Loving Blitz (7 page)

Slowly and with great care, Cupid entered the grove, stunned by the lack of snow or even cold. The grass was a rich green beneath his feet and appeared untouched. There were trees and flowers in full bloom all around, like some secret alcove winter never touched.

“Holy holly berries.” Cupid let out a gasp. He’d found them!

Cupid had never seen anything more beautiful. He knelt among the Elska roses, taking exceptional care not to crush any of them. There were at least two dozen, their petals tilted toward the heavens. He placed his hand over one and smiled at the warmth that radiated from them. He noticed the dirt they were growing in led through the thicket and the path he’d followed. Somehow they melted all the snow around them. Incredible.

What was that? A snapping twig caught his ear, and he straightened. “Blitz?” Had he woken up and found the note? He sure hoped Blitz wouldn’t be sore at him. “Blitz, I found them. I found—”

A gasp escaped him as a frightening shadowy mass emerged from the entrance of the grove. It was the most fearsome thing he’d ever seen. It was a floating shadow of malady, a blob of darkness dripping malevolence. There were gaping holes of nothingness for eyes, and it lifted arms draped with congealed mud and rot. A mouth seemed to melt into place, and it stretched open to let out a hideous gurgled cry that chilled Cupid’s blood.

Springing into action, Cupid darted to the other end of the grove, knowing the foul creature would give chase. The creature floated swiftly after him, and Cupid managed to dive beneath it and scramble to his feet. He sped past the boulder’s entrance, running as quick as he could. His senses were on alert, and he called upon his elf and faery intuition. He used the beams of moonlight filtering through the trees to help guide him through the woods. If there were only someplace he might hide. Perhaps if he could find his way back to the village, he might be able to get some help.

Cupid had no idea where he was going, only that he had to get away from whatever was chasing him. He’d never seen such a foul beast. It was as if it were made of nothing but shadows and rotting mud.
Shadows?
Could it be the same entity that had chased them earlier? No, this one was more formed, and far… angrier. More like a creature with fangs and claws. But why was it chasing him? What did it mean to do with him once it caught him? Cupid certainly had no intention of finding out.

The creature flew after him, soaring around tree trunks as Cupid leaped over logs and took sharp turns around trees in the hopes of keeping some distance between them. He was lost. At least he knew he was far from the cabin. He wouldn’t allow this beast near Blitz. As he neared a thicket, a shadowy paw slammed into him, and Cupid cried out at the pain in his side. The wind was knocked from his lungs and he landed harshly in a mound of snow beneath a tree, his vision growing blurry. He did his best to shake himself off. For a moment he could have sworn he heard laughter. It was mean and spiteful, yet strangely familiar.

Not wasting any more time, Cupid pushed himself onto his knees, only to be swatted at again. He soared through the air, landing on the edge of a small snowy hill. Before he could get himself up, he was pushed and went rolling down until he hit a small tree stump at the bottom. The air rushed out of him once more, and he lay in the snow, his whole body aching. He had to get up.

The shadowy animal loomed over him, claws ready to strike. Cupid braced himself when he heard a fierce cry.

“Get away from him!”

A thick tree branch pierced the shadowy beast through its center. It screeched and yelped, clawing at the tree protruding from it. When it couldn’t dislodge the object, it sped off.

“Cupid!”

Cupid let out a groan. Had someone pushed him into a cotton-candy machine? His head was spinning. His body ached, but he’d be all right. Blitz had come for him.

“Sweetheart?” Blitz pulled Cupid onto his lap and held him tight, checking him over. “Goddess above, you scared the holly out of me.”

“I’m all right,” Cupid murmured pathetically. It seemed as if that was all he’d been saying lately. His ego was more bruised than his body. If Blitz hadn’t come along, who knows what would have happened to him? Well, there was no point in feeling sorry for himself. At least he’d found the Elska.

“The Elska!”

“You found it?”

Cupid held on to his side as he jumped to his feet and ran, or at least attempted to. Blitz called after him, catching up in mere seconds. His voice was laced with concern.

“Cupid, you’re hurt. Please.”

“But I found them, Blitz!” Cupid ran back to the path he’d found, excitement coursing through him. “Wait until you see them. They’re stunning! Rudy will be so happy.” He ran through the open entrance of the grove, and came to an abrupt halt. “Oh no.” Cupid’s heart splintered. He dropped to his knees among the trampled and torn remains of the Elska flowers. “They’re… gone. All of them.” Every last flower had been destroyed. “Who would do this?” His voice was barely a whisper. Someone or something had purposefully gone through the trouble of decimating every petal until there was nothing left but tiny confetti-like pieces of flower.

Blitz knelt down beside him and drew him into his arms. “I’m so sorry, darling.”

Cupid felt numb as Blitz led him back to their cabin. He’d been so lost in his thoughts he didn’t remember walking there, or even how he got on the bed. He was sitting on the edge of it with Blitz beside him, gently rubbing circles on his back in comfort.

After everything they’d been through, they had finally found them. He’d had them right in front of him. Cupid couldn’t help it. He buried his face against Blitz’s chest, clung to him for dear life, and let his tears fall. How could they go back empty-handed? How could he face Rudy, knowing how much this meant to him? They’d been so close, and he let it slip through his fingers.

“It’s not your fault.”

Cupid pulled away, his cheeks hot and his heart aching. “I should have done something.” It was most likely that foul beast. Why him? What had he done to incur this creature’s wrath?

“You didn’t even know what you were up against.” Blitz cupped Cupid’s face, his pale gray eyes filled with affection. “I would much rather have that beast destroy the flowers than you. Just the thought of it….” Blitz shook his head before averting his gaze, his eyes glassy.

“Blitz, it’s okay. I’m okay.” How selfish of him. Here he was fretting over the flowers, and Blitz had been worried for him. “I’m sorry to have put you through that. I never meant to give you such a fright.”

“Well, you did,” Blitz replied angrily. “What if I hadn’t woken up in time and found your note? What if I’d woken up to find you—how could you go off on your own like that?”

“I can take care of myself,” Cupid said gently. Blitz had every right to be cross with him. Cupid would have felt the same, were the roles reversed. But he could take care of himself, even if at times it didn’t seem like it.

“I know that. But this is different. We’re not in North Pole City. Hell’s bells, Cupid. We’re not even in Winter Wonderland!”

Cupid gasped. “You cursed.”

“I did. I’m very upset with you right now.”

Elves weren’t prone to human curses. It was so… rude. He’d suspected Blitz was upset, though he didn’t realize how much. “I really worried you, didn’t I?”

Blitz’s expression softened. “Yes. I… I’m not very good at articulating certain emotions, but I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few weeks, and, well, I don’t feel for you what I once did.”

Cupid wasn’t quite sure what to make of that statement. Was that a good thing or bad thing? His expression must have said it all because Blitz let out a heavy sigh. Blitz was certainly right about one thing: he often struggled with speaking his heart. Of course, it hardly helped when poor Blitz tried and Cupid cut him to the quick.

“For Kringle’s sake, I’ll just show you.” Blitz brought Cupid up against him, and before Cupid could utter a word, Blitz kissed him.

Oh my.
Cupid’s eyelids fluttered shut and he threw his arms around Blitz, holding him tight as he returned Blitz’s kiss. It started as a sweet kiss, but it quickly turned heated. Sparks set off a fierce fire through Cupid, spreading through his entire body. He’d dreamed of Blitz kissing him, but it never felt anything like this. The softness of his lips, the sweet taste of his mouth, the wonderful scent of pine. It was even more magical than the first time they kissed at the ball.

Blitz leaned into Cupid, and he allowed Blitz to lie over him, his weight pressing him down into the mattress sending the most delicious shiver through Cupid. A soft gasp escaped him when Blitz drew away, only to move his lips onto Cupid’s neck. Blitz slipped his fingers into Cupid’s hair as he left butterfly kisses up his jaw.

Cupid arched his back, expressing his want and need to Blitz who whispered in his ear, “If this isn’t what you want, tell me, and I’ll stop. There will be no ill will between us. I will continue to care for you as my dearest friend, if that is what you wish.” He pulled back to look into Cupid’s eyes. There was so much love and need in those silver eyes.

“I want this,” Cupid said. There was nothing he wanted more. Cupid couldn’t think of what lay ahead. All he could think about was how much he wanted Blitz.

Chapter Six

BLITZ SAT
back on his heels and pulled off his vest and shirt, dropping them onto the floor. He took hold of Cupid’s shirt, then paused. He shouldn’t presume. Although Cupid’s eyes were filled with lust, Blitz didn’t want to do anything to hurt him. This was such a big step for them. It would change everything between them, though he had a suspicion a great deal changed quite some time ago. Seeming to understand Blitz’s hesitation, Cupid smiled and nodded.

With Cupid’s permission given, Blitz undressed him. When Cupid lay beneath him, completely bare and exposed, Blitz couldn’t help but be in awe of his beauty. He had a dancer’s body, sinewy and slender, soft pale skin and long limbs. So much sweetness, kindness, and grace in such a small package. Cupid blushed, and the rest of his skin followed suit.

“Your turn,” Cupid teased, though his blue eyes were filled with a burning fire that all but ignited Blitz from the inside out. Blitz quickly removed the rest of his clothing before resuming his spot on the bed. He knelt over Cupid, doing his best not to whimper as Cupid sat up and ran his hands over Blitz’s torso and up to his chest. “You’re magnificent.”

Blitz wasn’t sure what to do with such a compliment. It wasn’t something offered to him often, and coming from Cupid, it meant everything.

A wicked smile came onto Cupid’s face, and he pulled gently at Blitz’s arm. Blitz followed his lead, lying down on his back. What was his mischievous minx up to? Blitz swallowed hard as Cupid sat on his stomach, sliding his hands up over Blitz’s chest, exploring every curve and dip. Blitz itched to touch every inch of Cupid, but before he could reach out, Cupid slipped farther away from his grasp. Where was he going? Blitz stifled a curse when Cupid took hold of his hard shaft. He sucked in his breath and did his best not to lose himself when Cupid licked him as if he were an ice cream cone.

Cupid let out a hum as he licked and kissed Blitz’s shaft before he surprised Blitz by taking him into his mouth.

“Oh gods above,” Blitz gasped, finding Cupid’s hair with his fingers as Cupid licked and laved, running his tongue up the side of Blitz’s erection before swallowing him again and sucking. Sweet Cupid was a sinful little hellcat. Cupid moaned, his eyes closed as he continued to drive Blitz to the very brink of madness. And just when Blitz thought he might lose his seed, Cupid popped off. The loss had Blitz groaning. With a chuckle, Cupid crawled over him, kissing his lips before taking hold of Blitz’s shaft once again and placing the tip to his entrance.

“Oh.” Blitz was forced to bite down on his bottom lip for fear he might let out plenty more human curses. The tight pressure of Cupid’s entrance squeezing his rock-hard shaft was driving him mad. It was even better than he could have imagined. The slow torture was wondrous. Blitz gripped Cupid’s hips tight, digging his fingers into his soft, pale skin as Cupid moved slowly, undulating his hips and sinking down onto Blitz little by little until Blitz was buried deep inside him. Just when Blitz thought it couldn’t get any better, Cupid began to move.

Holy holly berries. Blitz’s brow beaded with sweat as Cupid threw his head back, his slender neck exposed. His eyes were closed and his skin glistened. He was the most beautiful creature Blitz had ever seen. Cupid’s breath hitched as he moved, his hips thrusting down against Blitz. Cupid arched his back, resting his hands on Blitz’s thighs as he began to bounce. Blitz was forced to bite down on his lip as Cupid rode him, his skin flushed and his plump lips slightly parted as his breath grew more ragged. Whimpers and moans escaped Cupid, his rosy-tipped erection catching Blitz’s eye. He was going to reach out to take hold of it when Cupid lifted himself almost completely off Blitz before plunging himself down against him.

Blitz cursed. His Cupid meant to finish him for sure. When Blitz could no longer take the sweet torture, he pulled Cupid tight against him and rolled them over so he was on top. He kissed Cupid hungrily, as if making up for all the time he’d been with Cupid and hadn’t kissed him. He couldn’t get enough of him, of his taste, his scent, his soft skin. Blitz pumped himself into Cupid, loving the gasps and moans that escaped from between those pink lips. Cupid arched his back, digging his fingers into Blitz’s skin.

“Blitz, please. Please.”

“Anything you wish.” Blitz squeezed his hand in between them so he could take hold of Cupid’s erection. He stroked Cupid, keeping his hand in time with the rhythm of his hips, which was soon lost. The pleasure was overwhelming, spreading through his body like wildfire. He never wanted to let go of Cupid, and he hoped Cupid would never let go of him. “Cupid….”

“Yes, oh please, Blitz.” Cupid’s cheeks were flushed pink, his lips parted in ecstasy. Cupid cried out, his release causing him to tremble in Blitz’s arms.