The Halfling Makes a Choice

You're acting like a fool.

Sebastian paced nervously as he berated himself. He was so damn on edge he felt like he was going to jump out of his skin.

Tonight he was going to tell her that he loved her. That he wanted her, for eternity.

If she ever showed up!

"Arg!" He resisted the strong urge to claw the wall. He needed to stay in control.

"You look stressed," Victoria's soft voice mused from the doorway.

He spun around; surprised that she had managed to sneak up on him. At first seeing the little female his breath caught. God, but she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen.

Her dark hair was pulled up in a bun and a sexy little black dress clung to her curves. On her wrist was wrapped the amulet he'd given her, it pleased him that she never took it off.

As she entered a sapphire and diamond encrusted necklace shimmered from around her neck. The blue against her pale skin was exquisite. That's what my skin looks like against hers.

The woman was made for him.

And that dress... He nearly groaned. It was backless, exposing her smooth back and beckoning him to touch her soft skin. The dress dipped down low just over the swell of her backside in a loose fold of fabric. He had to fight the urge to tear it off her and take her on the spot.

Instead he cleared his throat and pulled out a chair. "Victoria, you look beautiful." He winced at how gravelly his voice sounded.

She beamed up at him as she took her seat. "Thank you, you look wonderful as well."

Taking a seat across from her he tried not to stare at her soft breasts spilling over the top of her dress. "Did you speak with your father?"

She brightened. "I did. He is so happy, Sebastian."

"The nurse?"

She nodded. "He's definitely smitten with her. And I think she likes him too. I would very much like to visit him soon."

"I'm sorry that I've had to keep you from him."

"I know it isn't safe," she said softly.

"Perhaps I can arrange for Jasper to take you when he returns." If he ever does. He'd tried to summon Jasper several times now with no response and Charles had yet to return his phone calls. God only knew where the two of them were holed up.

"You know...you could always bring me," Victoria offered.

He sighed. "I can't. Not like this."

"I want him to meet you, just as you are."

His chest ached at her tone, she sounded as if she would be proud to show him off to her father. "I'll think on it," he amended reluctantly.

She smiled. "Okay."

Damn, when she looked at him like... He fidgeted nervously with his fork. "Victoria, there is something I've been meaning to speak with you about."

Victoria continued to smile at him. Was she blushing? "Yes?"

"I...uh..." He rubbed a hand nervously over the back of his neck. "How is your meal?" Shit!

She raised one slender brow. "Delicious as always. Is that what you wanted to ask me?"

"No." He shifted nervously in his seat. What the fuck was this? He was a demon. He was the Vanquisher. He was a fucking king! And yet he couldn't say three little words.

Instead he growled, "I...can't wait to get you out of that dress." Damn it. He resisted the urge to punch himself.

Victoria blushed. "I'm glad you like it." She fingered the necklace, the jewels glittering in the firelight. "I've been looking for an excuse to wear this. Do you like it?"

"I love it. I want to see you in it and nothing else," he answered honestly. His voice was already wrecked with the very idea of it.

She grinned. "We'll have to eat quickly and go to bed then."

Fuck, he loved this woman!

"Maybe you can tell me what's on your mind then?" she added.

"Yes." He coughed into his hand. He would tell her later, in bed, when she was moaning beneath him and begging for more.

******

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she and Sebastian ate their dinner. She could tell that something important was on his mind.

"Are you happy with me?" Sebastian asked suddenly.

"I'm very happy with you," she answered truthfully. At times it frightened her. She couldn't imagine her life without him and didn't want too.

He seemed to relax a bit at her response. "And it truly doesn't bother you...the way I am?"

"I find you very attractive, Sebastian." The way she'd proven that particular point made her blush. Just that afternoon she'd licked from his horns to his thick erection, loving every inch of his massive body.

He smiled at her confession before quickly schooling his features into an unreadable mask. "And what if I was like this forever? Would you still be happy?"

Victoria hesitated, not quite understanding where he was going with this. "I think so."

"What about children?"

She blushed and then paled. She'd never even considered children with him! And after all they'd done together.

Pressing a hand to her stomach nervously she tried to stay focused. The sudden image of little Sebastian's flooded her mind and her heart swelled. "Children?"

"Yes." Sebastian nodded, watching her closely. "Don't you want them?"

"Well, yes, someday. Don't you?"

"Demons can only have children with their mates, Victoria."

Victoria blinked, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed. "Oh..." Damn, she was definitely disappointed.

She knew without a doubt that she wanted to be his mate. Everything inside her screamed that they were meant to be and she craved that connection with him. Nerves jittered in her stomach, why couldn't she just tell him?

What if he rejects me? She clutched her hands in her lap. The very idea left her cold.

"So if we were to have children I would have to become your mate?" she asked breathlessly.

Shifting in his seat Sebastian asked, "Would you want to have children with me if you could?"

"I'll be honest I hadn't considered it until now but I rather like the idea of having little Sebastian's."

He made a strangled sound deep in his throat.

She frowned thoughtfully. "So, does this mean you're shooting blanks?"

Sebastian choked, coughing roughly into his hand. "You're going to kill me woman."

Smiling she shrugged. "Sorry."

Recovering Sebastian's eyes took on a possessive gleam. "Would you like to go to bed now?"

She swallowed at his sudden change in mood. Desire burned in his eyes. The way he looks at me..."Yes."

Rising quickly he assisted her out of her chair and escorted her upstairs to their bedroom. Shutting the door behind them he snatched her hand and tugged her towards the bed.

"Want to rip that dress off you," he grunted, pulling her hard against him. She could already feel the hard ridge of his erection pressing against her.

Breathless she waited, expecting him to kiss her, touch her, to shove her onto the bed and mount her. But he remained still, his face hard as he stared down at her.

"Is there something wrong?"

He didn't respond, but for one brief second she could see fear in his eyes.

"Sebastian?" She cupped his face in both her hands. "Tell me."

He closed his eyes briefly before placing his hands over her own. "Victoria, I..." he broke off and snarled, "Nicholas, what did I tell you about spying?"

Victoria jumped and spun around. Nicholas emerged from the shadows, his face grim. "I'm sorry, master. It's urgent."

Sebastian growled, baring his teeth. "What?"

Nicholas winced but didn't retreat. "Lord Ivan's army has just attacked one of the northern clans. There were no survivors."

"Damn it." Sebastian ran a hand through his hair.

"The clans have requested immediate counsel."

Sebastian looked between her and Nicholas with a deep scowl.

"It's alright," she reassured him. "Just go."

"Victoria..."

Standing on her toes she cupped his face and kissed him. "I'll be right here waiting."

He sighed, leaning his face into her hands and shutting his eyes. When they opened Victoria nearly gasped at the raw emotion reflected in those golden orbs. "Alright. I won't be long."

Sighing she watched him leave. Then she sat on the edge of their bed and willed the nervous flutters in her stomach to cease.

She could have sworn Sebastian was about to tell her he loved her. Flushing she pressed her hands to her cheeks, suddenly feeling giddy. She couldn't wait for him to come back. Tonight everything would change.

"You seem pleased, Victoria."

Jumping up with a gasp she spun around. Vincent Shaw stood by the open window, his eyes dark as night as he glared at her.

His face was pale and gleamed with sweat, his eyes slightly unfocused. She opened her mouth to scream but he was on her in a heartbeat, his big hand covering her mouth as he clamped her hands firmly behind her back.

"Not a sound or I will rip your damn tongue out," he snarled menacingly.

Her eyes widened with fear. How did he get in? How was it that no one had sensed him? She shoved against his chest and fought against him but he was too strong.

"Enough," he hissed. "I mean what I say. You will be still and quiet or your father will suffer."

She immediately stilled, staring up at him in horror. No, he couldn't. Sebastian had seen to his safety.

Shaw smirked. "That's better, halfling. I only wish to talk with you. Then I'm gone. Will you behave?"

Anger and hatred burning in her stomach she glared up at him and nodded.

Slowly he released her.

Once free she snapped, "What do you want?"

He smiled, the look full of malice. "I've come to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" she scoffed. "Why would I ever deal with you?"

"Because if you don't your father will suffer."

She snorted, stepping back from him and readying to run. "You lie. My father is well protected-"

"He is," he cut her off, that sadistic smile never slipping. "But not his pretty little nurse. What was her name?" He tapped his chin. "Ah yes, Mary."

Her heart went cold. No.

"He really adores her doesn't he? So happy the two of them." Shaw chuckled darkly. "It would be a shame if something were to happen to her. And with him doing so well-"

"You son of a bitch," she snarled. She wanted to scream at him and slap that smirk right off his face. Hell, she wished she had a sword just so she could stab him with it.

He raised his chin, those dark eyes flashing. "Can you imagine? Losing not one but two woman you loved? I wonder if he will survive it?"

Oh god, I hate him. "What do you want from me?"

"Her life will be spared if you come with me now. And I suggest you don't delay, mortals are such fragile creatures after all."

Her mind raced. What could she do? She couldn't leave Sebastian. But her father? Her heart ached with despair. No matter which choice she made one of them would end up hurt.

Growling Shaw glanced at his watch. "I need an answer, woman."

"Just give me a minute to think." Her heart felt like it would burst from her chest. I don't know what to do.

"I do not have the luxury. The cloaking spell I used to enter will be wearing off any minute. You will give me your answer now."

Damn it! "How do I know you won't go back on your word if I agree?"

"Unlike some I never go back on my word," he grated with a snarl.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I will rip off that little nurse's head and place it on your father's doorstep," he answered coldly. "I wonder if the sight alone will be enough to end him?"

Damn him! She couldn't risk it with her father, he was too frail as it was. But if she went with Vincent now maybe she could find a way to escape later. Would Sebastian come for me?

Tears slipping down her cheeks she nodded. "Fine."

"One more thing." His eyes dipped to the amulet she had wrapped around her wrist. "That stays."

Choking back a sob she unraveled the amulet from around her wrist and laid it on the bed. She immediately felt a sense of loss without it. This was the one gift from Sebastian that meant the most to her. It tied them together and she knew the risk he'd taken in giving it to her.

And now I'm going to leave him.

Wiping her tears she unclasped her necklace and placed it beside the amulet. Then she turned to face Vincent with all the hatred she felt burning in her eyes. "Let's go."

Reaching out he clutched her arm tightly. Clasping his hand around his own amulet he sneered, "Just in time."

She heard Sebastian's loud roar just as they vanished.