Once Upon a Fiery Christmas (Return to Avalore Book 3) by Elianne Adams

Author:Elianne Adams [Adams, Elianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: paranormal erotic romance
Published: 2014-12-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Chantelle covered her mouth, a soft gasp slipping past her fingers. When she had left the castle several hours earlier, everything had been in shambles. At the center of the Great Hall, the tree stood tall. Little glass balls—red, orange, yellow and blue—all hung on the tips of the branches. Long strands of popped corn circled around, giving the illusion of light snow. The nutcrackers were on either side of the grand staircase, and someone had fastened pine boughs to the railings with ribbons and bows. Long tables covered in pristine white tablecloths and intricate tapered candles awaited guests for the next day’s feast.

The sight before her exceeded everything she had imagined for Rhia’s surprise. Katie had really outdone herself. She had even gone to the trouble of hanging delicate paper snowflakes from the ceiling. How, in the name of all that was light, had she managed to do everything in just a couple of hours? Chantelle should have been there to help. The whole affair had been her idea, but she hadn’t been able to face Sebastian. The hurt was too fresh.

Several brightly wrapped boxes sat beneath the tree, waiting for tiny fingers to tear into them. Although she and Katie had done some shopping for little Max, those came from someone else. The ones they got were still in her closet. Sitting on her heels, she opened the little card with the tip of one finger. “To Max… from Santa.”

She didn’t have to guess who had brought the gift. She would recognize Sebastian’s scent anywhere. A sharp pang pierced through her. In less than twelve hours, she would be expected to sing and celebrate and… be merry, yet all she wanted to do was go home and lick her wounds in private. To try to patch the gaping holes in her heart so she could breathe again.

“I hope you don’t mind. I made a few things for Maxwell.”

Chantelle whipped around, dropping the small box onto the floor with a clatter. Had she been paying attention she would have known Sebastian was coming and made her escape before he arrived.

Even looking at him hurt. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering, wrapped her arms around her middle, and stepped back. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”

“Chantelle…” He opened his mouth to say more, then closed it again and sighed before he squared his shoulders and took a step closer. “Was there anything else you needed to have done before tomorrow? I’m all yours.” He didn’t look around at the festive décor—didn’t take his gaze from her at all.

A small shudder coursed through her. He knew. He had to. Michael must have told him. “No, I think everything has been taken care of already. Whoever took over when I left did a wonderful job.”

His shoulders dropped just a fraction. “If you’re certain…”

She fought to blink the moisture from her eyes. “I am. Thank you.”

He nodded once with a small, sad smile, then turned on his heels and walked out the door.

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