North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Read online

  Cupid returned the waves of the many elves and sugarplum faeries who they passed. Elflings ran behind their sleigh and around them, though they made certain to stay clear of Nutmeg’s hooves. Cupid was humbled by the adoration they received wherever they went. Although they were celebrities, Cupid never felt like one. He loved what he did and felt honored to have been chosen for such a wondrous position. With a snap of Blitz’s wrists, Nutmeg picked up his speed, and they were off on the main road leading out of North Pole City.

  There was a vast expanse of snowy field to cross before they could get to the borders of the Enchanted Woods. The bells on their sleigh continued to jingle merrily, and Cupid hummed his favorite Christmas carol. He rummaged through one of the baskets at his feet and drew out a sugar cookie.

  “Would you like one?”

  “I’d love one.” Blitz opened his mouth. With a chuckle, Cupid broke off a piece and placed it in Blitz’s mouth. “You make the best cookies,” Blitz said through his mouthful.

  “Oh, are these the ones I made for you yesterday?” Cupid noticed the blue-and-white sprinkles. They were. He was surprised Blitz had any left. Usually they were gone the same day Cupid made them.

  Blitz nodded before he swallowed. “I was saving them. What better way to have lunch than sharing them with you?”

  Cupid didn’t know what to reply. Instead he took the other piece of cookie and put it to Blitz’s lips. He opened his mouth and Cupid popped the cookie in, surprised when Blitz closed his mouth with Cupid’s fingers between his lips. Now Cupid was quite certain his face was on fire. He slowly pulled his fingers out, his eyes meeting Blitz’s when he heard a dreadful sound.

  “Blitz?”

  “Hmm?”

  “What’s that sound?”

  Nutmeg made the most frightening noise and he jerked to the right. Cupid let out a yelp as he was squished up against Blitz, who threw an arm around him and held on tight. A shadow spread out from the Enchanted Woods toward them, covering the white snow in darkness like a blanket.

  “What is that?” Cupid wasn’t too proud to admit he clung on to Blitz for dear life. He’d never seen anything like this. It was terribly disconcerting. The shadow grew, and Blitz took hold of the reins.

  “Hold on tight!” Blitz pulled the reins to the left and Nutmeg changed direction, heading west and away from the spreading shadow. Hundreds of crows burst from the forest, screeching and squawking as they followed the shadow from the skies. The wind whipped at them and Cupid held on to Blitz, hoping, whatever the strange darkness was, that it would go away.

  Cupid glanced behind him. “It’s following us!”

  Blitz chanced a look over his shoulder and cursed under his breath. He urged Nutmeg to run as fast as he could, his hooves barely touching the snow as he bounded for the west side of the Enchanted Woods. The ominous shadow spread toward them, kicking up cascades of snow as it chased them. It was malevolent, and gave Cupid a terrible feeling.

  “Hide under the blankets,” Blitz ordered.

  “What?”

  “Get under the blankets. They’ll shield you from the snow and perhaps whatever that shadow is.”

  “What about you?” Cupid refused to leave Blitz out here on his own to face who knew what.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  The wind whipped furiously, icy needles scratching at Cupid’s skin. He bundled up tight, but he refused to cower while Blitz fought to get them to safety.

  “Cupid, for holly’s sake!” Blitz’s voice could barely be heard over the roaring wind. The cascades of snow crashed against the sides of the sleigh like waves against a cliff. Whatever it was, it wasn’t Jack’s doing. Jack would never do anything to harm them, and he would never be so cruel as to send such a wicked force. Cupid threw his arms around Blitz and shut his eyes tight. His first instinct was to try to get word to Jack on the wind, but if they involved Jack, the surprise might be ruined. Then again, there wouldn’t be much of a surprise if they didn’t get through this alive.

  “We’re almost there!” Blitz tugged at the reins and Nutmeg took a sharp turn, the sleigh bouncing up off the snow. Cupid would have lifted off his seat if he hadn’t been holding on to Blitz. The forest lay ahead, a beacon of light and safety. Nutmeg swerved and darted from one side to the other in the hopes of giving them a bit more time. The shadow seemed to swallow everything in sight, and Cupid feared it might swallow them at any moment.

  Just as Cupid hoped, the moment they sped into the Enchanted Woods, the shadow fell away. Even so Blitz didn’t let up on the reins. He clearly wanted to get away from the menacing darkness. There was a chance it might not harm them, but Cupid had a feeling it served a purpose. Why else would it give chase?

  Cupid retained his firm grip on Blitz until they slowed down, and eventually Nutmeg stopped by a creek for some water and rest. Blitz quickly turned to Cupid, rubbing Cupid’s arms with his hands.

  “Are you all right?”

  Cupid nodded, and a shiver went through him, less from the cold and more from whatever they’d just escaped. He was surprised when Blitz pulled him into his embrace, one hand over Cupid’s head and his words hushed.

  “I’m glad. I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you.”

  Cupid was further taken aback by Blitz’s unsteady voice. He pulled away and met Blitz’s gaze. “I’m all right.”

  “Why didn’t you listen to me and get under the blankets?” Blitz asked, his frown deep.

  “I couldn’t leave you out and exposed by yourself. Did you really think I would?” Cupid took Blitz’s hand in his. “You’re my best friend. What would I have done without you?”

  Blitz let out a sigh. “We’re quite the stubborn pair, aren’t we?” He took the reins as Nutmeg sneaked in a little grazing after his drink and rest. They were ready to move again. “What do you suppose that was? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Neither have I. Do you think we should have sent word to Jack?”

  “I thought about it. But I knew you wouldn’t wish to ruin Rudy’s surprise. Jack would undoubtedly begin to investigate. There’s no telling if the wind would have listened. Perhaps if we come across something like that again?”

  Cupid nodded. He agreed completely. They had no idea what they’d been up against. There was a strange niggling feeling in the pit of Cupid’s stomach that wouldn’t let him be, but for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what it was. “We should stay on our guard, just in case,” he told Blitz.

  Blitz agreed. He wrapped an arm around Cupid and held the reins with the other. Cupid didn’t question it. Instead he leaned into Blitz, feeling wonderfully warm and safe in Blitz’s arms. Had he always felt that way? He supposed he had, but he just never gave it as much thought as he had lately.

  “So where is this dwarf?” Blitz asked.

  “On the other side of the woods, there’s a small village. She lives in a little red house.”

  “You don’t see many dwarves living among elves.”

  “Mrs. Spruce has always preferred the company of elves.” Cupid shrugged. “I couldn’t say why. She never spoke to my mother about it. Simply stated she preferred the elf villages. She’s a very kindly dwarf. I think you’ll like her.” He made himself comfortable again. Hopefully the rest of their journey would go smoothly. He couldn’t explain what had happened, but he hoped it was simply an odd occurrence that wouldn’t repeat itself. As long as he had Blitz, all would be well.

  Chapter 4

  It took several hours for the sleigh to cross the Enchanted Woods and enter the small village. They had four days before Rudy and Jack’s dinner party. It would be an intimate get-together with Jack’s cousins and the Rein Dears, which meant Blitz didn’t have to dress in formal attire. He seemed very pleased about that.

  Cupid was determined to find the Elska rose by then, or at least track down its whereabouts. He wouldn’t go back to Rudy with nothing. If anyone knew where to find the flower, it would be Mrs. Spruce. C
upid remembered the way she would find even the rarest of bulbs or seeds for his mother.

  The sun was beginning to set in the sky above, and soon it would be night. They’d have to stay at the inn and resume their search in the morning. Cupid had hoped to get to see Mrs. Spruce today, but the elderly dwarf would be in dreamland by now. They’d lost quite a bit of daylight running from the shadow. It was also quite nippy out.

  “Are you warm?” Blitz asked.

  Cupid snuggled closer. “I’m always warm when you’re around.”

  Blitz chuckled. “You’re adorable. Is it okay for me to say that? I know Dasher says it to you all the time and it annoys you. It’s probably the only thing he and I agree on,” he confessed.

  “I don’t mind you saying that.” Cupid smiled up at him. “I know when he says it he’s only teasing me. It’s different when you say it. It… means more.” Should he be saying such things? Why not? It was the truth. Is that the only truth you’ll give him? Cupid promptly told his traitorous mind to be quiet. His stubborn thoughts weren’t all that went quiet.

  Blitz seemed to go pensive for a moment. Before Cupid could ask, Blitz smiled down at him and kissed the top of his head. “We should get some dinner and then rest. We’ll visit Mrs. Spruce first thing in the morning.”

  Why did he feel so strange? His heart and pulse quickened, but he told himself it was just an innocent kiss, nothing more.

  “You’ve gone quiet.”

  “Oh, just a little tired.” Cupid hated fibbing, especially to Blitz, but he didn’t want him worrying.

  Luckily Blitz didn’t get a chance to question him as they’d arrived at the village inn. Blitz helped Cupid down. My, but it was frosty this evening. The snow fell in earnest when they entered the inn and stood at the small wood desk where a portly elf with bright red hair smiled at them from the other side.

  “Welcome!” she said excitedly.

  “Thank you,” Cupid replied with a smile. “We’d like a room with two beds, please. Or two rooms, if you have them.”

  Her expression didn’t bode well. “I’m terribly sorry, but the inn is full on account of the Winter Festival.”

  “Darn.” He should have called and checked before they left North Pole City. Now what were they going to do? He supposed they’d have to go into the next village and—

  “Oh! My brother has a small cabin in the woods not far from here. He’s off in Winter Wonderland and won’t be back for a month or so. I would be honored if you stayed there. It’s not every day we get Rein Dears in our little town.” She rushed off before they could reply and returned moments later with a large iron key.

  Blitz put a hand up. “We wouldn’t want to impose.”

  “Please, it would make us very happy.”

  “All right. Thank you.” Cupid couldn’t believe their luck. It would be miles to the next village. Now they wouldn’t be far from Mrs. Spruce.

  The lovely innkeeper led them into the woods in her small sleigh. It was a little farther from the town than Cupid liked, but he was grateful nonetheless. On the way there, Cupid spotted a great big stone structure not far from them. It looked like some kind of palace. When they reached the cabin, Cupid asked the innkeeper. “What was that structure we passed on the way here?”

  “Oh, that’s an old forest palace. Used to belong to some fancy elf family back before the war. When the Frost War swept through here, much of the palace was destroyed. The family’s long gone. It’s nothing but crumbling stone now.”

  Cupid and Blitz thanked her and promised they would let her know if they needed anything. Outside, the cabin was charming and colorfully painted, the white swirls and flowers bright even against the dimming daylight. Blitz removed Nutmeg’s harnesses and let him roam free. He was very good, and they knew he wouldn’t wander far. He’d graze and make a little nest for himself in the small stable behind the cabin.

  As soon as Nutmeg was seen to, Cupid helped Blitz with the trunks and blankets, getting them inside. It was a cozy cabin but would do wonderfully for them. At least he thought so until he reached the bedroom.

  “Oh.”

  “What’s wrong?” Blitz asked, poking his head inside the door.

  “There’s, um, only one bed.” Cupid stared at the bed. Granted, it was quite large, but it was still one bed.

  “That’s okay,” Blitz replied cheerfully. “We’ll just have to share.”

  “Right.” Share? A bed? With Blitz? Oh dear.

  “Is that okay?” Blitz asked worriedly. “I could sleep on the floor. There are plenty of blankets.”

  “Don’t be silly. Of course it’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be? We’re friends, right?” He couldn’t let Blitz sleep on the floor. It would be uncomfortable and cold. Holly’s sake. Why was he so awkward? He could do this. Just focus on the task at hand. It wouldn’t be for long, anyway. It wasn’t the first time they’d shared a bed. They did it all the time back at the Rein Dear Academy. Pushing aside his concerns, his thoughts went to the old palace. “What do you suppose it’s like in there?”

  “In where?” Blitz removed some of his belongings from his trunk, arranging them neatly on one side of the room.

  “The palace. It looked very big.” Cupid couldn’t help his curiosity. Ruins had always fascinated him. His faery side was drawn to them like bees to honey.

  “You want to explore it, don’t you?”

  Ah, Blitz knew him too well.

  “It’s rather late,” Cupid said with a sigh. “Perhaps some other time.”

  “Come on.” Blitz put his frock coat back on. “I know you won’t be able to sleep if you don’t at least get a peek. Your overactive imagination won’t let you.”

  Cupid smiled sheepishly. Blitz was right. “We won’t be long. I promise.”

  Blitz shook his head, but there was amusement in his eyes. They wrapped themselves up warm and Cupid grabbed a lantern. They decided to leave Nutmeg in his cozy nest of straw, seeing as he was fast asleep. It wouldn’t take them long to walk there. Blitz held Cupid’s hand as they walked, telling him he didn’t want to lose him in the woods since Cupid was the one carrying the lantern.

  Cupid held back a smile. He was quite certain Blitz had other reasons for holding his hand that didn’t have to do with either of them getting lost. Soon they arrived at the large wooden doors of the palace. It wasn’t as grand as the king’s palace or even Jack’s palace, but it was still impressive in size. Vines and foliage crawled up the façade, and roots from the surrounding trees had burst free from the ground between the stone walkway and steps. Just a peek. They wouldn’t be long. The sun would set soon and it would be dark, but as long as Blitz was at his side, he’d be just fine. Besides, there was no one around for miles.

  Blitz led the way through the partly open doors of the dilapidated palace. He never understood Cupid’s fascination with these dilapidated places. Where Blitz saw nothing but crumbling stone, faded tapestries, and broken statues, Cupid saw magic and wonder. He could see the ruins for what they’d once been and not the decayed relics that remained.

  “This is incredible.” Cupid released Blitz’s hand and handed him the lantern before running into the abandoned foyer. Blitz used the lantern to light some of the candles around the palace as they moved from room to room. He agreed with Cupid that it was a shame the palace had fallen to ruins.

  “What this must have looked like back before the war. It’s amazing! Look at those gilded moldings.”

  The palace was painted in hues of blue and gold, though the once-vibrant paint was chipped and flaking everywhere. There were old, dust-covered tarps over what remained of the furniture, a few chairs here and there. It looked as if the place had been ransacked ages ago. The paintings were gone, and a few shredded and moldy tapestries decorated the walls. Blitz was surprised they’d left the chandeliers hanging from the ceilings.

  He heard a gasp, and turned to find Cupid gone. “Cupid?”

  “In here!”

  Blitz swiftly followed Cupid’
s voice, finding him inside a huge ballroom.

  “It’s almost as big as the king’s ballroom!” Cupid danced around the room as if an orchestra played a sweeping waltz.

  What imagination. And grace. Blitz admired Cupid’s energy and the way he all but floated when he moved. He was enchanting, his gracefulness mesmerizing.

  Blitz wasn’t built for such poise. He took after his father, who worked at the Candy Mills, toiling away behind heavy machinery. Only skilled, meticulous, and strong elves could work the taffy machines at the Candy Mills. His father had wanted Blitz to follow in his steps, but while his father’s feet were always planted firmly on the ground, Blitz dreamt of the sky. He’d been uncertain once. His first day at Claus College. What was an elf like him doing at such a refined school? Then….

  “Blitz, you have to see this!” Cupid rushed up to him and grabbed his hand, pulling him along.

  Blitz chuckled and obediently followed. It wasn’t all dissimilar to his first day when he met Cupid. Cupid had sped down the hall with an armful of books, his concentration on something other than where he ran. He’d slammed into Blitz and bounced off, books and sheets of foolscap floating everywhere. Blitz had been ready to give Cupid a piece of his mind when he’d been met by the most beautiful, sweetest face he’d ever laid eyes on.

  “Do you remember when we met?” Blitz asked as he followed an excited Cupid into one of the many vast rooms strewn with furniture covered in tarps.

  “Of course I do. You were so very chivalrous, helping me pick up my books and walking me to class.”

  “It was the least I could do.”

  “I was the one who bumped into you because I wasn’t paying attention. Remember?” Cupid sneaked peeks under the tarps to see what wonders they hid. Blitz imagined the only wonders were of the fluttering moth variety.

  “More like you couldn’t see over the huge stack of books in your arms. It was taller than you.” Blitz heard a creak, and he stilled. Cupid didn’t seem to notice. Blitz scanned the room around them, but there was no other movement besides theirs. It was likely the old place creaking. Who knew how long it had been here before the war swept through?