Miss Frost Chills the Cheater

by Kristen Painter

  “No, but the problem will get solved. You’ll see. Just promise you won’t leave.”

  “You have my word. I swear.”

  “Good.”

  He pulled under the portico. We got out of the crawler and headed inside.

  I paused in the foyer. “We need to go to my dad’s office and talk to him about all of this.”

  “Is your dad still in his office this late?”

  “Probably. He’ll be trying to get ahead of things so he can spend some time with us.”

  “Good man.” Sin nodded. “Lead the way.”

  I turned toward the wing that housed the working area of the palace. It was a decent walk, but Sin and I were quiet the whole way. I was sure he was thinking about the tinker problem and the outburst in the square just as much as I was.

  We entered my dad’s office suite, and his office manager, Ezreal, greeted us.

  Ezreal Zur’dar was only half winter elf. The rest of him was half ice troll, and he had the gorgeous deep blue skin to prove it.

  He smiled warmly as he got up from his desk and came around. “Princess Jayne. I knew you were back, but it’s so good to see you in person.”

  I hugged him. He wouldn’t mind, and he couldn’t do it first. Protocol and all that. “It’s really good to see you too.”

  Ezreal looked at Sinclair. “You must be Mr. Crowe. I’ve heard so many good things about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

  “Please, call me Sinclair.” Sin stuck his hand out.

  Ezreal laughed as he shook it. “Oh, sir, I can’t do that. If and when you become the Queen’s Consort, it wouldn’t do for us to be that familiar. But I deeply appreciate the kind offer.”

  Sin blew out a breath. “I have a lot to learn.”

  “You’ve got plenty of time.” I smiled at him before speaking to Ezreal again. “Is my father here?”

  “I’m sorry, Princess, he just left for the evening. I believe he was headed to the royal residence to join Lady Frost in the private dining room for dinner. I’m only still here because I’m finishing up a letter.”

  “Okay, we can catch him there. Thanks.” I started to leave, then hesitated. “Does he know about what happened in the square tonight?”

  Ezreal’s expression darkened, and his posture went rigid. “Yes. Ugly business. News travels fast.”

  “It does.” I was tempted to chew on my bottom lip, but didn’t. “Did he say anything about it?”

  “He’s extremely upset. As am I.” Ezreal looked at Sinclair. “If I may be so bold, I assure you, Mr. Crowe, that the small-minded are not the majority here. They’re just loud.” He lifted his chin. “I’ve dealt with them a few times myself.”

  Sin smiled. “I appreciate that. Thank you.”

  I squeezed Ezreal’s hand. “Yes, thank you. We’ll let you get back to your letter so you can get home. Good to see you.”

  He gave me a little bow. “You too, Princess.”

  We left as he returned to his desk. We headed for my parents’ apartment, also known as the royal residence.

  “He seems like a nice guy,” Sin said.

  “He is,” I answered. “Very nice. One of the best, really. He’s one of the few employees I’d trust implicitly. Him, Gregory, and a small handful of others.”

  “What did he mean that he’d had to deal with the small-minded himself?”

  “He’s half ice troll. That’s why his ears point back instead of up and where he gets his deep blue skin. And what he’s referring to is the minor dustup that occurred when my father first hired him. But that’s long past, and Ezreal is the loyalist of loyal. Hard worker, efficient, and close-mouthed.” Ice trolls were also excellent mimics, but that seemed neither here nor there in this conversation. “I hope he’s still around when I become queen.”

  “A dustup? Because he isn’t a hundred percent winter elf?”

  “To some extent, yes, but also because he was the reigning North Pole boxing champion, and people didn’t think a brawler was the right sort for the Winter King’s office manager.”

  Sin’s jaw dropped open. “Ezreal is a boxing champion? I mean, he looks very fit, but…”

  I laughed softly. “Yep. Underneath that proper suit and tie is a lean, mean, tattooed fighting machine. I’m sure he could still beat the snowflakes out of just about anyone. I think that’s partly why my dad hired him. Office manager and security all in one.”

  Sin nodded thoughtfully. “Ezreal seems like such a cool guy. And your dad is a smart man. Hiring him was brilliant.”

  “It was. I hope I can be half as good a leader as my father. I also hope my turn doesn’t come for a very long time.”

  Sin slipped his hand in mine. “Me too. I like your dad. I like both your parents. Honestly, your whole family is really great.”

  That warmed me up, and in combination with our talk with Ezreal, I was feeling pretty good.

  I knocked on the door to the royal residence, and a moment later, my mom answered. “Hi, honey. Hi, Sinclair.” Her smile was sympathetic, but her eyes held a little righteous indignation, telling me she’d been filled in on what had happened in the square. “Come in. We just started dinner, but there’s plenty if you’re hungry.”

  “Thanks, but we really came to talk.”

  She nodded. “I know, but you’re still welcome to eat. We’re having one of your father’s favorites. Linguine carbonara with garlic bread. And there’s crème brulee for dessert.”

  My traitorous stomach growled. “That sounds great. I guess a little dish would be okay.”

  Sin snorted, so I jabbed him lovingly with my elbow. He held up his hands. “Hey, it does sound good.” Then he looked at my mom. “I just hate that we’re interrupting your dinner with this.”

  My mother’s gaze rose to meet his. “Sinclair, this issue affects us all. An accusation against you is an accusation against all of us. Jayne has brought you into our life, and through your own actions, you’ve made yourself a valuable part of it. So long as you two are together, the circle of protection that surrounds this family has officially been extended to include you as well.”

  He put a hand to his heart. “That’s…more than I expected. I’m overwhelmed. Thank you.”

  “It’s just what we do.” She moved aside. “Now come in. The food’s getting cold. We’ll talk while we eat.”

  We entered and followed her to the dining room. With a few words, she directed the household staff to set two additional places and serve us. In minutes, we were lifting forks filled with creamy pasta goodness.

  My dad’s plate was almost empty, but he waved away a second helping, a sign he was upset. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair. “What happened at the square tonight is unacceptable.”

  I swallowed my mouthful of garlic bread. “I agree. How did two tinkers end up with essentially the same toy? And why on earth would anyone think Sinclair had anything to do with it?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m putting out a statement in the Pole Post’s morning edition. I won’t stand for accusations against Sinclair.” My father looked at Sin. “We stand with you as a family. I’m sure Klara told you, but I wanted you to hear it from me as well.”

  “Very kind of you,” Sinclair said. “I had no idea my visit would create such chaos for you all. I’m sorry about that.”

  “It is what it is,” my father said. “And there’s nothing for you to apologize for. We’re going to deal with it. But I’m sorry you’ve had to experience it. We were hoping your visit here would be one that showed you what a great place the North Pole is to live.” He frowned. “Obviously, that’s not what’s happened this evening.”

  Sin glanced at me. “No place is perfect. And what happened tonight hasn’t ruined my opinion of your beautiful kingdom.”

  “That’s very generous.”

  Sin twirled his fork in his pasta. “Growing up as a necromancer, I learned to deal with people’s predisposed opinions about me. People are scared of death, and that makes it easy
to be scared of my kind. Of what we do. Anyone who can control the thing you’re most afraid of either earns your respect or your hatred. It’s just human nature. And, it seems, elf nature too.”

  “You have a better handle on this than I do, then.” My father shook his head. “As far as the tinker situation goes, my brother-in-law, Kris, and I agree that it feels like much more than a coincidence.”

  I thought about that. “Do you know both tinkers? Would either of them be the kind of elf to do something underhanded to get ahead?”

  He stared at his plate, thinking. “They’re both good men. One’s only been a tinker for two years. He’s eager to prove his worth, but that’s natural. The other has been a tinker for nearly fifty years and has been in the competition numerous times.”

  I leaned in. “That gives both of them motive to tip things in their favor. One to win, one to keep winning.”

  “I agree,” my dad said. “But that also leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions.”

  I put my fork down. “I can help. In fact, you have to let me.”

  My father’s brows lifted. “I have to?”

  “Yes. Sin’s been accused of being a part of this, which is ridiculous, but I want to prove just how ridiculous by finding out what actually happened. Let me talk to them both. Let me do some digging.”

  “Jay, I appreciate the offer, but this isn’t Nocturne Falls.”

  “Even more reason I should handle this. Because it’s the North Pole. The kingdom I will one day rule. If I can’t fix this, how am I ever going to take the throne? There will always be a stain on my past. This blemish that I can’t erase. And worse, this incident will forever color the way our citizens see Sinclair. Because of that, he has to help me with the investigation.”

  My father pursed his mouth in objection. “Jay, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  My mother dropped her napkin onto the table. “I do. I think it’s a terrific idea. Jayne is right. Sinclair has to be a part of the solution. He deserves to clear his name of this stupid and irrational accusation.”

  “Klara, now listen—”

  “No, Jack. I’m putting my foot down. How would you feel if someone had accused me of something? You’d be the first to defend me.”

  He smiled. “I would.”

  “Then let Jayne do this. And let Sinclair help her. She’s already proved how good she is at sorting out such messes in Nocturne Falls. She should be even better at it here.”

  My father sighed, letting out a little stream of icy vapor that showed how high his emotions were. “Your mother has spoken, Jayne.”

  “Does that mean I can dig into this? And Sinclair too?” I was happy, but also realized what I had just gotten myself into. If only I could fly Birdie up here.

  My father nodded. “I give you royal dispensation to go where you need to go and do what you need to do. Just…be prudent.”

  I did not jump up and down in my chair, even though I felt like it. Getting this permission had saved me from explaining to my parents I’d told the crowd at the tourney that I was going to handle this. “Of course.”

  “Your uncle is speaking to both of the men in his office at nine A.M. tomorrow. I’ll send him word that you’re joining him.”

  I also did not squeal in excitement. “Thank you.”

  “Yes,” Sinclair added. “Thank you.”

  My father nodded. “Now let’s eat some crème brulee. I am in desperate need of sugar.”

  I barely slept. Most of the night was spent thinking about what questions I would ask of the two tinkers. I knew those questions would depend on what information they offered. I assumed they’d both have an explanation for how they each ended up with a robotic chicken as their entry.

  How similar those explanations were remained to be seen.

  Dawn came early, and for that I was glad. I fed Spider, took care of his litter box, then got myself showered and dressed. I hadn’t really brought interrogation-appropriate clothing, so I dug around in my closet to see what clothes I had that might work. Very little of my standard North Pole attire had come to Nocturne Falls with me since what I wore in the NP was mostly winter clothes.

  The bulk of my Nocturne Falls wardrobe now leaned heavily in the shorts and flip-flops direction. Gotta love Georgia in the summer.

  What had remained in the NP was extensive. I found some navy dress pants and a navy cashmere sweater with ivory trim at the neck and wrists. I added simple pearl earrings and my rainbow obsidian bracelet, which I always wore, plus a pair of charcoal-gray suede low-heeled boots. The look was crisp and classic. Probably not as intimidating as black jeans, black leather jacket and skull earrings, but it would do.

  I didn’t own skull earrings anyway.

  But I did have some other impressive jewelry. More items I hadn’t taken to Nocturne Falls, but a few I had borrowed for the Black and Orange Balls. I opened the safe in my closet. The jewels in here were exclusively mine and therefore could be kept in my apartment safe, as opposed to the family vault.

  I selected my diamond and sapphire House of Frost broach. It had belonged to my grandmother and her grandmother before her, one of the first Winter Queens to take the throne.

  I pinned the intricate snowflake to my shoulder and took a look. It was a not-so-subtle reminder of who I was and the history of my family. Whether or not that would impact the tinkers, I had no idea, but it should.

  A knock at my door stopped me just as I was about to add a touch of perfume. I went to open it, not surprised to see Sin. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”

  “Morning, sweetheart. I slept as well as can be expected, I guess.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You look nice. Very royal. I like it. Has a don’t-mess-with-me-I’m-a-princess vibe.”

  I laughed. “I’ll take that. You look like I was hoping to. Which is to say, appropriately intimidating.”

  “Yeah?” He spread his arms as he walked in. He was in black slacks, fitted gray sweater and his black leather jacket. A thick silver rope encircled one wrist. He looked like who he was. Someone powerful. And closely connected to death. “Not too much?”

  I shook my head. “Nope, it’s perfect. You can be bad cop.” I squinted at him. He was such a nice guy. I’d seen him angry, but not for a while. “Do you mind being bad cop?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Good. Because it’s kind of hot.” I winked at him, causing him to smile. “Let me just grab my jacket, and we can go.”

  He hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward the hall. “Do you want to put Spider in my apartment? I figured he might like to hang with Sugar over there today. Plus, it would be a change of scenery.”

  “Good idea. Spider, Sinclair is here,” I called out. “You want to spend the day with Sugar?”

  Spider came running out of the bedroom, meowing all the way, making us both laugh.

  I shook my head. “Spider, use your words. It’s okay to talk in front of Mr. Sinclair.”

  He just sat there, staring at me. Stubborn little thing.

  “He’ll, uh, talk when he’s ready, I’m sure,” Sin said, giving me that look that said I was adorable even if I really believed my cat could talk.

  “He can talk.”

  Sin nodded. “Oh, I know. Totally.” He smirked and tipped his head toward the hall. “Come on, Spider. Sugar’s waiting on you.”

  Sin went across the hall to open his door, and Spider darted right in.

  With a sigh, I slipped on my leather jacket, which was perfect with this outfit, and we were off to pick up the crawler.

  “We’re headed to the factory, right? The big Christmas-tree-shaped building?” Sin asked.

  “Yes. You actually need clearance for that, but we have it thanks to the badges my uncle messengered over.” I pulled them from my jacket pocket and handed Sin his.

  Sin’s face was incredulous as he looked it over. “You need a badge to get into your uncle’s toy factory?”

  “No, well, parts of it. These give us
full access.”

  “I had no idea it was such a secure place.” He tucked the badge in his pocket. “Is there a reason for that?”

  “There is. Years ago, an elf went rogue and tried to sell some toy ideas to a human manufacturer. It didn’t go well for him, but the upside was our security improved.”

  He nodded, then went silent a moment. “Anything new about last night?”

  “You know, the Pole Post wasn’t delivered to my apartment this morning. So I’d say yes, there’s a story. And it’s one Gregory, or someone, thought I shouldn’t see. Probably Gregory.” I exhaled, a little cranky at that realization. “I appreciate him looking out for me, but I need to know what’s happening.”

  “Should we go back?”

  “No. We’re already here, and the transportation office will have one.”

  Sin held the door for me, and out we went. I marched past the approaching valet and right over to his booth. I could see a copy of the paper on the seat he’d vacated. I reached through the window and grabbed it.

  When I flipped it over, I immediately saw why Gregory had kept it from me. The morning’s headline read, King Defends Death’s Presence. The nerve of them putting that headline on my father’s statement. Sin wasn’t Death. There were a few smaller headlines like, Will Death Rule Us? and Tinkers’ Tourney Tainted By Dark Magic.

  Red edged my vision. This negativity was so unlike what I was used to. Had things changed so much in the time I’d been gone? “What a load of garbage. Unsubstantiated, lying, foul garbage. How dare they?”

  Sin looked over my shoulder. “Seems about right based on the reaction last night.”

  “No, it doesn’t. Not to me. You might be used to this, but I’m not.”

  “Does the paper normally give the royals a kid-glove treatment? Because most papers like to sensationalize the news. Sells better. Sad, but just how it is.”

  “The paper doesn’t necessarily provide a lovefest for everything the royals do, but this is uncalled for.” I tossed the paper back into the valet booth and addressed the young man trying to hand me the crawler keys. “Send a message to Gregory that I expect a copy of the Post in my apartment when I return. Today’s copy.”