North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 6

  The sharp sting left across his cheek after his father struck him wasn’t completely unexpected, but the mixture of anger and hurt in his father’s expression was. What exactly did his father want from him, other than for him to give up the only thing that brought Jack any happiness in his cold and lonely existence? There was no sense in arguing.

  “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

  “He is unworthy of you.”

  Jack couldn’t help his anger or the way it swept through his body. The room drained of its color, leaving nothing but frosty white, and his eyes did the same. He could feel the bitter cold spread to the very tips of his toes and the strands of his now-white hair. “I’ll ask you to take care in how you speak of him. I love him, and nothing you say will change that.”

  “And if I made you choose?” To his father’s credit, it was more question than threat.

  “He loves me wholeheartedly without prejudice or fear and is in possession of a heart so pure he would melt the ice around my own. If you want to cast me out, then do it, because I won’t leave him. Nothing short of death will force me from his side. Do you really think I’d give him up for this?” he growled, gesturing to the ridiculous opulence of the exclusive club’s unused ballroom, one of many in yet another palace owned by his family.

  “You youngsters are so bloody dramatic.”

  “I’m not a child. I’m four hundred and fifty years old.”

  His father scoffed at that. “Still a babe. I have lived since the beginning. You couldn’t begin to imagine the things I’ve seen.”

  “And yet you want to deny me the one thing which means so little to you but the world to me. You’ve seen it all, and deep down, it isn’t even his being which upsets you but the fact you believe he’s beneath me, beneath us, and our great name.”

  “You are the Jack Frost.” His father’s hands came to rest on his shoulders, father and son’s matching height allowing them to face one another eye to eye. “Your name is legend, and your power is unmatched. One day it shall surpass my own.”

  “And when that day comes, I want him at my side, reminding me of my purpose, reminding me I have a soul. I’m more than the power I hold inside me.”

  With a heavy sigh, the King of Frost stepped away. “I see this conversation is getting us nowhere.”

  “At least we agree on something.”

  “Return to the ball. Try not to disgrace yourself, and take your cousins with you.”

  Jack held his tongue and bowed before marching toward the door, his cousins following silently on his heels. Once he stepped foot out into the glittering ballroom filled with life and music, he felt marginally better, though his mood was still black as coal.

  “Jack?” Hollis caught up to him, walking beside him to his left, while Vale flanked him on the right.

  “Yes,” Jack grunted, making his way past the throngs of guests dressed in all their finery toward the red-carpeted, marble staircase leading to the second floor, where his private box accompanied the many others.

  “The rumors about you leaving the toy soldiers aren’t true, are they?”

  “You shouldn’t listen to gossip.” The night had barely begun and already he had been reprimanded by his father. Not even the melodic sounds of the chorus nor the merry echo of jingling bells was enough to buoy his spirits. Christmas was nearly upon them, and Jack was finding it more difficult than usual to feel jolly.

  “But are they true?” Hollis insisted, his ice-gray eyes pleading.

  Plum pudding. Jack had never been very good at denying his cousins. They were the only members of his entire family he actually liked. He had grown up alongside them, had played in the snow with them when they were all fledgling elves, teasing each other, seeing who could summon the strongest arctic winds. Of course, even when combining their powers, the twins weren’t nearly as strong as Jack, but he always encouraged them to strive for their best, and now look at them. Vale was a lieutenant in the Toy Soldier Army, and Hollis was a major, both decorated and renowned for their bravery. Jack was very proud of them and was never shy about expressing it.

  “Jack?” Vale prodded gently.

  “Not entirely,” Jack replied, unwilling to hide the truth from them. He reached the second floor, nodding a greeting to the prestigious occupants of the other private boxes who wandered out to sneak a peek at Jack and his entourage. Though he had to admit, he could see why they would be intrigued. Not by him. Kringle only knew why anyone would have any interest in seeing him, but his cousins were certainly a sight to behold. They were exceptionally handsome, with the pitch-black hair their family was known for. Where Jack and his father had black eyes, Hollis and Vale’s were a pale, foggy gray. They had chiseled jaws, pouting lips, and, in their ceremonial military uniforms, looked dashing.

  “Jack, what will the other kingdoms think?” Hollis hissed quietly. He took hold of Jack’s arm and pulled him to a stop, his gaze one of concern.

  “Do you mind? I have somewhere I need to be, and it’s far more pleasant than standing around arguing nonsense with you. The other kingdoms will think whatever they like, regardless of what I do. It hardly concerns me either way.”

  “How can it not concern you? We’re the strongest kingdom next to Alfeim, and you’re our prince. How are we supposed to keep our position if the Prince of Frost abandons his army to frolic in the snow with some Christmas elf? This is a dire situation, and you say it doesn’t concern you?”

  “Watch your tone, Hollis. I won’t have my life dictated to me. I also have no intention of abandoning our army. I was simply considering stepping back from a few responsibilities by promoting other soldiers perfectly capable of doing the job.” He pulled his arm out of Hollis’s grip and marched off, finally approaching his private box.

  “All for that… pilot?”

  Jack pulled aside the red velvet curtain, his heart beating fiercely at the sight before him.

  “He has a name,” Jack said quietly, as his gaze met with the most radiant smile of them all. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

  Rudy stood to face him. A more beautiful creature Jack had never known. “You know I would wait for you for however long necessary.” His pale-blue eyes shone lovingly in the warm glow of the crystal chandelier hanging above their heads. He was stunning in his red-and-gold frock coat, waistcoat, and breeches. A white cravat was tied elegantly around his slender neck, and his waistcoat accentuated his slim waist, concealing a beautifully toned, muscular physique.

  Spinning on his heel, Jack gave the twins a gentle shove out of the box. “Get out.”

  “Jack,” Rudy scolded playfully. “Manners.” He walked over to Hollis and Vale, offering a friendly smile. “Fellas.”

  The twins bowed politely, Vale smiling brightly while Hollis frowned.

  “All right,” Jack prompted, giving his cousins a wave. “Now get out. I’ll see you two at the Palace Courts promptly at ten tomorrow morning.” Without another word, he closed the curtain on them. He turned to Rudy with a thoughtful tilt to his head. “Was that rude?”

  Rudy chuckled. “Do you care?”

  “No.” Jack closed the distance between them in one step, his arms drawing Rudy against him as he crushed their mouths together in an ardent kiss. It was only after he was forced to come up for air that he realized he hadn’t checked that the outer curtain was drawn. The lack of scandalized gasps told him they had privacy. Rudy looked up at him, the starry-eyed gaze he held only for Jack reminding him of how lucky he was.

  “We should probably open the curtain now,” Rudy suggested, sounding somewhat reluctant, not to mention out of breath. His cheeks were flushed, but the color couldn’t compare to the fiery crimson of his hair. No one in the whole of the North Pole had hair as stunning or as red as Rudy’s. He was handsome, an ace pilot, smelled wonderfully of cinnamon, and most importantly, he was all Jack’s.

  “All right.” Jack took a deep breath and came to stand at the front of the gilded mar
ble balcony while Rudy took position at his side. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be,” Rudy replied, his fingers discreetly lacing with Jack’s gloved ones.

  Straightening to his full height, Jack summoned a gust of wind that parted the red velvet curtain before them, revealing the impressive sight of the crowded ballroom beneath them, everything a flurry of white and gold. Applause erupted from the guests attending this year’s Silver Bells Christmas Ball, though he imagined a good deal of them did so because they believed they had no choice. Whether they loved him or loathed him, there was no one in the kingdom who didn’t fear him. Fingers tightened around his own and Jack couldn’t help his smile. Well, perhaps there was one.

  Jack held on to Rudy’s hand, joining him in waving to the crowd. No matter what anyone though about his love for the Christmas elf, Jack had no intention of letting Rudy go, and anyone who threatened what he had would come to know true fear. That he guaranteed.

  Chapter 2

  “Have I told you how delicious you look in your ceremonial uniform?”

  Rudy sat beside Jack on the tufted, red velvet love seat, unable to take his eyes off him. Most of the other elves would have considered the ballroom to be the most exquisite sight, with its intricately carved white marble pillars, elaborate molding, and lustrous marble floors, but not Rudy. Not while Jack was here. Although the expansive white-and-gold ballroom glittered with a sea of twinkling white lights, impressing all who gazed upon its numerous crystal chandeliers hanging from every gilded archway, Rudy still found Jack to be the most extraordinary vision of all. Even after two hundred years together, Jack managed to take his breath away. How had a humble elf from the snowy plains of Gingerbread Grove ended up with the powerful Prince of Frost? Said prince was at this very moment the only enchanted creature at the Silver Bells Christmas Ball pouting miserably.

  “It’s pompous.”

  “It’s elegant,” Rudy corrected, removing some nonexistent fluff from his sweetheart’s red cuff as an excuse to touch him. It wasn’t often Rudy got to see Jack in his ceremonial garb. The black jacket was stunning, extensively adorned with horizontal silver braiding across the breast, silver knots at the ends as well as on the sleeves, and multiple rows of polished silver buttons. The red of his cuffs mirrored the stiff, high collar, adorned with intricate swirls of silver braiding, and the pattern repeated—only more extravagantly—on the back. A black, fur-lined pelisse with silver braiding was slung over his left shoulder, adding to his regal appearance. His breeches were black, as were his spotless Hessian boots. His pitch-black hair was neatly combed and parted on one side, his equally black eyes sharp and a contrast against his flawless porcelain skin. “Makes you look even more dashing, if that’s possible.”

  “You’re just trying to get in my pants,” Jack grumbled.

  Despite the gruffness, Jack was teasing. Rudy had come to know all his grumpy elf’s mannerisms quite well by now. “Is it working?”

  “Like that much effort is needed,” Jack scoffed, signaling the waiter at the end of their box. A delicate silver tray offering several drinks was presented to them, and Rudy held back a smile when Jack picked up a glass of pink champagne for him. Jack chose a tumbler of vodka for himself with a grumble of thanks, and Rudy watched, tickled as always, as Jack put his lips together and gently blew on the two glasses, coaxing them to a chill. He handed the champagne to Rudy, unaware of how his tiny gestures warmed Rudy’s heart.

  Jack took a sip of his vodka, his pout in full force afterward, and Rudy couldn’t help but tease him. “On the hard stuff already?” He tried not to laugh at the glare Jack gave his pelisse before swatting it aside, as if it were somehow personally responsible for his forced attendance at the ball. Considering it was funded by the Frost family, Jack could hardly be absent. The King of Frost would certainly have a few cross words for his son, and these days their relationship was strained enough, something Rudy felt guilty over, seeing as how he was the cause of it. It was almost a year ago the scandal of his and Jack’s relationship had erupted all over the media, and all because Rudy had saved two young elves from the clutches of some corrupt toy soldiers by declaring the elves his helpers.

  At the time, Rudy had no idea the toy soldiers had meant to permanently silence the poor elves, but something had compelled him to step in, despite knowing the uproar it would cause. Until then, elves had never been helpers to the Rein Dears. His squadron had only ever had sugarplum fairies, mostly because the fairies were more than just helpers. Claiming Tim and Noel as his had inadvertently revealed Rudy’s true nature.

  And what had Jack done in the midst of the chaos and uproar? He had taken a stand, his hand firmly holding Rudy’s as he unveiled their love to the world. Jack had so much more to lose, as the Prince of Frost and General of the Toy Soldier Army, yet he had put it all on the line for Rudy.

  “Corralling snow-bunnies again, are we?”

  Jack’s teasing interrupted his thoughts, and he cast his lover a rueful smile. He really should be paying more attention to the ball. This was, after all, his first time sitting at Jack’s side in his royal box. Below them, the North Pole’s most elite were dancing the night away to sweeping waltzes and cheerful carols, with champagne flowing and eggnog and peppermint juleps making everyone merry. Anyone who was anyone was in attendance, including select reporters and photographers from the North Pole City Gazette, the first to expose his relationship. Swell.

  As Captain of the Rein Dear Squadron, Rudy was a celebrity in his own right. It was something he had embraced early on, if only to make his life easier. There was no getting around it. Though there were still moments, such as this one, when he looked out over the balcony and wondered how in the name of Kringle Creation had he gotten here?

  “Do you know, I’ve frozen over three dozen drinks in the last hour and no one’s said a word?” Jack frowned at his empty glass and held it out, and a newly filled one swiftly took its place.

  “What do you expect? You think they’re going to come marching up to you and call you out?”

  Noel made an appearance just then, thundering through the red velvet curtain behind them to thrust a finger at Jack. “Stop freezing my drinks, you bastard!” With that said, he spun on his heel and stormed off from whence he came.

  There were several horrified gasps from the private boxes to either side of them, but Jack merely grinned wickedly. “You were saying?”

  “Noel doesn’t count, and you know it. Really, Jack. Can’t you stop tormenting the poor elf?”

  Jack arched an eyebrow at him, as if the answer were obvious. “No. No, I can’t. I enjoy it too much. Besides, he’s the only one with a backbone in this whole place, present company excluded of course. In the year I’ve known him, he’s called me every name in the book and then some. Creative little thing.”

  “What about Tim?” Rudy asked, knowing how Jack felt about the tiny elf. Tim had a big heart, despite his small stature, and Jack had become very protective of him in the last year. Although Noel often displayed charming bouts of jealousy concerning Jack’s affections, in truth, Jack posed no threat to Noel’s sweetheart. Jack had merely developed a brotherly love for the tiny elf. Besides, Jack had played a hand in uniting the reluctant and tormented Noel with the love of his life.

  “Tim has as much nerve as you or I. I’d never freeze his drinks. I have kept them wonderfully chilled, though. He blushes every time he takes a sip. It’s sweet. Reminds me of you.”

  “Me?”

  “After all these years, you still blush for me.” Jack discreetly ran his fingers up Rudy’s leg, causing warmth to spread through his whole body and making him shift uncomfortably in his seat.

  “Well, it’s not like I do it on purpose.”

  “See, there it is. You’re so vibrant and full of color. When I touch you, every inch of you lights up.” Jack leaned into him, his lips brushing over his cheek.

  “Jack, they’re watching.”

  In the year they’d been together
out in the open, there hadn’t been much in the way of public displays of affection. It wasn’t as if suddenly they went from barely touching for fear of discovery to being all over each other. Old habits were hard to break, and slowly Rudy had grown accustomed to the joys of holding Jack’s hand or allowing himself to gaze adoringly at his lover without fear or concern of who saw him.

  Jack, who had always been the more restrained of the two, had stunned Rudy by delivering a kiss to his cheek while out to dinner one night. He had begun placing a protective hand to Rudy’s hip while out and about, especially during any media confrontation, and it seemed as if Jack was growing bolder by the day.

  “Let them watch.”

  Rudy couldn’t help but feel his cheeks growing warm as Jack delivered a gentle kiss to his temple. “What’s gotten into you?”

  “Nothing yet, but maybe tonight…”

  “Jack!” Rudy gasped, his cheeks no doubt matching the color of his hair.

  Jack’s laugh warmed Rudy’s heart. “How can you be so unaware of how enchanting you are?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I’m too busy trying to keep my heart from beating out of my chest whenever you’re near.”

  Jack looked surprised. “Do I really do that?”

  “Every time.”

  “Who wouldn’t have heart palpitations after seeing a face like that?” came a deep grumble.

  Rudy chuckled, and Jack leaned back, his smile growing wide at their friends. “Tim. Grumpy-pants.”

  Noel glowered at Jack before taking Tim’s hand and pulling him over to the empty love seat facing Rudy and Jack’s. The moment Rudy saw the mischievous gleam in Jack’s eyes, he braced himself. Here we go. Jack patted the small space between him and the armrest.

  “There’s room here for you, Tim. It’s a little cozy, but I don’t mind.”

  Tim blushed and Noel shifted closer to him, his eyes narrowing. “Shouldn’t you be nipping noses or something somewhere else?”