Merry & Bright: A Christmas Anthology (Nocturne Falls Universe) Read online

  In addition to the brushes, she reveled in using her hands and fingers as an organic tool for blending and building textures. There was something magical about smearing the wet paint, grazing her fingers across the surface to form curves and shapes. Filling the image with her personal energy to help bring the healing to life.

  Kaia raised her arms over her head, stretching as she mentally critiqued the first phase of the design. This was not her usual style but it matched the person she was creating it for. There were more details and emotion in the aggressive motions and color palette. Truthfully, she’d had a difficult time interpreting his memories and wishes. Kearney was like an unsolved puzzle. Pieces of shattered glass she needed to put together to form an entire picture. It was frustrating because she couldn’t finish the painting without more information.

  Who was this woman that had captured his heart?

  Her chest constricted and she blamed it on the late-night snack binge.

  Kaia’s eyes fell on the sketch of the woman, her silhouette was distorted, her face unclear. She sighed as she recalled all the men she’d dated over the years. None had ever come close to this sacred love that cut Kearney so deep. That’s the kind of love she craved. Yet, she’d lost her memory a century ago, so there was no telling what kind of life she’d led before then.

  That memory of her resurrection was still fresh in her mind. Kaia had awakened on a bed of leaves and flowers to the aroma of fragrant medicines. She was brought back to life by the elder Morrnah, the Hawaiian Kahuna, a shamanic healer and ancient sorceress. The woman she regarded dearly as a grandmother, yet she couldn’t return Kaia’s memories back even with all the magic they’d cast.

  Time was the only cure.

  During those difficult years, she’d learned to harness her own abilities. She’d transformed the knowledge she’d been taught to apply in her healing artworks. Kaia had perfected her skills for survival and to adapt to the changes that came with the modern world. She’d met Keke ten years ago during a visit to Hawaii. She’d gotten lost in the forest and stumbled across the unicorn shifter by accident. Thankfully, their shared supernatural secrets helped forge a lifelong bond of sisterly friendship.

  Kaia’s eyelids started to droop from sleep deprivation and she forced them open. She took one last glance and noticed the image in the forefront of the canvas. The man’s eyes were the one thing in focus and the rest of him was an abstract blur. There was no mistaking that it was Kearney. His intense icy-blue eyes were unforgettable.

  She concentrated on the man’s energies, opening her spiritual connection to receive any new visions that would bring more clarity. Focusing all her strength and having nothing came through; Kaia reluctantly gave up in frustration. Her rigorous attempts to connect only left her with residual heightened emotions that were unnervingly difficult to shake off. Kaia sensed unfinished business and heartbreak. This passion deserved closure, yet something troubled her about this mission. She couldn’t seem to put a finger on it and it bugged the crap out of her.

  Maybe the attraction between them was no more than a mutual desire for connection, to be set free, but Kaia never disregarded her empathic nature. These powerful feelings compelled her to uncover the truth. Partly out of curiosity, but mostly for Kearney’s sake.

  She promised, “I will find your answers.”

  The house was all decked out for the holidays, complete with an enormous Christmas tree, lots of candles and fairy lights, stockings hanging from the fireplace, and plenty of poinsettias and mistletoe strategically placed throughout. In the background, soft music played while Kearney stood staring out the window at the lake view, a glass of whiskey in is hand. He’d wanted to dress a little more appropriately rather than daily attire, so he’d chosen to wear a dark buttoned-up dress shirt, black slacks, and a pair of leather shoes that matched the ensemble.

  Everyone had been buzzing around and the women politely refused his offer of help. He could hear the kitchen bustling with productivity as he brought the glass to his lips.

  Stasia, the peculiar catering chef and reaper next door, was making final preparations for the dinner. Keke was at the table rearranging the place settings and food dishes. Her husband was upstairs in his home office taking an emergency vet call. Professor Hyde, the cursed pueo owl, was on the counter reading the local newspaper, The Tombstone.

  And, Kearney was left waiting.

  He peered through the window up at the stars. They were glowing brightly across the night sky in an even path that was both dreamy and graceful. He hoped the sky would remain clear so he could show Kaia later from a better viewpoint near the lake.

  His forehead crinkled as he frowned. Checking his watch again, he wondered what was taking Kaia so long to get here. Did she have car trouble? Maybe worse? He forced himself to stop dwelling on the negatives and took a hefty sip of his drink.

  When he’d gotten up this morning, he’d found a note that she’d be working in town all day. He took that as a sign, giving her space. Kearney had spent the day splitting firewood and even did some reading, but he’d been restless. In fact, he was dead tired. He hadn’t slept a wink knowing she was sleeping a few doors away. Maybe staying together was a bad idea. At this rate, he’d turn into an insomniac.

  The creak of the door opening made him twist around, almost spilling the alcohol. Kearney’s mouth fell open and he quickly clamped it shut to hide his shock. Kaia was a vision of ethereal beauty, rivaling the striking Fae women who visited his world. She slid off her double-breasted wool trench coat and revealed a simple, yet elegant red satin shift dress. It had a low neckline with straps that crisscrossed at the back. Her hair was a messy up-do pinned low at the nape of her neck. Her makeup was a flawless, natural look, except for her luscious mouth. The lipstick color was a deep seductive crimson that enhanced her plump lips.

  Professor Hyde whistled and Kearney gave him an irritated glare.

  “Wow! You look gorgeous!” Keke exclaimed.

  Kaia’s cheeks flushed from the compliment. “Thanks. I hadn’t planned on getting all gussied up.”

  “You look like a work of art.” Stasia said as she walked in from the kitchen. “Is this dress rehearsal for the holiday gala? Why didn’t I get the memo?”

  Kaia laughed and shook her head. “Basil at Hair Scare wanted to give me a makeover as an exchange for the painting I made for her last week.”

  “Seems like you’ve rendered Kearney speechless,” Stasia half-teased. She gave him a knowing look and crossed her arms.

  “I’m afraid it’s true,” he agreed good-naturedly, moving closer to them.

  Rock bounded down the steps and whistled. “Who’d you invite to dinner? I thought Kaia was coming?” He winked at her before giving Kaia a hug. “You look great.”

  “Now that we’re all here, let’s get this party going,” Keke announced.

  Professor Hyde flew over to a vacant chair and the group started to head to the table.

  Kearney stopped Kaia. “Would you like me to take your coat?”

  She gave him a shy nod and handed it to him. “Yes, thank you.”

  His eyes never left her face as he spoke. “It’s true, you’re absolutely stunning tonight.” He straightened up and walked away before she could respond.

  Kearney rounded the hallway and hung the jacket up in the closet. He gripped the handle of the door, needing time to calm his racing heart. How could he be so smitten by someone he’d only met not more than forty-eight hours ago?

  She’d enchanted him.

  This incredible woman had made him feel things again, and that frightened him. Did he have the right to pursue Kaia when he wasn’t sure if he was completely over Saoirse? Would he ever be? He didn’t know the answers to those questions, but what he was a hundred percent certain of—he wanted her.

  Kaia’s high heels got caught between the cobblestones and thankfully she clung to Kearney to steady herself. He’d held her hand while she disengaged her shoe from the pesky hole. Now that he
r feet were firmly planted on an even spot, she kicked off the source of her problems. Her hand hadn’t moved from his sturdy bicep so she reluctantly released him.

  “I don’t know how women can wear these things all day,” she commented sourly.

  “Two reasons,” he offered. “One. It makes you taller. Two. It tones your calves.” He gave her a smug smile.

  “Know-it-all.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “Where are you taking me?”

  He shook his head. “Not going to tell you unless you accept a piggy-back ride.”

  “No way!”

  “Yes—way!” he mimicked. “I don’t want your feet to get dirty. Not when you’re dressed like that.” Kearney turned his back toward her and squatted. “Get on, lass.”

  Kaia hooked her fingers through the loops of the heels and shrugged. “Fine. I’m only doing this because I want a piggy-back ride.”

  He laughed at her tone and she hopped on. He almost buckled backward. “Jeez. I’m not a horse. And I thought women were supposed to be more graceful,” he kidded.

  “I’m not any woman,” she snickered.

  “I can see that.”

  He stood up and Kaia’s crossed legs were wrapped firmly against his tight abdomen as he held on to her. She leaned forward, her body pressed closer to his back, her arms secured loosely around his neck.

  “Now that you’ve obediently complied, I’ll tell you where we’re going,” Kearney stated.

  “Real nice of you.”

  A gust of wind made him shiver and she opened her coat, wrapping it around them both.

  Kaia grumbled, “Why didn’t you bundle up?”

  “We’re only a short walk away and I hadn’t planned on a detour home,” he supplied.

  She tilted her head; her face snuggled against his neck, her mouth close to his ear. “You’re too much, Maclachlan.” She could feel his smile and it made her stomach flutter.

  He carried her in silence for a few minutes and they soon reached the area he’d mentioned. She wanted to hold onto him much longer but she swiftly disengaged herself from his warm back.

  They were standing in a patch of grass at the edge of an overhang that overlooked the lake. He pointed up at the sky and she gasped in excitement.

  “The stars look so close! Look at all of them.” She twisted her neck to see his face. “They’re AMAZING!”

  “Aye, they’re a beaute.” He inhaled deeply. “It’s perfect,” he said on an exhale and turned to look at her.

  Her teeth were chattering through her wide grin and her cheeks were burning from the cold, but she didn’t care. This was something she hadn’t seen before. Of course, she’d seen stars but this view was as enchanting as the paintings she created.

  Kaia’s hands were numb from the chill and she shoved them into her coat pockets. Her fingers felt something rub against them and she pulled the item out of her left pocket.

  “What’s that?” Kearney asked.

  She laughed. “Someone slipped a mistletoe twig in there.”

  “You don’t say? Those crazy kids,” Kearney said as he blew into his hands.

  Kaia bit the side of her mouth and she raised the fresh sprig over her head before tapping him on the shoulder. She was feeling happy and she could easily blame it on the drinks she’d had, but she knew being in Kearney’s company was naturally intoxicating.

  He narrowed his eyes at her action. “What are you doing?”

  “We might as well make good use of it.” She got on her tiptoes and dangled it over their heads. “You a scaredy-cat?” she goaded playfully while she continued taunting him.

  Kearney shrugged and grabbed her by the waist and planted a tantalizing kiss that squelched all thoughts from her head. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

  His kisses were tender as if he was holding back. Just as quickly, he let her go.

  “Time’s up,” he said.

  She rubbed her temple to reduce the ache, but it didn’t help. Her head was spinning and she thought it was from the exhilaration of their lip-lock action, until she swayed on her feet, and he reached for her.

  “You okay?” His face revealed his concern.

  “I’ll be fine. Just need a minute.” Kaia couldn’t seem to make the strange images disappear from her mind’s eye. It was as if her memories were merged with reality and the two were short-circuiting. She found it difficult to distinguish or process the information.

  Just as swiftly, she was back to normal.

  “That was some kiss,” she teased. “Swoon worthy.” She snickered at her own joke.

  He rolled his eyes at her. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re corny?”

  “Yes, but it’s only because they don’t have a sense of humor. Except for Keke.”

  He noticed some loose strands falling out of her up-do, so he tucked them behind her ear.

  She gave him a goofy grin and tipped her head back for another look at the stars. The wind was kicking up and she shivered. “I could stare at them forever,” she said happily.

  “Maybe next time,” he said through chattering teeth. “Right now, we need to get back before we freeze our arses off.”

  They both burst into laughter.

  “Good idea,” she agreed. “My legs are already turning into popsicles.”

  “Then we’ll just have to melt them.”

  Catching her by surprise, she squealed when he scooped her up in his arms and tossed her over his shoulder. Her laughter echoed and didn’t subside as he easily carried her away from the lake. Within seconds they were back in the comfort of their warm cottage.

  Chapter Five

  They were sprawled in front of the fireplace on a plush rug, legs outstretched, and their feet growing toasty from the fire. Mugs of hot cocoa sat on the floor beside them as Kaia listened to Kearney’s rich tone read poetry from a Robert Frost collection.

  She interrupted him before he moved onto the next page. “Can you read something else? Frost is wonderful, but some of the poems are a bit of a bummer.”

  “All right, then. Hmm…let’s see what else we have.” He sorted through a stack of books and pulled a small vintage one.

  He cleared his throat and recited Lord Byron’s “She Walks in Beauty”.

  Kaia was hooked on the lyrical way in which he pronounced each word. He made the romantic words jump to life. She leaned back against the floor and closed her eyes. He finished the last sentence and she absorbed the sound of crackling fire as she let the poetry sink into her head.

  “Was that enough romance for you?” Kearney shut the book and put it aside.

  They were both casually dressed in pajamas for the impromptu indoor camping. Her eyes flew open when she realized he was tucking something under her head for support. Kearney had rolled up a throw blanket and made it a makeshift pillow.

  She stared up at the ceiling. There were so many things she wanted to know about him and somehow she managed to ask the questions out loud.

  “Why are you so kind? Is this really who you are, or is this all an act?” Kaia clamped her mouth with her hands, rolling over to stare at him.

  He shook his head, answering without hesitation, “Sadly, this is truly who I am.”

  “So why are you still single then?” She sat up and crossed her legs yoga style.

  “I could ask you the same question,” he returned.

  She furrowed her brows and jutted out her chin. “I’m being serious.”

  “Me, too,” he responded but her expression seemed to make him laugh. “All right. I’ll tell you.”

  Kaia rubbed her hands together. “Gimme all the juicy details.”

  He laughed a rumbling laugh.

  “C’mon now. As roomies, this is as real as we’re gonna get if we want to know each other better.”

  Kearney motioned his head in slow nods. “As you wish.” He took a deep breath and started, “Many…many years ago I was married.”

  She waited with bated breath for him to continue.


  “I loved that woman deeply.” His voice lowered. “Sadly, I fear she had found comfort in my mate’s arms while I was away at war.”

  “You don’t have to tell me,” she said.

  “No, I need to tell you.” He took her hand and threaded her fingers through his.

  The simple act made her heart constrict at his vulnerability. He was giving her his complete trust and that was exactly what she’d needed to finish his painting.

  “I’d rushed home even though I’d barely recovered from injuries. I’d been so elated to see her again.” His voice broke. “I was told of her betrayal and didn’t believe it. I went to investigate, but discovered she’d killed herself when her lover left her.” His eyes were filled with hurt and unshed tears.

  Kaia’s heart broke at witnessing the burden of his anguish all of these years. He had trusted his wife and she had destroyed him. Leaving him with not so much as an explanation for the reasons that motivated her to stray. He’d been left carrying that torture and doubt regarding their failed marriage for a century.

  “Oh, Kearney.” Kaia didn’t think, she clasped his face between her hands and stroked his cheek with her thumb.

  He turned his face and pressed a tender kiss against her palm, and that one action was all she needed. She leaned in and their mouths connected. The kiss was electrifying, spreading through her body and squelching the emptiness she’d felt.

  Kaia responded without thought of consequences. She understood his pain. She needed to heal as badly as he did and what they were sharing wasn’t more than just friendship. They were comforting each other. Taking chances together.

  Kearney was surrendering to the unknown, yet she wasn’t sure she was ready to.

  His mouth was a drug and she was falling into his spell. Slipping into a delirious state of bliss. Every kiss turned more intimate, every stroke of his tongue grew deeper. Bolder.

  Out of nowhere, the throbbing took root in her head. Then the pain increased in its intensity until it was unbearable. She pulled away, trying to fight off the agony within, when the vision blasted through her. All the images and emotions returned in slow motion, as if the film had rolled backward until each piece of the puzzle came together. Making sense.