My Christmas Story :D

Hello and welcome!

I wasn’t in the Christmas spirit this year, just didn’t ‘feel’ it… then it happened …

I never heard a thing, before a pair of hands wrapped around my face to cover my eyes.  The movie I had finished watching on television had just ended, and I had just turned the screen off, with the idea of heading for bed.  It was Christmas eve, midnight.  If I didn’t get to bed quickly, Santa would miss my place and my stocking would be empty in the morning.

Don’t say a word, a deep dark, dangerous sounding voice, whispered in my ear on a breath, and my skin immediately erupted into a rash of goose bumps.

 All things considered, it will sound strange for me to say this, but I didn’t feel threatened, not at all.  There was no sense of danger about how this man’s aura washed over mine.  I could tell he was strong, but his intent was pure, and filled with mischief.  I got the feeling this could be fun, or at the very least interesting.

Stand up, but no peeking, the man’s voice breathed into my ear again, and I couldn’t help but smile.  It tickled.

Who is this?  I asked breathlessly.

 You will find out in time, the man promised.

That was when he took his hands away.  I wasn’t about to comply with his wishes.  I rushed to turn, felt suddenly dizzy and the world turned black as it spun around me.  It seemed strange that I was able to hear, yet had no control over what was happening around me.  Still, I wasn’t worried.

You weren’t supposed to hurt her, another voice sounded in concern.

She isn’t hurt, the man I had heard earlier spoke.

How long will she be out?  The second man asked.

A few hours, by then we should be back home and I doubt if she will care after that.  The first man answered.

Ha, was my thought.  Someone was going to hear about this!

I felt my body being lifted by a set of very strong arms, and then was cradled against a warm well defined male chest, something I took advantage of by snuggling in closer to.  It felt so good.  Whoever this was, he smelled of the deep forest, and it gave me a sense of peace.  Please, I thought to myself, don’t let me go, I want to die here.

Shh, you will not die, I won’t let you, the man promised.

 I felt the cold of the outside air for a few moments, and then a deeper warmth enveloped me, as I was passed over to another person.  This set of arms was even better than the last.  I felt even more secure, and warmth, as if I was enveloped in softness, yet the chest under my cheek was hard as stone.  The contrast was overwhelming.

Sleep Eniko, and dream of a world filled with beauty and love, wake to find it real, a new voice crooned.

I smiled, as I slightly squirmed to get closer, and remembered nothing until I felt movement around me.

You will need to drink something to ease your thirst, wake Eniko, a female voice sounded in my mind.

Can I open my eyes yet?  I asked, while my mind began to wake.

 The woman softly laughed, as she answered, Yes, you can look around you to your heart’s content.

I opened my eyes to look into the most angelic features on a face that I ever saw, she even had a set of white wings attached to her back.  If this was a dream, I didn’t want it to stop.

Where am I?  I asked.

You are on Tantalus, for now.  Kyllan heard your wish when you were last visited by a few of our people.  He will return in a moment, but in the meantime you can refresh yourself.  I am Karia; you will meet Mitchel in a moment.  He is taking care of the baby, as you woke at about the same time as Alusia did.  You will get to meet her too.  She stated.

Will I get to hold her?  I asked.  I really didn’t believe I was on Tantalus, but, whoever had set this up had done one pip of a job of it.

Karia took me to a different part of the aerie, where I took care of my needs, and then went back to the main room, where the largest man I had ever seen was pacing as he hummed.  He was holding a tiny child, and they both had wings!  He slightly bowed in acknowledgement of my presence and smiled at the expression of surprise that crossed my face.

I am Mitchel, he announced.  He then crossed to where I stood and gently placed Alusia into my arms.

I looked at the most beautiful baby girl I ever saw, her eyes sparkling and looked back at me with wide curious stare.  My own eyes filled with moisture and smiled, how could I not… then Alusia reached out and touched my face with her small hands while her small wings covered my head… they were so soft… my tears fell freely feeling the happy and warm energy she sent my way.

Both Karia and Mitchel laughed, pleased by my reaction, as they gazed with loving pride at their daughter.

I will never hope to compare after this. A new voice sounded, as two men entered the aerie.  One had a set of huge white wings, the other had none, but was hidden behind the first enough that I couldn’t tell who he was.  I did know that I had met him before, and would be happy to see him again.

Welcome to Tantalus, Eniko.  I will give you a choice of where you would like to sit, while you visit.  Karia, you can take Alusia back now.  The man ordered softly.

Yes, Great Grandfather.  Karia answered, as she lifted Alusia from my arms.

We have met in thought in the past, I am Kyllan. the man introduced himself.  He then moved to the side slightly, as the second man came forward, and he was smiling widely.

You remember me! Lothrariel spoke.  Kyllan was kind enough to come to the Elven Empire to pick me up, so that we could both spend time with you.

Oh YES!!! I sure do! sigh  I really had to restrain myself from jumping him when he opened his arms, but went into them slowly and he gave me a warm hug…. bliss I tell you… sheer bliss

SANTA CLAUS DID COME AFTER ALL!!! They all laughed at my uninhibited enthusiasm.

I will sit in the middle! I declared, as I made myself at home on the center cushion of the couch.  I wasn’t sure how long this was going to last, but I intended on making sure I didn’t miss a minute of it.  Not this time.

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I will let you imagine the rest, all I will say that it was the best Christmas Eve ever and I still feel giddy, grinning like a loon 😀

Hope you enjoyed it.

If you missed the visit from the Tantalarians a few months ago, you can check it out here.

Thank you Mary Ann for making my Christmas so special! XOXO

Mary Ann is the amazing author known as M. A. Abraham and as you might know I am her Alpha Reader and #1 Elfanatic. I have to come up with a word for a Tantalus series fan… hmmm do you want to help?

To check out all the books by M. A. Abraham, check the links below.

• website • Facebook Author Page • Amazon • Barnes & Noble
• Goodreads • blog • Twitter

I hope your holidays, whatever you are celebrating, are filled with lots of books.. and love… and joy!

May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.

Thank you all for an awesome 2016, your comments and shares are my gems I collect throughout the year and keep close to my heart. See you next year, until then happy reading/listening! Happy New Year!