CHAPTER1
Crystalia pulled gently on the reins, bringing her sleigh to a stop before the grand staircase that led to her home.Pushing off the heavy fur lap blanket she slowly climbed down, handing the reins to her stable boy.
“See to them will you George?They’ve had a long night.”
“Yes, Ms.Wonderland,” he replied with a yawn.“Shall I help you up the stairs?”
“No.”
Nodding, the young man turned away as he began leading the team to the barn.She made her way up the slippery steps and entered her home.With a sigh she looked around as she hung up her cloak.It had been a long night.
Her house was beautifully decorated for the upcoming holiday.Sadly, she hadn’t done one thing on her own she realized.There was a time she would have placed each piece, each wreath with joy, but those days were long gone.
Up another flight of stairs, she went into her bedroom and stood before the mirror as she unzipped her dress, letting it slip from her body.Carefully, she hung it up and moved to her dresser.Smoothing her hands gently over her cheeks, she peered into the glass.She didn’t look old, but oh did she feel it.
Tonight had been a great accomplishment and a sense of pride swept over her.Wyatt, her only child and much loved son, was now well and truly married to a lovely little elf who adored him.That alone was extremely satisfying.Crystalia never made the leap into matrimony, having let pride and anger stop her.Once Wyatt’s father died, that avenue never opened up to her again.Never had she imagined as she was growing up that she would end up a bitter old spinster.A slightly bemused laugh escaped her perfectly formed lips and she shook her head in wonder.
Slowly she began to pull each of the six diamond stars from her hair, letting her near black locks fall to her shoulders and down her back.Carefully she placed each glittering star into the intricately carved wooden box lined with blue velvet.Closing the lid, she moved to beautiful painting created by a visiting artist many decades ago.Easily she swung it open, revealing a small hidden safe.Theft was unusual at the North Pole, but these items were far too precious to her to risk having them taken, especially since there was one person who desired them above all else.
She’d lied to Patty, her son’s bride, when she’d told her that she’d bought the stars a long time ago to irritate her mother, who often referred to her daughter as a ‘Hot Star.’She hadn’t bought them at all.They’d been a gift.
The Elven male who presented them to her had sworn his undying love and devotion.Crystalia snorted as she finished undressing and pulled on a near shapeless gray jogging suit and stuffed her feet into ratty old slippers.Pulling her long hair into a scrunchie, she walked into her connecting sitting room.There she put another log on the fire burning weakly behind the elaborate grate, poured a short glass of whiskey, and settled on an overstuffed blue velvet couch.
Curled up in the corner she nursed the drink until it was gone, her mind going over the evening’s festivities.Although she’d never been short of confidence in her youth, she’d avoided contact with others since she returned to the North Pole and took up residence on Snow Capped Ridge years ago.
Her life was a series of what she mentally referred to as ‘miscalculations.’Young, naive, and determined to have her way, she’d often dive headfirst into situations that were not in her best interest.Her mother, Celestial, tried hard to stop her impulsive daughter to no avail.The fact that the older, wiser woman was right sometimes grated on Crystalia’s nerves, but what was done was done and thankfully Celestial didn’t use the ‘I told you so’ card.
Maturity, and the singular way of life she’d chosen, gave her plenty of time to think and often stew over the mess she’d made of things, but it also allowed her to understand her parents better and she now kept the lines of communication open.They didn’t see each other often, but knew they were there for each other.
Finishing her drink, she set the glass down on the side table, and noticed the multitude of rings on the surface.She shrugged.It was a small thing in this big empty house and she would not concern herself with small things any longer.Pulling the blanket from the back of the couch, she fluffed a throw pillow and snuggled in.She’d spent many nights in this same spot, often choosing it over her large cold bed.Closing her eyes, she began the mantra that helped her fall asleep.
Sunlight was blazingthrough the gap in the heavy drapes when she slowly opened her eyes and blinked to adjust.Stretching, she tried to decide if she was getting up or turning over.It had to be noon, at least, but in all reality she had nothing to do, nothing that demanded her attention.That was until she heard the discreet cough from across the room.Sitting up too quickly, she put a hand to her head as she recognized the intruder.
“What the hell are you doing here, Jackson?”she demanded with a rasp.
“Good morning, or should I say good afternoon to you too,” he replied smoothly.
Scooching into the corner of the couch, she pulled her legs up and hugged her knees as she stared at him in annoyance.He sat in a large, high wingback chair, his long legs stretched out, his feet on a brocade footstool.Beside him was a silver tray holding a pot of what smelled like coffee and he sipped casually from his cup.Damn, what gave him the right to just drop in any time he felt like it?She ought to throw his sorry ass out immediately!Instead, she reached out her arm, her fingers wiggling.With a short laugh, he poured her a cup and added the exact amount of sugar and cream he knew she preferred.Crossing the room, he handed it to her and returned to his seat.Taking a sip, she sighed in appreciation.
“What do you want, Jackson?”
“Why are you always sleeping on that deplorable old couch?Why don’t you sleep in a bed like a normal female?”he countered, ignoring her question.
“I have my reasons,” she snapped.
“I’ll bet you do,” he agreed with a nod.“Still it can’t be good for your back, and you’re not getting any younger.”
“You think I look old?”she gasped tossing off the blanket and sitting straight up.
“Who could tell in that…thing,” he replied, eyeing her jogging suit.“You definitely look like you’re developing bags under your eyes, and your hair is a tangled mess,” he continued with feigned sympathy as he shook his head.“What happened at that party that did this to you?Perhaps I’d understand if my invitation hadn’t gotten lost in the mail,” he said with sarcasm.
“You weren’t invited.”
“Really?How impolite of The Clauses, and we used to be such good friends,” he drawled.
“All right,” she stated getting up.“What are you doing here?I’ve told you a hundred times you can’t just appear in my house any time you want.”
“Actually, I can, and to be perfectly honest, you can expect to see a lot more of me.I find I quite like catching you off guard.As far as what I want, I think you know.”
