She opened her door and entered the cottage, not even bothering to turn on a light, only the moon lighting her way across the shiny wood floor. She walked toward her bedroom, stubbing her toe on the edge of her plush blue sofa. Once in her room, she flopped backward onto her bed with a loud sigh and threw one arm across her forehead.
“Good job on your smoothness today,” she muttered. “Way to make an enemy of the local bad guy.” She barked a short laugh. “Time to get a cat so you’re not completely talking to yourself.”
She sat up, rolling her shoulders. She really needed to stretch. It had been a long time since she had—too long. But shame from the banishment and a lack of opportunity had kept her bound up. She stood and walked back out of her cottage, closing the pink door behind her.
The streets were covered in heavy snow, but the streetlamps covered in glittering Christmas lights glowed warmly over the sparkling drifts, revealing boot prints making a pathway to the center of town where movie theaters and cafés would draw the social elves. She imagined daughter and music boomed from that side of the town, but she didn’t follow it. Instead, she headed the opposite way.
She went to the west for five miles, to a place she saw when she’d first arrived yesterday. She came to the cliff’s drop off and looked down at the crowded pines below. She turned in a full circle, carefully scanning to make certain no one was around. She couldn’t afford to be banished again. The only other place for her to go was the Arctic Tundra where she’d be forced to live as a nomad with other criminals.
When she was assured no one was near, she slipped her jacket off. With a relieved sigh she unfurled her wings and spread them wide. The relief was immediate. Her gossamer wings might look thin, fragile and delicate, insubstantial, but they were as strong as any fairy’s—and not meant to be constantly rolled against her back.
She shook them out, shivering at the delight that came with the sensation of freedom she always felt when she was able to open them. With a grin, she leapt off the drop off, soaring into the icy wind that rushed across her face and through her long, amethyst hair, the same color as her eyes. As she rushed the ground, she spread her wings—the same unusual shade as her hair—even further, catching the wind and leveling out just above the tree tops. She fluttered them, pure feeling racing throughout her entire body with the motion. Flying like this was as close to bliss as Kara could imagine ever being.
She flew for over an hour, skimming the snow-laden treetops, diving between the branches before soaring skyward once again, exhilaration flowing across her skin, until the cold became nearly unbearable. As part elf, she could withstand a great deal of cold. But she was also half fairy, and that part of her made it so that she could only take so much before her body chilled.
Landing gracefully in the same spot she took off from, she scooped up her jacket, and settled on her feet. She let out a sigh of disappointment as she tucked her shameful wings away yet again. She wished she could walk—or fly—around all day with them out, or at least not rolled so tightly, painfully pinned against her back. But being seen with them in the South had caused all her trouble in the first place.
She returned to her cottage feeling better. She changed into her nightclothes and slid between the cool sheets, sighing as she fell into a restful sleep—the first one she’d had since being discovered all those months ago.
Chapter Two
Sitting at lunch with Pearl and her friends, Kara studiously avoided looking any place she might see Seb. She had no idea if he was even in the eating hall, but she didn’t want to risk yesterday’s mortification again. It was a pleasant morning so far, and she felt more confident in knowing a few of the names of the elves they shared a table with.
As they gossiped, she paid more attention, hoping she’d spend many years here and come to know those who they spoke of. When the bell chimed, she followed closely behind Pearl once again, refusing to look up in case Seb was nearby.
Why was she thinking about him so much? It was annoying. He meant nothing to her. Less than nothing, in fact. He wasn’t even friend material, if Pearl and her friends were to be believed. No matter how beautiful, hot, gorgeous, and unbelievably attractive he was.
“Okay?” Pearl asked.
Kara finally looked up and realized from Pearl’s expression it wasn’t the first time Pearl had asked her something.
“I’m sorry, I was off in my own thoughts, I guess. What did you say?”
Pearl grinned. “I said I need to report to personnel to take care of a scheduling issue. I’ll meet you back inside once I finish.”
“Oh. Okay.” Kara watched Pearl walk the opposite direction of the production room, realizing she’d just lost the shoes she usually watched on her way back to the production room in order to avoid meeting eyes—and risking meeting a certain pair of blue ones. She dared a glance around, and didn’t see anyone who looked familiar. Definitely no dark-haired, sapphire-eyed males.
“Are you lost?”
Kara glanced up at the unfamiliar voice to see an equally unfamiliar face.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m headed to Early Production.”
The green-haired male elf smiled kindly. He pointed to the floor. “Follow the red line.”
Kara smiled gratefully at him. She hadn’t noticed the colors on the floors before. Now this elf had not only given her directions, he’d given her an excuse to keep her eyes glued to the floor. No chance of accidentally making eye contact with ornery elves with blue eyes that way.
She followed the line for a few minutes, thinking how fortuitous that she hadn’t run into anyone when she ran smack into a wall.
Only, it wasn’t a wall. Not unless the wall wore jogging shoes. Kara glanced up, an apology on her lips, which immediately froze there when she saw just who the wall was.
Seb.
Great.
He lifted one dark brow at her as she continued to stare. I’m sorry. Excuse me. All the correct words ran through her mind, but none of them could be forced from her throat. Finally his look went from amused exasperation to a worried kind of fear.
“Are you . . . okay?” he asked. Kara’s mind blanked even further when he spoke. His voice was deep, musical, like the lower octave chimed by English handbells in the hands of skilled musicians. He glanced around. “Do you need, I don’t know, medical help?”
Her jaw snapped shut as she realized he thought she was deranged. “Of course not!” Her words were harsher than necessary.
“Okay, well, you just stood there without speaking so I thought maybe you were—”
“I’m fine,” she interrupted sharply. Horror at having been caught staring at him two days in a row was making Kara behave like a child. She took a breath and blew it out, dragging her eyes from his gorgeous face. “I’m sorry,” she said humbly, speaking formally as she would to any other unknown elf. “I had no need to speak to you that way. I apologize for running into you, as well.”
She moved around him and continued on her way to production. She didn’t need to look back to know he watched her. She felt his eyes boring holes into her back. She was sorely tempted to turn around and stick her tongue out at him, but managed to restrain herself.
After work, Kara agreed to go with Pearl to dinner at the only pizza place in the North Pole. She figured that was safe enough, and she had to eat anyway. She went home and changed into loose clothing so that after dinner, if she could sneak away, she could go flying again.
She chose a dark green top that she knew made her amethyst hair and eyes look even more striking. Pulling her hair up into a loose ponytail, she left long strands trailing alongside her cheeks. Kara normally didn’t wear cosmetics, but decided to splurge with a little mascara and cheek rouge. Knee-high black boots with tall heels over her jeans completed her look. When she stood back to examine herself, she realized she looked like she was prepared for a date. She ignored the face that flashed into her mind and seriously considered changing, but a glance at her watch revealed she was
already running late.
She wouldn’t see him there, anyway.
The pizza place was packed. Not surprising since it was the last workday of the week. It was also why Kara agreed to come. She figured it would make her stand out if she continued to refuse any kind of social life outside of the factory, and standing out wasn’t something she could afford right now. If she got to know a few of the elves better, she would stop being the “new girl” who was fascinating to the others and be just another elf.
“You look great!” Pearl hugged her enthusiastically. Kara stiffened at the contact. There was always a risk that someone would feel her wings beneath her clothing and expose her. She stepped back and looked at Pearl, whose pink hair and orange eyes were reflected in her clothing. She looked stunning. Kara told her so.
Pearl brushed her compliment off and led her to their table, already occupied by some of the female elves they usually ate lunch with, as well as several male elves. Pearl introduced her and they ordered some pizzas. Kara wedged herself in between Kaitlin and one of the male elves, called Blue, apparently in honor of his shocking electric blue hair.
“So, Kara,” Blue leaned toward her. Kara recognized the interested look in his eyes and regretted getting herself made up for tonight more than ever. “You’re from the South Pole. What’s it like there?”
Kara shrugged, trying to give off waves of rebuff to him without being rude about it. “Pretty much the same as here, but colder.”
Everyone laughed as if she’d made a joke. She didn’t get it, but she let it go.
“You have family?” Blue asked. Kara’s heart froze. She tried to think of a reply that wouldn’t cause her to break down in tears at the table, but couldn’t.
“Well, well, look who the cat dragged in,” Kaitlin muttered. Misha’s gasp caught everyone’s attention—including Blue’s, for which Kara was endlessly grateful. She followed their gazes to see who everyone was so shocked to see there.
Seb. Why wasn’t she surprised?
Everyone began to comment on why they thought he was there. Deciding that the distraction was a good chance to get a break from Blue’s questions and flirtatious glances, she scooted her chair back and stood.
“I’ll be back,” she whispered to Pearl.
She pushed through the crowd to the front of the parlor, sure to make a wide berth around Seb and his friends. Once Kara reached the door, she went outside and breathed in the cold air. It cleared her mind though it couldn’t push away the longing she felt for her dad and sisters.
She looked through the windows and saw the pizza hadn’t arrived at their table. She decided to wait until it was before returning. She rolled her shoulders, wishing she had the freedom to unfurl her wings right now.
“Escaping?”
Kara twitched at the voice behind her. She recognized it before she spun around to see Seb behind her.
“Me?” she squeaked, pointing to herself like the imbecile she became whenever he was near.
He looked around them. “Who else would I be speaking to?”
She shrugged, her ire rising at his mocking tone. “Why would you ask me that?”
He shuffled a little, and Kara could’ve sworn that he seemed unsure. But that illusion quickly disappeared when his arrogance returned. “You scrambled pretty quickly out of there, like a frightened bird. What had you so scared? Was it me?”
Kara laughed sarcastically. “Hardly. Why in the world would I be frightened of you? I don’t even know you. I just needed some air, okay? Anything wrong with that?”
“Don’t like crowds, huh?” he asked, completely unfazed by her outburst. She shook her head and he grimaced. “Me neither.”
“Then why are you here?” she asked.
“Why are you?” he shot back.
Kara pressed her lips together. Touché.
He eyed her sweater. It was different than the thicker jackets most of the elves wore this time of year. “Aren’t you cold?” he asked.
“Warmer here than back home.” He nodded. She tipped her head. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m here? Everyone else does.”
“Nope,” he said, his tone adding I don’t really care. She bristled until he added, “I figure it’s your own business.”
An awkward silence settled, and Kara wondered why he’d followed her outside, and why he’d spoken to her. She glanced back inside to see the waitress at their table with their pizzas.
“Well, I better get back,” she said. “Pizza’s here.”
He just grunted noncommittally and irritation shivered up Kara’s spine. Without another word, she turned and went back inside. Weird.
She scooted back into the crowd around their table, this time between Pearl and Aubrie. She avoided Blue and the rest of the males as much as possible. She knew their fascination with her was simply due to her newbie status, and nothing else. She didn’t hold a candle to Pearl in beauty, and was probably about the same level of attractiveness as the other females. It had nothing to do with her personality since none of them knew her.
Once they finished the pizza, the idea was raised to go dancing. There was no way Kara was going to do that. She begged off with the excuse of being tired and still suffering jet lag. They all piled into their sleds and went to the dance hall while Kara walked toward her cottage, firmly turning down Blue’s offer to take her home.
Once they were out of sight, she veered off the path to the west, making her way quickly to the drop off. She scanned the area before shrugging out of her sweater and releasing her wings. She inhaled the crisp air and leaped.
Chapter Three
Kara landed gracefully near her sweater, as she’d done the night previous. She couldn’t restrain the goofy grin plastered across her face. It was so exhilarating to fly. She wished she could do it during daylight hours, few as they were, but the risk of being seen was too great.
As she bent to pick up her sweater, she heard a noise in the trees behind her. She spun around, heart pounding, eyes wide. Had someone seen her? She peered intently into the trees, holding her sweater pressed to her chest, her hands fisted in the material. She didn’t hear anything. Her breath came fast and hard, but she forced herself to calm down and listen.
Another rustling sent her heart into a frenzy again. Despair settled over her that she’d have to leave if she were discovered.
A bunny hopped out of the trees, startling her. Overwhelming relief sent her to her knees. A rabbit. Not someone who’d seen her. Unless they had animals that could speak in the North Pole, she was safe. She laughed, then sobered when she realized she’d have to be more careful, more vigilant. She’d have to restrict her flying to only when it was absolutely necessary to stretch her wings.
She tied her sweater around her waist and jogged back to her cottage. She wasn’t really looking forward to tomorrow. She had a meeting scheduled with the big man himself.
Morning came too soon for Kara’s comfort. She groaned, pulling her pillow over her head. She wished she could sleep in—more proof of her only being half-elf—but elves weren’t wired for that. Six a.m. was the latest any of them could sleep, midnight the latest they could stay up. Except for one month out of the year when they didn’t require sleep at all, and the next month when they practically hibernated.
She showered, taking time to dry her amethyst tresses and apply makeup. Elves took pride in their appearance, without being prideful about it. If an elf was going up to see the Big Guy, she made doubly sure she looked her best.
An hour later, she left her cottage with her hair braided into a fancy pattern, wearing a short black skirt, a yellow top with a black scarf, tights and her knee-high boots. They’d given her a sled—every elf over the age of twenty-five received one—but she preferred to walk.
She arrived at the main house ten minutes before her appointed time. She walked into the receiving room where she was met by his secretary, a surprisingly dour-looking, pinch-faced woman with gray hair pulled on top of her head. Kara couldn’t r
eally blame her for being so dour. If she had such bland hair, she’d probably be angry at the world as well.
“Kara Honeybell, I presume?” the woman monotoned, not waiting to hear Kara’s answer. “Have a seat, please.” The woman swiveled back to her computer as if Kara was completely dismissed from her consciousness. Kara’s eyebrows went up and she left to sit in one of the waiting room chairs, reveling in the utter comfort of the chair that felt like settling on a cloud. It was just part of the Big Guy’s kindness to want to make sure his guests were comfortable.
A younger girl, much more cheerful than the gray woman, came into the room bearing a tray of hot cocoa, marshmallows, whipped cream, and a variety of pastries and candy. Kara had heard rumor in the South of the confections offered in the big house here, therefore she’d forgone eating breakfast at home.
The girl greeted Kara happily, offering her the pick of anything on the tray, and even asked if there was something else she could get her. Her mouth full of deliciousness already, Kara shook her head no. Kara glanced over at the gray woman, wondering if she’d be censured for eating so many sweets so early in the morning. The woman didn’t so much as glance her way.
Kara dropped a handful of marshmallows into her mug, pouring chocolate on top. She took a bite of a cream Danish and closed her eyes in ecstasy. It was heavenly. Her sip of the cocoa was even better. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
The door to the office opened and Kara looked up expectantly. She’d met the Big Guy briefly when she’d first arrived but hadn’t spoken to him since. He knew about her, of course, and she worried how he’d receive her.
Her jaw dropped when Seb exited the room. He didn’t look happy—but then again, from her few altercations with him, she wondered if he had it in him to look anything but grumpy. She shrunk back against the chair, hoping he wouldn’t notice her.
Her hope was in vain. He lifted his gaze, his narrowed eyes boring into hers. His jaw tightened and he turned toward the gray woman without acknowledging her beyond that one cryptic look.
A Fantasy Christmas Page 2