Page 11 of The Mating Frenzy
A wood gazebo stood behind him, with four chairs arranged around a table. He saw a piece of white paper on thetable.
“Maybe you’re taking pity on me after all,” hemuttered.
Kieran went to the paper, saw his name scrawled on the envelope. He ripped itopen.
A key rested inside. And a note. “My condo is number 8. It’s clean. And now yours.X.”
There was only one X he knew of. Xavier, the Crystal Wizard. These buildings must belong to him. Feeling more cheered, for at least he had a place to stay that would be comfortable and filled with magick, Kieran took the key and started toward Number8.
Maybe there was a sturdy tree limb where he could sleep. Kieran wasn’t too fond of beds, except for using them to have sex in Skinform.
Whistling, he jogged on the small pathway. He found Number 8, and unlocked thedoor.
The home had a kitchen, a small but comfortable-looking and masculine living area, and best of all, large windows and a glass door overlooking the rushing river. He didn’t feel as caged as he suspected he would in otherhomes.
“Thank you, X man,” hemuttered.
Kieran went to the back door and as soon as he touched the knob, crystals appeared on the glass. He sucked in a breath. More wizardmagick.
Words suddenly appeared, etched like a diamond upon the glass.Summon me, theyurged.
“How the hell do I summon you, Xavier?” he askedaloud.
A puff of white smoke filled the air. When it cleared, the Crystal Wizard sat on the sofa, one leg crossed at the knee. Xavier wore bright red trousers, and a sky blue shirt, open at thethroat.
Kieran held out a hand. “Ow. Myeyes.”
Xavier raised a dark brow. “And the sight you naked was muchbetter?”
“You were here all along?” He growled at the powerfulwizard.
“Let’s just say I was observing.” Xavier shook his head. “You sure have something to learn about the ladies, Kieran. No wonder she blew you off. Now you’re going to have track her down and convince her that you’re not a totalass.”
He blinked. “Ella is myassignment?”
Fantastic. He’d felt the snap and crackle of sexual energy between them, but assumed it was because he hadn’t had sex in awhile.
The Crystal Wizard nodded. “Her full name is Ella Princeton. And it’s important to establish trust with her so she’ll accompany you to find the crystal ofCalmach.”
“I am a trustworthyperson.”
“She doesn’t know that. I need to teach you how to adjust to this world. It’s quitedifferent.”
Kieran frowned. “I know all about the Skin world. All I need toknow.”
All he wanted to know, anyway. He hated it here. Skins were brutal and dangerous and had no respect for life or theirworld.
“Doubt it. You wouldn’t have acted like such a cheerful, patronizing buffoon to Ella if you had. Women in this world are not like those in the WinterKingdom.”
He didn’t understand. He cherished and protected women, the same as his loyalty had been to the Winter King’s family for centuries. Women adored him. This Ella was going to beproblematic.
Yet he could not deny the strong pull toward her, the yearning he felt when he’d seen her. Perhaps it was because she seemed so different – strong andstubborn.
It was very different in this world since he’d last set foot here. In the magick world of the Winter Kingdom, little had changed in more than two hundred years. Buthere?
How could he fulfill his assignment and get the reward of his heart’s desire when he was so far behind the culture ofSkins?
He rubbed a hand over the bristles on his chin. Another thing. He’d been here only a few hours and already he sported the beginnings of a beard. Kieran suspected that here he could not control that through magick,either.
