Magic After Dark Boxed Set (Six Book Bundle)

by Deanna Chase

  She pulled back, still holding his hands, waiting for his response. He gave it a moment later, leaning down and kissing her forehead. “Welcome to our family, daughter.” Then, with a twinkle in his eye, he added, “If you will have my very difficult son, that is.”

  She glanced back at Henry. “Don’t try to deny me, lady,” he said to her, a smile coming over his face as he walked towards her.

  “Why is that?” she asked, smiling herself as she waited for him to stand beside her.

  “Because I will never let you go. Not when my happiness exists only in you.”

  * * *

  “Congratulations on your HEA. I’ve just received word that the Elf King’s petition has been officially denied.”

  Tiernan kept skipping pebbles in the lake, his actions not changing in the slightest with her words.

  Reina continued. “I’m glad you were there. I’m not sure I could have convinced her to go back.”

  Tiernan didn’t bother to look over at Reina, but he did answer her. “You are a fantastic Fairy Godmother. I’m sure you would have gotten her to come.”

  “No, I wouldn’t have, because I couldn’t honestly tell her to follow her heart. It’s not something I’ve had any luck with.”

  He looked over at her then and saw her eyes were raw and puffy, very similar to how he’d found Cinderella hours earlier.

  He stomped on the impulse to pull her into his arms. She didn’t want that, and he wasn’t going to keep hoping. Motioning her to follow, he said, “Cinderella has her HEA, Reina, we can go back.”

  “I was supposed to be your Fairy Godmother, not Naomi.”

  Those words got his attention. “What?”

  “I was supposed to be your Fairy Godmother,” she repeated.

  That long ago day, the obvious inexperience, well, incompetence, replayed in his mind. “Why weren’t you?”

  “The excuse I used was that Naomi needed the exposure, but the real reason was because I saw your picture and I read your profile. I read who you were, and I couldn’t breathe for wanting you.” The color was high in her face, but she refused to look away. She was showing him everything, not letting herself be spared.

  “After you joined us,” she continued, “every time I looked at you, I felt like a hypocrite. I really thought I loved him, and after he left, I thought I was so much better than he was, so much more loyal, but all I had to do was look at you to forget that I ever loved him. How was I any better than he was? How was I any better than the sluts that surrounded you? Hell, I needed the crown of sluttiest of them all, because I wanted you forever. I wanted your heart as well as your body.”

  His mouth dropped open from surprise, and it took him several moments to get it to work again. “Reina, I never knew you felt anything for me. Believe me, I never knew, or I would have dragged you into my chambers and never let you out.”

  “Don’t try to excuse yourself by saying you couldn’t read me, Mr. I’m-Celibate-for-Thirty-Years!”

  “If I even started walking in your direction, you turned the other way!”

  “Maybe that’s because Katarina somehow always found a way to have her head somewhere in the vicinity of your crotch.”

  He burst out laughing. “You are crazy, woman! Do you know that? Compared to you, the Holy Grail…cakewalk!”

  Her lips curled upward in response to him. “It’s a flaw in me, one you’ll have to live with if you stay with me. I think too much, and I can make poor choices because of it. The poorest choice I ever made was I chose to listen to my head instead of my heart, and I lost thirty years with the man I love,” she said, her voice slowing, breaking over those last few words.

  Reverently, he drew her to him, into his arms, into the space he wanted her to fill forever. His mouth covered hers, and his world, which he thought destroyed forever, was just like that rebuilt.

  “You are going to marry me,” he said, pulling his mouth away slightly.

  “I am?”

  “You are making an honest man out of me, or no more nookie for you.”

  Her grin was so wide he almost thought he saw the shadow of dimples on her face. “Fine, but I’m only doing it for the nookie.”

  He nodded. “Understood. After we get married, we are not returning to the compound for a month, and during that month, you aren’t allowed to put on clothing.”

  “That seems fair.”

  “Also, I no longer wish to be a Fairy Godfather.”

  That caught her attention, and her smile vanished. “After all this to keep you?”

  He shrugged. “The Elf King can’t touch me now, so with that worry gone, we can do what is best for us. Think about it, Reina, just me with all the other Godmothers...”

  Reina shook her head. “Tiernan, I trust you.”

  “I know you do. I just don’t want that for our life, because it will always be that.” His hand cupped her face, following the arch of her eyebrow, the bridge of her nose, those wonderful lips that he’d never get enough of. Finally, she was his to touch. She was his. “I’ve been thinking about it, since we’ve been here. I don’t know why I made that wish, but I’m glad I did. Even with that, it’s not something I feel I must do. It’s not a calling for me. As long as I can help people, I’ll be happy. Besides, don’t tell me you wouldn’t hate it with everything in you.”

  She sighed in relief at his words. “I’d hate it passionately.”

  “Promise me you’ll love me forever, Reina.”

  “Only if you promise me to keep your sword skills sharp.”

  Epilogue

  “Fairy Godfather Tiernan, so good to see you again. It has been a long month without you here! I see many congratulations are in order. A HEA, fully attributable to you so not even the Elf King can dispute it, and a marriage in our FG ranks! It’s been a very exciting time.”

  Tiernan and Reina stood in front of Sara, having been directed to her office as soon as they arrived back in the FG Compound. No debrief seemed to be needed, as Sara had started reviewing all that had happened almost as soon as they entered. He inclined his head to the elder Godmother. “Thank you, Godmother Sara.”

  “Yes, yes,” she said, waving her hand. “As you two grew quite close to Cinderella, I am pleased to share with you the news that she is currently expecting her first child.”

  “So soon?” Reina asked in shock.

  “Well, Prince Henry had been in love with her for years. It seems that as soon as the woman he loved accepted him, suddenly he was no longer seen outside of his bedchamber. Does this sound like something you two can relate to?”

  Reina’s face burned as she looked anywhere but at Sara. Tiernan, damn him, merely got a smug grin on his face.

  However, the delight and the embarrassment faded all too soon and only the weight of telling their decision to Sara remained.

  “Uh-oh,” said Sara, showing once again why she was the one in charge, as she immediately sensed something unpleasant was about to unfold. “What am I not going to like?”

  Reina wrapped her hand with Tiernan’s, taking strength from his touch. “We can’t remain FGs,” she said, deciding the blunt approach was the best way to break the news.

  Sara blinked once, twice, then nodded her head in a sharp, decisive movement. “Hmm, can’t say I’m surprised at that. Let’s face it, Tiernan is catnip here, and you will constantly be beating down the other FGs. You’re right, it is probably best you two leave.” Sara looked up at Reina and saw Reina’s eyebrows furrowing together. “What is it? Something else wrong?”

  Reina shook her head. “No, no. This sounds very immature, but I am strangely disappointed at how easily you took that news.”

  “I can throw myself on the floor and start wailing if it will make you feel any better.”

  “That’s quite alright.”

  Sara shook her head in bemusement. “I will miss you both, because of your professional abilities, and because I enjoy you so much. Just because you won’t be FGs anymore doesn’t mean you can’t
come and visit.” Sara’s eyes brightened noticeably, and she said, “I know exactly what you two need to do. There’s this new guy up north, works incredibly hard a few months at the end of the year, otherwise your time is your own. Deals with peace on earth, goodwill towards men, you’ll love working with him.”

  “Up north, huh?” Reina said, and promised herself she wouldn’t cry as she had this last goodbye with Sara.

  “Beautiful country,” Sara reassured her.

  Reina looked at Tiernan. “What do you think?”

  “Summers off? Sounds good to me.” Tiernan leaned close and whispered into Reina’s ear. “Remember, we have to get started on that decade in a bedchamber to make up for our lost time.”

  * * *

  Several hours later, long after Reina and Tiernan left the FG Compound for their newest assignment, Irene found her way to Sara’s office. “What have you decided to do in regards to the Elf King, Fairy Godmother Sara?”

  Sara looked up, a pleasant smile on her face, and a downright demonic light coming from her eyes. “You mean that Elf King who thought he was so sneaky with his handling of the Cinderella situation? Let’s just say I’ve had a discussion with the Green Man, and you just truly might see a pig or two flying overhead.”

  Irene threw back her head and laughed. “Perfect.” She settled into a chair, her gaiety fading. “I am going to miss that boy so much. Not to mention the girls are going to be nothing but bundles of depressed moping wrapped in pink tulle.”

  “Maybe it is time to reassess our policy on males joining. That is one side effect I never thought would happen when I took on this case.” Sara looked down at the open file in her hands. Two pictures dotted the file, on one side Tiernan in his knightly armor, the other a picture of Tiernan and Reina together, their smiles so full of love, secret smiles meant only for the other. She closed the folder, and in big red block letters stamped HEA – CLOSED over the cover. “I guess both Reina and I were short-sighted in that way.”

  “Suggesting he wish to be a Fairy Godfather, pure genius. That boy has a way of stirring things up, I give him full credit. Moreover, I give you full credit. I’m sure that was the longest time for a HEA ending in FG history, over thirty years. The Green Man sends his congratulations.”

  Sara clucked her tongue. “You can’t rush events, Irene. Precision is key.”

  “I am going to miss Reina, though. That girl was so good at her job. I’m not sure how long it will take to find another one like her.”

  “Yes, well, when all is done, only the Happily Ever After matters.” Sara stood and grabbed a bottle along with two glasses hidden behind a door. “Ambrosia?”

  “Oooh, please.”

  Sara poured the thick liquid, handing a glass to Irene. She lifted her glass in a toast. “To Happily Ever Afters.”

  Irene clinked the glasses together. “Happily Ever Afters. May we all have one.”

  The End

  LOVING AN UGLY BEAST

  Chapter One

  “Hey Rat-face, carrying any cheese in that basket?”

  Nissa sighed and checked the urge to roll her eyes or speed up her pace over the well-worn path through the forest. To show weakness was to invite further idiocy.

  If boys could somehow be locked away between the ages of twelve and twenty, life would be easier.

  These two boys were both sixteen, and while they weren’t overt and vile in their nastiness, neither would they allow a chance at an easy target pass them by. “I don’t think rodents understand how we talk,” said Jonan, the one who started it all. The son of the local butcher, he was as flat-faced and flat-headed as his father, with wits to match.

  “I agree, mate. That’s why we have rat traps. We make rats do what we want.” That was Nathaniel, nastier overall than his dim-witted friend, due to his greater intelligence and higher social standing thanks to his father’s position on the village council.

  Perhaps a direct confrontation might make them give up their campaign of harassment. “Boys, you should get back to the village. I know your parents would not be pleased to see you this far out.”

  Or perhaps she was being wishful in her thinking, because without a moment’s hesitation, Nathaniel replied, “What would you know about our parents other than what to serve them? Besides, we’re hungry. Why don’t you share what’s in your basket with us?”

  “Yeah, before we decide to take it,” Jonan added.

  After committing himself with those words he puffed out his chest and straightened his back, bringing himself to full height and breadth. Only sixteen, but he was well on his way to being one of the largest men in the village.

  Acid rose to the back of her throat as tendrils of ice snaked up her spine. The instinctive step back was already completed before the reminder to not show weakness echoed through her head. Twin smiles of new sneering malevolence broke over both their faces and transformed their countenances from naughty children to something hard and cruel and eager to hurt.

  They took a step forward. With their entire focus on her, they never sensed the tall, hulking figure that appeared behind them. Within seconds, both boys were hauled up and dangled several feet in the air.

  Relieved giddiness coursed through her. A smile she could not prevent – and didn’t want to – spread across her face. “Benton,” she said, the word a mere whisper of sound.

  “They were bothering you?” Benton’s voice was a thunderclap, deep and rough, not heard often and invoking a primal fear when it was.

  The boys cringed and remained silent. Neither their fathers’ influence nor their own strength could help them here, and like bullies everywhere, they only wanted to fight when their prey was weaker than they were.

  Nissa laughed at the sight, her earlier panic almost embarrassing when faced with the now cowed figures. “No, they were just being boys, testing limits like boys do.”

  Benton’s thin lips tightened. He seemed to be fighting some inner battle over whether to accept her words or continue on with the boys in ways that would undoubtedly give them nightmares.

  Finally he leaned over and whispered into Nathaniel’s ear. Nissa couldn’t hear the words, but Nathaniel went ghost-white and his eyes took up half his face by the time Benton pulled away. Benton finished with, “Understand?”

  Nathaniel nodded, the movements large and exaggerated.

  Benton dropped them both. The boys collapsed onto the ground. “Make your friend understand. Go home.”

  Both ran without looking back.

  Nissa crossed her arms over her chest, though she knew the effect she was going for was ruined since she couldn’t shake the smile from her lips. Still, she had to try. “Benton, it wasn’t necessary to scare them.”

  “Be glad all I did was scare them.” He took the basket from her before he resumed his way along the path towards his cabin. With a sigh of exasperation – more affectation than true feelings – she followed him.

  Their journey was silent, a normal occurrence since Benton was not the most talkative of men. Monks who had taken vows could be said to be more loquacious. It didn’t bother her, not when the silence was threaded with warm and protective overtones, his caring and friendship palpable in the currents of the air.

  Besides, it meant she was free to ogle him to her heart’s content. Benton was currently shirtless, and a shirtless Benton was one of her favorite sights in this world.

  There were some in the village who would disagree with her, those who were concerned only with looks. Beast. That was his nickname in the village, though no one ever said it to his face. All because of his hulking mass and an abundance of scars over his face and body. But Nissa had heard enough whispers amongst the women to know she wasn’t the only one who could see past the scars to the body which otherwise was the perfect example of a powerful male, all hard muscle and massive limbs and towering strength.

  But those women would then giggle and say they would also need a sack to put over his head, since even without the scars, the kindes
t word anyone could use to describe his face would be “plain”.

  Well, screw them. Their little snobbery meant she had him all to herself. And she liked his face. His face was an outward display of his strength and courage, both of which he had in abundance and without which he’d never had survived the battles that had scarred him so.

  Nissa had traveled this path to his cabin so often her feed moved on autopilot and her mind had free rein to enjoy the fine specimen in front of her.

  Of course, this was the day Benton would decide to deviate from their normal routine. When he stopped and turned around to face her, Nissa couldn’t stop ogling fast and slammed into him.

  His hand gripped her upper arm to prevent her from falling.

  She placed her hands against his chest. Sure, she could claim it was to steady herself, but that would have been a big, fat lie. This gave her a valid excuse to touch him, even if only for a moment, and she wasn’t going to waste it.

  If his back was a work of art, his chest was a gift sent from heaven above, and it was really, really cruel to show her all this wonderful flesh, glistening and warm and emitting that delicious masculine scent, when she wasn’t allowed to stick her tongue out and run it over every inch of him.

  It was a sad, sad situation. She lusted after her best friend. Had for months now. Wanted to throw him to the ground and do wicked things to him that would have her branded a scarlet woman in their village. Wanted him to mount her like a bull in heat – or any other position he cared to try.

  “Where should I put it?”

  Confusion reigned for several moments as Benton’s question about the basket mixed uncomfortably with her mind’s wanderings, and it took a bit to pull the two threads apart. “Oh,” Nissa said, dropping her hands from his chest and taking a step back. “Let’s eat outside today, take advantage of the beautiful weather before autumn sets in.”