The Klaus Brothers Boxed Set

by penny watson

  A crowd from the castle stopped at the top of the mountain, struck speechless by the spectacle. Santa and his wife, Master Eugen, the Klaus brothers, the Council—they all watched as the tiny Bändiger flew higher and higher into the sky.

  Kiana gasped. “Oskar, what is happening to Gabi?”

  Oskar shook his head. “I have no idea.”

  Master Eugen’s face broke into an enormous grin. “Well, look at that. She is filled with Light.”

  The girl floated down to Lys. She looked directly into Ingo’s eyes. “She isn’t gone, Mr. Hertz. Not yet. And I’m not letting her go.” Gabi hovered over Lys like a hummingbird and placed her hands just above her heart. The Light spread throughout Lys’ body and her eyes flickered open. Eyes like silver stars, the most beautiful eyes that Ingo had ever seen.

  Is this miracle real? Please come back to me, Lys. I need you, now and forever.

  Gabi smiled at Lys and Ingo, then floated back to Kiana and Oskar. The light in her body gently faded, leaving just an ordinary girl behind. But not so ordinary, after all. Oskar and Kiana pulled her into their arms, the three of them linked together. Strong, unbreakable bonds, Ingo thought to himself. Mr. Frosty rushed over and patted the top of Gabi’s head with his twiggy hands.

  Master Eugen shook his head. “Well, what do you know? I do believe this girl may be the most powerful Bändiger I have ever seen.”

  “Ingo? Is that you?” Lys asked.

  Tears poured down Ingo’s cheeks and rained upon Lys’ face. “Yah. It’s me. I thought I lost you, my sweet.”

  Lys reached up and touched his beard. “I can’t leave you now, Ingo. I want to spend a lifetime having tea and honey together. Don’t you know that?”

  Ingo smiled. “And knitting me more scarves?”

  Lys nodded. “Of course. A whole collection.”

  Ingo pulled her closer to him and kissed her forehead gently. “Welcome back, my love.”

  Oskar ignored all of his aches and pains as he clutched onto Kiana and Gabi. All he could think about was how close he’d come to losing both of them.

  “Oskar, are you all right?” Kiana asked, her voice shaky. “You’re bleeding.”

  He closed his eyes tightly and buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling the scent of tropical flowers and salty sea. He couldn’t stop shaking.

  “I’ll be fine. Hector will patch me right up.” He pulled back to gaze into her face. “Are you hurt? That was way too close for comfort.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “I thought Wiebe was going to kill you!” Her voice broke on a sob and she threw her arms around his neck.

  Oskar cupped the back of her head and stroked her hair. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s over. We’re safe.” Thank you, God, for protecting my girls. His mind was still grappling with the nightmare that had just been narrowly avoided. Once he’d entered the dome, he’d taken one look at Kiana holding Gabi’s limp body and all the breath had left his body. He’d barely registered the frostbite when he wrenched the chains from her neck.

  That wasn’t nearly as bad as the helplessness he felt once Wiebe trapped them. Watching the rogue elf shoot fire at Kiana had filled him with rage. His heart had stopped beating at that moment, sure he would be too late to stop her from going up in flames. He sighed with relief as he squeezed the girls tighter to him. Thank God they were both all right, and Lys was saved. Poor Ingo would have been devastated if anything had happened to her.

  He glanced down at Gabi’s blonde head. “Hey, little Bändiger, nice job with Lys.”

  Gabi peered up at him. “I couldn’t let Wiebe do that,” she whispered. “Ingo and Lys have been so kind to me. I feel awful that he hurt them, and you, and all the other elves…” Her voice cracked. “I know it’s mean, but I’m glad he’s gone.”

  Oskar hated the anguished look on Gabi’s little face. “Honigbienchen, it’s all right. Wiebe… wasn’t himself at the end. The Dark Magik took over.”

  A large hand clamped down on his shoulder. “Son, are you all right?” Oskar turned to find his parents standing anxiously behind him.

  He nodded. “We’re fine. Just a little banged up.”

  Santa nodded with relief and wrapped his arms around Oskar and the girls, enveloping all of them in a bear hug. His mother eye’s glistened with tears. “We were so worried. Wiebe trapped us in the house. We couldn’t get out to help Kiana and the others.”

  Oskar reached out to his mother and she joined into the hug. “Thank goodness you’re all safe now,” she said.

  His father stepped back. He rubbed his blood shot eyes. “Tell me what happened.”

  “Ingo saved the day.” Oskar looked over at the Magik Tamer, who still held Lys tightly in his arms. “He used Light Magik. Wiebe was planning on destroying Glasdorf with his newfound knowledge. Ingo’s powers were absolutely amazing.”

  Ingo cleared his throat and approached Mr. and Mrs. Klaus. “My magik took down Wiebe, it’s true. But Oskar took the brunt of it from him, trying to protect the girls. He’s hurt badly.”

  Sven shook his head as he examined Oskar’s burns. “What the hell did that bastard do to you?”

  “Why didn’t you tell us you were leaving Dag’s?” Gregor asked. “We could have helped.”

  Nicholas put a hand on Oskar’s shoulder. “You shouldn’t have faced him alone, O. We would have backed you up.”

  “Honestly, there wasn’t time. Ingo and I just jumped in the sleigh and rushed over here. I wasn’t sure what was going on.”

  Wolfie fist-bumped Oskar. “Way to go, little bro. Nice job today,” he said quietly.

  Santa nodded. “I’m proud of you, son. I don’t know what we’d do without you.” He looked at the scorched earth where Wiebe had been disintegrated by the Dark Magik. “We’ll never know why Wiebe became so consumed with vengeance. I’m just thankful that Ingo was able to use the Light Magik to defeat him.” He hefted Gabi up into his arms. “And you, young lady, are a marvel. Mrs. Klaus and I are so proud of you.”

  Oskar’s mom nodded her head in agreement. “Gabi, you were such a brave girl today. I know Lys would like to thank you.”

  His family turned to Ingo and Lys. Ingo had his arms wrapped protectively around her. A huge group of elves surrounded them, congratulating Ingo on his battle with Wiebe, and checking to make sure Lys was truly alive and well.

  “Gabi!” Lys held her arms out to the tiny Bändiger, who ran to her for a warm hug. The elves cheered for Gabi, who was glowing with happiness. Mr. Frosty trailed behind her, refusing to budge from her side.

  “You saved me, little one. How can I ever repay your kindness?” Lys sounded bewildered.

  Gabi smiled up at her. “Be happy with Ingo.”

  Ingo laughed. “What a wise little girl.”

  Oskar reached out a hand to Ingo. “That was epic, Mr. Hertz. All of Glasdorf thanks you.”

  Ingo shook his head, too modest to accept the accolades, but the elves roared their approval.

  “I couldn’t have done it without your help. You have a brave heart, young man.” Ingo nodded at Oskar.

  “Three cheers for Ingo and Oskar!” The elves yelled and shouted, throwing their hats into the air. A swarm of villagers were now climbing up the hill to the peak, curious about the battle. They enveloped all of them, clasping their hands in support and offering help to the wounded.

  Oskar turned to his father. “I need to make sure all the elves are getting proper medical care, and then check in with Dag.”

  Kiana tugged on his arm. “You need to take care of your own wounds first, okay?”

  He brushed away the tears on her face. “I promise,” he whispered and feathered his thumb across her cheek. “I’m so sorry to leave you, Moon Goddess. Do you mind taking care of Gabi until I get home?”

  Kiana smiled. “We’ll be fine. Just hurry home.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I miss you already.”

  Oskar leaned down to capture her lips, kissing her until she was breathless and
blushing.

  Gabi giggled. “Looks like they’re playing pretend mistletoe again. That’s their favorite game.”

  He ignored his brothers’ laughter.

  Kiana collapsed onto a sofa in Oskar’s great room. She was exhausted, still somewhat shaken, and profoundly relieved. Gabi had finally fallen asleep, snuggled up with an assortment of stuffed animals.

  Kiana had been too busy during the day to ruminate about their harrowing ordeal, although she did notice her hands shaking at odd times. She’d been completely focused on Gabi’s well-being, starting with a thorough check-up by Hector who pronounced her fit as a fiddle. He also healed Kiana’s burned hand, using a beautiful glowing sphere that mended all of the scorched skin. They met with the Council, who commended both Gabi and Kiana for their bravery. Evidently, the Council had forgotten her earlier transgression of entering Glasdorf without their permission. As soon as Lys told everyone how Kiana had challenged Wiebe when he struck Gabi, all was forgiven.

  Mr. and Mrs. Klaus also insisted on a visit, showering the little Bändiger with affection and gifts. Gabi blossomed over the course of the day, finally free of Wiebe’s reign of terror. It was a wonderful thing to see. By bedtime, she was dancing with Mr. Frosty—carefree and joyful. It brought tears to Kiana’s eyes. After popping the girl into bed and fashioning a space for the snowman outside on the patio, Kiana could barely keep her eyes open. But she was desperate to see Oskar, hold him and touch him, reassure herself that he was all right.

  She was just dozing off when the front door burst open. He’s home! She hurried to the foyer and stopped short. Oskar looked ravaged. His hair stood straight up and dirty scratches marked his face. His shirt, stained with the blood, was ripped across the front.

  “Oskar, I’m so glad you’re home…” Her voice drifted off as she became aware of the furious look in his eyes. He dropped his coat to the ground and glared at her.

  “Guess what I found out today? There’s a story going around Glasdorf, about you being trapped in the kitchen with Wiebe and Lys and Gabi.” Oskar’s voice was low and gravelly. Kiana took a step back. He was clearly attempting to control his temper. She could see his jaw clench as he approached her.

  “What… what story, Oskar?”

  He paced slowly forward, cornering her in the hallway. “Wiebe trapped the three of you in the kitchen. And put Gabi under some sort of spell.”

  Kiana nodded. “Yes, that’s true. I guess he didn’t want her to interfere with his magik.”

  Oskar advanced again, prowling this time. He reminded Kiana of a dangerous jaguar, hunting its prey.

  “Lys told me Wiebe kicked Gabi, and you yelled at him. And hit him! A deranged elf consumed by Dark Magik!” His voice had risen in anger. “Is that about right, Moon Goddess? What the hell were you thinking?”

  Kiana shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t believe you’re angry with me! Gabi was lying helpless on the floor, unconscious, and that bastard kicked her. I wasn’t going to let him get away with that. He’d done enough damage already!”

  Oskar stalked forward, backing her into a wall. “That was a stupid thing to do. He could have killed you, Ki. With just a touch.”

  She stopped retreating and held her ground. “I wasn’t going to stand there and watch him hurt her again. She couldn’t even defend herself.”

  Oskar’s chest was heaving. “You didn’t need to antagonize him. Where the hell was your sense of self-preservation? Don’t you understand how important you are to me? To Gabi? We can’t lose you. You can’t take stupid chances like that.”

  She noticed his eyes were bloodshot. He placed his hands on either side of her head, gripping the bookshelf. Books scattered from the wall and fell to the floor.

  “You’re the one taking chances, not me. You’re battling demons, getting stabbed, flinging your body in the line of fire, jumping off thirty foot snowboarding jumps…” she snapped back. She thumped her hands against his chest. “I need you, too, Oskar. I almost died when Wiebe shot those fireballs at you. I didn’t know… I wasn’t sure…” She struggled to take a breath.

  Oskar was on her before she could finish her sentence. Kissing her within an inch of her life. Punishing her lips, rough and desperate. He rocked against her pelvis, grinding her against the wall. She could feel his erection rubbing against her sensitive spot, winding her tight. She shuddered in pleasure, even as her emotions roiled in irritation.

  He grabbed her hand to inspect it. “I asked if you were all right. You never said one thing about your hand being burned. How am I supposed to take care of you if you’re not honest with me?”

  She tried to push him away and gain some space, but he refused to budge. “Oskar, I know how to take care of myself. Believe me, I’ve been doing it for years. I don’t need your protection.”

  He practically snarled his response. “That’s not okay! I know what you went through in Hawaii. Your parents let you down, your brothers let you down, and that freaking asshole surfer let you down.” He took a deep breath to compose himself. “I want you to trust me, to know you can depend on me. No matter what.”

  “You know about Tom?” she asked, surprised.

  “Not much. Just what Gregor told me,” Oskar answered. “I know he betrayed you with another woman.”

  She closed her eyes, trying to block out the mortifying memories. “He promised me everything under the sun. A home, a family. It was just a bunch of lies to get me to sleep with him.” Her face flushed, remembering the humiliation of him turning up with his pregnant girlfriend-on-the-side. “He kept telling me how sexy and gorgeous I was. I bought his whole act, like an idiot.”

  Oskar cupped the side of her face with his hand. “You are not an idiot. That guy abused your trust and took advantage of you.” He paused. “That’s why you’ve been hiding behind those ugly clothes, isn’t it? Trying to distance yourself from everything that happened in Hawaii.” He shook his head. “I am nothing like him, Ki. You don’t need to hide behind your protective armor around me. I know you’re a beautiful woman, inside and out. You can trust me.”

  “I do trust you. You are absolutely nothing like Tom. Everything he told me was a lie. I know this is real, O. What is happening between us is real. And you did protect me today.” Kiana grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled his face down to her. She returned the fervor of his kisses, devouring his hot mouth. A rush of wintry, evergreen-scented air assailed her.

  Something snapped within Oskar. The next thing she knew he was pushing her onto the ground, and they were rolling around on a pile of books. Oskar pinned her to the floor and loomed over her, gasping for breath.

  “I think it’s time I showed you how much you mean to me, Moon Goddess. Even if it takes all night.”

  Kiana gazed up into his face and was shocked by the feral and intense need in his eyes.

  He pulled roughly at her clothes, ripping fabric as she writhed on the floor. She ignored the sharp book spines digging into her and raked her nails down Oskar’s back. She was desperate to feel his hot skin rubbing against her, his hands on her. He made her crazy. Crazy for him, totally free for the first time in her life to explore every sexy fantasy she ever imagined. She felt safe with Oskar… safe and worshipped and beautiful. And very, very lusty.

  Somehow he pulled off his own T-shirt and slid off his jeans while kissing her senseless. Her hips arched off the floor, trying to press against him. Oskar rubbed his prickly jaw over her face, her neck, her collarbone, nipping at the skin with his teeth. His rough whiskers sensitized every nerve ending of her skin. He cupped her breasts in his huge hands, plumping them up in her bra.

  “Damn, you are hot, sweetheart.” His mouth sucked voraciously through the silk of her bra and Kiana cried out. Warmth pooled low in her body, building a firestorm in her blood.

  “Like that, do you?” His eyes never left her face as his teeth teased her nipples.

  She was too impatient. She pushed her bra down to her waist and whimpered. “Stop teasing m
e, Oskar!”

  He nodded slowly. “No more teasing. I’m never letting you go, honey. You do know that, right?”

  He squeezed her nipples with both hands and flicked his tongue over one, then the other, back and forth until she thought she would lose her mind. Her hips bucked up against him, pressing against his delicious erection.

  The feel of the long, hard length of him sliding back and forth across her slippery heat was too much. She wound her arms around his neck and rolled them over onto his back. She sat up and straddled him, plastering her hands against his heaving chest. “My turn, Bad Boy.”

  Oskar’s eyes widened for a second, just before she rose up and slid the head of his shaft inside of her.

  “Impatient tonight?” Oskar grabbed her hips forcefully in his huge palms and thrust up. She was impaled instantly. She screamed with pleasure as he filled her up, pulsed inside of her.

  “God, you’re tight,” he groaned as he continued to pump.

  Kiana released a long, satisfied moan as she tipped back her head and enjoyed the ride.

  Her hair was loose, spilling down her back and it swayed gently with each thrust. She felt Oskar’s hands reach up to fondle her breasts.

  “Look at me, baby.”

  She opened her lust-dazed eyes and glanced down at Oskar. What an incredible sight. His gorgeous emerald eyes raked over her body with each thrust of his hips. She leaned down and ran her fingers through the soft hair of his chest, over his glorious tattoos, across his flexing abs.

  He smiled up at her as his fingers invaded her soft curls. His hand stroked her pleasure point and she gasped. “Come for me,” he murmured.

  “Not yet. I want this to last.” I want this to last forever.

  He slid his arm around her waist and flipped her onto her back. “Now. I’ll make you come all night.”