Chapter 3

If that dragon thought he was going to railroad me out of my very first Christmas morning, he was wrong. Christmas in the human world was something I'd never had the pleasure of experiencing, and now that my darling was with me and those dastardly whispers weren't plaguing me any longer, I was intent on having the best Christmas ever.

It was touch and go there for a minute, honestly. If Dahlia hadn't been so keen to do Christmas with us, Kai just might've gotten his way and ruined everything. The Grinch. But luck was on my side, and she got him to follow us all to the magical holiday display we'd created while the dragon slept.

"Step right up, folks. The Christmas Extravaganza awaits," I called, shoving the door to Tor's newly redecorated room open and swinging my arm wide to reveal the decorations within.

The lads, minus said grinchy dragon, had already seen it, but Dahlia's expression as she took in our handiwork was priceless.

"What in the Hallmark fairy godmother did you do?" she squealed, eyes bouncing all over as she tried to take it all in at once. "I don't know what to look at first! Stockings? Garland? Lights? Are those fucking chestnuts roasting on the fucking fire? Is the ghost of Nat King Cole going to pop out from behind the tree?" She squinted a little at one of the branches. "Is that a squirrel? Oh! It's a pixie!"

The little blur of gold light rushed out of where he'd been hiding in the branches. "Ye menaces! Can't a man collect bark for his newborn babies in peace? All I wanted was to make them rocking horses for Christmas, and then I end up kidnapped and in a Viking's torture chamber. It's bad enough you destroyed our home. You should be ashamed?—"

I snatched the pixie up by the furiously flapping wings, stopping him mid-sentence as I held him up in front of my face. "Sod off, you overgrown firefly. You're killing the vibe."

He leaned forward, mouth snapping at my nose.

"Oi!" I barked, giving him a little shake and watching the glittering dust float off him. "Behave, or I'll properly hold you captive."

"You could try, you walking codpiece!"

"What was that? You don't want to return to your shimmers?" I threatened.

His mouth snapped shut in mulish displeasure.

"That's what I thought." Moving to the window, I threw it open and dropped him on the ledge. "Away with you before I change my mind. You're lucky I'm in such a festive spirit."

"Yeah, you're really Father fucking Christmas," the pixie shouted, his voice little more than a high-pitched buzz as he flitted away.

"God, all that's missing is snow!" Dahlia marveled as she focused on one thing after another.

Tor, that thunder-stealing showboat, snapped his fingers, and cold flakes of snow began floating gently from the ceiling.

"Oh, that's rich." I rolled my eyes. "He has snow, folks. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a Kringle, not a Nordson. If I poke you in the belly, will it shake?"

His low growl told me I was treading on thin ice—pun intended.

Music began playing on the record player Hades had insisted we include. He said it sounded better. I really didn't bloody care.

Dahlia's brow lifted as she looked at Hades. "That record player has you written all over it."

"Guilty."

"And the song?"

"It's a classic."

"It's rapey."

"Still a classic."

"True," she said with a little sigh.

The grumpy dragon was still hovering by the door. We couldn't have that. His frowny face would ruin everything. "What do you think, Kai? Did we do right by our girl with our holiday surprise?"

Kai let out a soft grunt. "I suppose the look on her face makes it worth it. Still rather be buried balls deep inside her."

"Wouldn't we all," Hades murmured, picking up a cup of what was probably whiskey but could have been eggnog or hot chocolate for all I knew.

"Is that your Christmas wish?" she teased, crossing the room and settling on Hades's lap. "Seeing as I didn't know we were doing presents, I guess that's what I'm giving you all."

Hades unbuttoned the second button of his black shirt before pinning her with a smoldering stare. "Not yet, baby doll. We've got a few things to give you."

She shook her head, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "I can't believe you managed all this."

Hades raised a brow. "Why's that?"

"It's just so not you," she said with a laugh.

"How do you figure?" Tor asked, moving to the tree to select the little wrapped package he'd stowed beneath it earlier that morning.

"I beg your fucking pardon, this was my idea. Don't you three try to take credit for it. I had the vision. You just helped make it happen." I couldn't stand by and let them swan in with their furrowed brows and dark dispositions and steal my shine.

Dahlia shot to her feet and rushed over to me. "It was a universal ‘you,' Cas. I didn't mean to leave you out. Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected this as my Christmas surprise. A mind-blowing orgasm or seven, sure. But not a Christmas card come to life. I'm honestly stunned you were able to find the time. I guess all those shift rotations you three did over the last few days make more sense. This is where you were running off to, wasn't it?"

I nodded, still a titchyroo annoyed.

"I wanted it to be perfect for you. It's our first Christmas together. It should be special."

Oh my goddess, I sounded like such a wanker. But it was true. In fact... "If I'm being totally transparent, it's my first Christmas ever. We don't do holidays in Ravenndel. No Hanukkah, no Christmas, not even New Year. Time stands still there. Every day is exactly the same. Beautiful. Warm. A light breeze perfect for sailing. Nothing like this."

She blinked at me, dumbfounded. "Your first... You're joking, right?"

I shook my head.

"We don't usually celebrate mortal holidays in the fae realm," Kai chimed in. "We have our own traditions."

"Well, now I feel even worse for not getting you a present," Dahlia pouted. "If I'd have known, I would have..." She trailed off again, eyes darting to the side as she thought. "Well, ordered you something online, I guess. Not too many shopping options here. But I could have written you a short story! Or a poem!"

"Stop working yourself up, beauty. This is about giving, not receiving. Allow us to give you your gifts, please?" Tor held out a small box he'd wrapped in sparkling silver paper, complete with a white ribbon and a sprig of... fucking holly? Wow. Big man really takes his gift wrap seriously.

Dahlia's eyes were wide, and her lower lip wobbled as she took the present. Preemptively, I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket so I could gallantly offer it to her once the inevitable waterworks began.

She gave the package a tentative shake. "It's not teeth, is it?" she asked, brow low with worry.

Tor laughed. "Not this time."

At his reassurance, she unwrapped her present with a considerable amount of enthusiasm. "Oh, Tor," she breathed, letting all the wrapping fall to the floor as she pulled out a simple silver band. She moved over to the fireplace to get a better look at the details. "Are these runes?"

"Yes. It says, K?rasta, just there." He joined her and pointed out the word, then whispered, "And my name is inscribed on the inside. Wear it on your left hand, so I'm always near your heart. As you are to mine," he said, holding up his own hand.

Matching rings. Gag. Why hadn't I thought of that?

She inspected his ring and pressed a kiss to it before asking, "When did you have time to get these?"

"I made them in the Novasgardian tradition, as passed down to me by my father and his father before him. They were forged from the blade of your enemy in the fires of Hades."

Her gaze flicked to the man himself. "You helped him?"

"'Course I did. There wasn't a fire hot enough since our dragon was down for the count."

Returning her attention to the rings, she ran her fingers over hers, then Tor's, pausing and looking up at the big beast. "Why is yours different? It looks almost the same as mine."

The Viking's cheeks went pink and I nearly let out a loud snort. He was embarrassed. "It says K?rasto."

"K?rasto? But you said that wasn't a thing."

"It's not, technically. But you said it and it makes me smile every time I think about it," he added with a shrug, looking as uncomfortable as I'd ever seen him. "I guess you could say it's our thing now."

The way she was looking at him had me feeling all sorts of jealous. I needed to move this show along, or she'd shag him here and now, and we'd never get to my present.

"Hades, you're next," I blurted, interrupting their tender moment.

It was his turn to look a little bashful. "Right, uh. It's not much, but..." He picked up a leatherbound book and held it out to her.

"A book? A little on the nose, don't you think?" I scoffed. "And you didn't even wrap it. Bad form. Did no one ever teach you how to Christmas?"

Hades rolled his eyes. "The gift is what's on the inside. Don't make me get the shadows out."

"Ohhh, I'm sooo scared," I mocked.

He raised an eyebrow, silently reminding me of just how much damage he could do to me with the mere touch of a hand. Right. Point taken.

"Save those for later, Daddy," Dahlia whispered as she plucked the book out of his hand.

She took a seat on Tor's bed and cracked it open, her fingers gently running over the ink-covered pages. "Hades... it's your journal."

"I know you don't remember your previous life with me, baby doll, but there's so much we shared. I was hoping this would give you insight into exactly what we had and why you and I are inextricably linked through lifetimes. You're not Persephone, I realize that. But your soul and mine have been bound for all time."

Once again, my Dahlia was blinking back tears and looking lovingly up at someone else. This would not do. This would not do at all.

"Kai," I snapped, knowing the dragon would be my salvation. He'd been unconscious for the better part of three days. No way he'd be able to show me up. "Your turn."

The giant Scotsman rubbed a hand along his jaw. Honestly, he had no right to be so enormous. Neither he nor Tor. There came a point where it was simply too much. Not that Dahlia seemed to think so, what with the way they could hold her up betwixt them.

"I, erm... I'm sorry, lass. I don't have anything ready for you."

Bingo.

"It's okay, Kai. You were unconscious."

"But... I do have something I've wanted to offer. Now seems like the perfect time, as long as you three are amenable."

I pressed a palm to my chest. "Us? What do you want with us?"

"A spell to bind us to her. Forever."

"One of your special tattoos," Tor murmured, catching on before the rest of us, which made sense since he'd experienced Kai's work firsthand.

Kai nodded. "Precisely."

"What does it entail?" Hades asked, arms bent at the elbows as he leaned back against the desk.

"What does a tattoo entail?" I snorted. "You can't possibly be that sheltered in the underworld."

He picked up a pine cone off the desk and chucked it at my face. "The spell, numbnuts."

"Oh, I see."

Kai shook his head, exasperation in his eyes. "It would join our souls to hers, much like a shifter or vampire mate bond. We'll be branded as her protectors and mates, our bonds cemented through the magic of my dragon fire. More importantly than that, it will allow us to share some of our power and be able to locate Dahlia no matter how far she is. We'll be able to avoid any situations like the one we were in the other night when we lost precious time getting to her."

"Do it," Tor demanded, stepping forward.

I burst in before the epic arsehole lord of the underworld could. "Me also, as well. I'm in." Tearing open my shirt and baring my unmarked chest, I said, "Mark me with my true love's bond."

"Wait just a damn second," Hades said, ever the spoilsport. "Share our power how, exactly?"

"Nothing you'd miss, but with a bond like this, it"s impossible to avoid taking on some of the traits of those connected. From what I've read, it's usually an echo of one's strongest ability."

"What's the matter, Hades, afraid to have a little pirate in you?" I teased.

Dahlia howled with laughter while Hades, you guessed it, glared.

"Do you already have a design worked out?" Hades asked, not bothering to answer me.

"Why are you asking so many questions?" I demanded. "This is an obvious choice. Anything that helps us protect Dahlia is a no-brainer. Are you afraid of needles or something?"

"No, I am not afraid of needles, you insufferable pissant. The only thing I'm afraid of is losing that beautiful creature right over there. What I don't want to do is sign up to be stuck with you three for all eternity, you sucking back my power like it's candy. I've been bound to Dahlia for centuries. I'm not worried about that. Not in the least. But you? I can barely tolerate you on a good day."

"Aw, you say such sweet things. You know you love me." I smirked at him. "I see the way you look at me."

"I love you about as much as anyone can love a festering boil on their ass."

"Enough, you two," Tor interrupted. "Kai, go get your equipment. Or do you need more time to prepare?"

"To answer your question, Hades, I do have a design in mind, but there are a couple of things I'll need to procure for the enchantment. A spell of this magnitude is a little more intricate than my usual work."

"How long do you need?" Hades asked.

"A couple of days, maybe more. Not too long."

"Brilliant! It's decided then. The gang's getting matching tattoos," I said with a grin, more than ready for my big moment. "Now, on to my?—"

"Do I get one too?" Dahlia interrupted.

All the wind left my sails, but I held it together like a fucking gentleman as Kai's lips twisted in a slow grin.

"Absolutely. You'll go last."

"Usually the lady comes first," she teased, a siren song in her words.

"Do you remember the last time I tattooed you? Pretty sure the matter of you coming won't be an issue, gem."

Seeing no end in sight to my misery, I snagged Hades's unoccupied chair and plopped down unceremoniously. All I wanted to do was give Dahlia my present. I'd searched high and low for the most perfect gift. An item just as meaningful as those other fuckheads and not something easily replicated. Something that couldn't be construed as anything other than the undiluted truth. A window into my soul, if you like.

But noooooo, this absolute dicknose—as Dahlia would say—was ruining my first Christmas. So were the others, but dicknose number one was my target right now. I'd deal with dicknoses two and three later.

"Cas, what's wrong?"

I couldn't help it; I was having a proper sulk now. "Oh, now you remember I'm here? Are you sure you don't want to fawn all over the others a while longer while I am cast to the outskirts of your loving gaze?"

"Does anyone have their miniature violin handy? The pirate is telling his sob story."

I might have to suffocate Tor while he slept for that one.

"Leave him alone. He's right. He"s been trying to give me space to enjoy what you've all done, but he's just as excited as I am." My sweet girl came over and sat on my thigh, her delectable scent making me hard already. "I'm sorry, Cas. I didn't mean to ignore you. This is just so wonderful and perfect. I love it so much, and I've never had a big celebration like this either. Just me and Keeks and my little Charlie Brown tree."

I propped my chin on my fist, turning my head just a little to look at her. "This isn't your present, darling."

"It isn't?"

"I guess it's part of it, but it's from all of us. I have something else just from me."

"Well," she said expectantly. "Where is it?"

"In my pocket," I said with a roguish grin.

"Jesus fuckin' Christ," Hades groaned.

"Go find it, love," I whispered.

"It better not be his dick," Tor grunted.

"Twenty quid says it is," Kai answered.

I ignored the hecklers, my attention locked on my girl. It didn't take Dahlia long to find the rectangular parcel, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. You know, because of that one song?

She carefully unwrapped the gift I'd so thoughtfully stolen for her. "A tape recorder?"

"More importantly, a tape. A very special one."

"Did you steal this from Dr. Masterson?"

"Technically it's my tape. I can't steal from myself, can I?"

Though to be fair, I definitely stole it. No two ways about it. But I didn't want her to diminish its value for that reason. A little white lie never hurt anyone.

"Do you want me to listen to it now?"

I glanced around at the men who were watching us. I could've asked for privacy, but I wasn't ashamed of what she was going to learn. In fact, I was fucking proud of it.

"Go on, love. Press play."