Chapter Five

RUE

The door closed with a solid thud as Noel stepped out into the storm. The sound echoed in the small cabin, leaving me feeling strangely hollow. I wrapped both arms around myself, trying to keep the cold out, but it wasn't the weather outside that was making me shiver—it was the conflict churning inside me.

I had promised him I'd stay, but the part of me that had been running for days, desperate to get away from Azrael and his soldiers, was screaming for me to leave. I had to keep moving. If I stayed here too long, they would find me. And if the Dark King found me...

I'd be bound to him forever.

The thought twisted like a knife in my gut. I knew that running alone may not be enough to save me. Azrael's reach extended far beyond the borders of his kingdom. It was only a matter of time before his guards tracked me down. If they caught me, I would be forced to marry him, to become his queen in his rise to ultimate power. But nonetheless I was determined to get as far away as I could in hopes of escape. If I could just reach the mountain range that lay to the east, I might be able to hide in the caves. However, I hadn't planned beyond that, my concern being only to escape the immediate threat. What I would do after that, I admittedly had no idea.

My gaze flicked to where my coat and scarf were hanging by the door, and I took a step in that direction. But my thoughts turned to the Orc. Noel had left to search for Cupid and the storm was still raging outside. I had no idea he was the one Azrael had appointed to be in charge of Father's reindeer, all of whom were possessed of special Christmas magic.

Noel was kind, almost too kind. My heart twisted at the thought. I was causing him trouble. He had enough to worry about with Cupid, and now he was out there in the freezing snow, looking for him, all while caring for me—a stranger who had brought nothing but problems to his doorstep.

I stared at the fire, trying to focus. Little did the Orc know, I knew Cupid well. He was impetuous, stubborn, and had a mind of his own, always acting on a whim to suit his fancy. But I also knew his heart. He loved deeply, even if he hid it behind his mischievous antics.

He's running because he doesn't want to be a part of my wedding.

The realization struck me with a sudden clarity. Cupid was revolting. He didn't want to be forced into aiding Azrael's twisted plans, especially when he knew how much I hated it. He didn't want to carry me off to be married to the Dark King, for whom I felt no love. He didn't want any part of Azrael's evil quest to claim the power of Christmas and erase all hope and joy.

I bit my lip, torn between staying here as I had promised or going out to help Noel. If I could just get close enough to Cupid, I knew I could coax him back. He trusted me, and if I shifted into my reindeer form, I could sweet-talk him into being good. He just needed reassurance. I'd find a way out. Even if I wasn't entirely sure I believed that, I knew I had to convince Cupid to go along with Azrael's orders. For his own good.

But then, Noel's voice echoed in my mind, his stern warning that the storm was too dangerous for me. He was right—my ankle was still weak, and I was barely recovered from the fever. Going out there now would only make things worse. The last thing Noel needed was to be distracted by worrying about me while he was trying to find Cupid.

I let out a long breath, my decision made.

I'd stay.

Besides, I couldn't stop thinking about Noel. I was worried about him, too. The storm was fierce, and he had left without hesitation to search for Cupid, even though it meant putting himself in danger. The thought of him out there, battling the elements alone, sent a pang of guilt through me. I had never met an Orc before—never expected one to be so...tender, so thoughtful.

He had taken care of me, even though he didn't know me. Even though I was sure I had only brought trouble to his life.

I needed to do something. I couldn't help him search, but maybe I could do something to make things a little easier for him when he returned. Something kind in return for all he had done for me.

With renewed purpose, I stood, careful not to put too much weight on my injured ankle. My eyes scanned the room, looking for something—anything—that could be useful. That's when I noticed a small closet tucked into the corner of the cabin. I limped over and opened it, the door creaking softly on its hinges.

Inside, I found what I was looking for. Tucked away in the back, forgotten beneath a pile of old blankets, were a handful of Christmas decorations. A small box of ornaments, strings of garland, and a wreath, dusty but still intact. I smiled to myself. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

I gathered the decorations and set to work, hanging the garland along the beams and placing the wreath on the wall above the hearth. I found a small wooden table near the window and carefully arranged the delicate ornaments and tiny figurines, letting the room fill with a subtle warmth that hadn't been there before. It wasn't much, but it made the cabin feel...cozier. More like Christmas.

Once I was done, I hobbled to the kitchen, curious to see what I could find there. Noel's cupboards were sparse, but I discovered enough ingredients to make something special. My heart leapt when I spotted a tin of spices and a bag of flour, and before I knew it, I was pulling out bowls and pans, my hands moving instinctively.

I had always loved to bake. It was something my mother had taught me, and it brought back warm memories of Christmases spent in the kitchen, covered in flour and sugar, as we made batch after batch of cookies for the elves and reindeer. My mother had always told me that baking was a form of love, a way to bring warmth to others.

I smiled at the thought as I set to work, kneading the dough and mixing in spices, humming softly to myself as the smell of ginger and cinnamon filled the cabin. I made several batches—lebkuchen, spiced with honey and cloves; zimtsterne, delicate cinnamon stars with a sweet glaze; and pfeffernüsse, small peppery cookies dusted in powdered sugar. They were old recipes, ones that had been passed down through generations, and I had mastered them all.

As I baked, the cabin began to feel less like a place of hiding and more like...a home. It was strange, how quickly the little cabin had become a refuge. How quickly Noel had become someone I trusted, even though I didn't fully understand why.

I was just pulling the last batch of cookies from the oven when I heard the door creak open. My heart leapt into my throat, and I spun around, my eyes locking onto Noel as he stepped inside, brushing snow from his shoulders. He looked exhausted, his brow furrowed with frustration, but the moment his eyes fell on me, and then on the cabin, something shifted in his expression.

"Did you find him?" I asked, setting the tray of cookies on the counter as I hurried toward him.

Noel shook his head, his jaw tight. "No. The storm's too strong. I'll have to try again later, before the sun goes down."

I frowned, disappointment settling in my chest. Poor Cupid. I knew he was out there somewhere, probably hunkered down, waiting for the storm to pass. He wasn't malicious, just stubborn, and I hoped he was staying safe.

But Noel's gaze wasn't on the storm anymore—it was on the cabin, his eyes scanning the garland, the wreath, and the table decorated with ornaments. He blinked, as if he wasn't sure what he was seeing. I bit my lip, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"I...found some decorations," I said, shrugging. "I thought it might make things a little more festive."

Noel's face softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It wasn't much, but it was enough to brighten his otherwise serious expression. "You did all this?"

I nodded, feeling a bit shy under his gaze. "And I made cookies." I gestured to the counter where the trays of freshly baked cookies were cooling. "There's cocoa, too."

For a moment, Noel just stared at me, his dark eyes filled with something I couldn't quite read. Then, without a word, he stepped closer, his presence filling the room. My breath hitched as he moved toward the fire, pulling off his gloves and hanging his coat on the rack near the door. I was tempted to go to him, to wrap my arms around him in an impulsive hug, but I held back. The air between us felt charged, and I didn't trust myself not to get swept up in it.

Instead, I busied myself with the cookies, arranging them on a plate before bringing them to the small table near the fire. Noel sat down heavily in the chair, his large frame making the furniture look small by comparison. I poured two cups of cocoa and handed him one, our fingers brushing as I passed it to him. A spark of warmth shot through me at the contact, and I quickly pulled away, trying to hide the blush creeping up my cheeks.

He took a sip of the cocoa, his eyes closing briefly as if savoring the warmth. "You didn't have to do this," he said quietly.

"I wanted to," I replied, sitting across from him. "You've been so kind to me. I thought...It was the least I could do."

Noel didn't respond right away, but his gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than I expected. There was something in his eyes—something that made my heart race, even though I didn't understand why. He was so...intense. And yet, I didn't feel afraid. Not of him.

As we sat there, the fire crackling softly in the background, the cabin felt strangely peaceful. For the first time in days, I wasn't running, wasn't consumed by fear. And it was because of the Orc.

I glanced at him, my heart fluttering as I took in his strong jaw, the way his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, his broad shoulders. He had taken care of me when he didn't have to, protected me when I was vulnerable. And despite his gruffness, there was a tenderness in him that I hadn't expected.

I couldn't deny it any longer—I was drawn to him. There was something about Noel that made me feel safe. And more than that, there was a warmth between us, a spark that made my heart race whenever he was near.

But I still couldn't trust him. Not fully. Not yet.

"I need to tell you something," I said quietly, breaking the silence.

Noel looked up from his cocoa, his expression curious but patient. He didn't press me, didn't push for answers like I had feared he might. He just waited. And that made me feel even more vulnerable.

"I am running from the Dark King himself," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm the one he's chosen to be his bride."

Noel's eyes darkened, a frown creasing his brow. "What?"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to continue. "It's a forced marriage. One I never wanted. But my father promised my hand to him...to save the elves."

Noel's jaw clenched, his fists tightening on the arms of the chair. "Why?" he asked, his voice low and edged with anger. "What does Azrael have that would make your father agree to that?"

I hesitated, unsure if I should tell him the whole truth. But something in his eyes—something genuine and protective—made me feel like I could trust him.

"I'm Santa's adopted daughter," I said, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm a reindeer shifter. I'm the one who leads the team every Christmas Eve."

Noel stared at me, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief. "You're...you're Santa's daughter?"

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Yes. And Azrael...he blames my father for his father's death, even though it was an accident. He's seeking a claim to the power of Christmas. That's what this is all about. He thinks if he marries me, he'll have what he believes should be rightfully his."

Noel's gaze softened, and I saw the understanding settle in his eyes. "That's why Cupid ran off, isn't it? He's your friend. He's protesting your wedding."

I nodded again, tears stinging my eyes. "He's always been impulsive, but he has a good heart. He doesn't want to be part of this any more than I do."

For a moment, Noel was silent, his eyes locked on mine. Then, to my surprise, he stood and crossed the room in a few long strides, kneeling in front of me. He took my hands in his, his touch firm but gentle, and when he spoke, his voice was filled with a quiet determination.

"I won't let it happen," he said, his eyes burning with resolve. "I won't let you be forced into this marriage. We'll figure something out. We'll find Cupid, and we'll save Christmas. I swear it."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back. I had been running for so long, so afraid, and now here was this man—this Orc—offering to protect me, to help me, even if it meant risking his life.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Noel's gaze softened, and before I knew what was happening, his lips were on mine, warm and firm. I melted into the kiss, my heart pounding in my chest as I leaned into him, my hands gripping his rock-hard shoulders. His kiss was gentle but filled with a passion that made my head spin, and for a moment, I forgot everything—forgot the danger, forgot the fear.

It was just him. Just us.

When we finally pulled apart, my breath was shaky, and I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the fire. I stared into his eyes, knowing that whatever happened next, I wasn't alone anymore.

And that was enough.