Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

G emma watched the emotions play across Yede’s face, firelight reflecting in his eyes. The tension in his body showed the war he was fighting with himself. She wanted to reach out, to trace the strong lines of his face, but she didn’t want to push him. Much.

“We don’t have to,” she whispered. “We can just sit here. Like this.”

Her heart thundered in her chest as she shifted closer, letting her shoulder brush against his arm. The contact sent sparks through her body, and his breathing grew ragged.

“You don’t understand what you do to me.”

“Then help me understand.”

“I don’t—” He broke off, his massive frame rigid with tension. “I shouldn’t want this.”

“But you do.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them and she immediately blushed.

“Yes, but?—”

She laid her hand on his arm, feeling the muscles coiled beneath the fur. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. I just want you to know that I’m here.”

His eyes locked with hers, molten silver blazing with an intensity that stole her breath. A low groan escaped him as he covered her hand with his much larger one.

“That’s the problem,” he growled. “I want to do everything with you. Everything I shouldn’t want. Everything I’ve denied myself.”

The raw need in his voice sent shivers down her spine. Her pulse raced as he drew her hand to his chest, letting her feel the wild beating of his heart.

“Maybe we could start small,” she whispered. “Just a kiss?”

Without waiting for his answer, she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. Electricity sparked through her veins at the contact.

He froze, just as he had the night before, but then he groaned and his mouth moved against hers, hungry and demanding. Powerful arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer, making her feel both safe and desired. Heat pooled in her core and she melted against him, her fingers tangling in his mane and reaching up to grip his horns.

Time faded away as the kiss deepened, leaving only the searing pleasure of his mouth on hers, her body pressed against his. Her breasts ached and she arched towards him as his grip tightened. She felt the hard evidence of his response, sending desire shuddering through her.

He broke away, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His silver eyes were dark with passion, but something else flickered there too—fear? Regret? Before she could decide he lifted her gently and set her aside.

“I have to go.” His voice was rough as he stood, already retreating behind his walls.

She watched him stride away, her body aching with unfulfilled desire.

“Good night, Yede,” she called softly after him.

His footsteps paused, but then he was gone. She touched her lips, remembering the feel of him, the way he’d held her as if she were the precious thing in the universe.

Patience , she told herself. Small steps. But her heart ached at the thought of him alone in his workshop, fighting the demons that drove him to isolate himself.

The next morning she hunted through his storage room, searching for decorations. A flash of crimson caught her eye. She pulled out a length of silky fabric, its metallic threads catching the light. She wasn’t much of a seamstress but she should be able to create a garland, perhaps even a couple of pillows to brighten up the living area.

The storage room itself had a story to tell. Everything was meticulously organized, labeled in his angular script, but thick dust covered most of the items, as if he’d sealed away these pieces of his former life along with his heart.

She discovered more fabric, this time a heavy white silk, and a box filled with silver disks in varying size. She suspected that they were some type of spare parts but they’d look festive hung from thin lengths of wire. He had an enormous variety of metal wire which she could put to use. In another box, she discovered small spheres that lit up at her touch, casting rainbow patterns across the walls.

As she sorted through her findings, she imagined transforming his austere home into something magical. Not just for Liam, but for him as well. Last night’s kiss still lingered in her memory, along with the raw emotion she’d glimpsed before he retreated.

Maybe these forgotten treasures could help bridge the gap between his past and present, showing him that new memories didn’t have to replace the old ones.

She carried her treasures back to the living area and spread them across the floor, showing Liam her discoveries. His eyes lit up at the sight of the shimmering fabrics and shiny wire. He picked up a piece of white fabric, stretching it between his hands.

“Can we make snowflakes, Mama?”

“You don’t think there are enough outside?” she teased, and he giggled.

“These would be a lot warmer.”

“An excellent point.”

She pulled him into her lap and showed him how to fold the fabric into triangles. His small fingers traced the edges as she demonstrated where to cut. His first attempt came out lopsided, but his proud grin warmed her heart, and he improved with each one. Once they’d created a stack of them, they hung some of them from lengths of gleaming wire and strung the rest into a long garland.

“Look what else I found.”

She showed him the small orbs and he gasped in wonder as the rainbow colors danced across his face. They wove those into the garland as well, creating a long sparkling rope of color and light.

Next they tied crimson ribbon to the disks. His tongue poked out in concentration as he copied her movements. Bits of fabric and metal surrounded them, but she didn’t care. This mess meant joy, meant safety, meant home.

A shadow fell across their work and she looked up to find Yede in the doorway, his eyes fixed on their creations. His expression held something she couldn’t quite read—wonder mixed with pain, longing tangled with fear.

Liam immediately scrambled to his feet, clutching his latest creation—a star fashioned from twisted metal and wrapped with shimmering wire.

“Look what I made for you!”

He thrust the ornament eagerly towards Yede. Her breath caught as he knelt down next to her son, taking the star with careful hands. His massive fingers traced the uneven edges with surprising gentleness.

“This shows real skill.” His deep voice carried genuine appreciation. “The wire work especially.”

Liam’s face split into a smile bright enough to rival their light spheres. He grabbed Yede’s free hand, tugging him toward their crafting spot. “Come make one with us!”

Happiness filled her when he allowed himself to be led, settling cross-legged beside her. His thigh pressed against hers, sending warmth cascading through her body. Their eyes met and his gaze burned with an intensity that made her pulse race.

He reached for a strip of metal, his movements precise as he began shaping it into an intricate pattern. His leg stayed firmly against hers, the contact both thrilling and distracting. She forced herself to focus on her own project, but she couldn’t resist sneaking glances at him from the corner of her eye.

Liam chattered away as they worked, oblivious to the undercurrent of energy that crackled between her and Yede. Despite her distraction, she managed to fashion several more ornaments—a moon, a tree, and even a small snowman. Each one felt like a tiny step towards rebuilding the pieces of her shattered life.

As they finished, Liam hopped up, clutching a handful of his creations.

“Can we put them up now?” he asked, eyes bright with excitement.

“I suppose we could,” she said. “But don’t you think we should wait for the Longest Night?”

“No! Please, Mama. I want to see them.”

Yede rose, holding out his hand to her.

“I can put them up,” he said, and her pulse fluttered again.

She took his hand, feeling the strength and warmth of his touch. He pulled her gently to her feet, keeping her hand in his for a moment longer than necessary. The brief contact sent electricity jolting through her.

“Come on!” Liam tugged at their hands, pulling both of them towards the hearth.

Yede lifted Liam up so he could reach the mantel, holding him securely as her son carefully arranged the ornaments. Liam’s laughter filled the room as he directed their placement.

“They’re beautiful,” she said when they’d finished, and Liam grinned at her.

“We should make more!”

“Not right now.” She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you take a break?”

“But I’m not tired.” His face was already drooping. “I need to finish…”

He yawned, and she couldn’t help but smile. Her son was always the most stubborn when he was the most tired.

“Why don’t I tell you a story?”

“Okay,” he agreed reluctantly, but he snuggled close to her on the couch.

Yede settled next to her, his thigh once again pressing against hers. The heat of his body enveloped her like a comforting blanket. As she spun a tale of adventurous princes and brave princesses, his hand crept over to take hers. The small gesture felt like the most natural thing in the world, as if they’d done it countless times before. As if they were a family.