My father put his hand on the hatch and continued to stare for what felt like an eternity. Then he just shook his head and walked back around to the front of the vehicle where Ezreal was standing.
He put his hand on Ezreal’s shoulder. “There aren’t words for how thankful I am for what you’ve done.”
Ezreal bowed his head. “I just did my job.”
“You did more than that.” My father took a breath. “Klara and I owe you. The kingdom owes you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty. I was happy to help.” Ezreal glanced at the rear of the crawler. “Never a huge Gregory fan anyway.”
My father laughed. “We’ll talk some more about your role in this soon. But first, Gregory needs to be dealt with, Sinclair needs—”
A team of medics came running through the palace doors.
My father nodded at me. “I see you already took care of that.”
“I also sent for security and the constable.”
Right on cue, security arrived next. My mother was behind them with Sarha, her lady’s maid. “Jayne, are you all right, honey? Where’s Sinclair? What happened?”
She tackle-hugged me as she joined the group, and I could tell she’d been crying. “We’re all okay, Mom. Sinclair’s a little cold but going to be fine.”
She pulled out of the embrace to look around. “Where is he? I want to see him.”
Sin stuck a hand through the open crawler door. “Back here, Lady Frost.”
She went straight to him, feeling his forehead. “You poor thing. What happened? Are you warm enough? Jayne said you were cold.” Before he could answer either question, she stood up and directed her next words to the medics. “Why has no one given this man a blanket? Get this man inside immediately. He needs warm blankets, fluids and rest. Sahra, go tell the cooks to get some soup going.”
“Yes, m’lady.” With a curtsey, Sahra disappeared back into the house.
My father’s mouth thinned in the way it does when he’s trying not to laugh, and in a soft voice, he said, “Well, Nurse Klara’s on the job.”
My mother whipped around to look at him. “I heard that, Jack. Stop standing around and do something. Help Jayne inside. Is Ezreal all right?”
“Yes, honey. He’s fine. We’re waiting on the constable.” My father widened his eyes at me as they lit with amusement. “You heard your mother.” Then he looked at Ezreal. “You are fine, aren’t you?”
“I am.” Ezreal had a bit of a smirk going too. “Thank you for asking.”
I shook my head. My mother had a tendency to go overboard in crisis situations. “Mom, we have to talk to the constable. Then we’ll come in.”
She seemed to consider that for a moment. “All right.”
Apparently, that was deemed a worthy task.
“Thanks,” my dad whispered.
“You’re welcome.”
Ezreal was watching the medics. “Princess, I can speak to the constable with your father if you like. Then you can go with Mr. Crowe now. I think they’re getting ready to take him inside.”
I looked toward the crawler. The medics were helping Sin onto a wheeled stretcher. “That’s a good idea. Mostly to make sure Mom doesn’t send him to the urgent care ward at NP General. Thank you, Ezreal. Let the constable know I can speak with her in the morning. And make sure Gregory gets medical care for that hand.”
“I will, Princess.”
My father kissed my head again. “So glad you’re both safe.”
“Me too.” I smiled up at him. “We’ll talk about Gregory in the morning, okay?”
“Yes.”
I smiled at Ezreal, then impulsively hugged him. “Thanks again.”
“My honor, Princess.”
“See you both in the morning.” I jogged toward Sin. The medics were pushing the stretcher into the palace now.
As I joined them, my mom put her arm around me. “What happened? Just the short version is fine. I know you probably don’t want to rehash the whole thing tonight.”
“Gregory didn’t want a non-winter elf on the throne, so when his plan to discredit Sin and break us up didn’t work, he kidnapped Sin and decided to remove him from the equation altogether.”
She looked stricken. “Gregory? I can’t believe it.”
“I know. Me either.”
“A betrayal like that cuts deep.” She put her hand to her throat. “I’m sick to think he’s been living in this house all these years and harboring such feelings.”
“Well, it’s over now.”
“Yes. Good.” A questioning look crossed her face. “Do you mean he’s…dead?”
“No, just captured. He was in the crawler’s cargo hold.”
“Oh. I didn’t even look.” She exhaled. “I wouldn’t have been unhappy if you’d have said yes.”
“Mom.”
“I’m not a very forgiving woman when it comes to harm against my family.” She shook herself. “Sinclair will be fine, I’m sure.”
“I’m sure too.” I nudged her. “He left quite a mark on Gregory.”
My mother’s brows lifted slightly. “Did he?”
I nodded. “The former steward is never going to be the same.”
“Nor should he be.” Then she smiled and stared ahead at the stretcher. “That’s my boy.”
The night went by in a blur. We were all exhausted, but wound up, so the doctor gave both Sin and me something to help us sleep.
I awoke with the sensation of not knowing where I was or what had happened. That only lasted for a second, then it all came flooding back.
I put my hand over my eyes as a sudden weight compressed my chest.
“Mama, wake up.”
I moved my hand enough to see out one eye. “Hi, baby.”
He pawed my face. “Mama sick?”
“No, not sick. Just…” How did I explain what had happened last night to my cat? And did anyone else ever have to work out a problem like that? “Tired. Last night was very busy.”
“Mama okay?”
“Yes.”
“Sinclair okay?”
He must have heard all the noise across the hall. Maybe caught a few snippets of conversation. We’d kept him and Sugar here overnight so Sin could sleep undisturbed. “Yep, he’s fine too.”
A lighter presence joined us. Sugar settled in at the foot of the bed, daintily licking one paw.
“Morning, Sugar.”
She put the paw down. “Lady, food.”
“Ah yes, the ever-empty cat stomach.” I pushed the covers and Spider back and climbed out of bed.
They followed me to the kitchen, waiting almost patiently as I got their breakfast ready.
Then I stumbled into a hot shower that went on for a blissfully long amount of time. When I was done, I put on some yoga pants, a big sweatshirt, and some fuzzy socks. I also brushed my teeth in the name of common decency.
I was going to see my soon to be fiancé, after all.
I opened my door to find a security guard at Sin’s door. I stiffened. Had something else happened? “Is there a problem?”
“No, Your Highness. The king wanted watch kept at your doors.”
“Oh. That was nice of him. Good morning.”
“Good morning, Princess Jayne.”
I padded across the hall and into Sin’s apartment, using the key I’d taken with me last night. I made a note to make sure the guard outside got coffee, then went to see Sin.
I didn’t have to go far. He was in the kitchen, getting himself some of that very same beverage. “Hey. How are you feeling? I can’t believe you’re up and moving around.”
He smiled at me. “Can’t keep a good man down.”
“That’s for sure. But really, how are you feeling?”
“A little beaten up. And oddly, still chilled. But otherwise, great. Especially now that you’re here.”
“Maybe I can help warm you up.” I smiled back and went straight into his arms. “I was so worried about you. I’m so sorry ab
out everything that happened.”
He put his coffee down. “I’m not.”
I pulled back. “You’re not? You want to explain that?”
He shrugged. “Wouldn’t you rather have this issue with Gregory come to light now rather than have to deal with it when we’re living here?”
There was a lot to unpack in that question. I started with the easy part first. “Yes, but you didn’t think he should be banished, so he’d still be here.”
“Right, but like I said, he’s much easier to keep an eye on here than he is who knows where in the human world.”
“I can see your point on that. But let’s back up. You want to live here? After everything that’s happened?”
He took my face in his hands and pressed his mouth to mine for one too-short moment. “Yes, I do. All of this has shown me what a great place this is. How willing people are to help. How kindhearted and good-natured and wonderful. I’m not going to let one person ruin the rest of my life. Our life.”
“But Gregory would have killed you.”
“But he didn’t. And really, it’s a lot harder to kill a necromancer than most people realize.”
“Don’t joke.”
“I’m not. I’m really hard to kill.”
A little lump was forming in my throat. “You truly want to live here? Knowing everything you know about this life?”
“I do. It’s crazy, but I’ll get used to it, and the people more than make up for all the pomp and protocol.”
I was not going to cry, I was not going to cry, I was not going to cry. “I was ready to abdicate.”
He smiled. “I know. And you know I don’t want that. You have earned your place as queen.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I took a breath. I was dizzy with emotions. Joy, love, relief, happiness, pleasure, bliss, contentment. You name it, I was overflowing with the good ones. “Yes.”
He stared at me a second. “Yes what?”
“Yes, I will marry you.”
A stunned expression kept his face from moving for the briefest of moments, then a huge smile curved his mouth. He picked me up and kissed me, twirling me around in the kitchen.
I laughed, breaking the kiss. “You’re making me dizzy.”
He put me down. “Good. I want to make you dizzy for the rest of your life.”
“If anyone can, it’s you.”
His expression turned serious. “You realize this means you can actually put that ring on.”
“I will. Just as soon as we get home.”
“Why not now?”
I looked at him. “Did you bring it?”
He nodded.
I laughed, giddy with life. “Pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you?”
He winked at me. “One of us had to be.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I stuck my hand out. “I am ready to be the future Mrs. Crowe. Except that due to royal regulations, I’ll still be a Frost. But you know what I mean.”
“I do know what you mean. And…” He went into the bedroom and came back with the ring box. “I’m ready for that too.” He slipped the ring on my finger, and I sucked in a breath.
I’d forgotten just how beautiful the ring was. The sapphires on either side of the center diamond were the most striking shade of blue. And the whole thing sparkled like fresh snow in the morning sun. I stared at it, even though I’d probably be staring at it a lot in the next few days.
“We should probably tell your parents it’s official.”
I nodded. “We should. You want to go to breakfast?”
“That would be great. I’ll get dressed.”
“Me too. My mother won’t love yoga pants in the dining room.”
“Really? Even after what we went through last night?”
I shrugged. “Hey, you’re the one who wanted to live here.”
“True. You know what else I want?”
I leaned against him, flattening my hands on his chest so I could still see him and the ring. “What’s that?”
“To move here right away. I want to start our life here as soon as we can. I want to learn everything about the North Pole. All about the people and the jobs they do and the history of this place. All of it. And I want to become a citizen. I mean, properly. Can I do that?”
“You can. That would really make you popular. I mean, the people would love that.”
“Good.”
“But what about your shop?”
His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “I’ll sell it. Besides, the North Pole needs doughnuts just as much as Nocturne Falls does.”
Pretty much as suspected, my mother cried when she heard our news.
Actually, over the next several days, she cried a lot. When we first told her our engagement was official. When she saw the ring on my hand. When she saw us randomly together throughout the day. When the Post printed the royal notice and our official engagement portrait. When my father made a toast at dinner.
You get the idea. She was happy. So was I. We all were.
Archie asked for early retirement and the ability to have first crack at meeting Sin’s asking price for the shop. Sin didn’t even make it public, just worked out the details with Archie, who was clearly cut out to be the next in line for the doughnut throne.
My father and I, along with my uncle, had a long talk about Gregory. We ultimately decided that Sin’s idea was a good one. Gregory would remain in the North Pole where he could be kept on permanent house arrest under a watchful eye. But even with one hand, Gregory could still be dangerous, so my father ruled the former steward’s powers be stripped through the same intense saltwater treatment program that had been used on Lark.
Additionally, the constable’s budget was increased to allow for a few more deputies to be put on permanent Gregory duty. None of us were taking any chances.
Dora, Stanley, and Terrance were all proclaimed winners of the tourney and their toys put into production. Stanley asked if he could substitute his translation pet collar, when the prototype was ready. My uncle allowed it.
Mamie and August started going steady, a move that surprised everyone but Sin and me.
Juniper and Buttercup were made comanagers of the toy store and charged with hiring another employee to take up the slack my absence would create.
Sinclair was granted a royal dispensation, allowing him to host a series of classes on the art of the doughnut. The classes filled so quickly, several more were added.
And Ezreal was promoted to steward. For his bravery and selflessness, he was also awarded the North Star, the most prestigious honor in the kingdom. The ceremony was small and formal and lovely.
When my father pinned the star on Ezreal, my mother cried then too.
Spider and Sugar had a dish of Chicken Party.
Some things never changed.
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About the Author
USA Today Best Selling Author Kristen Painter is a little obsessed with cats, books, chocolate, and shoes. It’s a healthy mix. She loves to entertain her readers with interesting twists and unforgettable characters. She currently writes the best-selling paranormal romance series, Nocturne Falls, and the spin off mystery series, Jayne Frost. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram.
Other Books by Kristen Painter
COZY MYSTERY
Jayne Frost series:
Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Ices the Imp: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Saves the Sandman: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
When Birdie Babysat Spider: A Jayne Frost Short
Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater: A Nocturne Falls Mystery
Happily Everlasting Series:
Witchful Thinking
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Nocturne Falls series:
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride
The Werewolf Meets His Match
The Gargoyle Gets His Girl
The Professor Woos the Witch
The Witch’s Halloween Hero – short story
The Werewolf’s Christmas Wish – short story
The Vampire’s Fake Fiancée
The Vampire’s Valentine Surprise – short story
The Shifter Romances the Writer
The Vampire’s True Love Trials – short story
The Vampire’s Accidental Wife
The Reaper Rescues the Genie
The Detective Wins the Witch
Sin City Collectors series:
Queen of Hearts
Dead Man’s Hand
Double or Nothing
Standalone Paranormal Romance:
Dark Kiss of the Reaper
Heart of Fire
Recipe for Magic
Miss Bramble and the Leviathan
URBAN FANTASY:
The House of Comarré series:
Forbidden Blood
Blood Rights
Flesh and Blood
Bad Blood
Out for Blood
Last Blood
The Crescent City series:
House of the Rising Sun
City of Eternal Night
Garden of Dreams and Desires
Nothing is completed without an amazing team.
Many thanks to:
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater Page 23