Chapter Seven

RUE

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting warm light over the cabin, but I couldn't focus on the heat or the flickering flames. I couldn't even focus on Noel, who was sitting beside me, his presence a source of quiet strength. My mind was racing, my heart heavy with the weight of what we had just discussed.

I couldn't hide forever.

I had known it all along, even though I had wanted to pretend otherwise. Running had bought me time, but the Dark King was relentless. He wouldn't stop until he had me in his grasp, until he had used my magic to twist Christmas into something beyond my worst nightmares. I had thought I could escape him, thought I could outrun the darkness that was hunting me, but now I knew better.

Azrael knew my secret. He knew I was a reindeer shifter, and he wanted to use my powers for his own gain. He wanted to erase Christmas from history, to turn the holiday of hope and joy into one of fear and sorrow. And he wouldn't stop until he succeeded.

The thought made my stomach churn, and I had to close my eyes to keep from being overwhelmed by the tidal wave of guilt that threatened to drown me. I had run from my responsibilities, from my family, and now it felt like I was to blame for everything. If I had just stayed, if I had faced Azrael head-on, maybe things wouldn't have gotten so bad. Maybe Christmas wouldn't be in danger.

But then I thought of Noel. Of the warmth of his embrace, the way he looked at me like I was something worth protecting, something precious. He had been a light in the darkness, and if I hadn't run, if I hadn't found him...

I wasn't sure I would have made it this far.

Still, the guilt lingered, clawing at my insides as I thought of the children all over the world—the ones who believed in Santa, who waited eagerly for Christmas morning, their eyes filled with wonder and joy. I couldn't bear the thought of them never knowing the magic of Christmas. I couldn't let Azrael take that from them.

"We have to stop him," I whispered, my voice trembling. "We can't let him destroy Christmas."

Noel turned to me, his brow furrowing. His dark eyes softened as they met mine, and I could see the concern etched in his expression. "We will," he said, his deep voice steady and sure. "But we need a plan."

A plan. I let out a shaky breath, trying to gather my thoughts. What kind of plan could we come up with that would outsmart the Dark King? He had armies at his disposal, power beyond anything I could imagine, and all we had was this quiet warm cottage in the middle of a snowstorm.

But then, Noel's hand found mine, his strong yet gentle touch grounding me in the moment. "He wants you," he said quietly. "He wants to use your magic. That's his weakness."

I blinked, staring at him. "What do you mean?"

Noel's eyes darkened with thought, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. "Azrael's obsessed with the idea of taking your magic and using it to erase Christmas. He believes that if he has you, he has control over the holiday and everything it stands for."

I nodded slowly. That much was true. Azrael believed that by marrying me, by tying me to him, he could gain control over Christmas magic itself. He didn't understand the truth, though—that the magic wasn't something he could take or possess. It was something deeper, something tied to the joy and love of the holiday.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

Noel's grip on my hand tightened, his eyes flashing with determination. "We use that against him."

I frowned, not quite understanding where he was going with this. "What do you mean?"

"We give him what he thinks he wants," Noel said, leaning closer, his voice low but intense. "We build something—a decoy. Something that will lure him in, make him think he's getting exactly what he wants. And when he comes for it, we trap him."

"A decoy?" I repeated, my heart skipping a beat.

Noel nodded. "A magical treehouse. Something grand, something that looks like it holds the key to Christmas magic. I can build it. I have the skills. We'll make it look like it's a wedding gift you commissioned for your nuptials, the one that supposedly holds all the magic he's after."

I stared at him, my mind spinning. A magical treehouse, designed to lure Azrael to his own trap. It was risky, but it just might work.

Noel's eyes softened as he watched me, his voice gentle. "You can't keep running, Rue. And I can't hide you forever. You already know that."

I bit my lip, the weight of his words settling over me. He was right. Azrael would find me eventually, and when he did, I needed to be ready to fight back. I had to protect not just myself, but the future of Christmas and joy of the world.

"We'll send word I'll be waiting for him in the treehouse," I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Noel's jaw tightened, his eyes hardening with resolve. "It will be a lie of course, a ruse we'll use to make sure he can't hurt anyone ever again."

The determination in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, but it also filled me with a sense of hope. For the first time in days, I felt like we had a chance. It was dangerous, yes, but it was better than waiting for Azrael to come and take me to a fate worse than death.

I nodded, my heart pounding. "Okay. Let's do it."

Noel gave me a small, reassuring smile before he stood, already moving toward the door. "I'll start gathering the materials. I can have the treehouse ready by Christmas Eve if the weather holds."

I watched him go, my chest tightening with a mix of emotions. Relief that we had a plan. Fear of what was to come. And a deep, growing affection for the man who was willing to risk everything to protect me.

As the door closed behind him, I let out a long breath and turned toward the window. The snow was still falling, gently now, the storm having calmed for the moment. But even with the quiet of the evening settling around me, I couldn't shake the anxiety twisting in my chest.

I had a role to play too.

I grabbed my coat, wrapping it tightly around myself as I headed for the door. If we were going to fight back against Azrael, we needed help. And I knew exactly who to ask.

The cold air hit me the moment I stepped outside, but I barely noticed. My heart was racing as I made my way toward the clearing just beyond the cabin, where I knew the reindeer would be. The snow crunched under my boots, the crisp night air biting at my cheeks, but I pressed on, determined.

Father's reindeer were waiting for me.

They were huddled together near the trees, their sleek bodies standing out against the white snow. I could see Prancer at the front, his bright eyes watching me as I approached. He stepped forward, his antlers gleaming in the moonlight, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

"Prancer," I whispered, my breath clouding in the cold air as I shifted to my animal form.

The reindeer snorted, his nose twitching as he moved closer. "Rue. We're so glad you are safe, and that your injury is healing under Noel's care. He's a good man despite his Orc nature. I just wish we weren't in this situation at all."

I nodded, my heart pounding. "I need your help. All of you."

The other reindeer lifted their heads, their eyes gleaming with understanding. They had always been loyal to Santa and to Christmas, but now, with the Dark King threatening everything, they knew what was at stake.

"Azrael is coming," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "He wants to use my magic to destroy Christmas, to turn it into something terrible. But we can't let him. We have to fight back."

Dasher tilted his head, his gaze sharp. "What's the plan?"

I explained everything—Noel's idea to build the magical treehouse as a decoy, the trap we were setting for Azrael, and the need for us all to be ready when the time came. As I spoke, I could see the resolve in their eyes hardening, the same determination I felt burning in my chest.

"We'll protect you," Blitzen said at Dasher's side. "We'll protect Christmas."

The others nodded in agreement, their antlers gleaming as they lifted their heads in solidarity.

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you all."

"We believe in you, Rue," Blitzen continued softly. "And we believe in Christmas. We won't let Azrael take that away from us or the world."

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. For the first time since I had run from the North Pole, I didn't feel so alone. I had Noel and the reindeer. We were in this together.

By the time I returned to the cabin, my body was aching from the cold, but my heart felt lighter. Noel had already begun working on the treehouse, and I could hear the steady thud of hammer against wood as I approached. The sight of him, his strong frame silhouetted against the dim light of the setting sun, made my chest tighten.

I watched him for a moment, my breath catching as I took in the determination etched into every line of his body. He was working so hard, building something that would save us all. And he was doing it for me.

For a moment, I was overwhelmed by everything—the weight of what we were facing, the danger that was still lurking just beyond the horizon. But more than that, I was overwhelmed by my feelings for Noel.

I hadn't expected this. I hadn't expected to find solace, comfort, or even love in the midst of all this chaos. But this strong, gentle Orc had been there for me when I needed him most, and he was becoming something I couldn't imagine losing.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding as I moved closer to him and shifted back to my human form. "Noel?"

He paused, turning to look at me, his dark eyes softening when they met mine. "Rue," he said, his voice low and rough. "Everything okay?"

I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. "Yes. I... I spoke with the reindeer. They're ready to help."

Noel smiled, a small but genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Good. We'll need them."

I moved closer, my gaze drifting to the half-built treehouse. "You're doing all of this for me," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Noel's eyes darkened, and he took a step toward me, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. "I'm doing this for us," he said softly. "For the holiday needed by the world. For everything that matters."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I leaned in and pressed my lips to his in a soft, desperate kiss. Noel responded immediately, his huge muscular arms wrapping around me, pulling me close as the warmth of his body chased away the cold.

Yes, we had something worth fighting for.

Love, hope, and the magic of Christmas.