Vixen plopped down, careful not to spill his drink, though he needn’t have feared, since a tray with a selection of liquid delights appeared on the small table beside him.
“I took the liberty of ordering a variety of flavors, since I wasn’t sure which you’d enjoy more.”
“All of them,” Vixen replied. He’d had such a wonderful week; why did his friends have to go and ruin it? He supposed he could have told them about his time with Vale, show that blasted Blitzen how wrong he’d been, but he didn’t fancy gossiping about Vale. Just the thought of his sparkling gray eyes and warm smile had Vixen feeling all cozy inside.
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation you were having with your Rein Dear brothers. I understand you wanting to impress them, but there’s no need to resort to embellishment. You really shouldn’t go around spreading such tales.”
Vixen nearly choked on his drink. When he recovered, he gaped at Officer Fern. “Embellishment? Tales? Are you saying I made it up?”
The toy soldier shrugged. “Well, it does sound a little farfetched, wouldn’t you agree? You wouldn’t even say what the object is.”
“Because it’s a secret,” Vixen said with a scoff. Honestly, did no one listen around here? Ooh, a cocoa cocktail.
“So secret it doesn’t exist?”
Vixen frowned at his empty glass. Had he drunk his cocoa cocktail already? He placed the glass on the tray and it tipped over. Clumsy. “It does so exist, but I promised.” He wanted to get up, but suddenly he was too comfortable and sleepy. The noise in the pub around him appeared to quiet down, and Vixen settled back against the love seat. He wished Vale were here, but his handsome lieutenant had duties to attend to, though he had promised he’d stop by the causeway tomorrow with a special treat for him. Was it too soon for him to be missing Vale? To miss his scent, his strong arms, his sweet whispers.
“Promised what?”
Hm? Oh, Officer Fern was still here. “That I wouldn’t tell anyone. It’s very important to him. I mustn’t say. He’s very sweet and wonderful.” Vixen smiled again at the thought of Vale. “So romantic.”
“Lieutenant Vale Frost?”
“Yes.” Vixen lolled his head toward Officer Fern. “He sees me. The real me, that is. He knew, and he still cares for me.”
“Sounds like quite the catch. Did Lieutenant Frost show you this object?”
“Well, more like I stumbled upon it.” He leaned forward to whisper. “I shouldn’t have been wandering around, but I was curious. Vale found me, and he was cross at first, but then he told me all about it.” Vixen nodded and let out a dreamy sigh. “He shouldn’t have, but he’s sweet on me.”
Officer Fern leaned in, one hand coming to rest on Vixen’s cheek, the other on Vixen’s leg. “It’s a shame Rudy gets to have everything when you’re far more handsome and charming.”
Vixen frowned. “What are you talking about?” And why was Officer Fern touching him? Vixen hadn’t given his permission or expressed that kind of interest. He didn’t like it. Vale could touch him wherever and whenever he pleased. Vixen promptly removed Officer Fern’s wandering hands. The nerve.
“Well, once Jack marries Rudy, he’ll undoubtedly share this secret with him.”
Good heavens. What if Jack gave the scepter to Rudy, just as the King of Frost had given it to his beloved? Now that he thought about it, after Rudy and Jack married, technically, Rudy would be connected to the Frost family, which meant he could wield the king’s power. “Why should Rudy get the scepter? He already has powers. He doesn’t need the power of Frost as well.”
“Sounds rather dangerous if you ask me.”
“Not if he’s married to Jack,” Vixen replied with a pout. His head was all fuzzy, like it was filled with cotton candy. Maybe he should ask Dasher to take him home. “Only someone connected to the Frost family can wield the scepter’s power. Otherwise, something terrible will happen to whoever tries to use it. Not sure what. It sounded quite dire.” Vixen yawned, wishing he could curl up and go to sleep. He also wished whatever his name was would stop asking him questions. He closed his eyes as the unpleasant voice kept yammering in his ear. Vixen heard himself reply, but then he dozed off. He had no idea how long he’d been asleep when the cozy warmth enveloping him was snatched away from him.
“Vixen, wake up!”
“What?” Vixen groaned, rolling over and taking his pillow with him. What time was it? More importantly, what day was it? It was certainly too early to be pestered by his goodie-two-shoes friend. Ugh, his mouth tasted like sand. He hated sand. All those teeny-tiny hard things getting stuck in places they shouldn’t get stuck in. Plum pudding, his head was throbbing. Why had Rudy snatched his blanket away?
“You missed another meeting, for holly’s sake. Let me guess. Out at the pub until late last night?”
Pub? That was right. After the half dozen test runs and rehearsing various flight patterns, he’d headed for the White Hart with the rest of his Rein Dear brothers. Had Rudy been there? Probably not, seeing as how Vixen couldn’t recall any lectures. Then again, he seemed to be having trouble recalling a good portion of the evening. Drawers opened and closed, making him moan.
“Go away, Rudy. I need my beauty sleep.” He’d worry about the missed meeting later. Right now, he just wanted to curl up under his blanket and sleep.
“I better not find a naked toy soldier in your closet.”
“What would I be doing with a toy soldier?” Vixen grumbled, wishing his friend would do something more useful, like get him something cool for his head. It was pounding.
“What you normally do with them,” Rudy grumbled. “Though please spare me the details.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I want a toy soldier when I’m being courted by—” Wait a moment. Toy soldier, the pub… Vixen bolted upright, immediately regretting the movement. While he waited for his head to stop spinning, he tried to recall last night. Why did he get the feeling he’d done something terribly foolish? He let out a gasp and stared at Rudy.
“I need to go see Vale.”
Rudy studied him, a look of concern coming onto his face. “Vale’s with Jack and Hollis at the king’s palace. Something about an urgent meeting.” He came to sit at the edge of Vixen’s bed and held a hand to his brow. “Are you all right?”
No. He was anything but all right. Plum pudding. What had he done? He scrambled out of bed and darted around the room, plucking pieces of clothing from here and there. For the love of Kringle, he prayed the meeting had nothing to do with the scepter.
“Vixen, slow down. What’s wrong?”
Vixen came to an abrupt halt and opened his mouth, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit what he might have done. Rudy would never have been so foolish. That was why his friend was captain, because he was good and responsible and didn’t get himself into such dreadful situations. “I need to go. I’m sorry.” He swiftly dressed and rushed out the door.
Vixen dashed through his apartment and out into the hall, making certain not to run into any of his brethren. Oh, he was never going to hear the end of this if they found out. He sped out the side door of the Rein Dear estate rather than the front and hailed a sleigh, asking the driver to be as quick as possible. It would take longer than he wished for the sleigh to get to the king’s palace, but once they were off North Pole City’s main street, traffic eased and the sleigh took off.
At the palace, Vixen thanked the driver and rushed up the steps. He told the guards who he was and that he was there to see Vale. The guards allowed him in, and Vixen found Vale pacing the grand foyer not far from where Jack and Hollis were quietly conversing. When Vale saw Vixen, he smiled brightly, and Vixen felt all the worse. He hurried over to Vixen and gave his lips a sweet kiss.
“Vixen? What are you doing here?”
Vixen took hold of Vale’s hand and pulled him to one side, speaking quietly. “I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”
“I’m afraid it will hav
e to wait, darling. My uncle’s called a very important meeting. Something’s terribly wrong.”
“Vale, I—”
The massive doors opened, and the chancellor appeared. His expression gave nothing away, though his somber tone said enough. “Lads.”
“Wait here,” Vale whispered in Vixen’s ear. “I’ll be back soon.” Without waiting for a reply, Vale joined his brother and cousin, the three trailing after the chancellor. Vixen couldn’t stand the thought of remaining outside. What if the king knew Vixen had stumbled upon the scepter? What if he forbade Vale from seeing Vixen ever again? His heart squeezed in his chest, and he took off after Vale, sneaking in silently behind him. Whether Vale was aware of his presence or not, he didn’t say a word. The three elves—with Vixen concealing himself behind Vale—approached the king. The monarch looked upset as he paced. The King of Frost pacing was never a good sign.
“I have some grave news. Somehow, in the dead of night, my queen’s scepter was stolen.”
The air seemed to have been sucked from the room, and Vixen went still. It was worse than he’d thought. Jack took a step forward, his expression one of stunned disbelief as he addressed his father. “How is that possible?”
Vale turned to Vixen with a questioning look, his face having gone pale. It would seem Vale had known he was behind him after all. Vixen could deny it. No, he couldn’t. He couldn’t lie to Vale. Vixen racked his brain when a foggy memory came to him. He’d been speaking with someone last night. They’d been discussing… His heart dropped to his stomach, and he stared at Vale. Oh no. It was just as he’d feared. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to bring you any trouble.”
“What did you do?” Vale looked as if someone had plunged a knife into his back and twisted. Vixen supposed he’d done no better.
“I had too much to drink last night, and I was chatting with someone. It must have slipped. I’m sorry.”
Vale closed his eyes, the hurt on his face breaking Vixen’s heart. Vixen took hold of Vale’s sleeve. “Vale?”
After a silent moment, Vale took in a deep, steady breath and released it. When he dropped his gaze to Vixen, his sparkling gray eyes turned to hard steel. “Whatever happens, do not say a word.”
“I will find whoever is responsible for this, and they shall pay dearly,” Jack fumed. His words caught Vixen’s attention. Good gods, what if Jack found out what Vixen had done? He’d turn him into a giant ice cube.
“It’s my fault.”
Vixen gaped at Vale as the lieutenant stepped forward, his shoulders rounded, and his chin lifted high. The king looked upon his nephew with confusion.
“Vale? Speak.”
“I showed the scepter to a friend. I believed they could be trusted.” Vale’s hands balled into fists at his sides, his words and expression striking Vixen in the heart. “I was mistaken.”
“This is truly disheartening news, Vale.” The king glanced at his brother, who closed his eyes, his head hung in resignation. With a heavy sigh, the king sat in his throne. “Until the scepter is returned, I’m afraid I must strip you of your powers, title, and duties both as a member of the Frost monarchy and the Toy Soldier Army. You are hereby required to surrender your uniform and are forbidden from setting foot on the monarchy’s soil. You will be reinstated once this mess is resolved.” His voice softened as he held his hand up and closed his fist. “I’m sorry, Vale.” A fierce wind swept through the room, circling Vale and lifting him off his feet.
Vixen stared in horror as the whirlwind picked up speed. Vale’s eyes frosted over white before returning to their foggy gray. The white strip of hair on the side of Vale’s head drained away toward the tip until it disappeared, and Vale let out a frightful gasp, as if he struggled for breath. Then all at once, the gale placed Vale gently on his feet before rushing to the king and sweeping through him. The king’s eyes and hair went white momentarily before returning to their pitch-black state.
“I will do my best to keep this out of the papers. It would be best if you found somewhere quiet and… out of the way to retreat to for the time being.”
“Yes, Uncle,” Vale replied, sounding somewhat breathless. He smoothed out his hair and bowed regally before meeting the king’s gaze once more. “I only hope that in time you may forgive me. If you require my services, please do not hesitate to summon me.” Vale bowed stiffly then turned on his heels, marching toward the doors with his chin held high. Vixen discreetly scurried after him and caught his arm once they were outside in the foyer and alone.
“Please. You must believe—”
Vale jerked his arm out of Vixen’s grasp, his voice quiet when he spoke. “I trusted you.”
“Vale…” Vixen felt as if his heart was about to burst into a thousand tiny shards. He wanted Vale to look upon him with that warm smile and affectionate gaze, not the icy stare that sent a chill through him.
Without another word, Vale walked off, leaving Vixen standing there feeling helpless. Hollis appeared beside him, giving him a start. He didn’t bother looking at Vixen when he spoke, but the low growl in his voice expressed his displeasure well enough.
“I hope whatever you gained from this has been worth it. You’ve taken everything from him. I knew you’d be nothing but trouble.” Hollis stormed off before Vixen could find his voice. Even if he had managed to find it, what would he have said? It struck him then what he’d done.
Vixen turned to find the King of Frost speaking with his brother. They were angry and upset. Vixen took a step forward then stopped himself. What the holly was he going to do? Even if he admitted to the king it had been his doing, what would come of it? Besides, surely the Frost family could find one little scepter. The power wielded by the king and his son alone was frightening. Vixen turned and headed for the front doors.
What could a Christmas elf do? He had no powers. It was best he remain out of the Frost family’s way. There was nothing he could do. That’s what he kept telling himself as he left the palace, his heart splintered and aching.
Chapter 7
Despite telling himself he was making the right decision by walking away, seeing as how there was nothing he could do to help matters, he still felt like sludge. Hailing a sleigh outside the palace, Vixen knew who he needed to see. There was only one elf he could turn to at this time. The same elf who’d always been there for him, who he knew would always be there. Who Vixen had taken for granted and treated so poorly.
Vixen found Rudy in the expansive, grand study inside Jack’s palace. A lump formed in Vixen’s throat when he recalled his behavior toward his friend. He was so ashamed.
“Rudy…”
Rudy took one look at him and rushed over to him, drawing him into his embrace. “Is it true?”
Vixen nodded and hugged his Rein Dear brother. “Vale told you?”
“No. Hollis.” Rudy pulled back, his expression of worry turning into one of frustration. “Vixen, how could you? That scepter has remained untouched since the Frost War. There’s no telling what will happen.”
“I never meant to hurt anyone. One minute I was fine, the next everything was hazy. I was talking to someone, and he kept asking. I must have let it slip.”
“You shouldn’t be here, Vixen.”
Vixen’s head shot up, his eyes wide as he stared at his friend. “But… I don’t know what else to do. I need you. You’re my best friend.”
“I promise you I’ll do whatever it takes to sort this mess out, but Vixen, Jack is here. Hollis told him it was you. If he finds you here, there’s no telling—”
A howling wind slammed the study doors open and a swirling storm of snow and ice burst through the room. Jack thundered in, and Vixen hid behind Rudy, his eyes shut tight with the ridiculous hope that if he couldn’t see Jack that Jack couldn’t see him.
“Where is he?”
“Jack, please.” Rudy held a hand up in an attempt to placate the blustering winter spirit, but Jack was having none of it. He spotted Vixen and grabbed him by the lapels of his
jacket, lifting him off his feet.
“You stupid little elf. What have you done?”
“I’m sorry,” Vixen squeaked, wishing Jack would put him down.
“Sorry? Not only have you destroyed my cousin and his reputation, but you’ve unleashed a dangerous weapon upon the world. For what? Your ego? For another story in the paper about how great you are? No amount of press will make it so.” He dropped Vixen roughly onto the floor; Vixen would have fallen on his backside if Rudy hadn’t steadied him. Jack’s words wounded Vixen, but it was best to remain silent.
“Jack, please don’t be cruel to him.”
“I’m being cruel?” Jack scoffed and paced the floor. The wind howled, whipping the curtains furiously, and the snowstorm caused a terrible chill inside the study, the open windows certainly not helping. “His selfishness has brought down a good elf who has shown him nothing but kindness, affection, and the utmost respect. Who has treated him as more than a quick romp in the snow. And what does he give in return? He puts himself first, like he always does.” Jack rounded on Vixen, looming over him, the words nearly spat out. “You are so bloody obsessed with having everyone love you that in the end you make it impossible for anyone to do so. Which is why you have been and always will be alone.”
“Jack!” Rudy snapped, drawing Vixen into his embrace. “That’s quite enough. I know Vale is your cousin, but please show a little restraint.”
Jack opened his mouth, but instead of more angry words, he pursed his lips, breathed heavily through his nose, and snapped his fingers. The doors and windows slammed shut, and the storm subsided. With an unintelligible grumble, he walked behind his desk and sat down.
“You’re right,” Vixen said quietly, his eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Rudy and Jack spoke up in unison. “What?”
Vixen dropped into the tall, wingback chair. He felt so small. Still, he forced himself to meet his friend’s kind gaze. “I try so hard to make everyone love me, never feeling fulfilled with what I have, always comparing myself to you. I see how happy you are, and no matter what I achieve, I feel as though it’s never enough, that I will never be as good as you.”
North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 20
