CHAPTER I

A scream rent the air around Talion only a moment before one of laughter followed in its wake. Talion stopped to watch a young woman glide down the slopes on skies that slid over perfectly formed layers of snow. This year the slopes were well padded, a skier’s dream. There were many people gliding or jumping over the mounds, as if to give their spirits flight. Talion smiled as he watched the expressions on their faces and allowed their delight to surround him. It was this Talion had been missing, the sharing of joy, and the elation of others. Talion moved closer to absorb more of the thrill of the moment from the ambience of the scene, and he felt complete.

“Lyra,” a voice called a moment before Talion moved, and a young man flashed past on his way to the bottom of the slopes. “Quit your dreaming and get a move on.”

Talion smiled as he pulled his mind away from his thoughts and chased after the man. By now, all he could see of him were the powdery mists of snow flying in his wake. Talion wasn’t worried about losing him though. He was faster and better on his skies. Talion laughed as he caught up to this stranger. Then chose a mound of snow to use for a foundation for his jump. A moment later, Talion was airborne, and gleeful.

Talion was not alone in his elation, for other skiers followed his example, so close on his heels, Talion could almost feel the heat of their breath on the back of his neck. Someone was determined to catch up with him with the intention of passing him. Talion was equally determined not to allow it to happen. Faster and faster, they plowed down the side of the mountain until they reached the base and came to a snow-misted stop. Both Talion and his challenger were laughing, their breaths labored with their efforts, as their eyes shone in elation.

The mystery skier smiled widely. “That was fun. Do you want to do it again? Or are you ready to call it a day?”

Talion replied, “I can do this for as long as you.”

The mystery skier crowed, “Then the challenge has been issued and accepted. I have yet to be defeated on the slopes.”

Talion quickly accepted and replied, “Prepare to be bested, for I won’t stop until I am victorious.”

Lyra arrived just in time to hear the challenge issued. She watched her friend with the stranger, and then, as her friend removed her goggles and helmet, she commented, “Well, we both know how this day will end, as it always does. In a draw, with everyone sitting in the common room of the chateau, sipping cocoa and watching the fire crackle on the hearth in a semi-sleep state of exhaustion. No one will give an inch, and you will both sleep like the dead when it is over.”

A single look at the beautiful young Elven woman who had challenged him had convinced Talion he had found his Life Mate. Equally important, she was one of the two Elves he had been sent to hunt down. If everything went well, they could be heading for home by the time this day was over.

With the end of his task in sight, Talion decided he could afford to spend some time playing, and this was the perfect place to do it. First, Talion wanted to know the name of the Elf who would be spending this time with him. He offered his hand to Lyra first, and then introduced himself. “I am Talion.”

Lyra grinned as she reached out to shake Talion’s hand and replied, “I am Lyra, and my athletic friend is Raine.”

Talion immediately held his hand out to take Raine’s. “Raine?”

Raine rolled her eyes expressively, expecting to get teased as she often did about her name despite the sense that this man was different somehow. “I know. How could someone with a name like Raine love snow so much?”

Talion chuckled as he replied, “That is what happens when an Ice Elf falls in love with a High Elf. You get the best of both worlds.”

Much to Talion’s surprise, Raine seemed not to react to his comment at all, though he thought she should have. Raine just bent, took off her skis, and headed for the lifts to the top of the slopes. It was Lyra who showed signs of being disturbed by what Talion said.

The moment they were alone, Lyra reached out, grabbed Talion’s sleeve, and asked, “What kind of comment was that?”

Talion tried to look innocent as he spoke. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Lyra narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you dare try to hand me that innocent act. It isn’t going to fly.” Lyra reached out and placed a hand to Talion’s ear and gave a satisfied hum. “Just as I thought. You are going to have a lot of explaining to do when Raine returns, if she does.”

This was not what Talion wanted to hear. “What do you mean, if Raine returns?”

Lyra replied, “Do you think for a moment Raine didn’t catch on to you the same way I did?”

Still trying to sound somewhat dense, which wasn’t far from the way things were at the moment, Talion replied, “Forgive me if it seems like I am not following your meaning.”

Lyra sighed, not really surprised. “I think we better have a talk before Raine gets back. Follow me.”