“Isn’t that dangerous? What if it fell into the wrong hands?” No wonder the king had it tucked away in a secret room.
“My uncle hasn’t remained the King of Frost this long due to his charm. Only an elf directly connected to the king may wield the scepter’s power. Anyone who isn’t connected to the Frost family will be consumed by its magic. There’s no telling what the scepter will do to them.”
Well, that sounded frightful. A chill went through him, and Vixen was ready to leave. He allowed Vale to escort him out of the room, feeling as if he were being watched. It was silly, but he couldn’t shake the feeling. There was something rather worrisome about an object with such power simply sitting there. He took comfort in the fact no one had laid eyes on it since the war. As they headed for the ballroom, Vixen gave a shiver, and Vale stopped to rub his arms.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, just felt a little chill.” It was as if the corridor had grown colder, and suddenly the thought of heading into the ballroom with all those strangers didn’t appeal to him. Beside him Vale felt warm and vibrant. “Vale?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Could we go somewhere warm… and private?”
Vale seemed taken aback by the request, but when Vixen pressed himself closer, his eyes pleading, Vale nodded.
“Of course. Shall I fetch us a sleigh, or would you like the wind to take us?”
“I’ve never travelled by wind before.” Excitement bubbled up inside him as Vale walked him out onto one of the grand balconies. He wrapped his arms tightly around Vixen and smiled.
“Hold on tight.”
Vixen did as he was instructed, captivated by Vale’s transformation once again, his eyes frosting over white along with a portion of his hair. The wind whipped and howled around them until there was nothing but a flurry of white. It was as if they’d been swept up in a snowy tornado. The floor beneath their feet disappeared, and Vixen tightened his hold on Vale, feeling a rush go through him, one similar to the kind he received when he took off in his biplane. Every moment with the handsome lieutenant seemed to wake up a new sensation inside Vixen, the discoveries never ending. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered madly in anticipation of what might come next.
Chapter 5
The floor returned beneath Vixen’s feet, and the white surrounding them vanished, leaving them on another balcony slightly smaller than the one they’d just been on. With a smile, Vale walked to the doors and opened them, the pale-blue curtains blowing in the breeze. He held his hand out, which Vixen took with pleasure, and they walked into the room.
“This is stunning!” Vixen took in the magnificent sight around him. The bedroom itself was bigger than his entire apartment at the Rein Dear estate. It was regally decorated in an antique Baroque style using hues of icy blue, gold, and white. The velvet tufted chairs and davenport were pale blue, their frames white and gold.
To one side was a colossal four-poster canopy bed with blue gossamer curtains hanging from the bed’s top. It looked exceptionally cozy with scores of silk pillows, fur blankets, and throws.
“This floor of the palace is mine, my brother’s is below, and my father has the first floor. The kitchen, breakfast room, libraries, and other rooms are located on the ground floor. I can give you a tour if you’d like?”
With a naughty smile, Vixen sat on the edge of the plush mattress, and slowly kicked his legs back and forth, his gaze on Vale. “Perhaps in a while.” A thrill rushed up Vixen’s spine at the heat coming into Vale’s silvery gray eyes. Vale crossed the distance between them and dropped to one knee before him, his eyes never leaving Vixen’s as he reached for one boot. He quickly caught himself.
“May I?”
“Please do,” Vixen purred.
Vale removed one boot and laid it carefully to one side, then removed the other, followed by Vixen’s socks. His strong hands slid up Vixen’s breeches until he reached his waist. With a sultry smile, he pulled Vixen forward and up off the bed. Vixen’s heart pounded in his ears, but he remained silent, enthralled by this bold side of the bashful lieutenant.
Vale snapped his fingers, and a breeze blew in past the open balcony doors and their curtains to the Victrola on the far end of the room. The needle rose and gently lowered to its new location. A sweeping ballad played, and Vixen smiled down at Vale. He swayed in time to the music as Vale stood and slipped Vixen’s frockcoat off his shoulders. He stood enthralled as it floated off to the davenport. His waistcoat and shirt soon followed.
“You’re enchanting,” Vale said quietly, his lips hovering over Vixen’s.
Unable to wait any longer, Vixen went about undressing Vale with more speed and far less delicacy until the two were stripped bare and in each other’s arms.
“I’m sorry. Patience isn’t one of my virtues. Come to think of it, I don’t think I possess any,” Vixen said with a small laugh.
“Nonsense.” Vale put his fingers beneath Vixen’s chin and lifted his face so their eyes could meet. “You have a great many virtues.” He danced with Vixen, turning him in time to the music and pulling him over to the bed where Vixen climbed up. He lay on his back, smiling as Vale settled in beside him and rained kisses over his face. He spoke softly, emphasizing each word with a kiss. “Kindness. Compassion. Generosity.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. You and your Rein Dear brothers help build all those gingerbread homes for less-fortunate elves. I witnessed it with my very eyes. That fledgling elf? Nick? You’re his hero. Then there’s the Big Flight, where you bring joy to all those children across the globe.”
“But that’s part of my job.” He wished he possessed such a list of virtues. Knowing Vale truly believed as such formed a lump in Vixen’s throat. Why did Vale think so highly of him? Few others did.
“Being a Rein Dear is more than a job. It’s who you are. Mayor Kringle chooses only very special elves to become Rein Dear. The whole of North Pole City depends on you. Kringle’s magic flows through you. Where would we all be without you?”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Was it possible he took his position for granted? He’d been a Rein Dear pilot for so long that he’d forgotten it hadn’t always been his title. How many elves would give their immortality to be in his shoes?
“Have I upset you?”
Vixen blinked up at Vale. “No. You’re absolutely right. It is more than a job.” Every elf in North Pole City had a part to play. Together they brought Christmas to the world. Vixen held a prestigious position. Without the Rein Dears, what would happen to Christmas? And he did feel good when he and his Rein Dear brothers went out to help all those elves. Every time an elfling or tiny sugarplum fairy giggled with glee at meeting him or their innocent eyes widened in awe, his heart swelled. Not everyone believed he was a floozy. Some thought he was a hero.
“Vale?”
“Yes?”
“Kiss me.” Vixen wrapped his arms around Vale and gave himself over like he’d never done before. The weight of Vale on him was delicious, and he arched his back, his legs wrapped around Vale’s as he writhed with need. Vale kissed him sweetly at first until Vixen parted his lips and Vale’s tongue slipped inside.
A fierce heat washed over Vixen from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. If it weren’t for the fact Vale was a winter elf, he would have thought Vale had set him ablaze. Vixen moaned and dug his fingers into Vale’s shoulders, needing more. Seeming to sense his every desire, Vale released his mouth and travelled down his body, his lips leaving trails of scorching kisses in their wake. His tongue poked out to taste Vixen’s skin, and a deep groan escaped him, his fingers slipping into Vale’s dark locks.
“Vale, please,” Vixen gasped, his desire bubbling up inside him.
“As you wish.” Vale moved between his legs, and Vixen clutched fistfuls of Vale’s hair as he felt that delicious mouth on him. His tongue drew circles around the head of Vixen’s erection before he was swallowed down to the root. Vixen was speechle
ss. He certainly hadn’t expected the lieutenant to be so passionate or such an expert. Vixen was reduced to a quivering mess, making tiny noises, moans, and grunts as Vale lavished attention on him. Just when he thought he couldn’t take anymore, Vale pulled back. He moved up to kiss Vixen, stifling his gasp when Vixen found himself being stretched by a slick finger, followed by a second. Vale’s kiss grew deeper, his tongue slipping inside Vixen’s mouth as he explored every crevice. Then Vixen felt that wonderful sensation of being full as Vale entered him little by little until he was settled against Vixen. Slowly Vale moved against him. He pulled back just enough to look down into Vixen’s eyes and caress his jaw.
Their breaths mingled as they moved together, and Vixen took himself in hand, drawing in a sharp breath when Vale picked up his pace, driving himself deep into Vixen before pulling himself almost completely out.
“Vale…” Vixen threw his head back. He couldn’t help his smile at the way all the curtains floated around them like blankets of falling snow. The blankets intertwined with their limbs fluttered in the breeze brought about by Vale’s spiraling desire. Vixen held on tight to Vale with one hand, the other bringing him close to his release.
The wind picked up, sweeping through the room, the snow bursting in and falling from the ceiling as if they were inside a giant snow globe. Yet Vixen was nothing but warm, and it was Vale who kept him that way. His climax spiraled, and Vixen cried out, tumbling over the edge of ecstasy with Vale diving in after him, his hoarse cry muffled against Vixen’s neck. The wind receded, along with the snow, and Vixen wrapped his arms around Vale, holding him close to him. Vale pulled out and rolled them over. He kissed the tip of Vixen’s nose, and they snuggled close together. Vale’s smile was sleep, and Vixen brushed Vale’s hair away from his eyes. He placed a tender kiss to Vale’s lips, and soon the brave lieutenant drifted off.
Vixen studied the slumbering Vale, taking note of his slightly parted lips and the strong lines of his jaw. His tousled hair gave him a roguish look, and his fair complexion was still flushed. The handsome elf wasn’t at all what Vixen had expected. He’d anticipated long, awkward silences, stilted conversations, and unbearable stuffiness, but Vale had provided none of those things. In fact, he was charming and sweet and made Vixen laugh, and when he touched Vixen—even in the most innocent of gestures—it resonated through his entire body. No one in the whole of his life had ever made him feel this way. More frightful a thought was how with every passing day, Vixen was less concerned with Vale’s position and all he had to offer and more concerned with having Vale at his side. How was this possible?
Disturbed by his thoughts, Vixen carefully rolled off the bed. He found a royal-blue robe hanging off a silver hook behind a door and silently removed it. Making certain not to make a sound, he slipped into the large, plush robe and tied it tightly around him. It was wonderfully warm and smelled of Vale. Realizing he had a sappy smile on his face, he frowned and walked out onto the balcony. What a breathtaking view. Snow-covered trees, flowers, and shrubs shaped into animals, along with several ice sculptures, filled the beautiful garden below. Rows and rows of twinkling white lights surrounded the garden and hung over the maze in the center. A sleigh that had clearly been used often and loved had been converted into a place to sit. As the snow fell, a lovely sense of peace washed over him.
He sensed Vale before he even heard him. Strong arms in a thick white robe wrapped around Vixen, pulling him back against a broad chest and enveloping him in warmth. How could a spirit of winter be so warm? Vixen snuggled back and sighed.
“Having trouble sleeping?” Vale asked gently.
Vixen nodded, unable to bring himself to voice his concerns, especially since he wasn’t entirely certain what they were. Guilt ate at him, and he’d never been one to keep things bottled up inside for long, though a fair amount of valor would be needed for what he had to say. He turned in Vale’s arms and gazed into his eyes. The affection in them made it more difficult, but he pushed through. He couldn’t walk away, not now, but he couldn’t stay unless Vale knew the truth.
“I have something to confess.”
“Oh? Perhaps we should sit then.”
“No. I’m afraid if I move I might lose my nerve. Hold me tighter.”
Vale smiled and pulled him closer. “Tell me what’s troubling you.”
“I haven’t been honest about my intentions. When I invited your advances, I was only interested in your position and what you might have to offer.”
“And now?”
“Now… I’m bewitched by what you have to offer still, but not in the form of prestige or power, but…” His hand went to Vale’s heart, and he swallowed hard.
“May I confess something as well?”
Vixen braced himself. What if Vale told him he had only been interested in taking him to bed? Normally such a declaration wouldn’t bother him—in fact he’d welcome it. But coming from Vale, he didn’t think his heart could take it. Dear heavens, what was happening to him?
“Don’t look so frightened,” Vale said with a soft laugh. He put his hand to Vixen’s cheek. “I confess that I already knew of your intentions.”
Heat spread through Vixen’s face. “You did? I don’t understand. Why would you take such a risk?”
“From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew there was something enchanting about you. There were moments when I could see through your façade to the real you, and it was inspiring. I wanted the chance to show you what it might be like if you trusted someone with your heart.”
Could Vale be the prince Vixen had been waiting for to sweep him off his feet since he was but a fledgling elf? What if he left himself exposed and placed his heart in Vale’s hands? It would take so little for Vixen to fall.
“Vixen? Will you allow me the honor of courting you?”
Despite his head’s reluctance, his heart spoke. “Yes.” It wasn’t everything he’d ever wanted. It was more. Yet if Vale were nothing but a humble elf, Vixen would still want to be in his arms. Nothing else mattered. As Vale held him close, Vixen wished this moment would last forever. For the first time in his life, he faced an unknown force. He hoped he was brave enough to see it through.
Chapter 6
“Vixen, are you listening?”
Vixen blinked at Dasher, embarrassed he hadn’t heard a word his Rein Dear brother had said. It had been like this all day. He was surprised he’d managed to concentrate at the causeway. He’d completed all his preflight checks, carried out his in-flight procedures, made the test run, completed his paperwork, filed it, even finished off a few pending tasks. Rudy had been speechless when Vixen came out of his hangar at the end of their shift. Normally he was long gone by then and waiting at the White Hart.
“I said, have you heard the rumors about Rudy’s wedding?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. If Jack had proposed, I would have been the first to hear about it. Rudy’s my best friend, after all.” He’d heard nothing of the sort. Not to mention a royal wedding would have been all over the papers. Jack? Proposing marriage? Absurd.
His brethren apparently didn’t agree.
“Do you know what that means? One of our brothers will be a prince!” Cupid squealed from across Vixen and Dasher before thanking Blitzen for the cup of cocoa he passed him. He settled back against the davenport cushion and snuggled up to the much larger Blitzen, who somberly put an arm around Cupid. Vixen had never noticed it before, but the two looked oddly sweet together. Dark and light.
For the love of holly, he had romance on the brain. He needed to get ahold of himself.
“What are you talking about?”
Dasher rolled his eyes at him. When had he become such an expert in all things royal? “Everyone knows if Rudy marries Jack, when the King of Frost passes his crown on to Jack, Rudy will be crowned prince.”
Cupid let out a wistful sigh. “Captain of the Rein Dear Squadron and a prince! Isn’t that just so romantic?”
“It’s only a title,” Vixen s
aid with a sniff. He ordered a couple of peppermint juleps that he made quick work of. Why did every conversation have to come back to Rudy? “It’s not as though Rudy can wield the power of Frost. Only someone connected to the Frost family can wield his power.”
“How do you know?” Dasher asked. “You’re just jealous. Nothing new there.”
Vixen glared at Dasher and ordered himself some of the White Hart’s “special” eggnog. He had a feeling he was going to need it if his brethren insisted on continuing with this annoying conversation. “I happen to have inside information. Frost Family secrets.”
Cupid, Dasher, and Blitzen leaned toward him, all of them eager to hear the gossip. Too bad they weren’t getting any. “Like what?” Cupid asked.
“Well if I told you, they wouldn’t be secrets, now would they?” He sipped his eggnog and chuckled at his brethren’s frowns.
Dasher waved a hand in dismissal. “Humbug. Another one of your tales.”
“All I can say is that I’ve seen a secret object. It’s very powerful. Tucked away in a hidden room inside the King of Frost’s palace.” How many cups had he had? Perhaps he should let up a bit. A figure loomed over him, and he rolled his head back, smiling at the dark-haired toy soldier. “Officer Fern. How nice to see you.” Officer Fern grinned broadly at him and motioned over to a cozy love seat for two at the far end of the pub.
“I was hoping we might go somewhere a little more… private.”
“Oh? What for?” Mm, his eggnog was super yummy. He might just have another.
“Well, I thought perhaps we might get to know each other.”
“We could do that right here.” Especially since his friends were ignoring him and conversing among themselves. Once they started talking about Rudy again and how exciting it would be to have a prince among their ranks, Vixen stood with a huff. “On second thought, let’s go over there.”
North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 19