Page 16 of A Cursed Noel

This is where I wouldnormally strike and take control of my opponent. She weighs nothing,it’ll be easy. One shift of my hips will knock her off balance.I’ll hook my arm behind hers and twist. She’ll be face down inthe snow and I’ll be the one on top. It’s what I should do, howI’m trained to respond, except her touch—I don’t know—it doessomethingto me.

Instead of asserting mydominance, I merely watch her large eyes widen in disbelief. Thesnowflakes sticking to her thick lashes melt, falling in droplets towet my face.

And still, I donothing.

I should be raging,fighting against the spell she’s trapped me in. All I do is lift myhand and trail my fingertips down her face. “You’re beautiful,”I whisper.

The female jerks freeof my touch. She pulls back her fist and stops.

Everything simplystops.

The warmth surges,cocooning us and slapping the cold away.

I tremble, amazed howeasily she soothes my beast.

Peace.

It’s her gift to me,pushing away the anger and pain until only devotion remains.

I reach for her. Shedoesn’t fight me, her bewilderment transforming to fear. I cup herface, lifting to kiss her full lips.

“Celia,” I rasp.

She pulls away claspingher mouth.

She knows me.

Just as I know her.

Memories of finding herin a different place and time pummel me like saltwater against adamaged and forgotten shore.

I remember her in mybed, how she slept clutched against me, and my silent vow to alwayslove her.

I remember kissing her.Kissing her a lot.

And how hard my friendsand I fought to keep her safe, only to have her save us in return.

I swore she wouldalways be mine.

And then she was gone.

“Celia,” Isay, again. In that single word, I plead for her to remember me.

Her eyes are wild, andfear rocks her petite frame. She tries to scramble away. I hold tightto her waist. “It’s me,” I tell her. “Aric.”

She shakes her head,anguish crushing her sweet features. She remembers me and everythingwe were forced to forget. It scares her.

Hell, it scaresme.

We weren’t supposedto meet the way that we did. Mimi said it wasn’t our time, that theworld will need us when the moment is right.

No, this isn’t ourtime.

Not yet.

But she’s here and soam I.

I jerk upright, diggingmy fingers through her hair and pressing her mouth against mine.