Gift (Enchanted Ardor #2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Olivia shrugged out of her coat, exchanging it for the apron on the hook. Tying it around her waist, she washed her hands in the community kitchen’s sink.

She’d spent the morning lounging on the sofa with Gena in her pajamas after a long hot shower, recounting everything that had happened.

After a hearty yawn, Gena had kissed her cheek and ordered her to nap before going to the shelter to help with the Christmas meals.

“What’s on the menu tonight, Molly?”

“Funny, Liv. It’s Christmas day.”

Olivia turned, inhaling deeply of the warm turkey-filled aroma. “Of course. The place smells fabulous, Moll.”

Molly grinned, “Thoughts on a tall, blond, bearded man?”

“Guilty. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here all week to help you prepare everything.”

“Oh, no worries. You know I love cooking.” Molly waved a hand, then turned intent eyes on Olivia. “He was so sweet, when’s your next date?”

“Never. He’s gone home.”

“Oh, sweety! I’m so sorry. No long-distance prospects?” Molly pulled Olivia into her ample embrace, making Olivia tear up. She sighed, voice soft. “I thought for sure he was perfect for you.”

She sniffed, blinking away the unexpected tears. “He was. But not at this kind of distance.” She rubbed the moisture from her eyes. “It’s alright. We had a great time while it lasted. Besides, men just get me into trouble,” she offered a watery wink.

Molly released her, rubbing her arms, expression sympathetic. “Well that’s the truth, isn’t it? Which reminds me, Mr. Anderson’s daughter is here with her aunt. She wanted to talk to you.”

Olivia’s stomach tightened. “Best not keep her waiting then. Where are the desserts?”

Molly nodded toward the back room, “I’ll grab the tray over.”

Olivia moved toward the door, peeking out into the main room to locate Abigail Anderson. She found her in the back corner, slouched on a chair, arms folded, while the woman with her scrolled on her phone.

As Olivia turned to collect one of Molly’s desserts, her gaze slid over an older man with a bad eye, making her breath stall.

Mr. Ayotte stared at her with his good eye, and noticing her attention on him, he smiled, lifting a grizzled hand in welcome.

Gosh, he looks so much like the temple guardian from Nick’s past.

She smiled back, picking up an extra plate and moved toward his table. Placing the dessert dish next to his hand, she searched his face. “Happy Holidays, Mr. Ayotte. If you’ll give me a moment, I just need to speak to someone.”

“Of course,” he smiled, picking up the spoon.

She patted his hand, drawing a deep breath before approaching Abigail Anderson. “Abby? You wanted to speak to me?”

The girl’s head snapped up from her own phone. She swallowed, slipping it into her pocket. The woman next to her barely glanced at Olivia. “Ms. Boncoeur.”

“Call me Olivia.” She placed the dessert on the table and took the chair beside her.

Abby nodded. “Thanks.” She picked up the spoon, poking at the frothy concoction.

After a long moment the woman next to her stood. “I’ll be in the car.”

Abby watched her leave before turning her gaze to Olivia. A tidal wave of emotion swept over her.

“I-I just wanted to thank you for not having my dad charged.” Once she began, the rest was a rush. “I’m so sorry he attacked you. He’s really not like that—it’s just since he came back—he’s been different and,” she drew a deep breath. “I don’t know. Different. And then the frustration of not finding work was too much—,”

Olivia’s hand shot out, covering Abby’s, calming her instantly. “I know. It’s okay.”

“Constable Greer’s been coming around to check on me. He’s been working to help dad get into a program for veterans.”

“That’s good. Graham’s a good guy.”

“I just—thanks. I love my aunt, but I don’t want to live with her.” Her eyes flicked toward the door.

Olivia nodded. “I’m so glad it seems to be working out okay. If you need anything, Abby, let me know.”

“I will,” Abby finally smiled, her shoulders relaxing. “I will.”

Olivia tapped the table next to the dessert bowl as she stood. “Tell you what. You take that dessert with you, enjoy it, and return the dish some time next week. And if you’re interested, Molly and I can show you the ropes around the kitchen.” She tilted her head, drawing Abby’s gaze toward Molly standing in the doorway bearing plates piled high with turkey.

“Yeah?”

Olivia nodded.

“Yeah, I’d like that.” Abby beamed, getting to her feet. She threw her arms around Olivia. “Thank you so much.”

“Happy Christmas. To you, and your dad.”

Abby nodded, scooping up the dessert to take with her. “See you next week.”

Olivia watched her go, then returned to Mr. Ayotte.

“Ms. Olivia.” He licked the last of the whip cream from his spoon. “Tell Molly everything was perfect. How was your… vacation?”

As he held her gaze with his one good eye, something fell away, allowing Olivia to get a better read on him. She sensed his longevity and humming currents of power.

Then she knew. “Ayo? Nick’s Ayo?”

The old man tapped the side of his nose, reminding her of when Nick had done that, their first night—first few moments together.

Olivia shivered. “You’ve been here, all this time? Does Nick know?”

“Oh, no. Not all this time. I come and go as needed. And it was time. For both of you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s all in the timing.” He nodded, giving his spoon another lick. “Any more of this back there?”

“You know there is.” Olivia crossed her arms. “If you tell me what’s going on.”

Ayo turned his face toward Olivia, pinning her with his good eye.

She gasped when the milky eye swirled with opaline colour.

“Desserts are in the kitchen.” Ayo said. “And your coat?”

Olivia eyed him with suspicion. Then finally nodded.

“Do you love him?”

Olivia stopped breathing.

Yes.

“I already know the answer to that. But enough to make sacrifices?” Ayo gave her a moment to collect her thoughts.

In a heartbeat.

She swallowed with a nod.

“I love this time of year. It always has the best desserts.” The old man stood, reaching for his coat on unsteady legs. “Have you tried Dash’s pie? Too bad he and Ms. Molly can’t exchange recipes. They’d make bliss in a kitchen.”

Numb, head reeling from the direction of the old man’s questions, Olivia stood and led Mr. Ayotte into the kitchen.

“I knew you couldn’t resist seconds, Mr. Ayotte.” Molly winked, trading his empty bowl for another full one as Olivia took her coat off the hook.

“Thank you, Ms. Molly,” Ayo beamed at the community kitchen’s chef. “Through here is sufficient.” He said to Olivia, waving a hand at the back door.

Molly watched with curiosity as Olivia helped Mr. Ayotte through the back door and down the snow-cleared steps into the alley.

They stood on a narrow path between high banks of snow pushed against the brick walls to either side.

Mr. Ayotte did some strange swirling of his hand as he muttered a few words and snapped his fingers, then grabbed the spoon and dug into the sweet dessert.

Olivia jumped as the alley lit up with a bright flash, followed by a pop.

Nick and Dolph appeared in the alley, each of them wearing an attached Nisse. Dolph’s clung to the side of his blue head, Nick’s hung off his thigh.

The impish Nisse faces grinned at Olivia before their attention swung to Ayo, sniffing.

“My goodness, this is tasty,” he pointed the spoon at Olivia.

“What’s this?” Nick demanded, attempting to dislodge the Nisse clinging to his leg. “Ayo? Liv?” His gaze dropped to the Nisse. “I didn’t know they could do that.”

“Their hands are full of maple syrup,” Dolph groaned, wiping the Nisse’s sticky hand from his eye.

Olivia studied him. He seemed lighter. A drastic change with the simple extraction of the tiny pebble of hate and grief and rage. Unable to help herself, she smiled up at him.

“Did I miss some?” his blue hands raked through his unkempt, recently washed hair.

“What this is, is a trade. Olivia for Dolph, if that is acceptable?” Ayo bent to place the bowl on the snowbank, immediately drawing the creatures from their perches. They dug into the dessert with both hands, shoveling cream and cake and other sweet bits into their mouths.

Nick glanced down at the sticky hand marks on his pants with a pained expression. Then straightened, finally leveling his gaze on Olivia’s face.

It had only been a few hours since she’d left him on that rooftop, but her heart screamed that they’d been separated for an age.

“What’s this trade you’re talking about?” Dolph demanded, wiping his fingers on the crusty snowbank.

Ayo looked between the brothers. “Now that you’re free of that infection, you may move on, if you wish.” He held up a gnarled finger. “Not back to the mortal world. No, sorry, that time is past.”

“Valhalla?” Dolph breathed.

Ayo shrugged. “Something like that. If you choose it.”

“If I don’t?”

“Back to the grove…”

“Or oblivion?” He swallowed.

“I only discuss the options mentioned. The rest is not my department.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “You’re as bad as the Council.”

“Years of experience.” Ayo nodded. “You’ve done well enough. I think that sort of work might be good for your Livvy here.”

Olivia’s heart pounded in her ears as she resisted the urge to reach for Nick’s hand. To touch him once more, slide her fingers over his, reveling in their feel and warmth.

“How is that?” Nick and Olivia exchanged confused glances.

“Your young lady here is an anomaly, so to say,” he nodded. “Death touched, djinn and dragon touched, with a deep Grove bond.”

Olivia blinked.

Ayo waved a hand. “I’ve been instructed to relay that, with the Nisse’s blessings, Olivia may stay for an extended period, such as the duration of winter. In the spring, she can return to her world, continue doing all the good deeds that could use her gentle touch. Then, you may reunite at the annual Council meeting. With her real-world experience, she’d be able to help ‘guide things’ in the right direction.”

“And all the while, we continue our work in the groves. Stay the course.” Nick’s expression remained guarded as he looked from Olivia to Ayo.

Ayo tapped the side of his nose with a twinkle in his eye. “Your crew are content to continue on, knowing the Ascension is coming.”

Olivia’s head reeled, chest heaving as she stared at her boots, her breath puffing like a chugging steam engine.

“They’ll try again? The Consortium?”

“Of course they will. And the grove must be protected.”

“Olivia?”

“Gena—?”

“Cupid is harrying Vixen to develop a dedicated line for her.”

Olivia turned to look at the closed kitchen door.

It’s busy season, now.

“You’ve already enlisted Abigail Anderson to replace you. She’ll do well, drawing in some of her friends to help out.” Ayo said before she could utter the questions.

“I’m happy to go with Ayo; you can take my Nisse back with you,” Dolph offered Olivia. “Besides, everyone’s been lamenting your absence all day.”

He drew a deep breath, turning to Nick with sad resignation in his eyes. “I’m sorry things weren’t different between us. Brother.”

Nick’s throat worked beneath his beard. “Me too.” He nodded, reaching out a hand to Dolph. “Me too.”

Dolph accepted it. “See you in the next part of the afterlife, I suppose.”

“Olivia?” Ayo drew her attention.

She turned tear filled eyes to the old man, sniffling, heart full of anguish from watching the estranged brothers. “Yes, Mr. Ayotte?”

The old man tipped his head toward Nick, who stared back at her with such intensity it took her breath away.

They stared at one another.

It was only supposed to be one night.

But she knew. Knew her heart would be safe with this man—if he chose to accept her.

She swallowed her rising hope.

His eyes flicked to Ayo with an imperceptible nod. “I’d be foolish not to accept such a perfect gift.”

“On Christmas day,” Ayo agreed.

Nick turned his dark eyes back to Olivia.

Snickering bounced off the frozen brick walls as two sets of little hands pushed the backs of Olivia’s legs, sending her forward into Nick’s arms.

In the circle of his arms, Olivia slipped hers around his back, murmuring. “Do you want me with you for months at a time?”

“I want you for eternity, Livvy.” He whispered over her lips. “But I will accept what I can get.”

She rose on tip toe to meet him, heart melting at the tenderness in his kiss.

“I love you,” he said as he opened his eyes to hers.

Her fingers caressed his bearded cheek, stroking his lower lip. “I love you too, Nick.”

Little voices cheered, sticky hands patting their legs with glee.

“Good, that’s settled. The Nisse will be back for you in three days.” Ayo said.

“Perfect.” Olivia smiled, turning within Nick’s arms to look at Mr. Ayotte. “I still have meals to serve.”

Nick’s hand slid under her coat, untied the knot of her apron and took a step back so that he could tie it around his waist. “Let’s get to work then.”

Ayo’s laugh echoed around them as he clapped a hand on Dolph’s shoulder, taking the somewhat redeemed Alfar with him when he disappeared.

The Nisse waved and were gone in a blink, leaving the two alone in the alley.

Snow drifted down, caught on the light breeze floating by the dull back door light.

Olivia looked up as the flakes clung to her face.

“Looks like we’re in for a snowstorm tonight.” Nick murmured.

“I have good boots on, and my place isn’t far.” Olivia grinned at him.

“Perfect.” His gaze swept her face as he lowered his lips to hers once more. “Perfect.”

~

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