering his mouth to hers. Any remaining sadness was forgotten in the warmth of his embrace.
After kissing her thoroughly, he molded her to his side. She curled against him, her head resting on his chest. His hand lightly stroked up and down her arm. “Do you feel better?”
“Mmm… much,” she murmured sleepily.
He kissed her forehead. “Good.”
That was the last thing she remembered before sleep claimed her. In the morning, Vesh’s alluring, clean scent remained, but he was gone.
A little over a week of hard work, but the halls were decked and mistletoe hung. Vesh insisted on trying out each mistletoe spot, much to Ula’s amusement. She drew the line, though, when he claimed his very own stem of it and followed her around.
“I have work to do,” she scolded.
He wiggled his eyebrows. “So do I.”
Laughing, she shook her head. It was nice to see this lighter side of him. In Azuria, he was often so serious. As her advisor, he took his position very seriously, and even when they were alone, it required some time for him to relax and unwind.
David and Brigid selected the Christmas tree, cut it down, and hauled it into the fortress. Vesh didn’t understand the custom at all. He paused in the threshold and asked, “Why is there a dead pine tree in the great hall?”
“It’s a Christmas tree,” Ula explained. “Humans decorate them.”
Walking around the tree, he shook his head. “They decorate a dead tree?”
“It’s not dead yet,” she said and pointed underneath it. “It’s in water.”
“It’s dying.”
“Well, yes.” She didn’t understand the custom either, but she was trying to.
“Seems morbid to me, but whatever floats your boat.” He laughed. “Floats your boat. I love that saying.”
She was sitting on the ground, surrounded by all kinds of ornaments. Some were delicate glass orbs, while others were handmade gems of felt and glitter. These glimpses into Meara’s childhood warmed her heart. “Help me hang these,” she told Vesh and stood carefully so as not to step on any. “Since you’re tall, you can hang the smaller ones on the top of the tree.”
Holding out the hook, she showed him how to hang the ornament on the branch. Between the two of them, they managed to get the tree decorated in a short amount of time. As they put the last box away, Ula heard Meara’s voice in the hall coming their way. Excited as she was to see her niece again, Ula was even more excited to show Meara everything they’d done.
Meara was in the middle of a sentence when she stepped into the room. She stopped talking and her eyes went wide, scanning the holly, the presents, and the large, twinkling tree. Finally, her gaze came to rest on Ula, and she gave her a wide smile. “You did this?”
Ula nodded, running over to her. They hugged each other tightly and started crying.
“Thank you,” Meara whispered. “This is wonderful.”
“Women.” Kieran spoke from behind them. He crossed the room to shake Vesh’s hand. “They get together, and the water starts flowing.”
“How was the trip?” Vesh asked.
Kieran shrugged. “Fine. My dad and sister are here, too. I think they got distracted by Paddy’s cooking. I would’ve joined them, but Meara wanted to find Ula right away.”
At that moment, Ula squealed and grabbed Meara’s hand. “What’s this?” She looked between Kieran and Meara. “You’re engaged?”
“How do women do that?” Kieran asked. “It’s like they have a radar for jewelry or something.”
“You’re just jealous,” Ula said. “Is it true?”
Meara nodded, and both women squealed.
“That’s our cue to leave,” Vesh said. “I’ll join you in the kitchen.”
Ula barely noticed as Vesh left the room with Kieran. She was so excited for Meara. “You have to tell me all about it.”
They sat on the couch, and Meara told her the story of how Kieran proposed. “We’re planning to have a traditional wedding ceremony and invite our human friends and family.”
“That’s wonderful. Have you selected a date?”
“No, but I’d like it to be in the summer so Evan, Katie, and Kim can come.”
Ula had mostly forgotten about Meara’s human friends, except for Evan, but hearing their names brought their faces to mind. It would be nice to see them again. “Where will you hold it?”
“We’re not sure.” Meara frowned slightly. “We can’t invite them to Ronac or Alkana, but perhaps Scotland or California…” She trailed off and shrugged. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Let me host it!” Ula offered. “We were just at Ken’s old house. It’s mine now, you know. There’s plenty of room and a beautiful view.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that,” Meara said.
“You’re not asking.” Ula took Meara’s hands and squeezed them. “I’m offering. What do you say?”
“I’d love that.” Meara smiled. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“I have another question for you. I don’t know if it’ll be awkward and all, considering that you were once betrothed to Kieran, and—”
“Meara!” Ula interrupted, laughing. “Just ask.”
Her niece’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. She always was a pretty girl, but she was even prettier when she blushed. “Would you be my maid of honor?”
Ula’s vision wavered as her eyes filled with tears. “I would love to.”
That night, David held an engagement dinner for Meara and Kieran. Of course, all the Ronac Selkies were there, and the family sat together. Vesh was invited to sit at the family table, too. Ula hoped that her other three brothers would come. It had been so long since she’d seen them. They were busy with their own families and lives, an unfortunate side effect of growing up.
After dinner, Arren and his friends played their instruments and got the crowd dancing. As Vesh twirled her around the floor, Ula realized that the band was actually starting to sound good. They must be practicing. She gave Arren a thumbs-up when the song ended, and he grinned at her. Raising his eyebrows, he mouthed, “Now?”
Ula nodded. When they arrived, she had provided Arren with sheet music for all the well-known Christmas songs. She hadn’t heard them play any yet. Christmas was still a day away, but it was Christmas Eve. She knew many humans listened to carols throughout the month of December.
The band rearranged on stage. Usually, Arren played guitar and sang, but now, their brunette friend, Cloda, stepped up to the microphone. They started playing, the tune slow and soft. It didn’t sound very celebratory to Ula, but she understood when Cloda began singing.
“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you. I’ll be so blue just thinking about you.” Cloda’s voice was clear and strong, even as tears began to run down her cheeks, shimmering in the candle-lit hall. “Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree, won’t mean a thing, dear, if you’re not here with me.”
This song was not just for Meara. They all lost someone dear to them in the past year. The senseless battle had high costs for both sides. Ula felt her throat constrict, and when the song ended, she clapped just as loudly as the rest of them.
“That was for everyone we lost.” Arren took this microphone back after giving Cloda a comforting hug. “We will never forget them. But the next song is for Meara and Kieran. We couldn’t be happier for this couple, who taught us to fight and gave us our powers. We will stand by your side whenever you need us.”
Searching the room, Ula spotted them in the back corner. Meara was wiping her eyes, and Kieran had his arm around her. They both looked surprised to be called out by Arren. When he started singing, Meara smiled. Ula didn’t recognize the song, but clearly, her niece did.
Arren’s voice was deep and gravelly for this number. “Girl, why you look so sad? The tears are in your eyes. C’mon and come to me now.”
It sounded like a love song, and while Arren sounded sexy singing it, Ula was surprised that Kieran didn’t look jealous or upset. When she heard the chorus, she understood.
“I’ll stand by you. Won’t let nobody hurt you. I’ll stand by you.”
The cavern erupted in whistles and clapping as the Selkies surrounded the couple, swaying around them. Meara started crying again, but this time, she cried with a wide smile on her face. Kieran’s eyes glistened too. They made a point of hugging their people and kissing cheeks. They had earned this honor, and the people of Ronac loved them.
“They’re like royalty,” Tyrese spoke next to Ula. She hadn’t even noticed when the younger girl arrived.
“They did something that no one else had done before,” Ula said. “They empowered us all. They are like royalty. This clan is as loyal to them as David, if not more so.”
Tyrese leaned closer to Ula, her blonde curls falling across her face and blocking her expression. “Do you think they’ll live here? You know, after they’re mated?”
Ula didn’t take her eyes off the couple. “I hope they do. I’ll miss her too much if she leaves.”
“I’ll miss her too.” Tyrese brushed the curls out of her face. “And Kieran too, but Meara has grown on me in a short time.”
“She’s a special girl,” Vesh added. “I knew it the moment I kidnapped her.”
Tyrese’s eyes widened comically. “What?”
Ula laughed. “It’s a long story.”
Arren finished the song, and the room erupted in applause. Ula noticed Tyrese watching the young Selkie musician, even though she tried to downplay it. “Do you want to meet him?”
Eyes darting away from the stage, Tyrese asked, “Who?”
She wasn’t fooling Ula, who saw the blush that crept into her friend’s cheeks. “Arren. He’s a great guy and a strong magic user as well. I think you’ll like him.”
Still blushing, Tyrese said, “Alright.”
That alone shocked Ula. As long as she’d known Kieran’s sister, she avoided men like the plague. Stephen wanted to arrange her mating to the leader of a powerful clan, but Tyrese refused to meet with any of the suitors. Before the girl changed her mind, Ula took her friend’s hand and pulled her over to the stage. “Arren?”
Arren had been speaking to his band mates about the next set, but he turned at Ula’s voice and smiled. “What’d you think?”
“You sounded great,” she enthused. “And I loved the tribute to Meara and Kieran.”
“The Pretenders,” Arren said with a sigh. “Great band.”
While he talked, Ula noticed his eyes kept moving to Tyrese with interest. For her part, Tyrese was glancing anywhere but at Arren. It was the first time Ula had seen the girl act shy. And a surprise for such a strong, outspoken female. Squeezing her hand, Ula said, “This is Kieran’s sister, Tyrese. She’s from the Alkana clan near California.”
“No way!” Arren’s enthusiastic response had Tyrese’s head snapping up. He jumped off the stage and landed right in front of her. “Have you ever been to L.A.?”
“L.A.?”
“Los Angeles. I want to go so bad. Just think of the bands I could meet.”
“I haven’t gone,” she said. “But I’d like to.”
Arren reached for her hand, and they both paused at the contact. Ula bit her cheek to keep from laughing while twin blushes filled the young Selkies’ faces. If the queen thing didn’t work out, she might have a career in matchmaking. “I’ll leave you two alone. Vesh and I need to talk to Meara.”
“We do?” Vesh asked, oomphing when Ula jabbed him with her elbow.
“We do.” She pulled him away.
“Why do we need to talk to them?” Vesh rubbed the spot where Ula’s elbow met his side. “We just talked to them at dinner.”
“We don’t,” Ula said. “But I wanted to leave those two alone. They don’t need an audience. It’s awkward enough at first, don’t you think?”
“What?”
He couldn’t possibly be that clueless, could he? “Dating,” Ula said.
“Oh.” Vesh fell into silence as they crossed back to the table. She poured them both wine and handed him a glass. “Is that what we’re doing?”
“What?” Ula asked.
“Dating.”
“More like secret dating.” With each passing day, she resented that they had to hide their relationship.
“It doesn’t have to be.” Vesh stepped closer and tipped her chin up. “Say the world and I’ll proclaim across the depths of the ocean that we’re together.”
Her lips curled up, and she murmured, “Would you?”
“You know I would.” His eyes searched hers. “What say you, my queen?”
She shivered under the intensity of his stare. Vesh made her feel as no one else had, and now that she knew how intense her emotions could be, she realized that what she had with Kieran was never love. He was right to break off their betrothal. What she felt for Vesh… this felt like love. She couldn’t imagine her life without him. Wrapping her hands around his wrists, she smiled up at him. “Let’s do it. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
His eyes lit with happiness. Lowering his head, he kissed her deeply. She heard Nuaim’s harsh intake of breath. He stood only a short distance away and would need to be the first to receive an explanation, just not at this moment.
“About time.” Meara’s voice cut through the haze that Vesh’s kisses created in Ula’s mind. “I was wondering when the two of you would come clean.”
“I was just waiting for the word from the boss.” Vesh tilted his head toward Ula.
“Weren’t we all,” Kieran added.
Ula and Meara rolled their eyes at the men. “Want to dance?” she asked her niece.
Arren’s band was now playing a fun, fast song, and the main floor was filled with Selkies of all different ages, dancing and laughing. Taking Ula’s hand, Meara said, “Let’s go.” To the guys, she added, “You’re welcome to join us.”
“We’ll sit this one out,” Kieran said, raising his glass to her. Vesh nodded his consent.
“Suit yourself,” Ula said. They started dancing. Tyrese joined them for the rest of that song and the next two. Ula cherished opportunities like these to be silly, carefree, and hang out with her girlfriends. These moments were rare in her new life where responsibility to her kingdom had to come first.
The music slowed, and the men came to claim their partners. No surprise, Arren asked Tyrese to d
ance. He must’ve asked someone to fill in for him, because while Cloda was singing the ballad, another musician was playing guitar.
The next song was fast, and the guys stayed to dance. Ula knew Kieran was a great dancer, but Vesh might even be better. He moved with a fluidity that oozed sex appeal. She wasn’t the only female with eyes on him, but she was the only one his eyes were on, and that was what mattered.
Christmas morning, Ula thought with glee. She was ridiculously excited about the plans for the day, starting with a breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup, which was Meara’s favorite. Ula promised to help Paddy prepare it, so she needed to get moving. Vesh was asleep next to her, snoring softly. After they finished dancing last night, they pulled Nuaim aside and explained their relationship. He took it very well and admitted that he had a feeling there was something between the two of them. Since pretenses weren’t an issue anymore—at least with Nuaim and the Selkies—Vesh spent the night, holding her close and whispering sweetly to her. His words were endearing, but his actions showed how much he valued her. She knew he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice himself for her. Whether that was because she was his queen, he loved her, or both, she hoped to learn over time.
Moving quietly so as not to disturb him, she dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved knit shirt. She was looking forward to spending time with Paddy. She missed her brothers, especially him. He was fun and more like her than their other siblings were. The two of them had always been close.
“The queen is up!” Paddy teased when she entered the kitchen a few minutes later. He kissed her cheek. “I’d hug you, but I’m pretty sure I’d get flour all over you.”
“What can I help with?”
Things seemed to be well underway. Several Selkies were preparing toppings like fresh strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream. Meara liked hers with bananas and chocolate chips, so those were available as well. There would also be a coffee and hot chocolate bar. Ula was curious how the Selkies would feel about the human foods. It was going to be fun to watch them trying new things. So far, they liked the holiday decorations and music. Maybe it would become an annual tradition, if nothing else, to please Meara.