Fisher (Prince of Tigers, #3) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,36

came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, he pulled her around to stand in front of him, facing the yard.

“Tell me I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing.” Piper laughed, then started for the door. “Piper, you’re naked.”

He dressed himself and left too, noticing that before she opened the front door, Piper had finally dressed. Not that he didn’t enjoy seeing her naked. But they were headed to the yard, and there was no telling who else might be out and about this evening.

“It’s snow.” He laughed as she laid down in the quickly deepening stuff. “I’ve never seen it before. Look how soft it is. Oh, I can make a snowman. I’ve never made one of those either.”

Fisher didn’t bother going to her but sat on the steps leading to the wraparound porch as she played like a child. His cat was itching to play with her, and suddenly Fisher thought what the hell.

He’d never known a time when he felt so good, not just because he was in love with Piper but because he actually did feel free. Standing in the snow, he let his cat take over, letting him be the cat he was. As he started leaping and pawing at it like Piper was, Fisher laughed along with Piper.

They were both glad for the full moon. It let them play in the yard for longer than he thought they might have had it been anything else. Even after Piper tired of her antics, his cat seemed to enjoy himself even more. Rolling around in the light stuff, his cat seemed to be like a cub rather than the thousands of year old cat he really was.

“Your white streak is more pronounced than it was when you were a man. It might just be the snow all over you.” He moved toward her, her laughter making him smile. “I know you can’t change me. I’ve been talking to the other women about this and that. Will making love with you be like that every time?”

Christ, I hope so. But then again, we might be testing our immortality if it is. I thought you’d killed me a couple of times. He laid his head on her legs and closed his eyes when she started scratching him behind the ears. I thought you’d be afraid of me. I mean, I’m not exactly a small little kitten.

“You are to me. When you were playing just now, all I could think of was that you’re acting like one.” She touched her finger to where he knew the white streak was. “It is more pronounced. I think it might be wider as well. Who do we speak to about this?”

I would think Aurora. The ground around them shook a little, and the faerie queen was standing in the yard with them. Aurora was a beautiful woman, but now he could see she looked exhausted. We must have summoned you. I’m sorry, my lady. I’m sure you’re very busy right now.

“No, I came to the two of you with a purpose. And you could never call to me when I would not come to help you. You are, after all, my black tiger. I’ve come to tell you what you have received with the gem I gave you to share with Piper.” She touched her fingers to his fur, and the warmth of it settled over his body. “You will have this for the rest of your lives. It will be the mark that will open doors for the two of you. I didn’t know if it would come to you, but I’m ever so glad it did. The two of you will have great magic too.”

“Excuse me, but I think I have more than I can handle now.” Aurora laughed at Piper. “I don’t think I like where this is going. Seriously, I’m having enough trouble trying to figure out my moving home, much less figuring out magic that is going to make me fearful of hurting someone.”

“I understand that. I can help you with that, however. Both of you.” He laughed when Piper asked her what that entailed, her concern showing enough suspicion in her tone there wasn’t any way Aurora could have missed it. “I only need to touch you at the same time, and it will make it so every bit of magic you now have will be explained to you. Something like accelerated lessons.”

“Isn’t that the same as more magic?” Aurora laughed again. The worry