Ellida Read online

  I curled up on the living room sofa, suddenly tired and sleepy.

  I heard voices around me, laughing, giggling, happy sounds, but they were becoming more and more distant and my eyelids heavier and heavier.

  “Where’s my cat?” I quietly asked Eamon, who sat beside me.

  “In her box in your room. I gave her a small plate of cream and some water. She’ll be okay until tomorrow.”

  I smiled and closed my eyes. Jack stood beside the sofa. His fingers played gently on my neck and my earlobes. I felt warm and safe. Tomorrow, I would continue with my training, decide about my house, help Jack with renovations. Have lunch with Peyton, I hoped. I glanced toward her. She caught my eyes and smiled. I’d definitely have lunch with Peyton, then. And I’d think about my mother. She was constantly in my thoughts since Jack had come back from Scotland. I’d say my silent prayers for her.

  In spite of my deep fear for her life, tonight I was convinced that everything would turn out just fine. I was Red Cliffs’ Ellida, the powerful force of love. My sole mandate was to bring balance and harmony, I thought sleepily. My new friendship was proof of that. Peyton and I had done the almost impossible in just a few days… My mother would be fine. In a short time, Seth would strike again, but heaven help me, I would be ready this time.

  I pressed my warm cheek against the silky, cool surface of a cushion.

  “Is she okay?” somebody said, sounding worried. James, it seemed. Or Eamon.

  “She’s fine. Just tired. She hasn’t slept at all since Saturday,” Morgaine said.

  Warm, gentle fingers stroked my face. “Hey, baby, you okay?”

  “Uh-huh. I’m just tired. Don’t fuss, Jack.” I pulled myself into a sitting position. “I fell asleep. I’m sorry. I’m fine now.”

  “I’ll take you to your room,” Jack said and scooped me up.

  “No, I want to stay,” I protested. “Put me down!”

  “I think I’ll call it a day,” Peyton said. “It’s late. You need to rest, Astrid. If you like, stop by my office tomorrow around noon. We can have lunch together and talk about your house and condo.”

  “Great. I’ll be there. And Peyton, thanks for everything… I…”

  My uncle interrupted. “You’ll thank her in the morning, Astrid. Peyton isn’t going anywhere. Did anybody look see what’s outside? It’s a snowstorm!”

  “I probably wouldn’t get lost, but thanks, I’ll be glad to stay,” Peyton said. “Where am I going to sleep?”

  “With me, in my room,” Maggie said.

  “And you’re coming with me, big brother,” Eamon said to Jack.

  Jack laughed. “I certainly can make it to my house, storm and all.”

  “Yeah, but are you sure you can make it back tomorrow morning to make us breakfast?” James said, laughing. “Grilled cheese sandwiches, for example. Nobody’s going anywhere tonight. This is a special evening and we’re staying together. Now please everybody proceed to their rooms… Oh, I love snow! Makes me feel so serene. Come on, Betty. We’ll light the fireplace, open the curtains and watch the snow falling. Remember when we did that last time?”

  Still in Jack’s arms, I glanced toward my aunt. She clearly did remember the occasion because her cheeks reddened visibly.

  My uncle was already on the staircase, with Betty in tow. “No rush tomorrow morning. The first person that shows up downstairs has to shovel the snow.”

  Seventeen

  Astrid

  WHEN I opened my eyes, the room was filled with the soft silence of a snowy day and a pale, milky light. I jumped from the bed and peered through the window. The sky was light gray and it was still snowing heavily.

  My heart leapt. I loved snow. It always brought out my inner child.

  “As if it’s not busy enough in my head,” I murmured to myself, laughing.

  A weak, high-pitched response came from the box on the other side of the bed. I reached in and gently picked up my little friend. She licked my finger and tried to suck on it, and then, disappointed, closed her dark-blue eyes and fell asleep again.

  “You must be hungry, huh?” I stroked her tiny head and neck. “Let’s fix you some breakfast and then I’ll show you the snow. Through the window, mind you. You’re way too young to play outside.”

  The kitty and I were the first to come downstairs. “It looks like we are going to do some shoveling this morning,” I muttered, “unless we quickly grab you some milk and dash back to our room.”

  Eamon’s bushy head peered in. “Which would leave the shoveling to me. No way.”

  “Look who’s here, sweetie. Our grumpy old cousin! Good morning, Eamon. I could always argue I was half-asleep last night when Uncle made his snow-shoveling announcement, but in fact, I don’t mind doing it.” I placed the kitten in Eamon’s hands. “Give her something to eat while I get dressed.”

  Eamon kissed my cheek. “No, Astrid, I was just joking. I’ll take care of the snow. You make us coffee.”

  “I think Astrid and I will do it faster.” Takeshi said, walking into the kitchen, completely dressed for outdoor activities. “What do you say, Astrid?”

  I smiled. “By all means. Wait for me. Be back in a minute.”

  I put on my winter jacket and boots, my woolen cap with a big pompom on the top, my mittens and scarf. I was overdressed and already hot, so I hurried downstairs.

  “The shovels are in the garage,” Eamon said, but Takeshi and I dismissed his advice.

  “We don’t need shovels.”

  “Whoa, whoa! Wait for me!” Eamon turned around and walked to Maggie, who had just joined us in the kitchen. “Maggie, feed the kitty. I have to see this.”

  Maggie, not an early morning person, let out a soft growl but took the kitten.

  THE AIR was cold and heavy with moisture. A thick shroud of fresh snow covered the ground, muffling the sounds of sporadic traffic, distant human voices and dogs barking. Big snowflakes swirled silently down, heavy and wet.

  I turned to Takeshi. “I’ll do the left side.”

  “Okay.”

  Almost simultaneously, two little white twisters rose from the ground, spinning around faster and sucking in the snow at the base, gradually becoming taller and wider.

  ”Don’t make them too big,” Takeshi said. “Otherwise the whole town will be here for the free show in no time.”

  “No worries.” I redirected my rotating column, now almost six feet tall, to the edge of the pavement, where it collapsed, leaving a heap of snow behind and clear path where it had passed.

  “Epic!” I heard my cousin’s excited voice from behind.

  Two warm arms locked around me from behind. “Good morning, love. Having fun?”

  “Mmm… Good morning.” For a moment, I abandoned my task and leaned against Jack’s solid, firm body. Too firm, especially below the abdomen, I quickly realized and reluctantly refocused my attention to my task.

  Takeshi was almost done. The right side of the pavement was clear of snow, which now lay mounded on the side.

  I quickly finished my part and followed Jack inside. Somebody else could clean the sidewalk in front of the house using more mundane methods.

  I WAS in my room, taking off my winter clothes, when my phone rang. Ingmar.

  “Can you talk now, Astrid? Is anybody else around?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Good morning to you, too. I’m in my well-soundproofed room, all by myself. What’s going on?” I smiled, quite sure how this conversation was going to unfold.

  “Listen, I want to ask you something. I’ve talked to your friends a few times in the last two days. I wanted to know how you were doing.”

  “I know you phoned. This time I remember everything. Maggie asked me about you last night, after the three of you finished your little chit chat.”

  “Your cousin is a pretty young woman, but I want to ask you about Peyton.”

  I chuckled. I was right, then. “What do you want to know?”

  “Is she seeing anybody?” />
  “No, she’s single.”

  “Does she know about, ahem, you and me?”

  “I mentioned it yesterday.”

  He paused, and I could visualize him running his hand through his hair. “I’m going to call her today. I’d like to get to know her better. Do you think there’s a chance that she… Ah, never mind. Don’t tell her anything, okay?”

  I smiled. “Not a word.”

  “Do you know if she’s at home now?”

  “She’s here. It snowed like crazy last night so she stayed over.”

  “I’ll try tonight, then. Thank you, Astrid.”

  “Good luck, Ingmar,” I said and ended the call.

  STILL IN his serene mood, Uncle James declared a moratorium on all unnecessary activities. The road conditions had prevented Jack’s workmen from coming. We’d persuaded Peyton to take a day off. Eamon was on his spring break anyway and Maggie decided to prolong her holidays for a few days. Even Takeshi didn’t seem concerned about the delay in our training sessions.

  I volunteered to make beef-barley soup using the leftover meat from last night. Betty baked a loaf of bread, and later Eamon made us hot cocoa with mini-marshmallows. We played Monopoly, then Jack and James played chess while the girls watched a movie. Eamon and Takeshi quietly discussed film music and scores. Already attuned to her human surroundings, my little blue-eyed silver tabby slept, ate and yawned.

  The whole house fell under the cozy spell of the snowy day.

  “I HATE to break up the party, but I really need to go,” Peyton said later that evening. It was around eight o’ clock when it had finally stopped snowing.

  “We’ll walk you home,” Jack suggested. “Astrid, grab your jacket.”

  “BRRR, IT’S cold.” My words came out in white puffs. Snow crunched under our feet as we walked toward Peyton’s house: Jack in the middle, with the two of us on either side.

  Less than ten minutes later we stopped in front of a two-storey red brick house not unlike mine. It was one of those narrow and deep buildings that looked deceptively small from the street. I noticed the white lace curtains, windowsills with blue, pink and purple hyacinths in white ceramic pots, and the entrance door with a floral stained glass panel in pink and green.

  “Would you like to come in?” Peyton said, and I was about to accept her offer when her phone rang. She glanced at the display. A tiny sparkle in her blue eyes gave me a good idea about the caller’s identity.

  “No, not this time,” I said hastily and hugged her. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I took Jack’s hand and towed him toward the street.

  “Finally alone,” Jack said and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. The warmth from his body instantly penetrated through the layers of clothing I wore, spreading under my skin.

  “Are you cold?” he said.

  “Not anymore,” I said and lifted up my head to reach his mouth. He lowered his head, making it easier. Oh, God, I would never get enough of this man! I felt butterflies in my stomach, my heart pounded, and my blood rushed in all directions throughout my body. A warm arousal throbbed deep between my thighs, almost painfully, screaming for release. I pressed myself firmly against Jack, feeling his own sexual excitement.

  “Are you afraid of the big bad wolf?” Jack murmured into my hair.

  “Depends what he’s going to do to me.”

  He kissed me. “I’ll take you to a deep, dark wood, to start with. I’d like to run first. The snow’s fresh and crisp. And then we’ll see what takes our fancy. Come.”

  I laughed and kissed him back. “I like this fancy part.”

  WE WALKED across the clearing where Morgaine and I usually practiced and soon reached the forest.

  Jack took off his jacket and passed it to me. “Hold it, please.”

  I fixed my gaze on him as he was unbuttoning his shirt.

  “Slow down a bit, Jack. I’m enjoying the view.”

  “It’s minus ten, Astrid. Not the best time for a striptease.”

  “Well, I’m not cold. On the contrary.” I swallow hard, and narrowing my eyes, glued them on Jack’s middle part as the boxers came off.

  He chuckled. “Take a rain check, honey. I have to change now. I’m freezing.”

  BEWITCHED, I watched Jack’s effortless feet-up transformation into his magnificent honey-brown wolf. It took just a few moments, and it was smooth, painless and beautiful.

  I heard his voice in my head as he walked to me and brushed his long side along my leg.

  “You are not cold anymore, Jack, are you?”

  “No, baby. Are you?”

  “No. Our bond works in all shape combinations. I feel warmth when you touch me.”

  “Once you’re able to control your change, we can change together. You’ll like it… Stay here now. I’ll be back.”

  And with that, he broke into a fast run. I followed him with my eyes. He was a magnificent sight: a huge, muscular wolf, fast and strong. His eyes glimmered in the night. He’d left me enveloped in his warm, spicy and—darn, I knew I shouldn’t be thinking about that now—so sexy scent.

  I sighed and bent to pick up Jack’s clothes so that they didn’t get wet, watching him running back.

  He abruptly stopped in front of me, sending clouds of snow flying all around.

  “Come on, leave my clothes here and play with me!”

  “Everything’s going to get wet and cold, Jack.”

  He grabbed my calf and tugged me. “Then you’ll warm it up, asanni! Put everything on the jacket, it will be fine.”

  We ran together among the trees. I ran, actually, as fast as I could manage, while Jack jumped around me, pushing me gently, pulling my jacket with his teeth and trampling over me. Several times I ended up on my knees, hands deeply buried in the snow, laughing. Jack would help me to stand up, pressing his great, warm body against mine to keep me warm.

  After he knocked me down in the snow for the tenth time, I’d had enough. Shrieking with delight, I used a bit of my magic and started throwing snowballs at him. Dozens of the soft, round orbs flew right to their target from every direction.

  “You’re playing dirty!” he said, laughing in a futile attempt to avoid at least some of the snowballs. He charged toward me, but I made the white orbs follow him. He launched himself on me and we started rolling on the snow. I lost my concentration and, one by one, the snowballs fell on the ground.

  We sat in the snow, panting.

  “Shall we go home? Are you cold?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No, I’m not. Just stay close.” I raked my fingers through Jack’s thick, honey-brown fur and instantly felt warm as if wrapped in an invisible blanket.

  “Here,” Jack said and stretched his big body on the ground beside me. “Don’t sit on the snow.”

  I sprawled across him, closing my arms around his neck. I buried my nose into his strong neck, inhaling deeply his scent, both animal and human, familiar, warm and natural.

  Jack lifted his head toward the night sky. “Do you know that the Chinese call Sirius Heaven’s Wolf? It guards Heaven’s Palace, which is our Ursa Major,” he said. “We also call Sirius the Dog Star. We can’t see it now. It becomes visible just before sunrise around summer solstice.”

  “The wolf has an important place in many cultures and civilizations.”

  “Yes, but it symbolizes different things: in Japan, he’s regarded as a protector from other wild animals. For North American Natives, the wolf is a warrior allegory because of his strength and courage. In many cultures, he represents passion, love and fertility. In Anatolia, barren women in rural areas pray to a wolf to help them get pregnant. There are many human legends that talk about a union between a woman and a wolf. In some other societies, however, his ranking is pretty low.”

  “Notably in Western civilization,” I said. “In Greco-Latin mythology, with the exceptions of legends such as Romulus and Remus, the wolf is mostly pictured negatively. Later, wolves became connected with witches and ev
il forest spirits. In many cultures, he represents the underworld. Not very flattering. And utterly unfair.”

  “Do you know the story about the first Ellida?”

  “No. Tell me, please.”

  “Are you warm?”

  “Are you? You’re lying on the snow.”

  I heard his soft chuckle. “I’m okay for now. Don’t worry, I’m well protected. So, long ago, there were two mighty asyrs, the wizard kings. Affan was a good ruler, whose kingdom thrived until the bad wizard, king Studen, the ruler of the far, frozen North, stole Affan’s Horse with the Silver Mane, and his beloved daughter Illeanna. Heartbroken and without his magic horse that made him undefeatable in battle, he turned to his friend, blaidd Harlan, for help. Now, Harlan had been in love with Illeanna for as long as he could remember, but never dared to ask Affan for her hand, even though he was the Einhamir. ‘Bring me my daughter and the Horse with the Silver Mane back, and’—this is a very important detail, Astrid, you’ll like it—‘if Illeanna agrees, with my blessing she’ll become your wife,’ Affan promised.

  “Harlan changed into a wolf. He didn’t stop running for three days and three nights, until he reached king Studen’s palace. He found the room where Illeanna was sleeping. He woke her up and scared her to death because he hadn’t come to her as a dyn–a man–but in his wolf shape. As they brushed against each other, they felt the warm current of the bond run through their bodies. And Illeanna, who had never given Harlan a second thought before, fell in love with him.

  “Being a clever asanni, Illeanna didn’t exactly sit in her room and mope waiting to be saved. She had prepared a magic powder and used it to enchant the palace to secure them enough time to escape. They rushed to the stables and took the Horse with the Silver Mane and ran from the palace. They’d almost made it when the guards saw them and closed the gate.