Chapter 7
They lost track of how long they lay together, her dark head resting against his thundering chest. Nick refused to release his hold on her.
They had wrecked this house, but she had wrecked his heart.
She owned him, body and soul, and ancient war be damned, but he was never letting his little shadow go again.
Police sirens sounded in the distance, and Eira sat up with a sheepish grin on her kiss-bruised lips.
“Seems they found my anonymous tip.” She laughed softly, and Nick’s fingers brushed adoringly over her horns.
“What tip?”
“About the thieves in the basement. They robbed a bank, and so I wrapped them with a bow for the police.”
Nick let out a hearty chuckle, gripping her horns as he shook. “I love you, my little shadow. You are perfect. Please, come with me, and be my Krampus. Help me bring balance to mankind, for you have a delightful way of punishing the wicked.”
“But the others? You said they wanted me dead.”
“That was before I was the Santa. It won’t be easy, and I can’t guarantee smooth sailing. We’ll undoubtedly see danger and violence before this war ends. But…” He tapped the tip of one sharp horn. “I think you can handle yourself just fine in a fight.”
She blushed brighter than his suit, and her fingers caressed the fading ligature marks on his neck. “Do you really like them? My horns?”
“I love them. I want them on display every time I’m inside you.” He kissed her deeply, breaking only when the sirens grew closer. “Here.” He handed her his oversized shirt as he pulled on his pants. “You can wear that until we find you something else.”
Eira accepted the red coat, its size engulfing her, but it would keep her warm out in the snow. “Will you be…?” She gestured to his bare chest and then glared at him. No man had a right to be that perfectly sculpted.
“I’m Santa and a fae,” he reminded her.
She nodded, gathering up her knives, and the misshaped tree caught her eyes. “What about the house? It’s a wreck.”
“We’ll blame it on the thieves.” Nick shrugged as he reached inside his velvet bag.
“But perhaps one more little gift.” He pulled out a red envelope, the perfect size for a check, and placed it prominently on the crooked pine branches.
With a satisfied grunt, he hoisted the pack over his shoulder and strode toward the fireplace.
A rush of icy wind raced down the chimney, delicate snow extinguishing the fire, but before he stepped into the ashes, he turned back to Eira.
“Are you coming?” Nick extended a hand, waiting for her to decide, but she didn’t need time. She took it with enthusiasm, their fingers locking together. They didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but she knew she wanted to face it with him.
“Yes. Yes, I am.”