Page 13 of Tempted By the Orc

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.

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