bedeviled & beyond 06.5 - bedeviled & bah humbug by sam cheever Page B

material than a dirigible and were bunched into the over-tight ‘belled at the knee’ trousers, giving me odd bumps in strange places.
    At least the material billowing over the waistband partially obscured my muffin top.
    I had just located a vaguely familiar tinge of magic when my mental drawers shuffled and a sexy, deep voice intruded on my work.
    Astra? Where are you?
    Dialle, my scrumptious and eminently devilish love had been slightly aloof since the recent, and by some accounts unfortunate, marking incident. In a moment of supreme passion I’d inadvertently given him a daemon hickey. Until I’d done the impossible, females on the devil’s court had been unable to mark their male mates.
    Only the males could mark.
    When I’d marked Dialle I’d forged new territory and shaken things up pretty good.
    The males on the Royal Court were supremely pissed. Most of them wanted me dead.
    The females were naturally curious. They’d taken to fixing me with speculative gazes that made me almost more nervous than the hatred from their men. I was afraid they’d ask me how I’d done it.
    I had no clue.
    Such was the weird science of my life.
    But strained though our relationship was, Dialle needed to keep me happy because, as his queen, the health of the Devil Court rested on my happiness.
    Frunkin’ ice, eh?
    Hey! Believe it or not I’m at the North Pole.
    He snorted a laugh in my mind. Petitioning Santa for something other than your usual lump of coal?
    I frowned, not amused by the coal thing. I mean, how many times did I have to save the world before it earned me a check in the elves’ “Nice” column? Besides, I wouldn’t give Ralphy the pleasure of begging. No, I was dragged here by a flash mob of elves to find Santa.
    He’s missing?
    Kidnapped, according to the flash mob.
    Your life is never boring is it, my love?
    You think?
    Well, at least it’s better than last year.
    I had to agree with him there. Last year I’d been stuck in Hell. Even covered in glitter and cookie dust, Santa’s workshop was slightly less horrible than the fiery pits.
    Well, don’t let those elves get you down. I for one hope you retain a permanent spot in the ‘naughty’ column.
    His voice was filled with special meaning and its husky promise sent warmth and other things spiraling through my lower belly. I grinned, enjoying the mischievous tone of his comment. Hold that thought, bud. And along with it, hold the knowledge that I’m wearing giant panties.
    He gasped. Be still my libido. Seriously? Describe them to me.
    My lip curled. I don’t know, they’re light pink...
    He sucked air.
    ...there’s enough fabric here to clothe the entire Royal Court, and they have lace around the legs.
    Sexy. I’m picturing you swimming around in them and, I’ll be honest, I find myself wishing you were here with me now so I could show you how very much I enjoy the visual.
    I laughed. You’re one sick puppy, Dialle.
    Woof!
    The sound of his voice had my own libido rearing its randy head and blinking rapidly. I’d be glad to finish my current nightmare assignment and get back to him. I’ll be back soon.
    Keep warm, my love.
    I returned my attention to the aura I was sensing in Santa’s office. It seemed to be strongest around the ever-present, live Christmas tree towering in the corner. As I reached my hand toward the soft, green needles, I felt a tingling sort of power emanating from them.
    It was something I’d only felt once before.
    The door behind me opened and Mx. Claus squished through, bearing a large tray filled with cookies and a glass of milk that was bigger than my head. “Hello, dear! I’m so glad you came to visit.”
    Her smile was wide and her small, brown eyes sparkled with mirth. I wondered at her jolly demeanor given that her spouse was missing. “Hello, Mx. Claus. I’m glad I could help.” I watched her settle the tray onto Santa’s desk. “Maybe you can help me. I was wondering if you could give me some details