Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 50

Her miracle baby has a dangerous secret–and a protector.

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4.49 She is tanan

woman,”

I swear she looks like she is ready to stomp and throw a tantrum. “Penelope, take your seat so we can discuss this so–called future wife with Nick” the queen says. Anger bubbles up inside me. “Gwenivere, you would do well to remember where you are and who you are dealing with before you speak about my daughter–in–law, my mother says. Seeing the queen being chastised by my mother brings a smile to my face. I think I’m going to enjoy this.

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50 How Dare You

Nick POV

I take the seat next to my mother that faces the Queen and Penelope. “I meant no disrespect Anya. I simply believe we can offer a solution to Nick’s problem,” she says. “What problem would that be, Gwenivere?” She bristles at my use of her name and not her title. “I’ve been informed you intend to pledge to a human. I had hoped the rumors weren’t true, but my source seems quite convinced that you have decided to make a human the next Mrs. Claus,” she says. “Your source and who would that be, Gwenivere,” my mother asks.

“The source doesn’t matter Anya. What matters is if the rumor is true. Do you, in fact, intend to pledge to a weak human with no magic, Nicholas,” she asks. “First, don’t ever call my woman weak. Second, who I choose to pledge to is of no concern to the Kingdom, Gwenivere, so I’m not sure why you’re here today.” “I’m here because you are the royal prince of Christmas. It is not appropriate for your bride to be human. So I have a proposition that will benefit not only you but the Eleven Kingdom,” she says.

“What exactly are you proposing, Gwenivere?” “My daughter has yet to find a proper husband. Penelope is eager to pledge to you, Nick. She has had her sights on you for some time. She will be a perfect bride. She will give you an heir that is worthy of becoming the next Santa Claus,” she says. Anger washes over me like a wave. “How dare you even speak about my bride or whether she is good enough for me?”

“Nicholas, there is no reason for you to get upset. I understand that the human is carrying your child, making you feel obligated to pledge to her, but that isn’t necessary. Penelope is willing to allow you to keep the child as long as you don’t claim it. Once the child is born, you can wipe the human’s memories of you and the child. We will have one of the maids care for the child, and you can visit as often as you like,” Gwenivere says. Before I can open my mouth, my father gets to his feet. Anger is radiating off him in waves.

“Let me tell you something you pathetic excuse for a queen. Clarice is a thousand times better than your b**ch of a daughter. Don’t make the mistake of thinking what I do for the children of the world makes me a saint. I will protect my family by any means necessary. Clarice and my grandbaby are my family and fall under my protection. If I find out that either of you so much as breathe in her direction, I will make sure you wish you never met me,” he

says.

“Christopher Kringle, are you threatening me, the Queen of Elves,” she says. “You take it whatever way you choose Gwenivere, but I promise you that you don’t want to make an enemy out of me or my bride,” he says, motioning toward my mother. If looks could kill Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb would definitely be dead with the way my mother is glaring at

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them. “You can’t be serious. You would choose a human over your relationship with the Elven Kingdom,” she says.

“Absolutely, she is my daughter as much as Chrissy is. Now at the risk of being rude to the Queen of Elves,” he says sarcastically. “Get the hell out of my house and the North Pole. Your invitation to attend the ceremony has been revoked. We will also be sure to let the King know you and your miserable daughter are banned from setting foot in my territory,” he

exactly why

says.

She starts to sputter, but before a word can slip from her lips, my mother grabs them both by their collar. They disappear, and I throw my head back and laugh. My father looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Why the hell are you laughing at,” he asks. “I’m laughing because the so–called queen was just dealt with by a woman that is half human. I wouldn’t be surprised if mom drops them in the middle of nowhere.” My father smiles because he knows his wife better than anyone. She may have been born half human, but the minute she pledged to my father she became stronger than the King of Elves.

Anya POV

As soon as we appear in the castle, both women scream. Elves come from every direction to see what the hell is going on. “How dare you, Anya Kringle? You had no right to touch me or my daughter,” Gwenivere crows at me. It takes all my control not to beat her down like I really want to after the things she just said in Chris’s office. “What is the meaning of this,” a deep voice says, and everything around us seems to stop.

Fredrick, surrounded by two guards, steps further into the room. Before he can say another word, Chris appears next to me. I smile because I know it’s not to protect me but to stop me from killing the two witches who suggested my son cast away the best thing to ever happen to him. Everyone seems startled by Chris’s presence, and they take a step back. He is bigger than most of the men of the Elven Kingdom, even the king. “Chris, I didn’t expect to see you here today. Is everything alright,” he asks, never even glancing at his wife and daughter.

“Everything is most certainly not alright. I suggest we take this discussion to your office unless you want the entire kingdom to know exactly how despicable your queen is.” Chris puts his hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me. Fredrick looks toward Gwenivere and Penelope before he nods at me. We make our way through the castle. As soon as we step foot into the office. Gwenivere bursts into tears. “Fredrick, I want them punished for disrespecting me and our daughter,” she says and I laugh.

“You really are a delusional b**ch. You or the King have no authority over my family or the North Pole.” “Do you hear that, Fredrick? Do you hear the disrespect,” she whines. “What did you do, Gwenivere,” he asks. “I simply offered for Penelope to take the place of the human that Nicholas intends to pledge to,” she says. Fredrick turns toward me. “I take it that

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Nicholas isn’t interested in the offer,” he says.

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“Not in the least. She also suggested that my grandbaby be given to a maid and not claimed by my son.” “Gwenivere, what the hell were you thinking,” he asks. “She is a human Fredrick. She shouldn’t even know about our world. She definitely isn’t worthy of being the next Queen of Christmas,” she says. “My father is human. How dare you question my son’s heart. He loves Clarice. Even if he didn’t, he wouldn’t look twice at your selfish daughter.”

“I apologize Anya. I had no idea they planned to do this. Hell, I didn’t even know they were leaving the kingdom. I assure you they will be on their best behavior for your ceremony,” Fredrick says. “No, they won’t because they are not welcome at the ceremony or near my daughter–in–law,” Chris says. Fredrick looks taken back, but surely he couldn’t expect they would be welcome after the bulls*t from today. “The king and queen have always been present for the crowning of a new Santa Claus. I understand that they were wrong about what they did today, but surely you don’t intend to break tradition,” he says.

“Do you really believe that we will trust them around my pregnant daughter–in–law, Fredrick?” “I give you my word that they will merely witness Nicholas become Santa Claus. We will leave before the pledging takes place,” he says. “Fine, but it will only be you and Gwenivere. Penelope is not welcome,” Chris says. Fredrick nods his agreement. “Daddy, you can’t be serious. I am your daughter,” Penelope whines.

“You are my daughter and you have disrespected another King. You are lucky you are not being punished for your behavior. That goes for you as well, Gwenivere. Neither of you better step a toe out of line or it won’t be Anya or Christopher’s wrath you will need to fear,” he says. “Thank you, Fredrick.” “Of course, congratulations to you both on the pledging and the grandchild. I look forward to meeting Nicholas’s bride,” he says. I shake Fredrick’s hand before I give one last glare to Gwenivere and Penelope. Chris takes my hand, and we appear in our room. I look at him confused, until I see the lust swirling in his eyes. He drops to his knees in front of me. “I thought you had things you needed to get done before your flight,” | say as he reaches for the waistband of my pants. “Nothing is more important than worshiping my fiery Queen,” he says with a s*xy smirk.