Because he took the smile off that gorgeous face, and I’d seen flashes of it that night. The sparkle in the eyes. The genuine, bubbling laugh that blended with tears.
Coward. There are people like me, people with races dying out, begging for a bride, for the rare gift of a family—and he wants to be alone.
My tail swished so hard I knocked over an angel in the nativity. Thank goodness it was made of sturdy stuff and didn’t break.
And now—I wake up with a shudder.
The fire is almost out.
The lights on the tree are dark.
I breathe out, and you can almost see the icy cloud.
Blizzard knocked out the power.
Boiler in the back room of the lodge runs on propane, but the fan and pump are electric.
Need the generator.
Need the gas for the generator.
Need to be careful.
Need to keep her warm.
Yes. Protect Briana.
The last command propels me to my feet and to the woodshed, hooves clumsy and stumbling. I’m not much of a drinker, and I believe I’ve had a wee drop too many, based on the way the room rolls and glides.
I shiver my way back inside with an armful of wood, and realize that it must be almost dawn—but there’s no sign of the sun.
The town below might be fine, but up here? It feels like we’re in the Arctic.
No wonder Klaus and Eirwen love it so much.
I stoke up the fire and get it blazing, grunting and cursing as my stiff fingers fight me.
“Hey.”
I turn and find Briana sitting up, sleep-rumpled and adorable, all soft curves and confused expression.
“The heat’s off, but it’s fine. I can fix the boiler in an hour or two, once there is a bit more light from outside,” I whisper. “Go back to sleep.”
“Okay.”
So trusting.
Josh needs several swift kicks in the head. And ribs. Most definitely the crotch.
“Did you stay down here with me all night?” Briana asks in a wondering tone.
“I did.”
“You’re an awesome person. Centaur. Is it like—offensive to call you a man or a person?”
“No. I’m a man, just not a hu-man. Definitely male. Man, person, centaur—it all works.”
“I could tell.” She stretches, and her pajama top rises to reveal a smooth middle with a small silver ring in her navel.
