Happy Halloween to All!

My favorite holiday! this year though, I wont be doing much aside from a small ritual, a lot of writing, some blog coding and then giving out candy at Joe's parents house. Too buys this year to really do too much, and it just gets worse. Im pretty excited though, We have a signing again on saturday in New Jersey, at the Garden State Mall in Paramus, so it should be good.

Aud is back online and we are writing again, so im a happy girl too. We have decided to go back to the Satyr series and lengthen the first story, Of Crimson and Collars, and maybe redo the cover. With most recent developments with the underlying story, theres a lot more that NEEDS to go into the first book. We decided to introduce all the satyrs for the series in it, andthe major conflict about finding the Tempest clan. This is going to be fun.

Also, Frost and Flame is in the final passes is being done. Im so excited because January is the proposed release, and the books are doing well. Progress is a very very good thing. off to get some work done.

Signings, Penis Chocolate and Salem... Stella's Weekend.

Ok so first and formost.... i LOVE the Paranormal Romance Book Club! Those Ladies are all off the hook and always make me feel like a goddamn rock star. I have never been to a signing where someone has actually asked me a real QUESTION on our books... and it just felt so cool to be able to answer an ungeneralized question. I mean i know i probably gave away a lot... but damn its fun. And Ladies, I'm working on the Companion and the Visual companion. So its in the works.

We did a lot at the signing, and to all the PBRC ladies, you really mean the world to me.

Bianca was a star as well. Seriously i have never seen people so rapt at attenion as when she was talking about her dragons. I know shes got a slew of new fans now and im SO happy i got to share the experience with her. She rocks the damn house!

Dinner kicked major ass! I swear i cant get enough of hangout with these chicks... oh and they made me penis chocolates! What fun! Im sending a bunch of goodie to Audra, she will be happy to get some fun stuff. Oh and Carla.. dont think i forgot... Puddle, the Blog is coming soon! HEH.

Salem was WILD! I got a new Faerie Wand, complete with a quartz and a amethyst crystal. Its beautiful, and perfect. I also got some cool bracelets, some new herbs and my mum some cool stuff for Yule. Shes going to be happy.

it was all in All, a great weekend, and now i have another signing this weekend with B and rene. CANT wait!

Self-Analyzation

Lots to do today! Tomorrow I'm leaving for Mass. at 730 am, to trive 4 hours to do the bestest and biggest signing I will probably ever headline. Where? The Paranormal Romance Book Club's Author signing of both Me and Bianca D'Arc! its taking place in Marlborough MA at 2-4pm and its Halloween themed in the Borders there. I'm excited. I'm ecstatic i get to go back and hangout with the girls. Last time there they were the COOLEST, so im happy Bianca is coming with me!
So ill have copies of all three books to sign, and i cant wait to just chat it up with everyone!

So Im packing today, finishing getting all the goodies ready to go, Figuring out what in blazes in going to wear, and gotta get a bag packed for Sunday as well. Why? Arent i just going home? NOPE> we are hitting up Salem MA and im going to be doing some awesome promo as we walk around. Im giving away some goodies and such.... So that should be fun too.

I learned something about myself. I'm always working. Always. I know that my career is my calling card, and im not content to just let it get to where i want it to go without the work it takes to get there. Did that make sense? I'm just not going to sit around and let our Career fizzle because of the hardships we have to endure and overcome. I know Rome wasn't built in a day, and Im not even presuming to think that we are the be all end all, but i do know this, WE are the future. I dont rush anything because i know the time will come, but it wont come if we don't deserve it. Thats why i work my ass off promoting, doing signings, and events to just GET MY NAME OUT THERE. thats why every chance i get Im finding another way to get the work out there, and not ever letting anything get in the way of that.

As a career, my writing is the most important thing to me, Just like my hunny's most important thing is his band. Why? because its what we have passion for and what we know makes us happy. We take the pitfalls in stride, and learn from them, both pushing towards that ultimate goal: notoriety. I dont let anything get in the way of it. Being a writer isnt a part time job, especially if your small press like us. Its something you need to do 75% of your time. There are sacrifices that need to be made in order to attain your goals *just like in everything* but the rewards are worth it....

Because Im always working at something to get us known in another way, I have every hope that Audra and I will do well. Our work speaks for itself, and the readers that we have won over have spoken as well. When we go that next step we are going armed, both with knowledge and a sense of completion. I really think that events like this weekend and the previous weekends are helping us on the way to greatness, and we have it in us to get further.

Now just to show the world.

The Soft Edge of Midnight Is available!!!

THE SOFT EDGE OF MIDNIGHT
NOW AVAILABLE!

After a horrible ordeal and lengthy captivity, Illori Swain is resigned to wither her life away in loneliness. Then she meets Karsten Morris, a male unicorn she has been searching for, the other half of her soul.

A man of worth and a stallion of breeding, Karsten Morris sees Illori as his salvation, the love he’s searched for all his life. The luck and light that rule their existence finally bring them together, but everything worthwhile is tested, and fate isn’t against making the good suffer.

After escaping her captivity, free from the bonds of hell that held her, Illori is now hunted by two of Hell’s minions.

One, Sammael, a fallen angel with one foot in Heaven, is set on the scent by Lucifer himself. The other, Nybras, is a devil vying for Sammael’s job. Nybras will stop at nothing to get what he thinks he deserves.

When the devil cheats to gain his prize, Sammael must join forces with Karsten to save the mare Illori to make sure the balance of the verses are not compromised.

Excerpt:

He scented the air once more, and the smell was too pure to be a half-breed. After all this time? Now when he was at his lowest? He turned heel and followed, not sure which she was. The scents of the perfume the others wore were getting in the way of the sweet, pure cloying scent he desired with every fiber of his Unicorn soul.

They broke off a block down, and it was only then that he could single the mare out. Tall, leggy, long blonde hair with strawberry streaks through the back, and a scent that floored him. His cock ached and pulsed behind the zipper of his pants. His body knew, and it raged to take her. What a lone mare was doing in Glasgow at the same time as he was couldn’t be put off as anything but pure damn luck, and it seemed it was finally with him. He followed close enough to scent her, to keep that devastatingly amazing smell in his nostrils, but not so close to spook her. The last thing he needed was to lose her.

She turned and went into a small sweet shop, and he grinned. She has a sweet tooth? Well, we will have to see just what kind of sweets she craves, won’t we? His mind was awash with sensation, and he fought the urge to follow her and lost. The mare might be his mate. After all this time, a mate.

Resigning to meet her, he walked into the shop a minute after her and watched her, seeing her gravitate toward the licorice. Karsten grinned as she picked up a package of red laces and sour punch straws. So, she likes it sweet, eh? Bet she tastes like she smells, all sugary.

His heart thudded in his chest, and instinct guided him. He went to her with a sincere smile on his face. He went up behind her and inhaled her scent once more, finally speaking into her ear, over her shoulder. “Sweet tooth? All that sugar is bad for your teeth, love, though I bet it makes you taste amazing.”

She jumped startled, nearly dropping the bag. Recovering, she turned quickly to face him, her eyes wide as they darted over him. She took a deep breath, scenting the air. “I...” She blinked at him.

“Name’s Karsten, and yours?”

“Illori,” she provided, looking him over once more.

“Illori.” He breathed her name. She was it, a mare, in her full power, and still a virgin. She was ripe for him, just for him. His instinct and propriety warred within him. Instinct told him to seduce her and mark her, to make them both complete. His propriety demanded he not accost her in a sweet shop. He listened to the latter. There was plenty of time for the former once she realized what he was. “Beautiful name for a beautiful mare,” he said low and growling, lust lacing his voice. His body was a taut string, and everything he was reacted to her and her nearness.

She yelped, fearfully taking a step back as if trying to figure out just what he was. She avoided his eyes submissively, her breathing hard. She clearly liked his scent. “I’m not sure what you mean... Karsten.”

“Oh, Illori, I think you know exactly what I mean, though I bet you have never encountered a stallion before. At least I hope you haven’t.” She wasn’t marked and her purity was still in tact. If she’d met a stallion before, then the man was truly a fool for letting such a beauty slip away. He grinned and nodded. “Forgive me, I fear I might be scaring you. My name is Karsten Morris, and you are a sight for sore eyes.”

Her breath caught in her throat, and she shook her head. Her hair fanned around her, releasing more of her scent to him. She met his eyes with a gasp. “Truly?” she asked, stepping into him. She placed her nose to his neck and inhaled deeply, which drew a moan from her.

“Your body knows it’s true, trust me.” He smiled at her and took the candy from her hands. “Let's get this paid for and go somewhere and talk, okay?” he said in a low voice, though talking was the last thing on his mind. Getting the mare under him, marking her, that was all he saw in his head. His cock twitched in its prison, and trying everything in his power to retain composure, he ignored it.

She smiled shakily at him. “Okay.”

He touched her face, feeling the prickle of energy that said she was special to him, that she could be one of his. He turned and went to the counter, picking up the candy, along with a can of vanilla frosting with the fancy tip. Karsten was nothing if not opportunistic, but he didn’t let the mare see what he was doing. The clerk packaged everything, and Karsten paid for it. Turning back to Illori, in a partial daze, he smiled. Per courtship, it was up to her to make the next move.

“Somewhere to talk?” she suggested, coming out of her thoughts. “The green’s pretty this time of year, but it is cold. We could go for coffee, but lunchtime’s over, so we wouldn’t gain much privacy. My apartment’s close by, if you want to go there? It wouldn’t be too long a walk.”

Yes, her apartment. His mind ran through a hundred different things he could do to her in her apartment, all with the same ending, her naked, sweaty, and wearing his mark.

BUY NOW FROM SIREN PUBLISHING!

Silk and Stell Finally Available in Print!

SILK AND STEEL Now Available!


E Book and PRINT

Goaded into doing a favor for his best friend, Arcady Morrison, Incubus
and Hit man, Enters Russia even though he’s got a price on his head to
find His Best friend’s only living family, His cousin Alice. Given a
pass for safe passage by the second prince of the Conglacio, Prince
Dimitri, Arcady thinks this will be an easy in and out job, After all
it’s the Princes Brothels he’s got to search in order to find the girl,
The prince being the premiere Pimp in Russia. If she’s in Russia, she’s
in Dimitri’s Employ. Stuck in a cold and frozen land, he’s about to
meet the girl of his dreams.

Excerpt:

Snow looked down at the unconscious body sprawled on the couch in front
of her. So, this is the infamous Arcady Morrison. I thought he'd have
like a bigger bulge. I suppose he's cute in a rough and ready sort of
way. She leaned down to him to get a better look licking her lips as
she did. She cut his shirt off with a blade then stood back to admire
her work. He really was finely sculpted. They say his body could make a
seasoned whore cry. She giggled to herself adjusting her position to
get closer. They were alone. She’d told the boys to stay outside; she
wouldn't need their help with this.
She hadn't spoken with Dimitri since she'd left, but her orders were
clear. Morrison could not be killed. Well, anyone could be killed in
Snow's eyes, but Arcady dead is more trouble than he is alive. So, he
gets a warning, a really big one. She looked thoughtfully down at him.
He does strip real pretty. I wonder if he fucks as good as he looks.
She licked her fingertip and ran it down his chest blowing on the wet
trail. When the finger reached his belt, she undid the huge buckle. She
was working on the buttons and sliding her hand inside when he came to
and made a grab for her. She danced out of his reach giggling. Hmmm, no
underwear, this could be fun…
"I thought that might wake you up. How do you feel? I do hope the boys
didn't rough you up too much. They are very good as ‘go to’ boys.
However, when it comes to vision and…tact, they have very little." She
paced thoughtfully in front of him. He had no weapons, so he was no
danger to her. That and the boys were just outside.
"I suppose that's what makes them good ‘go to’ boys, and you, I
suppose, hold their leashes? What else are you in charge of, Darlin?"
His voice was strained.
The boys really must have gotten him bad or drugged him. Pity, I wouldn't mind him fighting fit…
"I hold the leashes of many men, and you'd be surprised at the things I'm put in charge of, Button."
"Well, I'll have to keep that in mind… Cupcake." She glared at him for
the turnaround on names, but he continued anyway as he looked around at
the room. "Your place looks like a crack den. You should tidy it for
your guests. Don't want them thinking a sexy woman like you lives like
this."
Snow nodded in agreement trying not to preen at his compliment. She
looked around the room; she was always moving, never still for a
moment. She didn't like staying still.
"It is a crack den…Well, it was the last time I was here. I get the
feeling that it hasn't changed much. Thankfully, it’s not mine. Addicts
do bring down the property value. Now, here’s the deal, Button. You’re
leaving Russia today. Whether you do it with the use of your legs or
not is your own call." She came to a halt briefly in front of him.
"I'm looking for someone. I have Dimitri's permission. Call and ask him." He looked her up and down and licked his lips.
She suppressed a shiver at the heat in his eyes. "We're all looking for
someone, Button. I don't need to call him. I was just talking to him,"
she lied, not wanting to talk to Dimitri. "His policies on you are
clear…open season." She mirrored his previous assessment on her,
eagerly licking her lips.
"Really? That's not what I've heard. I was sent here to do a job,
Cupcake, and I'm going to do it, with or without your help. The faster
I get it done the faster I leave."
She laughed. "Yeah, I’ve heard that about you. That you were…fast."
"Then your information is dead wrong, Cupcake." He licked his lips "I
could prove you wrong if you want. I think we'd both enjoy it." He
raised an eyebrow at her. She felt her body tighten. Never had her body
reacted to a man or woman like that. She wanted him. Damn incubus.
"Undoubtedly." I'd take you for a test drive, Button; see what all the
fuss is about. "Why don’t we get you back to the airport? You can prove
me wrong on the way there. I believe you've already had the pleasure of
a limo ride…"
"Cupcake, like I said. I’m here looking for someone. A specific
someone." He lounged in the grubby couch, a cool smile gracing his
features.
"Like I said, we're all looking for someone…specific or not. Go home,
Button…go home to your safe little rich kid life and suck up to your
king and queen." Don't make me maim you; you’re too pretty to lose an
eye.
"Rich kid life?” He laughed. “Cupcake, you have no clue. Look, my life,
or lack thereof, has nothing to do with this. I am here for a reason,
and trust me I don’t wanna be. So, either you help me find who I'm
looking for, and I get to show you exactly why your information is
wrong on the way back to the airport, or you don’t."
She giggled at him. "No, Button, you don't get free run around my town.
You missed me last time by a day…not this time though." If only I had
caught you, baby. Hmmm, you'd still be tied to the bed screaming. "You
go now of your own free will, or you go in pieces…guess what piece I'll
cut off first?"

A wild Saturday ahead

So tomorrow, Saturday the 13th, is going to be a wild one for me. A fucking whirlwind. Today wasnt any better. Maybe i should start there. Today i was on my first every radio interview. It was with Melissa Alvarez and OMG i love her. Such an awesome chick! We read Tarot, a Melissa is a clairvoyant, So it was fun all around. On and She LOVED the tarot cards we did for the Tease Tarot line. I gave a shout out to Audra, she was surprised. Needless to say it rocked.
So After that it was apple pie making *3* and then getting packed for tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be wild.
Philadelphia all day for several promotional opportunities, Including Faerie Con, which my girl Robin Slick! So much fun i cant wait. We are supposed to meet up with Rene and her family there, so that will be nice.
So then Robin and I have to hightail it to a panel given by the Push to Publish people at the University of Pennsylvania in University City. Apparently, this seminar is sold out, and Robin pulled me on last minute to help out. Im Soo Stoked! I just hope i dont look like a complete asshole. After that... Its off to Robin's Bookstore on 13th St!
the New Generation of Romance Booksigning is featuring myself, Rene, Robin, Bianca D'Arc, Cat Johnson, Philippa Grey-Gerou and Marie Carroll. We are going to be doing a panel Q and A as well as a signing and thats from 4-6. then i think dinner. OOh its going to be such a good time. Lots of promotions, and hopefully a good ass-load of books sold!
So im up before the sun tomorrow to get the hair done, get dressed and do the makeup. We have to meet robin in CCphilly by 10amish....so im off to bed to read a bit and relax.. and hopefully sleep early.
SOOOOO excited!

WISHBOUND GOODIES

WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH 3 WISHES?

Janey Duvall is posed with that exact predicament when shes tricked into a bargain with a very sexy Djinn named Marsh, a man as irritating as he is intoxicating. Their adventures will leave you breathless and begging for more...
Continue the story in e book with GIFTS ...

the third installment of the series... and be sure to MAKE YOUR WISHES... because sometimes its not the choices we make that decide our fate, but the choices others make for us.

*OH, and theres a contest running too! buy WISHBOUND from our publisher and send the receipt to stella@stellaandaudra.com with WISHBOUND CONTEST in the subject and you coule win a Tshirt, candle set, sterling silver charm and other one of a kind Djinn goodies from us!*

Have a FANTASTIC week full of sizzling reads!
Stella and Audra Price
a series for EVERY obsession

Marsh is Back! Gifts released at Phaze today!

GIFTS

By Stella and Audra Price

Book three of he Duvall Inc series

BUY NOW

The holidays are a time for giving, so when Marsh decides to give Jane a real Christmas, complete with family and friends, he never expected everything to go haywire. Meeting his family is only part of the problem. His parents, the reigning royalty of his race, are going to be a surprise to Jane, but no more so then his station as crown prince, a fact he had kept hidden from her till now.

Throw in a conniving princess that contracts his death, an engagement ring and his quirky and outlandish parents, and Marsh has his hands full, just presenting Jane as his consort.

Two days before Christmas, Trent Duvall, Janey’s Silent partner in the assassin syndicate shows in Austria and informs them of the fact that a special member of the Duvall inner circle has gone AWOL, and its up to Jane and Marsh to help him get him back. With the help of Malcolm Frost and a few choice friends, Trent and Marsh leave Jane in Austria and go to Africa to retrieve their family member, and usurp the position of a murderous and insane Fallen Angel.

And you thought your holidays were stressful.



Book three of the Duvall Inc series is one you wont soon forget! It takes a new turn, shows a little skin and a lot of what family for an assassin is really all about!


Reviews:

The ending of Gifts will leave you desperate for more of this series. I know I await it eagerly.

9.5, Howling Scribe



Gifts is another mustn’t-miss from the dynamic sisters Stella & Audra Price. Run, to not walk, to your nearest e-book outlet and pick this one up immediately upon release. Caution: do not read without an ice pile or partner near at hand!

5 SWORDS, Frost Reviews


Excerpt:

The villa was dark when he finally arrived twenty-five minutes late, battling traffic coming from the roads around the Vatican. December was always traffic hell in Rome due to the Holy City's existence—all these pilgrims coming in hopes of forgiveness made him shudder. They had yet to figure that their savior was just a man, a talented and charismatic man, but just a man nonetheless. It was the belief that made him grand and that was the man's greatest trick of all.

Janey. His Janey. He pulled into the driveway and shut the car off. He got out and carfully grabbed the holocaust lilies and the shopping bag before locking the door. He punched the code into the door's keypad and it opened for him, the lights coming on automatically. It was good to be back at the house. He knew from calling the office that Janey had gone to meet a client, so he had a few minutes to get everything set up. He went to the kitchen and unpacked the shopping bag--two New York strip steaks, a bag of mussels, salad fixings, fresh baby spinach and a bottle of Merlot.

Putting the water on to boil for the mussels, he took his coat off and draped it on the nearby chair, leaving his scarf on. He grabbed paprika, garlic, pepper, oregano and salt from the spice cabinet and over seasoned the water, leaving it to come to a boil. He then grabbed the fresh rosemary and some garlic and sunflower oil, throwing them in a pan on the eight-burner stove and sautéing the herbs before pouring the mixture into a bowl where the steaks floated in a generous portion of Merlot.

He let that sit as he made the salad, adding fresh basil and red olives to the mix. As he was setting the spinach to cook the water for the mussels began to boil, and he emptied the bag into the swirling heat. Minutes later he was setting the kitchen island with plates and two crystal goblets when he heard Janey's code being punched into the door. He waited, knowing the smells coming from the kitchen would draw her further into the house out of sheer curiosity. Marsh rarely cooked.

After a few moments she appeared in the doorway, looking tired. She'd kicked her shoes off at some point between the short walk from the door and her suit jacket had been discarded. She held a manila folder in her hand. "I have something for you." she said, waving the folder and leaning against the door frame.

"Yeah? Well, can it wait till I put the steaks on?" he said over his shoulder. "Wine's poured already."

She bit out a strangled laugh. "Sure, take your time, love." She pushed off from the door, throwing the folder on the table along with the knife. Sitting down, she took the wine glass staring contemplatively into it. "I have had the worst day today. I really hate working on the weekends. In fact, I hate leaving bed on the weekends. I'm going to ban it."

"You do what you have to pet, you hungry?" He turned to kiss her and spied the dagger. "Okay, what is the Dagger of Wormritz doing on our table?"

She nodded to the folder. "Like I said, it's been an interesting day. I got the crap beaten out of me by Trent. I got shot, passed out, twisted my ankle and was offered a hit on you. Not all in that order. Tell me, do I look stupid?"

He went to her and gathered her up in his arms and kissed her fiercely. "No, pet, you don't. Trent was here, was he? I thought I smelled old man aftershave. So, who wants me dead?" he asked in an amused voice as he set her back down on the chair and moved back to the stove to turn the mussels off.

She shrugged, taking a sip of wine. "No clue, not one of mine. There's photos...interesting ones."

"Photos? No shit." He turned from the stove, grabbed the envelope, and took out the shots. he whistled. "Well, I'll be damned. The Braven sisters, so which one approached you? Had to be Lillian right? Damn cow. Though these shots, they aren't me...the older ones, yes, they are me, but these. Seems the sisters learned how to work a tangible glamour. Interesting."

"Indeed. I must say it is quite a likeness, though, not exact but very close. Exactly who are they? And why do they believe that I must be on the same level of intelligence as a mealworm?"

Marsh sighed. "Well, that's complicated, and they will both pay dearly for upping my timetable. How about we eat and I'll tell you? Steaks are done, how you like it, pet..."

She nodded, her stomach growling. "Sure, I haven't had a chance to eat anything yet. Unless coffee counts."

"It doesn't. You know that." He smirked and speared a thick steak on her plate, then meted out some spinach and then gaveit to her, doing the same with his own. He filled a bowl with mussels and placed it on the table as well, and sat across from her. "The mussels are spicy just like you like, pet." He winked and grabbed his glass, pouring some more wine, then sighed. "So, where do I begin, eh?" he asked absently. He was pissed off, his perfect romantic evening fucked to hell because a spoiled princess wanted what she saw as competition out of the way. He said as much to Janey as she forked a rare piece of steak and spinach into her mouth.

"Royalty, eh?" She sipped her wine. "Well, I suppose that explains a lot."

He shrugged. "Don't be mad at me for not telling you, pet, I could care less about what I am by birth."

She looked up at him, her fork paused mid-strike. "I wasn't talking about you..."

He smirked. Janey wasn't stupid, nor was she oblivious, so she had to know at some point. "The Braven sisters are twins, fraternal, of one of the main houses of Jenai. Like my mother, they can ascend to be a Djinn's consort and possible queen. Apparently they take that seriously."

"Enough to piss the hell outta me? Boy, do they not know me; I've already had Trent bitching at me about my judgment."

"Well, they aren't the brightest crayons in the box, I'll grant you that. Trent came to piss you off? It's been a while, eh? Let me guess, he doesn't approve of our relationship?"

"Not really. He questions my judgment and thinks I've been slacking. He also said I was fat..."

"Well, you are pudgy." He grinned at her and forked a mussel into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. "So how much did they offer for my hit?"

"She started at fifty mil but I worked her up to two-fifty. After all, you're worth it."

"Shit, two-fifty? That's it. I must be overestimating you, love." He reached down and brought the long midnight blue velvet box and set it before her. "Happy Christmas, pet, even if it's early."

Her eyes lit up and she grinned, reaching for the box. "It's not like I'm going to kill you, love, I needed her to agree to a price and I didn't want to accept something to cheap or they would have suspected something. I mean, really, I'm not just fueled by my own greed. I have depth and layers. A lot of the time I kill people because I don't like them, and if I can find somebody who'll pay for that death then I'll consider it a job well done." She stroked the box, lovingly dragging it in front of her. "I didn't think we were doing Christmas, it's not really my thing, even Ko's given up on it this year." She guiltily lifted the box to inspect it.

"Christmas really isn't my thing, either. I mean, I'm all about consumerism, but the actual thought behind it all for me boils down to the all mighty dollar. Technically we aren't doing Christmas, we are doing something else." He watched with small amusement as she opened her first present.

"Well, if we're not doing Christmas then what are we doing..." She gasped sharply as she opened the box, small sparkles of light reflecting on her face. "Marsh...My God..." She trailed off, truly speechless for the first time since he'd met her. "I..." She shook her head grinning at him. "It's beautiful."

"It pales to you, pet, but yes, it is beautiful. You approve?" he asked in a joking tone, knowing full well she was enchanted by the jewelry.

She nodded heartily, her hair bouncing around her face. "I do. I most certainly do."

"Good. I knew you would when I had it commissioned. You have one more, love, though for this you'll need to close your eyes," he said and watched her, palming the ring box from his jacket and waiting.

She grinned at him. "You know you're making me look bad?" she teased as she shut her eyes.

"All will be forgiven in but minutes, pet." He opened the small box and turned it to her with the ring facing her. "Open it, pet, and say yes."

"Yes?" She frowned, opening her eyes and looking at him. Her gaze fell to the box and widened in surprise. She looked up at him, the shock clear on her face.

He smirked at the look. She really didn't think he ever would do it, it was written all over her face. "Well, you going to say it? Or do I have to take it back?"

"No!" she started, snatching the box quicker than lightning. She looked down at the ring then back up at him. "I mean, yes...I do mean yes." She laughed, pushing the box at him. "You have to put it on me...at least, I think that's how it works."

He grinned and got up, quickly making his way around the island to stand next to her, and grabbed her hand. He took the ring out of the box and kissed her, and as he did, his fingers slipped it onto hers.

She kissed him back hard, pulling back to look at her hand. "Its perfect, it really is." She kissed him again, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him tightly to her.

He chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. If you didn't it was going to be hard justifying half a mil otherwise."

"Well, I'm worth it." The grin on her face widened as she moved to watch the glistening ring. She kept it on, turning it and holding it up to the light. "You do realize that a lot of money just got won and lost in my office They've been betting on this for months. I think Malcolm was in for a few thousand Euro," she told him quietly, watching the ring sparkle.

He laughed and kissed her again. "Eh, it is the season of giving, after all, isn't it?"

"I guess it is." She laid her head on his shoulder, her gaze still not leaving the ring. "It was a surprise, nobody expected you to buy the cow...Not in the human way. Are we really going to get married? With chapels and guests?"

"That's up to you, pet. You're mine already, the binding like a human marriage. I don't require it, but if you wish to we will." He smiled at her and rubbed the pad of his thumb on the nape of her neck.

She nodded. "Maybe. It certainly would be interesting...although, maybe not entirely a good idea. Guest wise, I'd hate to have to work out the seating arrangement. There are some people you really shouldn't sit next to other people, and I think I know most of them."

"True, though seeing you stunning in a white gown would be worth it. A lot of bets would be won then, too, no doubt."

She laughed. "Yeah, and a lot lost, too. Security would be a fucker; we could just do a private thing. Me, you, and very few other people. Somewhere bright and hot so we don't get any unwanted demons or vampires."

He laughed. "You do know Mal can withstand sunlight, right? I don't think he would show. Taylor, he'd show regardless, even just to see you in the dress and use it against you."

"I know, but the bright light irritates a vampire's sensitive eyes. If Taylor shows he better bring presents, or at least one big one."

"I think we could count on that, pet." He pulled her close to him and nuzzled her behind her ear. "But we don't have to decide now. We do have forever. I do have one more surprise, though."

She pulled back from him, raising a questioning eyebrow. "You do? Hmmm...Let's see, you cooked, you gave me an exquisite and beautiful choker and you proposed." She counted them off in her hands, and at the mention of proposal she grinned and flashed the ring at him. "What else is there? You realize I'm being spoiled, I'll come to expect this sort of thing every Christmas."

He smiled and swallowed hard. "Remember how I told you I was going to take you to meet my parents?"

"Kind of..." She said carefully.

"Well, it's a little more complicated then just stopping by my parents for the holidays. Which is why I didn't spring it on you last minute, like, when we were at the citadel itself."

"This holiday? Like as in...What citadel?"

"The birth of Christ coincides with the highest of holy times for Djinn. We call it the Birthing. The scrolls say it's when we were breathed to life is the deepest desert of the true continent. Tradition is that the nobility of Djinn congregate at the Citadel in Sumeria, but the last three hundred years it's been at my parents' palace in Austria, for seven days of festivities."

"Uh huh...their place." She worried her bottom lip for a second before taking a deep breath. "Marsh, exactly how royal are you? Just to clarify."
He coughed and looked at her. "Really royal, like crown prince royal."

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