Missing the Night Read online

  Orvis would make the introduction and then back away slightly. Eventually, they made it back to the gathering around Hector and Tynan. Hector smiled when he saw her and beckoned for her to close the distance right before a large man stepped between them.

  “Miss, I have been trying to speak with you, but your handler diverts you. May I have a word?”

  Nessa looked at the elder troll and smiled. “You may, right here and right now.”

  “Would you meet with my wife and me to see if you could assist us with conceiving?”

  She blinked, smiled, and said, “Give me your wife’s number.”

  He rattled it off.

  She nodded. “I will contact her as soon as I am able. It is going to be a busy week. You know that the service isn’t free?”

  He smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I do. You were recommended by Daen Fare, and then, here you are. My name is Ikor Wells. My wife’s name is Sereda.”

  She smiled. “Pleased to meet you. I am Nessa Northern, soon-to-be Nessa Twilight.”

  “You are marrying this twit?”

  She cocked her head. “Yes. I am. Can you let him pass?”

  Ikor grinned and turned sideways, letting Hector pass. Hector glared at him. “Wells. Don’t get between Nessa and me again.”

  The huge man inclined his head. “Understood. You have a charming and talented woman there.”

  “So, I am learning.” He stepped close to her. “What was he after?”

  “Help with my area of expertise.”

  The huge man was shaking hands with Tynan and smiling brightly.

  Hector stroked his hand down her arm. “What did you say to him?”

  “That I would meet with him and his wife after our little whirlwind of events.”

  “You think we are just going to surrender you this calling; you are mistaken.”

  “Does Mr. Wells live locally?”

  He frowned. “Yes. He lives two blocks from my father’s home.”

  “I can commute. I have a twenty-mile radius for maintenance of the link.” Nessa smiled. “I will be distracted, but it will be fine.”

  Hector stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You are not going to be deterred?”

  “It is just a consult. They may be incompatible or infertile. I won’t know if I don’t meet with them.”

  He kissed her quickly and then lifted his head. “Your eyes glow when you get all hard-assed and stuff.”

  She laughed. “I like helping people. It’s fun.”

  “So, what do you do with the funds you demand?” He smiled. “I know you don’t spend it on shoes.”

  “I give it to children’s charities and women’s shelters. I have done a lot of couch surfing and eaten a lot of ramen in the last ten years.” She smiled.

  “You don’t keep any of it?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t need it. If it isn’t there, I don’t miss it.”

  He snorted. “How will you deal with being related to my father? He uses money to get through life.”

  “I will use what I have to, to blend in, and anything else that comes along goes right into the charities.” She smiled.

  “Will you meet some of our friends?” Hector asked softly.

  “Sure. How many of them are going to hate me because they think you two were a solid couple?”

  “Thirty percent. We will defend your honour.” He grinned.

  “You had better, or I am naming all children we have Eggbert, regardless of gender.” She huffed and took his arm. It was time to face the truly terrifying opponents, the friend group.

  Chapter Thirteen

  After politely being called the expected bitch, gold digger, and whore, she excused herself to go and get a ginger ale. Tynan came with her as she waited at the bar.

  “I honestly did not think they would react that way.” He muttered it quietly.

  “They see you two as perfect and untouchable. Now, to know that with a little effort, they could have wormed their way in? It is infuriating for them.” She asked for the ginger ale and smiled brilliantly as the bartender handed her the glass. She touched his fingers, and he swayed, and his eyes glazed over.

  Tynan narrowed his eyes at her. “Really? I am right here.”

  She touched his fingers lightly. “This was the contact. You just have a really high tolerance.”

  He looked down and blinked. “Seriously?”

  “Yup. It doesn’t take much, and it saves a ton on tips.” She sipped at the tiny paper straw.

  “You don’t drink alcohol?”

  She made a face. “Nope. Not often. Certainly not until I know whether the speck I am carrying locks in or not.”

  Tynan blinked. “You are saying...”

  “Nothing more than Hector’s contribution found an egg that jettisoned on time. It probably prompted a bit of the urgency you two were feeling to find me.”

  Tynan stared at her. “So you are... or you are not.”

  “I am Schrodinger’s uterus. The egg is fertilized, but it hasn’t settled in.” She smiled. “This happens a lot. It could go on its merry way and will have never have been more than a thought, or it could latch in and start its amazing growth cycle.”

  “You seem very detached about this.”

  Nessa smiled. “I have given the same speech to nineteen couples to explain why I have to remain nearby during the first days. It’s why my assignments take six weeks. The first cycle is for me to learn how their systems react to each other; the second is for the pregnancy.”

  Tynan touched her elbow, and she grinned. “You really want to hug me, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “I do. Is it possible that you know whose it is?”

  “Yeah. It is Hector’s.”

  “How do you know?”

  She chuckled. “He got there first. And mage born are different.”

  He smiled. “He’s hotter.”

  “Yup. His kind are just warmer; it is like having a tiny warm pinprick inside. It will change after a while.”

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t believe I have to keep my mouth shut all night.”

  “Oh, you don’t. If one of your friends calls me a breeder again, I am going to lose my shit. Then, everybody finds out, and Hector has to hold me back, and Stovos will need to get lawyers involved because someone is going down. I respect folks have the right to not want children, but it does not give them the right to sneer at those who do.”

  Tynan took her hand and squeezed it. “We are going to have to make different friends.”

  “I have some that are pretty good. They are mostly creative types but really fun. So, how long do you want to wait for your child?”

  He smiled. “Until you are comfortable with the idea of doing it again. We have time.”

  Hector walked over and wrapped his arms around them both. “We need new friends.”

  She chuckled and leaned against his shoulder. “How many hours do we have to mill around like perky sheep? If I have to eat one more tiny thing on a stick, I am going to start arranging them into bouquets.”

  “Have you looked at the exhibits? Our corporation sponsored this event. We have to stay at least two more hours. I promise to get pizza or something on the way home.”

  “Oh. Chinese food. There used to be a great place on Sixth.”

  Tynan murmured, “Give her what she wants, and get used to it.”

  Hector froze. “How could you know?”

  “It is just a likely possibility, not a for sure thing. I can track this kind of thing. It is what I do. It is what the Wells need me to do and others before them.”

  “You are doing it for yourself?”

  She laughed. “I didn’t need to. I just needed to keep track of what was going on. I might be knocked up by Sunday if it takes, but probably not until Tuesday if things proceed in a more human way.”

  Hector’s arm on her shoulder tightened, but then, he relaxed it. “T
hat is a helluva thing to tell me at a work event.”

  She chuckled. “I will tell you again over Chinese food. Now, where am I supposed to be looking at these exhibits?”

  Hector smiled. “This way, dearest.”

  He put his hand on her lower back, and she was suddenly aware that the dress was cut very low. His fingers were warm on her skin, and she glanced at him, wondering if she was genuinely going to get a viewing of the exhibit or a dark and shadowy corner without security cameras. Either way, it was going to be educational.

  The docent proudly explained the origins of the ancient carved wooden goblets while Hector’s fingers drew patterns across her bare back. Hector whispered, “The patterns on the goblets were from Father’s daily-use cupboard. We still have a few sets at the house.”

  She smiled, and her eyes widened as his hand slid under her slip and cupped her buttock under the dress. It was a snug fit. “I think you have enough stuff in your grasp. Glad you don’t need more.”

  During the course of her tour, she was pulled in front of him, wrapped in his arms, held with his hand just under her breasts, and generally cuddled while walking.

  “So, how attached are you to the jewels that my dad bought you today?”

  “Not very. I just needed something to wear with the outfits. Part of the costume.”

  “So, you don’t know the value of what you are wearing?”

  “Oh, I would guess it was somewhere around the cost of a fairly expensive car.”

  He nodded. “Fair guess. Why did you pick those colours?”

  She chuckled. “They are all of us. I thought it was pretty.”

  He laughed. “We are very pretty together. We are stunning when we aren’t wearing anything.”

  Nessa sighed. “Yeah, that, too.”

  “I am looking forward to seeing you in just the jewellery.”

  Her blush could have lit a fire.

  The docent looked fascinated and embarrassed for her.

  She excused them, led Hector a few feet away, and she cupped his jaw. “Have you had a few drinks?”

  He smiled. “Not enough to cause an issue...”

  “Shush. I just don’t want you trying anything stupid like an early bonding.”

  He frowned. “Why not?”

  Nessa exhaled. She had guessed right as his grip on her had gotten more playful and aggressive. He was a slow drunk. It arrived in stages. “Because I don’t want to be trapped, I want to be chosen. That is what all this running around has been about. Kiss me now.”

  He leaned forward, and when he kissed her, she sent magic running through his system to sober him up. When he raised his head, he blinked. “Ah, apologies.”

  She chuckled. “No problem. I have plenty to spare.”

  The docent was just out of earshot and waiting for them. Another group came by, and Nessa stepped back to more formal distancing. Hector grinned, pulled her to him, and wrapped his arms around her, bending her backward as he kissed her in front of the folks viewing the gallery. There were some murmurs, a few laughs, and when she stroked Hector’s hair slowly, the murmurs and laughter went silent.

  Their kiss wasn’t rushed, it was slow, deliberate, and he slowly righted her. She smiled and rubbed her thumb over his lips. “It is an interesting colour on you.”

  She glanced over, and there were a few couples that Orvis had introduced her to.

  She nodded politely, still plastered to Hector. He moved his hand to her waist but remained close as they returned to their guide.

  Tynan came in and gave first her and then Hector a quick kiss before they resumed their tour. They saw carved wooden plates, cups, forks, and other kitchen implements. The next case had pottery that had been carved with spirals and geometrics.

  Tynan whispered in her ear, “Not my best work.”

  She tensed as his tongue flicked the point of her ear that was hidden by the glamour. Her knees got weak, and a wave of heat rippled from just under her navel outward.

  She elbowed him. “Don’t do that.” Fire ran through her when the same thing happened on the other side.

  Hector murmured against her ear, “Don’t do what?”

  She was breathing fast and pinned between them in front of a sacred tree stump. “If this ends up on a tabloid, I am going to make sure that this is the last baby of yours for a really long time.”

  He immediately stiffened. “You would cut off contact?”

  “No. Of course not. I can just keep from getting myself pregnant the same way I help others do it, just in reverse.”

  Tynan frowned. “Don’t you want to be pregnant?”

  “Of course, I do. You two are the only men I ever thought about when I imagined having babies, but I have had a lot of public exposure in a very short amount of time, and I have to get used to it. I will deal with the embarrassment of the articles and the prodding into our private lives, but I would rather everything didn’t happen all at the same time.” She sighed. “I think I just hit my wall.”

  Hector stroked her back. “It’s fine. We will go.”

  “You guys can stay; I can head home on my own.” She smiled. Hector gave her a disbelieving look.

  Tynan murmured, “We will see you home, and one of us will stay with you if Stovos requires the other one here.”

  Hector nodded. “Let’s go.” He nodded to the docent. “Thank you for the tour. We will enjoy the rest of the display when it is open to the public.”

  The woman nodded, and their triad made it back into the area with the food and alcohol and headed toward Stovos. Orvis stepped into their path, and she smiled. “Your coats are waiting at the door, as is Nessa’s wrap. She lasted longer than I thought.”

  Stovos looked toward them and came over with a smile. “Nessa lasted longer than I thought considering the start. Go home; you did well.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him, and Orvis snickered. Stovos looked at her sharply, and she sobered, the bland expression coming over her. She winked at Nessa and waved her hand to the entrance and coat check.

  They talked and shook hands to get out of the crowd. Ikor Wells stopped them and looked at Nessa. “You will call?”

  “Allow me a wedding and a few days of honeymoon before I work with your wife and yourself.”

  He blushed. “Yes. Of course. I am just eager.”

  “I am sure your wife is just as eager, but having only just found my mates, I am rather obsessed with having one night and a day without disturbance, and it looks like it is going to be several days before that happens.” She smiled kindly. “I do want to help, but I just want a few days for me. Understandable?”

  He chuckled. “Understandable. Twilight, sorry about the diversion last week. Glad to see you have been able to do right by your new partner.”

  Tynan stepped forward, but Nessa held him back. “Thank the nice man, Tynan. If not for his idiocy, I wouldn’t be here.”

  Tynan looked at her in surprise, and he blinked. “Ah. Right. Him and Meredith.”

  She made a face.

  Hector stroked her back. “Now, we do owe her for asking you to intercede. What we owe her is up to you.”

  “I will think about it. It depends on if she apologizes.” She smiled at Mr. Wells. “It has been charming, but I am no longer in the mood to be stared at. I have hit my limit today, and you are rapidly losing goodwill.”

  He stepped aside quickly, bumping into some men who decided to not pursue a grievance.

  She walked past him and took the wrap that the coat check held out to her. Hector took it from her and wrapped it around her shoulders, kissing her neck.

  When they were ready, they exited the venue and headed through the remaining photographers. She heard one of them yell, “Show us a kiss.”

  She smiled and looked at the guys. “Go ahead.”

  Hector kissed Tynan, and the photographers groaned. Apparently, they already had that photo.

  She smiled and linked arm
s with both of them when they were on either side, and they walked to the limo where the driver was waiting.

  When they were inside the vehicle and she groaned and flexed her neck, she let her hair down and dropped the rest of her glamour.

  Tynan laughed. “Hard to hold it?”

  “That level is tricky. It is like adjusting a dimmer switch.”

  She sighed and rubbed her hands down her thighs. “How do you do that several times a month?”

  Tynan smiled. “We don’t have to do it in heels.”

  Hector pulled her feet into his lap, and she squirmed as he removed her shoes. “Hold still, or you are going to giggle.”

  She gasped when his thumbs dug into her arches, and she gripped the edge of the sideways-facing seat.

  Tynan pulled her into his lap, and Hector continued rubbing her feet.

  “This feels exceptionally strange.”

  Tynan chuckled and slid his hand up her inner thigh. “It feels delightful to me.”

  She looked at Hector. “Can you stop him before I start to develop some weird associations?”

  He ran his thumb under her toes and slid his fingers over the joints. Her stockings restricted his access. “Ty, can you unsnap her stockings, please?”

  She squawked as his fingers moved from her inner thigh to release all six clasps and rolled her left stocking off and down to her knee, where Hector stroked it down and off. The second stocking was peeled away in the same manner.

  “There, now we can go about setting up some of those associations.” He moved his fingers and started an insistent massage.

  Tynan’s fingers moved against her and eased into her. She flexed her legs and held onto Tynan for balance.

  The driver must have taken the long way because they stroked, teased, and rubbed her until she had cum three times. It was not her preferred way to travel, but it wasn’t half bad.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After a riotous return to what she now thought of as their bedroom, she lay between them with their arms around her. They would be amazing on cold nights.