“Will you be going to your parent’s home for Christmas?” Danial said neutrally, changing the subject.
“No. I’m visibly pregnant, and I don’t want them to know. I’ll make some excuse.”
“You’ve not seen your friend Kat lately either,” he said softly. “Is it because it’s mine?”
“Some of it,” I admitted, moving away from him. “We aren’t married, and my mom will give me shit just for that. She doesn’t know what this child means to you.”
“You mean the same to me,” Danial replied. “I don’t mean to push, but—”
“Then don’t,” I said sharply.
“I love you,” he said sharply back, his eyes tinting red. “It bothers you you’re in what you see as an illicit situation, enough for you to shun your friends and family. I’m merely telling you the situation is of your own choosing.”
“You told me once, you didn’t want to marry me,” I said bluntly, feelings of sadness and anger roiling together.
“I told you I’d prefer to be Oathed,” Danial countered. “I still feel the same. You’ve seen marriage isn’t respected by most non-humans, as the choker is.”
“I’m already wearing the choker,” I said with a sigh.
“I know, darling,” he murmured, taking me in his arms. “I’m just asking you if you’d feel better wearing a ring.”
I was silent a moment. Danial was offering to marry me. Part of me wanted to because it would immediately make my pregnancy more kosher to everyone, including myself. Was that really the best decision for me in the long run? Would I feel the same way about being married or Oathed to him when I wasn’t pregnant anymore? It wasn’t fair to Danial to say yes now, and reconsider later. Unfeeling as that possibility was, I knew I couldn’t promise forever now, not if I wasn’t sure I could give him that.
“I’ll marry you, if you want me to,” Danial continued gently. “Just say the word.”
“No,” I said gently back. “I know you’re committed to me and to our baby. I don’t need another symbol of that commitment.”
“As you wish,” he said with a sigh. “Come, let’s get you to bed.”
* * * *
Christmas was peaceful that year. Again, I set the tree up at night with Danial and Elle’s help. This year, more than my memories graced the tree. The spiders we had made last year hung in its branches along with ornaments Elle had made of clay, wood, and paper.
Christmas Eve came without interruption, and we exchanged gifts. I had sewn Elle a ballerina outfit, and she tried it on, dancing for us.
“I want dance lessons,” she said sweetly, lunging around the great room.
“Your mother and I have agreed on private ones,” Danial replied, “provided you are on your best behavior. Children are often more perceptive than adults.” He handed her a package. “However, you must leave time for learning.”
“Is it the new telescope?” she said excitedly, grabbing it.
Danial nodded. “Yes. I’ll take you out later tonight if you like. The night’s clear and cold, perfect for stargazing.”
“Here is another treat for you,” I said, handing Ghost and Darkness their third Cheweez of the evening. They took them happily, retreating to their beds to chew.
Elle handed us some drawings she had made of us walking together on a moonlit night. “These are for you and Dad.”
“Thank you.” I was astounded at her level of skill. “We’ll have to frame them. These are wonderful, Elle.”
“Thank you,” she said shyly, taking off her outfit. “Can we go look at the stars, Dad?”
“Yes,” Danial said, “Get your coat.”
Elle ran to the mudroom, and Danial turned to me. “Would you like to come?”
“No,” I said, taking his proffered hand. “I’m oddly chilled. I’m going in to bed.”
“I’ll see you in a bit, then,” Danial said, leaving me at the bedroom door. “I started a fire, so you should be warm.”
I gave him a kiss. “I’ll be fine. Go on.”
Danial left, and I went to the woodstove, throwing on another log. Jesse and Cavity were in front of it, lying in happy, blissful warmth. I petted them and then went to bed.
Lying on my pillow was a small box of Godiva Chocolate. I picked up the card beside it.
“To my Love, on our third Christmas, Danial.”
I put the chocolates beside my bed, resisting the urge to eat one. The next thing I knew, it was Christmas afternoon.
Danial was gone when I awoke, the rumpled bed the only testament he’d come to bed. Worried he was up, I wrapped a robe around me and went looking for him. Opening the bedroom door, I stepped into flowers.
There were vases everywhere with roses of all colors―red, white, yellow, blue, pink, and multi-colored. The sweet fresh scent of roses wakened my senses. I took a deep breath.
“Here’s another one,” Terian said with a grin, handing me a bucket filled with water and more roses. “We’ve run out of vases.”
I took it from him, taking a deep breath in the silky petals. “How many did he order?”
“One for each day we have spent together,” said Danial from above me.
I looked up to the loft, meeting Danial’s eyes. “Danial, that is over five hundred flowers!” I said, shocked.
“Five hundred, thirty-three,” he replied with a loving smile. “I’ve been listening for you to get up for hours, hoping you’d delay long enough to get them in position. There are four hundred and eighty here so far, so it was pretty close.”
“I can’t believe you did this,” I said slowly, looking around me in wonder.
“This Christmas called for more than a box of chocolate,” he said, leaning over the railing, his dark hair falling forward. “I know you like flowers.”
“I love them,” I said, burying my face again in soft fresh petals.
“Here’s another,” Elle said, carrying in an armful. “There are no more containers.”
“I’ll get another bucket,” Terian said, rolling his eyes, and we all broke into laughter.
* * * *
The roses ruled the great room for a week. They overpowered the pine tree and everything else. I loved seeing them all together and watching them open more each day. Cavity and Jessica had a field day, knocking them over almost faster than I could right and refill the vases. I took to locking them inside the pet room with their litter box when I couldn’t be there watching them. They couldn’t go outside anyway, and I knew the roses wouldn’t last long. I wanted to enjoy them.
Too soon, they began to die. By the end of two weeks, I was down to one large vase of around fifty.
“So you want a boy?” I said to Danial late one night, as I removed the dying roses from the vase.
“I’d like any child of ours, you know that,” he said, kissing me, “but I would like a son. We have a daughter we love.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said softly, kissing him.
“There’s more,” he said, pulling away. “We were right in our suspicions. Elle has been changing at night and sleeping in cougar form to speed up her development.”
“She looks about eight now, though she’s only about one and a half years old. How did you get her to admit it? She denied it when I asked her.”
“I asked her to stop changing at night. She cried and said she would.”
“Did she give a reason why?”
“Because there aren’t any kids to play with here. She thought if she looked older, she would be allowed to do more. I told her she’d have a sister or a brother soon to play with.”
“She just said okay?” I said in disbelief.
“I told her the baby wouldn’t have anyone to play with except Aran Jr. and would need her not to be too old. She agreed to change only once a week from now on.”
“Good,” I said, relieved. “That was what Nineva had recommended for Elle before leaving for Africa.”
“Are they still corresponding?” Danial asked. “I worried he
would lose interest after the first letter or not want to continue because it might bring back bad memories of his suffering.”
“Elle still gets letters from him about once a month asking her how everything is. I’m surprised too, but grateful he’s her friend. We don’t know any other werelions.”
“They’re rare in the United States,” Danial said, after a moment. “There are some cougars out west, but not an abundance of them. Most werelions reside in Africa and some in South America, but they are the African lion, not cougars.” He took my hand. “Are you ready for bed?”
“Yes. Please start a fire.”
“Are you cold again?” he said worriedly.
“It’s normal for me to be cold in winter,” I said nonchalantly. “It’s wonderful to not be too hot.”
I went to sleep easily and slept well. The next morning I awoke feeling chilled again. This time it was deeper than a draft, like I’d been in a strong wind that had driven cold into my bones. Danial started a fire, and I sat down before it, telling him and myself I was fine. Yet as the morning wore on, despite the fire, I got colder and colder. Finally, my teeth began chattering.
I called Terian on the cell with shaking fingers. “I need you. Come to me.”
“What do you need?” Terian said apprehensively.
“Your body heat,” I said, trying not to sound seductive. “I’m so cold, I feel like I’m going to freeze. Something’s wrong.”
“I’ll be right there,” he said and hung up.
As I waited, I wondered if Terian would bring someone with him to chaperone. I’d apologized for what had happened during The Lust, but he’d stayed at least ten feet from me ever since. I’d let him get his own gift under the tree this Christmas rather than see him back away yet again when I moved toward him.
The memory brought a smile to my face. I’d gotten him a collar and tag for Asher that had her name on it and his.
Terian had protested at once. “Sar, she’s really yours—”
“Let’s face it, she’s always liked you better. She’s your cat now and everyone knows it. It’s time we made it official.”
He thanked me, though I noticed he didn’t get any closer to me. “Your gift is in the lower tree branches, near the sparkly unicorn ornament.”
I found it easily. It was another tiny vial with a few ounces of something in the bottom.
“What is it?”
“My blood mostly, mixed with a few other things.”
Ick. I tried not to let my distaste show. “Why are you giving me your blood?” I said, trying to be smooth about it.
“Remember when you thanked me for what I gave Danial that one night?” Terian said.
I gave him a blank look and then remembered and flushed down to my toes.
He laughed. “That’s right, Sar. My blood was what let him behave the way he did.”
“How was that discovered?” I said smirking. “Someone thought what the hell, we’ve tried everything else, let’s try demon’s blood?”
“Likely an accident,” Terian said, frowning. “Some barbarian supernatural being killed a demon and swallowed a tiny bit of blood, then saw a cute peasant woman nearby—”
“Enough,” I said, holding up my hands. “I just never thought demon blood could be used so many ways.”
“I’m not that unique, really. All of the more potent spells contain demon blood, but older vampires and other supernatural beings also have powerful blood that can be sometimes be substituted or used in spells. Still, demon blood is the most transformative. The demon part of me is where all my power comes from. The human side is basically powerless, in comparison.”
“Thank you,” I said warmly, pocketing the vial. “I’ll put it to good use.”
“I know you will,” he said suggestively.
Terian knocked at the door, snapping me out of my memory. “Sar?”
“Come in.”
“What do you need me to do?” he said cautiously, coming inside.
Okay, say this casually. “I need you to hold me and to let your temperature go back to what it was before you learned to control it. I need you to be hot for me.”
“You aren’t going to try anything?” he said, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
“No,” I said with a smile. “I haven’t felt The Lust in months.”
He picked me up easily, moving fast. “Then we should be under blankets.” He brought me to the bed and laid me down, then carefully climbed in beside me. Pulling me close, he covered us both with blankets, wrapping his hands in the sheets.
“Tell me if you’re too hot,” Terian said. “Your clothes and mine should act as a barrier to protect your skin, but be careful of your face and hands.”
I nodded. “Go ahead.”
Terian’s body began to generate heat like an oven. My body absorbed the heat, and I stretched against him, basking in it.
“Better?” he said softly. “I can go hotter.”
“This is great,” I sighed.
* * * *
Someone was saying my name softly. I opened my eyes to Danial kneeling beside me.
“Now I see why Terian turned his cell off,” he said, bemused.
“Danial, I—” Terian began.
“Terian, it’s fine. Sar needed you. There’s nothing you need to explain,” Danial said, caressing my face gently with his hand. “She’s still cool, though I can feel your heat from here.”
“I was so cold,” I said sleepily, rubbing my face on his hand. “Like ice—”
“Stay there and keep warm, darling,” Danial said fondly. “I’ll watch over us tonight. Call me if her condition changes or she needs something. I’ll be outside in the great room—”
I fell back asleep before Danial finished his sentence.
* * * *
After that night, though I still had chills occasionally, I never again got to the point Terian had to warm me. Most of those chills I attributed to Danial going off the potion. Though neither of has spoken of it, he’d continued to take it, remaining warm through mid-January.
As I entered my third trimester, he abruptly stopped taking it, going from warm to cool within a few days. Despite that, I was relieved he was no longer worried about a miscarriage. Getting used to the coolness of his naked body next to mine again at night took some time.
Danial noticed, of course. “Am I making you too cold?”
“No,” I said hesitantly. “I’m okay.”
Danial stroked my back and kissed up my neck with cool lips. “Good.”
“Do you miss it?” I said suddenly.
“Being warm? I admit it felt very uncomfortable—”
“No, sex.”
“Of course,” Danial replied, moving his hips suggestively against my bottom. “It’s been three months almost, but I’m not going to risk you having any trouble for a night’s pleasure.”
I didn’t reply.
“I loved the card,” he said softly. “I didn’t expect one, especially not from my son-to-be.”
I congratulated myself again on my brilliance. “He’ll be here soon. I’m glad the nursery is finished. Elle and I put the finishing touches on it this week. Luckily there was room for everything stored there in the basement.”
“I’m glad you liked the chocolates,” he said happily. “I got the biggest box Godiva offered.” He paused. “I was worried, I admit. Last year you asked me not to get you anything for Valentine’s Day, to just get something for Elle.”
Last year I’d been mourning Theo and had not wanted to celebrate the holiday. “I ate more than I should’ve,” I said lightly, “but I thought, why not indulge? This year at least, I can blame it on being pregnant.”
Danial didn’t reply. The silence stretched.
“What is it?” I said, turning toward him with difficulty.
“I wanted to reply, but was worried to speak my heart,” he said finally.
“Just say it.”
“You can eat as much as you like, always,”
he said gently. “Go to sleep.”
I fell quiet instantly, disquieting thoughts taking shape. Danial hadn’t been worried about telling me I could get fat. He’d been going to say something to the effect I could use the excuse of being pregnant again in years to come.
I felt a surge of happiness. It was wonderful to be loved as much as he loved me, to know he wanted our child so much. It was even more moving he was willing to go through what we’d endured during this pregnancy again, that he wanted to.
Yet the old problem was still there, marring my joy. Danial would not age. I would. Last time I had left to deal with that and come back with no real answer.
I snuggled closer to him. Fuck it, I didn’t need an answer.
Where had all my plans ever got me? All of them had combusted, the ones involving men rather spectacularly. I had a man who was committed to our child and me. That was enough for now. I’d figure out the rest as I went along.
* * * *
The months passed, as February became March. I wasn’t freezing, burning up, or trying to grab anyone. The only trouble was I was really big now and uncomfortable all the time in my body. Danial and I went to see Dr. Camlyn weekly now, at Danial’s insistence.
“Everything looks fine. The baby is developing normally.”
“She looks as if she’ll deliver at any moment,” Danial said worriedly. “Are you sure the pregnancy isn’t further along that you originally thought?”
“May is still the due date, but it might be sooner. You’re right. The baby is big. Too big for how many months he is supposed to be.”
“Is something wrong?” I was scared.
“Don’t worry, Sarelle,” Stephen assured me. “This is not outside the norm, even for a human baby. Danial is a tall man. It’s normal his child would have his bone structure. He’s also right, it’s possible you became pregnant earlier than I originally suspected.”
“Do you have the results of the test?” Danial said eagerly.
“Yes,” Stephen said, giving us a wide smile. “It’s indeed a boy.”
Taken in the Night Page 23
