The Shaman Charms the Shifter

by Larissa Emerald

  He slid one hand into hers while pulling his phone from his pocket with the other. “Is Guillermo’s all right with you? Seth told me the dishes there were excellent.”

  She nodded. “Sure.”

  They looked at the online menu and made their selections. When he called and placed their delivery order, the guy on the other end was exuberant and helpful. Kianso wondered if the Excelsior address had anything to do with the speedy response, or if they were just as nice to everyone.

  He guided her to the couch and they sat down, still holding hands. He lifted hers to his lips, kissing the backs of her fingers. “I’m your soul mate,” he whispered. “And I’m going to do everything in my power to prove that to you.”

  “I guess we’ll know for sure on Halloween,” she said. “If the spell is broken.”

  “When the spell is broken,” he corrected, and then kissed her deeply. But even as he tasted her delicious lips, he knew the structure of destiny may have a flaw. She had to truly love him for it to work. And love reciprocated was never a given.

  Chapter Nine

  Sasha tried to shut out the tiny voice of doubt as she searched his sincere gaze. He seemed so certain. And yet she didn’t really know him at all. Yes, he made her feel butterflies in her stomach when he looked at her. Yes, she definitely warmed and melted with his kiss, as her limbs turned soft as caramel. Yes, when she closed her eyes and caught his spicy masculine scent, she longed to have him stay longer.

  But forever? Would what she felt last that long? She couldn’t say.

  For now though, she was extremely attracted to him. She wanted him to be the one…for a number of reasons. Perhaps most of all, she was tired of being alone. Her kind was meant to have partners…a mate for life.

  Outside the window, it began to rain. She strolled closer to look out. Raindrops splattered and ran down the glass. “I love the rain. It makes everything seem clean and fresh.”

  He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “So do I. It rains about seventy inches a year in Hawaii. Which means it rains somewhere on the islands nearly every day.”

  She laughed. “So you always know your facts?”

  “I’m a lawyer. It comes naturally.” He leaned in, brushing his lips against her temple. “You have a lovely laugh.”

  “Thank you.” She watched the stream of raindrops fall. “I haven’t had much to laugh about lately. It feels good.”

  For several long moments they stood there, looking out the window. Calm came over her—a sense that things would be all right…that the path of healing before her was as it should be. It was nice, she thought, sharing this peaceful interval, allowing her body to feel Kianso’s heartbeat against her back. For months, she’d been so caught up in her own troubles, she’d thought of little else except breaking free. Every day she had spent trapped in bird form, her faith crumbled a bit more. Could he truly be the answer to her problems? She hoped so. Especially since she liked him…a lot.

  “Dinner is here,” he said, angling his chin toward the parking lot below.

  She followed his gaze to the car sporting the restaurant name as it pulled in the drive. “Good. I’m hungry.” She was also hungry for him…and everything he represented, companion, friend, lover.

  The downstairs attendant rang up that dinner was here. “Excellent. Send him to the suite,” Kianso said.

  A few minutes later they had everything arranged on the dining table, including an exquisite bottle of wine. She inhaled an appreciative breath. “It smells divine.”

  “I’ve never eaten at Guillermo’s, but Seth seemed to like it.”

  “I haven’t been there either. I was under the impression the place was better suited for a romantic evening.” She shrugged. “In my current situation, well, let’s just say romance hasn’t been on my list.”

  “It is now.”

  She lowered her lashes, then peeked at him again.

  He gave her a look that sent a tingle all the way down to her toes. Plus, a flare of heat went straight to her tummy. “Mm, sounds good to me.” And it did. She wanted to be romanced by this guy. This shaman. This spirit guide warrior who seemed to know things she didn’t.

  She watched his strong hands as he poured her wine and gave it to her. If she’d had to guess, she never would have placed him in a desk job. His physique suggested physical activity. Maybe he did a lot of exercise or played sports on the side. She slipped into the chair across from him.

  “Smells yummy,” she said.

  “It sure does.”

  “Do you cook?” she asked.

  “Only enough to get buy. But I’m the king of grilling out.”

  “When I lived in Montgomery, Alabama, before the curse, I used to cook a lot. In my free time, I’d take in the Cooking Channel and loved to try new recipes.” She fought against the sadness of losing her life.

  “Guess that doesn’t work now,” he said.

  “Well, I can still watch the shows… I’m just in my bird form.” She laughed halfheartedly, deciding to look on the bright side.

  “True. Do you have any family to help you out?”

  She shook her head, reaching for a piece of bread. “No. I’m an only child and my parents live in Australia. I didn’t want to bother them over a lover’s quarrel.”

  “Lover’s quarrel?” His spine straightened and he stared at her with narrowed, questioning eyes.

  “Perhaps that’s not the right term. It wasn’t my lover, but a friend’s. She got angry over a misunderstanding. It wasn’t my fault her guy hit on me. But she got angry anyway, and wham, bam, now I’m up close and personal with feathers.”

  “She doesn’t sound like much of a friend.”

  “She wasn’t. An acquaintance from work, mainly. But I learned it’s best to stay on the good side of any witches.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks.” She observed him as he ate another bite of his lasagna, then rotated his fork upside down and drew it through his mouth again. The man had exquisite lips. The slightest bit full and expressive. Holy cats, she enjoyed watching the merest play of emotions roll over them. The sideways tug as he half smiled. The slight purse. The inward draw as he contemplated something she said.

  Wondering how much time she had left, she glanced at her watch. Minutes. Darn it all.

  He noticed her checking, but said nothing. He simply lifted her dessert fork, cut a chunk of tiramisu, and positioned it in front of her mouth. “Better finish eating.”

  She opened her mouth and he fed her. The dessert melted on her tongue, sweet and smooth with rich chocolate, coffee, and hint of rum flavors. The bite was too large, so she took what she could and left the rest, which promptly vanished between his lips. Warmth settled low inside her. Her tongue swept the edges of her mouth as she fought the desire to lean across the table to kiss him.

  One minute she gazed into his gorgeous dark eyes, the next all she saw was the underside of the table and found herself staring at his pants-clad thighs and crotch. Oh my.

  He stood, navigating around the table to view her, extending his hand for her to step upon. “It’s still early. Let’s go sit in the living room.”

  His interaction amazed her. He could have simply viewed her as a bird, an animal of little significance. However, the warm, compassionate look in his eyes said differently. She flew to his offered hand, resting on his knuckles.

  In the living room, he dropped into a recliner and flipped on the TV, bringing up the directory and stopping on the Cooking Channel. He stroked a finger over her head and down the feathers on her back. “I know we just ate and this may not be very appealing to you at the moment. Would you like me to put on something else?”

  “No,” she chirped. It was the sweetest thing he could have done. She scampered to his shoulder and nudged her head against his cheek. “Thank you.”

  The program featured a connoisseur traveling across the country sampling food. He was in Maine in this episode. “When you’re back to normal,
we’ll have to travel to some of these restaurants mentioned on this show. I may not be the best cook, but I love to eat.”

  “Me too.” It pleased her that they had something in common.

  For a long while, they relaxed and learned about a culinary find for scrumptious seafood on the coast of Maine. Despite the show’s intriguing subject, Sasha grew less interested in the program as she tuned into the man at her side.

  She paid attention to his breathing and the rise and fall of his muscular pecs. She observed the pulsing vein at his throat. And she wished she were in human form so she could feel the warmth of that spot beneath her lips.

  What an awful time to fall for a guy. He’d claimed to be her true mate, but she wasn’t convinced. Didn’t bells and whistles go off in those cases? Oh, what a mess her life was.

  * * *

  Kianso relaxed, allowing the last twenty-four hours to sink in. He’d reluctantly come to Nocturne Falls with Seth, simply for a getaway. Now, he’d met his mate. He didn’t know whether to jump for joy or run for the hills.

  A wife hadn’t been anywhere on his radar.

  The voice in his head taunted. Who said she will have you?

  It was true. There was no certainty. She could deny what was destined for them. Or perhaps she could accept him only to get out of her current predicament. The last thought bothered him. Pandora had indicated that the love between then had to be the real deal. Did that mean if she didn’t truly love him, she wouldn’t change? Like, if she only accepted him to get out of the curse, it wouldn’t work? He suppressed a sigh. Actually, that would be a good thing, he guessed.

  He wanted her love to be genuine, not forced because she was desperate to change her situation. The love element may be moving too fast for her. Even if they were meant to be together, would she feel that for him in just three weeks?

  A full moon on Halloween may not come again for years.

  Tightness crept into his chest. If she didn’t love him now, they would be living in this limbo for a very long time.

  She seemed to sense the anxiety within him. Her light steps tickled as she trekked over his chest to the hollow of his sternum. There, she settled, folding herself into a feathery ball.

  He closed his eyes, getting control of his doubts.

  Three weeks. He had three weeks to make her fall in love with him. His lips eased to the side…his eyes were closed. He mentally snickered. He could do that, couldn’t he?

  The next thing he knew the sun peeked through the windows. Cracking one eyelid open and then the other, he stole a look. Yep, it was morning. He’d slept the entire night in the recliner with Sasha on his chest.

  She twittered as he stretched. “Good morning,” he said.

  “Morning,” she replied and then flitted around the room, landing on the back of a chair.

  Since he wasn’t quite sure what needs she had as a bird, he strolled to the window and cracked it open. “There. If you need to fly outside you can.”

  But instead she landed on his shoulder again.

  “Or not.”

  She chirped a happy sound.

  He walked into the bedroom suite. “To most people, talking to a bird may seem odd. But I speak to spirit animals all the time.” He paused, remembering. “At least I did until I gave up that life.”

  With a rustle of wings, she glided to the middle of his bed. He had a moment of imagining her there in human form. It was a delicious thought of her dressed in a silky, red nightie that he would enjoy peeling off of her.

  “I’m going to grab a shower,” he said with the slightest catch in his voice. “Then we can eat and tour some of Nocturne Falls. Seth had mentioned a car show today. That may be fun.” But was anything enjoyable for her when she was in this altered form? He’d have to ask her this evening.

  Chapter Ten

  Sasha sat on the bed feeling a bit sorry for herself. Here she was with the hottest guy she’d been with in her life, and she was stuck in the body of a bird. She inhaled and tried to put a positive spin on things.

  The shower came on in the bathroom. The patter of the water beating against glass filtered through the half-open door, along with a swirl of damp air. It would have been wonderful to join him. She envisioned running her hands over his slick, hard chest and soaping him up.

  Huh. What would it be like to have a real relationship with him? She realized she was toying with the possibility. Which was totally crazy given her situation. But if she were herself again? No, she barely knew the man. Still, there was something about him that touched her. Maybe it was the way he cared for her while she was a bird. Maybe if they had a real date she’d know for certain.

  The bathroom door pushed fully open and Kianso strolled out with a towel wrapped around his hips. “Sorry. I forgot my clothes.”

  As he entered the walk-in closet, Sasha clutched the bedspread with her talons to remain in place. Oooh, she wanted to trail behind him and get another glimpse of those hard planes and perhaps even a peek at his backside when that towel slipped away. That very human part of her didn’t see any harm in wishing.

  She gave a long tremulous sigh.

  How could he want anything to do with her?

  Disappointment sliced through her as he exited the closet fully dressed, handsome as ever, wearing a button-up gray shirt and navy slacks. He carried a pair of dark brown suede penny loafers. The mattress dipped as he sat and slipped on the shoes. She stepped closer, getting a whiff of his freshly showered scent. He smelled good.

  She hoped she’d be able to grab a shower this evening.

  “Ready?” He paused, looking over his shoulder at her. “Can I get you anything before we go?”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  He held out a hand for her to step upon. She did, and he placed her on his shoulder. “I’m starting to like having you with me.” His voice was a gentle rumble.

  He smelled even better up close. Masculine. Kissable. She rubbed the top of her head along his jaw.

  Her days had gotten remarkably better with him near.

  * * *

  It was mid-morning by the time they arrived at the fairgrounds. The temperature gave a hint of fall. Kianso stopped by the farmer’s market near the gate. He purchased some grapes that he thought Sasha might enjoy and a soda for himself.

  The turnout was pretty decent. He had to wait in line to get his ticket. Evidently, the proceeds went to a worthy cause: Bridge, crisis counseling for misguidedteens of dual species. He guessed identity issues could get super confusing. What if you were part vampire and part werewolf? Or a mixture of fae and gargoyle?

  Or shaman and shifter?

  That’s what their children would be if he and Sasha had kids. The muscles along his back tensed. It was a sobering thought. But his feelings took him to a place where he easily envisioned a life with her as his wife.

  If she’d have him. He turned his head and peeked down at his shoulder where she sat. Even if they had to live together in this limbo state she was in, she was worth it. She had the kind of spunk he admired. Here she was, making the best of a bad situation and trying to take control of finding a solution. She was something else. Beautiful, and kind, and in need of protection whether she liked it or not.

  He was willing to work through their difficulties and plan a future together. He imagined the things couples did, their goals of marriage and vacations and sharing life and a family.

  He looked forward to being a father, he realized. And until now, he hadn’t given much thought to that. He nodded at the people he passed. Nocturne Falls would make a great place to raise a family. Yes, someday it would be nice having children with Sasha. That was one hell of a thought.

  But he sensed a real relationship wouldn’t happen until she was her real self again. Not because he had a problem with her unstable state of being, but because he didn’t think she would allow it.

  He set his jaw, determined to convince her otherwise. Yes, Nocturne Falls would make a fine hometown.

  As
he moved between the rows of pristine classic automobiles, he began thinking of the people as neighbors rather than strangers.

  “How’s it going?” Nick said as he approached Kianso at the 1954 Jaguar coupe display.

  Kianso looked up. “Oh, hi. We’re doing great. This is a fantastic show.”

  “Yes. It is,” Nick said. He took in Sasha perched on his shoulder. “Pandora told me about your dilemma, Sasha. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you. But the end may be in sight,” Sasha intoned, her parrot voice happy with anticipation.

  “Glad to hear it.” His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it free and glanced down. “Willa. She wants me at the baked goods table.” He nudged the phone at Kianso. “Good luck. See you later.”

  Nick zigzagged through the people milling around the cars. Kianso continued on to a red 1964 Corvette convertible several yards away. Sasha whistled. “Now that’s my kind of wheels,” she said. She flew from his shoulder and landed on the steering wheel, peering out the windshield.

  He imagined her in human form, sitting in the driver’s seat. The car was sexy, but she would outshine it by a mile. She would look fantastic with her white-blond hair whipping in the wind. And he liked the picture of him sitting next to her and leaning over the gearshift to steal a kiss.

  “You have a dreamy look on your face,” she said. “What are you thinking?”

  “Of how beautiful you’d look driving this Vette.”

  “Too bad you don’t know the owner. Maybe he’d let us take it for a spin.”

  It was a crazy thing to say. No stranger loans out his antique Vette. Then again, when you’re under a witch’s spell, isn’t everything a little crazy? “Yeah. That would be fun.” He played along. Actually, he would consent to any fantasy that would make her happy.

  She flapped her wings and rose into the air. For a heartbeat, he felt like she was leaving him. A sinking sensation sat heavy in his stomach. Then, she banked and came back, taking her usual place on his shoulder. He couldn’t help it, his lips widened into a grin.