Shifter Wonderland: Twelve BBW Paranormal Holiday Shape Shifter Romances

by Christin Lovell

Tess nodded vigorously, “Goodness, yes. Thank you…”

  The maid set the tray down on a nearby side table flounced by two very comfortable chairs, indicating to them to sit. “Dig in, I’ll bring you cookies when you’re done. Enjoy.”

  As she walked away, Tess watched her closely, noticing that although she looked young in age by appearance, she moved as if she was old. Ancient.

  Which was curious…

  Jay immediately helped himself to a sandwich, gulping down half of it in less than two bites. Once he’d swallowed, he opened a soda and poured it over a glass filled with ice, watching it fizz.

  “So, someone is being tended to. It was like magic. You’re hungry and voila! Food appears… You gotta teach me that trick someday,” he teased.

  Tess was munching on her own sandwich, equally as hungry but attempting to show some manners and eat slower. She got the feeling that no matter where she was in Mr. Emmerick’s mansion, she was likely being watched. She couldn’t explain why, just knew to trust her gut.

  “I don’t think it has anything to do with me. Just that Mr. Emmerick has very loyal employees who take care of his every need. Including taking care of his guests apparently, as if they’re royalty.”

  “Whatever the case may be, I’m fast liking this gig the best. I sure hope there are more clients like this in the future…”

  “Me too. Me too…”

  Finally slowing down a bit, and taking a break allowed Tess to enjoy and take in all the holiday decorating that they had accomplished. The place was beginning to look especially festive. If she didn’t mind saying so, she thought she was doing a really good job. It was turning out exactly as she’d envisioned, and the peridot-green touches she’d included were enhancing not just the color theme of the decorating, but the interior of the mansion as well.

  Tess quietly appraised the events over the last day in her mind. She wasn’t sure what exactly or how much she should share and confide to Jay. As it was, she didn’t have it altogether completely figured out in her own mind, let alone explain it to her close friend and assistant.

  “Jay,” she said suddenly, as if her own mind had been made up for her. “You know me well enough, probably better than most. If I share something that will seem outlandish – will you give me the benefit of the doubt?”

  Jay perked up, sensing that Tess was about to share something important with him. “Sure. Of course, honey. Always.”

  Tess found herself divulging away some of the details of the last day, doing her best to share in a way that didn’t make her seem completely crazy.

  Jay listened, asking questions and wondering if Tess had accidentally ingested some type of recreational drug since the last time he’d seen her.

  Tess noticed, “I sound ludicrous, don’t I?”

  Jay reached to touch her forehead. “Hmmmmm… No fever?”

  Tess swatted his hand away, “I’m not sick, Jay.”

  “You sure about that?” he asked in a teasing tone.

  Tess finished the last of her lunch and soda. She was already regretting telling him. It was too soon. Way too soon.

  “Never mind,” she said flatly.

  She wasn’t hurt, she couldn’t be. Of course it sounded crazy. How could it not?

  The afternoon came and went. Tess and Jay worked in tandem, but quietly. Conversation had all but disappeared between them. Although she wanted someone to confide in, she felt bad for sharing what she knew sounded outrageous.

  When Jay left for the day, Tess made her way outside, drawn once again to the goldfish pond. This time, she knew better than to feed them, but figured there was no harm in sitting and admiring them.

  Watching them, just beneath the surface of the water, darting around in their own type of melodic symphony, she calmly contemplated the day.

  The decorating project was almost done. She was pleased with how it was turning out. She hoped her client liked it too.

  Then she noticed something odd, flashing through her mind. She saw her hand and arm, as if covered in dragon-like scales, the color of light green. It startled her, and she lept from where she sat, extending her hand and arm out in front of her to take a closer look.

  Was this an illusion?

  Some form of sorcery?

  Magic?

  What?

  She swallowed hard, concern edged on her face. So caught up in her own confusion, she hadn’t noticed the footsteps approaching her from behind. When she felt her shoulder tapped, she leaped again.

  “Everything okay?” Clay asked, concerned.

  “Yes? No?” Tess said, unsure if she should share what had just occurred.

  “You look frightened. Surely my goldfish haven’t frightened you?”

  Tess let out a sigh of relief. “I suppose, at this rate, nothing would surprise you, right?”

  Clay seemed to be assessing her. “Try me, it can’t hurt.”

  Tess took a deep breath. “I just saw my hand and arm appear as if they had scales - green scales. Just now.”

  Clay’s eyes widened. He seemed intrigued but no longer concerned. “It would seem some of your hidden gifts are surfacing,” he explained, extending his hand out, reaching for hers. “Why don’t we go inside and I’ll share with you about your hidden heritage and lineage. I think it will help much of this, to fall into place.”

  Tess studied him. For whatever reason, he calmed her. She knew and could sense it was part of his magic. Her curiosity won out and she let him lead her back into the mansion.

  ***

  The private den was illuminated by the sunset, the light at the end of the day pouring into the room. Clay stepped over to an elegant, antique-looking, oriental cabinet that he’d owned for centuries. It was strong from magic, fragile from time and age.

  He rarely opened it.

  Today was different.

  He wondered what would happen when her energy, her presence came in contact with it.

  “Allow me to show you something.”

  Tess stepped forward into the den, a bit entranced, definitely quiet. She reached out to touch the surface of the asian cabinet. The veneer was polished black over the aging and elegant wood.

  Clay watched as the magic seal broke, wondering if she could see for herself the protection spell give way, knowing when one of its own were there to read from it. From what was hidden inside.

  “I felt something,” Tess said, a smile creeping on her face. “Like a golden halo or spell dissipating away.”

  “Good, I’m glad you noticed. Only those who may access this would know. To anyone else, this is just an antique in my den.”

  Tess was holding her breath.

  “Breathe, Tess.” Clay said, reminding her gently. Then he opened one of the doors. Inside were volumes. Volumes written by his former koiaa brides.

  “What are these?” Tess asked, trailing her finger along their aged spines.

  “Answers. Answers to what’s yours. An introduction to your heritage. Would you like to read them?”

  Her eyes grew large, “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously.”

  She blinked a few times in amazement. He took in the expression on her lovely face. He then handed her a volume, pulling out one at random. He wasn’t sure where to start, he’d leave it to chance and serendipity. He already knew his former wives wouldn’t mind.

  Theirs was a sisterhood through time, although none had ever met.

  Tess sat down, accepting the volume he handed her. Reverently, she opened it and once again felt the sensation of a magical seal breaking upon her touch.

  Clay smiled. This amused him. It never got old.

  Witnessing.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, hearing her stomach grumble.

  “I guess I am.”

  “How about some dinner? Tea?”

  “That would be nice, thank you.”

  He knew she was absorbed by the magical presence of the volume. He’d chuckle if he didn’t think it would insult her. Sitting down, acr
oss from her on the opposite sofa, he dialed his staff and asked them to prepare them some dinner.

  Tess began to read and he watched the energy dance from her fingers to the pages of the volume. A golden light illuminated her face. The magic seal had always been a bit of a mystery, even to him. The brides shared what they wanted with one another. What would be helpful or insightful for one another.

  He, himself, never read the volumes.

  He couldn’t.

  They were blank to him.

  Whatever was written and shared was for their eyes only. The koiaa brides.

  For Clay, witnessing her open and begin to read a volume, confirmed what he already knew.

  Tess was his next koiaa bride.

  ***

  Tess poured over the volume, reading until late into the night. As she read, she was transported away into the life and world of the being who’d written it. One of Clay’s former wives.

  So absorbed, she barely remembered eating dinner or sipping at the tea which had been provided. She also knew that Clay had come and gone from the den over the course of the evening, politely checking in with her.

  She felt silly being so absorbed by the volume, so much so that she was practically ignoring her gracious client and host.

  Close to the midnight hour, she felt Clay’s keen gaze. Heavier than usual, she peered up and smiled.

  “Clay, this is amazing. Have you read these?”

  Clay shook his head, “No, I haven’t. I can’t.”

  “You can’t?”

  “Only the wives can read these. They’re not meant for me. They’re meant for one another.”

  Finally, it occurred to her what he was sharing. What he was revealing.

  She caught his gaze.

  Heavy. Keen. Penetrating.

  Which made her feel shy.

  Not knowing what to say or do, she suddenly felt how tired she was and needed to go to bed. She was officially overwhelmed. “I just realized how late it is, do you mind if I head to bed?” she asked, closing the volume she’d been reading.

  She noticed that he realized she was overwhelmed and he consented quickly, nodding first, then telling her he understood. Not exactly sure how to go about exiting the exchange between them, she felt silly and a bit rude, but quickly left the room.

  He stood as she left, but she had been quick to end the interaction between them.

  Walking towards the guest room, her head spinning, she wondered how she was ever going to make any sense of all that had passed. It was moving so fast. She didn’t know what to think or believe. She was absorbed by the koiaa wife’s story. It had seemed like fiction, a story like Twilight or some other engrossing paranormal story. Very little of what she’d read was grounded in the reality she knew or was accustomed to.

  Slipping into the guest room’s bathroom, she decided a long, warm shower would help her clear her head, help her fall to sleep quickly. As it was, she didn’t know any more about the pending danger to her life than she had when the day had started. Which may or may not be a good thing. She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that an entirely different world had opened up for her and she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it or not.

  ***

  The next morning, Clay was breakfasting, as usual in the dining room, reading the paper. He was distracted from the news-stories however, wondering if Tess was okay or not. He’d seen it, the night before, written all over her face, plain as day that she was overwhelmed. He hoped a good night’s rest would help her reconcile the new direction her life was taking.

  He was also concerned with how to keep her safe and protected. Given that the new information from his head of security wasn’t altogether comforting. How to keep her safe, but not keep her limited to his own home and estate? He didn’t want her to feel like a prisoner.

  He sensed Tess before she entered the room.

  “Good morning,” she said, walking into the dining room.

  “Sleep well?” he asked, hoping to keep the conversation light and easy-going.

  Tess nodded and then sat down. “Yes, thank you. I had some more interesting dreams. May I ask something?”

  “Of course, you don’t need to ask. Just go for it.”

  “How is it that I’m connected to your former wives? Why is this connection so, I dunno - open? Is it like this for all of them? Were they able to pass these types of messages back and forth to one another?”

  He contemplated her question. The truth was, he’d rarely heard about this aspect of his koiaa brides telepathic connection. Over the centuries, they’d been very private about what was in the volumes. Instead, Tess was revealing something she wasn’t even aware of, in her innocence and naivete. It seemed, she just cannon-balled right into the deep end of the dynamic, oblivious to what she was speaking to.

  “Truthfully, much of it is a mystery to me. You’re actually helping me understand more of it than I ever have. Considering that they’re dead and gone, I’m not sure if this is a telepathic bond or what it is. But it certainly sounds like you have a connection to them. What were your dreams like?”

  Tess was pouring herself some coffee, then stirred in some cream and sugar. She had a look of absorption on her face.

  “Like movies. As if I could slip into their lives. Last night, I went through a chapter for a handful of them. I could see through their eyes, into their world and lives. As if I was living it - so to speak. Dreamlike, but more than just a dream,” she shared.

  Clay listened, rapt with curiosity. This was revealing. Incredibly powerful.

  “Can you do this normally, peer into other people’s lives and worlds, so to speak?”

  Tess shook her head, “Not that I’m aware, none of my dreams have seemed like these. These must be connected to my being here - in your home, with your belongings and energy. Would you agree?”

  He nodded, a bit mystified. There was definitely something unique about her. Exactly, what - he wasn’t sure, but he knew that it would continue to reveal itself with time. Deciding to shift the topic as he didn’t want to start the day overwhelming her again, he decided to mention the decorating project she’d been working on in his home.

  “The holiday decoration is quite lovely, you and your assistant have brought back the seasonal charm that this home hasn’t seen in a long time. Thank you, I’m very pleased with it.”

  Tess beamed upon hearing the words of approval. “I’m glad you like it, I made a slight change to my decorating plan once I arrived and met you. I agree, it looks amazing in your home. A unique holiday effect with the decor of your home.”

  “When will you be done?” he asked.

  “Likely today, I don’t have too much more left to do…”

  The momentary silence between them spoke to something simple. Something neither could quite speak to yet. Tess began to eat, slowly taking her time. They sat in silence for a while before her voice pierced it.

  “It’s been a long time since you decorated? For the holidays?” Tess asked softly, gingerly starting the conversation again.

  “Yes, my last wife was very much into the holiday season, this time of year. After her passing, I decided not to continue decorating. Brings back memories,” Clay answered matter-of-factly.

  “Forgive me if I’m being too nosy, but don’t you like remembering them?”

  Clay knew this was something hard for a mortal to understand. Time was different for his kind. The way he handled the moments of time, in his existence, when paired with a mortal was handled differently than the time he spent alone.

  “Of course, I just have to be wise about how I go about it. In time, I’ll attempt to explain, but I don’t ever expect you to understand. Not entirely.”

  Tess seemed satisfied with his explanation. “I hope this season, you can appreciate the holiday and the decoration without it causing much heartache.... Just fondness and a sweet recollection…”

  Touched by her kind words, he placed a hand on hers. He studied her face. Today, she was more comf
ortable accepting his keen gaze and now, his touch. She hadn’t flinched nor pulled her hand away.

  “Thank you, Tess. I believe this time, I’ll be focused on creating new memories.”

  She tilted her head to the side, a somber look on her face. “I’m not so sure about that, but I hope so too…”

  “Why would you say that?” he asked, puzzled.

  She pulled her hand away, placing it in her lap. “Whatever the connection I might have with your former wives, I’m not so certain this world is meant for me. I’m pretty ordinary. I live a very simple life. I haven’t a clue what to think about what has been revealed to me over the last few days…”

  Clay understood. He needed to trust his instincts on this. Time was crucial. It always was.

  “I understand, take all the time you need, Tess. There’s no need to rush.”

  “Okay, I will,” she said softly.

  Clay decided to end the conversation on that note, allowing her some space and time to absorb what had been shared.

  ***

  Tess was reviewing her decoration job. Walking from room to room, her eyes catching every little detail and running it through in her mind. It was a trick to look at something as if it were new, being seen for the first time, when she’d been the one pulling it all together.

  Thankfully, a good night’s rest had helped.

  She too, was pleased with the decorating job she’d done.

  Which raised a nagging question.

  What now?

  There was no reason for her to be in Clay Emmerick’s household now that the decorating project was almost done. Or was there? Did she need to stay? What was she to make of this dynamic that had developed between her client and herself?

  She decided to look at the portraits of the koiaa brides in the dining room area. She wanted to observe and study them privately. Each time she’d been in the dining room, Clay had been there. It was as if they had a message for her and she needed to be alone to receive it. How or why she thought this, she wasn’t sure.

  Tess walked to the dining room and sure enough, as soon as she entered the space, something profound happened. She found herself in the room, but it was different somehow. Looking around, she realized that the décor was different. Older and from a different era. Like in an old movie.