North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 38

  “Why not?” Eirik shook his head at his brother. “Do you honestly believe Jack expects me to take part in those ridiculous Rein Dear games?” Three weeks of Christmas-elf mischief, extravagant balls, frivolous parties, and—Kringle help him—socializing. It was enough to make him want to hop on the first glacier to the Antarctic.

  Malachi rolled his eyes. “No one expects you to take part, not even Jack. Christmas miracles rarely occur where you’re concerned.”

  Eirik’s scowl was promptly ignored.

  “But he does expect to see you. You are his father and the king. This is the most important moment of his life. He needs you. Please, Eirik.” Malachi reached out and placed his hand on Eirik’s knee. “I know I’m asking a great deal of you, but I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t Jack.”

  Eirik took a deep breath. He had failed his son on more than one occasion. They hadn’t always seen eye to eye, and it had taken some time for Eirik to comprehend Jack falling in love with Rudy. Eirik never expected his son to lose his heart to an elf, much less a Christmas elf. In truth, Rudy was a perfect match for Jack, and were it not for their love, Eirik would have lost Jack to the ice long ago. Rudy had proven himself to be valiant and steadfast, a noble addition to the Frost monarchy. Eirik couldn’t disappoint his son. Not this time.

  “Very well.” Eirik nodded. The thought of venturing outside for extended periods of time and facing the numerous guests due to arrive at any moment made him feel somewhat sick to his stomach, but he pushed away his growing unease. “I will do my best.”

  “Thank you.” Malachi beamed brightly at him, and Eirik rolled his eyes.

  “You are very annoying.”

  Malachi chuckled as he stood. “And you’re a king among elves.”

  “Now you’re simply looking to get your nose frozen off,” Eirik muttered, turning his attention back to the window. Off in the distance, tiny dark specs came into view, and he groaned. “Oh look, something more annoying than you is arriving.”

  Malachi laughed. “I’ll inform Rudy. Do behave yourself.”

  Eirik grunted, his attention on the eight biplanes flying in perfect formation.

  The library doors closed, and Eirik snapped his fingers, causing the window’s glass-paned doors to open. With a wicked grin, he blew out a burst of cold air and sent it toward the first biplane in the formation. The plane’s ocean-blue color conjured up images of the vexing elf pilot’s eyes. They were the very same brilliant hue. Eirik frowned. He’d never met a more infuriating creature.

  Eirik twirled his finger, his lips curling into a grin as the gust of wind rolled the plane. Hearing the elf’s curses on the breeze made Eirik chuckle. The plane righted itself, and Eirik flicked a finger toward the left wing, laughing softly when the plane tilted right. He did the same to the right wing, forcing the plane to tip left. The wind relayed the elf’s creative swearing, much to Eirik’s amusement.

  As the planes approached the airspace around the palace, Eirik pulled on his boots, stood, then picked up his white frock coat from where it lay draped across the wingback chair. As soon as he’d fastened the buttons between the silver braiding, he swung his white fur-lined cape behind him, securing it to his shoulders. Squaring his shoulders, he left the library and headed for the front gate where Jack, Rudy, and several members of the palace staff waited for Kringle’s beloved Rein Dears.

  The sound of rumbling propellers met Eirik’s ears, and he stopped beside Jack, who jumped at the sight of him.

  “Father.” Jack stared in surprise. “You’re outside.” Rudy gently elbowed him. “I mean, um, good afternoon, Father.” Jack bowed, Rudy following suit beside him, his smile wide.

  “It’s wonderful to see you, Your Majesty. How are you today?”

  “I am well, thank you.” At least Rudy had manners. Shame the same couldn’t be said about the rest of Kringle’s chipper little elves. How they didn’t get exhausted by all the good cheer and smiling was beyond Eirik. It certainly exhausted him just thinking about it.

  The noise from the biplanes was soon replaced by the chattering of Christmas elves, though one voice rose above the others. It was slightly huskier, grumbling, and brash. Dasher Rein Dear had quite the reputation. From what Eirik had gathered, he was fearless, roguish, and loose with his affections. A number of Eirik’s toy soldiers were intimately familiar with the bold Christmas elf.

  Several months ago, however, something had changed. According to gossip among his toy soldiers, Dasher seemed uninterested in their advances. One had gone as far as to say that perhaps Dasher had finally met his match, while another teased that Dasher might have fallen in love. Eirik doubted it, considering Dasher’s inability to keep his distance from Eirik, despite Eirik’s insistence. Dasher wasn’t in love. He was clearly too busy being a pain in Eirik’s backside.

  “I don’t care if he can turn me into an ice cube. I’m giving him a piece of my mind.”

  Eirik held back a smile. Well, Dasher could certainly try.

  Rudy hurried down the steps and joined his Rein Dear brethren. There were hugs all around. He laughed as he faced Dasher. “That was quite some flying. What in the name of Kringle creation were you doing?”

  “I wasn’t doing anything! It was your blasted beau.”

  Jack joined Rudy at his side, his frown deep. “Me? What on earth are you blabbering on about?”

  “You were toying with my biplane,” Dasher accused, poking Jack in the chest.

  Oh, but this was far more entertaining than Eirik had expected. No one ruffled Jack’s feathers like Dasher. Eirik remained just outside the grand archway as Dasher followed Jack up the main stone stairway, heading in his direction, so absorbed by his grievance with Jack that he hadn’t noticed Eirik. Dasher always noticed Eirik.

  “I did no such thing,” Jack insisted.

  “As if I’d believe you.”

  “When have I ever held my tongue where you’re concerned?”

  “Point taken, but if it wasn’t you, who was it?” Dasher reached the top step just as he said the words. He paid no attention to where he was going and came to a halt mere inches from Eirik. Heads in the clouds, these Christmas elves. It was a wonder they didn’t float away. Dasher’s mouth hung open, and Eirik tapped his fingers under the elf’s chin to aid him in closing it.

  “You look like a fish,” Eirik muttered, ignoring the way Dasher’s full lips spread into a wide smile that reached his ocean-blue eyes. Not that Eirik paid attention to that sort of thing. They were simply hard to miss against such fair skin. As was the pink that came into his cheeks. Dasher seemed happy to see Eirik. What a strange little elf.

  After that nasty ordeal with Cupid’s brother Gunne, where Cupid had come to Eirik for help in reuniting Jack and Rudy, Eirik had warned Dasher to stay away. Dasher’s words to him that day burrowed deep beneath Eirik’s skin, forcing him to feel emotions he’d long buried. They haunted him.

  “Your heart still beats, Your Majesty. You’re simply afraid to let it beat for someone else.”

  The audacity of the elf! To presume he knew Eirik or his fears. That for a moment he understood what Eirik felt in his heart.

  “Hi,” Dasher said softly.

  Eirik arched an eyebrow. Dasher seemed to have lost all thought function until someone cleared their throat. Snapping himself out of whatever trance he appeared to have been in, Dasher quickly bowed.

  “Your Majesty.”

  “I see you still have quite a way to go on those manners.” Eirik turned to head back inside. Much to his irritation, Dasher scurried up beside him.

  “Maybe you can teach me?”

  “Perhaps instead we could test your cold threshold.”

  Dasher chuckled. “Admit it. You missed me.”

  Eirik let out a snort of disgust. The elf was delusional. He came to a halt, his frown deep as he looked down his nose at Dasher. “Why are you following me?”

  “Why are you allowing it?” Dasher’s smile was wicked.

  The Christmas el
f posed a good question. Why was he allowing it? “My purpose here is to support my son and help him celebrate his marriage. I will not permit anyone to cause him or his groom-to-be any grief. Consider yourself very fortunate.”

  Dasher bowed gracefully. “You are most magnanimous, Your Majesty.”

  Oh, for Kringle’s sake! The elf was absolutely hopeless.

  “Dasher!” Cupid called out from several feet away. “Our rooms are this way!”

  “Coming!” Dasher turned back to Eirik, his smile still in place. He bowed before Eirik once more. “Until we meet again, Your Majesty.” When he straightened, he placed his hand over his heart. “I will keep you in my thoughts.”

  Eirik rolled his eyes, and Dasher darted off.

  The toy soldiers accompanied the Rein Dears, helping them with their vast number of trunks and belongings while several palace staff members escorted them to the royal wing where the bedchambers assigned to the Rein Dears were located. Their laughter and chatter reverberated through the halls.

  Malachi stood beside Eirik, his gaze on Dasher. “Persistent, isn’t he?”

  Was that amusement in his brother’s eyes?

  “Exasperating is what he is,” Eirik grumbled as he observed the spectacle before him. “Good goddess, it’s as if they’re moving in. How can creatures so small have so much luggage?”

  Malachi chuckled. “Says the winter spirit with his own caravan.”

  Eirik sniffed, unamused. “Are you comparing me to a Christmas elf?”

  “Dasher seems quite taken with you.”

  Eirik narrowed his eyes at his brother, who wouldn’t meet his gaze. “From what I hear, he’s taken often.”

  Malachi arched an eyebrow at him. “Rather quick to judge, aren’t we?”

  Eirik opened his mouth to reply but found he had no words. Was his brother defending Dasher? Eirik could only assume this new esteem for Christmas elves stemmed from his family’s sudden penchant for the annoying little creatures. First Jack, then Eirik’s nephew Vale. That one had certainly knocked Eirik for a loop. Vale was the most levelheaded Frost in the family. What was it about those blasted Christmas elves that had the Frost males tripping over their own boots? Before Eirik could utter a word, Malachi bowed, excused himself, and was off.

  What the holly was going on around here? It was as if everyone had gone mad but him. Spinning on his heels, he marched down the corridor toward his library, where there would be no annoying family members or pesky elves with personal-boundary issues. Eirik grunted. These three weeks were going to be trying; he just knew it.

  Chapter 2

  Three weeks.

  They would have three weeks of festivities and fun before the big day arrived. Dasher looked forward to every moment, but what he longed for most was the possibility of spending more time with the king. This was Dasher’s only opportunity to get close to him, seeing as how they were staying under the same roof. The king might have alluded to not casting Dasher out during his son’s celebration, but that didn’t mean Dasher could afford to be careless. Exercising caution would be wise. He was talking about the King of Frost, after all.

  Dasher was in awe of the extravagance around him. He expected no less, but it was still a sight to behold. The ballroom in Jack’s vacation palace was as grand, vast, and opulent as that of his palace in North Pole City. Guests flooded in from every set of open doors, filling the white-and-silver ballroom. The greatest sight, however, had yet to make an appearance. Above his head, crystal chandeliers sparkled like stars, and the marble floors gleamed.

  At one end of the room, a grand orchestra played a romantic waltz, while at the other end, the king’s large, white, intricately carved throne sat in isolated splendor. As the ballroom filled with guests dressed in their finery, Dasher continued to sneak peeks toward the throne, which remained empty. Was it possible the king wasn’t attending tonight?

  Dasher picked up a frosty drink from the silver tray of a passing waiter as Cupid and Blitzen approached, both looking handsome in their matching pale-blue frock coats and breeches.

  “Well, don’t you look dashing,” Cupid said with a bright smile.

  Dasher tugged on one end of his royal-blue frock coat, telling himself he hadn’t worn it in the hopes of getting a certain someone’s attention, which he had, because it made his eyes really stand out. The white cravat was a little stuffy, but the discomfort was nothing he couldn’t endure. His hair was combed neatly to one side and behind his ears—rather than the tousled mess it usually was.

  “Thank you.” Dasher returned Cupid’s smile. He’d always taken pride in his appearance, but admittedly he’d chosen this evening’s attire very carefully. “Quite the turnout.” Shortly after they’d arrived, a convoy of sleds appeared, followed by several more biplanes, all transporting Jack and Rudy’s wedding guests. For the next three weeks of festivities, all the guests, from dignitaries to members of the Enchanted Council of Magical Creatures, would be under Jack’s roof—including Kringle himself—but only the Rein Dears and Rudy’s helpers, Tim and Noel, were staying in the royal wing near Rudy and Jack.

  “I can’t believe it’s almost here,” Cupid said excitedly, elfling joy on his sweet face.

  Dasher nodded and couldn’t help sneaking a glance toward the throne once again. When he turned his attention back to his friends, Blitzen’s eyes were narrowed, and Cupid’s expression was one of concern.

  “Please tell me you’re not still thinking what I think you are,” Blitzen said with a groan.

  Cupid shook his head sadly. “Dasher, he’s made his position quite clear. Why do you insist?”

  “Because I think he’s afraid.”

  “Afraid of what?” Blitzen asked, eyes wide. “The King of Frost fears no one and nothing. He’s certainly not afraid of you.”

  “I believe for the first time he feels something, something he hasn’t felt before or in a very long time, and that’s frightened him. Why else would he cast me out, threaten me, and I’m quite certain he was the one toying with my biplane.”

  “What?” Blitzen stared at him. “You think the King of Frost was playing winter games with you?”

  Dasher shrugged. “If not Jack, who else could it be?” He highly doubted it had been the king’s brother, Malachi, or the Frost twins. Vale hadn’t left Vixen’s side since they’d arrived, and Hollis had been busy with the king’s toy soldiers who’d be standing guard on the wedding day.

  Cupid and Blitzen exchanged glances. It was clear they didn’t believe him, and he supposed he couldn’t fault them. It didn’t change the fact he was sure the king had been playing games with him. He was the most powerful of the winter spirits, and the king of all winter. Was it really such a stretch to believe the king could be playful with his powers? So many only saw the harshness of winter, especially when referring to the king. How could they not see the beautiful side of it as well?

  “Why him?” Cupid asked gently. “There are any number of elves back in North Pole City vying for your affections. Why set your heart on a powerful winter spirit you couldn’t possibly hope to have?”

  “Your faith in me is astounding,” Dasher muttered.

  Cupid took hold of Dasher’s hand, the pout on his sweet face making it so Dasher couldn’t be upset with him. He knew Cupid was only expressing his concern, and Dasher was grateful to have such good friends who cared for him.

  “I’m worried you’ll get your heart broken or worse.”

  Dasher patted Cupid’s hand and smiled warmly. “I know. Thank you. I promise I’ll be careful.”

  Cupid nodded, releasing his hold on Dasher. He didn’t look convinced but thankfully decided not to pursue the matter further.

  “Come along now, this is a celebration,” Dasher announced jovially. He patted Blitzen’s bicep. “Let’s have some fun.” The music picked up, and Dasher followed his Rein Dear brothers toward the dancing couples. The crowd cheered when Rudy and Jack arrived arm in arm. Everyone made way for the elegant pair as they headed
for the center of the ballroom. Jack took Rudy’s hand and pulled him close before leading him in a sweeping waltz.

  Dasher’s heart squeezed. No one deserved happiness more than Rudy, and although to most Jack seemed like an odd choice for a suitor, it was clear from the look of adoration in Jack’s eyes that the two were destined to be together. The love they shared was the stuff of fairy tales.

  As the two danced, other pairs joined in. A handsome toy soldier bowed before Dasher, his hand outstretched.

  “Would you care to dance?”

  Seeing as how the winter spirit Dasher most wanted to dance with was unavailable, Dasher accepted. He might as well try to have a little fun. This was a celebration after all, and dancing with a handsome toy soldier was certainly no chore. Soon Dasher found he was enjoying himself. As he danced, he smiled at his dear friends, most of whom had found their loves. Even Vixen, who had once gone through toy soldiers the way Kringle went through cookies, had lost his heart to the brave and handsome Vale Frost. Not that Dasher was judging. He’d had more than his fair share of toy soldiers in his bed. He also didn’t begrudge his friends their happiness. He could never be so selfish, but he often found himself yearning for more, wondering if he might be so lucky as to find love again. Was it possible to lose your heart twice?

  Of all the enchanted creatures in the whole of the North Pole, why did Dasher have to set his heart on the one winter spirit who wanted nothing to do with him? He could recall the exact moment he stopped seeing the King of Frost as the cold and frightful king everyone saw him as.

  When Rudy and Jack had needed help, their salvation had come in the form of a tiny seed, one guarded and cherished by the king and kept in a locket around his neck. It was a seed belonging to the Elska rose, the very last, found in the king’s garden after the Frost War had claimed every rose and the Queen of Frost. It was then that Dasher saw the king’s heart, saw how alone and fearful he was. Tears had filled the king’s eyes when he relinquished the seed, and Dasher’s heart had splintered for the beautiful and broken king. Since then, Dasher hadn’t been able to get the king out of his thoughts.