Loving Blitz (8 page)

The feel of Cupid spilling himself over Blitz’s hand had him giving in to his own pleasure. He thrust hard and deep into Cupid, making him cry out. Blitz kissed him as he continued to move inside him, pulling out once he became too sensitive. His arms buckled and he carefully dropped down onto the bed beside Cupid. He pulled him into his arms and nuzzled the side of his head, drawing in his delectable scent. His breath began to steady as he held Cupid against him. Their skin cooled and Cupid rolled toward him, curling up against him. Blitz let out a sigh of contentment.

“Cupid?”

“Yes?”

“I would very much like to do that again sometime. Soon. Very soon.”

Cupid chuckled. “I would like that as well.” He tilted his head up and kissed Blitz. “Thank you for always being there.”

“I have a confession to make.”

“Oh? What’s that?” Cupid planted feathery kisses on Blitz’s jaw, making it very difficult for him to concentrate.

“I was there as much for me as for you. When you were near, I wanted to be at your side. It may have taken some time for my mind to catch up to my heart, but since we met, I felt drawn to you. I always enjoyed being close to you. No matter where you were, being there with you felt… right. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to realize.” The room was silent, and Blitz gazed down at Cupid, who looked pensive. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Cupid smiled brightly, but Blitz could see the uncertainty in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Cupid kissed Blitz and pressed himself as close as he could. “Hold me. I love your warmth.”

“Cupid….”

“Please, Blitz. For now let’s just enjoy each other.”

Blitz wanted to know what was wrong. Cupid was certainly worried about something. Blitz wished he would confide in him. But if Cupid needed time, then Blitz would do whatever he could to help.

“Of course.” Blitz held him and kissed the top of his head. They’d taken a very drastic turn in their relationship. For now he would do as Cupid suggested: enjoy each other. He didn’t want to push or rush. As immortal creatures, they had all the time in the world.

Blitz closed his eyes and stroked Cupid’s back, his touch feathery light. Cupid let out a soft sigh that went straight to Blitz’s heart. It was the sigh of an elf with the weight of the world on his shoulders. If only Cupid would let him shoulder some of that weight for him. What could possibly be worrying Cupid? Other than what was happening between them and what happened with the Elska flowers, he couldn’t think of anything Cupid might be fretting over.

Soon he could hear Cupid’s hushed breaths as he slept, and Blitz let out a yawn. Perhaps with the morning sun and the dawn of a new day, his Cupid’s worries might not seem so daunting to him. Within a few heartbeats, he was fast asleep.

The next morning Blitz was up before Cupid. He made them cinnamon toast with hot cocoa for breakfast. Outside the sun shone bright despite the nippy winter air. The birds were chirping, and Nutmeg was frolicking in the snow with some of the other forest creatures. Blitz sat at the table sipping his cocoa when Cupid found his way to the kitchen. Blitz smiled at his appearance. He had somehow managed to dress himself, but his hair was sticking up in all directions. Cupid let out a fierce yawn on his way over to the cozy wood table. For all his cheerfulness, he was not a morning elf.

“Good morning,” Blitz said merrily.

Cupid smiled brightly at him. It was promptly followed by another fierce yawn. “Sorry.”

“I made breakfast.” Blitz motioned to the plate stacked high with cinnamon toast and the cup of still piping-hot cocoa.

“Thank you.” Cupid walked around the table and Blitz watched him curiously, wondering where he was going. He was surprised when Cupid walked up to him to give his lips a sweet kiss. He nuzzled the side of Blitz’s head and hugged him before heading to the icebox. The whole thing felt oddly familiar. As if they’d been waking up to each other every morning. It felt… right.

Cupid returned with some butter. He took a seat and happily went about his breakfast. Blitz didn’t know what to make of Cupid and how at ease he seemed to be. He was just glad to see Cupid smiling.

They ate breakfast together and chatted about Rudy and Jack’s wedding, wondering what date the lovers had chosen. Cupid confessed he hoped Dasher was keeping out of trouble. The last thing they needed was one of their Rein Dear brothers punished for a passing fancy. That Dasher was far too brash. Honestly, as if a powerful winter spirit such as the King of Frost would ever show any interest in a Christmas elf, even if said king were even interested in elves, which, as far as they all knew, he wasn’t and never had been. If Jack found out, he’d undoubtedly threaten Dasher with turning him to a Popsicle. This time around, it might be more than a threat.

After breakfast they cleared the dishes and dressed. As they headed for the door, Blitz could tell Cupid was disheartened. He hoped the dwarf Cupid knew would have some good news for them. Cupid was very quiet on the ride to the village. They’d gone extra early in the hopes of avoiding the large crowds. It was possible the friendly innkeeper might have shared news of their arrival, and as much as they loved to spend time with the villagers, they were on a very tight schedule.

Cupid found a back way to Mrs. Spruce’s little house. The dwarf was extremely happy to see Cupid and gave him a big hug. The two spent some time reminiscing about Cupid’s mother and her lovely gardens. Soon it was time to get down to business, and Cupid told Mrs. Spruce all about his find and the shadow beast that chased him, followed by the destruction of every last petal.

“I’m afraid that horrid beast crushed them all.”

“That’s terrible news! I’m so sorry you went through such an ordeal, Cupid. I’m afraid those were the only Elska I knew of. Terrible shame.” Mrs. Spruce patted Cupid’s hand, and Blitz wished there was something he could do. His sweet Cupid looked so disheartened.

“Is there nothing you can do, Mrs. Spruce?” Blitz asked. He placed his hands on Cupid’s shoulders to comfort him. Cupid turned to him and hugged him close. Mrs. Spruce’s gentle gaze went from Blitz to Cupid and back. She smiled warmly, forming little creases at the corners of her deep brown eyes.

“I’ll tell you what. I know of many a creature around the world. I shall send word out. It might take some time, but I’ll do my best to find something before your wedding.”

“You mean Rudy’s wedding,” Cupid corrected.

“Yes, of course,” Mrs. Spruce waved an old boney hand in dismissal, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “That’s what I meant.”

“Thank you.” Cupid finished visiting with Mrs. Spruce, and Blitz did his best not to fidget every time the wiry white-haired dwarf looked at him. She always had a strange little smile on her face. As if she knew something they didn’t. At the end of their visit, Cupid promised he’d come back to see Mrs. Spruce real soon. She insisted Blitz accompany him. As Cupid headed out of the house, Mrs. Spruce caught Blitz’s arm.

“Young elfling, a moment.”

Elfling? He supposed to a dwarf, Blitz might seem like an elfling.

“Yes?”

“A time will come when you must choose to follow your head or your heart. Be true to yourself and your heart will not lead you astray.” She crooked her finger, and Blitz leaned in curiously. “He is your Elska.”

Blitz wasn’t quite certain what the dwarf was trying to tell him, but he nodded regardless. He thanked Mrs. Spruce and met Cupid out back by the sleigh.

“Everything all right?”

Blitz climbed in beside him. “Yes. Mrs. Spruce was simply insisting I visit with you.”

“Oh.” Cupid smiled and waved at Mrs. Spruce as they took off with Nutmeg leading them back out of the town. They stopped at the inn to thank the innkeeper and return the key. They promised to visit again soon. They headed back to North Pole City. There were only a couple of days left until the dinner, not nearly long enough for them to explore another forest, especially with no leads or any idea of where to look next.

“What am I going to tell Rudy?” Cupid asked dejectedly. “He’ll be so disappointed to find out how close we came, only to lose them.”

Blitz considered this. After a great deal of thought, he concluded, “Maybe we shouldn’t tell him.”

“What?” Cupid stared at him. The thought clearly hadn’t occurred to him.

“We’ll keep looking. If we’re unsuccessful, then we’ll tell him, but if we find them, there’s no point in disappointing him.” Blitz took hold of Cupid’s hand and placed it against his lips for a kiss. “We’ll find the Elska, Cupid. As soon as the dinner is over, we’ll continue our search. We’ll check in with Mrs. Spruce, but we keep looking.”

Cupid threw his arms around Blitz and hugged him. “Thank you!” He snuggled up close to Blitz, who couldn’t help his dopey smile. He loved to see Cupid happy, and he loved being able to make him smile. They’d find those flowers. Blitz would do his very best. He’d search to the ends of the earth if he had to.

Mrs. Spruce’s words rang in his ear.
He’s your Elska.
What the holly was the old dwarf talking about? Either way, Blitz would do whatever it took to help Cupid. They were in this together, or at least he hoped they were.

Chapter Seven

THE BANQUET
hall in Jack’s palace was one of the smaller ones, yet still grand in size. The silver-veined marble table gleamed, at least wherever there wasn’t a silver dish filled with tasty treats. Cupid felt better about attending the dinner and seeing Rudy, thanks to Blitz. The food was delicious, the mulled wine and champagne making everyone merry.

Everyone was having a wonderful time. Dasher was a little quiet, which was unlike him, but soon Comet, Dancer, and Prancer had convinced him to play their games. It was odd to see Jack smiling so much. Cupid was happy for him. At times he almost appeared shy when Rudy would stop to whisper in his ear or give him a kiss. Tim and Noel—Rudy’s dear friends and helpers—were also in attendance. At least Cupid wasn’t the smallest elf in the room, not with Tim here. The tiny elf stood on his toes to kiss his sweetheart Noel when they walked under the mistletoe, not that the two needed an excuse to be affectionate.

While Jack had his hands full teasing Noel, Rudy took the opportunity to get in a quiet word with Cupid. He tried not to appear so disheartened by Rudy’s hopeful smile.

“How is the search going?”

Cupid considered telling Rudy the truth, but he hated to disappoint him at his own engagement party. “We might have a lead. As soon as the party’s over, we’ll be heading off again.”

Rudy took Cupid’s hands in his. “You don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you both so much.”

Cupid did know what it meant, which was why he wanted to find the rose. He understood both Rudy’s love for Jack and wanting to give him such a gift, and he understood what it would mean to Jack, holding the rose that reminded him of his mother. Cupid was about to reply when a familiar voice turned his blood to ice.

“What a splendid court. Shame it’s one built on lies and deception. Oh, what has become of this once
honorable
kingdom?”

It couldn’t be. Cupid stared at his older brother, too stunned to even make a peep.

“Who are you?” Jack demanded. “How did you get in here?”

“I’m simply a concerned citizen,” Gunne replied. He walked leisurely around the table, plucking tiny morsels of treats to taste as he went along, oblivious of the glares he was receiving.

“You’re not a citizen of North Pole City or Winter Wonderland,” Jack replied gravely. “I know all of our citizens. I suggest you leave before I escort you out myself.”

“I never stated I was one of your citizens. Merely a concerned one who’s heard of this auspicious occasion and felt compelled to voice my concerns to the future king of all winter. I will say you are far more forgiving than I am. Had someone tried to kill my lover, I would have made them pay.” Gunne stopped beside Hollis and grinned widely. “Good to see the spell I gave you did the trick. Did no one ever tell you Dockalfar weren’t to be trusted? Silly elf.”

Jack rose from his seat. “What spell? What are you talking about?”

“Why, the spell I gave your cousin to sabotage your lover’s plane.”

“What?” Jack shook his head. “You’re lying.”

Cupid jumped from his chair when he finally managed to find his voice. “Stop it!”

“Your future king deserves to know the truth about his court. A lover who keeps secrets. A murderous cousin.” His expression darkened as he met Cupid’s gaze. “Those hiding the darkness within them.”

Jack turned to Rudy, who was at his side. “Tell me he’s lying.”

“Jack… I….” Rudy shook his head, his heart breaking for all to see, but no more than Jack’s. The room dropped in temperature, the curtains billowing in the winds of the brewing ice storm.

“Who else knew of this?” Jack turned to the table, but no one dared look him in the eye. In the end it was all the admittance Jack needed. He turned back to Rudy, his expression crushed. “You promised me we wouldn’t keep secrets. That you would trust in me, in
us
. How could you keep such a thing from me?”

“Please, Jack. After everything you’d endured, after all your suffering, I couldn’t stand to see you brokenhearted.”

Jack straightened, his eyes frosting over to white, though not before Cupid saw the glimmer of fresh tears in them. “Well, in the end your secrets have achieved what you tried so very hard to prevent.”

“Jack….” Rudy reached out to touch Jack, only to have him step away from him. He turned to the Rein Dears.

“Prancer, Dancer, take Major Hollis to the Palace Courts. I will notify the Toy Soldiers of his arrival.”

Vale jumped to his feet. “You’re arresting him?”

“What manner of king would I be if I allowed a criminal to walk free simply because he’s family?” Jack growled. The hurt laced into his harsh tone was unmistakable. Cupid felt helpless. He had to do something, but what? It was all spiraling out of control so quickly.

“Jack, what are you saying?” Vale stood by his brother, his anger aimed at Jack. “Hollis is not a criminal! He made a mistake—”