Chapter Six

NOEL

The snow crunched under my boots as I made my way through the thick woods, the silence broken only by the occasional groan of wind pushing against the trees. The storm had finally eased a little, leaving behind a biting chill that seemed to seep into my bones, but I didn't care about the cold. I didn't care about anything except getting back to Rue.

My thoughts had been tangled since I left the cabin earlier. I'd gone out searching for Cupid again, hoping to find the stubborn reindeer before he caused even more trouble. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on my task, I kept finding my mind drifting back to her…Rue. She was unlike anyone I had ever known, her compassion alone defied logic. She was determined, vulnerable, and yet somehow unbreakable all at once.

It was maddening.

I had no business feeling the way I did. I'd lived my life alone for a reason. People feared me, avoided me. Orcs were meant to be solitary, dangerous, and I had leaned into that reputation all my life. It kept others away, kept me from having to care about anything other than my duties. I'd survived that way for years.

But now…Rue was changing things.

She'd managed to slip past the walls I'd built, and now I couldn't get her out of my head—Her eyes bewitched me with the way they sparkled when she spoke of Christmas, her beloved parents and reindeer friends—And when she looked at me. Then there was the way she moved, the grace that seemed inherent in every step she took, even when she was injured. The warmth of her smile, the soft, melodic sound of her voice, the way her gentle touches had infused my cabin with cheer.

And that kiss.

The thought of it sent a wave of heat through me, one that had nothing to do with the fire that had been burning in the hearth. It had been brief but powerful, enough to stir something inside me that I had thought was long dead. I had kissed her back, giving in to the feeling, letting it sweep me away even though I knew I shouldn't.

She wasn't just a guest. She wasn't just someone who had stumbled into my life because of a storm and an unwelcome marriage pact.

She was becoming something more. And that terrified me.

I paused at the edge of the woods, my hand tightening on the hilt of the dagger at my belt. My cottage was just ahead, but something felt off. The familiar sound of the wind through the trees was wrong—broken by something foreign. Voices. Low, harsh voices, cutting through the quiet.

I stiffened.

Henchmen.

My stomach tightened as I crept closer, keeping to the shadows of the trees. When the cabin came into view, I saw them. Four of them, standing just outside the door, dressed in black cloaks with the Dark King's sigil etched onto their armor. Their hands rested on the hilts of their swords, their postures casual but ready for violence at a moment's notice.

I swore under my breath. Azrael's men had found us. They were looking for Rue.

I crouched lower, staying hidden as I listened to their conversation. Their voices were cold and detached, evidence of either Azrael's brainwashing or they were the kind of men who had long ago given up any hope and with it any sense of decency or conscience.

"She has to be here," one of them growled, glancing toward the door. "The Dark King's orders were clear. We're to retrieve his bride and bring her back before Christmas Eve."

Bride. The word made my blood boil.

"We should search inside," another one said, his voice as sharp as a blade. "The Orc's not here. He's probably off tending to Master's reindeer."

A third man, taller than the others and clearly the leader, stepped forward. His eyes were shrewd and calculating, and I could tell by the way he held himself that he was dangerous.

"We'll find her," he said, his voice calm and confident. "Azrael has given us our orders, and we will fulfill them. Once she's his, Christmas will be no more. The Black Night will reign instead."

I clenched my teeth, my hands curling into fists. I had to do something…Now! If they went inside, they'd find Rue. She wouldn't stand a chance against men like this.

My heart pounded as I stood, stepping out from the cover of the trees. I couldn't afford to hesitate. "Looking for something?"

The henchmen turned as one, their eyes narrowing when they saw me. The leader stepped forward, a sneer twisting his lips. "Ah, the Orc. We were wondering when you'd show up."

I crossed my arms over my chest, ignoring the tension coiling in my muscles. "This is my land. You don't belong here."

The leader chuckled darkly. "It's the Dark King's land now and you work for him as do we, remember? We're here on his orders. We're looking for someone."

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "There's no one here but me."

The man's eyes flicked past me toward the cabin, clearly not believing a word I said. "I don't think that's true," he said slowly. "The Dark King's bride has run off, and we have reason to believe she's hiding in this area. If you're harboring her, you'll be wise to hand her over."

"Like I said," I growled, stepping forward, "there's no one here but me."

The other men shifted, their hands resting on their swords, ready to draw them if I made the wrong move. I forced myself to stay calm, even though every instinct in me wanted to tear them apart. But I couldn't. I had to play this smart.

"And why would I risk harboring someone the Dark King wants?" I said, letting some of my frustration bleed into my voice. "You think I'm an idiot? I've got my own work to do. I don't need to be involved in whatever mess Azrael has gotten himself into."

The leader raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my bluntness. "Your loyalty to him is...admirable," he said, though I could hear the doubt in his voice. "But make no mistake. If we find out you've been hiding her, the consequences will be severe."

I didn't flinch. "I have enough on my plate with the reindeer. If you want to find the girl, you're better off looking elsewhere."

The man's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, one of the others stepped forward, his gaze flicking to the cabin. "The Dark King is determined to claim his bride. He'll stop at nothing. They'll be wed Christmas Eve, and then we'll all see the dawn of a new era. Christmas will be renamed the Black Night. And on that night every year, we'll celebrate the reign of our new dark lord, offering sacrifices to him and his queen."

A chill ran down my spine at his words, but I didn't let it show.

"I don't care what Azrael's plans are," I said, my voice low and cold. "You won't find her here."

The men exchanged glances, clearly weighing their options. Finally, the leader gave a short nod, gesturing for the others to follow him. "We'll search elsewhere," he said, his tone sharp. "But if we find out you've lied to us...you won't live to regret it."

I stood my ground, not moving until they had disappeared into the trees. Only then did I let out the breath I had been holding, my body sagging with relief.

But it didn't last long.

Azrael's men would be back. I knew that much. They weren't the type to give up easily, and with Christmas Eve only a few days away, their determination to find Rue would only grow stronger.

And now I knew the truth. Azrael wasn't just planning to marry her. He was planning to destroy everything Christmas stood for. To turn it into something twisted and dark, a night of sacrifices and fear.

I couldn't let that happen.

I turned and pushed open the door to the cabin, stepping inside and closing it behind me. Rue was crouched behind the table, her eyes wide with fear, her entire body trembling. The sight of her like that, so vulnerable, made my heart ache. I had to protect her.

Without thinking, I crossed the room in three long strides, kneeling beside her and taking her hands in mine. Her skin was cold to the touch, and I could feel her shaking, but she gripped my hands tightly, holding on as if I was the only thing keeping her grounded.

"It's okay," I said softly, my voice rough with emotion. "They're gone."

She nodded, but the fear in her eyes hadn't faded. "He's going to destroy the very magic of Christmas."

I swallowed hard, my jaw tightening as I remembered the henchman's words.

Rue shuddered, tears welling in her eyes. "I can't let him do that. I'll die before I let him use me to ruin everything my father stands for."

I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her instinctively. She melted into my embrace, her body trembling as she pressed her face into my chest. I held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her against me, the softness of her warm brown hair brushing my chin.

I had never felt anything like this before—this overwhelming need to protect her, to keep her safe, no matter the cost. It scared me. But at the same time, it felt...right.

"You won't have to," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. "I won't let him take you."

She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine. "Why?" she asked softly. "Why are you helping me?"

I stared down at her, my throat tightening. Why was I helping her? I had asked myself that question a hundred times since I found her in the snow. Why had I risked everything to protect her? Why did I feel this overwhelming need to keep her safe?

But now, as I looked into her eyes, the answer was clear.

"Because I care about you," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know why, but I can't let him have you. I won't."

Her terrified doe eyes softened, and for a moment, the fear in them seemed to fade. She reached up, her fingers brushing my cheek, and I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the fire still burning in the hearth. It was her. It had always been her.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Before I knew what I was doing, I bent my head and lowered my lips to hers.

The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but then it deepened, and I felt something break inside me. A wall I had built around my heart for years, a barrier I had thought would keep me safe. But with Rue's lips on mine, that wall crumbled, and I knew there was no going back.

I loved her.

When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing heavily, our foreheads pressed together as we held each other close. I didn't know what would happen next. I didn't know how we would survive this, how we would stop Azrael from claiming her.

But I did know one thing.

I wasn't going to let her go. Not without a fight.

And as long as I had her by my side, I knew we had a chance.

A chance to save Christmas. A chance to save each other.

And maybe even a chance to believe in love again.