Page 13 of A Shifter Disaster Thanksgiving

“Don’t think too deeply about it,” Quinta advised her. “I know you must be upset, but Frost Mountain is not so terrible once you get used to it. Pine Gap is delightful. Jon and I have been here for less than a year, and it’s been great so far. I’m sure you’ll enjoy living here with your husband.”

At the wordhusband, Diane sat up a little straighter. She swallowed. “Sylvester?”

“Yes. He’s a good man.”

Diane got a sudden image of Sylvester promising to imprison her if she didn’t agree to marry him. “Do you know he’s a dragon?”

The other woman shrugged, shooting her a look that said,Duh. “So are my husband and I. But Sylvester is different. The Stormbringers are a clan of powerful dragon shifters. They’ve ruled this village for over a hundred years. Sylvester’s brother, Gregory, is the current chief.”

Diane frowned. Nothing about Sylvester had given her the impression he was related to the village chief, though he certainly looked powerful, among other things. And she would be spending the rest of her days with him, it seemed. Somehow, she wasn’t sure if she was excited or worried about that.

Chapter Six

“We Will Share My Bed”

Sylvester and Jon continued to work together at the forge for the next several hours until Jon announced that he had to head back home to his wife. A few hours later, Sylvester decided he should do the same. The sun had set by the time he left the forge and made his way across the village to his cabin.

It was not until the porch steps were creaking under his weight that he realized Diane had not had anything to eat since he brought her into his cabin. Feeling his chest tighten, he rushed into the cabin, his eyes scanning the living room and was surprised to see her lying curled up on the rug where he’d left her.

She jerked awake at the sound of his footsteps, and sat up, blinking at him for a few seconds. “You’re back.”

She got to her feet, rubbing her arm nervously, her gaze drifting from him to the floor and back. Sylvester felt his heart flutter. In the firelight, she looked radiant. The look of terror was gone, but she still seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

She was as beautiful as he remembered, still dressed in the clothes he’d put on her. Taking off the clothes she’d been wearing and replacing them with thicker ones had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. He’d gotten a good look at her bare body, illuminated by the fireplace, and in the minute before he snapped back to his senses and slipped the new clothes onto her body, he’d found himself appreciating her smooth skin and delicious curves.

“Why are you still here?” he asked, discarding the thought as quickly as he could.

Her slender eyebrows furrowed. “You told me to stay here.”

True.“I know. I’m surprised you listened. I figured you might have tried to take off,” he admitted.

To his further surprise, she smiled and shrugged. “Don’t sound so disappointed. I did try, but then I ran into your neighbor, Quinta.”

“Ah, I see.”

“She gave me some food.”

“Oh?”

“And she told me about Frost Mountain.”

“Oh.”

Diane’s grin widened slightly, and Sylvester felt a tiny tug in his gut. He liked her smile, he decided. It seemed to make the room a little bit warmer.

He cleared his throat. “That is good. Now you know I wasn’t lying to you when I said this mountain is dangerous. And I’m sure you know what dangers lie out there. Did she tell you?”

“Not exactly. But she didn’t have to.” The smile vanished, to his mild disappointment. “The second I left the cabin, I nearly froze to death.”

“You’re human. Your chances of surviving on your own are minimal, even against the cold alone.”

“Thanks,” she said, rolling of her eyes. “That makes me feel so much better.”

She turned away, and he studied her, catching himself just as his gaze drifted to her curvy lower body. If Quinta had told her about Frost Mountain, then she must know that she is trapped here for the rest of her life. No chance of escape. How was she taking the news? She didn’t look much younger than he was, maybe somewhere in her mid-forties. Probably had left plenty of friends behind in her world. Or children. Or a husband.

As if having read his mind, she turned around, her green eyes locked on his face. For the next few seconds, neither said a word.

“Why did you ask me to be your wife?” she asked suddenly.

---