Page 14 of Tempted By the Orc

Chapter Eight

NOEL

The treehouse was nothing short of breathtaking—a masterpiece of magic and carpentry, standing proud among the towering trees in the heart of the forest. Snow fell gently from the sky, swirling like soft whispers of winter’s promise. Each flake caught the light of the enchanted lanterns that hung from the branches, casting an ethereal glow over the entire clearing. It was as if theair itself shimmered with anticipation, humming with the magic we had woven into every inch of the structure.

I stepped back, gazing at what we had created. This treehouse wasn’t just a trap—it was a vision of Christmas itself. Garlands of frosted pinecones and sparkling holly with bright red berries hung from the edges of the roof, each one glittering as if kissed by starlight. Icicles dangled from the eaves, glowing softly, like frozen shards of pure light. The wood itself was enchanted, shimmering with a soft gold hue that seemed to pulse with life. Tiny bells hung from the rafters, their faint jingling echoing like a distant memory of sleigh rides and laughter.

It rivaled anything at the North Pole in its splendor. It had to—this treehouse was meant to lure Azrael, the Dark King, into thinking it held the very heart of Christmas magic. Which it would…because Rue would be there waiting inside.

Even the fairies had come to play their part, flitting through the air like tiny, glowing fireflies. They darted around the treehouse, their wings shimmering with a light dusting of frost, adding to the illusion that this place was a beacon of powerful magic. It was alive with enchantment, and anyone who saw it could not help but believe it held something truly special.

Beside me, Rue stood quietly, her eyes scanning the treehouse with a mix of awe and determination. She looked like a true bride of winter magic—her gown a deep, shimmering blue that trailed behind her like a cascade of ice, woven with silver threads that caught the light and sparkled with every movement. A mantle of pure white fur was draped over her shoulders, and snowflakes clung to her hair, which was braided with silver ribbons, making her look like she belonged to the very snow itself. Her cheeks were rosy, and her crimson lips matched the color of holly berries.

She was stunning, ethereal, and yet, underneath that quiet beauty, there was a strength that took my breath away. She wasn’t running anymore—she was standing her ground, ready to face whatever came next.

“Noel,” she whispered, her voice soft but filled with emotion, “it’s perfect.”

I swallowed, my throat tight, unable to take my eyes off her. “Not as perfect as you.”

Her lips curved into a small smile, but I could see the sadness behind her eyes. This was our plan, our only chance, but we both knew how much was at stake. The weight of it all hung heavy in the air between us.

She reached out and took my hand, her fingers cold but steady. “We’re really doing this,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

I nodded, squeezing her hand. “We don’t have a choice. This is the only way to stop him.”

Rue looked up at the treehouse, her eyes filled with resolve. “He’ll believe it. Azrael will think this is the key to everything.”

“He’s arrogant,” I said, my voice low. “He thinks he can control everything—take whatever he wants.”

“But he can’t,” Rue replied, her voice stronger now. “Not this time.”

She released my hand and turned toward the edge of the clearing where Dasher stood waiting. The reindeer would be a crucial part of this plan—delivering the bait that would lure the Dark King to us. Rue had crafted the message herself, a scroll addressed directly to Azrael. The note promised that his Christmas bride would be waiting for him in this magical treehouse, prepared as a gift for their impending wedding. Ruehad included an enchanted golden key with the scroll, one that only Azrael himself would be able to use to unlock the door.

It was the perfect trap.

Rue handed Dasher the scroll with the key inside, and he clutched it carefully between his teeth before soaring into the night, his antlers gleaming like beacons in the sky. I could feel the tension building in the air—the sense that something big was about to happen, something that would change everything.

As Rue stood beside me, her breath misting in the cold air, I felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve to be a pawn in Azrael’s twisted game of power. And yet, here we were, preparing to fight for her freedom—for the magic of Christmas itself.

“You look beautiful,” I said softly, my voice catching in my throat.

She turned to me, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “Thank you, Noel. For everything.”

Before I could respond, a noise overhead caught my attention. Cupid swooped down, landing lightly in the snow beside us, his antlers sparkling under the glow of the enchanted lanterns.

“Cupid!” Rue and I cried together.

“Where have you been? We’ve been worried about you, you stubborn thing!” Rue said, running to plant a kiss on the mischievous creature’s nose.

“I’ve brought help,” he replied, offering us a small smile.

I frowned, but before I could ask what he meant, I heard footsteps crunching through the snow. My heart leaped into my throat, and I turned to see figures emerging from the trees.

Santa and Mrs. Claus.

They stepped into the clearing, their familiar red-and-white coats stark against the pale backdrop of the snow-covered forest. Santa’s face was solemn, his eyes heavy with regret, but there was a softness in his expression when he looked at Rue. Mrs. Claus’s face was filled with quiet warmth, her eyes misty with unshed tears.

Rue froze beside me, her hand tightening around mine. I could feel the tension in her body—the mixture of guilt, relief, and fear that came with seeing her parents again.

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