North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 37

  Not wishing to interrupt the lovebirds, Donner indulged in another peppermint julep. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered wildly, and his heart beat fiercely. Why was he so nervous? He supposed he shouldn’t be all that surprised. It had been a long time since he’d had a sweetheart. From the moment he’d arrived, he’d been asked all manner of questions regarding Calder. News of his heroic deeds had spread through the Frost Kingdom and North Pole City like wildfire. All the guests were eager to meet the brave, good-hearted Dockalfar.

  The trumpets blared, and Donner couldn’t help his excitement. He moved through the crowd, coming to a halt when he saw Calder. Oh, but he looked so handsome! The crowd cheered and clapped, happily making a path for Donner as he approached Calder. He was so excited to see him. He hurried the rest of the way, ready to throw his arms around Calder. When he reached Calder, he took a quick step back. Something was wrong.

  “Calder?”

  His eyes were cold, his expression hard. Something in Donner’s gut twisted.

  “Are you all right?”

  Calder grinned, a wide sinister smile that had Donner swallowing hard. This was not the elf he’d lost his heart to. Had he… Could Donner have made a mistake? No, Calder was sweet and kind. The elf looking back at him was wicked.

  “Where’s Jack?”

  “He isn’t here yet.” Donner tried not to let his apprehension show, but it was clear something was wrong. The guests were whispering and murmuring among themselves, everyone watching Calder warily. “Calder, you’re frightening me.”

  Calder turned and leaned into Donner. “Good.” He straightened, and with a fierce cry, he thrust out his hand. A blast of black smoke slammed into one of the chandeliers, snapping its chain. Donner gasped, startled as everyone screamed and threw themselves out of the way as the chandelier crashed to the floor, bursting into millions of tiny crystal shards and spraying in all directions.

  Donner turned to stare at Calder. “What are you doing?”

  “Showing my true colors.” Another blast hit the next chandelier, then the next. The guests screamed and ran in a panic when the doors slammed shut, trapping everyone inside.

  “Please, stop this. This isn’t you!” After everything they’d been through together? This couldn’t be happening.

  “Calder!” Cupid came running, gasping when Calder snarled at him.

  “Stay out of this, Brother! This doesn’t concern you or your insufferable sweetheart.” Calder swept his arm to one side, creating a gust of wind that picked up Cupid and Blitzen. The wind carried them across the room, where one of the doors opened. It tossed them out, then slammed the door shut.

  Calder continued to wreak havoc and cause destruction. Black magic flowed from his hands, creating foul creatures reeking of death and decay. The creatures hunted the guests, and Donner couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Please!” He grabbed Calder’s arm. “Did our night in the cabin mean nothing to you?”

  Calder froze, and Donner hoped he was getting through to him. The look of disgust that came onto his face broke Donner’s heart. How could he have been so foolish?

  “With you?” Calder shook his head. “Filthy creature! How dare you speak such lies!” Calder lashed out and gripped Donner by the throat. His eyes held no remorse when he lifted Donner off his feet, only pure loathing. Donner scratched at Calder’s hand as he gasped for air.

  The doors slammed open, and a gust of icy wind swept through the room.

  “Put him down!” Jack ordered, his eyes frosting over along with his hair. Calder ignored him. He narrowed his eyes at Donner.

  “Do you love him?”

  Donner’s brows drew together in confusion. Him?

  “Do you love Calder?”

  Donner didn’t know what was happening, but he nodded. He did love Calder. A thought struck him, and his eyes widened. He slipped his hand under his shirt and gripped the locket. A halo of light surrounded Calder, and Donner saw through the dark magic.

  “You blasted Christmas elves took one brother from me. I won’t let you take another.”

  “Jack, it’s Gunne!” Donner called out as a sharp fire pierced his gut. Blood bubbled past his lips, and he was released, hitting the floor in a heap. Donner heard his Rein Dear brothers yell but he couldn’t move. He held on to his bleeding stomach and the dagger protruding from it. When he looked at his shaky hand, it was covered in blood, but it was the spreading black vines under his skin that terrified him the most. Pain exploded through him, and he arched his back up violently, a sharp cry escaping him.

  In the distance, Jack battled Gunne. Then a warm hand touched Donner’s cheek.

  “Hold on, my darling.” Calder placed his hand over Donner’s wound. He smiled down at him, tears in his eyes. “You’ll be all right. I promise. This will hurt but not for long.”

  “I’m dying, aren’t I?” Donner’s words were garbled, and he clutched weakly at Calder’s arm.

  “The dagger is poisonous. I need you to be strong for me, all right?” His handsome face was filled with worry. He took hold of the dagger’s hilt and gave Donner a nod. “Ready?”

  Donner nodded and braced himself. An agonized whimper escaped him when Calder pulled the dagger from his body. Calder quickly covered the wound with his hand, his other hand beneath Donner’s head.

  “Hold on.”

  “No, Calder, please.” Donner gasped for breath, a tear rolling down his cheek. He knew what Calder was doing. “Please, don’t.” The heat spread through his body, but the vines began to recede. They retreated from Donner’s body only to travel up Calder’s hand, disappearing beneath his sleeve.

  “I love you,” Calder said softly. He pressed his lips to Donner’s, and already they were void of warmth. His beautiful charcoal skin took on a pale hue, and Donner felt his strength returning.

  “I love you too,” Donner choked out, wishing he could stop Calder. “There must be another way.”

  Several feet away, Gunne snapped at his brother. “What are you doing?”

  “It’ll be all right,” Calder promised Donner. “Almost… almost done.”

  The black vines spread just under the surface of Calder’s skin, up his neck and jawline. Gunne sent a blast at Jack, then spat furiously at Calder.

  “Stop it, you fool! You’ll die!”

  “I know.” Calder’s words were barely a whisper, but somehow Gunne heard them. He thwarted another of Jack’s icy blasts and released a wall of dark smoke that sent Jack soaring across the room. Donner’s wound was no more, and he knelt over Calder, who lay on his back gasping for breath.

  “No, Calder.” There was nothing Donner could do, and it broke his heart.

  Gunne ran over, and Donner held on to Calder’s hand, refusing to let go. He wouldn’t leave Calder. Gunne dropped to his knees beside his brother.

  “Why? Why would you do that?”

  Calder smiled fondly at Donner, his tearful eyes filled with so much affection. “Because I love him.”

  “You can’t.” Gunne shook his head. “First Cupid, now you? How could you betray us? Betray me? You were all I had left! You weren’t supposed to fall in love, you bastard!”

  Calder smiled at his brother. He reached up and placed a hand to Gunne’s cheek. “I… forgive you.”

  “You self-righteous jackanapes. I won’t let you.” Gunne grabbed Calder’s head, making Calder cry out.

  Donner couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The temperature in the room plummeted, and Donner wrapped an arm around himself, his free hand holding on to Calder’s. Jack stormed over, and Donner threw a hand out.

  “Wait, Jack, please!”

  Jack let out a low growl as he turned his attention to Gunne. “What’s he doing?”

  “He’s… saving Calder,” Donner replied, wincing at the painful cries the brothers were releasing. The poison slowly retreated from Calder, and Donner held on tight to his hand.

  Jack stared at them in disbelief. “But that means…”

&nb
sp; “Stop, Gunne.” Calder tried to push his brother away, but Gunne refused.

  “No.” Tears broke free from Gunne’s eyes as the poison flowed beneath his skin. “You weren’t supposed to leave me.” He forced himself upright, and Donner followed as Calder scrambled to his feet.

  Gunne hit his hands against Calder, and the blast sent Calder into Jack. “Frost, I know… I have no right to ask you for… anything, but please… don’t let him touch me. He’s not like me. He’s… always been good.” Gunne gasped for air, his body twisting before he hit the floor.

  “No, Gunne!” Calder tried to free himself from Jack’s hold, but it was no use. Jack was clearly summoning his father’s power. A snowstorm swirled around them, the room so cold it made Donner’s teeth chatter. Jack sent a flurry of snow to surround Gunne, concealing him from Calder’s view. In seconds the storm subsided, and Gunne lay on the floor motionless. Only then did Jack release Calder.

  Calder ran to his brother and dropped to his knees to cradle him in his arms. Gently, Donner placed his hand on Calder’s shoulder, letting him know he was there. Gunne was a deplorable elf, but he and Calder were brothers, and it would seem that in the end, that bond could not be broken, not even by Gunne’s malice. Brothers…

  Donner turned, a lump forming in his throat at the sight of Cupid standing there watching Gunne and Calder. Thank goodness he wasn’t hurt, though he looked heartbroken and uncertain. Donner could only imagine what must be going through his head. Donner whispered in Calder’s ear, and Calder turned. His smile trembled as he held out his hand to Cupid. Without hesitation, Cupid ran to Calder’s side and threw his arms around him. The two hugged as they mourned the loss of their brother.

  Jack ushered those who’d remained in the room outside, and Donner reluctantly joined them. This moment was for Calder and his family. Donner didn’t stray far. He remained close, sitting on the floor outside with his back against the wall, waiting. His heart went out to Calder and Cupid. Donner let his arms rest on his drawn-up knees before lowering his head. He lost track of how long he’d sat there until he felt someone place a kiss to his head.

  Donner gazed up at Calder. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Calder let out a heavy sigh. “He chose his path. No matter what anyone said to him, he welcomed the darkness into his heart. He was my brother, and I loved him, but he almost killed you, and that I can’t forgive.”

  “What about your father?” Donner asked worriedly. He’d never met the elf, but he’d heard rumors. Bard was feared among many. He was a powerful dark elf who sat on the Dockalfar Council.

  “He’ll mourn my brother, but my father has been aware of Gunne’s growing ire for some time now. Gunne’s inability to be reasoned with is why my father was forced to imprison him. Not that it did any good. The Council will be concerned that relations between the Dockalfar and the Frost Kingdom will have been damaged by Gunne, but I’ve spoken with Jack. He assures me he and his father view this as an unfortunate incident. They don’t hold the Dockalfar responsible for my brother’s actions, and for that I’m grateful. I’m certain my father will be as well.”

  Donner nodded. He snuggled against Calder when Calder embraced him. He had no idea what would happen next, but he would be at Calder’s side. No matter what anyone said of him, Calder, or their love, in his heart he knew their love was no different from anyone else’s. Dockalfar, Christmas elf—it didn’t matter. Only their love mattered.

  Chapter 8

  Donner’s heart skipped a beat as he opened his door. “Hi.”

  “Hello.” Calder stood on the other side of the door looking as imposing and handsome as ever. He smiled warmly and handed Donner the most beautiful bouquet of frosted lavender roses.

  “They’re stunning.”

  “No more than you.” Calder bent down to give Donner a kiss. How Donner had missed him.

  It had been weeks since that ill-fated day. Calder and Cupid had mourned the loss of their brother before doing their best to honor what good had been in him. Calder had needed some time on his own while the whole of North Pole City and Winter Wonderland was awash with news of the incident. Donner had kissed Calder and promised he would wait for him for however long it took. Never once did Donner believe Calder wouldn’t return to him. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt like a lifetime.

  “I thought of you every day,” Donner admitted, his cheeks growing warm. He took the flowers and headed into his kitchen to place them in a vase with water. Calder followed, mindful of his height as he ducked through the doorway. As grand as the Rein Dear estate was, it had been constructed with Christmas elves in mind.

  Once the flowers were in water, Donner turned to Calder, feeling somewhat timid. “How are you?”

  Calder stepped in front of him and slipped his arms around Donner’s waist to pull him close against him.

  “I missed you terribly.”

  Donner’s heart swelled. He couldn’t help his dopey grin. “I missed you too.”

  “I have something I’d like to show you.”

  Donner nodded excitedly. Calder’s black-and-silver sleigh was parked outside on the curb in front of the Rein Dear estates, a huge black stag harnessed to it. Donner approached carefully.

  “Oh, he’s beautiful.”

  “His name is Orion.” Calder smiled as he patted Orion’s neck. He motioned for Donner to join him. Donner was thrilled when Orion allowed Donner to pet him. Orion’s eyes were a glowing amber, and his fur a sharp contrast against the pure white snow.

  Calder helped Donner into the sleigh. “Close your eyes, and don’t peek until I say.”

  “All right.” Donner closed his eyes. He was awfully tempted to sneak a peek, but he resisted. Where were they going? The bells on Orion’s harness jingled as he trotted through the city. Soon the ride got a little bumpier. They’d clearly left the city, but it wasn’t a long ride out. The sleigh stopped, and Donner felt Calder get down.

  “Give me your hand.”

  Donner did as he was asked, his eyes still closed as he carefully edged toward the side of the sleigh. Calder took hold of his waist, lifted him down, and carefully placed him on his feet.

  “Okay, open them.”

  Donner opened his eyes, a gasp escaping him. Before him was an expansive log cabin with twinkling lights lining the windows. Constructed of stone and wood, it had a roomy front porch housing a swinging loveseat.

  “It’s beautiful, Calder!” He turned to Calder, who was smiling, his eyes filled with pride.

  “It’s my new home.” His expression turned bashful, and he looked down at his boots. “And perhaps one day, if you so wish, it might be yours too.”

  Donner could barely contain his glee. He threw his arms around Calder and squeezed him tight. “I would love that. Perhaps…” He worried his bottom lip with his teeth, feeling awfully bold. “Perhaps after Jack and Rudy’s wedding?” It was only a few months away, but it would allow them to spend more time together.

  Calder wrapped him up in his strong arms, his smile reaching his amazing eyes. “I would love that.” He kissed Donner, his lips warm and familiar. Donner loved being kissed by Calder, and he loved returning his kisses.

  As Calder showed him around the cabin, Donner’s heart swelled with love. Standing before the roaring fire, the snow falling serenely outside the windows and Calder’s arms wrapped around him, Donner realized he’d never been more at peace in his life. He was happy. Calder made him happy. And that was all that mattered.

  Courage and the King

  BOOK 6

  Chapter 1

  “Must you look so pained?”

  Eirik released a long-suffering sigh before turning away from his brother. He loved Malachi, but at times he was awfully tempted to send the winter elf off a snowy cliff.

  “I look pained because I am,” Eirik muttered as he made himself comfortable on the expansive window seat.

  “For Kringle’s sake.” Malachi snatched Eirik’s book from his hand, much to
Eirik’s exasperation. “Your only son is getting married in three weeks. The festivities begin this evening.”

  “You needn’t remind me,” Eirik grumbled, stealing his book back. Why wouldn’t his brother leave him be? All he desired was to be left alone with his books. Was that too much to ask? He’d hoped leaving the safety and warmth of his palace for his son’s vacation home in Svalbard, Norway, would be enough for his family, but apparently, it wasn’t.

  Ordinarily, all Eirik had to do was give the order and he would be obeyed. He was the King of Frost, after all. His blasted family however—especially his brother—had a terrible habit of ignoring him, stating they were doing so for his own good. What they needed was to mind their own business. That, and a good frosty kick up the backside.

  Much to his growing annoyance, Malachi dropped down onto the cushioned seat beside him. “Eirik.”

  The soft-spoken word and the concern in Malachi’s nearly black eyes—eyes very much like his own—had Eirik groaning. He hated when his little brother looked so blasted miserable.

  “He’s your son,” Malachi reminded him gently, as if Eirik had somehow forgotten.

  Eirik gazed out the grand arched window overlooking his personal royal garden. It had been gifted to him along with this library by his son, Jack. The vast fields of flawless white called to him. “I am aware. What is your point?”

  “My point,” Malachi replied with a sigh, “is that it will break Jack’s heart if you hide yourself away like you always do. You cannot confine yourself to these walls for three weeks, only to emerge for the ceremony and then disappear again.”