by Lisa Kumar
“I see.” Her eyes grew unfocused as if she were thinking. “Well, what do you and Kaiden plan to do?”
That was the query of the day. Eamon examined his nails, but they offered no good answer. “I’ll go there and stop him.”
Though his tone was nonchalant, turmoil roiled his insides. His father was wily and could escape the tightest of situations. This was something Eamon knew well, and often to his own detriment.
Caralyn’s hand gripped his arm, and her frightened face was pulled into a frown. “You can’t go alone. What if you’re seriously hurt and need help?”
Her concern twisted something in his chest, but he pushed the feeling aside. Dwelling on it would not serve him well. Nothing that weakened him would. “These kinds of situations are always invariably life-threatening. We’re not meeting for tea, after all.”
“He won’t be going alone,” Kaiden said, giving Eamon a challenging look.
“I won’t?” He couldn’t say he was entirely surprised — and even felt a swell of respect.
“Yes.”
Eamon shrugged. “It’s your choice. I’m not an imbecile and won’t turn down assistance when I know I could use it.”
“Good. You might be many things, but a fool isn’t one of them, at least in this.”
“You just had to tack that on, didn’t you?”
Kaiden smiled thinly. “Naturally, since I do know of your antics in Eria.”
“And will never forget them, likely.” Just like everyone else.
“Probably, but that waits to be seen.”
Meaning Eamon’s behavior would always be on trial. He might hate that fact, but there was little he could do but forge on, like he always did.
Ashlee stared at Kaiden. “You’ll be careful.” A warning and a question lurked in her tone.
No matter the dimension, it seemed females were much the same in some regards. Eamon forced back an amused smirk.
“I’ll be as careful as I usually am,” Kaiden said patiently and in the tone of one long-used to uttering such things.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Kaiden cut her a look. “You know I don’t take unnecessary risks.”
Ashlee laid her head on his shoulder. “For the most part, that’s true, but I just can’t help worrying.”
Kaiden’s face softened, and he stroked a hand over her hair. “I know.”
Eamon watched them with a frown on his lips. They were so mushy, so loving. Good God, was he ever that way with Caralyn? He sent her a considering glance.
As if drawn to him, Caralyn scooted closer, her side touching his. Instead of recoiling at this public display, he found it filled him with the same sense of peace that came with holding her hand. That was disturbing in and of itself. He and peace weren’t on speaking terms. That Caralyn could make him feel this elusive emotion was astonishing and frightening.
In the beginning, he’d believed that once he made reparations, he’d leave her behind. Though he’d started feeling differently, they’d never talked about a future. Given his hatred of mankind, why would he want one with her? But given that Caralyn was loyal, loving, and beautiful, why wouldn’t he desire a permanent relationship with her?
Suddenly, he was staring into an abyss of truth, one he wasn’t ready to face. And didn’t know if he ever would be. Love didn’t fit into his life and it never would. He couldn’t allow himself to love her.
So with an iron fist, he turned his mind to what he did best — scheming — and addressed Kaiden. “When do we plan our move?”
“You mean make our move?”
Eamon waved the correction off. “Mere phrasing. So when?”
“I should know the exact date, time, and location shortly.”
“And how do you have such privileged information?”
“As I’ve said, there’s little that I don’t know when it impacts the fae world. In my position I have to be aware of any threats to my people.”
“And what better way than hiding in plain sight as the wealthy, eccentric Kaiden West?”
Kaiden shrugged with a casualness that seemed nearly convincing except for the tense set of his shoulders. “What can I say? You have me all figured out.”
“You admit that so easily. I’m glad you’re not prone to fooling yourself.”
The holdout’s eyes narrowed. “No more than you are.”
Ah, so they understood each other. “Then as two such astute males, we need to decide upon a course of action.”
“Never fear, I already have one largely formulated.”
Eamon raised a brow. “Oh, do tell.” He’d reserve judgment until he could assess the worthiness of the holdout’s machinations. From there, he’d insist on adding some of his own measures.
Kaiden rubbed his hands together as if he’d devised a truly wondrous plan and then leaned over the table. “Okay, here’s what we do.”
Chapter 28
Saturday evening, Caralyn stilled outside the banquet room where her medical building’s holiday party was being held. The noise from the closed doors floated out, and she nearly turned around. It sounded so festive ... and human. She couldn’t take Eamon and Andrian in there. It’d be a disaster. Even now, their presence was a palpable thing at her back.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Let me open the door,” Eamon said.
She let him step around her. God, was she insane to let them go in there? But if they were to function in human society, they might as well start now. This was as good a test as any.
He pushed one of the doors open and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. Her heart pounded in her throat as they strode into the massive room that was decorated festively for the holidays.
But all the Christmas finery soon faded from sight because everyone assembled within the room seemed to turn and gawk at them. She knew that none of the staring had anything to do with how she looked and solely rested with the males by her side. Still, a rush of self-consciousness surged that she couldn’t suppress. Any average woman walking in with two stunning men was bound to engender attention.
She scanned the perimeter of the room, looking for an empty table. There, in the corner, was one. Maybe if they sat down, they wouldn’t attract so much attention. Somehow, she didn’t think it’d work that way.
Pointing to the general area of the table, she said, “Let’s go grab a table and put our coats there.”
“As my lady says,” Eamon said in that silky voice of his that usually sent shivers racing up and down her spine, but she was too preoccupied to give him more than a wan smile.
As they weaved through the mingling people, she prayed no one would stop them. She really needed to get ahold of herself. What should she introduce Eamon and Andrian as? Her friends? That might work for Andrian, but Eamon was way more than that. He was her lover, the man she loved. Yeah, that had taken her some time to fully digest. She still didn’t know if she really had. Loving someone like Eamon ... Well, it wasn’t wise. Though he certainly adored her body, she couldn’t say if he loved her — or ever would.
What she didn’t understand was why Eamon had wanted to come so badly. Oh, he hadn’t begged when she’d mentioned she had a party she couldn’t get out of. No, he’d told her he would be attending because he was curious. About what, she didn’t know.
A few people tried to waylay them on their trek to the table, but those individuals were far enough away that she pretended not to see them. Oh, Caralyn, when did you become such a coward? It didn’t help that she wanted to avoid the men-hungry women, and there were more than a couple of them there tonight already on the prowl.
Luckily, they nabbed their table without incident, and she had her first real look around the area. The room sported many holiday touches, from the glittering Christmas tree that stood in the center of the makeshift dance floor to the silver-tipped pinecone-and-mistletoe floral arrangements on each table. Off to the side, a DJ table lay in wait for the after-dinner entertainment to begin, though holiday
music already gently played over the banquet room’s built-in speaker system.
She took off her coat and set down her purse, and the men did likewise.
Eamon looked at her. “Do we sit down now?”
Caralyn glanced around. Many of the people were already seated with plates in front of them. “We can sit for a bit, or we can eat.”
“Where is the meal?” he asked, glaring at their empty table and then at a nearby table of diners.
With a smile, she gestured toward the decent-sized buffet area. “There.”
“And how will it arrive here?”
“We go over and get it.”
Andrian snorted and spoke for the first time since entering the banquet room. “Imagine that.”
Eamon’s nose wrinkled as if he smelled something repugnant. “That may work for you, graykindred, but I don’t like serving myself in public like a common peasant.” He turned an almost pleading stare on her. “Are you certain it truly works that way?”
His indignant attitude made her nervousness melt away. Only he could sound so hilariously supercilious. “Yeppers. Don’t worry. We’re all peasants here.”
He looked down his nose. “You do so know how to comfort me.”
“Well, you wanted to join the working masses, and this is how we party.”
“Sparing no expense apparently.”
Laughter bubbled up in her throat. “Come on, you snob. Let’s go get some chow and mosey on back here.”
“You’re talking like that to hurt my ears, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” She sent him a mischievous grin and slipped her arm through his. Without any more prodding, she got both elves moving.
An overeager Samantha waylaid them on the way to the buffet. “Hi, Caralyn! You look great.” Her gaze quickly slid from Caralyn and flicked to Eamon and Andrian, getting stuck there longer than what was probably polite. “Wow, I knew they’d be handsome, but my imagination paled in comparison to what I see before me.”
Caralyn smiled because she didn’t have the heart to be annoyed at her friend and manager. Samantha was just being very honest, as always. “Don’t give them bigger heads than they already have.” Both elves wore a pleased expression on their faces.
“Nah, I don’t think I’m telling them anything they haven’t heard.”
Andrian bowed his head slightly. “Your words do us much honor.”
Eamon murmured something similar.
Samantha clapped her hands. “They’re so polite and formal, and their accents are delightful. What gentlemen.”
If Samantha only knew. “They can be.” Those two could snap her manager’s neck without even a grimace. Although Andrian didn’t seem the human-hater that Eamon could be, and often was, he didn’t appear overly fond of humans, either.
Samantha cocked a teasing brow. “Different behind closed doors? Men are like that.”
A few more so than others. Most men weren’t really elves pretending to be human.
“So what are you doing for Christmas?”
Samantha’s question wrung a groan from Caralyn. “Probably going to my parents.”
“Probably? You go every year. Why are you dreading it this time?”
Caralyn jerked her thumb toward the two elves. “Because of them.”
Her manager’s brow furrowed. “Why would that be a problem? I thought they were old friends of the family?”
Oh, shit. She’d forgotten that facet to her story. Her brain cramped, and her tongue seemed to lose all function. “I ...”
Eamon’s smooth voice saved her. “We’re in a relationship, and her parents don’t know.”
She shot him an astonished look. We are? Did he really mean it? Giddiness exploded through her veins at the thought that he might.
As if reading her mind, Eamon gave her that stupidly toe-curling smile of his.
Samantha nearly bounced up and down in place. “A new relationship? How exciting.” Then she shook an accusing finger at Caralyn. “Why didn’t you dish, missy?”
Caralyn blinked. Was this all some crazy dream? “Uh, because it’s new?” And I just found out.
“Your parents will be ecstatic.” Samantha grinned. “I know your mom is always asking you if you’ve met anyone.”
Blunt reality slammed into Caralyn. Even if she and Eamon were in a relationship, how could she possibly explain that to her parents? Her very human parents? “They want me married and popping out kids. If they know, they’ll never let me have a moment’s peace — or Eamon, either.”
As she said that, she glanced at him. A worried expression flashed across his face. So he was scared? Good, at least he had the sense to be. If he wanted to say they were in a relationship, he better be up to accepting all it entailed. Now that he’d started the rumor, it’d probably run rampant until her parents found out somehow. Yes, even an hour and a half away, they had their ways.
Caralyn forced her panicked thoughts to the background. Who knew if Eamon even meant it or if her parents would find out? Until she knew more, she’d reserve her fretting for another time.
After a few more pleasantries were exchanged with Samantha, the trio made it to the buffet. Though Eamon might’ve disdained the method of food retrieval, he apparently had no such qualms about the actual quality of the spread before him. His plate was soon piled full until she feared something could topple off. Andrian was no better. No matter how sophisticated these two could seem, they could never be accused of being light eaters who feared to enjoy their food. They ate like warriors because that was what they were. Or maybe it was just a male elf thing?
Soon, they were ensconced at their table. By now, most everyone was eating. There was an open bar for anyone who wanted alcohol, but Eamon and Andrian seemed not to notice it. As long as they didn’t request wine, she wasn’t going to mention it, either. Though the elves had had the occasional glass at restaurants and at her apartment, they’d never imbibed to excess. She’d hate to see them drunk for the first time while at her work holiday party. Wait, could they even get drunk? Well, if they could, the destruction that would follow would probably be horrendous and maybe even life threatening.
Try as she might to resist, her mind kept drifting back to Eamon’s recent public declaration. Did he mean it? No, probably not. But on the other hand — Gah, this was going to drive her insane. Her head already felt fuzzy from the push and pull of her emotions. When they were alone, she’d ask him, even if what he said hurt her pride or her heart.
That resolved, she set out to immerse herself in the moment. Like always, Eamon had witty commentary to relay. Andrian even joined in once in a while.
The real chatting and mingling started as everyone finished their meal. The DJ introduced himself and took control of the music. People slowly drifted onto the dance floor.
Caralyn smiled. She’d always loved music but wasn’t much of a dancer unless one of her friends cajoled her to participate. Right now, she didn’t have the nerve to ask him. Heck, he didn’t seem the kind who liked dancing unless it was between the sheets.
Eamon cleared his throat. “Do you —?”
“Caralyn, you made it,” said Miranda, a receptionist in the medical office next door to Caralyn’s and the largest flirt of the building. The pretty, twenty-something blonde turned bright, assessing eyes toward Eamon and Andrian, who was still feeding his sweet tooth. “And who are these two handsome men?”
A swell of possessiveness swelled within Caralyn. She leaned in close to Eamon so their shoulders touched. “This is Eamon, my boyfriend, and his cousin, Andrian.”
The other woman gave a fake gasp. “You have a boyfriend? You never told me.”
“We just started dating,” Caralyn said, sliding a tentative smile toward Eamon. He merely lifted a brow but didn’t appear disturbed.
“Oh,” Miranda said, her gaze already sliding to Andrian. “And what about you, big fella? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Discomfort flashed in his eyes before his face became impassiv
e. “No, I do not.”
Miranda nearly squealed. “Care to have some company tonight?”
The expression on Andrian’s face said he didn’t. Caralyn gave an internal sigh. It looked like she’d have to rescue him from the clutches of Miranda predator.
Before she could, Andrian opened his mouth. “Thank you —”
“He’d love some company,” Eamon interjected smoothly.
Miranda beamed at both elves while Andrian shot Eamon a dirty look. The blonde woman pulled out a chair and sunk down beside her newest pray. A twinge of sympathy hit Caralyn. She’d seen how persistent the she-beast could be with some of the building’s male doctors.
A sweetly smug smile curved Miranda’s lips. “Caralyn, have you heard any new leads concerning Maggie and Cal?”
“I haven’t heard anything new,” Caralyn said, frowning. Though she didn’t mind heartfelt inquiries, she knew the receptionist was only asking because of idle curiosity and maybe even due to a spiteful streak of wanting to put a pall on Caralyn’s evening.
“Maggie and Cal?” Andrian asked, surprise in his voice.
Eamon abruptly grabbed Caralyn’s arm. “Come, let’s dance.”
Caralyn cast a bewildered glance between Eamon and Andrian. What was going on? A tenseness lurked about Eamon that set her on edge, and Andrian was staring at Miranda with something akin to fascination.
Eamon sent her one of his panty-melting smiles, and her concern fell away. “Can I not want to dance with my lady?”
When he said it like that, she’d dance to hell and back with him. Hopefully, he really wouldn’t take her there. With what was surely a dopey grin on her face, she let him help her from her seat and escort her toward the dance floor.
Once they were there, Eamon pulled her so close their bodies brushed. His hands rested on her lower back right above her rear. She slid her arms around his neck, and her mind went on autopilot for a minute or two as they swayed to the slow yet festive tune. Without fully realizing it, she laid her head on his shoulder.
Eamon’s breath puffed against her temple. “Even though the most uncoordinated buffoon could do this type of dancing — and I call it that only by the loosest of terms — I’ll admit it does hold a certain charm.”
