“No. Nothing you’ve said makes any sense.” She fought against the rise of panic that rose in her throat. “Walk me through it piece by piece.”
“Where would you like me to start?” He reached for her but she stepped away. “For a woman who has just seen the love of her life after a messy death, you are acting extremely standoffish.”
Hannah shot him a glare and ignored his comment. “What about the prophecy? Was I part of that or did you never realize it?”
“Two years ago my grandfather took me aside and gave me the prophecy. He said that soon I would meet a woman who would be able to save me from myself, a woman to whom I would pledge everything, a woman for whom I would renounce all.”
“And did you?” She felt small because she couldn’t wrap her brain around the words. “The part you told me—”
Edwin nodded. “…the one who wields the power of the Light will challenge the Dark and defeat it even beyond Death…” He grinned and grasped her hand. “You are the Light, Hannah. Your goodness and love shine so brightly you would need a shade if people could see that. You challenged the Dark, which Andre was literally and my vampire genes for figurative purposes. For lack of a better phrase, you put the smack down on the demon lord and killed him, saving the Eight Realms. You believed there was goodness within me and made me believe that too, thus defeating my darkness.”
A few tears fell to her cheeks. Of course it sounded simple once he explained it or maybe it was the sound of his voice that caused warmth to surround her. “And the Death part? Did the prophecy refer to yours or mine?”
“Mine. When I allowed myself to freely love you in return and embrace my own goodness, it gave me supernatural leverage, if you will. Loving you meant there was no way I would allow my dark genes to overtake my soul and Danu used that very force of will to keep my from Hell’s gate. Upon my death, she could redeem me from oblivion, but I could not retain any of my paranormal abilities.”
“You can’t communicate in my mind anymore?” Panic swirled through her mind at the loss of that particular intimacy. “But that’s what we do.”
Edwin chuckled. “Consign it to the memory banks, spatzi. I am unable to do any of the tricks with mind power. Danu tells me it’s an all or nothing deal. If I want the paranormal abilities, then the abyss awaits. If I want you, I give them all up. Guess which choice I picked without a second thought?”
“You’re an ordinary human now?” She allowed him to fold her into his embrace, shivering as he held her close to his chest. “That’s it?”
“When have you ever known me to be ordinary?” Edwin pressed a kiss to her hair. “I am quite happy with the new status quo as a mere mortal because I will grow old with you by my side, until we fade naturally away. It is what I have always wanted.”
“Was my death part of the prophecy in any way since I’m obviously standing here in limbo.” She pulled back to look into his face. “Explain that.”
It was the Earth Goddess who answered the question. “Yes, it included your death as well. You met Death in order to save the Eight Realms, a complicated network of planes of existence you barely grasp the concept of, yet you rose above the Darkness and gave me the leverage I needed to see that your life force can continue.” She grinned. “Does this satisfy your questions?”
“Yes, I’m just overwhelmed by everything.” Not able to resist, Hannah looked into Edwin’s dear face and captured his gaze. “It’s insane that one little prophecy meant all of this.” She gestured to the portal. “Death and destruction and new beginnings, all because of me.”
Edwin brushed his lips against hers then smiled and his dimple flashed. “Because of you, lives were changed, mine included, and I would never have done anything differently if given the chance.”
“Oh.” Another torrent of tears fell. Hannah sniffed. “I didn’t know you could be so romantic.”
“You are my salvation. You loved me first and would not stop until I believed in the goodness you saw in me. I rose above damnation because of that love.” He brushed at the wetness on her cheeks. “I gladly gave up my very identity for you, Hannah.” The dimple in his left cheek deepened. “I would give up everything else I have if it meant I would be able to spend one more minute of time in your company, which we are wasting here, I might remind you.”
“I guess love really does last beyond the grave.” As she clung to him, love and contentment flowed through her to color her mind with pastel swirls. “What will I call you now? You’re no longer a vampire or a bounty hunter.” Hannah wiped her eyes, reluctant to tear herself away from him now that he’d been given back to her.
“Beloved would be appropriate.” His grin rivaled the sunlight. “Adored would also be acceptable. If you are unable to provide another suitable nickname, I would consider darling but the one thing I desire to hear from your lips is husband.”
Pleasure tingled through her body to tickle low in her belly at the reminder of their upcoming marriage, now possible. “Can I call you Snookums?” She laid her palm on his smooth cheek and reveled that she could touch his skin again. Her heart sang with joy.
“Not in this lifetime. We have already covered this matter.”
The Earth Mother cleared her throat to remind them of her presence. “Is it safe to assume both of you will be going forward to the next plane?”
Hannah giggled and playfully pushed Edwin away when he would kiss her. “Yes, but one question before we go. Why is a life together considered a new plane of existence?”
Danu’s laughter reverberated in the air. “Levels of existence occur all around us, at different times in different stages, constantly evolving. It is up to the being how they would like to live in the different planes.” Her smile was brilliant. “Last week a gentleman arrived in my courtyard wishing to move on to a life of riches and glory. I did as he instructed, but I am afraid he will find no happiness there. He will be back to try and achieve paradise again.” Her lavender gaze encompassed them both. “Most people go through three lifetimes to achieve the kind of love and sacrifice the two of you have achieved by accident or precise orchestration, depending on where you stand. I knew what I was doing when I contrived to be sure your paths intertwined.”
“I knew someone had interfered in my life. I could feel it.” Hannah shook Edwin’s arm from her shoulders. “What would have happened if you ignored my Life Book?”
“It will remain a mystery.”
“Please excuse Hannah. She has a hard time not speaking her mind.” He claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. “It will be an uphill battle for me to break her of the habit.”
Danu winked at Edwin then waved her lily-white hands over their heads. “Go in good health and long life. Find the true meaning of living in love, and hold on to it for all of your days. I do not expect to see either of you for many years to come.”
Hannah laced her fingers with Edwin’s and together they walked through the portal.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Hannah! If you insist on providing counseling services to half the paranormal and magical worlds, could you please ask them to stay out of my office?”
Glass broke. A door slammed somewhere down the hall. Hannah stifled a giggle and excused herself from her client. So that’s where the pixie went. She exited the room and quietly padded down the hall to stand in the open doorway of Edwin’s office. “Of all the places in the world to live, you had to choose this crumbling down manor house in the wilds of Ireland?” Her lips twitched to see him in such a huff.
Edwin stacked papers together then slammed his fist down on the stapler. “It is not crumbling, it has character. Besides, it has twenty-four rooms. Between our children, your counseling business and my new found career as the local law enforcement, I rather think we will be able to fill the house out nicely.”
“Right.” She leaned her head tiredly against the doorjamb and closed her eyes, thinking back over the last month.
Edwin was asked to be the police force for the tiny t
own where they settled. He had no problems taking the job since it meant he could be home with her, and it gave him an excuse to go chasing down the criminal element.
She’d found a large need in the community to open a paranormal rehabilitation and counseling business. After dealing with the beings she carried around during that unforgettable week, she came to the realization that even magical beings needed help from time to time.
Xavier managed to survive the alleged end of the world battle and tracked them down in Ireland. He returned the evening bag to Hannah that contained the three fairies since Narcissa opted to not return with her kinsmen. They were the ones who encouraged Hannah to open the business.
Edwin remained interested in the paranormals, even though he tried hard to deny it. Oftentimes he would recommend work for the larger specimens when they dropped by. And even though he could no longer track them, he remained good friends with quite a few vampires, werewolves and ogres. More than one of them popped in for a visit from time to time.
The werewolf’s occasionally furry presence alone warned potential visitors away. As he had decided to stay with them for the conceivable future, Hannah couldn’t complain. Generally, she warned nosy neighbors off the seventy-three acres of land near the northwestern coast of Ireland with a well-aimed shot from a rifle.
Her eyes flew open as something Edwin said captured her attention. “What children? We’ve only been married for a month.” I’m not ready for kids! I haven’t made peace with myself on the subject of reproduction yet.
“You will soon find you are pregnant with twins. One boy, one girl. Why do you make things so difficult?” Edwin brandished a yardstick and gave the pixie a playful whack. He chuckled as it scurried down the hall.
Icy fingers of dread danced down her back. “I’m carrying twins? Do you know how enormous I’ll get?” She narrowed her eyes. “How do you know this information?”
Laughing, he tossed the yardstick in the direction of the desk then threaded the fingers of his left hand through hers. He firmly closed the door, ensured the lock was set. “Danu told me shortly before you arrived in her courtyard. I suspect they were conceived that evening we fell down the ridge. I meant to tell you earlier but life crept in on us.”
“At least we can tell them they were made with love.” Her cheeks warmed in remembrance of that heady, passion-filled night.
“Although I would caution you not to tell them exactly how. It is a very X-rated tale.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the palm. His eyes were an ordinary blue as he met her gaze.
A part of her missed the constant color change, but to have him be fully human, she gladly accepted the sacrifice.
“There is no need to worry about your shape, spatzi. The babies are only the size of a pea right now. By the time you grow too large, you will not have enough energy to worry about it.”
A smile worked its way across Hannah’s face as she thought of how life would change once again. She and Edwin had created new life and could look forward to seeing how those children would grow and mature. Her eyes filled with tears. She squeezed her husband’s hand. I couldn’t have asked for a better life than this.
One dark thought niggled its way through the golden kaleidoscope of her mind. “Our children were conceived well before your vampire genes were taken away by Danu. Does this mean the kids will be carriers?”
He shrugged, the gesture elegant. “Perhaps, but you once told me not to worry about those genes. They could very well skip a generation. We won’t know for years.” He swept her face with his gaze. “Does it matter?”
“No, I fell in love with a wonderful vampire, so I suppose it’s only right that our offspring would take after their father.” Spirals of excitement coiled in her stomach as his eyes darkened with desire. “They might be a handful though.”
Edwin’s laughter washed over her and warmed her insides. “You are a strange woman, Hannah Mason.” He slid his hands under her sweater and worked the hooks of her bra.
“You are a strange man, Edwin Mason. It’s a good thing we live far away from anyone else. There’s too much to explain with us.” Her breath caught in her throat when he knocked her feet out from under her. He cradled her body as they tumbled to the polished hardwood floor. She clutched at his shoulders. “We can’t do this sort of activity here. I’ve got a client just down the hall!”
“This is the real reason I wanted uninhabited property.” Another round of laughter rumbled deep in his chest. “I grew used to having my way with you wherever I pleased.” His mouth moved over hers with such intensity, it took a while for Hannah to remember her previous protests. “Xavier will take care of your client. He is accustomed to our peculiarities.” Desire sliced through her gut at his grin. “Do you have any objections?”
She shook her head. Passion fogged her brain. “None. Proceed at will.” She gratefully gave herself up to the erotic sensations of being loved and cherished by him all over again. This time, the act became sweeter by the knowledge of the new life growing within her. “Wait!” She shoved at his chest, remembering a vital detail. “I can’t deal with being pregnant right now. I promised to help Xavier find a girlfriend.”
Edwin made a strangled sound in his throat. “Do you really wish to discuss another man at this time?”
Her cheeks burned. “I guess not but…” She sighed when he kissed a hot path down the column of her throat. “But how…?” Oh, to hell with it. Xavier’s issues could wait. He’d been alone this long. Another few months wouldn’t harm anything.
“Do not borrow trouble, Hannah. It will find you soon enough.”
The End
About the Author
Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction. In the past couple of years she’s concentrated on funny contemporary romance as well as Regency-era romance, but she will, on occasion, write paranormal or sci-fi. Whether you like sweet or erotic heat levels, there’s something for everyone to fall in love with. She’s also a hybrid author, choosing to publish both with small presses and doing the indie thing.
When not immersed in creating new worlds and engaging characters, Sandra likes to read, bake, taste new teas, watch The Big Bang Theory and Psych as well as Finding Bigfoot, and travel. Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World: it’s where dreams come true and the soul can play. When she’s not writing or inventing new recipes, she spends time with her husband—goofing off and making moments count.
Sandra loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at [email protected], visit her website at www.sandrasookoo.com, or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.
Charmed by the Werewolf
(an Eight Realms novel)
Coming April 29, 2014
A curse, a quest and keeping the paranormal peace? No problem. All in a day’s work.
Sophia Raines has issues beyond being a near-sighted vegetarian. Bound to a power-hungry Portal Master for the next ninety years, she longs for freedom and a halfway normal life. When a sexy, golden-haired werewolf shows up and kisses her in the street, she panics. A romantic liaison isn’t in the cards, since she’ll eventually betray him. Nothing personal, it’s just her job, hormones be damned.
Xavier Leighton is a werewolf on a mission. He wants nothing more than to have the curse on his person lifted, but he needs to cultivate a friendship with stubborn, fearful Sophia first. There’s something about the woman he can’t ignore, and it has more to do than the soul-shattering knowledge she’s his mate. Too bad she’s resistant to his charms—and his kisses.
As a supernatural bargain is struck, the countdown begins. All they need to do is find a gypsy, chat with a rifle-wielding mermaid, de-brief a deadly, dragon lawyer, and outwit a unicorn with Hollywood aspirations. Easy peasy. Somewhere along the way, Sophia and Xavier might just find out that opposites do attract… unless the Eight Realms fall into ruin first.
Note: this title was previously published in 2010 as Vegetarian at Midnight but has since been re-edited.
Also available from Sandra Sookoo
Hollywood Dreams and Buttercream
Sometimes the sweetest things in life don’t have anything to do with dessert.
Gwynn Flannigan wants respect from her father and freedom from her big, loud family. The icing on her cake would be to win a decorating competition hosted by her favorite food magazine writer. Cole Marshall's one outlet from the stress of business life is writing his Cooking in the Buff feature. Who cares if he never has time for fun?
The answer for them both lies in the deep freeze at Sweet Endings, the struggling ice cream shop Gwynn manages and the one property Cole needs to secure a big promotion. He’s stuck in Madrigal, Indiana to unravel a knot of family drama that drives him crazy.
Things heat between Gwynn and Cole on the competition floor when Cole’s alter ego is revealed. Cake and accusations fly while dreams and goals are left crumbling. In order to balance family, business, and love, Gwynn and Cole will need to work together and become partners—in more ways than one.
You can purchase this book at any digital retailer.
Operation Wedding Crash
Until death—or a secret—make them part.
Nora “Can’t Say No” Lenhart’s life is way past complicated. To add stress to everything, she’s just been appointed maid of honor for the upcoming wedding of the World’s Worst Boss and her ex is the best man. Looks like she’ll need to buy stock in an antacid company and try her best to ditch the green-eyed monster of wedding envy.
Courted by the Vampire Page 29
