Chapter Six
Amy got a call at work, and when she answered, Emmers was on the line with a sexy, sleepy voice. “Amy, I know it is last-minute, but my grandmother has arrived in town and is demanding that we meet with her.”
“Oh. Shit. Um, sure. Where?”
“The Glacier. She likes to eat where things are chilly.”
“Oh, um. Sure. When?”
“Six? We have reservations under Frostclaw.”
“Wait, is that your last name?”
“Zip it.” She could hear the smile in his tone. “I will see you then. Dress warm, or don’t, and I can keep my arm around you.”
She smiled. “I will see you there at six. Shit. I have to go home and change. Bye!”
He was laughing when she disconnected the call.
Amy wanted to rush out of her office, but instead, she logged off, locked up, and locked her door before closing her department right on time for a change. Benny was there early and grinned. “Where are you going?”
“I have a date... I think... that or an expensive banishment. Either way, I have to figure out what to wear.” Amy waved and continued to her car in the staff lot. What the hell am I going to wear?
She looked at the women who were walking in and sighed when she was dressed appropriately for the restaurant.
Amy got out of her car and grabbed her small purse, moving her arms free of the handkerchief sleeves that swung gracefully but would let her eat without being confined.
The cocktail dress was ice blue with small beads along the neckline and hem.
It was understated and pretty, even if it was above her knees by an inch or two. Or three.
She walked across the parking lot with her four-inch heels clicking as she moved. She knew she looked insanely tall, but next to Emmers, she would just look statuesque.
As she walked into the cool air of the restaurant, she checked, and she was precisely on time. The woman at the podium looked at her and smiled. “Hello, I am meeting my party here. The Frostclaws?”
“Oh, yes, miss. Please follow me.”
Amy didn’t fidget but followed the young woman at a suitable distance. She didn’t want to run her over. She saw Emmers and a woman with snowy hair whose gaze locked with Amy’s the moment she came into view. Emmers got up and held her chair out, putting her across the table from his grandmother.
Amy said, “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
Emmers’ grandmother looked at her. “You were right on time. You didn’t portal here?”
“No, ma’am. I didn’t. If this restaurant has anything I like, I don’t like portal transport on a full stomach.”
She arched her brows. “You haven’t been here before?”
“No, ma’am. This is primarily a date and special occasion restaurant. I have never had a reason to be here.”
“You don’t date?”
“No, ma’am.”
His grandmother looked at him. “You aim to change that, Cookie?”
He winced. “Yes, Grandma.”
“Well, then. Formal introductions.”
“Oh, shit. Right. Lady Heigara Amberoth Frostclaw, this is Amhoran Balloren or Amy.”
Amy inclined her head. “Pleased to meet you, Lady Frostclaw.”
“Call me Grandma.” The older woman with the sparkling blue eyes smiled. “Now, let’s order and then get to the meat of things.”
“Typical polar bear.” Amy smiled as she opened her menu.
Emmers coughed and had amusement in his eyes.
When the server came, Amy ordered a mocktail when it was her turn, and the young man bowed and left. Amy closed her menu, and Emmers’ grandmother was staring at her.
“How tall are you, dear?”
“Tall enough. It varies. This height fits this dress.” She shrugged and sipped at the water.
“Well, you are certainly lovely enough for Cookie...”
Emmers smacked his hand over his eyes.
“But your family situation requires some finessing. I have looked into your family, and they lack foresight. Making one-way banishments does not allow for growth.”
“And boy, did I grow.”
“Yes, Cookie has sent me images of you in your forms. You have three?”
“More as I can mix and match, but three main manifestations.”
“Can you put on your fox ears here?”
“I can. Is there a reason for it?”
“I have always thought fox ears were cute.”
Amy shrugged and put on her fox ears.
Lady Frostclaw was just about wiggling with happiness. “Oh, you look like a cuddly toy. Those ears are adorable. You and Cookie will have adorable babies.”
Amy was glad she wasn’t drinking.
“So, you and my grandson get along, yes?”
“Sure, unless he is chasing me as a raving bear and calling me a whore.”
“Haven’t forgiven me for that?”
“Nope. It was very public, and I still get folks handing me domestic violence pamphlets. I have to tell them repeatedly that I am not dating you.”
“Yet.”
“Cookie? What the hell did you do?”
“She showed up with some very nice earrings.”
Lady Frostclaw looked at her.
“I was tired of waiting for something nice, so I bought it for myself when I went to the Night Faire with friends. They were confidence enchanted.”
“Ah. I see. How old are you?”
“Third decade.”
“Ouch. Understandable then. Cookie, did you apologize?”
“I did, but it was still a hurtful attack.” He nodded. “And I am still sorry.”
Their drinks arrived, and they ordered their appetizers and mains.
“So, Vixen, you work with Cookie?”
“Yes, and no. I work with the evidence. If—” she fought her smirk, “—Cookie and I were to start a relationship, I would have to flag his evidence and get someone else to take it over for me once it was filed. I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
“Why not, dear?”
“Because if it wasn’t in favour of the agents, the theory is that I might be tempted to tamper with the evidence. I agree. So, I know the rules, and if we start anything, I have red-flagged all the evidence that he or his team are involved with.”
“So, you have integrity.”
“Sure. I like my job. I like the benefits and the holidays, and for the most part, the people I work with are okay.”
“How did you two meet?” Grandma smiled.
Amy looked to Emmers. “Did you want to explain?”
“Oh, no. You were the winner. You get bragging rights.”
Amy grinned. “Well, there was a friend of a friend who was having a housewarming party, and they needed a champion for the lord and lady of the property to run through challenges. They called me. I wrestled Emmers in my ice giant form. I helped the ladies win the football match, and finally, I went off for a hunt with some dark elves and fluff-n-stuff here following me. I managed to elude them for the appropriate portion of time, but I did cheat. Well, not technically cheating, but the guys all looked like I slapped them.”
She grinned, and Emmers took her hand and squeezed it.
“Well, after that, fuzzball here got a little overexcited, so I stood in his embrace and literally cooled him down. That’s when he really started sniffing and a bit of licking.”
His grandmother looked at him and said, “Cookie. No tasting potential girlfriends until you get authorization first.”
He grinned, unrepentant, and snagged some bruschetta.
Amy asked, “Lady—” The glare she got from the older woman was intense. “Um, Grandma, why isn’t my family status an issue?”
“My family has a mix of different northern species, and there are a few humans in the mix. We don’t banish ours. We help them to find ways to survive in our hostile environment. If they want to leave, they are welcome to return. They are family, not just symbols of the frozen spaces.”
Amy smiled. “That’s a very good way of thinking of it. I wish my family had managed to evolve that way.”
Grandma chuckled. “They are thinking about it now. I have been tormenting your grandmother with images of your transformed states. She’s freaking out and trying to figure out how to un-banish you.
I have another clan for you to join, and they will sponsor you for whatever you wish to do with Cookie. ”
The empty appetizer plates were whisked away, and the mains were set in front of them.
“That sounds like he’s going to be staked out on an igloo.”
Emmers laughed but started eating his very large steak.
Grandma glanced at him. “He’d do it. Anything to find a little fox of his own to cuddle with. Cookie is a huge hugger. The only way I could get him off was to offer him a cookie.”
Amy was tackling a Cornish hen stuffed with stuff that tasted delightful, smooth potatoes, and vegetables that didn’t look like vegetables. They looked like flowers and vines. She was halfway through her plate when she looked around. “Mostly shifters.”
“Most of the northern folk burn a lot of calories. Bigger portions are standard. You have really never been here?” Emmers frowned.
“No. I already said this place is for special occasions or dates, and none of my friends are fans of cold weather, so this would be uncomfortable for them.” She shrugged and kept eating.
Emmers paused. “Did you want to try the steak?”
She paused and looked at him. “Um, sure.”
He held out his fork, and she took the chunk of steak off the tines. It was delightful. “That is really good.”
Grandma was looking with a smug smile on her lips.
Thinking about fairness, Amy said, “Did you want to try some of the tiny chicken?”
He grinned and nodded. “I never bother with it because I would have to order three. I have wondered what it tastes like.”
She loaded a fork and held it out for him. He leaned toward her, and she could feel his teeth scraping on the fork. Grandma was looking delighted.
When Amy returned to her food, she could taste him on her fork.
Grandma was chortling as she took her pork chop apart. “So, Cookie, how have you two been getting along after your outburst?”
“Amhoran has stuck me in the friendzone. She refers to me as buddy, and we do no more than a kiss on the cheek.”
Grandma continued eating and said, “How do you like that particular turn of things?”
Emmers grimaced. “Not at all, but as she has stated, she is not allowed into half of the cities and enclaves up north, no matter her adaptations.”