They walked up the stairs and at the top of the stairs was a servant who was handing out the room keys. "Baron du Lac, room 7." She handed him the key. "And Nimir-Ra Ashante, you're room . . . " she paused a bit checking the registry Charles had given to her. "Ah...room 6." She handed Miha the key.

She took the key from the servant with a nod and arched a brow. "Are these rooms next to each other?" She looked over to Merrick thoughtfully.

"I would presume that they are, but we'll just have to go see." He was hoping that they were. He would not be too surprised. Maria and Gaida were here all the time, and Stefan and David stayed here more then in their own homes. He had no doubt that Firesong has spent much time in Lord Longden's bed. Charles would have a room on the servant's quarters on the third floor. It would leave himself, Miha, Targon and Sharon as the only guests who did not actually reside here. The castle was not looking so large after all. The rooms 1-4 were on the hallway that led to the Count's study, 5-8 were down a hallway that turned to the left. "Hmm...it does seem that our rooms are together with 5 and 6 being on the right side of the hall and 7 and 8 being on the left." Merrick grinned, "We could purchase this castle and make it into a hotel."

She laughed softly and murmured, "And here I was hoping for adjoining rooms. The little door makes it convenient.?

"Yeah, well tell you what, you go in room 6 and I'll see if I can get mine changed to 5. Be right back." He headed down the hall smiling. She actually wanted to have adjoining rooms!

She chuckled softly. She was looking forward tonight. As he was arranging his room, she sent a message off to Akiko and Damon telling them to head home.

It was only a few minutes later when he returned. It was fortunate that they had left before everyone else. Room 5 was to be Targon's but he was able to make the switch. He went inside his room, locked the door behind him, then poured two glasses of brandy and went to the adjoining door and knocked.

She opened the door, having gotten comfortable. She smiled gently and allowed him entrance.

He was standing there with his shoulder leaning against the door frame, a glass of brandy in his hand. "Hello there, neighbor. Just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood with this glass of the Count's finest brandy."

She chuckled softly and accepted the glass from him, "Right neighborly of you." Those eyes could not help but roam the line of his form in appreciation of the view.

He picked up his own glass and entered. He noticed that each room was different in subtle ways, but each was furnished with fine furniture, canopied bed, woolen dyed rugs, a fireplace, and liquor and food provided on silver trays. "Well, it's easy to be neighborly when I have such a beautiful neighbor." He moved closer, raised his glass to hers and took a sip.

The glasses clinked together lightly and she took a sip. "Indeed especially coming from one so handsome."

That comment made him smile. He placed his hand on her forearm and rubbed up and down. "Because of you, I'm glad I came here tonight".

She took a step closer to him, "I almost didn't come, however the night has definitely improved." She smiled up at him.

His hand moved to her face, moving back a little strand of hair as he looked from her eyes to her lips. "Yes, it has," he said softly.

She set her brandy aside and leaned up to him. She boldly placed a light kiss on his lips. It didn't bother her one bit that she only had just met him.

He was surprised and delighted with the kiss, and was not about to let this opportunity pass. He set his glass next to hers and took Miha into his strong arms, and this time he initiated the kiss.

She purred into the kiss, lacing her arms around his neck. She pressed even closer to him. This night has been very interesting. She certainly did not expect anyone like the werewolves Ulfric.

He deepened the kiss, his mouth opening upon hers, enjoying her taste and closeness, feeling her trim, and shapely body against his. His hand that was on her back lowered and pulled her in tight against him.

One of her hands laced into his hair as she parted her lips to him. She savored his taste and breathed in his scent. The wolf was intoxicating to her.

Who would have ever thought, in a million years, that he would be with the Nimir-ra of a pard, and finding her the most beautiful, desirable, sexy woman he could ever imagine. He knew she could feel his arousal press against her, but he didn't want to hide his desire for her, or what she was doing to him. His tongue tasted hers, pressing against it and exploring around it as soft sighs of delight came from deep within.

Her purr mingled softly with soft mewls of pleasure. She knew he could scent her arousal. She felt his desire and it spurred hers onward.

He broke the kiss on her mouth only to explore her neck with his lips. "Mmmm...maybe we don't need two rooms after all," he hummed against her ear.

She purred softly, "If nothing else, for appearances sake. Though with this assemble, who cares." She nuzzled into his cheek.

He laughed and picked her up into his arms. "You have a very good point there, my sweet." He brought her to the bed and laid her down upon it and began to kiss her again.

She purred as he laid her down in the bed. Her lips met his hungrily. Her hands exploring him through the cover of his clothing.

Just being in bed with Miha was worth sitting through a thousand such meetings. He kissed her deeply and moved his hand down her leg, nearly to her knee, and then back up, over her hip and to her breast. Even beneath the clothing her body felt firm and delicious.

She was returning that kiss as her figure found the buttons of his shirt. She purred as nimble fingers started opening those buttons.

Later that week Mihaela was lounging on the couch in the Teas?n Tomes Coffee Shop, a cup of coffee near her hand and the scent of gingerbread around her.

The Alpha werewolf walked into the shop to get a cup of cafe mocha before heading to the back, not noticing Mihaela at first. He went up to the girl at the counter. "Cafe mocha, large. Oh, and one of those lemon poppyseed muffins please."

She heard his voice and watched him for a moment admiring him with a grin, then purred softly, "Good choice, handsome. The treats here are divine."

He turned around sudden and the smile grew across is face like a wave arriving on shore. "Well, well, this must be my lucky day. I definitely see at least one treat who is absolutely divine."

Mihaela was smiling that gentle smile that she reserved for those she cared about as she regarded him, "And here I was thinking the same thing handsome."

His cafe mocha was still being made when he sauntered up to Miha, put his hands upon her upper arms and then brought his mouth close to hers and whispered, "I've missed you."

She purred softly, "I've missed you, too." She closed the remaining distance and kissed him softly.

He did not want to kiss to end, but then he heard, "Your order is ready, sir" from behind. He broke the kiss and smiled. "Mind if I join you over here?"

"I don't mind at all, in fact I was rather hoping you would."

Merrick gave Miha a wink, paid for and picked up his order, and came back to where she was sitting. "You come here often? It's my first time."

She nodded to him and made room on the couch, "Yes, I find it more peaceful than the Inn and the chance for intelligent conversation increases."

He grinned and took a sip of his drink. "Yeah, intelligent life seems to be rare around there." His hand just reached out stroked her back. He needed to touch her. "How are things going at home? Tree still standing?" He smiled and broke off a piece of the muffin.

She scooted closer to him and leaned close. "Oh yes. The young ones love it."

He held up a small piece of the lemon poppy seed muffin to her lips. "Try this, my love. It's delicious."

She carefully took the piece of muffin and nipped lightly at his fingers, "Hmmm, it is."

He grinned at the nip, then licked his fingers. "Mmmm...not bad at all." He leaned closer and put his arm around her shoulders so that his face was very close to hers. "It's good, but I know what's a whole lot better."

She nestled in drawing her legs up beside her and turns her face to his, "I bet."

He placed a kiss upon her cheek and moved his lips to her ear, "So, when can I come for another visit? Do you think everyone will be able to stand me again?"

She purred softly, "Anytime you wish, and I don't expect my second to trust easily."

He wasn't going to say what he thought of her second, he would give it a chance. "Well, then it's not going to be long." He just looked into her eyes, "You are so beautiful." She had him forgetting that he was even hungry.

She purred softly, "I could always come to your place too, handsome."

He smiled and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I would like that." He looked at the time. "Speaking of that, I need to be getting back to the pack. We're having a little family meeting tonight."

She nuzzled his hand, though her smile faded, "Alright. Stay safe, my love."

He brought his lips to hers and kissed her, a little more intensely than before, and slow to end. He pulled back and just looked into her eyes and whispered, ?How about I come over tomorrow night? I've got some great holiday mulled cider I'd like to bring. All we'll need to do is warm it up and sit before a fire. How does that sound?"

She purred into his kiss, "(vq) That sounds wonderful. I hope we can have more a handful of stolen moments."

He nodded and smiled. "I've got a feeling we will, baby." He stood up and gave her a wink, and headed out the door.

Baron Merrick du Lac had been given the special permission to enter the home of Miha?s pard, and this particular evening he did just that ? and rather stealthily. He passed quietly through the rooms until he saw Miha standing there, and looking over her stuffies.

The baron smiled and walked up behind her and placed a kiss upon her neck from behind. Then his arms came around her, and in one hand was a box of chocolate truffles laced with brandy. In the other hand was a smaller box that contained a necklace, specially made with a platinum wolf and panther standing side-by-side. The same hand contained the Valentine?s card that read:

To Mihaela

I never felt a love like this before
A love that's like no other
A love that makes you smile from ear to ear
A love I have always hoped for.

A love that is joyful and without any fear
A love with no pain or doubt
A love that sheds no sorrowful tear
A love that is beautiful from the inside out.

A love with soul, so tender and true
A love that I have found
Only in you...

Be my Valentine . . . please,
Merrick du Lac

?Happy Valentine?s Day, my sweet,? he whispered against her ear.