Page 19 of The Naughty Or Nice Clause

“Those weren’t Dad’s wishes, and you would have known that if you had been here!” Lou hissed, shoving her plate away.

“I knew exactly what Dad’s wishes were, and that’s why I left,” he snapped.

“I’ll give you both some room,” Lyla said, getting up, feeling like piggy in the middle.

“Stay,” Klaus bit at her, but she dodged his grip and hurried out of the kitchen.

“Always avoiding the conversation. Dad’s dead, and you won’t face up to your responsibilities. We gave you ten years to explore, and all you’ve done is make money and a name for yourself,” Lou said as Lyla left.

“Have you been keeping tabs on me?” she heard Klaus demand before she was out of earshot. She had a feeling the family’s polite welcome wouldn’t last long.

Since Kevin was sprawled out on the couch, playing a game on the TV with his headphones on, she couldn’t exactly make idle conversation. She walked to the front door and found a pair of Wellington boots.I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.She was desperate for some air, and she didn’t want Lou thinking she was eavesdropping. Slipping the boots on over her thick socks, she grabbed a jacket from the stand and opened the door.

The chill hit her harshly, but once she had followed the snow-covered terrace to the back of the house where a stone-seated area with a fire pit looked out at the mountains behind, she felt peaceful. She sat star-gazing, warming her cold hands at the fire. The sun never rose at this time of year in the North Pole; Klaus might not have told her much about Yule, but she knew that at least. Back home the light pollution never allowed for such a sight, but here, it was though she could reach out and touch every one. The snow had stopped falling, so she could stay out a little longer without worrying about freezing to death.

“If only I could take this view back with me,” she murmured.

A snowball struck the back of her head. Ice slipped down the back of her jacket, forcing her to her feet.

“What the fu—” she squealed, shaking her coat so the flecks of snow would fall out.

Klaus stood a few feet away with another snowball in hand.

“You are such a child,” she accused, as he marked his aim. “Don’t you dare…”

“Never took you for a coward,” he said, looking overjoyed by the torment he was inflicting – and had inflicted upon her for the last twelve hours.I should have left his drunk arse in the office for the whole floor to find.

“Because I don’t want to have a snowball fight?” she asked, hiding behind the stone seat. Thankfully, he dropped the snowball and held his hands up in truce.

“No, because you ran from the table. You’re meant to be my buffer. Instead you ran out of the house like it was on fire.” Klaus joined her on the other side of the fire.

“I never agreed to be your buffer, or your wife. Or to come to some wonderland that I’m still not sure hasn’t been a delusion caused by bad sushi or champagne!” She stared at the porch around the house so she wouldn’t have to look up at him as they spoke. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“Keep your voice down! My mum’s room is above us,” Klaus hissed, pointing to a balcony where the window was lit.

“Fine. I’ll be quiet, but can Ipleaseask you some questions? And I expect clear answers.”

“Shoot – within reason.” Klaus’s eyes narrowed, daring her to ask.

Now that they were finally alone, she didn’t know where to begin. “What is this place?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at the mountains.

“The Moiruilt mountains.”

“But where?”

“Technically, the North Pole, but I can’t be specific. The mountains create a basin which protects our land and keeps us sheltered from the severe cold. Those beyond the mountain can’t find us; it’s protected by an ancient magic that I’m not sure anyone living can explain.”

That didn’t offer her much comfort. “What about planes, or travellers?” She tucked her numb hands in her pockets, not wanting to go back inside until she got her answers, but walking alongside him towards the cabin.

“They would pass through or over the village, thinking nothing is here – it’s protected. Always has been. The perimeter is protected too,” he added, and there was an edge of warning to his words.

“By what?”

Mason looked to the stars and shrugged. “Some say magic, but if you wish to be more logical you can think of it as an energy force… It depends on your point of view. The wolves also help.”

“No one outside of the village knows this place exists?” Lyla reiterated. She’d return to the wolves later.

“Yes and no. People do leave to live in the regular world, but not often. Yule has everything we could need, and those who leave and return often bring back what we don’t– again, within reason.”

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