irst

ed little relief for Tessa as she sto

hands still wiggled with a life of their own as

s as he snatched the cigarette from her fingers.

and handed it back to her as he blew

They were both immortal creatures, and the only thing that would ever ki

ok in the spectacle of a thousand-year-old Viking in a well-tailored tuxedo. "You clean up well, Haldir.

tched out his neck. "Shut up, you spo

he gave him the cigarette. He squint

etter than most anyone. "Why are you hiding out here? That doesn't seem

oor and twisting it under her shoe. "It's a fucking meat market in there. These people sho

ed through the eyes of a child as he peered across the park. "Trust me.

d up from the wall he leaned on. "Well, looky here; there's the head of your fan c

her to finish her conversation. In faux annoyance, she rolled

y it while it lasts, Tess. That first taste of love is always the best

e birthday girl, he snapped his fingers and pointed

rick. "Why? Are you in a hurry to lose a whole bunch more of your money t

. Wait, I got something better." Suddenly pulling it back out, he flipped h

's shoulder as he passed by, then held his fing

nly, sir." Freeing his hands from his pockets, he crossed his ar

fected by his presence. Yet, the sound of his voice was like the Pied

moved in front of her and made sure she could turn

d the pearls around her neck and wrapped them around her

e motioned towards the bench with his

untrusting sneer curled up on her face. "You

st the half wall behind him to brace himself a

way into the world. "I know why everyone's here tonight, but I'm not interested. Y

ound. "I didn't come here for that, but when I saw you"- his teary eyes met hers, and h

ubbed his thumb over them

entire world as the Fates wove their magic around them. "Wh

as he resisted the urge to grab her like his soul begged him. "I could do nothing to ha

ssed the delicate curve of her jaw,

nose grazed her skin as he savored

told the truth, despite what her voice tried to convince her

he tilted her face to his. "Have

is palm to answer him, he smiled as his lips bru

st him as the anticipation of

d before he kissed her for just a moment, but that wa

uckled, sending her back into hi

ttered open. A drunken smile came to her face, and her smooth S

r bottom lip between his. He took his sweet time moving against her li

lips were like chocolate and candy canes and birthday ca

ther couple came to make out on the balcony, she pulled awa

nd he grabbed Tessa's wrist as she attempted to

e struggled to break his grasp. "

as he explained why he spoke of her so lovingly. "It

gs struggled to decide which direction to take her in, she tried to brin

as he laid claim to his mate. "It doesn't matt

jection as his arms swallowed her up into them. He curled her hair around his fingers

vy eyes betrayed her. The warm scent of cloves and cinnamon that dripped from Rafik

his brain to find a way to squeeze out a few more mi

is lips to hers and moved his hand up her cheek. "Good night, Rohi. I

secret, she took back her hand as they entered

d and spoke to her in her mind as she tried to slide in

wrinkled her nose as she answered. 'None of your goddamn b

fill of fake smiles and ass-kissing, so he tu

or themselves against even the trickiest witch. There weren

nd raised his finger as his pointy eyebrow cautioned

m a timid smile. He touched the middle of his forehead and placed his hand over his

while they walked, and the ballroom splintered into shards of exis