Page 35 of Naughty

Chapter10

Noel

Unease fillsme as I sit in the oversized leather chair in front of the fire. Caitlin and Asmon move about, not paying me any mind, but I watch their interactions like a rough-legged hawk. The way he grabs her and pulls her against him fills me with a jealous longing. In my heart, I know that Kris has to do his Christmas ride, but that doesn’t stop the anxiety from clawing up my throat, nearly choking me as I try to breathe.

I turn away as Asmon devours Caitlin’s lips, a flush racing up my face. Even after everything Kris has done to me, I still feel the intense shame of watching other’s desires. Looking back into the fire, I let my mind drift to Kris, trying desperately to keep from getting turned on; but I can’t help it. He’s perfection personified.

Gazing up at the large image above the fireplace, I frown as I take in his expression of displeasure. It’s as if he knows my thoughts and is judging me for them. The light cough over my shoulder pulls me out of my thoughts and onto the kindly elf bringing over a steaming mug.

“Hot chocolate, miss?”

I eye it for a moment before taking it into my hands. Giving him a thin smile, I tip the cup towards him in thanks and bring it down to my lap. It’s the perfect hot cocoa, complete with piles of whipped cream and marshmallows, but I can’t bring myself to drink it. If I never have another cup of hot cocoa, it would be too soon. Asmon and Caitlin shuffle over and give me a smile. He sits in the chair opposite of me and pulls Caitlin onto his lap. I squash down that niggle of jealousy and set my drink on the small table to my side. Asmon frowns and gestures towards the cup.

“Is it too hot?”

“Oh. No. It should be fine.”

“Did Kris say you weren’t allowed to have sweets without permission?”

A blush races up my neck and cheeks.

“He’s not my master, you know.”

Asmon doesn’t respond. Instead, he simply raises his eyebrow and pins me with a knowing glare. I roll my eyes and look back up at the picture.

“He sure doesn’t seem to be happy to be here.”

Sighing, Asmon pulls Caitlin closer and rests his chin on her head.

“He wasn’t. In fact, I’m pretty sure he hated the North Pole.”

“Hated it, but why?”

My gut clenches. There’s plenty of reasons to hate it here. If Kris hadn’t bonded with me, I probably would have found a way out of here too. Twisting my shirt in my hands, I distract myself by plucking at the fabric.

“If you noticed at dinner, it’s not like things are all that great for the line of Krampus.”

I peer up at his face, judging every minute movement. He doesn’t seem angry. It’s more like he’s resigned.

“Things were pretty tense. I’m guessing that’s just the norm then.”

He shrugs and tips Caitlin off of his lap before resting his elbows on his thighs and steepling his fingers.

“Honestly, until the rift between Kris and I, dinners were fairly common. As a younger boy, Northport was my only refuge from a father drunk on power and not tethered by a mate.”

Caitlin gasps and lays a hand over her chest. Sitting on the floor next to his feet, she looks up at him with wide eyes. Apparently, she didn’t know everything either. I give an internal snort. Knowing them, they’ve probably been doing more fucking than talking anyway.

“Things started off okay between Kris and me. Well, Kris, Nickolas, and me. Once the whole mess with Angelica happened, and then Nickolas died, things were never the same. Knowing that she’s actually alive has helped a little bit, but there’s still a ways to go.”

I frown at his words, my mind churning through what I was told by Master Marcus.

“Master Marcus said that Kris destroyed Angelica. He was so angry when he found out that she wasn’t pure anymore.”

Bringing my arms around me, I hug the sleeves of my shirt, staving off the fear threatening to consume me. The scratches are mostly healed, but that doesn’t stop the phantom memory pains from tearing through me.

“You know he’s dead. Right? Kris at least told you that much?”

Sighing, I let my hands fall limp into my lap.