The Reindeer's Spell
The Reindeer's Spell
The Paranormal Council #12
Laura Greenwood
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Author Note
Also by Laura Greenwood
About Laura Greenwood
© 2021 Laura Greenwood
* * *
All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the published, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher at “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the email address; lauragreenwood@authorlauragreenwood.co.uk.
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The Reindeer's Spell is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Blurb
Eustace has always focused more on his job as a doctor than his role in the shifter community, especially when it comes to the witch distracting him at every turn.
Being able to see the future has made it hard for Reagan to connect with anyone, especially when all people want is to find out what it has in store for them. But when she sees a disaster at a charity ball, she knows she has to do everything she can to stop it, even if it means turning to the man she's trying to stay away from.
Can the two of them work together to save the party? And will they give in to what's growing between them in the process?
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The Reindeer's Spell is part of the Paranormal Council series and is Reagan and Eustace's complete story.
One
Reagan
* * *
The room was decked out in brilliant white, with icicles hanging from the ceiling and glittering piles of snow artfully scattered around the outside of the room. Reagan didn't need to touch any of it to know that it was real. She was in the Fae Winter Court, there was no need for fake snow when any of the fae women in the room could uphold them with magic. It was unfortunate that she wouldn't be able to recreate anything like it for any of her clients.
She slipped through the crowd and headed towards where her brother stood with a baby in his arms.
"Can I hold her?" she asked.
Josh nodded. "You can hold Clemmy in a bit too, Rueben has her at the moment."
Which meant that it was Belle he was handing to her. She was glad he'd told her. With her head covered, the baby could have been either of the twins.
"Hello," Reagan said, holding out her finger for Belle to grab.
The baby's fingers curled around hers, holding on tightly.
"Careful, or she won't let go," Josh warned her.
Reagan chuckled. "She'll have to eventually. She has a big destiny to fulfil."
"So you keep saying," he muttered.
"You're the one mated to a Fae Queen," she pointed out. "It's not my fault that makes your daughters princesses, and isn't it better that they have a throne each rather than ending up with one of them resenting the other?"
"I'd rather they just got a chance to be children," he responded.
"And they will. Stars help them when they start dating with three fathers around."
Josh growled softly.
Reagan raised an eyebrow. "Careful, your fangs will start showing."
"I don't have fangs."
"Then stop growling." She clicked her fingers and made a small circle of sparks dance over the baby.
Belle giggled and let go of Reagan's fingers to try and grab them. With a small smile on her face, Reagan moved her hand, directing the sparks to dance and escape the little girl's grasp. The spell wouldn't do anything other than entertaining her niece, but sometimes it was fun to do just that.
Whispers started around the room as a portal opened in the middle and Eira stepped through it, looking as radiant as ever with her long silvery-white hair intricately woven into plaits, allowing her crown to perch on her head. The gown she wore didn't seem particularly practical for being in a snowy field, but it was perfect for the celebration taking place in the palace.
"It is done," Eira called out, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, with the exception of the baby in Reagan's arms. "The winter has been called and the season has begun."
The fae cheered, the sound almost deafening to the other guests in the room. Reagan wasn't the only non-fae here, though she was probably the only one who wasn't a consort. Her invite came courtesy of Josh. There were some advantages to being the sister-in-law of the Fae Queen Of Winter.
"Now, we celebrate," Eira announced.
The fae took her words to heart and went right back to what they'd been doing before. Eira swept towards them, appearing more radiant than ever. Reagan assumed it was a combination of the season changing to winter, and motherhood. Whatever it was, it worked for her.
"Reagan, you made it," she said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.
"I did, thank you for the invitation. I don't think I've ever been to a ball like this before," she admitted.
"It takes some getting used to," Eira admitted. "But it's become an event I wouldn't want to miss."
"Probably because it would mean the end of the world as we know it," Josh muttered.
"I'd still call winter, even if we didn't have the ball," Eira pointed out. "That part isn't negotiable."
Belle let out a small cry which was surprisingly loud for such a small being.
"I'll go get her a bottle," Josh said, reaching out to take her.
"I can go," Eira offered.
He shook his head. "You need to stay here. You can't disappear so early in the night," he reminded her.
Eira sighed. "I hate it when you're right."
"No you don't." He leaned in and kissed her gently.
Reagan turned away, both wanting to give them privacy, and not wanting to witness her brother kissing his mate. Some things weren't meant to be witnessed.
"It's safe now," Eira assured her, seeming more amused than anything else.
Reagan turned back. "How are you feeling? Any problems like last year?"
Eira shook her head. "It seems that really was a pregnancy thing. So long as I avoid getting pregnant again, I should be safe."
Reagan chuckled. "You say that like having a third child is a bad thing."
Eira groaned. "Don't tell me you've seen anything."
"I haven't," Reagan promised. "Not yet, anyway. There's still time."
"Well I'm still not planning on more. What happens if I can't control the magic next time and something bad happens?"
"Nothing will," Reagan promised. "It just took some getting used to before."
Eira sig
hed. "I hope you're right. I'd never have gotten through it without your mate."
"Mmhmm." Reagan tried to look everywhere except at her sister-in-law.
"Is he here? I'd have thought he'd want an update on the twins?"
"He's not," Reagan admitted.
"I'm surprised, I thought he'd come with you."
"That would involve him admitting that we're mates. He's still refusing to admit that we are." She tried not to let her disappointment come through her voice.
"This sounds like a conversation that needs a glass of wine to go along with it."
"A big one," Reagan muttered.
Eira offered her arm, which Reagan took gladly, letting the Queen guide her towards the refreshment table.
"So, what's going on?" Eira asked.
"That's a good question. Eustace is convinced that if we act on the attraction we feel, it's going to result in a false mating and cause us problems."
"He's still using that excuse?" Eira handed Reagan a glass of wine, which she accepted gratefully. "I thought he'd get past that once you'd visited us here."
Reagan sighed. "I'd hoped so too, but he hasn't changed his mind at all. If anything, it's gotten worse." She took a sip of wine, enjoying the tart taste.
"Have you tried trapping him in a situation where he can't get away from you?" Eira suggested.
Reagan's eyes widened. "I can't do that. If he doesn't want to be with me, I'm not going to force him."
"Hmm, good point."
"I'm just going to have to wait until he changes his mind. He's going to realise at some point." She hoped. It was difficult to still feel positive about it when it had been so long without them sealing their bond.
"I know you're right."
"But you wish I wasn't."
"Don't you?" Eira asked.
"I don't know," Reagan answered. "Though maybe a ball isn't the best place to talk about the aimlessness of my life."
Eira raised an eyebrow. "No news on the position with the Witch Council?"
"No good news," Reagan muttered. "They went with someone else, the niece of someone important, but I didn't recognise her name. Another spot opened up more recently, but they gave it to Bex Thornheart because of the work she did bringing down the witch hunters."
"Is that a good thing?"
Reagan nodded. "Bex will be good for the witches."
"You don't wish it was you in her place?"
Reagan shrugged. "Bex is a good choice, she'll do everything she can to protect us, and that's what a Council member is supposed to do. I don't think it's something I really want to do, though if they seek me out again, I'm not going to turn it down."
Eira snorted. "That's something I understand."
Reagan nodded her agreement, well aware that her sister-in-law hadn't been born knowing she was going to be a queen.
"But none of it matters. I've got plenty of parties to plan, and nieces to spoil. I can worry about my love life later."
Eira raised an eyebrow. "Those are famous last words."
"I hope so," Reagan muttered. As much as she wished Eustace would allow them to act on their mating bond, she wasn't about to start rushing him.
Fate had chosen them to be together, she had to trust that it knew what it was doing.
Two
Eustace
* * *
Eustace closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he went into the breakroom. Despite the fact he'd technically be off work for the next fifteen minutes, he knew he wasn't going to get any peace. Either one of the nurses would need his help deciphering a fellow doctor's handwriting, or he'd end up having to console one of his co-workers after they'd lost a patient. Not that he minded doing either of those things. Patient care was the most important thing to him, just like it was to most of the medical staff, though he could think of one or two that might not care as much as they should.
But no matter how much he cared, sometimes, he needed a moment to himself, and this was one of those times. The day had been non-stop. Eustace had no idea if people had made some kind of pact about getting injured today, but the Accident & Emergency department had definitely felt that way.
Voices came down the corridor, announcing that he wasn't going to be alone for much longer. He opened his eyes and headed into the breakroom.
At least he'd be able to grab his sandwich from the fridge and make himself a cup of coffee that would actually stay hot.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he entered and realised Nurse Jones was the only one in the room. He knew she preferred not talking to anyone while she was eating, which meant he'd be able to focus on his own thoughts.
He set off the coffee maker and grabbed his sandwich, settling down at one of the tables at the back of the room. He pulled out his phone and tried not to feel too disappointed about the fact Reagan hadn't messaged him. Normally she sent something while he was on the late shift, even if it was just a funny photo to make him laugh.
But tonight was different. It took him a moment to remember that she was in the fae realm at a ball. It had been hard to tell her no, but he didn't trust himself to be in such a romantic setting with her. It would end up with him claiming her as his mate, and he didn't want her to feel as if he tricked her into it.
He pulled up their message chain and typed out a quick message saying he hoped she was having a good time. It wasn't much, but he wanted her to know that he was thinking about her.
The door to the breakroom swung open, pulling him from his thoughts.
"Ah, Eustace, Nurse Roberts said I'd find you here," his boss said.
Inwardly, Eustace groaned, but he managed to put a forced smile on his face instead. "How can I help?" Had something gone wrong with one of his patients? He thought he'd had everything covered, but there was always a chance he'd missed something, no one was infallible, even if they were like him and had the advantages of being paranormal.
"We have a problem with the gala."
Eustace raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it just a case of doing it the same way we did last year?" And every other year since he'd joined the hospital.
"You'd think. But the party planner has cancelled on us and taken all of her plans and contacts with her." Fabien pushed his hand through his hair, the stress of the situation clearly getting to him.
"Can she do that?"
"I don't think it matters whether she can, it's what she's done."
"What do you need from me?" He had a bad feeling about what was coming next.
A sheepish look crossed Fabien's face and he laughed uncomfortably. "I need to find volunteers to take over the planning."
"Of the most important charity ball of the year?"
"And the children's event beforehand."
Eustace suppressed a groan. No one would want to see either of them cancelled. The children's event was one that brought a glimpse of joy to children stuck in the paediatric ward over the festive season, and the charity gala was an event that raised tens of thousands that they could allocate to the families of sick patients.
"Have you had any luck finding anyone?" he asked.
"Not yet. Do you think you could help?"
"I'm not sure I'm the best person for party planning," he admitted. "I have no experience."
"It would only be a one-time thing..."
Eustace's phone buzzed and he glanced down at it automatically to see Reagan's name pop up on the screen. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of being able to talk to her again, even if he'd never admit to that.
"What if I could find us a replacement party planner?" Eustace asked, an idea starting to form that meant he'd solve his boss' problem, and get to spend more time with Reagan. It was dangerous to be around her for too long, but for the gala, there would be plenty of others around and that would help him keep enough distance between them to be safe.
"This close to Christmas? If you could do that, then I might start thinking you have magical gifts."
Eustace chuckled, but didn't share the truth
with his very human boss. Paranormals weren't supposed to reveal their existence to anyone else.
"I have a friend who might be available. I can't promise anything until I've talked to her."
"And she's a party planner?"
Eustace nodded. "And a good one. If she's available, I'm sure she'll help." He was positive that he was telling the truth about Reagan helping if she could, but his boss was right about the timing. The chances were high that she had another commitment.
"Thanks, Eustace." Fabien looked visibly relieved. "Let me know either way. I might have to cancel the gala if not."
Eustace nodded. "I'll ask her tomorrow."
"Great. I'll get all the requirements and budget information ready in case she says yes. I'll see you in a bit. Good work." He waved to Eustace and left the room.
Eustace sighed and leaned back in his chair. He unlocked his phone and clicked onto his message chain with Reagan.
It wasn't just a message she'd sent either, but a photo of her in a gorgeous dark blue ball gown. The background glittered with snow and ice. Either she was still in the fae realm, or she'd saved the photo to send to him when she got back.
>
He wished that too, especially with her looking as beautiful as she always did. He checked the room to make sure no one was paying him any attention and snapped a photo of his own, a rather fed up expression on his face.
>
>
A small smile spread over his face. Considering he'd been there at the twins' birth, he probably would believe how much they had.