Twisting the Pole Read online

  “I asked your assistant. Vivienne was very forthcoming.”

  Cora rolled her eyes. “She would be. She is a sucker for a guy in armour, or a girl for that matter.”

  “Is Cora your real name?”

  “You mean away from the faire? Yes. That is the name on my credit card.” She chuckled. “How about you?”

  “Oddly enough, my name was exotic enough for this purpose. Salk Arthwait is my actual name.”

  She finished her burger and wedged the last of the fries into her mouth. When she cleared her mouth, she sipped at her beer. “It is a nice name.”

  “Thank you.”

  Silence hung between them. It wasn’t awkward, but it did give her a chance to finish her beer. He drank his and raised his brows at the flavour, pausing after to read the label. “Where did you get this?”

  “At the local vendor. It took a bit of trial and error, but I finally found one that I consider palatable.”

  “You did very well.”

  She chuckled. It was definitely a change from apple cider, mulled cider, hot cider, cold cider. There was not a lot of variety at the archive of Santa’s workshop. It felt like Santa had forgotten that they were even there on days other than Christmas Eve.

  He shifted on his chair, and she got up to clear the bag and fold the cloth in the basket. When it was clear, she set it on the floor and folded the table away.

  “Pivot, take a step and we can sit in the living room.”

  She walked past him and sat on the couch built into one end of the tiny space.

  “How big is this place?” He wandered over and sat next to her at an angle so that their knees touched.

  “Two hundred and eighty square feet.”

  “Wow. It seems that you have everything you need in here.”

  She looked at him and considered her answer. “Yeah, I do seem to have what I need at my fingertips.”

  “Was it a custom build?”

  Cora laughed, “No, I got it at Tiny Castles R Us.”

  He snickered. “Fair enough.”

  They sat and drank their beer in silence.

  Cora asked, “What drove you to the fights?”

  “The exercise was entertaining. I am used to having a bit more activity in my life, and this was a chance to reclaim it.”

  She nodded as if she understood.

  “What about you? How did you come to work with silver?”

  She answered honestly. “I learned it at my father’s knee. My mother was a designer, and my father made her sketches come to life.”

  “Are they still living?”

  “No, they passed on years ago. It still feels like just yesterday.” The truth of the pain was in her voice.

  He reached out and put his hand on hers. “I am sorry for your loss.”

  She shrugged. “It is fine. I just haven’t had much ability to deal with it.”

  Salk nodded, paused for a moment and then asked. “What were you doing when I arrived?”

  “I was working on designs. I draw far more than I could ever create.”

  “May I see them?”

  She grinned. “Of course.”

  She got up and went to the small cubby where she had tucked her sketchbook. She turned and brought it back to the couch, sitting closer than she had before, ostensibly to show him the drawings.

  She inhaled the scent of him and enjoyed the masculine touch to her quarters. There was something familiar in his scent that she couldn’t put her finger on, and it made her want to investigate further.

  He flipped through the designs with intense focus. “These are amazing. Hey, here is the pattern for my medallion.”

  She snorted and then fought the urge to grab the book and pull it back. The medallion he was wearing was one of nine designs and the only one she had created. The word Comet was written quite clearly beneath the pattern.

  “You drew one for all of Santa’s reindeer?”

  She cleared her throat. “I thought that if anyone needed a little Christmas treat, it would be the reindeer.”

  “Why did you make Comet?”

  Cora licked her lips. “I don’t know. I suppose it was just the design that I wanted to make first.”

  He smiled slightly and closed the book. “Well, I have imposed on your hospitality enough for one night. I will see you tomorrow.”

  She got to her feet as he stood. “You don’t have to go yet.”

  His eyes gleamed. “I think it is for the best. I do have one thing to leave you with...”

  She stared up at him, and he kissed her softly, gradually deepening the contact until she was leaning up toward him and clutching at his shirt for balance.

  Her heart was pounding in her chest when she finally realized that he was gone. As suddenly as he had appeared at her door, he had removed himself and his basket while she was focused on that small point of contact.

  “How the hell did he move that fast?” She scowled at the door and was bemused by the fact that it had been latched. It only latched from the inside, but Salk was definitely gone. She could feel the loss of his company in every inch of her.

  * * * *

  Salk’s cock was screaming silently at him to return to take what Comet was so obviously offering.

  He had never thought that the woman he was sent to seduce could strike at his heart with her creativity, her grace and her spirit, but here he was, in the shadows and watching over her castle.

  She smelled of heat and starry skies. He didn’t know how it could be possible, but when he touched her, kissed her, he saw the stars and heavy bands of colour.

  Tomorrow, they would have a proper date, and he would be able to escort her home at the end of the night. What happened after that was up to her, but he was hoping to experience more of that heat.

  He dispersed himself into the shadows and engaged in his normal occupation of finding the naughty and whispering in their ears details of all their crimes in order to seed nightmares of recriminations. It wasn’t fair, but neither was preying on other members of their species.

  Administering shadows was not a job for the weak at heart, and it had been a relief when he no longer had to haul coal around. Salk enjoyed his position with the naughty-or-nice list, even if it took him to the dark places of the human mind. A moment with Comet made up for an entire year of shadows.

  * * * *

  Comet fidgeted with her silk skirts and touched her hair. The braiding was elaborate, and it was twisted up on top of her head, held in place with her own elven coronet.

  The gown was a blue so deep it was almost black. The silk was rich, but it floated around her as she moved. The floor-length vest was embroidered with fantastical creatures, and the latches fastened it at her waist. The black slippers were comfortable, and she felt like she was wearing a costume at long last. Others could put on garb and play a part. She had been putting it on and reliving the past. Now, in these obviously modern clothes, she could enjoy the feast, the dancing and spending more time with Salk.

  Viv gave her a serious and assessing look before she nodded. “Amazing. If you weren’t my friend, I would be jealous.”

  Cora grinned. “Nothing to be jealous of. You were the one who picked this all out.”

  “Yes, but I had no idea how natural it would look on you.”

  She took the favour that would get her access to the event, and she scowled at it. “You could still go instead of me.”

  “Not a chance. Salk has been by here twice today to make sure that you haven’t gotten cold feet. I don’t want you to miss this chance to have a good time. And speak of the devil.”

  Cora looked, and Salk was striding toward them in Ren Faire formal wear. He was wearing the same black and silver that she was, but on him, it looked intimidating.

  Viv was amazed. “Hey, you match!”

  Cora gave her an evil look, and she lifted the folding counter to step out into the lane.

  Salk st
opped ten feet away, and he stared at her. He approached slowly, as if afraid to startle her. “Mistress, you would make the very stars in the sky jealous. Your beauty shines in the darkness, and the celestial lights look dim in comparison.”

  Cora blushed. “I am unable to match your flattery, Sir Salk. You are the epitome of a knight of this realm; all others are mere pages in your presence.”

  He grinned. “Very nicely done. Are you ready to leave?”

  He extended his arm.

  She placed her hand on his wrist.

  He looked back at Viv. “Don’t wait up.”

  The cackle from the shop faded as he led her through the lanes of shops and over toward the area that had been separated for the feast and party.

  “You do look lovely, Cora.”

  “You are stepping out of your role, Salk.” She turned her head and winked at him before looking forward again.

  The centre of the green space held a huge pole that had to have been erected earlier in the day. “What the hell is that?”

  “They have decided that they wanted a special symbol for the solstice, so they have instituted a type of maypole for tonight. The dancers have been practicing all afternoon.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Are you one of the dancers?”

  “I am on standby in case of a turkey leg-related injury.”

  She laughed and he took her to the spot reserved for them and he helped her settle into place at the high table.

  She spoke to the knight on her left, and Salk was on her right. The feast began, and the entertainment started as well. She had never seen jugglers up close without trying to get past them, so she was forced to sit still and enjoy the show.

  Acrobats, dancers, a few singers and each one was accompanied by another course delivered from the kitchens.

  Cora nibbled at each course and tried not to laugh at how wrong some of the dishes were. There was something to be said for knowing what the herbs actually were and not what they were called in modern times. Ancient names were a lot less precise, but you had to be there to know the differences.

  Salk leaned in. “You are making a face.”

  She chuckled. “I am sorry. I just had a thought about what would improve the recipe.”

  “I am sure that the cooks would take suggestions, just do it from a distance.” He chuckled.

  She laughed. “Yeah, that is what I figured.”

  When the room fell quiet, the baron stood. “During this festive season, we have had this faire to see if it could be done, and if it was not for the generous travel of several excellent knights, it would not have been done. So, we are here tonight to honour those knights who have come from far and wide to help us.”

  He called out the names of the knights, and each rose to their feet and came forward for their medallion.

  “Sir Salk Arthwait, our champion, and he has had the good fortune to escort the artisan who crafted these amazing medallions. Mistress Cora Metzger.”

  She got to her feet at the urging of the baroness, and she quickly sat as soon as the applause faded.

  Salk got his medallion, and it was around his neck when he returned to her side. She looked at it and smiled. “Another of my favourites.”

  He chuckled. “I guess I am lucky.”

  “I suppose you are.” She gave him a sly look. “So, what happens next?”

  “The torches are lit, and we head out to watch the dancers weave magic around the pole. If this goes well, we will be here until the morning.”

  She blinked. “Really? I didn’t ask Viv if she could open up early.”

  “She agreed when I spoke to her earlier. She is surprisingly excited to have you out and about.”

  Cora made a face, and he laughed and brought her hand to his lips.

  “It appears that everyone is plotting against me.”

  He smirked. “I prefer that it is plotting for your best interests.”

  She was about to comment when the gathering began to drift outside. Music started, and she sighed as her own impulses pulled at her.

  “Mistress, will you do me the honour of joining me in the dance?”

  She wrinkled her nose again. “Fine, but only because I love dancing.”

  “Ah, an enthusiastic partner. What more could I ask for?” He winked and got to his feet, offering his hand to her.

  She walked with him into the night air and enjoyed the cool caress of the wind on her face. The baron and baroness took to the dance area and went through the first dance of the night together.

  Cora waited next to Salk until the dance was opened to everyone. In moments, they were stepping, turning; he lifted her and spun her around before setting her back on her feet.

  They moved easily together, and Cora found that was completely right. Salk felt like a man who would be able to understand her past if she could tell him and if he could remember it. No human could keep the knowledge of a reindeer after they parted ways. It was part of the Christmas magic. All they would know is that they had been touched by joy.

  Hours passed, Cora drank water and lemonade. She danced with Salk and even did one turn with Tahnk. He was surprisingly light on his feet for someone built like an ox.

  Finally, eight forty-nine approached, and the dancers formed up around the maypole. The red and white ribbons were taken up, and the dancers were in place. Music started and they skipped and turned around the pole in a pattern reminiscent of a snowflake.

  Cora felt something building under her skin. Shock rippled through her as magic began to gather as the solstice crept closer.

  She held onto Salk’s hand and glanced up at him as she fought for control over her form. Her horns wanted out.

  To her surprise, pointed ears and silvery skin were obvious on Salk’s face. Even the hand she was holding had changed in hue. He was made of smoke and shadow.

  “Cora, is something wrong?” He looked down at her, and instead of dark-chocolate eyes, swirling shadow took their place.

  “You were sent after me.” She bit her lip. Her disappointment was obvious.

  He blinked and stared at her head. “I think we need to leave the space before others notice your horns.”

  She shrugged. “I can just say I put them on. Your skin is harder to explain.”

  He looked down at his hands and cursed. “Definitely need to get somewhere else.”

  He put his hand around her waist, they bustled through the crowd, watching the dancers and they heard the countdown to winter solstice as they rushed toward the exit.

  The wave of power smacked into them, and he was suddenly made of shadows, and her energy, vision and horns were all reindeer.

  He wrapped her in his arms and swept her to her home, through the door and into the safety of her house on wheels.

  He stepped away, and she looked at the tendrils of darkness. “What are you?”

  “I am one of the coal elves, though now, we call ourselves shadows or nightmares. We punish the naughty by making them dwell on their actions.”

  She touched her horns and sighed. They were firmly wedged in with her coronet. They weren’t going anywhere until the morning was here and the crowd that had conjured the magic was gone.

  He sighed. “I had hoped to ease you into the idea of what I am.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I should have guessed. You are too good looking for a human, plus you smell better, even when you sweat.”

  He grinned. It looked odd on such a serious face.

  She sighed and took a seat, unlatching the vest so she could slouch. “Well, you were sent to bring me home?”

  “I was, but only in time for Christmas Eve. You have a few days left.”

  “A day and a half. I have a day and a half left. Tonight is the twenty-first. I have to be on my way on the afternoon of the twenty-third at the latest.”

  He sighed. “I meant to get to you earlier, but you hid yourself very well. The magic was only able to get me close to
you, not tell me who you were. The name thing is very clever.”

  She grimaced. “Well, at least I got to dance before I am hauled home.”

  “I am not going to haul you. I would like you to come willingly.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “You are joking.”

  “I am not.”

  “What could possibly entice me to go back?” She didn’t tell him that she was going to go anyway. He didn’t deserve to know that.

  “Me.”

  “What?”

  “Santa has offered all of the reindeer an elf of their own. He didn’t say it in those words, but the elves of the naughty-or-nice list were all assigned to one of your team, and the matches made appear to be solid. I, for one, would enjoy spending much more time with you, in any location.”

  She quirked her lips. “Are you just saying that to get me to go back?”

  “No. I could reach in your mind and bring your dreams to life in that effort. I will not. It is your choice.”

  He sat next to her and took her hand.

  She leaned up and kissed him. His skin tasted of cinnamon and mint. Cora pressed him to the back of the couch, and she straddled him.

  With her horns out, she felt more aggressive, as she always did. In the blink of a second, she ran her hands down him to free his cock and stripped off her gown and shoes.

  His eyes widened in shock, and he mumbled against her lips. “When did that happen?”

  She leaned back and grinned. “I am not called Comet because I run across the sky. Speed has always been my gift.”

  “I am amazed your dress didn’t get caught on your horns.”

  “It did. I just untangled it and hung it up.” She pressed her lips together.

  “I am guessing by your state of undress that you are willing to let me stay the night.”

  She smirked. “And by your state of undress if you care to check.”

  He leaned up to kiss her. “I thought I felt a cool breeze. You have skills with laces.”

  She whispered against his lips. “This was my time, so I know it very well indeed.”

  His shadows crept around her to hold her and stroke her skin. They were both exposing their true natures tonight. There was no hiding what they were or what they could do for this one point in time. Why shouldn’t they just enjoy it?