She understood being in a room full of family and feeling like something was missing. Loneliness came in all forms.
Despite the situation, she felt so comfortable being with him, as if they had known each other a lifetime. Perhaps they had.
What would the heroines in her book do, faced with this fantastical situation? Take a leap of faith. They always did. Real life, however, was so much more complex.
“I’m scared.”
He covered her hand with his and kissed her palm. “I know. I wish I could give you time to become accustomed to it. For me to show you my world. There isn’t any time, Evie. I’m sorry.”
“Could I still see my family?”
“Yes. At certain points of the year. We also have telephones. And Skype.”
“Skype works in the Shadow world?”
“We have all the mod cons.”
Bizarre. “What if I say yes and you’re wrong? What if I’m not your queen? What if…” She turned away and stared into the inky void. The one thing that clawed at her gut and bathed her in self-doubt. “What if you stop desiring me? What if you choose another lover? Where would that leave me?”
She wasn’t usually so needy. This situation was different. He was handsome. So beautiful it made her teeth ache. He could have any woman in the world. What if he got bored?
“Evie.” He traced her collarbone. She looked at him and he delicately cupped her face. “I am the King of Shadows. With that title comes vast amounts of power. I know you are my queen, in my heart and soul. My body recognizes yours. I know you sensed it when I was inside you. We fit together. A perfect match. I’ll never want another woman.” He leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on the end of her nose. “There is but one soul that can complete me. And that soul belongs to you. Eternity, Evie. I’m offering you forever.”
His eyes began to glow, lighting the darkness.
Tears brimmed as doubts, fears swirled like snowflakes. What should she do? She’d never felt more alive than she did when she was with Gabriel.
The Christmas chimes began ringing. Her heart raced. Time was up. As he’d said, it was now or never. She waited, frozen with fear and indecision.
Gabriel stood and offered his hand. “Forever, Evie. I love you. Leap with me.”
They continued to chime. Eight. Nine. Images of her life without Gabriel flashed before her. Pleasant but incomplete without him. Ten. Eleven.
As the bell struck twelve, Evie slipped her hand into his. “I love you.”
With those three words, she leaped.
Epilogue
Bing Crosby’s voice moved through the air like smooth, melted chocolate, singing about a white Christmas. Evie sat on the raised dais and laughed as Lucian’s attempt to attract a female failed once again.
“He must be losing his preternatural mojo.” Gabriel’s breath tickled her ear as he leaned down and whispered to her.
It had been an extraordinary year for her…and her husband. Being Queen of Shadows agreed with her. Since taking Gabriel’s hand, she’d been whirled into a truly magical world. A place of bliss. Their kingdom lived in peace and happiness, moving from strength to strength. Much like their marriage.
She leaned back into her husband’s embrace and let out a contented sigh. Gabriel’s heat and love surrounded her. He hadn’t gotten bored. Their sex life was amazing. Her husband was an inventive and attentive lover. They’d been caught by the guards having sex in the throne room on more than one occasion.
“No regrets?”
Smiling like a cat who’d sampled the finest cream, Evie squeezed his hand. “No regrets.”
“You’ve got that look in your eye.”
“What look?” She flashed him what she hoped was an innocent expression.
“The one that means you’re thinking naughty thoughts.”
“Maybe.”
“Just think, my love, when all the guests are gone, I’m going to bind you to this throne, legs and arms tied with the silk ropes you adore. I’m going to feast on your delectable pussy until you can’t come anymore. And then…” He paused.
“And then?”
“Then I’m going to fuck you.”
Shivers of pleasure shot down her spine.
O Holy Night began to play. Gabriel moved from behind her. When he came into her line of sight, Evie gave her husband a dazzling smile. Dressed in a red-velvet frock coat and leather breeches, he was drop-dead gorgeous. She ran a hand over the waistband of his pants and caressed his already rigid cock.
She bit her lip. “I can’t wait until later.”
He snuggled closer. It forced her to grasp his cock tighter. “Care to dance?”
As he straightened, her gaze settled on the holly-shaped brooch pinned to his lapel. It was a gift from her, a symbol of all the Christmases she had spent wishing herself inside Longthorn. Mischief glinted in his eyes, a devilish grin adorned his face.
Her heart beat a merry flutter. Feeling devilish herself, she batted her eyelashes seductively. “Is that an invitation, my lord?”
“For eternity, my lady.” Gabriel pulled her gently to her feet.
They laughed and swirled around and around to the music. Even after all these months he could take her breath away. It hadn’t been easy. She missed her family and friends. Especially her parents. She glanced at them in the crowd and beamed. Lucian flirted with her mother while her father laughed good-naturedly. Any time she got homesick, Gabriel arranged a Skype session. Although they thought it strange she couldn’t visit them, they never doubted her happiness. And she still wrote her books.
His lips brushed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Queen of Shadows.”
Tears threatened to spill over as emotion thickened her throat. She dashed them away and smiled at the love etched on her husband’s face. “Merry Christmas, King of Shadows.”
Finally, Evie understood the true meaning of Christmas. Love. Friendship. Warmth. Forever. She would never long for fulfilment. They had each other.
For eternity.
The End
About Scarlett Sanderson
Multi-published author Scarlett Sanderson is a librarian by day and an erotic romance novelist by night. She lives in suburban England with her significant other and dreams of having Lara Croft-type adventures. As a reader, she loves to immerse herself in sweeping tales of romance, fantasy and, most of all, tantalizing erotica. Those are the elements she tries to weave into the stories she creates.
When not writing, Scarlett has a burning passion for history, good chocolate, fine wine and anything supernatural (especially if it includes the hunters Dean and Sam Winchester from the TV show Supernatural!).
Scarlett welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Scarlett Sanderson
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Owned by the Night
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Darkness Comes
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
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The Invitation
ISBN 9781419943331
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The Invitation Copyright © 2013 Scarlett Sanderson
Edited by Carrie Jackson
Cover design by Syneca
Cover photography by Fotolia.com
Electronic book publication November 2013
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