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The demigod of the north decided that silence was prudence and that adding more worries would only ruin the mood of the evening. What he kept to himself was that, if Maeve ever discovered the plot, she would wage war on Ilmr. The fae had enjoyed peace for longer than humans had kept written records, but that didn’t mean it was permanent. War is always abominable, but the possibility is ever-present and when fae war, the horror is unimaginable.

In that event, the English and Scotia fae would join the Irish, and everyone else would look the other way, declaring neutrality. In other words, Maeve would win and have Ilmr tortured for eternity. Naturally, Vidar wouldn’t be captured. He’d simply return home, and that would be that. He’d miss Ilmr for a while. But he’d get over it.

Telling the queen all the details of the risk and that she, alone, bore the burden of that risk didn’t fit in with his goals for a romantic evening. So, he smiled and fed her another dessert.

CHAPTER SEVEN Dancing in the Dark

“John David.” I used his name pointedly as a means to be sure I had his full attention before I asked, “Are you steadfast on wanting to call the Christmas party ‘Dancing in the Dark’?”

“Well…”

“Although it might sound romantic in most situations, when a vampire uses the word ‘dark’, it conjures images that are, um, dark.”

The new butler, who claimed to be named Jarvis, set my coffee cup in front of me along with a small silver pot of blonde coffee made to my taste. I smiled up at him and said, “Thank you. We haven’t met. I’m Rita.”

He inclined his head ever so slightly, but didn’t reply or smile.

When he left the sunroom, I whispered, “Gosh. The new guy is not friendly.”

John David smiled. “Should I let him go?”

I spluttered into my cup just enough to need a napkin, but not enough to need towels and mops. I know. I’m a model for ladylike. At least it didn’t make an embarrassing mess of the emerald-green silk tunic I’d worn over designer jeans that no one would dare call “mom jeans”.

“Of course not. I was just…”

“I know. I was joking.”Gosh. When had John David started joking?A forlorn, bashful vampire brought out the rescuer in me. A funny vampire just needed to be watched. Carefully. Instead of drinking, John David rotated his cup in the saucer. “As to your question about the event of the season, it isnota Christmas party.” He almost spat the word “Christmas”. “It will take place on the occasion of the Winter Solstice, the traditional time for the celebration of Yule.” He stopped and gave me a meaningful look. “As well you know.”

Granted. I do know the history of winter celebrations including what came first, originated by whom, and so on and so on.

“Right. Right. Right. I meant to say Yule party. But still! Are we sure Dancing in the Dark is the best theme?”

“For a celebration of the longest… darkest… night?”

“I get where you’re going with this. I’m just saying that…”

When I hesitated, he finished my sentence, “You’re just saying it should be called ho, ho, ho.”

“I am definitelynotsaying that. And you’re developing a bad habit of interrupting me, you know. I was going to say you’re turning the happiest holiday of the year into something sinister sounding.”

“I didn’t realize I was interrupting. Forgive me, my friend. My only excuse is that I can often anticipate what you’ll say next.”

I sighed deeply. “Okay. That’s… useful, I’m sure. But even so, it’s courteous to let me finish with the actual words. I’m sure telepathy has its place, but it makes humans uncomfortable.” After a brief pause, I felt my eyes go wide. “Is that a vampire thing? Knowing what I’m going to say or do next? Please. Please. Please say no.”

“I’d never want to seem uncourteous.”

“Is that the same thing as saying yes politely?”

“It means there’s a kernel of truth in your suspicion, but my ability is far from telepathic. I’ve simply gotten to know you well.”

“Really? That’s all?”

He smiled just enough for me to see that, even when retracted, his canines were sharper than teeth should be.

“Now back to mixing darkness with Chris… I mean Yule…” John David opened his mouth to speak, but I made a clamping gesture with my fingers accompanied by a barely audible hiss. He promptly closed his mouth. No. I don’t have a death wish. I actually trust the vampire. To a point. “If you’re settled on the name, at least add a mention of the idea underlying the theme; Winter Solstice and/or darkest/longest night so that everyone understands we’re not talking blindfolds and biting.”

John David laughed openly in a way I didn’t remember seeing before. It was refreshing. Also, scary. How can both things be true? I can’t explain.

The fact was that, when I’d originally suggested that John David throw a party, I’d created a monster.Some might say vampsaremonsters, but you take my meaning. My intention was twofold; to get him involved in the community and to have the locals warm up to him. Not that vampires are interested in warmth, but again, you know what I mean. I’d never imagined that hosting might become his purpose in life. Or death. Whatever. Or that the town folk would start to mark time by the next event.

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