Valentine's Wishes (10 page)

She glanced to his sparkling hazel eyes, they twinkled, the gleam in them bright.
Does he mean what I think he means?
The way his smile spread slowly across his face, she became certain he did.

“I’ve never…” she murmured, “…I’ve never flown with anyone at all.”

“Oh, my sweet, I’m sure yer’ll be wonderful in the air.” He stroked his hand over her one of her breasts, and her nipples tingled in anticipation of his mouth.

“But, Cedar, it’s cold today.”

“Don’t yer worry about it, my flower. I swear by the wind in the leaves, yer’ll be warm enough with me.”

She swallowed hard. Her flesh became a molten pool of need in response to his kiss and the way his tongue plunged inside as he hauled her close.

He flew up with her in his embrace. “Is the window open?” he asked when he let her mouth go

“I expect so,” she said and unfurled her wings to lead him into the kitchen.

* * * *

The cool mist rising in the late afternoon swirled at the base of the trees where the chill condensation gathered. “Will yer fly with me in the last of the day?” he murmured, and pulled her to him.

She shook with need and pleasure while he ran his fingers ran over her body, and she nodded for him to go on, but when he lifted her gown up over her head, she shrieked in surprise.

Taking gulps of cold air she beat her wings fast, and as quick as she could wrenched his tunic from him and tossed it aside so it floated down to the ground. The last of the afternoon light turned his glorious flesh to gold. His embrace warmed her as he’d promised. Her shivers became something more than her chilled flesh seeking his warmth. “Cedar, the clothes?”

“Don’t yer fret about the clothes. We’ll have enough light to find ’em when we’re finished.” He clasped her firm and held her against him as he yanked off the hose and dropped it. “Wrap yer legs around my waist,” he whispered bringing her tight up against him.

The heat of him between her thighs throbbed, a furnace of need blazed up inside her. He cradled her in his arms, and a cry of surprise and desire broke from her when he slid his erection inside her, his wings beating swift like her own. Locked together they followed the pathway of the setting sun, hovered in its golden beams while her body reveled in his. “Now, let me do the flying, lie back in my arms.”

She did as he said and lay back in his embrace. Her wings stilled and the last of the sunlight turned him to bronze.

Her breath came in great gasps for with each slow move he drove her closer and closer to delight. With one arm he held her steady, and his other hand smoothed over her skin so he could tease her nipples, nipping with cold fingers, while the heat of him slid into her to give her waves of raging perfection.

The glow blazed through her and grew hotter until her moans turned to cries. Her body went into spasm, and her flesh pulsated as it clamped tight around his. Swirls of brilliant energy created by their loving floated around them.

“Ah, my sweetness yer my own starlight.”

So busy trying to catch her breath, she had no idea what he meant. Later, when finally his swift panted gasps of pleasure became loud and forceful like hers, she saw the bright gleam of his skin. Light glowed from him in the dark garden. The last peak claimed her, and he clasped her up close, so her breasts flattened against his chest.

“Cedar, I love ye.”

“I know, my moon beam.” He trailed kisses over her face as he slid from her. Only now did she see they cast a shaft of brilliant light on the lawn and open mouthed she understood what he’d meant.

Both of them shone bright as lamps in the darkness.

“Ye have the sweetest glimmer I’ve ever seen. ’Tis a pity to cover your gleaming but let’s find those clothes.”

She flew with him, and they found his tunic and hose, her gown, and both his boots. Her body was as warm as he’d promised. They dressed and flew to the kitchen window.

“Poppy,” he murmured as they landed on the ledge.

“Aye.” She tilted on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

“When yer mortals are all happy, would yer think of returning to the court with me?”

“Do yer wish me to?”

He cupped her chin in his palms. “If yer’d like to, there’s a new fashion there I think ’twould be good for us to share.” He smoothed his lips gently on hers as he kissed her, and they entered the kitchen where one of the counter lights shone a pool of light not near as bright as theirs.

“Ye can tell me of this new fashion when the last one of the girls is all tidied up.” Her hand wrapped in his, they crept into the sitting room.

“Bal, what time is it?”

“Ten to seven.”

Lucy came into the room. “Tell me, do you think this outfit works?” The pink heels dug into the gray carpet as she twirled, and the silky candy colored skirt flared out.

“You look like a real princess,” Bal whispered.

“And sex kitten with it I hope…it’s a difficult combination to achieve.” Lucy ran a hand through the waves of her fair hair.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“What, my sweet girl, is the matter with you?” Lucy asked as she smoothed over the folds of her skirt.

“Surjan’s coming round here in a bit; to pick up something he left behind last night. I’ll be on my own when he gets here. I couldn’t phone him, I simply couldn’t. What am I going to say to him?”

“Oh, angel, don’t panic, you’ll be fine. Blame Keri, blame him, blame the bankers, but whatever you do, remember you are blameless yourself. Why don’t you go put on one of your saris? The turquoise one would be fabulous. You know the one with the silver stitching. Everyone thinks you’re gorgeous in that. He’ll be too busy kicking himself about last night to worry about anything else.” Lucy bent down and kissed Bal’s cheek.

“Sari? What’s a sari?” Cedar murmured.

“Oh, it’s lovely, something so beautiful, you’ll see if Bal puts one on.” Poppy squeezed his hand as they both peeked around the edge of the sofa.

Bal startled and turned at the sound of the doorbell.

“Don’t worry, that will be James.” Lucy bent to sniff the roses that stood in a tall vase on the coffee table. “He said he’d be here for seven.”

“I’ll get the door then shall I?” Bal asked.

“I want him to see me by the flowers, do you mind?”

“Oh, my. It’s a Scarlet O’Hara moment is it?” Bal said with a grin.

“Sometimes being in the right place at the right time is helpful,” Lucy said. “Please, will you let him in for me, honey?”

“Okay, hold the pose, if you please.”

“Lucy, its James,” Bal called after a few minutes.

Cedar leaned over Poppy’s shoulder to see.

She gave a little sigh for his forecast of magic was right. Lucy glowed with a bright shimmery gloss.

“There, my love, I told ye she’d do the rest herself.”

She nodded, her gaze fixed on the events unfolding. The fair-haired man who she thought simply perfect for Lucy followed Bal into the room.

“Good evening, darling. Am I forgiven? I’ve already apologized to Bal.”

“Only on the understanding nothing like it ever happens again, James.” Lucy gave him a dazzling smile.

“I swear on my honor, nothing like last night could ever happen again. I don’t know how it happened in the first place. Sweet as Bal is, she’s not you.” He glanced over to Bal with a smile and then turned back to Lucy. “Are you ready to go?”

Lucy crossed to him from her place by the flowers and set a tiny kiss on his cheek. “Yes, I’ll get my coat.”

Bal stood in the doorway. “Have a good time both of you, see you later.”

They left, and for a little while Bal sat tapping her foot. She glanced at the clock and then hurried up the stairs.

“Sari, she’ll be fabulous, you wait and see,” Poppy whispered.

“Tell me about this male?” Cedar asked.

“It’s a kind of an arrangement, like what some fairy families do. Her parents want her to marry this young man.”

“So she doesn’t know him yet?”

“No, and I messed everything up a lot last night, he fell for Keri instead.” She gave a huge sigh.

“But the wish was an accident and it will all have worn off. The only way it would continue is if he carried on eating or drinking things with the wish in. He can’t, so it should be all right.” Cedar reached out and tilted her chin with his finger. “What did they teach ye at home? Yer don’t know half the things ye should.”

“I don’t recall anyone saying a wish might wear off. I thought it was because my wish wasn’t very good that it fizzled out the next morning,” she said.

“By the moon’s bright beams!”

She glanced up at his exclamation. Bal stood at the bottom of the stairs in the turquoise sari.

“Told ye so,” she said in satisfaction, for her mortal graced the room as beautiful as an exotic flower. Bal’s shining hair fell over her shoulders in a silken dark waterfall, and as she moved the dozen or so gold bangles on her wrist clinked together. The turquoise sari sparkled butterfly bright where the fabric shimmered in a cascade to the floor.

“I’d love to see yer wear something like that,” Cedar said wrapping his hand in her hair.

“Do yer think it would start a new fashion?”

“Ah well, fashions come and go don’t they? But we’ll talk about them later.”

“Oh, there’s the door.” She gave him a swift hug.

“Are yer ready to do this or do yer want me to do it?” he asked.

“I’ll do it but ye can help me if yer like.”

“All right.”

Surjan walked into the room behind Bal, his concentration seemed fixed on the sway of her slender hips.

“Here’s your wallet. It was in the garden.” Bal handed it to him.

“Thanks.” He slid the wallet into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ve been worried about it all day until Jez phoned. Where is he? I thought he’d be here.”

“Oh, he’s taken Keri down to the waterfront, some jazz club,” Bal murmured.

“I see, well, I’ll be going then.”

“Cedar, do something he mustn’t go yet,” Poppy squeaked.

“He’s not going anywhere wait and see.” Cedar squeezed her against him.

“Would you like some tea or coffee?” Bal asked, a hint of desperation in her tone.

“Are you sure you want to go to the trouble of making it?”

“See, told ye so,” Cedar whispered.

“How did yer know?”

“‘Tis a male thing, my flower, he knows he made a fool of himself last night and he don’t like it.”

“Hmmm,” she murmured and turned her attention back to Bal.

“Yes, I’m quite happy to make coffee. I don’t think us sharing a coffee will enrage the family sensibilities. Do you take sugar?”

“No, it’s bad for the—”

“Teeth,” Bal said and smiled.

“Yes. I’ll sit here shall I?” He sat down and his gaze didn’t leave Bal as she walked toward the kitchen, graceful as a leaf swirling on the water.

“Now what?” Poppy murmured.

“Give them a little time.” Cedar hugged her close.

Poppy watched as Surjan got up and wandered around the room, and then stood to stare out of the window into the darkened garden.

“Coffee,” Bal said and handed a mug to him.

“Thanks.”

“Did you have a rough time of it at your parents’ house?” Bal asked, she gave a small gulp and her face flushed scarlet. “Oh, I am sorry I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business.”

Surjan peered into his cup and sipped at the coffee. “Don’t worry. I am sure you’ll get to hear about it all. I didn’t explain in detail to them, only said our first meeting might not have been exactly what they had in mind.”

“Oh.” Bal sat down.

“Listen, I want to say sorry about the whole thing. I’m certain you must be annoyed about last night and I can only apologize.” He sat in the chair opposite. “Your friends must think I’m quite something. I want you to know what happened wasn’t because of the punch, I barely touched it. Generally I don’t drink anyway and last night…” His voice trailed away.

“Last night turned out to be very strange, and I don’t think you saw any of us at our best. I don’t drink either, as a rule,” Bal said.

“Well, whatever the cause, I’m sorry. Perhaps we should have let the folks organize the meeting the way they wanted.”

Bal shook her head. “No, I’ve always promised them I’d look if they asked, but the final decision has to be mine. I’m not being pressured into anything.”

“I agree, I’ve said the same thing. Endless discussions about it. If it weren’t for my grandfather they’d have had me married off as soon as I finished university.”

“I understand; same kind of thing here. Anyway, I have a suggestion. Why don’t we make them happy and say for a while we’ll see each other and see how we feel about things?” Bal put her coffee cup down, the flush of bright rose on her cheeks deepened.

Surjan’s dark eyes widened at her words and he gave her a small smile. “Seriously, you’d be prepared to go out with me?”

“Yes, unless of course you don’t want to?” Bal’s cheeks reddened to scarlet.

“You have a very sweet nature. You must have, to be quite so forgiving. I’d very much like to see you again, maybe show you I’m not what you might think.”

“Perhaps we could go for a meal together?” Bal said.

“Yes. I’d love to. I know a very good place where the pasta is great.” He smiled at Bal and snatched a gulp of coffee.

“I love Italian food.”

“Would tomorrow be too soon?”

“No, tomorrow would be fine.”

“I don’t close the practice until six. So, shall I pick you up here about seven thirty?” Surjan asked.

“Okay, I’ll be ready.”

“Cedar, do we do the wish thing now?” Poppy asked.

“No, not yet there’s no need, we’ll save it for tomorrow. They’re doing fairly well on their own tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, my sweet. Tomorrow, that’s when we do it, give them a bit more time and then it will work like a dream. Can we go back to the nest now?” He settled his warm arm about her.

“If yer wish. I can’t wait to find out what’s happened to Keri and Lucy.”

“You know, my sweet bud, you can get too involved with mortals.” He leaned down to kiss her.

“But they are so much fun,” she whispered.

“Aye, now let’s go and I’ll explain all about the new court fashion I’d love yer to try.”