Hunted in Holly

Chapter 3

“Silly woman.” I looked down on my prey affectionately, as she went limp in my hand. She looked so harmless when she was unconscious, in beautiful contrast to the brutal determination she’d exhibited while awake. I rubbed my chest where her ice dagger had entered my body, and I recalled the look of both terror and rage as she’d put it there.

Truly spectacular.

To her credit, she had fully and completely punctured my heart from end to end. But to her detriment, the fact that she believed killing me would be so effortless was a tragic comedy.

Ironically, I’d personally spread the rumor that staking me through the heart was the only way to kill me, precisely so my enemies would think they had a chance. I knew of one very specific enemy who’d been seeking my throne for millennia who was very likely her source. Funny that her blade had been pointed at me over him.

How gullible. If it was that simple to end my life, I’d already be dead.

I took my time in climbing off the bed, not wanting to disturb her resting form. Her long, dark hair fanned out around her soft, rounded face, her deep red lips were parted so enticingly, and her diminutive figure appeared so deliciously defenseless. I’d give her credit for her bravery, but certainly not for her diplomacy.

I’d have to offer at least a little grace for her crimes, however. She was in a particularly emotional state, being the newly appointed queen of a kingdom that had been burned to the ground. Not only had the previous monarch not properly prepared her to rule, but lovely Mother Nature had also neglected to mention who her true enemies were. It must have been rather stressful to be picking up so many pieces without any clue as to the puzzle’s full picture.

I would be ignorant to assume she was weak and a fool simply because she’d made this singularly irrational choice, however. I’d felt the amount of magic she’d channeled into her icicle, after all. To penetrate my heart at all took power that was truly special, befitting of the South Pole’s ruler.

And to have had the audacity to try to murder me in my own home?

I tasted the smile on my lips with a slow drag of my tongue.

Perhaps it was about time we united our Kingdoms. It would be a calamity to let her continue making so many mistakes without proper guidance. Sweet Caroline was lucky she’d come here and gotten my attention.

I leaned down and cradled her cheek in my palm, then I pressed the lightest kiss to her forehead.

I couldn’t imagine a better Christmas gift.