“Where are you going?” Vale asked worriedly.
“To see Blitzen.”
“We’re coming with you,” Tim said firmly.
Jack grew rather weary of being told what to do by these Christmas elves. He would have to deal with them, but right now, he needed to get back to the causeway. Begrudgingly, he took the three with him, dropping them onto the snow none too gently when they arrived outside Blitzen’s hangar. He’d had just about enough of being pulled in this direction and that. The storm inside him twisted and turned, expanding and pushing against his skin, anticipating its release. His hands were bluish white, his skin growing paler as a gust of wind slammed open the door to Blitzen’s office, making the two Rein Dear inside jump.
“Frost, what the holly is the matter with you? Don’t you know how to knock?”
“I’m not here for you,” Jack growled, turning away from Vixen to address Blitzen, who came around his desk, his beefy arms crossing over his expansive chest. He might be the largest of the Rein Dears, but he was a fool if he believed Jack would be intimidated. “Where is he?”
“Who?”
“Fig,” Jack snarled.
Blitzen shrugged. “How would I know?”
“You had an interview with him today.”
“No, I didn’t.” Blitzen frowned, his gaze going to Vixen in question before returning to Jack.
Jack took a step toward Blitzen, ready to persuade the Rein Dear into cooperating, but Tim cut in, stepping between him and the dark-haired Rein Dear.
“Blitzen, Ginger says Fig came by and told her he had an interview with you for the mechanic’s position.”
“Well, then I’m afraid he lied. I would never hire an elf who behaved in such a manner toward any of my Rein Dear brothers,” Blitzen replied, his expression grave. Jack would have been happy to put the gruff pilot in his place had he decided to be less cooperative. It seemed Tim had spared him the trouble or the pleasure. He was uncertain which at the moment.
Fig had lied to Ginger regarding his presence at the causeway. That was all he needed to know. He turned, almost running into his idiot cousin, who gazed off at something behind Jack. He turned to see what had caught his cousin’s attention so keenly.
Vixen.
“Are you kidding me?” Jack groaned, angry with his cousin for showing such poor taste. “That’s the Rein Dear you were talking about? Good luck with that.”
“What’s he on about?” Vixen asked, looking insulted, though the simpleton had no notion as to why he was being insulted. Why was Jack even dealing with this ridiculous elfling crush?
“Ignore him,” Vale muttered, casting Jack an unpleasant glare. “He’s not himself at the moment.”
Not himself? The words greatly disturbed him. Was he not himself? How was he not himself?
“Jack?”
Tim’s voice interrupted his thoughts. There was nothing wrong with him. He was carrying out his duty. Was he supposed to skulk about like some timid elf? “Go home. You two are nothing but a nuisance. Go pester someone else. I have work to do.”
“But…” Tim looked up at Jack with his big, innocent eyes. The sight made him furious for some unseen reason.
“I don’t need a tiny, worthless little elf slowing me down. How you could be the son of a toy soldier I’ll never know.”
Tim gasped, his eyes growing glassy. Sweet, merciful heavens, he was surrounded by children.
“You miserable bastard! I’ll—”
“Noel! No.” Tim threw his arms around Noel and held him close. “Please, don’t.”
“Tim…” Noel wrapped his arms around the tiny elf, crushing him in his embrace as if to shield him from Jack. Good, they should fear him. Everyone should fear him. There had been a time when the mere mention of his name was enough to instill alarm. He didn’t need these pathetic little creatures.
“Leave him. He doesn’t want our help.” Tim looked up at Jack, the strange look in his eyes sending another sharp strike through Jack’s heart, and he clutched at his chest. What was it about the tiny elf that cut so deeply, and why? Why should he care about the runt? What use was he? He couldn’t fight, couldn’t summon magic. He was so small. Useless.
Even as the thoughts crossed Jack’s mind, his chest grew tighter. He had to get away from here, from them, all of them. Why was he even here? Fig. That insolent elf had betrayed him. Jack walked out of the room into the raging snowstorm. He would make an example out of the traitorous elf. It was time these Christmas elves knew their place.
Chapter 10
“Rudy!”
Rudy sat up in his bed with a groan, concerned by the panicked voice of his sweet friend. Tim came running into the room, followed by Noel, Vale, and Vixen. Plum pudding. It was worse than he thought.
Vale quickly went to Rudy’s side, taking his hand in his. “I didn’t want to believe it. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Rudy assured the handsome toy soldier, touched by his concern. Vixen plopped himself on the bed beside Rudy, his expression dismal and so very unlike him. If there was one Rein Dear who was always in high spirits, causing mischief wherever he went, it was the handsome, fair-haired Vixen.
“What’s crawled up your lover’s stocking and died? You’d think he made the naughty list the way he’s stomping about glaring at elves as if the gesture alone would turn them to ice.” He pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Not that it’s all that different to how he usually is, now that I think about it.”
Rudy cast his Rein Dear brother a weary glance. It seemed as if Vixen and Jack were always arguing. There was some truth to what Rudy had told Jack. Vixen did tend to have bouts of jealousy concerning Rudy’s relationship, but only because in his friend’s eyes, Rudy had managed to “snag himself a prince.” Vixen also thought it wasn’t fair Rudy had been chosen as captain above the others—as if Rudy hadn’t worked himself to exhaustion at Claus College and the Rein Dear Academy to earn his post while Vixen had been out getting merry on eggnog and going through helper elves as if he were trying to break a world record. At times Rudy wanted to strangle Vixen with his own ostentatious candy cane bowtie. Tim’s soft voice snapped Rudy’s attention away from his infuriating friend.
“He’s changing fast, Rudy.”
Tim relayed all the information regarding the button Ginger had found, the Mouse King being set up, and Jack’s steadily rising coldness. Rudy couldn’t keep himself from feeling disappointment at the possible involvement of Fig. Could he really be behind what had happened to Rudy?
Rudy had hoped never to have to think about that unpleasant experience again. Fig had been his friend once. It had been shocking and heartbreaking when the elf had flown into a rage in Rudy’s office after the news of his and Jack’s relationship had hit the headlines. Rudy had never seen it coming. He hadn’t expected everyone he worked with to pat him on the back, but he hadn’t expected someone he had laughed and chatted with over hundreds of years to call him such terrible names, to spout such hate and anger. He supposed it wouldn’t be so far-fetched for Fig to be involved, but why wait this long? It didn’t make any sense.
“What’s happening?” Vale asked worriedly, drawing Rudy’s attention away from his melancholy thoughts. “I’ve not seen Jack like this since…” Vale’s eyes widened. “It’s happening again, isn’t it?”
With a soft sigh, Tim nodded. “Yes.”
“How bad is it?” Rudy asked, aware of how everyone seemed to be finding it quite difficult to look him in the eyes. From Tim’s account, Jack grew frostier by the moment, but he needed to know how bad it really was.
“The bastard was cruel to Tim,” Noel growled, his arms tightening around his sweetheart.
Oh no, it was worse than he thought. Rudy tried his hardest to remain positive. They would find a way to help Jack. “Tim, you know our Jack would never hurt you in such a way.” He held out a hand to his small friend, and Tim crawled up onto the bed. Rudy hugged him close, offering what comfort he could. Tim was never an
ything but kind and sweet, offering cheer wherever he went. He had a heart most would envy.
“Deep down I knew it wasn’t Jack speaking,” Tim said quietly. “He would never say such horrible things.” Tim whispered to Rudy, sharing his heartache at their beloved Jack’s words. Despite Tim knowing it wasn’t Jack speaking, the words had done their damage. Tim’s insecurities regarding his size were something the young elf battled with every day. Although he was more confident now than he had been a year ago, it was still difficult for Tim, being the smallest of all the elves despite his age. Rudy found himself feeling angry.
“I have to do something.”
Vixen stood and began pacing the room. “Rudy, you barely have any strength at all. If you don’t allow yourself time to heal, you won’t be able to fly in time for Christmas, much less help Jack.”
“Then I need to change that.” Rudy was determined to do something. He threw back the covers, the ache in his body telling him Vixen was all too right, but what was he supposed to do? Lie here while he lost his true love? Sit around while the elf Rudy had promised his heart to, whom he had planned to love the whole of his immortal life, was in danger of becoming an unfeeling monster? He had spent so much of his life fighting for Jack’s love. Now that he had it, he wasn’t about to give it up so easily.
“You don’t have the magic,” Vixen insisted.
“But I do.”
They all turned toward the deep baritone voice. Everyone in the room bowed their heads in respect. The bedroom glowed with warmth from his mere presence, the scents of Christmas following his every footstep as he walked through the room, his head all but touching the ceiling high above. As an elf and spirit, Jack was large in stature, but even he couldn’t compare to Mayor Kringle. The Spirit of Christmas was formidable, towering over all. He was wide and strong, in possession of far less belly than the images of him around the globe portrayed.
Kringle was a warrior and businessman, shrewd and fearless. His many-layered wardrobe was made up of earthly tones—rich, deep reds, forest greens, and browns—a contrast to his pale-green eyes and snowy-white beard. His thick white eyebrows drew together in concern as he approached Rudy’s bedside. Vixen quickly brought a chair over, depositing it behind Kringle. With a snap of his fingers, the too-small chair stretched and widened before Kringle took a seat.
“Sir…” Rudy swallowed hard, his spirit lifting just from having his mentor here. Without Kringle, Rudy would be just another Christmas elf, toiling away at the Candy Cane Mills or curling ribbons at the Gift Packaging Plant. To this day, Rudy still didn’t know what Kringle saw in him, why he’d insisted Rudy was special.
“Lads.” Kringle greeted the others before turning his attention back to Rudy, his large hand coming to rest gently at the back of Rudy’s head. “You’re in pretty bad shape, aren’t you my little elfling?”
“Sir, please. I have to help Jack, he’s—”
“I know.” Kringle let out a heavy sigh, his expression one of deep concern. “I was in Winter Wonderland when I started hearing whispers in the wind. I came as soon as I could, but… I fear I’m too late. I’m sorry, Rudy. His heart has already frozen over.”
Rudy’s own heart nearly stopped beating. It couldn’t be… He refused to believe it was over. “I have to go to him. I have to do something.” Determined, he gritted his teeth and attempted to get up, only to have Kringle put a hand to his shoulder.
“Easy there, my little elfling. I understand your pain. You must, however, prepare yourself for the worst. There’s a chance he may not remember you or what you had together. Keep in mind, the first time you melted his heart, it was so gradually that he was completely unaware. It took years. Now you’ll be attempting to melt his heart on the spot, and he may see you as a threat. You’ll be facing a great danger.”
Rudy sat searching his heart, remembering how difficult and heartbreaking it had been the first time. He steeled himself, knowing it could be so much worse this time. Jack might kill him. His gaze went to Kringle’s.
“I have to try.”
To his surprise, Kringle smiled warmly at him. “I never doubted it. You’re more than you give yourself credit for, young Rudy. Search deep inside yourself.” He took Rudy’s hand in his, his eyes closing as a warm glow radiated from him. “The Prince of Frost may have the powers of winter behind him, but he underestimates the match he has found in you. I have faith in you.”
As the power of Kringle’s healing spread through Rudy, he wished with all his might that his mentor was correct. Could he truly have something special dormant within him? If he did, he would find a way to get through to Jack, no matter the cost. He had to.
Chapter 11
“No! Please!”
Rudy poked his head out from behind the hangar, his heart pounded wildly at the sight of Jack standing several feet away in the middle of the open field, his hand held out as his pale fingers slowly closed. From the choking noises Fig made, it seemed Jack had ordered the arctic wind to tighten its grip around the elf’s neck as he hovered before Jack.
“I never meant to hurt him, Frost, I swear! I didn’t know how powerful a spell it was. I thought it would just scare him. That’s all.”
“Whatever you believed and whatever the outcome is immaterial. You dared to defy the Prince of Frost?” Jack’s voice was a fierce growl and void of the warmth Rudy had grown to cherish. He had to do something before Jack lost his patience and rid himself of Fig. No doubt in his state, Jack had forgotten he was no longer above their kingdom’s laws as he once had been. The kingdom would demand justice be served, and the King of Frost would be forced to punish his only son. Rudy had sent word out to the King of Frost, the only one with enough power to stop Jack, but no one had seen the king since his encounter with his son in the garden.
“How did you get the button?” Jack hissed, his grip twisting and forcing the elf to cry out.
“Why isn’t he talking?”
Tim’s soft voice gave Rudy a start, and he turned to reprimand the small elf for ignoring his request to stay put with the rest of their friends, except the rest of their friends had decided to ignore his request as well.
“What are you all doing here?” Rudy asked quietly. Four pairs of wide eyes stared at him.
“You didn’t really think we were going to sit in front of your cozy fireplace while Prince Pouts-a-lot turned you into a frozen tasty treat, did you?” Vixen replied. He looked over his shoulder at Vale, whose cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. “You’re breathing down my neck, handsome.”
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” Vale started to shuffle back, but Vixen grabbed his arm, a less than wholesome expression coming onto his face.
“I didn’t say move.”
“Oh. Right.” The red in Vale’s face intensified, and Rudy rolled his eyes. They were in immortal peril, and yet Vixen still managed to find the time to flirt.
“Can we please concentrate on the problem at hand?” Rudy insisted.
“Yeah, Frosty over there looks like he’s about to blow a gasket,” Noel grumbled, nodding toward Jack, who was indeed looking exceptionally livid.
“Tell me!”
“Jack, leave him be. It was my doing. Fig only did as I asked.”
Everyone’s gasps would have been comical had matters not taken a turn for the worse.
“Hollis…” Vale started toward his brother, who headed across the field toward Jack, but Vixen blocked his path.
“Are you mad? You can’t go out there. Who knows what Frost will do to you?”
“So I’m to stand by and watch as he does whatever it is to my brother? I’d rather die.”
“Blast it, you toy soldiers are so infuriatingly dramatic,” Vixen huffed, turning to Rudy. “Well, Captain? Do something?”
Rudy couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Don’t do something. Do something. I wish you would make up your mind.” Actually, now would be the perfect time for him to approach. Jack seemed to be in a state of shock, his gaze on his c
ousin, who headed toward him with extreme caution. Hollis’s betrayal confused and stunned Rudy, but he didn’t have the time to dwell on it.
“Jack, put him down. Let’s discuss this,” Hollis pleaded.
“You did this?” Jack’s expression was one of confusion, but it wouldn’t last long.
“I’m so sorry, Jack.” Hollis put his hand to his heart as he pleaded his case. “It wasn’t meant to go this far. Like Fig said, I only wanted to scare Rudy, get him to leave you be. I was afraid you would leave us, afraid the rumors were true. Talking to you didn’t help, so I thought… I thought if I could get Rudy to put some distance between you two, you might come to your senses. I used the scuffle that morning in the cell to remove the button. The whole thing at the White Hart had been planned, to allow me the chance I needed to slip the button to Fig without placing suspicion on either of us. I paid him to pour the black magic into Rudy’s fuel tank, along with the button.” He lowered his head in shame. “I believed that once you found the button, you would be too blinded by your anger to see past the Mouse King’s guilt. I know it was impulsive and naïve, but I truly believed everything would go back to the way it used to be.”
Jack dropped Fig harshly to the snowy ground, and the elf wasted no time in scrambling away, making tracks across the snowy field. “Where did you get the spell?”
“From someone who knows someone who knows… a Dockalfar.”
Rudy cringed about the same time Hollis did, while Jack gaped at his cousin. What in Kringle’s name had that silly toy soldier been thinking? If Rudy lived through this, he would give Hollis a good kicking.
“A dark elf? Hollis, are you mad? You know they can’t be trusted!”
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