Rudy knelt down before Vixen and took his hands in his own. “I don’t understand why. You’re like a brother to me, Vixen. Why this constant need to one-up me?”
“Let me guess, your parents didn’t give you enough love?” Jack offered dryly.
The words caused a sharp pain in Vixen’s heart, and he couldn’t help his flinch. He lowered his gaze, feeling shame for his behavior. Jack was right about everything. He was selfish and needy, thinking only of himself. Rudy had been nothing but a true friend, caring, always ready to sacrifice for others, and all Vixen did was belittle the wonderful gifts his friend rightfully deserved.
When had Vixen ever sacrificed anything? He spent his years frolicking and concerned with only himself, with having fun, and trying to be better than his friend. He’d taken his old wounds out on his relationship with Rudy when his friend deserved so much better.
“Vale risked a great deal,” Jack stated angrily. “You promised him your discretion, and at the very first test of your loyalty, you betrayed him. That love you have been searching for has been right under your nose, but your blindness has resulted in its destruction.”
Vixen’s head jerked up. Was it possible? Could Vale truly be in love with him? Vixen’s heart swelled in his chest and at the same time plummeted. “Who said anything about love?”
“My cousin lost his heart to you a long time ago, but you were too busy preening for attention, you never noticed. So concerned with prestige and excitement, you dismissed the best thing to ever happen to you.”
Oh gods, what had he done? Vixen wished the ground would swallow him up. Vale loved him, yet he’d always put Vixen first. He kept his distance, believing it’s what Vixen wanted, keeping a firm hold on his desire, asking Vixen for permission, taking things slow, courting him, enchanting him, showing him everything that was possible if only Vixen would give him a chance.
Rudy patted Vixen’s arm. “Vixen, what happened at the pub?”
“I don’t know. I was at the White Hart with Dasher, Cupid, Blitzen, and some of the helpers. I had a few drinks, and then everything becomes hazy. I don’t understand why. I don’t recall having had that many. I was trying to behave myself.” Until everyone started gossiping about Rudy and Jack. What a fool Vixen had been.
Jack gave a snort, and Vixen threw him a murderous glare. “Believe what you will, but I was doing my best.” His cheeks grew hot, and he dropped his gaze to his fingers. “I didn’t want to disappoint Vale.” In the end, he’d done so much worse.
“I believe you,” Rudy assured him. “Please try to remember.”
“I brought it up to our brethren. It was stupid. But I swear I said nothing of what the object was or where it could be found.” He recalled that much. His Rein Dear brothers had asked, but Vixen knew he hadn’t said anything more on the subject.
Rudy stood to face Jack. “What if someone slipped something into his drink?”
“It would mean someone was watching him.” Jack seemed to consider this. “They may have overheard him when he mentioned the object and decided to get it out of him. It’s possible.” Jack laced his fingers on his desk and peered at Vixen. “Who did you speak to besides your Rein Dear brothers and helpers? Was there someone else?”
“I remember sitting away from them, so I must have been talking with someone.”
“They separated you from the others. What else?”
A knock on the door startled Vixen, and Jack bid them enter. When the doors open, Vixen was on his feet. “Vale…” Vixen’s words caught in his throat at the sight of the once proud and elegant lieutenant. The handsome elf stood in only his hessian boots, black trousers, and white shirt. It was unfastened at the collar, exposing his neck, which led to a jaw full of stubble. His eyes were bloodshot, his once neatly parted hair disheveled and falling over one side of his brow. The familiar stir in Vixen’s loins was quickly tamped down by the slump of Vale’s shoulders. He truly looked defeated. Vixen’s heart broke once again knowing he’d been the cause of this.
“Forgive me. I didn’t realize you had a visitor.” Vale turned to leave, and Vixen caught up to him.
“Vale, wait.” To his relief Vale stopped in his tracks, but he didn’t turn to look at Vixen. “I… I didn’t know you were here.”
“I’ve been very fortunate. Jack’s palace is his own and not part of the Frost Kingdom. It means I can stay as his guest.”
Vixen nodded, though he doubted Vale could see him do so. He stepped closer, needing to feel Vale, even if it was a cold breeze that surrounded him rather than the warmth he once felt.
“You must regret ever having laid eyes on me.”
Vale was quiet for a moment before he let out a resigned breath. “No. I regret allowing my sentiments to get the better of me. It was too much to ask of you. I put you in a difficult position. I brought this on myself.”
“What? No!” Vixen moved in front of Vale, and gently took hold of his hands. They were bare and cold. “What I did was selfish and deplorable. You trusted me with a precious secret, and I was so concerned about myself, I did little to keep my promise. I’m going to make this right, Vale. I swear to you.”
“Please, Vixen. You’ve done enough.” Vale pulled his hands out of Vixen’s and left, taking pieces of Vixen along with him. This wasn’t going to end like this. Vixen wouldn’t allow it. All his life he had been concerned with only himself, allowing his old heartaches to get the better of him. He’d hurt those closest to him and lost the greatest gift he could have been given. It was time for him to make a change.
He would start with that thieving toy soldier.
Vixen headed for the front doors knowing exactly who had the scepter, and he had every intention of getting it back. Rudy would be sore at him for not telling Jack, but this was Vixen’s mess. He couldn’t let anyone else get hurt because of him. The fact a Frost family member was needed to wield the scepter meant Officer Fern had yet to use it, but it also put the Frost family in danger. Vixen didn’t know what the despicable toy soldier had in mind, but Vixen wasn’t about to run away. Not this time. Fern wouldn’t be so foolish as to attempt to wield its power himself.
Perhaps no one else knew where to start in finding the scepter, but Vixen did. He hailed a sleigh outside the palace and asked to be taken to the Claus Causeway. Every year more and more stops were added to their route. The world’s population continued to grow, which meant new names were added to Mayor Kringle’s lists. Coordinates were then attached to those names, and they were filtered into the Rein Dears’ biplane consoles. Each console had the ability to pinpoint the exact location of whatever name was entered. All Vixen had to do was enter Officer Fern’s name into his biplane’s console, and he’d receive coordinates to his location no matter where Officer Fern was. Vixen was going to set things right if it was the last thing he did.
Chapter 8
“Where the holly did he go?”
Vale glanced up at the sound of his cousin’s voice. After running into Vixen, Vale had needed a good stiff drink. Afterward, he’d wandered into the library. He’d sat in the window seat, staring at the falling snow, when he heard his cousin’s deep, threatening growl. Curious, he stepped out into the hall to find Jack looking exceptionally cross.
“What’s wrong?” Vale asked, joining his cousin and a very anxious Rudy.
“That blasted little elf has disappeared.”
“Oh, I wasn’t aware you were still meeting with him,” Vale replied, the mere mention of Vixen sending a sharp icy pain through his heart. “He left.”
Jack narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean he left?”
“Plum pudding, Jack, what else do you think it means. He left.”
His cousin arched an eyebrow at his irritable tone but didn’t comment on it. Instead, he planted his hands on his hips. “Damnation. We believe someone may have slipped something into his drink, or more likely got him well merry in order to get the information out of him. Not exactly a difficult feat considering Vixen’s pe
nchant for cocktails.”
Vale gaped at his cousin. “You think whoever stole the scepter forced the information out of him?” Was it possible Vixen had merely been foolish and trusting, relaying the information without realizing?
Jack nodded. “It seems someone separated him from his Rein Dear brothers in order to get him alone. He was trying to remember, and now he’s just scurried off.”
“Why would he do that?” Rudy said.
“Probably scared and trying to save his own hide,” Jack grumbled.
“No,” Vale said with a deep frown. He folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t believe that.”
Jack cocked his head to one side, studying him. “Did he say anything to you?”
“He said he was going to make things right.”
Rudy went pale, his hand going to Jack’s chest. “Oh, Jack. He knows who stole the scepter.”
“And he’s going to try to get it back on his own. Oh, for Kringle’s sake, that elf is going to be the death of me.” Jack turned his attention back to Vale. “Have you noticed anyone new spending time with Vixen? Someone hanging around him far more often than usual?”
Vale thought about it when Rudy spoke up. “A toy soldier.”
“What?” Jack frowned, and Vale couldn’t blame him. His cousin had his fill of unscrupulous toy soldiers quite some time ago.
“A dark-haired toy soldier,” Rudy clarified. “He was at the White Hart the evening Vale first asked Vixen to go on a sleigh ride. He was at the causeway the next day and several times since looking for Vixen. Officer Fern, I believe. He seemed very interested in flirting with Vixen, so I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”
“You’re right.” How could Vale have forgotten? He supposed he’d done his best to put the toy soldier out of his mind, not wanting to think of another elf looking to bed Vixen. Crabapples. He should have paid more attention, but he’d let his heart once again sweep him away.
“I’m willing to bet Officer Fern was at the pub last night. Come. I need to make a few phone calls.” Jack turned and headed for his office with Vale and Rudy close behind. Vale did his best to tamp down his anger. If Officer Fern was responsible for this, he was going to pay dearly. He hoped Vixen didn’t do anything drastic. Vale wished he hadn’t pushed Vixen away, but he’d been so upset. Being powerless was difficult for him. It was as if a part of him were missing, as if he were hollow inside. Not being able to summon even the lightest of breezes had him utterly restless.
Jack proceeded to make several calls, and as Vale sat beside Rudy in front of Jack’s desk, Vale couldn’t help the questions that arose. “I don’t understand. Officer Fern approached Vixen long before Vixen learned of the scepter. He couldn’t possibly have been looking to learn that information beforehand. And why Vixen? Why not any of the other Rein Dears?”
Rudy seemed to consider this. “Well, he wouldn’t have approached me, as I wouldn’t have given him the time of day. He must have known that. There was also the chance he would catch Jack’s attention, and that would have ended very badly. If he went after the scepter, he clearly had something in mind, something he intended to get from the Frost family. The only Rein Dears with any connection would be myself and, at the time, Vixen through me, and then of course through you.”
The idea appalled Vale. “Do you think Fern sought Vixen’s affections merely to get some form of information out of him? For what purpose?”
“For his brother.”
Vale and Rudy gaped at Jack, who finished returning the receiver to its place. A dark shadow crossed his cousin’s face, and Vale braced himself. Whatever Jack had just learned, it was grave.
“It appears Officer Fern has a brother imprisoned at the Mountain Fortress.”
Rudy’s eyes went wide. “You mean… his brother was one of the Mouse King’s elves?”
Jack nodded solemnly. “I believe Officer Fern has been searching for a way to free his brother. That’s not the worst of it.”
Vale jumped to his feet knowing exactly what his cousin referred to. “If he manages to free his brother, he can free the Mouse King.” It had taken Jack years to catch the Mouse King, and in that time, the rat had wreaked havoc upon North Pole City and its surrounding kingdoms.
“Yes.” Jack moved his gaze to Rudy. “It also appears Vixen’s biplane is missing from the causeway.”
“Oh no, Vixen.” Rudy got to his feet, mirroring Vale’s fear. “He’s heading for the Mountain Fortress to stop Fern. Jack, we have to do something. There’s no telling what Fern will do to him. And if Fern succeeds in releasing the Mouse King…”
“I’m coming with you,” Vale insisted, only to be met by his cousin’s hard gaze.
“No, you’re staying here. Fern isn’t an idiot. He knows you care for Vixen, and I have no intention of allowing him to use that to his advantage. Also, you have no powers.”
“That hardly means I’m useless,” Vale protested. Did his cousin expect him to it idly by, twiddling his thumbs while Vixen was in peril?
“I didn’t say that. Please, Vale. Leave this to me. I’ll inform Hollis, and we’ll leave immediately. Rudy will stay and keep you company.”
Rudy didn’t look at all pleased by the idea either, but he nodded. “Very well.” He walked around the desk and wrapped his arms around Jack. “Do be careful, and please look after Vixen.”
With a gentle kiss and a promise, Jack was off. Vale dropped down into the chair with a sigh. His love was out there believing Vale had given up on them, on him. Who knew what dangers Vixen faced? Vale got to his feet and paced the room—a family trait, it seemed. “This is ridiculous.” Vale came to a halt and turned to Rudy. “I can’t stay here and do nothing. Please, Rudy, you of all elves must understand.” After all, Rudy had gone off to face Jack after he’d lost his heart to the ice, not knowing what Jack would do to him. Yet his love had propelled him forward, and he’d done what was necessary to save Jack.
“You’re right,” Rudy replied, surprising Vale. “I know Jack will be awfully sore, but we can’t leave Vixen to them. I know Jack and Hollis would never wish harm upon a fellow elf, much less a Rein Dear, but they’re soldiers. If sacrificing Vixen was necessary for the greater good, I fear the choice they would make. I’ll take you to the Mountain Fortress. We can take my biplane.”
Vale’s heart swelled in his chest. “Lead the way.” Vale straightened his clothes and hair as they headed for the front doors. He grabbed his frockcoat and followed Rudy out to the sleigh that would take them to the causeway. For all their sakes, he hoped Vixen hadn’t found Fern.
Found him.
Vixen peered out from behind the icy wall, watching Fern. After having left his biplane in the forest, several yards away from the Mountain Fortress entrance, Vixen had snuck inside the colossal prison of stone and ice, which really hadn’t been very difficult, considering Fern had gotten the drop on the guards and had zapped them with his toy soldier’s baton. That fiend. How could he betray their kingdom? He’d zapped those poor unsuspecting toy soldiers, his own brethren. Vixen couldn’t let him get away with it. There was a reason Fern had come to the Mountain Fortress with the scepter, not to mention picked this particular chamber in this particular tower.
Back in the beginning, the King of Frost had carved the fortress into the mountains just outside Winter Wonderland to hold the most notorious of criminals. There were few guards, as all the prisoners were encased in ice, alive and unmoving. It was remarkably eerie.
This chamber was vast, housing twelve rectangular compartments dug deep into the floor laid out two by two. In each compartment lay a frozen prisoner. Security was limited because only the king could approve the release of a prisoner, and it wasn’t as though the prisoners could simply be melted out. Doing so would most likely kill them. It was all tied into the king’s magic. Was Fern here to set someone free? How exactly did he plan to do that?
Fern disappeared behind a pillar, and Vixen straightened. Was the toy soldier hiding? Where had
he gone?
“Vixen. How nice to see you again. You took a little longer than anticipated.”
Vixen swallowed hard. Crabapples. The end of Fern’s baton stabbed into his back, and he held his hands up.
“I’ve known you were here for some time. I’m a toy soldier, after all. You think I don’t know when someone’s following me? Especially since I all but invited you along. Move.”
“What are you talking about?” Vixen headed farther into the frosty room, which was lit by the sun coming in through the one arched window and the half dozen wall sconces.
“Come now. You really think I approached you because I was interested in you?” Fern let out a harsh laugh. “My, my. Aren’t we full of ourselves? I needed to find a way to get close enough to the Frost family to learn something useful, something that would help me get what I wanted. I couldn’t approach Rudy because of Jack. Naturally, there was Rudy’s loud-mouthed, selfish, gullible friend. You were so easy. When I discovered Vale Frost was smitten with you, it was too good to be true. Eventually you would slip and give me exactly what I wanted.”
“And what’s that?” Vale replied through his teeth, furious he’d fallen for the wretched elf’s tricks.
“A way to free my brother.” Fern motioned toward the prisoners. “Once I had you, I would have Vale Frost, and then I would force him to release my brother from his icy prison. Then I would get him to release our master.”
“Your master?” What in Kringle creation was the horrid elf talking about? The toy soldiers served the kingdom under the Frost family. They always had. Well, except for that dastardly affair a couple of years ago where soldiers plotted to kill Jack—Vixen let out a gasp. “The Mouse King!”
“See, and here I thought you were just a pretty face. Don’t look so sad. You’ll see your beau soon enough.”
North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 21