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 stopped 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