North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Read online

  Cupid continued to chat as he lifted tarps and darted around the once elegantly decorated room. There were statues of woodland creatures made of marble, and as the sun set they gave off the most ominous shadows.

  “Perhaps we should be going,” Blitz said. As much as he hated cutting Cupid’s fun short, he always trusted his gut, and something told him they should leave this place. “Cupid?” He searched for his mischievous friend.

  “I found a music box!” Cupid said excitedly, turning to show Blitz his treasure. A loud creak resounded, and Blitz lifted his gaze.

  “Cupid, look out!” Blitz lunged at Cupid, and they rolled out of the way just as a huge chandelier smashed to the floor. He shielded Cupid with his body as the crystals shattered and an onslaught of tiny shards sprayed them. A sharp sting pierced Blitz’s shoulder, and he stifled a growl. When it was over, he pulled back and looked down at Cupid lying startled beneath him. “Are you all right?”

  “I… I think so.”

  Blitz let out a sigh of relief. He ran a hand over Cupid’s hair and smiled warmly. “Good. I was worried you might have been hurt.”

  “I’m all right.” Cupid’s cheeks looked a little rosier than usual and he shifted his gaze, as if he couldn’t quite meet Blitz’s eyes. Odd. Cupid’s eyes went wide, and he gasped. “I’m not hurt, but it looks like you are. Oh, Blitz, your arm.”

  Blitz turned his head and spotted the stain of blood on his left shoulder. A shard of crystal had sliced through his coat and shirt. “It’s only a graze. I’ll be fine.” He’d had far worse in his hangar while taking apart his biplane and reassembling it.

  “We need to get that patched up.” Cupid gently pushed at Blitz, and he reluctantly rolled off. “Let’s hurry back. Will you be all right until then?”

  “I’m fine. Really.”

  Cupid loved to fuss over him, and so was having none of it. They hurried to the cabin, and Blitz was relieved to be back. Something about that place didn’t sit well with him. He removed his coat and laid it neatly to one side, followed by his vest. He tugged the torn side of his shirt over his shoulder to give Cupid access. Then he sat still on the edge of the bed as Cupid made a big fuss. He really didn’t need a bandage, but if it made Cupid feel at ease, then he would sit quietly like a good little elf.

  Cupid buzzed about, getting supplies from his trunk. It looked as if he’d packed an entire medical kit. He put some strange gooey stuff on Blitz’s arm that had him cussing up a storm.

  “Holy holly berries, are you trying to set me on fire?” Crabapples, that stung.

  “It’s Mother’s recipe. She used to make it for me when I scraped my knee or cut myself. I know it stings, but it will help you heal quicker.”

  The sight of Cupid’s puckered plump lips as he blew softly on Blitz’s shoulder made his blood rush to the most inappropriate of places. “Thank you.”

  Cupid smiled cheerfully, apparently oblivious to the effect he had on Blitz. “You’re welcome. What do you suppose happened?” Cupid asked as he finished bandaging Blitz’s shoulder. “I wonder what caused it to fall?”

  “It’s very old. Who knows how long it’s been in the process of falling. Terrible timing.”

  Cupid pursed his lips in thought. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “You don’t seem certain.”

  “I don’t know. I just feel odd.”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing.” Blitz rubbed his hands up and down Cupid’s arms for comfort. He didn’t want to worry Cupid by telling him he felt the same. Poor Cupid was rattled. “Come on. Let’s get some sleep. I’m sure everything will sort itself out in the morning.”

  “You’re right. A little rest will do wonders.” Cupid placed a gentle kiss on Blitz’s shoulder.

  Rest would be the least of Blitz’s worries if Cupid continued on the path he was on. It occurred to Blitz perhaps Cupid wanted to be on that path. What if he wanted Blitz to join him? There was only one way to find out.

  Chapter 5

  Cupid pulled on his nightshirt and did his best not to think about sharing a bed with Blitz. Despite their various setbacks and mishaps, he was enjoying his little adventure with Blitz immensely. He felt guilty for having gotten Blitz hurt. Blitz had saved him, injuring himself in the process. Cupid needed to rein in his curiosity. It had been an accident, but still. His thoughts returned to their current predicament.

  Sharing a bed would be fine. He was being silly. After giving himself a good talking to, he headed into the small bedroom just as Blitz was dressing. He was bare to the waist and wore only his undergarments. Heat flooded through Cupid, and all he could think about was tracing his fingers down Blitz’s spine, maybe planting a kiss on his shoulder, placing a hand over his….

  “There you are. I was wondering where you’d gone off to.”

  Something resembling a squeak escaped Cupid, and he pointed behind him. “Using the little elf’s room.” Everything was fine. Peachy. Ugh, why was he so terrible at this?

  “We’ve been friends for hundreds of years, haven’t we?”

  Cupid smiled and cocked his head to one side, curious as to why Blitz brought it up. “Yes. And I’ve cherished every moment.”

  “Me too.” Blitz bit down on his bottom lip. “Ever since the Silver Bells Christmas Ball, when we danced, and kissed, I’ve been wondering if—”

  Before he could say more, Cupid cut Blitz off with a big yawn. “Oh, dear me. I’m so terribly sorry. It’s been such a long day.”

  “You’re right, it has been. Perhaps we should get some sleep.”

  Cupid smiled warmly and pretended he didn’t notice the disappointment in Blitz’s eyes. He felt terrible for putting that look on Blitz’s face, especially since his heart had an idea what Blitz had been trying to say. Cupid was dying to hear the words, yet at the same time he was terrified. Things were changing between them. Cupid could feel it down in his belly. There was nothing he wanted more than to tell Blitz what was in his heart, how he no longer looked at Blitz as just a dear friend, how he wished for so much more. Then that terrible little voice in his head reminded him of his deceit. Of what he was. How could he crush Blitz’s heart like that? If Blitz cared for him the way Cupid believed, that affection would turn into hurt and disgust. Cupid would rather Blitz remain his friend than not have him at all.

  Cupid waited for Blitz to climb into bed before getting under the covers beside him. “Good night, Blitz.”

  Blitz smiled at him, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Good night, Cupid.” He rolled over, facing away from Cupid and he missed Blitz’s warmth already. Cupid was tempted to reach out, place his hand on Blitz’s back, and apologize, but he didn’t. It was better this way.

  That night Cupid tossed and turned. He couldn’t shake the feeling he’d missed something. First the shadow chasing them, and then the chandelier? If it was something out of the ordinary, why wouldn’t it present itself? There was definitely something there. He could feel it in his gut. It lurked in the darkness, waiting. Maybe he just needed to go for a walk and clear his head. Blitz would worry if he woke up and found Cupid gone. He should leave a note just in case. Judging by his friend’s deep, soft snores, Cupid doubted he would stir. Blitz was a heavy sleeper and no doubt tuckered out.

  Cupid gingerly slid off the bed, taking care not to make any noise when he dressed. He scribbled a note to Blitz and left it on the dresser. He wouldn’t be long, and they were far enough away from the palace to hopefully not draw any unwanted attention from whatever presence followed them into that place.

  Outside the radiance of the moon illuminated the woods, casting the most beautiful glow on the trees and leaves growing through the snow. Cupid walked west from the cabin toward a small path clear of snow. He wondered if someone had been by recently. Everything else was covered in snow except for this dirt path. Beautiful flowers grew along its edges, and the path soon became cobblestone. Perhaps it led back to the village.

  He followed the path until he arrived at a dead end.
That was odd. A large boulder covered in vines and ivy seized Cupid attention. He stepped close and studied the foliage, noting how the vines seemed to swirl around and around a small stone at its center. Curious, Cupid touched the stone. The boulder moved, and he jumped back. Slowly it rolled inward and to the side, revealing a secret grove of greenery. It was astonishing.

  With great care, Cupid entered the grove, stunned by the lack of snow or even cold. The grass was a rich green beneath his feet and appeared untouched. Trees and flowers bloomed all around, like some secret alcove winter never touched.

  “Holy holly berries.” Cupid let out a gasp. He’d found them!

  Cupid had never seen anything more beautiful. He knelt among the Elska roses, taking exceptional care not to crush any of them. There were at least two dozen, their petals tilted toward the heavens. He placed his hand over one and smiled at the warmth that radiated from it. He noticed the dirt they grew in led through the thicket and the path he’d followed. Somehow they melted all the snow around them. Incredible.

  What was that? A snapping twig caught his ear, and he straightened. “Blitz?” Had he woken up and found the note? He sure hoped Blitz wouldn’t be sore at him. “Blitz, I found them. I found—”

  A gasp escaped him as a frightening shadowy mass emerged from the entrance of the grove. It was the most fearsome thing he’d ever seen, a floating shadow of malady, a blob of darkness dripping malevolence. It had gaping holes of nothingness for eyes, and lifted arms draping with congealed mud and rot. A mouth seemed to melt into place, and it stretched open to let out a hideous gurgled cry that chilled Cupid’s blood.

  Springing into action, Cupid darted to the other end of the grove, knowing the foul creature would give chase. The creature floated swiftly after him, and Cupid managed to dive beneath it and scramble to his feet. He sped past the boulder’s entrance, running as quick as he could. His senses were on alert, and he called upon his elf and faery intuition. He used the beams of moonlight filtering through the trees to help guide him through the woods. He had to find someplace to hide. Perhaps if he could find his way back to the village, he might be able to get some help.

  Cupid had no idea where he was going, only that he had to get away from whatever chased him. He’d never seen such a foul beast. It was as if it were made of nothing but shadows and rotting mud. Shadows? Could it be the same entity that had chased them earlier? No, this one was more formed, and far… angrier. More like a creature with fangs and claws. Why was it chasing him? What did it mean to do with him once it caught him? Cupid certainly had no intention of finding out.

  The creature flew after him, soaring around tree trunks as Cupid leaped over logs and took sharp turns around trees in the hopes of keeping some distance between them. He was lost. At least he was far from the cabin. He wouldn’t allow this beast near Blitz. As he neared a thicket, a shadowy paw slammed into him, and Cupid cried out at the pain in his side. The wind was knocked from his lungs and he landed harshly in a mound of snow beneath a tree, his vision growing blurry. He did his best to shake himself off. For a moment he could have sworn he heard laughter. It was mean and spiteful, yet strangely familiar.

  Not wasting any more time, Cupid pushed himself onto his knees, only to be swatted at again. He soared through the air, landing on the edge of a small snowy hill. Before he could get himself up, he was pushed and rolled down until he hit a small tree stump at the bottom. The air rushed out of him once more, and he lay in the snow, his whole body aching. He had to get up.

  The shadowy animal loomed over him, claws ready to strike. Cupid braced himself when he heard a fierce cry.

  “Get away from him!”

  A thick tree branch pierced the shadowy beast through its center. It screeched and yelped, clawing at the tree protruding from it. When it couldn’t dislodge the object, it sped off.

  “Cupid!”

  Cupid let out a groan. Had someone pushed him into a cotton-candy machine? His head spun, his body ached, but he’d be all right. Blitz had come for him.

  “Sweetheart?” Blitz pulled Cupid onto his lap and held him tight, checking him over. “Goddess above, you scared the holly out of me.”

  “I’m all right,” Cupid murmured pathetically. It seemed as if that was all he said lately. His ego was more bruised than his body. If Blitz hadn’t come along, who knew what would have happened to him? Well, there was no point in feeling sorry for himself. At least he’d found the Elska.

  “The Elska!”

  “You found it?”

  Cupid held on to his side as he jumped to his feet and ran, or at least attempted to. Blitz called after him, catching up in mere seconds, his voice laced with concern.

  “Cupid, you’re hurt. Please.”

  “But I found them, Blitz!” Cupid ran back to the path he’d found, excitement coursing through him. “Wait until you see them. They’re stunning! Rudy will be so happy.” He ran through the open entrance of the grove, and came to an abrupt halt. “Oh no.” Cupid’s heart splintered. He dropped to his knees among the trampled and torn remains of the Elska flowers. “They’re… gone. All of them.” Every last flower had been destroyed. “Who would do this?” His voice was barely a whisper. Someone or something had purposefully gone through the trouble of decimating every petal until there was nothing left but tiny confetti-like pieces of flower.

  Blitz knelt down beside him and drew him into his arms. “I’m so sorry, darling.”

  Cupid felt numb as Blitz led him back to their cabin. He’d been so lost in his thoughts he didn’t remember walking there, or even how he got on the bed. He sat on the edge of it with Blitz beside him, gently rubbing circles on his back in comfort.

  After everything they’d been through, they had finally found them. He’d had them right in front of him. Cupid couldn’t help it. He buried his face against Blitz’s chest, clung to him for dear life, and let his tears fall. How could they go back empty-handed? How could he face Rudy, knowing how much this meant to him? They’d been so close, and he let it slip through his fingers.

  “It’s not your fault.”

  Cupid pulled away, his cheeks hot and his heart aching. “I should have done something.” It was most likely that foul beast. Why him? What had he done to incur this creature’s wrath?

  “You didn’t know what you were up against.” Blitz cupped Cupid’s face, his pale gray eyes filled with affection. “I would much rather have that beast destroy the flowers than you. Just the thought of it….” Blitz shook his head before averting his gaze, his eyes glassy.

  “Blitz, it’s okay. I’m okay.” How selfish of him. Here he was fretting over the flowers, and Blitz had been worried for him. “I’m sorry to have put you through that. I never meant to give you such a fright.”

  “Well, you did,” Blitz replied angrily. “What if I hadn’t woken up in time and found your note? What if I’d woken up to find you—how could you go off on your own like that?”

  “I can take care of myself,” Cupid said gently. Blitz had every right to be cross with him. Were the roles reversed, Cupid would have felt the same, but he could take care of himself, even if at times it didn’t seem like it.

  “I know that. But this is different. We’re not in North Pole City. Hell’s bells, Cupid. We’re not even in Winter Wonderland!”

  Cupid gasped. “You cursed.”

  “I did. I’m very upset with you right now.”

  Elves weren’t prone to human curses. It was so… rude. He’d suspected Blitz was upset, though he didn’t realize how much. “I really worried you, didn’t I?”

  Blitz’s expression softened. “Yes. I… I’m not very good at articulating certain emotions, but I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few weeks, and, well, I don’t feel for you what I once did.”

  Cupid wasn’t quite sure what to make of that statement. Was that a good thing or bad thing? His expression must have said it all because Blitz let out a heavy sigh. Blitz was certainly right about one thing: he often struggled with
speaking his heart. Of course, it hardly helped when poor Blitz tried and Cupid cut him to the quick.

  “For Kringle’s sake, I’ll just show you.” Blitz brought Cupid up against him, and before Cupid could utter a word, Blitz kissed him.

  Oh my. Cupid’s eyelids fluttered shut and he threw his arms around Blitz, holding him tight as he returned Blitz’s kiss. It started as a sweet kiss, but it quickly turned heated. Sparks set off a fierce fire through Cupid, spreading through his entire body. He’d dreamed of Blitz kissing him, but it never felt anything like this. The softness of his lips, the sweet taste of his mouth, the wonderful scent of pine. It was even more magical than the first time they kissed at the ball.

  Blitz leaned into Cupid, and he allowed Blitz to lie over him, his weight pressing him down into the mattress sending the most delicious shiver through Cupid. A soft gasp escaped him when Blitz drew away, only to move his lips onto Cupid’s neck. Blitz slipped his fingers into Cupid’s hair as he left butterfly kisses up his jaw.

  Cupid arched his back, expressing his want and need to Blitz who whispered in his ear, “If this isn’t what you want, tell me, and I’ll stop. There will be no ill will between us. I will continue to care for you as my dearest friend, if that is what you wish.” He pulled back to look into Cupid’s eyes. There was so much love and need in those silver eyes.

  “I want this,” Cupid said. There was nothing he wanted more. Cupid couldn’t think of what lay ahead. All he could think about was how much he wanted Blitz.

  Chapter 6

  Blitz sat back on his heels and pulled off his vest and shirt, dropping them onto the floor. He took hold of Cupid’s shirt, then paused. He shouldn’t presume. Although Cupid’s eyes were filled with lust, Blitz didn’t want to do anything to hurt him. This was such a big step for them. It would change everything between them, though he had a suspicion a great deal changed quite some time ago. Seeming to understand Blitz’s hesitation, Cupid smiled and nodded.