Saving Santa (MxM)

21 Enemies & Lovers

I am on my feet, looking between the king and my lover.

Arkeeni asks, "What do we have here?"

"An intruder. He took down about a dozen of our men," says the soldier I hate.

"What say you, intruder?"

Cal looks from me to the purple leader but says nothing. His jaw is set and his teeth are clenched.

"We have very strict punishment for those who encroach on the ice elves' kingdom, and to injure twelve of my protectors, you will serve me as my personal slave for the rest of your life."

"Fuck you," Cal spits.

"Oh. A fiery one. I'll enjoy breaking you. Raping your mouth, your ass. I'll slit your throat as I blow my load inside of you. You'll bleed to death while my royal seed leaks out of you."

Wow. Graphic. I shake my head.

"Sir," I say, resting my hand on his chest. "Maybe I can talk some sense into him."

The monarch gestures to him with his hand, giving me permission to approach Cal.

"What are you doing here, stranger?" I say, slowly approaching my battered boyfriend. I ignore my nakedness and the bite of cold that nips at me with each step.

He grunts.

"Dude, I am trying to help. Work with me." I kneel beside him within arm's reach of his weapon. The floor of the hall is ice on my bare knees.

"The king is pissed, but maybe I can help if you talk to me."

Again, Santa only lets out a grunt.

I bow my head. My eyes are glued to his war mallet.

Then Cal says, "I..." He fills the air with a deep breath. Everyone's attention is on what the stranger will say next.

I use this opportunity to my advantage. As quickly as possible, I grab the wooden handle of the hammer, log roll, and swing the gavel as hard as I can into the guard's knee. As he takes his leg into his hands, I bounce to my feet. With a spin move, I maneuver around the injured henchman and swipe his knife from his loin belt. I jump at the soft-stomached sentry at the door, snatching up one of his arms while he is still surprised. With my other hand, I point the tip of the knife toward his bloated belly.

"Everyone, relax," I warn. "I know what his man is carrying."

All of the men in the room are frozen. Arkeeni's eyes hold mine.

"The prince and future king," Arkeeni acknowledges.

Cal looks from the lord of the ice elves to me and back again. A strange smile takes over his face as he stands. He removes his helmet and unclips his chest armor. Naked from the waist up, he crosses to me.

"Well, that escalated quickly, Calvin" Arkeeni chuckles, breaking the silence.

"Sorry, Arkie. I didn't know my little guy could handle himself so well." Cal places his hand on mine. "Ryan, you can stand down."

I lower the knife away from the guard. Cal beckons for the weapon, and I hand it over.

I am feeling 700 emotions at once, but embarrassment seems to take hold first. With a gentle smile, the guard presses his palm to my face. He is telling me not to worry about it.

When I turn back to Cal, I find him crossing the room to Arkeeni. They embrace. Their hug turns into a long passionate kiss.

As the two split, I ask the only question my swirling mind can muster: "What the hell is going on?"