Once Upon a Fiery Christmas (Return to Avalore Book 3) (7 page)

Eyes luminous, Rhia searched the room until she found Chantelle. Her smile brightened the room as she made her way through the crowd to her. “You did this? For me?” Rhia wrapped Chantelle in her arms and hugged her close.

“I had a lot of help. Katie for one, and well… everyone.” Chantelle hugged her back, basking in the warm energy seeping into her.

Rhia pulled back, her eyebrows furrowed just a touch. “We’ll talk when this is done?”

Chantelle didn’t pretend not to know what she was talking about. Rhia was too astute, too in tune with everyone around her, not to know when something was amiss. Chantelle forced her smile back on and nodded. “For now, we celebrate.”

As if on cue, the carolers started singing. Rhia, still in shock, spun to face the group, clapping her hands as the words “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” rang through the room. Her energy expanded with her joy, making everyone smile along with her. Drake stood behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist as they listened and swayed with the music.

“Woooooow.”

This time, Chantelle’s smile came naturally. Little Max Matthews stood at the foot of the tree, staring up past the decorated branches to the star at the top, then down again to the base where piles of gifts were stacked high.

“Maxwell, get away from that tree.” Barbara, the child’s mother, came rushing behind him, ready to intercept whatever he had planned. Max’s little lip quivered as he pouted.

“Isn’t it pretty? Look at all the lights.” Chantelle came down to his level. “It’s very important not to touch it, though. You never know if it could come toppling down.”

Max smiled again. “Is that a real star, Chantelle?” His gaze flicked back to the top of the tree.

The star, infused with energy, shone bright. “It looks pretty real to me. And did you see all the presents? I bet there’s probably one or two in there for you.”

Max’s eyes nearly bulged as he took in the mounds of gifts. “You think so?” Before either Chantelle or Barbara could react, he reached down and grabbed the gift closest to him, tearing at the paper.

“Max, no!” Barbara took the box with the torn red paper from his hands. “I’m so sorry.” The woman blushed and tugged her son to his feet. “Max, remember what we discussed? You are not to touch anything unless you’re asked to do so.”

Hearing the commotion, Rhia smiled at the boy and came close to ruffle his hair. “Don’t worry, Max. I can hardly contain myself either. But if we wait, it’ll be so much better, isn’t that right, Chantelle?”

Chantelle couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up. Between Rhia and Max, she didn’t know who was most excited. “She’s right. It won’t be much longer.”

The carolers started singing a different song, and Rhia’s brows furrowed before she started laughing. “I’m not an expert on Christmas carols, but I’m pretty sure Frosty isn’t a happy, sappy troll.”

Chantelle blinked a few times. “He’s not?”

“No, but it doesn’t matter. I love it.” Rhia hugged her again. “Thank you, for everything.”

Before she could say anything, a deep voice boomed in the room. “Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas.” A shower of brilliant glitter burst just inside the great room door, blurring the vision behind it, but she didn’t need to see to know who it was. When the last of the shimmery flakes fell, Sebastian stood dressed in a huge costume. His rounded belly jiggled as he laughed and patted it. What little skin she could see beneath the red hat and massive white beard was almost as crimson as the suit itself. His gaze met hers and held for a moment before finding little Max.

With a wicked grin, Drake pulled a chair close to the tree. “Have a seat,
Santa
.”

A low growl rumbled between them, but then Sebastian laughed again, jiggling all over. “Don’t mind if I do. It was a long trip from the Snow Pole.”

Rhia tittered again, but didn’t say a word, instead went to stand next to her mate, who instantly tucked her under his arm. The sight had Chantelle sighing and wishing things hadn’t gone so horribly wrong for her and Sebastian. They really needed to talk.

Chantelle shook her head. William, Rhia’s father, was supposed to play Santa. The fact that Sebastian would do it had her heart racing.
“What are you doing?”

Sebastian didn’t take his eyes off Max, but he stiffened and exhaled a long, slow breath.
“I’m playing Santa. I know it’s been a few hours, but I’ve not gained so much weight since we last spoke.”
More than teasing, relief seeped into her mind with each word he spoke as she allowed him into her mind.
“I wanted to make you smile.”

Sebastian’s eyes glittered beneath his big white eyebrows. “Who do we have here?” Santa ran his hand over his beard, narrowing his eyes at the boy. “Oh yes, little Max. Have you been a good boy this year?”

Max’s eyes grew impossibly wider and his bottom lip jutted out, quivering as his eyes rimmed with tears. He managed a small nod before hiding his face behind his mother’s leg.

“Now, now, little one, I’m no one to be afraid of.” Sebastian tried to soothe the boy, but he only whimpered in response. “How about if we start with someone else? Would that ease your worry?” He waited for Max to peek at him and nod from the safety of his mother’s leg. “Very well, let’s see… Queen Rhiannon. Is there a Queen Rhiannon here today?” Sebastian pulled a small box from within the big red bag he had carted in with him.

“Yes! Yes, I’m here!” Rhia jumped up and down, clapping her hands, and Chantelle had to wonder how much of it was real, and how much was for the boy’s benefit.

“Well, come on up here and sit on Santa’s knee…”

A low growl ripped through the crowd, making everyone close snicker.

“On second thought, maybe you could just stand close to Santa.” Sebastian held his belly and gave a big laugh. “I think my elves made a little something for you.”

Rhia ignored her mate’s rumbles and plopped herself on Santa’s knee. “Don’t worry about the dragon, Santa. He just doesn’t like to share.” She gave Drake a saucy grin and a wink before giving Sebastian a chaste peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Santa.”

By the time Rhia made her way back to Drake, Max had stepped to the side and was eyeing Santa, but he still held his mother’s leg.

“Who else do we have here?” Sebastian asked.

His gaze caught hers, and Chantelle couldn’t keep her grin from breaking free. He could balk all he wanted, but he was enjoying himself.

“Ah yes, Miss Chantelle. Come on up here and sit on my lap, and let’s see what Santa has in store for you.” More snickers rushed through the room. The gleam in his eye told her his slip wasn’t unintentional.

Heat crept up from her neck, but she locked gazes with him and came forward, hesitating only a moment before settling onto his lap. She gave a little wiggle, enough for him to notice, but not to be seen.

“You’re being naughty, Chantelle. Maybe I should withhold your gift.”
His hands stilled her hips, but didn’t let her go.

“You have no idea, Santa, just how naughty I want to be.”

He gasped and then moaned, before handing her a long, slender box kept together with a neat golden bow.

“Thank you, Santa.” She gave him a peck on the cheek, much as Rhia had, and hopped down, making her way back to where Max was watching.

Heat from Sebastian’s gaze followed until she took her spot next to Barbara again.

He cleared his throat and turned back to Max. “What do you say, Max? Would you like to come see me now?”

Max nodded fast, then rushed bravely toward Santa to claim his gift. Once started, the boy wouldn’t be stopped. As soon as he had one gift open, he would rush over to Santa again. It was just as well, since most of the people in attendance had brought the only child in Avalore gifts.

Once most of them had been handed out, Sebastian stretched and started to stand, only to be pushed back down by one slender hand on his shoulder. The same curvy blonde she’d had to pry off Sebastian before slithered onto his lap.

“What about me, Santa? Do you have a special gift for me?” The syrupy voice had Chantelle gritting her teeth. If the woman didn’t get off Sebastian’s knee, and fast, Chantelle wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next. She took a step closer, ignoring Katie’s restraining hand.

“Ho, Ho, Ho,” Sebastian bellowed but pulled back when the woman leaned closer. “I’m certain there must be a gift beneath the tree for you, Kira. Why don’t you go have a look?” He didn’t bother hiding his annoyance as he helped her stand, and Chantelle could have kissed him.

“But Santa…”

Sebastian raised his hand, cutting off her whining. “Santa’s a busy man, especially on this day. I must go finish my deliveries.” With that, he turned and found Chantelle’s gaze, his apology evident in the depths of his eyes. “Merry Christmas, everyone. And remember,” he bellowed, “I can see who is naughty and who is nice.”

He smiled at Max, ruffling his red hair, before making his exit behind another shower of bright sparkles.

Chapter 9

Sebastian couldn’t stop grinning. His plan to make Chantelle smile had worked. The last thing he had wanted to do was dress in the Santa suit and make a fool of himself, but he’d do it a million times over if it meant seeing the joy shining in her eyes.

He couldn’t wait to speak with her later. They had so many things to discuss—to plan. He was ready to be joined. Hell, he would do it in the Santa costume right then and there if she wanted. He plucked the red hat from his head and scrubbed his hand through his damp hair, smiling again as he pictured Chantelle wearing it and nothing else.

Perfume, strong and cloying, teased at his nose, making him want to rub at it to get the scent out. Kira had all but thrown herself at him in front of everyone. Worse yet, in front of Chantelle. He hadn’t wasted time getting her off him, but with things so shaky between he and Chantelle, he hadn’t known what to expect. Whatever game Kira was playing at, it had to stop.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were avoiding me, Sebastian.” Kira stepped close, blinking up at him as if that would draw him in. As pretty as the woman was, she couldn’t hold a candle to Chantelle.

“I’m sorry, Kira. It’s not that I’m avoiding you, but you must have heard that I’m to be mated.” Not wanting to waste any time he could be spending with Chantelle, he got straight to the point.

Kira pouted, batting her lashes again as she looked up at him. She reached up, toying with the big black buttons going down the front of the suit top. “No, I haven’t heard. Chantelle’s mate has yet to be named.”

“No, not yet. But I will be. Soon.” He took her hand in his, stopping her downward progress. Goddess only knew what she was planning to do once she got to the hem of the jacket. “I’m sorry if I’ve misled you, Kira. It was never my intention.”

Grasping his hand, she took a step closer, pressing into him as she did. “No need to apologize. The way I see it, you’re still a free man.”

“I’m not—”

Without warning, Kira wrapped her free arm around his neck and kissed him long and hard. His whole body stiffened, and he pushed against her, but not fast enough. A sharp gasp and startled cry reached his ears as Chantelle’s pained energy slammed into him. He yanked his hand out of Kira’s grasp at the same time as he reached up to pry her arm from around his neck. The second he was freed from her clutches, he craned his neck to find his mate, but it was too late. She was gone.

“Chantelle… it’s not what it seemed.”
The words didn’t meet dead silence. She had heard him, but she did not respond. Her pain still drove into him like millions of needles piercing and burning as they dug deep.
Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Fire churning in his gut, he turned to the woman who had—for the second time in less than an hour—delivered a blow to the woman he loved. Her satisfied smile wavered as she looked at him.

“If you
ever
come near me or my mate again, I will file a complaint to the Council of Elders and ask to have you removed from Avalore. Do I make myself clear?”

“S-Sebastian, you wouldn’t.”

His jaw ached he was clenching it so hard. “I would. Don’t test me on this, Kira.” It was all he could do to keep from throttling the woman. “Do I make myself clear?” He shoved each enunciated word through clenched teeth.

Her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she nodded before rushing away.

Just as he turned to go after Chantelle, a high-pitched roar cut through the great hall. “Max, no!” Tension tightened the woman’s voice.

“Get down.” Drake’s unmistakable voice drowned out all chatter.

Chaos. Nothing else could describe what Sebastian ran back into. Rhia’s energy radiated from behind a line of scowling Coalition men. Soft gasps and grunts lifted to his ears as people hit the floor. In the center of the room, flames licked up the beautiful tree they had worked so hard to decorate, growing with each branch on their way to the top. And little Max stood there, eyes big as saucers and tears streaming down his face.

Chantelle, her eyes rimmed red, gaped at the sight.

Barbara crouched next to Max, her hand caressing his back, whispering what had to be comforting words as his father tried to suppress a grin, pride shining on his face. It wasn’t every day that a young dragon breathed his first fire. In fact, it hadn’t happened in Avalore in many years. Drake and Evan, both with huge smiles on their faces, gathered cool blue energy and smothered the flames before they could reach anything else.