Disarming Donner by Charlie Cochet

Author:Charlie Cochet [Cochet, Charlie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63477-813-8
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

DONNER DROPPED to his knees, awash with regret. If only he’d done something, spoken up when he had the chance. He had so much he wanted to share with Calder.

“I said such terrible things,” Donner murmured to no one in particular.

“You defended him when no one else would,” Cupid said with a sniff. He hugged Donner tight. “He liked you.”

Donner swallowed hard. “I liked him too.” So very much.

“What in the name of Kringle creation is that?” Dasher helped Donner to his feet, and they all took a step back.

Donner watched in stunned silence as something large and shiny surfaced from the snow. It looked like a giant lump of rock candy from inside the mine. The sun’s rays reflected off the sharp candy edges. It rolled closer to them, and when it came to a stop, everyone edged closer, gathering around it. Donner stood with his heart in his throat as he carefully approached the giant ball of rock candy. Hesitantly, he put his hand to its cold hard surface.

A crack appeared, splintering into another and then another. The crowd gasped as the hard candy cracked until it burst into hundreds of candy crystals that rained down on them from the sky. On the snow, wrapped protectively around Tulip, was Calder. With bated breath, Donner kneeled beside Tulip, astonished to find the fluffy bunny alive and well in her embrace. He put his hand to her head. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled up at him.

“Oh thank goodness!” Tulip’s mother fell to her knees, crying, as the tiny elfling bounded into her arms, bunny and all.

Dasher stared down at Calder. “He… he risked his life to save her.”

“Of course he did,” Donner replied softly. He placed his hand to Calder’s cheek before moving it to stroke his hair, brushing it away from his face. He looked peaceful. As if he were asleep. Cupid was at his side, his fingers to Calder’s neck.

“He’s alive.” Cupid looked up at Donner with a wobbly smile. “He’ll be okay.”

Donner nodded. He stood and turned to his Rein Dear brethren. “We should take him inside and get him warm.” His brethren nodded, and they all pitched in, helping to carry the larger, heavier elf toward one of the nearby sleighs. Donner sat in the backseat against the far corner, and he asked his brethren to lay Calder across the seat. He’d hold him. Thankfully, no one questioned him, and they did as he’d asked. They laid Calder with his head in Donner’s lap. Calder was too tall, his legs bent at the knees, but it would do.

Dasher climbed behind the reins and set them on the road back to town. On the ride there, Calder stirred with a groan. His eyes slowly opened, and he blinked a few times before he focused on Donner. A beautiful smile came onto his face.

“Hello, little dear.”

Donner let out a huff, pretending to be put off by the endearment. “You scared the holly out of me.”

“I’m sorry.

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