Nutcracker

# Changeling Press Presents Hot Toddy #7 Blood and Soul: Nutcracker Kate Hill

All rights reserved. Copyright ©2004 by Kate Hill No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Changeling Press LLC.

ISBN 1-59596-088-0 Formats Available: HTML, Adobe PDF, MobiPocket, Microsoft Reader Publisher: Changeling Press LLC PO Box 1561 Shepherdstown, WV 25443-1561 www.ChangelingPress.com Editor:Sheri Ross Carucci Cover Artist:Bryan Keller

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Chapter One

Onan’s heartbeat quickened when he saw the familiar writing on the red envelope. It was December 23rd, and he thought for once Christmas would pass without any contact from her . Strange that he was almost disappointed that she might have forgotten him. Each year he ignored her letter and never responded to the gift that always followed. Drawing a deep breath, he stuffed the envelope between his other mail and ascended the stairs to his suite above the club where he worked. Burgundy Peak was a popular haven for vampires and Onan enjoyed his job as head of security. The club would be opening soon, and he liked to be waiting in the foyer when the first patrons stepped inside. Upstairs, he walked to the end of the corridor and unlocked his door. Though Onan possessed several homes throughout the world, he preferred spending most of his time here in New York City. He certainly didn’t need the job, but he enjoyed the atmosphere and knew the exclusive club required a security chief with a personal interest in the welfare of its owner and patrons. His Master owned Burgundy Peak. He and Onan were as close as two men could be without crossing the sexual line. They had been almost inseparable for years, but Master Zigor had recently taken a wife. While Onan was thoroughly pleased that his Master had found love, part of him envied Zigor’s marriage. Watching the couple made him long for the only woman he had ever truly loved. Onan stepped into his suite and glanced around. While no vampire enjoyed too much brightness, he preferred his surroundings darker than most. His walls were painted deep green and the floor was of

black tile. Several statues from ancient Nubia adorned the shelves lining the far wall, yet those reminders of his homeland didn’t attract his attention. Four shelves filled with other ornaments captured his interest instead. Everything on those shelves had been made by the same woman whose letter he now avoided reading. There were Christmas elves, miniature rocking horses carved out of wood, and snowflakes of cut glass. She loved the Christmas season, and when they had been a couple, her enthusiasm had infected him as well. Since their split, his desire to celebrate the holidays faded more with each passing season. Tearing his gaze from the shelves, he walked to the kitchen table and tossed the mail atop it. Curiosity about her letter ate at his gut. He got as far as the corridor before he returned to his suite, snatched the red envelope, and shoved it into the pocket of his trousers. When he arrived in the foyer, one of the club’s employees, a slim redhead named Julie, was just unlocking the entrance. Haunting dance music with a Native American flavor echoed from the club and the scent of cooking food wafted from the kitchen. Chilly air blew through the foyer when the first customers stepped inside. “Looks like it might be a quiet night. It’s snowing pretty hard out there,” Julie said, snapping her gum in a manner Onan found most annoying. Her tiny fangs flashed against her red painted lips. “Perhaps.” “There’s something I like about the snow, though. How about you?” Onan ignored her, his thoughts focused on the letter in his pocket. “Well, I might as well go inside and wait for customers.” “Good idea.” She wrinkled her nose at him. “See you later, Mr. Congeniality.” If Onan hadn’t been so preoccupied with a more serious dilemma, he would have taken her aside and taught her to respect her elders. Onan found the rudeness of today’s youth appalling. Things were different in his time. Perhaps that was part of the reason why he and Elizabeth hadn’t worked out. For the next hour customers trickled in while outside, the snow fell thick and heavy. Its scent stirred memories of winters past. Finally Onan stepped outside. Standing in front of the club, he narrowed his eyes against the icy wind and licked the snowflakes clinging to his lips. He and Elizabeth used to take long walks in the snow. Cursing softly, he went inside and tore the letter from his pocket. He broke the wax seal and pored over her words, his entire body tingling. After re-reading it twice, he pocketed it and stepped into the club. Two couples clung to each other on the dance floor and several men and women sat at the bar and at tables. Master Zigor approached, his penetrating eyes staring into Onan’s. “All this snow is hell on my business,” Zigor muttered. “Who would think that vampires would waste a night by hibernating due to a little cold weather?”

Onan nodded slightly, his thoughts focused on the letter. “You’ve heard from her, haven’t you?” “What makes you say that?” Zigor glanced at him as if to say he knew Onan better than Onan knew himself. Unfortunately, that was probably true. “What gift did she send this year?” “She didn’t. This year she wishes to deliver it in person.” “Excellent. Now perhaps this avoidance nonsense will end.” “It is not nonsense. You of all people should understand that, Master.” “I understand that she was a foolish child when you last knew her.” “She was a disloyal bitch.” “I agree, but she was also a newly made vampire. Though I am too old to recall the details of my youth, I remember the feelings of wildness and curiosity that would have burned me alive, had I not sated their demands. If you are not prepared to accept a child’s rebellion, then you should not indulge in parenthood.” “I overlooked many of her rebellious ways, but what she did was unforgivable.” “You are overreacting.” “If Melinda bedded another man behind your back, what would you do?” Zigor shrugged. “Kill him.” “You know I could not do that.” “Yes. It is most distressing that she cheated on you with another of your children, especially one who did not know that you were in love with her.” “Exactly. She may send as many letters and gifts as she wants, but I will not succumb.” “Amazing.” “What is?” “That a man of your age can be so stupid. Whether you want to believe it or not, Onan, you will eventually give in because you love her.” “That doesn’t matter.” “Doesn’t it?”

“And I no longer love her in the manner you have implied. Yes, I love her with the same affection as the others I have Changed, but I no longer crave her romantically.” Zigor’s gaze seemed to tear through Onan’s soul and expose his innermost desires. Damn Zigor for his perception! “It is a matter of pride, Master.” “I understand, however I know this woman has spent over two hundred years trying to get you back.” “The one that got away is always most appealing.” “See her, Onan, if only to prove to yourself that you truly don’t want her in your life. If you meet with her and sense that she hasn’t changed or that her affection for you is not genuine, then forget her. Burn her letters and her gifts and get on with your life.” Onan ground his teeth. If anyone but Zigor spoke to him in such a way, he would have torn out their throat. Unfortunately, his creator was right. If he didn’t confront her, she would haunt him forever. *** Elizabeth’s heart pounded and her hands trembled when she read Onan’s message. Seated on the bed in her New York City hotel room, she read his letter over and over. Gazing at every line and curve of his bold handwriting, she felt overwhelmed by happiness. Moments ago a young vampire sent by her Master had delivered the letter. After so many years, he had finally agreed to spend Christmas Eve with her. They had met at Christmastime. She had been alone, dying on the streets of this very city. Master Onan had fed and clothed her and eventually made her a vampire. He had introduced her to a marvelous new world she never dreamed possible, and how had she repaid him? By cheating on him with another of his vampiric children. She regretted little about her life, but hurting Onan to satisfy a momentary craving was the worst mistake she had ever made. Not a night went by that she didn’t regret it, for there was no man in the world like her ancient, powerful Master. She recalled his touch and his scent, how it felt when his telepathic voice touched her mind. With him she felt safe, protected, and loved. More than anything, she wanted his forgiveness and another chance at happiness with him. Perhaps he was finally prepared to reconcile with her. Sudden panic shook her out of her romantic stupor. Tonight was Christmas Eve! In less than two hours, she was to meet him at Burgundy Peak. She flew into the shower, then carefully fixed her hair and makeup. Excitement coursed through her as she slipped on the slinky black dress. It hugged her feminine curves and looked gorgeous with her long red hair that hung loosely down her back. Of course it was too cold for such an outfit, but she had a lovely faux fur coat that would keep her warm until -- she hoped -- Onan’s embrace took over the job. She slipped on her coat and picked up Onan’s gift which she had wrapped in silver paper. As always, she had made the gift herself. To her nothing compared with the uniqueness of handmade crafts, which was why after so many successful years of owning two small novelty shops, she refused to expand. Assembly line work didn’t appeal to her, not when she could offer her customers good

old-fashioned quality. Someone tapped on her door. She opened it and was greeted by the driver Onan had sent from Burgundy Peak. Following him to the car, she hoped that in spite of Onan’s years of outward indifference, he had missed her as much as she missed him. The drive to the club dragged due to the heavy snow. With her vampiric speed, it would have been much faster if she got out and ran, but she refused to look desperate. The desire to see her Master again and hear his voice made her feel like a schoolgirl with a crush. She had been little more than that when she met him. She had just finished school and was working with her parents in their bakeshop. Always good with her hands, Elizabeth had a stand in the shop where she sold dolls, needlework, and ornaments that she made. Her favorites were holiday themed crafts. Each year she earned enough extra money to ensure a fantastic Christmas dinner. The year she met Onan had been tragic. Someone had set fire to her family’s shop, killing her father and brother who were trapped inside. When her mother heard about what happened, she died of shock, leaving Elizabeth with stacks of unpaid bills. With the shop destroyed and no family, she found herself on the street. It was then that Onan found her. So tall and handsome with his smooth, ebony skin and captivating black eyes that could pierce the heart as well as warm the soul, he had charmed her on sight. They became a most unconventional couple, the poor immigrant girl and the wealthy foreign merchant, but neither of them cared. The car stopped in front of Burgundy Peak, and Elizabeth jumped out before the driver could open her door. Glancing over her shoulder, she thanked him, then hurried to the club’s entrance, her heart pounding as hard as a mortal’s. Onan’s familiar scent filled her with every breath. He was close. No sooner had she opened the door than her gaze fell upon the man she had dreamed about for the past two centuries. For a second she froze, her breasts rising and falling with each anxious breath. Onan stood by the staircase in the entrance, his face arranged in its usual stoic expression, yet a battlefield of emotions glistened beneath the cool surface of his eyes. His black hair hung in a thick braid and his black shirt and trousers accentuated his stunning build. Broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist with legs as long and powerful as she remembered. Just looking at him made her weak with desire. How many nights had his magnificent body claimed hers? She remembered how his thick cock filled her, how his kiss tasted, and how his fangs felt when they slipped into her flesh. “Welcome, Elizabeth.” Onan’s deep voice filled her ears. His cultured tones were sexier than the most ancient chant. “Merry Christmas, Master.” She stepped forward, holding out the silver box. He glanced at it with an almost contemptuous expression. Did he still hate her? If so, why had he asked her to come? Elizabeth summoned all of her telepathic skills and tried to breach his thoughts. It was impossible. He was too old and too powerful. Finally he took the gift and began walking up the steps. “Come with me.”

Chapter Two

Onan’s head spun with Elizabeth’s scent, a combination of delicate perfume and sensual woman. If possible, she was even more beautiful than he remembered. How he longed to run his hands through her thick red hair and bare her pale flesh to the darkness of night before making love to every inch of her gorgeous body. He chastised himself for weakening so quickly upon seeing her again, but that was one of the main reasons he had avoided her for so long. If she gazed at him, touched him, and asked for his forgiveness, eventually he would be unable to resist her. Even when he had first learned of her deception and confronted her, the sight of her tears and the seemingly heartfelt sorrow in her pleas for forgiveness had almost broken him. Pride forced him to deny her. To an ancient vampire, a man who had once been a Pharaoh of Nubia, such an insult was unpardonable. Silently, he led her to his suite. Inside, he placed her gift on one of the kitchen counters. The table was set for dinner which one of the club’s employees would bring to them soon. Elizabeth slipped off her coat and Onan’s cock leapt at the sight of her delicious curves poured into an ankle-length black dress, a simple diamond pendant at her throat. He took her coat and hung it in the closet, cursing his body for its reaction to her beauty. This woman had always been able to shatter his almost perfect control, and he both loved and hated her for it. “Master, please.” She approached and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Talk to me.” “What is there to say, Elizabeth? Do you like the weather we’re having? Is your business doing well?” “Do you honestly mean to say that after two hundred years apart, you only want to make small talk?” “After two hundred years apart, we are like strangers.” “Strangers?” Hurt and disbelief shone in her eyes. Stepping closer, she slipped her arms around his neck. Her mouth covered his in a deep, demanding kiss, the kind that never failed to excite him. Of all the women he had known, she was the only one whose kiss could make him lose all reason. Her moist tongue traced his lips, then thrust into his mouth and engaged him in sensual battle. Finally she trapped his tongue in her teeth and pierced it slightly with her fangs. She sucked on it, tasting his blood and sending shivers of desire coursing through them both. Onan buried one of his hands in her hair and pressed her face closer to his. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, keeping time with her sucking motions and the gentle rocking of her pelvis against him. His cock swelled even more where it was wedged between them. How he longed to tear off their clothes and plunge his erection deep inside her. He could almost feel her liquid heat bathing and teasing it while he drove them both into bliss. Grasping her shoulders, he shoved her away. They held each other’s gaze, both panting, passion crackling like electricity between them. “How can you call me a stranger?” she whispered. “You still think sex is the answer to everything, Elizabeth. This proves that you have not matured.” Annoyance flashed in her eyes. Smiling wickedly, she cupped his crotch, her small, strong hand wrapped around his cock, then she squeezed his balls in a manner he found most arousing. He’d loved how she used to pay careful attention to his sac when they made love. Memories of her sucking and kneading his balls sent his heart racing out of control.

“I suppose you always get an erection like this when you’re not interested in a woman?” “You will always arouse me, Elizabeth, but that does not mean I will make love with you or that I want you back in my life.” “Then why did you ask me here?” He gazed at her with the frozen expression she had always hated. Whenever he wore that expression, nothing and no one could reach him. Perhaps he had only wanted this meeting to finally rid himself of her, to let her know that no matter how many attempts she made to win him back, she would never have him again. She sighed. “Master, please, don’t look at me like that. I realize now that you really don’t want me. I made one stupid mistake and you cannot forgive me. I imagine you have never done anything so foolish. That’s why you have contempt for those of us who fail. I am sorry to have wasted your night. Perhaps you can call upon one of the concubines I’m sure you keep. Such women can never displease you because you never let them close enough to your heart.” Anger and hurt emanated from her as she strode to the closet and took her coat. Just before she reached the door, he grasped her arm. His heart pounded with rage, mostly at himself for still loving her. “The last time I let a woman close to my heart, she tried to drive an emotional stake through it. Why, Elizabeth? Why did you do it to me? I loved you like I have never loved any woman before. Everything I had was yours and still you deceived me.” “I was young and curious! You had opened up a world to me that I never dreamed existed. When you made me a vampire, you gave me power that I never imagined possessing.” “I thought what we shared was satisfying.” “It was more than satisfying, but so many nights when I hunted, I wanted to know if the power you held over me was something I could use on other men. You had thousands of years to sow your wild oats, as they say. I didn’t and I wanted to test my powers as a vampire and as a woman. Is that so wrong?” Closing his eyes, he sighed and released her. “No. That is not wrong, but you must understand that I could not abide the thought of you with another man, not when you were with me. If you needed more freedom, why didn’t you tell me? I would have let you go.” “Because I didn’t want you to let me go. I wanted you, Onan.” Snorting with contempt, he walked away from her. “You wanted me and Jake and the heavens know who else. I can only imagine that you’re back here now because you’ve had your fill of other men and decided that I am the best for you after all.” “There have been no other men, Onan.” His lips twisted in a disbelieving smile. “I’m sure.” “It’s true.” Tears glistened in her eyes, a contradiction to the fury of her tone. “That night I spent with

Jake was empty and I realized that it would be empty with any man except you. I love you, Onan. I always have and I always will. I won’t bother you again. You’ve made it clear that you want no part of me and it’s long past time I gave up on a fantasy.” Her words surprised him, but he was too old and wise to believe her without proof. His skilled mind touched hers, sifting through her memories. A person’s thoughts never lied, especially to a telepath as old and gifted as Onan. She had spoken the truth. For the past two hundred years she had remained celibate, taking blood but never bedmates. “Can you say the same?” she whispered. “No. I have sated the desires of my flesh, but it has been unfulfilling. Each lover left me longing for something they could not give to me because they were not you.” Admitting his feelings to her tightened his gut. He hated baring himself to anyone, but realized that they had been apart for far too long. Without her, he had become a miserable, cold-hearted creature, a ghost of the passionate man he had once been. “Please, Master.” She dropped to her knees in front of him and gazed at him with love gleaming in her eyes. “I want to spend my life with you, to lie in your arms by day and hunt beside you by night. Please, tell me I am yours again.” “My Elizabeth.” He knelt and pulled her into his arms. “You have always been mine. Nothing can ever change that.” “Onan.” Clinging to his neck, she covered his face with kisses. Tenderly, he cupped her chin in his hand and brushed his lips against hers. Then he claimed her mouth in a kiss that seemed to fuse their souls.

Chapter Three

Elizabeth closed her eyes and embraced Onan, scarcely believing that he had not turned her away. His love washed over her like warm waves, soothing and caressing. After so many years, he had finally relented and she swore that this time their relationship would work. “I’ve missed you so much, Onan,” she murmured, ripples of pleasure coursing through her from the sensation of his lips on her neck. He guided her to the floor and rolled her onto her stomach so that her cheek pressed against the cool tile. Elizabeth’s heart pounded with anticipation. For over two centuries she had dreamed of this moment. Now that it was finally happening, it was even better than she had imagined. Onan unzipped her dress and parted the material. He pressed tender kisses down her spine while slipping off the garment. Finally he tugged it off completely along with her shoes and stockings. The tile floor made her shiver, but she knew that soon she would be warmed by his body. Onan bent and used his fangs to rip her bra. “Roll onto your back,” he ordered.

Elizabeth did as he asked, slipping off her bra so she lay on her back, her bare breasts facing him, the nipples swollen and dark pink, like roses tightly curled in sleep. He cupped her breasts, his palms gently rubbing her nipples, his fingers stroking her warm, creamy flesh. Watching him through half closed eyes, Elizabeth sighed, her pulse racing. His scent grew stronger as his desire increased. She longed to taste his blood and savor the powerful elixir that stirred her like no other. Onan placed the long, black-painted nail of his index finger to the pit of her throat. He trailed it between her breasts and across each of her ribs, making her writhe from its ticklish touch. Her gaze followed his finger, noting the gold snake ring adorning it. That ring had been one of the first things she had noticed about him so many years ago when he’d offered her his hand to help her off the street where she had fallen, starving, exhausted, and more than willing to die. She recalled thinking that she had never before seen such a strong, beautiful hand, and she found herself believing the same thing right now. Using his nail, he sliced off her delicate lace panties. Now completely naked, she lay beneath his penetrating gaze, wanting nothing more than to feel him deep inside her. He had yet to touch her clit or pussy, but she was already wet and aching for him. “Elizabeth,” he said in a husky whisper, cupping her soft mound and kneading gently, “you are as beautiful as ever.” “I’ve missed you so much, Master.” “My love, how I’ve missed you. Not a night has gone by that I haven’t thought of you.” He lay on his side and draped her leg over his shoulder. His warm breath fanned her clit, sending ripples of desire through her. At the first touch of his tongue against her clit, she moaned with pleasure. Onan grasped her hips and held her steady. He licked and sucked her sensitive flesh, his rhythm driving her wild. To Elizabeth, nothing existed except this magnificent vampire, the only man she had ever loved. Her mind opened completely to his so that their thoughts and emotions mingled, intensifying their lovemaking. She sensed how much he had missed and wanted her. For a brief moment, she was saddened by the years they had lost. If only she hadn’t destroyed their relationship… Don’t think of that, his telepathic voice told her.I am as much to blame as you were. I allowed my pride to interfere with our love. We have a future now. That is what matters. What happened in the past is forgotten . I love you, Onan. I love you so much. Just as I love you, Elizabeth. His tongue moved from her clit and thrust into her pussy. She arched against him, moaning and panting, every muscle in her body straining for release. After so many years of only her hands to satisfy her, the pleasure of his touch was almost unendurable. He explored every soft, wet corner and crevice. His tongue tasted her folds of flesh then pulsed over her clit. Just when she was on the verge of shattering, he covered her body with his. Grasping her wrists, he used one hand to restrain them above her head. Look at me, he ordered. Her eyes opened halfway and met his intense gaze. His dark eyes were tinged red, their expression so

hot that it spurred her desire even more. The tip of his hard cock prodded her pussy before he slid into her. “Oh!” she panted, her heart pounding in her chest. Though she struggled to free her hands from his grasp, he refused to let her go. Recalling how he used to enjoy tying her up, she quivered with increased passion. Onan loved to control their lovemaking, and she loved to be controlled. He thrust, pulling out almost to the tip, then driving into her. His cock was so thick and hard that he seemed to stretch the very walls of her pussy, rubbing her in all the right places. “Yes, oh, yes! How I’ve missed you, Onan. My love, my Master.” He growled, a savage, lusty sound, and thrust faster, flinging her headlong into orgasm. Elizabeth cried out, her body straining and her pussy throbbing around his erection.

Onan’s motions stilled, every muscle in his body tense. His heart throbbed wildly and pleasure rolled through him. Fighting to keep control over his body, he drew deep, cleansing breaths as her pulsations subsided. Being with Elizabeth again felt so marvelous. He couldn’t recall a time when he was happier. Still, he was in no mood to rush. After so many years apart, he intended to savor her for the entire night. “Come.” He withdrew from the warmth and tightness of her pussy and stood. His cock, glistening with her juices, looked ready to burst. The balls beneath it were heavy as a bull’s. “Pleasure me, woman, the same as I pleasured you.” “Master,” she whispered, her gaze fixed on his cock. She crawled to him and knelt in front of him. Her fingertips swept his smooth crotch, and the tip of her tongue flicked over her full, pink lips. Onan’s heart thrummed with anticipation as he recalled how marvelous those silken lips and warm, wet tongue felt on his cock. Cupping his buttocks in her hands, she leaned closer to him and ran her tongue up and down the length of his rod. She lapped the swollen head, then buried her lips in the base. Curling a fist around his cock, she stroked it with long, slow sweeps of her hand while focusing her lips and tongue on his balls. She licked every inch of the sac, then took as much of it as she could fit into her mouth and sucked on it. Her lips teased the flesh, kneading and stroking. Using her thumb, she traced his cockhead and stroked the underside. Switching positions, she cupped and squeezed his balls with one hand while her lips slid over his cockhead and sucked in a fast, steady rhythm that soon had him panting and straining for release. Onan’s heart pounded and his entire body tensed. Squeezing his buttocks, he thrust his hips in time with her sucking of his cock. Drawing him deeper into her mouth, she teased him to the point of explosion. His cock brushed the back of her throat before she pulled back the slightest bit so that she could suck him and swirl her tongue around the crown of his erection at the same time. Suddenly he grasped her shoulders and dragged her to her feet. His cock, wet with her saliva, pressed between their bodies. Their gazes met, so intense that for a moment nothing existed except for the two of them. Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her through the door to his bedroom and lay on the bed. A smile on her lips, she straddled him, curling her fist around his cock and lowering herself onto his erection. Onan gazed at her, his hands clasping her waist while she rode him fast and hard.

“Onan! Oh, yes. I’ve wanted this for so long!” “My wild beauty, woman of my heart, we will never part again. Never!” he panted, his grip tightening on her. She rocked harder and faster, her pussy clamping around his cock. With a savage cry, she exploded, her pulsations pushing him over the edge. He growled and lunged upward, bursting inside her in the most intense orgasm he had ever experienced. Pushing her onto her back, he covered her body and sank his fangs into her shoulder. Through the haze of passion, he felt her bite him. The sharing of blood flung them into yet another climax even more intense than the last. Writhing with passion, they lapped each other’s blood in time with their pounding hearts and grinding hips. *** For several moments, Elizabeth and Onan lay panting and content. Her cheek rested against his chest, her fingertips languidly stroking his ribs. She listened to his heartbeat return to its slow, vampiric rhythm and thought that she could not have imagined a better gift than having her lover back again. Gift. Suddenly she remembered the present she had brought him. “Where are you going?” he asked when she left the bed. “I want you to open your present.” She hurried into the next room, goose bumps springing onto her flesh. After lying in the warmth of his arms, the suite seemed so cold. She snatched the gift from the kitchen and hurried back to bed where she crawled beneath the covers and snuggled close to him. A slight smile on his lips, he unwrapped the package and opened the box. He withdrew a nutcracker of glistening black with red accents. The eyes were green and the mouth sported two sharp fangs. It was one of the finest pieces she had ever crafted. “It’s beautiful,” he said, caressing the smooth wood. “And fitting.” She grinned, caressing his face. “You were a hard nut to crack.” Turning from her, he reached into his night table drawer and tugged out a small package wrapped in red and gold paper. He handed it to her and her stomach fluttered. The package was shaped suspiciously like a ring box, but she dared not hope for that. At least not so soon. Onan never rushed into anything, and after all, he had just agreed to start seeing her again. “Open it, woman! I can’t stand the suspense.” Her pulse raced and she ripped off the paper. “I don’t ever recall you being so jumpy, Onan.” Excitement rushed through her. It was a black velvet ring box! She lifted the lid and stared at a perfect oval cut emerald surrounded by diamonds. “That’s because I have never asked anyone to marry me before.”

“Onan,” she breathed, caressing the ring with her fingertips. “Do you intend to wear it or not?” Immediately she took it from the box and slipped it on her finger. She admired the ring, but the sentiment attached overwhelmed her. She embraced him tightly and closed her eyes, rubbing her cheek against his. “I never imagined this would happen, at least not so soon.” “We have already wasted two centuries. From now on, we will be together as we were meant to be.” “I love you so much.” “When you left, you took my happiness with you. Now you have brought it back again, my Elizabeth.” Cupping her face in his hand, he covered her mouth with his. Someone knocked on the door and he broke the kiss. “Must be dinner.” He stood, gazing at her with longing, and tugged on a black silk robe. “I’ll be right back.” Once he’d gone, Elizabeth lay back on the pillows and held out her hand, gazing at the ring, scarcely believing that he had asked her to be his wife. Voices wafted from the other room as Onan spoke with the employee who delivered their meal. Moments later, he stepped into the room carrying a tray laden with food and a bottle of champagne. He placed the tray aside and picked up the bottle. “Compliments of Master Zigor. It seemed he guessed we might have something to celebrate.” “I still can’t believe this is really happening.” “Surely you must have known that if I agreed to see you again I would never let you go.” “If I had known that, I would have come sooner instead of sending all those letters. I thought you hated me.” “If I had hated you, I never would have held such a grudge.” He joined her on the bed and tugged her into his arms. Desire shot through her when he began nuzzling her neck. One of his hands caressed her thighs, parting them gently. He used his palm to stroke her soft mound and slipped a finger where she was still so warm and wet. Running the slick digit up and down her clit, he purred in her ear like some great cat tamed just for her, “I think dinner can wait for a while longer. I have one more gift to give you.” “And that is?” she gasped, shifting her hips as passion grew. “Five successive orgasms, each more powerful than the last.” He kissed her deeply so that she was unable to respond verbally. Instead she spoke in his mind.It’s a gift I look forward to receiving, my love . Growling, he nibbled her lower lip. Elizabeth clung to him, unable to control her smile. After so many

years, she was finally back where she belonged, in the arms of the only man she had ever loved. This had turned out to be the most wonderful, magical holiday ever.

The End

Kate Hill

Kate Hill’s fiction and poetry have appeared in publications both on and off the Internet. When she’s not writing, Kate enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family. Visit her online at www.kate-hill.com