always someone trying to bring harm.” He turned his attention to Rudy and Vixen. “As Christmas elves connected to this family, you must remain vigilant. You’re in a very vulnerable position. Our enemy will not hesitate to use you against those you love. You must do everything in your power to make certain you do not find yourself in such a predicament. I’m afraid I have no choice.”
Vixen leaned into Vale, his eyes wide as the king held up his arms, his hands palm out.
“Uncle? What are you doing?” Vale asked worriedly, holding Vixen against him.
The balcony doors burst open, a fierce gale engulfing the room in wind and snow. It swirled around the king before shooting forward and striking both Rudy and Vixen in the chest. Vixen gasped for air, clutching his chest tightly as the cold spread through him. Jack was at Rudy’s side, holding him tight against him. A heartbeat later, and the storm vanished. A strange tingling spread through Vixen, and although his body ached a little, it had been healed. He felt stronger than ever. The king gave Vixen a nod.
“Blow into your hand.”
Vixen and Vale exchanged glances, but Vixen did as the king suggested. He held his palm up before his lips and he blew. To his astonishment a glittering swirl of white appeared.
“Holy holly berries!” Vixen gasped. “What does this mean?”
“It means now you are truly connected. But be warned, you draw your power from your lover. Jack, Vale, it is up to you to teach your beaus how to control their new powers for they are connected to your own.”
Vixen stared down at his hands before moving his gaze to Vale. “I don’t think I deserve such a gift, Vale. What if I hurt you again?”
Vale gave his cheek a kiss and pulled Vixen close. “We shall take this journey together, my love. I trust you and hope that you will always trust in me. I love you, Vixen.” Behind them Vixen could hear Jack and Rudy murmuring softly to one another.
“All right, I’ve seen enough sweetheart kisses and heard enough tender whispers to last me an eternity. Malachi, let’s leave the youngsters to their courting.” The king swept toward the door to the room when something occurred to Vixen.
“Your Majesty? What happened to Fern?”
The king’s eyes clouded over as he spoke. “He’s joined his brother. It appears we still have toy soldiers out there loyal to the Mouse King. Worry not, elfling. I shall see to it.” With a bow, the king left the room along with the chancellor, who had a smile on his face. Jack stood and cleared his throat, his strong arms folding over his expansive chest.
“You both have a terrible habit of running headfirst into the fire. I don’t suppose anything I say will change that.”
Rudy stood and slipped his arm around his grumpy lover. He stood on his toes and gave Jack’s cheek a kiss. “Perhaps a certain someone would concede that we Christmas elves are stronger than we appear to be and stop telling us to stay home.”
Jack let out a huff, his gaze dropping to his love. “Fine. I expect both of you to be ready for training soon. It takes a great deal of control to wield our power. I don’t need you freezing your brethren’s baubles off by accident.”
“Not even Dasher’s?” Vixen asked hopefully.
Jack opened his mouth, then closed it. He pursed his lips, a mischievous twinkle in his eye before his lips curled into a smile. “I might consider it.”
They all laughed, and Rudy squeezed his love tight. Vale gave Vixen a subtle squeeze, and Vixen was grateful when Rudy and Jack bid them farewell, leaving them on their own.
“I have my own gift to give,” Vale stated, and Vixen could barely contain his excitement as Vale called upon his powers, the side of his hair growing white. He curled his finger around a lock of white hair, and Vixen watched in amazement as it returned to its former pitch-black state. Vale then curled the same finger around a lock of Vixen’s hair, and a cool breeze
Vixen leaned into Vale, his eyes wide as the king held up his arms, his hands palm out.
“Uncle? What are you doing?” Vale asked worriedly, holding Vixen against him.
The balcony doors burst open, a fierce gale engulfing the room in wind and snow. It swirled around the king before shooting forward and striking both Rudy and Vixen in the chest. Vixen gasped for air, clutching his chest tightly as the cold spread through him. Jack was at Rudy’s side, holding him tight against him. A heartbeat later, and the storm vanished. A strange tingling spread through Vixen, and although his body ached a little, it had been healed. He felt stronger than ever. The king gave Vixen a nod.
“Blow into your hand.”
Vixen and Vale exchanged glances, but Vixen did as the king suggested. He held his palm up before his lips and he blew. To his astonishment a glittering swirl of white appeared.
“Holy holly berries!” Vixen gasped. “What does this mean?”
“It means now you are truly connected. But be warned, you draw your power from your lover. Jack, Vale, it is up to you to teach your beaus how to control their new powers for they are connected to your own.”
Vixen stared down at his hands before moving his gaze to Vale. “I don’t think I deserve such a gift, Vale. What if I hurt you again?”
Vale gave his cheek a kiss and pulled Vixen close. “We shall take this journey together, my love. I trust you and hope that you will always trust in me. I love you, Vixen.” Behind them Vixen could hear Jack and Rudy murmuring softly to one another.
“All right, I’ve seen enough sweetheart kisses and heard enough tender whispers to last me an eternity. Malachi, let’s leave the youngsters to their courting.” The king swept toward the door to the room when something occurred to Vixen.
“Your Majesty? What happened to Fern?”
The king’s eyes clouded over as he spoke. “He’s joined his brother. It appears we still have toy soldiers out there loyal to the Mouse King. Worry not, elfling. I shall see to it.” With a bow, the king left the room along with the chancellor, who had a smile on his face. Jack stood and cleared his throat, his strong arms folding over his expansive chest.
“You both have a terrible habit of running headfirst into the fire. I don’t suppose anything I say will change that.”
Rudy stood and slipped his arm around his grumpy lover. He stood on his toes and gave Jack’s cheek a kiss. “Perhaps a certain someone would concede that we Christmas elves are stronger than we appear to be and stop telling us to stay home.”
Jack let out a huff, his gaze dropping to his love. “Fine. I expect both of you to be ready for training soon. It takes a great deal of control to wield our power. I don’t need you freezing your brethren’s baubles off by accident.”
“Not even Dasher’s?” Vixen asked hopefully.
Jack opened his mouth, then closed it. He pursed his lips, a mischievous twinkle in his eye before his lips curled into a smile. “I might consider it.”
They all laughed, and Rudy squeezed his love tight. Vale gave Vixen a subtle squeeze, and Vixen was grateful when Rudy and Jack bid them farewell, leaving them on their own.
“I have my own gift to give,” Vale stated, and Vixen could barely contain his excitement as Vale called upon his powers, the side of his hair growing white. He curled his finger around a lock of white hair, and Vixen watched in amazement as it returned to its former pitch-black state. Vale then curled the same finger around a lock of Vixen’s hair, and a cool breeze
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