CHAPTER TWO

Lundin

The way Amber stood up to me only made her hotter, and every fiber of my being wanted to touch her soft skin. Having her close in the back seat of my car almost broke my resolve. I told my driver to take the long way to her home so a few buddies of mine could stock up her house before she arrived.

I tapped on my phone and a little news alert popped up. ‘One week until Christmas, have you found the perfect gift?’ was written in bold, making my stomach tighten. I glanced over at Amber wondering if she was even more stressed about the holiday coming up. The elves had adopted the human holiday many years ago before they first arrived to help them feel welcome. Or at least that’s what his father said when he was droning on about the history of humans.

“You can drop me off here.” Amber pointed at the corner, but I shook my head at my driver.

“I’m taking you home, not to some curb.” I clicked my tongue. She gritted her teeth and pointed to the blue house a few houses down the road. The driver parked and I jumped out as Dustin and Todd strolled out with grins on their face.

“All squared away.” Dustin bowed his head and Todd winked before bowing quickly.

“What’s going on?” Amber asked seconds before two little kids ran out with mouths covered in pink jelly.

“Mom!” The little boy bounced into Amber’s arms while the little girl stormed toward me.

“Evening.” I looked down at the child. Her brow arched while her eyes studied me. Her little elf ears poked out of her blonde hair.

“Did you know my dad?” She stuck one finger in her mouth with pink jelly on it then pulled it out clean.

“I might have. What’s his name?”

“Klive Hansion. I’m Idris and that’s Wardetto.” She pulled a medal from her pocket as realization dawned on me. Klive wasn’t just dead but killed in action when protecting my brother from an attack. He’d paid the price for Jack. I kneeled down in front of her.

“Your father is a hero.” I didn’t know what else to say. Hell, this family should be living a hell of a lot better than this. I smiled at the little girl, who turned and followed her mother. I reached out and stopped Dustin and Todd before they drove off.

“What’s up?” Dustin asked then eyed Todd.

“How much did you put in there?” I asked as Amber slowly made her way into her home.

“Enough for two months with loads of snacks like you asked.” Dustin scratched the back of his head.

I nodded once. “Did you see what the kids like to play with?”

“What’s going on man?” Todd finally pitched in.

“That was Klive Hansion’s wife.” I pointed to where Amber stood a few moments ago.

“Little guy likes cars and the girl kept asking about the princess and what she wore,” Dustin said as Todd cursed low.

I pulled out one of the many cards I owned, a perk of being the prince. “Take my driver with you and get them trunks full of toys and clothes. Make a good guess. And wrap half of it for Christmas.” I handed the plastic to Todd, and they nodded. Quickly I walked to my driver’s window and told him the plan to leave with my friends.

“What about you?”

“I’ll be fine.” I tapped the roof and marched to the front door.

“I just thought you forgot to message me. I had no idea you didn’t know.” Amelia’s voice reached the door as I stepped inside then closed the door.

Amber rounded the corner to the hallway and glared at me. Before she could open her mouth, her kids ran to me and hugged my legs.

“Thanks for these snacks. They are so yummy and Mommy said we couldn’t have them last time.” Idris grinned while rubbing pink jelly into my pants.

“Yes, thanks.” Wardetto stood a little taller than his sister with brown hair covering his eyes. He pushed it back then released my leg before running to their mother.

“You’re welcome. Can you two give me and your mom a moment?” I asked and they flew into the room where Amelia was picking up wrappers.

“I told you, I’m not a charity case,” Amber hissed low.

I put up my hands. “You shouldn’t be. Your late husband was a hero and I’d be a jackass if I left you alone with nothing to eat and an empty Christmas tree.” I motioned to the living room where the half bare tree stood.

“I-” She started but then Amelia approached. They hugged then Amelia slipped out of the front door.

“David’s cooking tonight so I better get home before he burns the place down.” She closed the door behind her, leaving Amber alone with me.

“Thanks, but you can call off your friends. We have food and tomorrow I’ll be back to the palace to get what’s needed for the kids.” She motioned toward the door, but I kept my spot.

“Oh, I’m staying for dinner to make sure these little ones get full bellies.” I glanced around and found the kitchen. After years at boarding school, I’d learned some cooking skills. There was no point in getting into politics or shit like that when Jack was the king with kids to follow. I wouldn’t be stepping on my sister-in-law’s toes if something happened to Jack but so far he was in good health.

“Damn it, Lundin. You really can’t take a fucking hint.”

The kids gasped in the other room. “Mommy said a bad word.” Idris clicked her tongue as Amber’s shoulder fell.

“You didn’t know? Mommies are allowed to say that word but little kids have to wait.”

“Until when?” Wardetto asked while he held a car in each hand.

“Until you’re twenty. And even then, you should be careful who hears it.” I winked. Wardetto seemed satisfied with the answer and Idris went back to her coloring page. “Now I’ll make dinner and you can relax.”

“Thanks.” Amber shoved her hands through her hair and took a seat next to her kids. Before bed, I planned on messaging my brother to let him know this family was slipping through the cracks and how it was fucking unacceptable.