The Princess Protects Her Huntsman: A Nocturne Falls Universe Story

by Kira Nyte

  “Yes, we are,” Arrick answered, placing his hand against Rhyannon’s lower back. The hostess’s brows quirked, a slight motion he didn’t miss. “I called in a reservation. Under Luvell.”

  Rhyannon leaned into his side. Damn, making it through dinner was about to get challenging.

  “Mr. Luvell. Yes.” Chloe flashed them another bright smile, grabbed two menus, and motioned toward the dining room. “This way, please.”

  Arrick followed Rhyannon and the hostess as they made their way along the aisle of dark wood booths. Candles decorated every table, an inviting and romantic touch in the dimly lit restaurant. When they reached their booth, Arrick waited for Rhyannon to settle into her seat before sliding onto the seat across from her.

  “Here you go. The specials are on the inside panel. Your server will be right over. Enjoy,” Chloe said.

  Arrick lifted his menu as the young woman turned her back to him, hitched her thumb in his direction, and mouthed something to Rhyannon he couldn’t make out. The glow of his date’s cheeks, however, assured him whatever Chloe mimed worked in his favor.

  “Whether or not it is intended, I believe your friend has become a chaperone of sorts,” Arrick said, voice laced with humor after the hostess left them. Rhyannon rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “I think she finds you attractive.”

  Arrick lifted his menu slightly to hide the satisfied grin crossing his mouth. “Well, at least I’ve caught one woman’s attention.”

  Rhyannon glanced around the immediate area. “I’d say you’ve caught more than one woman’s attention.” When her gaze landed on him, the sensual smile on her glossy lips was anything but innocent. “But I’m not so easily swayed by handsome looks and melting charm.”

  “Which makes you all the more enticing.”

  “You enjoy the pursuit, do you not?”

  Arrick stared at her, the heat of desire intensifying to a dangerous level. If she only knew how spot on she was…

  “As much as you enjoy being pursued.”

  Rhyannon’s emerald eyes darkened. Sweet spirits, he hoped the lighting in this place was to blame.

  She tilted her head a little. “Are you certain I enjoy being pursued?”

  Arrick narrowed his eyes, lowering the menu to the table. “Yes, Princess, I am. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be prodding a beast for a reaction.”

  His last few words came out on a husky growl. Rhyannon sucked her lower lip between her teeth and toyed with the plump flesh. The motion was so damn sexy. He was utterly tempted to slide into the seat beside her and move this little game to a more sensually dangerous level.

  “Are you sure you want to know my story?” Arrick asked, turning the topic away from desire and aiming for darkness. “It’s not as magical as yours. In fact, it’s quite drab and boring.”

  “You’re far from drab and boring, so I doubt your story falls into those categories.” Rhyannon pushed her menu aside and folded her hands under her chin. “You’ve piqued my interest.”

  Arrick chuckled. Oh, Princess. I’ve done more than piqued. His sense of smell never let him down.

  The server arrived and they placed their orders. Arrick leaned back against the booth and folded his hands on the tabletop.

  “What would you like to know about me?”

  Rhyannon shrugged, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Everything.”

  “Oh?” Arrick quirked his mouth in feigned thought. “Hm. Well, that’s broad. Let’s see. I drive a pick-up. I live in a small two-bedroom cabin in the woods. I like my meat medium rare.” He laughed when Rhyannon scrunched her face in distaste. “Just kidding. I like it medium.”

  “No better than medium rare.”

  “Less blood.”

  “My spirits,” Rhyannon gasped. Arrick reached over the table and grabbed her hands in his, unable to keep from snickering at her appalled reaction. Her hands relaxed in his and her face smoothed, her eyes glittering. “You’re a comedian, aren’t you.”

  “Not usually. Something about you allows me to let go a bit.” He stroked her palm with his thumb. “Really, though, I grew up with two generations of huntsmen in a small village that relied on hunting skills for food. We never wasted the animal, but it was our way of surviving.”

  Rhyannon regarded him. “In Virginia? I was unaware this country still has areas that rely on old means of living.”

  “Well…” Arrick cleared his throat. Honesty was the only way to move forward from here. At least, as much honesty as he could safely allow. “I grew up in the nineteenth century. Born eighteen ninety-two, actually. So, yeah. Hunting was still a thing at that time.”

  Rhyannon’s eyes widened and her lips parted. Then, her shoulders slouched slightly as she leaned closer and whispered, “You’re not a vampire, though.”

  Arrick shook his head. “No.”

  “What are you?”

  The million-dollar question he couldn’t answer without getting choked into silence by the witch. Instead, he released one of her hands and traced the scar along his brow.

  “A vampire would be a gift, trust me.” His fingers brushed along the white patch of hair before he lowered his hand to hers. “Let’s just say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and earned myself a longer lifespan than I was expecting. It’s a bit complicated and definitely dismal. I don’t want to taint this wonderful evening with sorrow. Quite honestly, I forget about it when I’m with you.”

  Rhyannon’s fingers squeezed his. “I’m glad I can provide you with some happiness.”

  “Princess, you have no idea.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the tips of her fingers when the server returned with their wine.

  “I’d like to toast to you, Rhyannon.” He lifted his wine glass. “A woman with a heart bigger than the world will ever know, with wisdom beyond her years, with the ability to bring peace to the tortured and strength to the weary. A glimmer of hope and a spark of beauty that will be treasured. Until I stumbled into you, I wanted nothing more than for this torture to end.”

  A faint crease formed over Rhyannon’s delicate brow as he took a sip of his wine, watching her over the lip of his glass. He wondered if he’d let too much of his darkness show. She stared at him, a storm of emotions playing across her face. He didn’t try to decipher her thoughts. If there was one thing he had learned in their brief time together, it was the complex nature of her mind.

  If he were completely honest with himself, he rather liked that air of magical mystery that surrounded her when her mind went to work. It was downright sexy.

  Rhyannon brought her glass to her lips and took a slow, small sip of wine as he lowered his glass to the table. Her lips shimmered with moisture before the tip of her tongue licked lingering wine away. Her eyelids lowered slightly.

  Arrick was certain of two things.

  One, he would taste those lips and savor the flavor of the woman across from him come the end of the night.

  Two, hell would rain down on them both in no time.

  Chapter Nine

  Rhy couldn’t remember the last time she felt so carefree and comfortable with anyone. Two hours flew by in a blink as they shared stories of their youth. She loved drawing Arrick out, so he did more actual sharing than she did. She kept the knowledge of his careful skirting of certain topics, mostly surrounding the “accident” that prolonged his life, to herself.

  Rhy dabbed her napkin at the corner of her eye as tears of laughter crested her eyelid. Arrick brushed a hand over his hair, the fine lines around his eyes deepening with his bright smile. The server finished clearing their dessert plates, took Arrick’s credit card, and went to process the payment.

  “I have a hard time believing you,” Rhy said, regaining her composure. “After all you’ve shared, I can’t imagine someone getting a crate of mice past you long enough to stash them in your mattress.”

  “Leave it to my brothers. I had come down with a cold and I’d been out hunting from sunup till sundown. My senses w
ere less than sharp by the time I fell into my bed. Waking up to furry creatures skittering over me had not helped in my recovery.” Arrick winked. “Revenge was sweet.”

  The adoration in Arrick’s voice when he spoke of his family warmed her heart and made her yearn to hug her parents. It also made her realize how much she had in common with Arrick. They were both alone in a world set against them, horrors of the past nipping at their heels while they grappled for a bright and promising future.

  “I dare ask what your revenge was.”

  “Is that a dare you wish to take?” The warm glow of his eyes darkened as his smile turned sly and mischievous.

  Rhy shrugged. “Only so I am aware of what to expect should you feel I am deserving of revenge at some point.”

  “Ants. And beetles.” Arrick waggled his brows. “In their pants. Watching those two dance around like girls left me with a stomachache for hours after laughing so hard. They earned themselves some inquisitive looks from the townsfolk.”

  “Oh, sweet Goddess. You’re terrible.” Rhy giggled, then let out a short breath. “I won’t fill your bed with mice.”

  “And I won’t sabotage your beautiful clothes with ants.” Arrick laid his napkin on the table when the server returned with his card and the check. He scribbled a tip and signature on the paper. “Well, Princess. What do you say we finish up here and take a stroll around town?” His gaze shifted toward the front of the restaurant. “We’ve grown an audience over the last hour or so.”

  Rhy slid to the end of the booth and allowed Arrick to help her to her feet. When she followed his humored gaze toward the hostess stand, Chloe, two servers, a busboy, and another hostess all quickly looked away and went about their business. With her jacket over her arm and her hand in his, they wove through the tables.

  “How was everything?” Chloe asked as they neared her.

  “Perfect,” Arrick said. Rhy nodded.

  “Thank you, Chloe.” Rhy accepted a small hug from the hostess. “I’ll be in touch in a few days for takeout.”

  Chloe giggled, her gaze lifting to Arrick. “I’ll be expecting two dishes instead of the usual one. You two have a great evening.”

  “We will.”

  Arrick held open the door as they escaped the pub and stepped into the biting cold. Rhy shivered. Arrick quickly released her hand, took her coat, and held it for her. Rhy slid her arms into the sleeves. She closed her eyes as Arrick stepped up flush to her back, wrapping her in the coat and his own body heat. For a long moment, she savored the feel of his strength and his heat, relished the caress of his breath along her ear and the clean scent of his cologne filling her lungs.

  “There, Princess,” he murmured against the gold lacework cuff decorating the tip of her ear. Her muscles loosened as she sank deeper against the hard wall of his chest. “I’ll keep you warm.”

  His nose was cool as it brushed over her cheek. Rhy moistened her lips, her heart sputtering as he drew closer to her mouth.

  “Rhyannon,” he whispered, gently turning her to face him. They stepped closer to the building, out of the way of pedestrians and half-hidden behind a tiered topiary. Fairy lights twinkled like a hundred fireflies within the pruned branches, dousing the night in more magic than Rhy thought possible.

  When she lifted her gaze to Arrick, the world around her disappeared. Again. She reached up and traced the hard edge of his jaw, his brow, and followed the scar to the soft patch of white hair.

  A flicker of pain struck his expression as he sank his fingers into her hair and tipped her chin up. “Sweet Princess, I’m no good for you but I can’t walk away.”

  His sorrowful words twisted at her. He left her no time to question his meaning before his mouth lowered over hers and pulled her into a world of pure pleasure and rightness. With each slow, thorough sweep of his tongue, she sank deeper into his arms. His essence, from the hint of wine and sugar to the man beneath, filled her with cravings that went beyond rational. He was magic to her mind and body. She never quite understood addiction until Arrick tapered off the kiss and dragged his thumb beneath her bottom lip. She craved more of him.

  Rhy didn’t want him to stop. The separation was horrible.

  When Arrick opened his mouth to speak, Rhy pressed up on her toes and hushed him with another kiss, one that spoke her desire through action rather than words. His deep chest growl resonated through her bones and left a burst of goose flesh over her arms. The arm he had draped around her waist tightened, drawing her flush against him.

  Dear Goddess, his kiss was powerful. A spirit-awakening potion she never thought she’d drink. Not as gentle as the first kiss. Rhy melted in the hint of his hunger and the strength in his restraint from giving in to that hunger.

  This time when Arrick ended the kiss, she merely sighed, settling back on her heels, and sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. At least she could savor the taste of him until their next kiss.

  “I don’t think anything in this town could wow me more than what just happened.” Arrick caressed her cheek with his knuckles, his arm still locked tight around her waist. “But, since we agreed to a walk, shall we?”

  Rhy smiled. “A walk it is.”

  Arrick stepped back and held his hand out. Rhy accepted and they began a leisurely stroll down Main Street.

  “Do you have any siblings back home?” Arrick asked.

  “No. I’m an only child. My mother nearly died in childbirth and my father refused to risk her life for another child.”

  “Well, if I might say, I think they hit gold with you.”

  Rhy laughed and shook her head. “Oh, the stories they’d love to divulge about my youth. I believe my overly mischievous ways as a child were due to my playmates.” She nudged him with her shoulder. “Dragons and sprites. As an only child, things were rather boring and lonely. I bided my days in the company of some rather questionable characters.”

  “Dragons and sprites, eh? Sounds like your parents had their hands full.”

  “I’d say yours did as well. Mice in mattresses and ants in pants.” She chuckled and leaned her head against his strong biceps. “However did they control you?”

  “The pranks never went beyond my brothers and I. We were raised right, manners, respect, and everything a decent young man of society was expected to possess. Guess you could say that the risqué life never appealed to me.” Arrick shrugged. “I enjoyed my time in the woods. The town’s Huntsman. My status filled me with pride and a sense of accomplishment.” Arrick stopped walking, gave her a playful poke in the side, and hitched a thumb toward the storefront beside them. “Think they might want to reconsider the contractor who built this store.”

  “I believe the foundation has given way beneath the structure.”

  “Most certainly.” The building looked like half of it was being swallowed up by the ground. He pointed to the huge faux cracks in the clever brickwork. “No way to fix it. Best to just knock it to the ground and start over.”

  Rhy’s eyes went wide as she looked up at him and noted his furrowed brows as two women came out of the boutique. “Do you believe this building is truly crumbling?”

  Arrick’s lips pursed for a moment, then he looked down at her and winked. “I know better than that. I’ve built a few structures in my time. Actually, I’m kinda impressed by the architecture of some of these places. Definitely adds to the Halloween appeal.”

  “Huntsman and contractor?” Rhy followed Arrick’s lead as they continued forward. “I’m anxious to see what other specialties you’re keeping from me.”

  “Rocket scientist, engineer, stand-up comedian, professional diver.”

  Rhy laughed. “Practical joker. You forgot that.”

  “That’s not a specialty. That’s a side gig.” Arrick chuckled. He forewent her hand and draped his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled against his side, content with his presence and the assurance of protection. “On a serious note, I’m pretty simple.”

  “Simple isn’t always bad, Arrick.
I’m simple in my ways.”

  “You’re magnificent.”

  Rhy reached up and folded her fingers between his, keeping his arm snug around her shoulder. “To you, perhaps. And to me, you’re fascinating. And an amazing kisser.”

  Arrick curled his hand so their fingers brushed over her lips. “I think I want to kiss you again.”

  “Keep in mind that this is a family-friendly town.”

  They paused at the corner of the block. Arrick glanced up the side street that led to the parking lot, and his car. “I think you’re cold.”

  “Not at all.” She hadn’t noticed the small shivers that rippled along her muscles while half-hidden against Arrick and surrounded by his body heat. Arrick stepped in front of her and arched a brow. “Okay. A little.” Her teeth chattered. “A lot. If you’d like, I can make some tea at the house in exchange for another kiss.”

  “Oh, Princess. You don’t need to bribe me for a kiss. You can have all the kisses you want.”

  * * *

  Arrick was so caught up in Rhyannon, their teasing kisses and playful banter that he almost forgot about the witch. Then he sensed her presence skirting his mind. Trying to maintain calm, he regretfully took his leave—was it normal for his chest to hurt as Rhyannon closed the door behind him?—and scrambled his thoughts with images of Main Street, the crowds, and the false desire for a few beers. The amulet around his neck warmed. His skin tingled where it rested under his shirt.

  He sped back to the main part of town, parked the car and ducked inside the Gingerbread Inn, flicking Cookie a short wave before dashing up the stairs and locking himself in his room. He peeled his clothes off, taking a deep sniff to see how much of Rhyannon’s sweet smell lingered on them. Too much. He found the plastic bag from the store, shoved the items inside, and tied a double knot before tossing the bundle into the bottom of the closet on his way to the shower. Washing away any evidence of his date with Rhyannon would only work so much. He had to make sure nothing would make the witch suspect who he kept company with.