Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

18. Juliet

I nstead of being greeted with Diana’s questioning gaze, Juliet found herself standing in a library surrounded by narrow shelves. Not again! she grumbled to herself.

The terrifying part wasn’t where she was, but that she was alone. Her heart hammered as she searched row after row of books for Will with no luck. She leaned over the wooden balcony to see if he was on the floor below, but all she saw were readers perusing shelves, unaware about her freak-out.

She tried to call him, but her phone wouldn’t connect; Yule clearly wasn’t part of her phone plan. Shouting his name through the library might work, but wouldn’t be the most subtle option.

Eventually she decided to make her way down a winding staircase decorated with garlands in hope of finding him. A large Christmas tree stood behind the reception desk, decorated with huge, sparkling ornaments which, on closer inspection, were books. Engraved in the wall behind several staff members organising carts of books was a sign that proclaimed Library of Yule .

Wandering off last time was a mistake, so if I stay put, he might find me? Juliet didn’t have much of a choice. If he doesn’t turn up in the next few hours, then I’ll find my way to his place. She was only wearing a thin cardigan, so going outside was the last thing she wanted. Luckily, she was wearing her boots.

Taking a seat at one of the long tables lit by antique lamps, she removed the red envelope from her back pocket. It looked like it’d been crumpled up more than once. Her desire to know the truth, to know what Will wanted to keep from her when he’d already revealed so much, won over her need to protect herself.

Mr Frost,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I promised to stop all communication with your son, and I have. As a guardian of Yule, I’m ashamed to admit to the part I played in my relationship with your son. I won’t pretend that I didn’t know any better, but I loved your son as I love my daughter, who is now in your care. The council of Yule and Mr Klaus have agreed to allow me to keep my position and to spare the Heart name the shame of my actions. However, I hope you’ll understand as a parent yourself why I’ve opened a petition with the council of Yule to grant me custody of Juliet. I need you to support my petition, otherwise I will not be allowed to have any contact with my daughter for the next twenty-six years in accordance with legacy laws. I know I’m in no position to ask for your help, but for the sake of Juliet’s happiness, I’m asking for your assistance.

Thank you for taking care of her while I can’t. I understand if you need time to consider, but I beg of you to help me reunite with my daughter. Again, I apologise for the hurt my actions have caused your family.

Eloise Heart

Juliet wiped the tears from her cheeks and placed the letter back in the envelope. Twenty-six years… This confirms why Mom sent Will now. This legacy law came into effect. She wasn’t surprised her grandfather hadn’t helped Eloise with the petition, but to know her mom had tried to fight for her told Juliet she had never been just a mistake to be forgotten. Still, for a moment she was relieved never to have known this. Over twenty years of waiting would’ve been an unbearable pain.

“Excuse me.” A guy in his late teens tapped her on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I wanted to ask if you were alright. I was studying at the table across from you and noticed you crying.”

Embarrassed to have made a scene, Juliet tucked the envelope in her pocket and out of sight. “Sorry if I disturbed you– I’m fine. Just got a little choked up. Family stuff.” She wiped her eyes, making sure there was no trace of smudged mascara.

“The holidays can be emotional; can I help at all? I noticed you searching different rows. I wasn’t watching you or anything, I was just procrastinating studying and wondered if you were looking for something?” He ran his hand through his sandy blonde hair as it flopped over his eyes.

“I was, but I couldn’t find it,” Juliet admitted, knowing she wasn’t supposed to be talking to anyone. She didn’t want to reveal that Will was the ‘it’.

“Okay. Sorry again for disturbing you.”

As he started to walk away, she noticed the Klaus name embroidered in gold thread on his black backpack. He might not be able to help her find Will, but what if he could help her find answers about her family’s past? It was someone in his family who’d written to her grandfather about upholding the Frost family’s banishment.

“Sorry.” She got up and followed him down the row. He paused, turning back to face her. “Actually, I’m doing some research on old families in Yule. Specifically, those who’ve been banished, and legacies,” she explained, taking a gamble in trusting a considerate stranger.

“Banishment records?” His brows pulled together as he thought it through, clutching his laptop to his chest. “They would be in the archives beneath the town hall, and you’d need permission from the council or the current Klaus to see them.”

“Right. I just thought since you’re a Klaus– sorry for bothering you,” she said quickly, not wanting to overstep more than she already had.

He merely chuckled. “I could ask my brother; Mason would be easier to convince than the council. Being the Klaus, he wouldn’t need their permission. However, as it’s December, he’s rather swamped getting everything ready for Christmas Eve. He’s in Santa mode right now, so it’s not the best time to ask for a favour.”

Given that this was a magical village in the North Pole and she’d used bells that could bring you from one place to the next, Santa Claus, or Santa Klaus, being a real person didn’t seem all that far-fetched. Still, the fact that Juliet was apparently talking to Santa’s brother threw her for a loop.

“As for information on legacies, I’m doing some research myself on Yule’s history for a game I’m designing. Depending on how far you want to go back, I might be able to help,” he said, motioning for her to follow him up the stairs.

“Anything would help. I’m Juliet, by the way. Thank you for helping me.” From what she’d gathered, the Klaus was the leader of Yule, with the council being some sort of government. Getting this close to a Klaus was probably dangerous, but she’d be careful not to reveal her last name.

“Kevin,” he said over his shoulder, “and I’m happy to help.”

They climbed the stairs to the third floor, where they were the only visitors. Judging by the dust on the shelves, this section of the library didn’t get much love.

“Was there a time-period you were looking into? Any family you want to focus on? Are you looking for someone?” Kevin asked, searching the rows of dusty shelves.

Juliet only knew about one event in particular. She tried to be as nonchalant as possible. “Um, the Frost family? I heard about their banishment in passing. I’m new to Yule, and my boyfriend is from here. I want to learn as much as I can about the history, rules, and laws. I wanted to know if it was true that people can be banished.” She comforted herself that it was mostly the truth, hating to reward his trust and kindness with deception.

Kevin hesitated, pointing to a row of F names. “A Klaus is the only one who has the final say on who is or isn’t banished, but the council make the recommendation. The Klaus family is the most powerful in Yule,” he explained with a self-deprecating grin. “A few generations ago, the Frosts were second to them; they looked after the protections of Yule. Unfortunately, they broke our most important rule.” He said it as though she should be able to fill in the blanks herself.

“About revealing Yule’s existence?” she guessed.

He nodded. “There hasn’t been a Frost in Yule for three or four generations, I think. I believe their legacies were included in the banishment, so I doubt they even know about Yule. I’m surprised you’ve even heard about them. The closest we’ve ever come to exposure was because of them – until my great-grandfather stopped them.” He scanned the last of the Fs. “Sorry, there’s nothing here. Everything must be in the archives.”

“You said your great-grandfather stopped them?” Juliet dared to ask.

“The story is pretty much legend now! The Frost family believed the world should know of Yule and its magic, so that those on the Outside could understand the hope and magic Yule brings to the world. They tried to use their influence to destroy the protections that safeguard the village from the Outside, but my great grandfather Klaus discovered their plot and stopped them in time,” Kevin told her. “The Frost name has become synonymous with the very threat of exposure in Yule.”

Juliet swallowed, wondering what he would do if he knew who he was talking to. “How were they going to destroy the protections?” she asked, wondering how much was known about them.

“I don’t know; that part of the story is always left out. It was the only time since Yule was founded in 270AD that our existence was almost outed. They don’t reveal details, probably to stop anyone else from figuring it out.” He shrugged.

“Do you think they would ever be allowed to return? I mean, can anyone banished return?” Juliet tried to hide the desperation in her voice, but the hint of suspicion in Kevin’s gaze told her she wasn’t being so subtle.

“They could petition the council, or the sitting Klaus, but they’d have to plead a pretty good case. Banishment is rare, and you have to do something pretty terrible to be cast out. I might be wrong, but I think my grandfather received a petition about a child in the Frost family.” Kevin’s eyes narrowed, deep in thought, as he scanned the books. It must be for his own work, because the titles he removed were beyond her comprehension.

“A child?” Juliet followed him to the next row, a cold sweat creeping up the back of her neck.

“I could be wrong, but I think the latest scandal had something to do with a guardian falling in love with the eldest Frost son. It’s not confirmed, but apparently, they had a kid. Every banished family is assigned a guardian to make sure they don’t step out of line. No one ever expected the guardian to be the one to overstep.”

“What happened to the guardian?” Juliet was practically tripping over herself to get to the answers.

“I wouldn’t dare ask; the Heart family always dismisses the tale as mere rumour. No one knows for sure which guardian it was. Gossip would say that the guardian was given a choice, give up the kid or keep her position in Yule. Only the sitting Klaus or the council can confirm or deny the details. I think the story would make for an interesting game. Forbidden love is always a winner.” He beamed over his stack of books.

Juliet clenched her fist at the idea of her family tragedy being made into a game for other people’s amusement, but she needed his help. He was a Klaus. Even if she wasn’t sure what the deal was with this whole Santa Klaus thing, the Klaus family clearly had power in town, and she needed help.

“All sounds like some romantic tragedy. What about now? Are the Frosts still so feared?” Was there any hope for her future with her mom… or Will?

Kevin sighed. “Mason would probably be lenient. He’s broken a few laws himself. However, considering that the Frost family wanted to expose us, and the latest scandal being a perfect example of them defying the rules for their own desires, I don’t know. In Yule, everyone works together – so betrayal cuts deep,” he said, leading her out of the stacks and back to the main floor of the busy library.

“But those who wanted to expose Yule are long gone. Couldn’t your grandad have lifted the banishment and let the couple be together?” Juliet asked, trying not to think of how she was talking to a member of the family who’d kept her from her mom.

“It’s complicated. When someone, anyone, leaves Yule, they’re assigned a guardian. However, those banished are forbidden from interacting with their guardians and vice versa. Guardians are supposed to be invisible – the banished shouldn’t even know the identity of their guardian. They’re only tasked with making sure the banished doesn’t reveal Yule’s secret. To forgive such an infraction might encourage others to commit it. That, and I think the council were dead against it – and since a Klaus needs the support of the council to help maintain Yule, it’s rare they go against them completely.”

Juliet struggled to digest her family’s history. She felt like a criminal in this far-away land.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter much now– no one has raised the issue in years. I’m sure the Frosts have forgotten all about Yule at this point.” Kevin shrugged, as though her life was merely an issue on the council’s agenda. “Are you alright? You look a little green,” he added, finally seeming to notice the effect his words had on her.

“Fine. Just sad to think a place like Yule, so welcoming and full of magic, has such a… sad history,” Juliet said, wishing she’d never gone into her dad’s office.

“It’s a pity; I’d never want anyone to lose their family.” Kevin shook his head, and she could see that he had a good heart. “We don’t have many rules in Yule, but when it comes to safety and secrecy of our village, there is a strict no tolerance policy. For those who find out about Yule later in life, it can sound harsh and hard to understand, but this is our home – our world.”

They’d reached the front desk, where Kevin signed out the books he’d chosen.

“Thank you for taking the time to help me.” Watching him sign, Juliet was glad she hadn’t found a book in the end, or she would’ve had to come up with a fake name.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help with the finer details.” Kevin opened the library door, letting in the cold and the smell of pine trees.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Juliet followed him outside into the evening air misted with snow. More of it decorated every surface and painted shop window. She was about to ask about Eloise Heart, but she didn’t get the chance before a red sleigh pulled up at the front steps. Juliet held her breath, terrified she’d been caught.

“Kevin, we’ve got to get back home. It’s nearly four-thirty, and Mum’s getting dinner ready for five so we can all eat together before my evening shift starts.” A tall blond man stepped out of the sleigh. The weight lifted from Juliet’s shoulders when he ignored her. “I told you I’d pick you up twenty minutes ago. I’ve been circling like a maniac, and I’ve got to get back to the workshop later.”

“Sorry, Juliet, my brother has forgotten his manners.” Kevin rolled his eyes as he put his books into the back of the sleigh. Juliet stepped back; the two reindeer were eyeing her. “He gets terribly cranky when he hasn’t eaten.”

“Sorry– nice to meet you. I just don’t like waiting in the snow for twenty minutes,” Mason said, glaring at his younger brother. They looked alike, both tall with blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Mason was clearly the older, with his five o’clock shadow and broader build.

“Understandable. I think I’ve met your fiancée, Lyla? I’m Will’s girlfriend,” she blurted out, not wanting Kevin to mention her prying into Yule’s history. Will could yell at her later for fabricating their relationship.

“Will’s girlfriend?” Mason frowned, only for realisation to dawn. “Right! Lyla mentioned you’d met the other day. Welcome to Yule. I’ve been stuck at the workshop the past few days and haven’t had a chance to call him.” He offered her his hand and she shook it, hoping that he’d put her trembling down to the cold and not fear. She was standing in front of the man who had the power to banish Will for helping her.

“Will had something to do, so I thought I’d hang out here,” she told him, hoping they’d leave her to it so she could find her way back to Will’s home somehow.

“You should come back with us to the cabin,” Kevin offered eagerly, hopping into the sleigh beside his brother. “Lyla will be there, and we can leave a message on Will’s house phone if he doesn’t answer. They’ve been baking for the gingerbread contest all day, and Mum loves any excuse to feed a full table.”

Juliet panicked at the kind offer. It felt like walking into the nest of some very welcoming vipers. She hoped to see Lyla again, but didn’t want her to have to lie to her fiancé’s family. “I don’t want to intrude. I’m fine here.”

“The library will close in an hour, and Will wouldn’t forgive me if I left you out in the cold.” Kevin nudged Mason, who nodded.

“I’m sure Lyla would love to see you again, and it’ll force Will to come to the cabin. We haven’t seen him for ages, and Mum’s been begging him to come to dinner.”

In spite of their unexpected kindness, she wanted to run, but given the icy cobblestones, she doubted she’d make it far before falling on her butt.

“C’mon, it’s freezing, and I’m sure you’re not used to the climate yet,” Kevin urged.

To her surprise, the reindeer nudged Juliet’s shoulder.

“Dasher likes you,” Mason said with a smile.

Juliet stroked Dasher’s nose and smiled to herself in disbelief. Just when she thought this place couldn’t get any more interesting. She hesitated, praying Will would appear and take her home. When he didn’t, she thanked them profusely for their help and pulled herself into the back of the sleigh before she could talk herself out of it. At least this way she could wait for Will out of the cold.

Where the hell is he? Why didn’t he use the bell to find me? At this point, being discovered by Diana was far less dangerous than having dinner with the family who’d banished her ancestors and separated her from her mom. Still, she felt she couldn’t be mad at them; they were as much to blame for their relatives’ actions as she was.

The sleigh shot down a narrow lane, finally making a sharp turn up a hill lined with uncut trees and lampposts to light the way.

“Juliet?” Kevin asked softly, and she realised he’d been talking to her.

“Sorry, what was the question? I was too busy admiring the view.”

“How did you meet Will?” Mason put in.

“I’m afraid the story isn’t all that exciting. I was reading in a hotel bar when he sent me a drink. Then he showed up at my office the next day, and I haven’t been able to get rid of him since.” It was a relief not to have to lie for once.

Mason chuckled, glancing at her over his shoulder. “Will has always gone after what he wants.”

“How long have you known him?” she asked, moving the topic away from her. She also wanted him to keep his eyes on the steep hill, because as she saw the lights of the town below them, it became clear how close they were to the edge of a steep drop.

“We went to school together.”

“They also used to race sleighs together, until Will ended up—” Kevin was cut off with a thump to the arm.

“He’s meant to be my best man. If I can ever get him to come home for long enough to ask him! Luckily the wedding isn’t for another year, and you’ve given me the perfect excuse to get him to visit.” Mason sounded like he missed his friend a lot. Juliet winced at the idea that Will’s actions could ruin their friendship. Swallowing her nerves, she tried to stop herself from wondering what they’d do if they knew who she was.

“I’m sure he’d love to; his work just keeps him busy.” After all this deception, maybe I am a Frost after all. As much as she wanted to meet her mom, she pledged to herself that she wouldn’t come back here again without permission. “The view is beautiful. I can’t believe I never knew the village was shaped like a star,” she rambled nervously, pulling a blanket from behind her and trying to keep warm under it. “It’s so pretty I nearly forgot about the cold.”

“Sorry, the higher we are, the colder it gets. We shouldn’t be much longer,” Mason assured her, and Kevin handed her another blanket. “It took Lyla months to get used to the weather. Make sure to wrap up warm while you’re here– I’m surprised Will didn’t warn you.”

Juliet got the feeling he suspected something, but she decided to focus on the view instead of her paranoia. The less she said, the less she’d have to lie. She didn’t want Will to have to betray his friend more than he already had. After what Kevin had said in the library, she couldn’t believe how much he’d risked by being close to her.

The sound of the reindeer galloping on the shovelled flagstones through a set of tall gates brought her back to reality. The painted gates were rather chipped, but the golden cursive letters S and K shone brightly. It was very similar in design to the gate to the Frost estate. Juliet guessed her family had tried to replicate the finer details of the home they’d lost after their banishment.

Peering over her shoulder as the gates closed behind them, she felt like she had trapped herself in a nightmare.