“What did you do?” his father asked, approaching him. At least he had left that ridiculous robe of his behind, and was now dressed modestly in his royal-blue jacket with gold braiding and cords, his breeches and boots black.
“I did what I had to do to save Rudy.”
“You called upon my power.” It was less an accusation and more a statement, much to Jack’s surprise. He swallowed hard, refusing to think on how he had been too weak to save Rudy on his own.
“I needed it. It was black magic meant to keep me out.”
His father’s low gasp didn’t go unnoticed. “So you decided to fight it on your own? What were you thinking?”
“The love of my life was plummeting to his death. Forgive me if I didn’t have the time to ask for your permission.”
“Don’t you—”
“No,” Jack growled, his hard gaze meeting his father’s. “Don’t you bother with your preposterous reprimands! I told you I love him, and I will do anything for him.”
With a resigned sigh, his father took a step toward him, his expression softening. “And what good will it do him if you lose yourself? The Jack he loves will be gone.”
“I had it under control.” Since when did his father care about anything other than their family’s reputation? Especially since his favorite pastime as of late was to tell Jack how unworthy Rudy was.
Looking at his father now, when he wasn’t blustering hot air about something, Jack could see the similarities so many often spoke of. Jack was very much a younger version of the elegant and imposing King of Frost. Despite having been around since the beginning, when the earth had been covered in nothing but snow and ice, his father’s appearance was youthful, making him resemble more an older brother than a father. His hair was pitch-black, his physique not dissimilar to Jack’s. The only difference lay in their skin—where Jack had inherited his mother’s pale skin, his father’s was a rich tan. The thought made him frown deeply. The last thing he needed was a reminder of how similar he was to his father.
The King of Frost came to stand before him, and Jack eyed him warily. “Son…” The term startled Jack, enough to allow his father to put a white-gloved hand to Jack’s shoulder. The King of Frost was never so informal, not even with his own son. “Please, let the toy soldiers handle it.”
“Someone tried to kill Rudy, dared to use black magic against me, and you want me to stand back and do nothing?” Was he serious? How could he even suggest such a thing?
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I simply wish for you to exercise caution. We don’t know what forces are at work here.”
“Since when do you care?” Jack snapped, removing his father’s hand from his person. “You suggested it would have been better if he had let me be. Isn’t that what you said?” His father’s lips pursed but he said nothing, fueling Jack’s anger. “Isn’t that what you said?”
“I didn’t mean it.”
Jack put his arms out to his sides, his vision going white as he summoned his element. “Is this what you want?”
“Don’t presume to know what I want,” his father argued calmly. He snapped his fingers, and to Jack’s chagrin, his blustering came to a screeching halt. Frustrated, he started to march off, but his father put a hand to his chest to stop him, his expression one of genuine concern. “If you lose yourself, all will be for naught. Don’t lose focus.”
Struck speechless by the gentle words, Jack’s anger melted away. It was always far easier to be furious with his father than to agree. He hated when the elf was right. “I need to go,” he murmured, and without another glance in his father’s direction, took off.
Under normal circumstances, he would have had the sleigh brought around, but he didn’t want anyone disturbing him. He had work to do, and he wouldn’t rest until he had his hands on whoever was responsible. With the winds to carry him, he was at the causeway within minutes.
The whole place had been shut down by the toy soldiers, who were now stationed around the many hangars belonging to the Rein Dears. Inspections were being carried out on all the other aircraft in case Rudy hadn’t been the only target, though Jack was rather certain nothing would come of those investigations. He headed straight for Rudy’s hangar, saluting the toy soldiers who were keeping guard. Inside he found Ginger, Rudy’s mechanic.
“What happened?” he growled, startling the sugarplum fairy. There was a streak of dirt on her rosy cheek, her white hair was an unruly mess, and her red overalls were covered in smudges of motor oil. Rudy’s plane was in pieces, all of which were neatly laid out on towels in tidy little rows.
“I don’t know,” Ginger replied, motioning toward the plane. “Everything was fine. I checked—”
“Did you follow procedure?”
She turned her bright green eyes to him, her pink lips frowning. “Of course I did.”
“Did you run all the appropriate preflight checks? The landing gear? The engine? Check the fuel?”
“I always do.” She crossed her slender arms over her chest, her eyes narrowed at him. What an impertinent little pixie.
“How do you know—” He didn’t get the rest out before she was thrusting a finger at him.
“Now see here, Your Highness. I may be a sugarplum fairy but Rudy hired me himself, and not as window dressing either. I know my biplanes, and his was in perfect condition from tail to nose, so don’t you dare try to pin this on me. I get enough bunk around here from the other elves and that blasted Fig.”
Now there was a name he had been hoping not to hear any time soon. “Fig? He was here?”
“Yes, he came for an interview with Blitzen. His mechanic is leaving in a couple of months. Not that Blitzen is about to hire that lump of coal. Frankly, I can’t believe Fig has the gall to even apply after everything.” She swatted at the loose strands of hair that fell over her brow. Despite her delicate features, the tiny sugarplum fairy didn’t appear to be the least bit intimidated by him.
Someone had to have gotten close to the plane. Could it have been Fig? Had the incident at the pub prompted him to take things to the next level? But Fig no longer had clearance to enter the Claus Causeway, though if he had been called for an interview, it would have given him temporary approval. Perhaps it was time for Jack to pay Fig a visit, seeing as how his first encounter with the horrid little elf hadn’t left much of an impression.
“I did find one thing, but I don’t know that it’s relevant.”
“What?” If there was even the slightest bit of evidence pointing to Fig, it was all he needed.
“A button. It was in the fuel tank when I drained it, along with residue from the dark magic. It seems that’s where it spread from.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny item. When she handed it over to him, he saw it was indeed a button. What the holly? He turned the gleaming gold object over in his hand, his blood boiling when he saw the tiny engraved image on its smooth surface. Well, at least it wasn’t Fig.
His hasty departure left Ginger calling out after him. He should have known there was only one vile creature who could be behind all this. No matter. The villain was going to be meeting his fate sooner than planned.
Jack was unconcerned by the harsh, bitter winter he left in his wake as he thundered through the Palace Courts. They could take their objections to his behavior up with his father. Everyone darted away from him, if not to avoid the arctic winds, to avoid his murderous glare.
The bars to the prison cell slammed open, and Jack came to a halt just outside the door. “You dare defy me?” The Mouse King was flung hard against the wall, pinned to the white brick by Jack’s fury.
“Frost? What’s the meaning of this?” The rodent struggled against the fierce elements to no avail.
“Decided to make good on your threats, did you?” Jack marched up to him and grabbed fistfuls of his prison jumpsuit.
“What?” The high-pitched squeal had Jack narrowing his eyes. He wouldn’t be fooled by the creature’s performance.
Jack p
ulled back a hand, ready to strike. “You hurt him. Now I’m going to hurt you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve gone mad, Frost! Guards!”
It was laughable, the thought that anyone could possibly stand a chance against him. It was time to bring the villain’s crocodile tears to an end. Jack shoved the button into the Mouse King’s face with a snarl. “This was found in Rudy’s fuel tank. That’s how the black magic was administered. It was you.”
“How in Kringle’s name would I do that from in here?” the monarch squeaked, his gaze darting behind Jack, no doubt in the hopes someone would come to his aid.
“I don’t care how you did it, the point is you did it, and now you’re going to pay.” White filled his vision as the cell grew bitter cold, vines of frost spreading across the white bricks and around the steel bars of the prison cell. He could turn the pathetic rodent into an ice cube in seconds, but he wanted the creature to suffer, to feel his heart ready to burst from his chest with fear, the same fear that has washed over Jack at the sight of his love in peril.
“I didn’t do it! Someone’s trying to set me up,” the Mouse King pleaded, his voice trembling and his body racked with shivers.
Jack let out a humorless laugh. “You expect me to believe that?” The rodent would say and do whatever necessary to save his own skin, especially with his brittle whiskers now frozen and so very easy to snap. With an evil grin, Jack took one between his thumb and forefinger.
“I swear!” The Mouse King’s eyes went wide as the reality of his impending demise sank in. “Check my uniform!”
“What?”
“My uniform! I swear, every button, every thread will be in place. I beg you. Check it yourself.”
Jack had no need to believe the words of this villain, but his gut told him he would be foolish to go off half-cocked. If he were to crush this insolent rodent, it would be under complete certainty. He lifted his hand to retract the cold, then decided to leave the abhorrent beast in suspense.
“I’ll be back in a moment.” He turned and walked from the cell, aware of the toy soldiers hovering about in a state of near panic. A little voice inside him told him he should take pity on them. No doubt they were in turmoil over their next course of action. Bah humbug. He had no time to elf-sit trained soldiers. Let them do as they saw fit.
Jack marched to the processing department and knocked on the thick glass, waiting impatiently as the young elf approached with caution.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“The uniform. Let me see it.”
In no time, he was handed the green-and-brown print box holding the Mouse King’s belongings. Swiping it up, he carried it with him back to the cell where the quaking rodent struggled against the forces that held him, a futile endeavor. The main reason the Mouse King had remained out of his grasp until now was the creature’s talent for hiding, as well as his ability to corrupt others into doing his bidding. As for strength, he was no match for Jack, and the Mouse King knew it.
Pulling the neatly folded jacket out of the box, Jack held it up by the collar, and revealed the cuff. “Button, button, thread, button.” Jack’s gaze met that of the Mouse King, whose eyes were wide with terror. “Well, look at that. It appears you’re missing a button.”
“I swear it was there this morning!”
Jack scoffed, dropping the uniform into its box and throwing it to one side. “It’s over.”
“Are you insane? You can’t possibly mean to kill me. We’re at the Palace Courts!”
“I’m prepared to face the consequences of my actions. It’s time for you to do the same.” He took a seat on the cot, gently summoning his powers and gradually bringing down the temperature in the room. The Mouse King was beginning to turn a lovely shade of purplish blue, and he imagined frostbite would settle in soon.
“The ph-ph-photograph! Check the photograph! The one that reporter took this morning. You’ll see it’s there. If it isn’t, you can come back and finish me.”
Did the miserable fiend really think Jack was going to fall for his tricks? The evidence was there. The button in his pocket was an exact match to the others on the jacket, to the one that was missing.
“What if you finish me off and I’m speaking the truth? Then you let the real culprit remain free.”
Jack frowned, his anger growing at the knowledge the blasted rodent made sense. He wouldn’t be heartbroken at ridding himself of the beast, guilty or not, but he would be furious if he discovered the true villain remained free. What if there was another attempt on Rudy’s life? If there was even the slightest possibility the Mouse King spoke the truth, Jack could not ignore it. Blast it! With a snap of his fingers, he absorbed the cold, but only enough to keep the Mouse King alive.
“Enjoy your existence while you can.” He made his way over to the cell door, where he paused. “If you’re wrong, I’ll be back, and I will freeze you piece by piece.” Without another glance in the rodent’s direction, Jack headed down the corridor, where a toy soldier anxiously called out to him.
“Your Highness, you have a telephone call.”
“Not now,” he growled, heading toward the staircase leading up to the Palace Courts and the exit.
“It’s Tim, Your Highness. He says Mr. Rudy’s awake.”
Chapter 8
“Jack?” Rudy groaned, his head feeling as though it had been run over by his biplane. His entire body was in agony, and there was a strange heaviness to his heart. It took him a moment to remember what had happened and orientate himself to his surroundings, but the familiar softness of the bed beneath him and the warm blankets enveloping him allowed himself to relax. He was in their bed, in their home, and Jack…
“I’m here.”
There was something in his lover’s voice, something… different. Rudy gazed up at Jack’s handsome face, the sight nearly bringing tears to his eyes. It was true; Jack was there, but not entirely. Yet Rudy couldn’t bring himself to accept it. The brightness in his lover’s black eyes seemed to have dimmed, and the ache in Rudy’s heart became almost as great as the one in his body. He had to remain strong, for both of them.
“I’m getting down to the bottom of this, Rudy. I’ll find whoever did this and make them pay.” The quiet anger in Jack’s voice sent a shiver through Rudy, and he reached out to him, needing to feel him, to touch him. There was a slight hesitation from Jack, one so subtle it went unnoticed by Tim and Noel, but to Rudy, it was nothing short of a punch to the gut. It was happening. For the love of Kringle, please give me more time.
Jack took Rudy’s hand, his thumb gently stroking Rudy’s skin, his expression thoughtful, as if he were attempting to recall some distant memory.
“Please, Jack, be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Fig?” Jack’s expression grew dark, and his hard gaze moved to Rudy’s, his grip tightening.
“Jack, please, now’s not really the best time,” Tim suggested carefully.
“Now’s as good a time as any,” Jack replied angrily. “You stay out of this.”
“Hey.” Noel jumped to his feet, only to have Jack thrust a finger at him.
“Sit down! I swear I’m in no mood for you.”
“Jack, that’s enough!” Rudy growled, the outburst sending a sharp jolt through his whole body, forcing a groan out of him. He was weaker than he thought. As it was, he was struggling to remain awake, but Jack needed him.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Jack said, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. This whole mess has me on edge.” His worried gaze went to Rudy, and for the first time since Rudy had awoken, he saw his Jack, his handsome, wonderful Jack. “I have to go.”
“Wait,” Rudy called out, his grip on Jack’s sleeve feeble at best. To his relief, Jack stopped. He could see the turmoil within him, could see the way Jack’s hand instinctively went to his chest, his fist resting over his heart as he winced. It was happening
all too quickly. Rudy’s worst fear was happening before his very eyes, and there was nothing he could do.
No, he refused to believe that. He tugged at Jack’s sleeve, his voice soft. “Jack, kiss me before you go? That’s all I ask.”
Jack stood there for so long, Rudy feared he might walk off without a word. Then something inside him must have given way, and Jack returned to his bedside, sitting beside him. Rudy put his hands to Jack’s face, thumbs caressing his stubbly cheeks, and he met his lover’s eyes.
“I love you, Jack. Please remember that.”
Jack swallowed hard, his intense black eyes searching Rudy’s, though for what Rudy had no clue. For truth in his words? Had it come that far already? Not giving it another thought, he gently pulled Jack down to place his lips against his lover’s, his tongue softly probing until Jack finally gave in and opened his mouth, allowing Rudy’s tongue to slip inside. Rudy deepened the kiss, warmth spreading through his body when Jack leaned into him, his arm coming around Rudy’s shoulders so he could pull Rudy close against him. It was painful, almost crushing, but Rudy refused to make a sound, afraid it would shatter the delicate moment. He would give anything to keep Jack from the frightful abyss he was hurtling toward.
Jack pulled back, a shuddering breath escaping him as he let his head rest against Rudy’s. “I love you,” he whispered. “Whatever happens, remember I love you.”
“Jack…”
“Rest now.”
A lump formed in Rudy’s throat as he watched Jack walk out of their room. Once he was gone, Rudy wiped at his eyes and turned to his most trusted friends. “He has to stop this.”
“Stop what?” Noel asked as he followed Tim onto the bed. The two climbed up and sat beside him, Tim’s smaller hand taking hold of Rudy’s and making him smile. The comfort only lasted until he thought of Jack.
“If he keeps this up, his heart…” Rudy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, unable to believe the day he had feared most was finally upon him.
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