Page 5 of Protected

Squeals and clapping thundered like never before. There was a mad rush toward the tree and when I looked back to Drosselmeyer, he was no longer standing next to me. He must have slipped into the fray to help the boys and girls find the presents with their names on them. There was one for each and anyone who'd gotten a Drosselmeyer toy before knew better than to open one that wasn't for them. He had an uncanny ability to make exactly the right gift. To get any other would be pure disappointment.

I doubted I would be able to find him again until after all the presents were given out. At least I'd already gotten mine. Even if it was already broken, I would still cherish it as a final symbol of the end of innocence for me. No matter what Drosselmeyer said, I did need to grow up and get on with my life.

Many a child rushed over to show me their gifts and thank me. I showed them my nutcracker in return. None commented on how he resembled the danseur from the performance. But they all noted his broken arm. I sent each one off to make sure they talked to Fritz as well because a little thanks and praise went a long way in keeping him happy.

Before long the guests began gathering their coats and their tired children, saying their goodbyes with little ones sleeping on their shoulders. Only when there were a handful of revelers dawdling, did I realize we'd never made the engagement announcement.

Well, that was something we'd have to deal with tomorrow. The paper already had the information and picture to print, so it wasn't as if the whole town wouldn't know by morning. Perhaps they wouldn't even care since it would be Christmas day. I could only hope.

"I'm going up to check on father, and then to bed. See the rest of the stragglers out, won't you?" Fritz faked a yawn. He was a master at getting out of anything he didn't want to do.

I didn't mind being the last one about. I'd love a little piece and quiet to enjoy the lights of the tree without the hustle and bustle of the party. There were still a few hours until the holiday was officially rung in by the old grandfather clock. "Yes. Goodnight. Merry Christmas."

Fritz didn't bother to reply and took the stairs up two at a time, quite in a hurry.

I grabbed a pillow from one of the chairs and set it in front of the tree, dropping down onto it. My feet were sore from all the standing and I slipped my shoes off. I wanted to rub my toes, so I finally set the beautiful nutcracker down under the nearest branches. I hadn't wanted to let go of him while there were so many people about who might jostle him and break him more.

I stared up at the twinkling lights of the tree and sat in peace, loving the quiet and calm for the first time all day. I must have been more tired than I thought because the next thing I knew, I was waking up with my head half off the pillow and the blur of the lights shining in my eyes.

I guess I'd fallen asleep staring at the tree. But what had woken me?

"Princess Clara, wake up."A deep, insistent male voice filtered into my waning and waxing consciousness.

I must still be dreaming. I blinked a few times and sat up. Staring down in front of me with one hand extended to me was the nutcracker, or was it the danseur?

He took my hand and a rush of warmth swept through me from my fingers all the way to my spine and back. He blinked as if he felt it too but shook his head and looked over his shoulder toward the tree. "We must hurry, the Winter Realm is in grave need of you."

The Battle with the Mouse King

Nuss

The princess was so much more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. How she'd hidden in this strange human world without being discovered, was baffling. She outshined any of the women or men gathered in her home. Perhaps at some base level they did know she was special among them and that's why they were here to celebrate her on this one most magical night.

We had only a few moments before the portal between our realms opened wide and I could guide her back to the Winter Realm, back to her destiny. Or so we all hoped. That very same portal would allow the Mouse Queen's army into her world which meant we needed to be ready and waiting to avoid them.

"Please, come with me, quickly. The rest of your guard await." I extended my hand to her, willing her to accept it and me.

"What a funny dream you are. I must have too much eggnog. Either that or I am dreading my marriage more than I thought to have conjured up someone as handsome as you. Who are you supposed to be?" She blinked up at me like a precious porcelain doll with her big eyes, soft rosy cheeks, and springy blonde curls that begged to be stroked.

She was mine to protect, not bed. My head knew the drill, my cock did not. Why did she have to be so sweet and beautiful? One touch of her and I'd splinter. I called upon every bit of my training and willpower. Not only did I need them both to keep her safe from her enemies, but from my own need of her. No one told me my heart would be stolen by her at first glance, my blood would sing, and my need would pound. ""I'm the captain of the Nutcracker Guard and it's our sworn duty to protect you, Princess. I promise to explain everything once we're safely to the Winter Realm."

She took my hand and rose from her soft pillow. A whoosh of her magic ran through me and straight to my cock. I gritted my teeth to keep from pulling her into my arms and claiming her right then and there. She wasn't only mine.

The release of that small bit of her power propelled her forward and she ended up tucked against my chest with my good arm wrapped around her none the less. "Oh, oh my. This is a nice dream. Her face flushed as if we were standing in front of a roaring fire and her eyes sparkled up at me. The pretty bow of her mouth opened ever so slightly, and she licked her lips.

The lost Princess of Spirit and Magic, our one sincere hope of defeating the Mouse Queen, wanted me to kiss her. She stared so deeply into my soul, just as she did when the dancers performed their entertainment for her and her guests, the same as when I hid in her gift from the fae magician. In only those brief moments I'd already fallen in love with her.

But it was her concern and kindness when the toy was broken, that confirmed she was indeed the lost princess for whom our band of nutcracker soldiers had been searching for.

"Look at your arm. Does it hurt? Can a sexy, talking toy in a dream heal or are you injured forever?" She touched the makeshift sling over my broken arm, and I flinched.

That broke the sensual spell surrounding us and I was able to step away and remember my place. I felt as though I'd already failed her as a protector and guard.

Unfortunately, a glamour didn't protect me from being hurt, no matter the form. I could hide my true identity with a bit of fae persuasion. Humans were easy enough to manipulate. The princess saw right through it all. "My apologies, if there had been another way to sneak in without the Mouse Queen's army detecting me, I would have never let anyone see or touch me but you."

"A mouse queen sounds horrible, but one with an army is even worse. Perhaps we can placate them with cheese. I think there some left over from the party in the kitchen."

"I promise if you're hungry the marzipan fairies will provide. Right this way, my lady." I took advantage of her still disoriented state to pull her toward the tree. "At the stroke of midnight, the portal will open."

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