Page 14 of Hunted in Holly

When nearly an hour passed, and he still hadn’t come back, I accepted he’d meant what he said.

Focus back on survival, I took the time to re-energize with a snack and build a shelter to ride out the howling wind. Using a combination of ice and stones, I shaped a small dome, then I crawled inside and sealed off the opening.

It was chilled inside, but nothing I couldn’t grin and bear. Pulling my coat tightly around me, I rifled through my pack and returned to nibbling on what was left of my gingerbread bar.

The notes of ginger and cinnamon were strong and comforting. They reminded me so much of home. All the times I baked cookies with my mother orstolecookies with my brother growing up.

With a heavy sigh, I laid my head back into the fur lined hood of my coat. I closed my eyes, and I did my best to get some sleep.

Chapter 9

I sat atop the highest cliff in my domain, watching Caroline from my superior vantage point.

It was a joy observing the way she built herself a small home from near nothing. Her knowledge of snowscapes, nature, and survival was a wonderful asset. From her craftiness to her fight, she was endlessly perfect for me, and I loved all the little ways she showed me that.

Next, she stopped to enjoy a quick meal. The look on her face as she took the first bite of gingerbread was enough to have me adjusting myself in my pants. Pure pleasure painted her frost reddened expression, and the tiny moan that slipped from her lips was a songbird’s melody.

Keep your energy up, Sweet Noel.

Though I knew my chefs were the best to ever live, it was good to see they were up to her unique personal standards. I already had them researching typical Southern cuisine to surprise her at our wedding, but I would have plenty of time to collect more information on her favorite foods and desserts in our coming life together. I looked forward to introducing her to more Northern flavors as well. The many, many ways I would spoil her once she was mine.

Caroline took the rest of her gingerbread and slipped into her makeshift shelter. She sealed the entrance, settling in for the night, staying exactly where I’d left her. She made no effort to run or hide to some new, obscure place. It was obvious how much she enjoyed our game by the fact that she made it so easy to find her.

At first, I’d worried I may have scared her too much today. I’d contemplated letting her think I overlooked her fox burrow—it was expertly crafted, and I only noticed it at all because of the absolutepoundingof her heartbeat—but I enjoyed the way her body reacted to terror far too much to resist. I had to have her in my hands, or I would have lost my mind.

She was such fun. Tomorrow would surely be even better.

But for tonight, I’d stand watch. There were many a monster in these hills, and I wouldn’t have a single one of them messing with my prey. The Yetis and Snow Beasts were trained to devour any intruders in my realm, but they couldn’t distinguish my honored guests from my enemies.

To be fair, I’d never had an honored guest.

I’d had many, many enemies, however.

No sooner had I finished the thought, did a shadow twitch on the ledge just above hers.

I narrowed my eyes, and I watched as that shadow grew larger, with black claws darkening her shelter roof. Another beast appeared on the stone wall beneath her, climbing with hungry intent towards my queen.

With a flick of my wrist, I built a blade from pure fire.

I’d do this quietly. I wouldn’t want to wake her.

Chapter 10

The wind howled through the night, but I managed to sleep despite. The whistle and roar was almost more a comfort than a burden. I loved a good blizzard. It reminded me of so many holidays snuggled up at home.

I’d make it back. I only had two more days, and he would have to keep his promise. No Saint could break his word on Christmas Day.

So I simply had to slow him down. He seemed easily distracted and quick to let me escape, likely because he was so absolutely certain he’d be able to catch me again. That ego of his was my greatest weapon. I just needed a new strategy.

He’d out tracked me yesterday, so today I’d out trap him.

I climbed out of my small ice shelter, rolled my shoulders, then went through a quick routine of stretching and warming up for the day. The wind was still blowing, kicking up increasing amounts of loose powder, but we weren’t quite in white out conditions yet. So long as I could see what was around every bend, the chill and weather were mostly just anuisance. It was possible for me to freeze to death, technically, but I’d lived in these conditions for long enough that it would take significant trauma to get me there.

Though I couldn’t discount his ability to subject me to significant trauma.

With no sign of Nicholas, I took my time mentally preparing for the day by assessing my tools and making a plan. He knew where I was, more or less, so I’d need to get moving soon, and I’d have to find a place he wouldn’t immediately think to look for me.

In my pack, beside the peppermint sticks and candy canes, I had a knife, a rope, and some simple netting for hunting and trapping small animals. For some reason, there was also a sprig of mistletoe in there, which I could only assume was some sort of stupid joke. A dumb plant that forced strangers to share a kiss didn’t seem terribly useful. I wouldn’t be acknowledging that thing any further. The rest, I could work with.

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