Chapter 10

10

Kilgore

S he stomps out of the room and I’m replaying everything she just said. How can she refuse me? She came apart for me, rode my tongue like she was riding a sleigh, but she’s now refusing to be mine. She is mine. I can’t fathom the thought of her being with anyone else. The idea of someone else touching her makes me want to tear down a mountain of snow and cut an elf’s hand off before I let this Quill Bellquake lay one finger on my Luna.

But there’s a nagging voice in the back of my mind, telling me she’s right. I can’t just demand her affection; I have to earn it. Though, I’d love for her little heart to obey me and fall madly in love, it’s clearly not that simple for her. Me, I’m already vested, heart and soul. Everything about her makes me feel joyous. It’s not something I’ve ever felt in my life. But she makes me feel genuinely happy. She brings purpose and excitement. Fills me with warmth. Now, I just need to figure out how to do the same for her.

I look toward her tray of pretty cookies and an idea strikes. I head to my wood storage and look through the pine tree tops I’ve saved. They come in handy during the winter, gives me a way to sharpen my strength when it’s too cold to go outside. I grab the largest one, wanting to give her the biggest Christmas tree I can. Her little cookie was decorated with strings of lights and ornaments, so I go into my storage and dig out some strands of lights that I have for attracting the mothmen during the summer. I wrack my brain for something to use as decorations, and then I spot my grandmother’s chest. Her jeweled earrings will be perfect. She gave me all her beautiful jewels, which is another reason my father is jealous of me. His mother loved me more than him.

My big socks will work for the stockings, but what will I fill them with? I don’t know the things that Luna likes. She’s right. We don’t know each other. A fact I need to remedy. I head to the bedroom in search of her but find it empty. I check every room until I find her in the library, curled up on the couch with a book.

“You like to read?” She startles at my question as I enter the room. I move in slowly, taking a seat next to her. Being cautious to give her personal space. “What else do you like, Lunabelle?”

“I like my freedom.” She juts her chin out, sitting up straighter and putting even more distance between us. I’m about to tell her that when the freeze is over it will be her choice to stay or leave, but her voice has me holding my tongue. “I like big, brilliant snowflakes that sparkle in the sun. The smell of holly berries. I love baking cookies, obviously.” And Gods, is she talented at it. “I love to read.” She holds up the book. One I’ve read a dozen times, trying to occupy the dark nights during the winter. “Oh, and I love snow globes. I love the little scenes tucked inside as the glitter and snow swirl around them.” She smiles at the thought, and another idea strikes.

“I’m sorry, Little Red. I’ve been going about this all wrong. Tell me more. I want to know everything about you.”

For a moment she studies me, and I’m worried my chance of winning her affection may be lost forever, but then she starts to talk, chatting with me for hours. The fire crackling in the background. Her eyes radiating with amusement as I tell her tales of my past. No one has ever been humored by me. Annoyed, yes. Irritated, always. But never amused by anything I have to say. When she bursts out into another set of giggles, I can no longer restrain myself. I reach for her petite frame and place her on my lap.

The fact that she doesn’t climb right off brings me relief. She snuggles in close, and I wrap my arms around her, telling her about my grandmother. When she no longer responds to me, I realize she’s fallen asleep. I rise from the couch and carry her to our bed, tucking her in and giving my sweet girl a kiss before I get to work.