Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 72

72 The Pledging (Part 2)

Clarice POV

I raise my hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world. A mix of snow and ice flows from my fingertips in Penelope’s direction. This time Penelope is knocked off her feet. She grunts when her back hits the ground despite the fluffy snow covering it like a blanket. A scream pierces the air as the b**ch Queen rushes to her daughter. “How dare you do this to my daughter,” she screams.

I can feel the power surging through me as I step closer to where she is helping her daughter to her feet. “How dare you show up here and disrupt my sister’s pledging ceremony? You were told you were not invited, and you still thought it was a good idea to interrupt a moment that is meant to be sacred.” I watch as fear flashes in their eyes. Fingers thread with mine and the anger begins to recede.

I look toward Nick. Pride and lust swirl in his eyes in equal measure. “Gwenivere, what the hell do you think you are doing here,” Fredrick asks as he stalks past us. Nick wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close to his side. “Fredrick, did you see what she did to our daughter? You are worried about us being here for a ceremony that has been attended by the Elven royals for centuries instead of that human attacking our daughter,” Gwenivere asks, anger clear in her voice.

“That human as you so callously refer to her is the Queen of Christmas. So I suggest you both return to the kingdom and wait for my return,” Fredrick says. “You actually did it, Nick. You made a pathetic human your queen. How could you? What were you thinking,” Gwenivere screeches and Penelope sobs. Whining about what was meant to be hers being taken by a worthless human.

The anger at their words flares inside me. I pull out of Nick’s hold before he can stop me. I move until I am standing next to Fredrick. I raise my hand again, flicking my wrist. Ice covers Penelope’s mouth and then Gwenivere’s. Panic flashes in their eyes as I step closer. “Let me make a few things crystal clear for the two of you. Nick is mine. I am his wife, his queen. If either of you so much as breathe in his direction, what happened today will be nothing compared to my wrath.”

“Nod your head if you understand?” They both nod vigorously. I take a step toward them and chuckle when they quickly back up. “Do you want the ice removed because the King might enjoy the quiet based on the anger radiating off him?” They both nod again. This time when ! step forward, they stand stalk still. I touch the tip of my finger on the ice, and it instantly melts away. I step back and turn to Fredrick.

“Fredrick, I hope you understand why this threat was necessary. I don’t make it lightly. I will

72 The Pledging (Part 2)

not allow anyone to try to take someone who was always destined to be mine.” I turn glaring at Penelope. She has the good sense to drop her gaze to the ground. When I turn back to face Fredrick, he has a brilliant smile on his face.

“Spoke like a true Queen. You have my respect and support Clarice Kringle. I assure you that my wife and daughter will never disrespect you again or there will be consequences that will strip them of their titles. I believe my wife needs a reminder that she wasn’t always queen,” Fredrick says. “Thank you, Fredrick.” “Congratulations Queen Clarice and King Nick,” he says, turning toward Nick. “I would love nothing more than to stay and observe your daughter’s pledging Chris, but I believe It’s time I remove the uninvited guests so you can bless the union of your daughter and Jack Frost,” Fredrick says.

“Thank you Fredrick. You have my appreciation and respect for all you just said,” Chris says. Fredrick steps toward Penelope and Gwenivere. They all disappear once he reaches them. “Holy holly, Clarice is a bad**” Chrissy says and I giggle. Nick stalks toward me and slams his lips down on mine. The kiss makes my knees go weak, but his arm around my waist doesn’t let me fall. I can feel the need deep in my core before the clearing of throats reminds me where we are. I bury my face in Nick’s chest.

Chrissy POV

mouth, I feel our souls intertwine.

I also feel my powers increase. A vision of a small boy with Jack’s dark hair and my green eyes dances in my mind before it fades away. I’ve never had a vision about my own future. I look at my dad, who has a knowing smile on his face. “A gift from the ancestors. Your gift will be enhanced as you will stand at your brother’s side. You will see the heart of a child, not just their actions. I’m proud of you, my daughter,” he says.

Tears roll down my cheeks. “What did you see, pixie girl, Jack asks, pulling me into his arms. “I saw our first son. A beautiful little boy that will be a perfect blend of the two of us.” It’s Jack’s turn to allow the tears to fall unbidden. He looks toward the sky and closes his eyes. When he looks back at me, the love I see takes my breath away.

He presses his lips against mine and for a moment we are the only two in the world. He pours every bit of love he feels for me into the kiss and I do the same. This time it’s us who separate after my father forcefully clears his throat. I look toward him and he smiles. Tears form in his eyes as he opens his arms to me. I don’t hesitate to launch myself at him. He picks me up and holds me tight to his chest.

“Congratulations baby girl. He is a good man. I have no doubt he will make you happy,” he says. “I love you, daddy.” “I love you too little one,” he says before setting me on my feet. I hug my mother next. She sobs when she wraps her arms around me. “He was beautiful honey. He will be perfect and spirited just like you,” she says. I pull back and look into her eyes. She saw my son too. After Jack and I hug everyone else, we make our way back inside.

As we all gather around my parent’s huge dining room table, I feel attention away from the room. A tall man with broad shoulders paces. Fear and panic clearly written on his features. I can sense definitely not human. The door to what appears to be a waiting room flies open and a woman with iridescent wings steps through. The look on her face has my own heart beating faster. I can’t hear what’s being said, but whatever it is, brings the large man to his knees.