Once Upon A Midnight

by Stephanie Rowe

  “What can I do?” Kenna asked.

  “If you can help Megan grab the sheets, I’d appreciate it,” Gillian said, careful to be somewhat vague since Jesska’s human mother would not understand the need for ice sheets.

  “Aye, sis. Be right back.” Kenna found Megan, and together they gathered the supplies they’d need.

  Thirty minutes later, Jesska cried out as she delivered the new prince. Skúli Kasparson arrived with a quiet cry and a perfectly round head.

  “Och, lass, look at how pink he is,” Gillian said as she lay the baby on Jesska’s chest. “He’s perfect.”

  Jesska let out a tired sigh as she leaned back against Kaspar and stared down at the baby. “Hi there, baby,” she whispered. “I’m your mama and that’s your daddy. You are so loved, sweet boy.”

  Samantha took the baby away briefly to weigh and measure him, and then he was back in Jesska’s arms just as soon as Gillian had cleared away the dirty sheets and replaced them with clean ones.

  Kenna and Megan took a minute to kiss Skúli and Jesska, then they left the new family for some bonding time. Kenna walked out of the room and into Gunnar’s arms. “He’s perfect. Just over ten pounds, almost twenty-three inches long, and one of the most beautiful children I’ve ever seen. Jesska was such a warrior.”

  Gunnar stroked her hair and kissed her temple. “So were you.”

  Kenna smiled up at him. “Is everyone still asleep?”

  “Yes. Do you want to go back to bed?”

  She sighed. “Yes, please. I’m sure Megan will fill everyone else in on this end and we’ll tell our lot.”

  He smiled and led her back home.

  * * *

  The next morning, as early morning light shone through the transom windows of their bedroom, Kenna rolled over and kissed her mate. “Happy Christmas, sweetheart.”

  “Happy Christmas.” He grinned, smiling against her lips. “I love Jóladagur. Especially now.”

  “Oh?”

  He wrapped his arms around her, rolling her onto her back. “There’s always been something so special about the morning of Christmas, but having you and Styrr, and now a new little nephew, it just makes everything so much better.”

  Kenna stroked his face. “I feel the same.”

  “I have something for you.” He kept hold of her while he reached into the drawer of the side table, pulling out a beautifully wrapped box.

  Kenna bounced a little as she tore the paper off and opened the box. Inside was an emerald cut topaz ring with matching bracelet. “Gunnar,” she whispered.

  “Do you like them?”

  She shook her head. “I love them.”

  “You had me scared for a minute.” He buried his face her neck, blowing a raspberry and making her giggle.

  “Sorry, love,” she said. “I have yours as well.” Reaching into her side table, she pulled out the watch she’d bought for him. He opened the gift and rolled on his back to hold it up to the light. “You never wear one.”

  He grinned, slipping it on his wrist. “It’s because I’ve never found one I liked, and since my phone is much like a pocket watch, I’ve never seen the need.” Rolling to face her, he kissed her gently. “It’s perfect. I love it.” He moved his lips to skim along her jaw and she craned her head to give him better access... just as the baby monitor lit up with Styrr’s bellow.

  “Your son has the worst timing,” Kenna complained as she smiled and climbed out of bed.

  Gunnar flopped onto his back and ran his hands through his hair. “No, elskan, your son has the worst timing.”

  Kenna grabbed her robe and slipped into their son’s room. “Good morning, little prince,” she crooned, lifting him from his crib and cradling him close. “I’m guessing you’re hungry, eh?” He sniffed, his bottom lip quivering. “We’ll get that nappy off you first, love.”

  “I’ll do that, sweetheart,” Gunnar offered, reaching for Styrr.

  “I’ll just wash my face while you do,” she said.

  Kenna returned and sat in the rocker to feed the baby. She smiled up at Gunnar, who leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, watching them. “What?”

  “I’m just taken by how beautiful you are.”

  She blushed. “Thank you, love.”

  “I can’t wait to make more babies with you.”

  Kenna giggled. “Me too, even though I haven’t forgotten the last two months.”

  Gunnar grinned. “We won’t travel next time. People will just have to come to us.”

  “That works for me.”

  Over the next few days, Kenna reveled in her time with her family. New Year’s Eve was the last day the family would be together as a whole, as many were heading back the next day. The non Icelanders were introduced to Áramótaskaup, a comedy, year-in-review type show, where actors make fun of political flops and the year’s best news.

  At midnight, the babies were settled with the nannies, while the adults and little ones were treated to a fireworks show that rivaled anything Kenna had seen in the past. Kaspar had hired a professional company to put the whole thing on, set to music and timed to perfection.

  Jesska had arranged big chaise loungers that couples could sit together in, along with comfortable chairs and blankets if people preferred. Gunnar sat in a chair, pulling Kenna between his legs and wrapping his arms around her. She leaned into him, craning her neck to kiss him, and then settling in to watch the show.

  Brodie had a hard time keeping hold of Killian, because the now one-year-old toddler kept trying to get to wherever the fireworks were. Payton couldn’t control her laughter as he’d elude his father (albeit briefly) and climb something to get as high as he could.

  “I think he’s going to be a pilot,” Brodie said, pulling him down off the trellis at the side of the house.

  “He’ll have to be,” Payton agreed. “Because, if he’s not, he’ll do something crazy like jump out of planes in an attempt to fly.”

  Kenna shuddered, snuggling closer to Gunnar. “If Styrr does anything crazier than being a geeky computer nerd, I’ll have a heart attack.”

  Gunnar chuckled. “We’ll see.”

  “We better no’ see. I want him safe... always.”

  “Okay, baby. He’ll be safe... always.”

  “Good answer.”

  The next installment of the show began and this time, Killian settled down enough to watch. He climbed onto his parents’ chaise and cuddled close, falling asleep just before everything ended.

  Once everyone said goodnight, Gunnar took Kenna to bed and Styrr slept through the night... however, they didn’t. They were working on making a bigger family and Kenna couldn’t think of a better reason to be exhausted the next day.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  THE OFFICIAL LAST day of Christmas fell on the sixth of January, and Gunnar and Kenna returned to Reykjavik the day before in order to celebrate at home. They were expecting Ari, Megan, and Sophia for dinner that evening, and Kenna was taking the time to cook something magnificent.

  Another huge fireworks display had been advertised over the water and their apartment had a perfect view, so she was excited to see what they came up with this year. Last year’s had been great, but the city had promised something even better this year.

  “What are you making?” Gunnar asked, walking into the kitchen with Styrr. “It smells incredible.”

  “We’ll start with a roasted squash soup,” she said as she put the squash into the oven. “Then I’m doing grilled pork chops, asparagus, and garlic mashed potatoes. For dessert, I’m making a self-saucing chocolate pudding with cream.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Aye.” She smiled up at him. “Why?”

  “Because I’m going to get fat.”

  Kenna giggled. “Well, if you do, I’m doing my job.”

  “You want me fat?”

  She stood on her tiptoes. “If it makes you happy, then yes.” Kissing him gently, she smiled, then kissed Styrr’s head before returning to her dut
ies.

  “Ég elska þig.” (I love you.)

  “I love you, too.”

  “I’ll put Styrr down and come and help.”

  “Thanks, love.”

  Kenna put Gunnar on table setting duty, which probably wasn’t the greatest idea. He was a prince, after all, and had never set a table, so she ended up fixing a few things.

  Styrr wanted to be fed just as Ari and Megan arrived, so Gunnar took care of getting everyone drinks while Kenna took care of the baby. She changed him and swaddled him tight before carrying him back out to the living room to an eager Megan who was reaching for him. “Gimme.”

  Kenna giggled and handed the baby off to her.

  Megan stroked his cheek. “Hey, little man. Oh, how your auntie misses this time. You are so handsome.”

  “We can always have another one,” Ari said.

  Megan smiled. “Let’s get Sophia out of the house for good and then we’ll talk.”

  “Ew, Mom, gross. Having a baby at your age?”

  “Elskan,” Ari admonished.

  “What, Papa. My sisters are almost thirty... I’m eighteen. It’s weird.”

  Kenna smiled. “It’s weird in your world, love. But not in ours. Once you’re bound, you’ll understand.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I am not getting ‘bound.’”

  “Oh?”

  “Sorry, auntie Kenna, but I’m not. Why do the men always have all the power? I want to be able to pick the man I marry.”

  “It’s not like we didn’t choose our mates,” Kenna said.

  “Well, what do you call it, then?” she challenged. “If we are destined to be with one person, then it’s not much of a choice.”

  Ari frowned. “This is why you should have never left.”

  Megan shook her head. “This is why you shouldn’t have lied.”

  Ari and Megan were destined to mate, but when he met Megan, she was seventeen and human. Their Kalt Einn customs and lore were far more ingrained than even the Cauld Anes’, and Ari believed he’d hurt her if he bound her. Megan, fearing she was going insane and in danger, escaped with Sophia, and changed their names in an effort to keep her safe, but Kaspar found them, in turn reuniting Ari and Megan. They were now the family they should have been all along.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a fight,” Sophia said. “I just know how I feel.”

  “And you’re entitled to feel however you feel, love,” Kenna encouraged. “Just try not to let your emotions shadow your common sense, because one day, you’ll find the man you’re destined to be with, and you’ll choose him. I promise.”

  “We’ll see,” Sophia said.

  Kenna and Megan shared a secret smile, and then Kenna headed into the kitchen to finish dinner. Megan handed the baby off to Gunnar and joined her a few minutes later.

  “Oh, that girl,” Megan breathed out as she washed her hands. “She’s going to kill me.”

  Kenna grinned and salted the potatoes. “She’ll figure it out.”

  “I hope so. I have managed to raise a very well-adjusted, independent, confident, and highly opinionated human being. Ari wants to kill her then me most days. She doesn’t know what it’s like to have a father, and to suddenly have one is an adjustment.”

  “Is it not going well?”

  Megan dried her hands. “No, it’s not that, necessarily. Ari missed so much after Charlotte and Pepper were taken from us. More him than me, because he erased my memories, but when I disappeared with Sophia, he missed both of us, so now he has us back, and he’s intense. More so than when we were together before. I’m fine with it because we’re in sync, but Sophia’s not used to it, so she’s balking at the over-protectiveness a little. Gotta give my girl credit though, she pushes because she’s strong, but she’s never disrespectful, and she tries to give Ari one-on-one time whenever she can. This whole not wanting a mate thing is new, so it’s going to be interesting to see what happens in the coming years.”

  Kenna giggled. “I’m kind of glad I have a front row seat to the show.”

  “You and me both, sister.” Megan grinned. “What can I do?”

  “Well, we can start carrying food out. I’ll have Gunnar get the wine and then we’re ready.”

  Megan nodded and picked up the platter with the chops, carrying it to the table. Once dinner was done, and much to Ari’s princely chagrin, Gunnar made him help with the cleanup while Kenna, Styrr, Megan, and Sophia sat out on the balcony waiting for the sun to set.

  The men joined them, handing everyone drinks, and then once Styrr was fed and changed, Gunnar set him in the bassinet inside the closed glass doors so they could see him, but where he wouldn’t be shocked by the sound of the booms.

  The fireworks, although a half hour long, seemed so much shorter. The light display depicted elves and the beautiful people that Icelanders believe live in the rocks and mountains of Iceland. The show told the story of a traditional Icelandic Christmas, and the images of the giantess Grýla and her third husband, Leppalúði ended the show. The sound of clapping echoed from the people standing on their balconies.

  After hugs and good-byes, Ari, Megan, and Sophia left and Kenna carried Styrr to bed, Gunnar following.

  As she climbed under the covers and cuddled close to her mate, she was overcome with the blessings she’d been given. She’d waited a long time for Gunnar, but he was more than worth the wait, and she was forever grateful.

  “I’ve waited a long time for you too, elskan.”

  Kenna giggled. “Much longer than me.”

  He patted her bottom and kissed her temple. “Are you calling me aged?”

  “I would never say that... out loud.”

  Gunnar rolled her onto her back and hovered above her. “I think I need to show you what this old man can do.”

  She gasped as he cupped her breast. “Yes, please.”

  Gunnar made love to her and she was swept away by a perfect Christmas wish come true.

  About Tracey

  I was born and raised in New Zealand. With an American father, Scottish grandmother, and Kiwi mother, it’s no doubt I have a unique personality.

  After pursuing my American roots and disappearing into my time travel series, The Civil War Brides, I thought I’d explore the Scottish side of my family. I have loved delving into the Cauld Ane’s and all their abilities…I hope you do too.

  I’ve been happily married and gooey in love with my husband for over twenty years. We live in the Pacific Northwest with our two sons.

  I hope you’ve enjoyed Bound by Secrets

  For other titles in the Cauld Ane Series,

  or to learn about The Civil War Brides Series, please visit:

  www.traceyjanejackson.com

  Find me on Facebook, too!

  www.facebook.com/traceyjanejackson

  And on Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/traceyjanejaxn

  IMMORTAL ENVY

  ©2016 A.D. Justice

  PROLOGUE

  Ramses Barnett’s Journal, 1786

  A vampire has to drink blood to survive, plain and simple. My cravings become insatiable at times. I find I must leave the city or risk being discovered because I can’t control my urges. The various scents surrounding me blend into one delicious aroma and send me into a frenzy. My brother, Slade, pushes me to feed on animal blood, deep in the forests where I won’t be discovered. At times, I heed his advice and disappear for weeks at a time, feeding and living as wild and free as I want. The large animals fill me beyond measure and stay my fangs for longer periods than humans do, but animal blood just doesn’t have the same sweet taste as human blood. It doesn’t fulfill the constant craving that drives my immortal obsession.

  The vast wilderness that lies outside the main cities in America provides excellent coverage for our feeding habits. Skirmishes with the natives, along with tall tales of their increased activity in the outlying areas, easily explains the humans who are missing, and their family members desperately search for them. The se
ttlers haven’t ventured too far westward yet, but I have. It’s not my first choice, but I can survive on the blood of animals when it’s forced on me.

  But tonight, I’m in New York, an up-and-coming new city that’s thriving, growing, and has a heartbeat all its own. Its pulse is so much different from the places Slade and I have spent decades upon decades living in. The vitality of the people, the thick, crimson indulgence that flows through them warms me from the inside out…just a little vampire humor.

  I’m determined not to make the same mistakes I made before we came to America. During the hundred years we spent in and around London, we watched the city and people change seemingly before our eyes. With so many people, the city became a living, breathing buffet, and I couldn’t resist having seconds or thirds. For as long as I can remember, Slade has been the level-headed one. The one who looks out for our best interests and drives me to consider all angles before making a decision.

  A complete contradiction in terms, but Slade inspires me to be a better person. He’s my younger brother, but he’s always had my back. He has cleaned up after me when my impulsive nature left so many dead bodies our true nature was dangerously close to being revealed. Not that he hasn’t given me the tongue-lashing I needed every single time, but I’ve never doubted his love for me.

  Ramses Barnett, Current Day

  Reliving days gone by through reading my old journal used to be one of my favorite things. But not today. Now, it’s much like a silver stake to my heart. Not that silver stakes to the heart will kill a vampire, but I remember how a broken heart feels to a human. The sharp sting of betrayal never leaves me. It’s always in the forefront of my mind, of my thoughts, and my feelings.

  Yes, a vampire has feelings—especially toward other vampires. Especially when other vampires are family. Especially when that vampire family member is my brother.

  Especially when I’d give anything for that vampire brother to be dead to me, just so I could move on without this hanging over my head and my heart.