The real show-stopper sat over in the corner of the room. Large rocks formed a circle where ice-skating penguins danced around a rink, snow softly falling around. The snow seemed to be coming out of nowhere; beginning a few feet above the scene without any device I could find and link to its making.
"How does it do that?" I stared at Nix, trying to figure out the trick.
He bit his lip, trying to hold back a laugh. "It's magic, Rachel, Christmas magic."
"This is very special, thank you. Do you always celebrate like this?" I wasn't necessarily going to buy the Christmas magic line, but I would play nice, for now.
"I do love the season, but I've never gone this far with the decorating. I wanted it to be one you'd remember." He took my hand, the one without the ring, kissing it.
I was about to ask about stockings, but without a word, he pointed to the far side of the room. A huge hearth, the kind that a person can stand in, had a roaring fire and yes, two stockings hanging from the mantel.
"You didn't miss a detail." He still had my hand and I wasn't in a hurry to take it back. His touch was warm and I wanted to be in his arms.
Nix stared at me for what seemed an eternity. He was contemplating asking me something.
"Is it the branding? Is that what you're thinking? You have the advantage, being able to read my thoughts and I can't read yours." Was that me, grumping on Christmas Eve day?
He cleared his throat. "Sometimes, I believe you can see right into my heart, so I wonder who exactly has the advantage."
"You want to put your branding on me again?" Inside, I wanted him to mark me again. I wanted to feel his tongue and those little prongs going in. I wanted the pleasure he could give.
"Rachel, be careful, even I only have so much control. You keep having thoughts like that and I can't make any promises about what might happen. That ring doesn't protect you from my need." His gaze was full of want, making me weak.
"Please put your branding on me. I want it." My voice sounded strange in the massive room. It was soft and wispy and drifted off to settle on the decorations like a tiny snowflake.
"Are you certain? You keep having it removed which makes me wonder if you'll ever truly keep it." He paused, walking over to the hearth. "Are you excited about what might be in your stocking tomorrow?" Nix suddenly faced me, smiling. He was trying to redirect our conversation. His question caught me off guard.
Memories came up fast, breaking through the surface to float, exposed. No, I hadn't even thought about a stocking. The last time I'd put up a stocking had been when my dad was still alive. My throat tightened as the pain of having been alone for so long hit. Rein had been in my life, but he'd always been away during those moments when I'd needed him most, like Christmas, when you can feel as if everyone belongs but you. I gasped, trying to get my air in. Nix was right there, holding me, stroking me.
"Hush, it's over and you're here with me. We are having Christmas and your birthday and anything and everything. You aren't alone."
"I haven't had a stocking in years." I could hardly get the words out. "It isn't the same— to put one up and fill it."
Years had gone by. They were like markers along a long road—mine. Here it was Christmas Eve and I was looking back, down that road, wanting to erase it all. Even when my father had been alive, there'd been little happiness. We'd been poor, and they'd made no secret that Lizzie was their favorite child. Our stockings had been socks, and we'd wake to find an orange, a couple of foil-wrapped Santa Claus chocolates and a small toy.
"I wish it had been better, but it's past and you're here with me," Nix whispered against my ear. He held me close, and I melted into his embrace.
"Why do some people have such good, happy lives and others don't?"
"I don't know. There is no rhyme or reason to life; I've learned that over the centuries. I can feel the pain in your heart. I want to put my branding on you; it will ease the pain and help you to begin healing. Despite what you think, wearing my branding does have some advantages for you. The longer you wear it, the more healing and releasing it can help with. It's a kind of joining between us, an intimacy."
"Go ahead, I want it." What I wanted was for all those memories to vanish, to go. I wanted freedom from the hold they had on my heart. I wanted a new road.
A new road. My own thought hit me hard. Suddenly, I remembered everything Marion had said about her grandmother, Abby. Abby's Road. Abby had gone against all the rules and constraints of her world. She'd fallen for the wrong guy, a poor man that her parents would never have accepted and then got pregnant by him. She would have become an outcast in those times, but Abby didn't give up. Instead, she married into money and lied about her baby. There was much to be learned from Abby Westshire-Butler. Perhaps I could shape my own life, despite my circumstances. She did. She broke rules, lied and still did something good for her community, she built a school. Maybe the lesson is that life can box you in, but you have to make choices to get yourself out and on the road to a better place. She hadn't planned on falling for the wrong guy or being pregnant. Things happen, but she made the best of her situation. Was it perfect? No. She'd had to lie and live a lie, but Abby would have seen the bigger payoff. She'd married into a family of wealth and position and had pleased her parents and given the Butler's a male heir. She'd spared Delmar Cornie any grief by never divulging she'd carried his child. Who knows, he might not have wanted to be with her if she had told him. It seemed to me that Abby Butler had thought things out and taken a road that may have had a few potholes and some twists and bumps, but it had taken her where she needed to be in life.
I'd been so lost in thought; I'd forgotten Nix was with me.
"You are cunning, aren't you?" The bemused expression was quickly replaced with a smile. "I like how you think. Yes, we do make choices that aren't always the best ones, but at times they are the necessary ones. Abigail Butler was a very clever woman."
"May I make a request about where you put the branding?" This time, I'd think ahead. I'd be at Abby's Road High and I didn't need anyone asking me about the marking.
"Yes, I'll put it lower, make it less visible. Are you ready?" His gaze sent my heart racing.
I nodded and he came close, but instead of going for my neck, he kissed me. I felt his hand moving up my side until it rested over my breast. He rubbed slow circles around my nipple with his thumb, all the while stroking his tongue into my mouth. It was sensual and set me on fire. I wanted him, but I wasn't ready to be with him, not yet.
"I'm not going to fall into bed with you, Count. I want to, but I'm not going to."
I heard the deep chuckle. "Rachel, I would never push you, not about that. I want you, but I'm willing to wait until you're ready. A little play can't hurt, right?" His lips were on my neck, and then lower. He pushed the strap of my dress aside, kissing his way down. I closed my eyes, feeling the hot wet of his mouth on my breast. The other strap came down and my other breast exposed.
"You're so beautiful, Rachel."
I'd always been self-conscious because my breasts were small.
"I don't have much there to offer..."
Nix paused, staring into my eyes. "You are perfect." I jolted to the wet of his tongue on my skin and he teased until I cried out to him. Without a word, he stopped, bringing the straps up, adjusting the dress to cover me again.
"I can't take this any further without wanting more from you."
"The lust between us is torture." I blurted it out, my verbal filter on failure.
He laughed. "But it's good torture, wouldn't you say? I want you, Rachel, all of you, forever."
I knew I'd never forget the look in his eyes at that exact moment. I fell into his gaze, locked into time with this vampire who had saved my life and could set me on fire with need.
"I'm hungry." I needed space and he needed to give it to me. I was turning eighteen and starting my life. There was no way I'd make a decision like that. This castle and my surroundings were amazing and I wasn't immu
ne to the romance and being swept along, but I wasn't crazy either. I had to keep perspective and find my own road and if Nix ended up being on it with me, then it would be right. His gaze narrowed a fraction and I could tell he'd read all my thoughts.
"I have a feast planned for tonight, and a guest." He smiled mysteriously.
"Who?" Now he had my attention. Who on earth would he have invited?
"He'll arrive shortly. I suggest you take some time to freshen up before dinner. There are numerous outfits for you to choose in the wardrobe in your room. Shoes and sandals and anything, look around. I've filled the dresser as well. Everything should fit."
Everything would fit, of that I had no doubts.
"Is there anything to snack on?" My stomach was making noise and I needed a sugar fix.
Nix clapped his hands and within seconds, Wolfram came in with a large tray holding a silver coffee urn and sandwiches and small cakes. He spread a tablecloth over the side table, and set all the dishes out.
"Coffee, Miss Owens?" Wolfram bowed low to me.
"Yes, lots of cream and two sugars and I'll have sandwiches and cake." Oh dear, that did sound bad.
Nix raised his brows. "You do have an appetite, but I have no idea where the calories go."
True enough, I didn't gain weight despite my love of sweets.
"You do know we will have dinner in about two hours?" Nix was fighting a smile.
"Yes, but until then I need to keep my strength up. All this rushing about and lack of sleep is catching up with me. Besides, I need to be at my best for this mysterious company and you know I get crabby when I don't eat regularly."
"Coffee, Wolfram, make mine black." Nix selected a couple of sandwiches and cakes, handing me a plate.
What a world he lived in. This was beyond anything I could have imagined. It was far too addictive—to have everything you desire materialize. To have a servant bring you whatever you wanted. I could get used to this very fast and that was dangerous. I had to keep from getting pulled into this fantasy world. Yes, it would be a great place to vacation, but to live like this? If I was with Nix, would I live here all the time?
"No, not unless you wanted to," Nix said. He was beside me and I nearly dropped my coffee.
I had to remember he was in my head. I made short work of the first sandwich half. They were the kind served at afternoon garden parties, with the crusts cut off.
"You do know it isn't polite to eavesdrop? That is what you're doing." Pointed. I wanted him to understand it wasn't fair. "How would you feel if I did that to you all the time? I like to have space and privacy and that includes my thoughts."
"Sorry. I'll try to back off. I like being in your head, it's squishy in there."
I laughed, but inside I was feeling apprehensive about who he'd invited.
"Please tell me who it is." I gave him my best pleading look before downing a small square of cake. The vanilla frosting was excellent, not too sweet and very creamy.
"Yuri. I've invited Yuri to be here over the holiday. I thought you might like a familiar face at the table." Nix stared at me, then busied himself getting more coffee.
His answer surprised me. "That was a nice thing to do. Have you ever invited him before?"
He shook his head, holding the cup steady while he poured. "No. It isn't usual practice to bring another into one's dimension. Vampires don't invite their own kind into their home, never mind one from another sect of creature." He completed his task, this time adding a small dollop of cream to his coffee. "I like Yuri, he's honest and I like that he has your best interests at heart."
"Why do you think that is?" I'd asked it before I could filter.
Nix let out a small laugh that almost sounded more like a breath interrupted.
"He can see how amazing you are and I believe he'd fall in love with you if he thought you might love him back."
The sound of china breaking against the stone floor filled the room. I hadn't realized I'd dropped my cup and saucer. Pieces of the lovely china lay scattered around the area.
"I'm so sorry." Suddenly I felt a real chill. Wolfram rushed in with a dust pan and cleaning rags. He cleared all the jagged pieces, then swept and mopped.
Nix hadn't moved. He studied me across the room.
"I think you're wrong. Yuri likes me and after all that happened, felt sorry for me." I spoke quietly, but Nix heard.
"You're easy to fall in love with, Rachel, you just can't see it." He walked over, setting his own cup down along the way. He took me in his arms, bringing me close. "You're shaking. Rachel, are you ill?"
"No, I'm cold. I need to go and have a rest before dinner. Please take me back to my room."
He picked me up, carrying me along the corridors until we reached the room.
"Would you like me to stay with you?" His eyes were glowing.
"You have to behave yourself."
He winked. "Don't I always behave?"
"No, but I'm too tired to argue."
He opened the door, carrying me through to the bed. The door swung shut and I heard a click, as if a lock had been turned.
"Play fair," I warned.
"Oh, Rachel, I want to play...fair." He was on the bed beside me before I could protest. "Here, under the covers." He lifted me, pulling the bedding out to get me underneath the sheets. After some fussing and rearranging, he had me tucked into the bed.
"I'm fine. I was simply cold." A lie, yes, I was cold, but there was more to it. What he'd said about Yuri had rattled me.
"Why do you think he went crazy on Tristan? I wanted to dice him up for attacking you, but Yuri got to you first. I'm still going to make that little puke pay for his actions. Trust me, it isn't over." Nix lay next to me, on top of the duvet. He managed to free my hair, stroking his fingers though its lengths. "Like silk. You do know we have some unfinished business?"
I sat bolt upright. "What? What business?"
"The branding, you said I could put my mark on you. I would like to do it...now." Nix rolled on his side.
I settled back down onto the bed. I was about to pull the covers up, but he held my hand, preventing it.
"I'm going to put it further down." He reached, sliding the strap of my dress down. "How about here?" His touch was light, landing below my collarbone and to the left. "I'd like to put it here," Nix rubbed his finger along the fabric over my nipple, bringing my flesh to life. "But it would be far too tempting."
My head was spinning. "Stop talking and brand me."
He bent, and like the two previous occasions, I felt an intense wave of pleasure. When he came up, there was a little blood on his lips.
"You fed." I'd meant it to be an accusation, but in my current state of jelly, it came out a weak statement. What about the ring and its powers?
"You told me to brand you. You can't expect me to resist what's before me and available. Since you gave your permission for this, the ring didn't prevent it." He licked his lips, making a production of it.
All I could think of was how tired I was. The last thing I remembered was his lips against mine and then I slipped into sleep.
Chapter Five
"Miss, Count Vicar has asked me to give you a wake-up call so that you may wash and dress prior to the evening festivities."
I blinked, realizing it was Wolfram gently rousing me from my slumber.
"Oh...yes...thank you. I'll be ready shortly." The sun was lower in the sky, the room a combination of streams of light and shadows. It was still very warm and I wanted to find time to be out in the sun before I went back to my cold reality. The winters in Lonsdale weren't harsh, but I'd take this type of climate over where I lived any day.
"It is formal tonight." Wolfram bowed low before closing the door.
I went out onto the balcony, wanting to feel the wind and sun on my body. Part of me wanted to forgo dinner and run off down to the shore and to the ocean. Tomorrow, I made a silent promise to me. My sketching had gone by the wayside as late. I'd learned over the years that I co
uldn't ignore my inner artist. It was almost a necessity for me to go to the shore and drink in the sounds and sights. Being able to sketch helped me to ground and fed my soul. In the distance, I spied a figure walking along the shore. I watched, curious. After a few seconds, I realized it was Nix. He hadn't seen me and I took advantage of the opportunity to observe him. There was a chair, so I sat, still able to see through the railing. He walked along, pausing now and again to examine something on the sand—perhaps a shell or a crab. Once he came closer, I could see him better. He'd tied his hair back and walked barefoot. His jeans were rolled, as were his shirt sleeves. The dress shirt was un-tucked, left loose which only added to his sexiness. He moved with grace and strength, his hands in his pockets. I let out a small laugh, thinking how he could be a commercial for some men's product. It was a rare and odd moment to see him unguarded and unfiltered. His expression struck me—his face was troubled and he seemed lost in his thoughts. Suddenly, he stared up at me and I knew he could sense my presence.
"Rachel? Are you ready?" His voice filled with surprised that I would have already managed to shower and dress.
I stood, waving, cheerful. "I'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
Forty-five minutes later, I opened the door to find Nix leaning against the opposite wall.
"Your watch seems to be off." He pushed off from the wall, coming toward me.
"I couldn't decide. There was so much to choose from. Will this do?" I did a small twirl. Deep down, I wanted him to like what I'd chosen and I wanted to impress Yuri.
Nix stared at me for what seemed ages. He shook his head and my heart fell.
"Perhaps you should change..."
"You don't like it?" I'd had a battle in that wardrobe, but in the end I'd selected the red dress. It was formal enough for dinner and yet had a summer feel to it, not to mention red was a Christmas color. I'd paired it with sandals and a large scarf to use as a wrap.
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