"What happens after "The Nutcracker " ends?"

After the terrible battle with the Mouse King's forces left her family decimated, elf Melflouise, "Melle", left her people and the reminders of her loss to work for the fae. A former archer in the elf militia, she is now an assistant cook and maid in the Sugar Plum Fairy's castle. Melle decides to get a glimpse of the elusive Nutcracker Prince, Branagh, when he makes his annual visit to his aunt. Mille sneaks into his room and waits for his arrival.

Prince Branagh has mixed feelings every Christmas. It's a relief to leave his parents' palace to visit his aunt. But the memories of the love he lost are bittersweet. Of course, his severe injuries from the battle with the Mouse King are a constant reminder. Since the fae place such value on beauty, he uses glamour to mask the severity of his impairment. When he sees an elf maid in his room, Branagh assumes she's been sent to him by his aunt.

Both Melle and Branagh find acceptance in each other. They experience an instant interest and act on that attraction. Melle doesn't see a crippled man, unworthy of being heir to the fae throne. She sees a brave warrior who should bear his scars with pride. Branagh finds her elfin outlook refreshing. And her elf song, the wordless song she sings at the height of orgasm, is intoxicating. Too bad he can't have a future with her. Or can he?

ELF SONG is a twist on the perennial Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Have you ever wondered what happens after the end of the story? Now you can see for yourself what may have transpired! With some plot threads left unfinished, it's evident that Ms. Winston intends to pen a sequel to this short story. I enjoyed this tale and admired the loyalty both Branagh and Melle display for the other, despite their short acquaintance. Savor another entry in the Twelve Quickies of Christmas from Ellora's Cave.

Sensuality: Rated E-rotic by the publisher. Explicit sex, public sex, anal sex; sexually explicit scenes: 6.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance Reviews
Posted December 22, 2003

Summary

Though he is in great demand at the court, Branagh, the Nutcracker Prince, has sought no mate and found no one to fill his needs.

Melflouise Fairnight, once an archer in the elf militia, now a kitchen maid in the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy wanted only to catch a glimpse of the secretive Nutcracker Prince. She never dreamed he'd desire her, or that his loving could free the elf song she'd kept caged since her husband's death.

Their unexpected passion forces Branagh to make a terrible choice, between his kingdom and his woman.