Once Upon a Christmas Past

by Regan Walker

  “Aye.” Nicholas sighed. “But the snow reminds me of a dream several years ago.”

  “You dreamed you rescued a fair maiden hung in a tree?”

  Nicholas laughed. “Nay. I dreamed I lay upon a field dying and I could see the white, fluffy flakes falling. They fell upon my face, but I could not lift my hand to remove them. It was a helpless feeling,” he said in a somber voice.

  Noelle wanted to say something to lift his spirits, for he sounded so sad. “At least it was a dream, nothing more.”

  “Aye, yet I cannot forget the dream. But you are right—it was just a dream. If I did not tell you before, thank you for saving Boots,” Nicholas whispered.

  Noelle reached for his hand, placing hers upon it. “You’re welcome. And thank you for rescuing me.” Slowly she started to relax. Nicholas’s warmth surrounded her like a goose down quilt. He was gently rubbing his thumb back and forth across her hand. So tender, she thought. He was so big, so strong, but there was more to Nicholas than he let people see.

  “Nicholas,” she said, “do you know I have never talked to anyone as I have to you this night?”

  “Nor have I.” Nicholas leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

  She sighed and squeezed his hand as her eyelids gently closed. Contentment eased her into a deep sleep; he could tell by the sound of her breathing.

  Sir Nicholas the Dragon was in trouble. A trouble he didn’t know how to handle.

  Chapter 6

  The sun peeked over the trees, making the needles and leaves glisten like crystals. The ground was covered in fluffy, white snow and would provide safe footing for their horses.

  Nicholas really hadn’t wanted the sun to come up this morning, because he’d felt something he had never felt before . . . contentment. And that wasn’t something he liked admitting. For once, he was going to allow himself the pleasure of feeling completely relaxed.

  He glanced at the woman sleeping in his arms. The light of the rising sun bathed her face. With her head resting on his chest and her glorious blond hair spread out across his arms, she looked like an angel in sleep. Her long, sooty lashes rested on her creamy skin, and her breathing was smooth and slow. She seemed contented to be in his arms, the arms of a stranger. Nicholas lifted a lock of Noelle’s hair and caressed it with his fingers. It felt of silk and, of course, she had to smell of roses.

  Nicholas smiled. She always smelled of roses, a fragrance he found much too alluring.

  She was so small, he thought, and his desire to protect her was strong.

  He grinned. First, he’d have to protect her from himself. “Oh, how I ache to make love to you,” he whispered, knowing that she could not hear him. “It would be so easy to take you here and make you mine. I know you do not love Sir Gavin, nor does he love you, but it was an arranged marriage. That being said, it doesn’t make me desire you any less.”

  Nicholas twisted the golden threads around his finger. “Somehow, I feel different where you are concerned.” He frowned at the admission. “It is a problem, you see. I feel . . . when I have never felt before. And I do not need such paltry emotions. It is far too dangerous for a warrior such as I.” He rubbed a finger across her cheek. “This I promise you, I shall never act upon these feelings unless they are returned tenfold.” He gazed at her with a longing that made his heart ache.

  Finally, he could bear no more. He lowered his head and ever so lightly, so he wouldn’t wake her, he brushed his lips across her cheek. Then he sighed for what could never be. “You are very special, Noelle, and I have enjoyed this night like none before.”

  He brushed his knuckle over her soft skin. Sad that the night had come to an end, he stopped the urge to touch her.

  If the king could only see him now, he’d smile that all-knowing smile, that perhaps he’d been right. Nicholas had found something he could not have. But he would spite Arthur and prove how much of a man he truly was. He would win Briercliff and claim the cold castle as his own, and then some wench would easily satisfy these lusty needs of his.

  Maybe that was the problem . . . he’d been too long without a woman.

  Noelle knew she’d found heaven. She was so comfortable and contented that she never wanted to leave this place . . . only she didn’t know where she was.

  She knew she must be dreaming. But the dream was too good to end. Strong arms held her and a man whispered how much he loved her. She knew then it was right. She’d found what she had been looking for. Merlin had been right... her knight was truly wonderful.

  Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and blinked several times as she looked up at a very fine-looking man. He paid her no heed, but stared out the open door. Noelle wanted to reach up and touch his face, but she was afraid to move lest the moment of happiness pass.

  Finally, he glanced down at her, and their gazes locked. For just a moment, there was something other than cold disinterest in Nicholas’s eyes . . . there was hope of something Noelle didn’t recognize. Finally, she asked, “Did you say something?”

  Nicholas looked surprised but his voice seemed normal as he answered, “Nay, you must have been dreaming. Did you sleep well?”

  Fully awake, Noelle realized that she was sprawled across Nicholas in a very intimate manner. “I—I did not mean to take so much room from you. You must have truly been uncomfortable last night.” She sat up, already regretting losing the warmth from his body.

  Nicholas smiled—a smile as intimate as a kiss. “I was not uncomfortable. You kept me quite warm.”

  Noelle’s cheeks heated. “I-I guess we should be going. Is it safe?”

  “Aye.” Nicholas nodded. “It appears that a blanket of snow has covered the ice. The horses should be fine. At least by the light of day, we can see where we are going.” Nicholas rose to his feet, then went over to retrieve his surcoat, slipping it on his arms.

  “It is still damp,” Noelle said with a frown. She could imagine how uncomfortable the garment must be, the wet and cold material clinging to his body.

  “Aye, but it is all I have. I will be fine until we reach the castle.”

  “You will be sick,” she insisted as she got to her feet, brushing off her gown. Feeling the pain of her still-tender ankle, she placed most of her weight on the other foot.

  Nicholas stood in front of her. “Noelle, I have been in weather much worse and with less on. I am a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table. I need no comforts.”

  He stared at her in a manner that completely robbed her of all breath, and she longed to kiss him so much that she knew he was truly a temptation for her. Such an attraction could be perilous. Yet, was this not exactly what she’d longed for?

  “So you need nothing,” she said in a whisper.

  Nicholas placed his hands on her arms.

  Her pulse beat rapidly in her throat.

  She wasn’t exactly sure what was happening to her. It wasn’t love that she felt. She hadn’t known Nicholas long enough to feel love for him, but there was no denying that she felt something.

  And by the saints above, she liked these feelings. It was as if an invisible web of attraction was building between them, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine.

  Would Nicholas kiss her?

  Would she let him?

  “Noelle, I learned long ago not to need anything or anyone. I must live by my own wits and depend on no one,” Nicholas said in a tone that sounded as if he were trying to convince himself.

  “That sounds so lonely,” Noelle said. “One day you’ll change your mind.”

  “Maybe. But I think not,” Nicholas said as he scooped her up and placed her in the saddle. “It’s probably better to be careful of your ankle for another day or so,” he said as if to explain why he had taken her in his arms.

  “Thank you.” Noelle nodded as she gathered Thor’s reins. For some reason, she felt sad when she’d felt so wonderful only a few moments ago. She knew that Nicholas was a very lonely and cold man, but she wanted to wrap her arms around him and
tell him that everything would be all right.

  But she couldn’t reassure Nicholas any more than she could reassure herself.

  “Thank you for coming to my rescue yesterday,” Noelle said. “I would not have survived the night in this weather without my horse.”

  “Brave knights are supposed to rescue damsels in distress. However, I must admit it’s the first time I have found a lady in a tree.” Nicholas chuckled. “I simply followed the bell. Did you know that when I hear bells, I think of angels?” He grinned at her.

  Noelle nudged Thor to move beside Nicholas’s horse. “And did you find your angel?”

  “I’m not sure. She looks like an angel, but I cannot be sure.”

  Noelle smiled and brazenly said, “Perhaps one day you should find out.” With that statement she walked Thor out into the snow. “It’s a beautiful day, is it not?”

  Nicholas was still in the hut staring at the beautiful woman who, he thought, had just issued him an interesting invitation. But Noelle had completely changed the subject and now spoke of the weather. Was she trying to drive him mad?

  He had a throbbing in his loins that would not go away. Uncomfortable, he adjusted himself in the saddle.

  Finally, he urged his horse out into the fresh, clean snow. “It’s most beautiful,” he agreed. “It is as if the snow has washed the earth of all its problems and sorrow, leaving cleanness in its path.”

  “What a lovely way to look at things. You do not speak like a brave and fierce knight at all,” Noelle said teasing him. “Which way?” she asked.

  Nicholas pointed and they rode through the wood until they came to the open road where they could ride side by side, each quiet in their own thoughts.

  Suddenly, Noelle pointed and said, “Look.”

  Nicholas reined in his mount. “What’s wrong?”

  She pointed to a snow-covered tree in front of them to their left. “It’s mistletoe. That was one of the reasons I had wandered away from the others. You see, I remembered that I had seen mistletoe when we rode in the other day, and I tried to find it.”

  “Maybe the others found some by now,” Nicholas suggested.

  “Guinevere said herself that mistletoe has been hard to find this winter,” Noelle countered. “I must get some. You hold my horse. I shall climb the tree and cut some sprigs to take back to the castle.”

  “Nay. I have seen the way you get out of a tree. It’s not good.”

  “That was an accident.” Noelle laughed. “Please.”

  “Here, hold my mount’s reins. Against my better judgment, I shall fetch your weed.”

  Noelle took the leather straps, her fingers brushing Nicholas’s cold hands. She longed to warm his hands, but that would never do, so she did nothing as she watched Nicholas climb the tree. One of the branches snapped from his weight, sending the fluffy snow floating through the air. Nicholas would have fallen had he not had a good grip on the limb above him.

  “Do be careful,” Noelle called to him and she saw him frown.

  He removed his dagger and cut down a huge batch of greenery with white berries. “Is this enough?” he asked, holding the clump of mistletoe up to her.

  “Aye. Thank you,” Noelle replied as Nicholas made his way down from the tree. “Do you participate in the kissing ball?”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  Noelle grinned at his quick answer. “Are you shy?”

  Nicholas looked at her, tilted his head then asked, “Would you care to find out?”

  “It is a challenge that you offer . . . and I usually do not back down from such.” Noelle leaned over to kiss him from her position on her horse, and the next thing she knew, she was being pulled from her mount. Her back rested against the animal.

  Nicholas placed his hands on Noelle’s shoulders, causing her flesh to tingle in anticipation. She wondered if she should feel some guilt instead of this excitement that held her spellbound.

  His lips brushed the fullness of her lips.

  Her heart jolted. Her pulse beat rapidly.

  And then Nicholas pulled back, and Noelle almost fell to the ground. He steadied her. Disappointment filled Noelle as she looked up at him with the unanswered question in her eyes.

  “Someone approaches,” Nicholas said as he shoved her back up on the sidesaddle. He handed her the mistletoe.

  Noelle pulled on Thor’s reins, and her horse circled to stand beside Nicholas’s mount.

  Nicholas settled himself in the saddle and they started riding forward. Once around the bend, they came upon a group of knights who had evidently been sent to find them.

  Sir Gavin was among the knights. “Thank goodness you both are safe,” he said. “We could not ride last night for fear of damaging our horses. I have never seen such ice.”

  “I figured that is what had transpired. As it was, I found Lady Noelle, who was attempting to rescue a falcon from a tree.”

  “You actually climbed a tree?” Sir Gavin asked with a look of surprise.

  “Aye.” Noelle nodded. Did they all think that women were completely helpless? “Boots was tethered to the tree and needed to be freed.” She didn’t want to go through the entire story right now. She was more concerned about Nicholas. His coat was still very damp. “It is cold out here and Sir Nicholas’s clothes are damp. We should ride for the castle and speak later,” Noelle suggested.

  “Aye.” They all agreed.

  On the way back, she heard Gavin ask Nicholas, who was riding beside him, “Where did you find refuge from the storm?”

  “In the thatcher’s cottage. There was no dry wood to build a fire, but with some old blankets we managed to stay out of the ice till morn.”

  Gavin nodded. “I am glad you found milady. She would likely have frozen if you had not done so.” Noelle started to inform Sir Gavin that she wasn’t invisible and thus could speak for herself, but she thought better of it. She didn’t want to answer any questions. Plus, she still felt a soft, warm glow inside from the night before, and such contentment that she wanted to savor the feeling. For when she returned to the castle, everything would change back to the way it had been.

  Looking up at the sky, she saw that Boots flew guard overhead, and Noelle realized that the bird was very loyal to her master.

  But how did she feel about Nicholas?

  Confused? Certainly.

  Intrigued? Definitely.

  Several hours later, Noelle had to admit that the countryside was beautiful covered in snow. She could hear the children laughing, singing, and playing in the small village that lay just outside of Camelot’s walls.

  All of the knights’ tents had now been pitched, and each knight had his own banners flying in his compound. Of course, the first one Noelle noticed was Nicholas’s. The red dragon snarled on the pristine white banner, and was quite impressive as it fluttered in the wind.

  They didn’t stop there, but rode into the bailey where the stableman and grooms ran out to get the horses. Noelle slid to the ground. Remembering her ankle, she clung to the saddle so as not to land in a heap on the ground.

  Immediately, Nicholas and Sir Gavin were by her side. However, Nicholas was two steps ahead of Sir Gavin, and he scooped Noelle up into his arms.

  Sir Gavin gave Nicholas a quizzical look. “What is the meaning of this?”

  Nicholas looked at him. “I neglected to mention that Noelle injured her ankle falling from the tree, and since she did it trying to save my falcon, I feel that I owe her the courtesy of seeing her safely inside.” Nicholas took two steps and twisted around to face Gavin. “Unless you object?”

  “Nay.” Sir Gavin waved a hand. “Carry on—you seem to have things well in hand.”

  Noelle was embarrassed and fearful that the entire castle would soon be gossiping about her. “If I but had a crutch, I could walk myself.”

  Nicholas glanced down at her. “First, I shall get you inside, and then we will see about a crutch of some type,” he said as if he didn’t expect her to argue.


  And to Noelle’s surprise, she didn’t. Truth be told she liked being carried in his arms. She liked it a great deal.

  Guinevere and her ladies were in the Great Hall with the greenery and the red ribbons spread across the table. As soon as Nicholas entered with Noelle in his arms, Isabelle and Carolyn stopped what they were doing and scurried over.

  “What’s wrong?” Carolyn asked.

  “Why is he carrying you?” Isabelle inquired at the same time.

  “It is a long story,” Noelle said as Nicholas set her on her feet. “Thank you for coming to my rescue, good sir.”

  Nicholas’s brow raised a fraction as he looked at her just for a moment ... a moment that seemed to linger in time and warm her. Then the moment passed. “My pleasure,” Nicholas replied as formally as Noelle had. He turned and left the room.

  “Why was he carrying you?” Isabelle asked again.

  “I have twisted my ankle.”

  Guinevere moved over to her. “We were all quite worried about you. Tell us what happened while we tie the bows on the greenery. That is, if you feel like helping.”

  “Of course I do. It is only my ankle. I really do not feel bad,” Noelle said as she made her way to the table with Isabelle’s help.

  Isabelle whispered, “And when we are alone, we want to hear the real story. You come waltzing in here in the arms of the most delicious man at court and you want me and Carolyn to believe that nothing happened?”

  Noelle looked at both of her ladies and smiled that kind of smile that suggested she might tell them later. Or not.

  “I am not that naive,” Isabelle whispered. “Something happened. I can see it on your face.”

  As Noelle helped tie the bows on the greenery, she retold her story of hearing the bell and finding the bird.

  “You fell out of the tree?” Isabelle said.

  “Aye.”

  “Well, thank goodness Sir Nicholas found you,” Guinevere said with a look of relief.

  “Shall we start placing the greenery?” Carolyn asked.

  “I know just the spot for the kissing ball,” Isabelle said with a smile.