Sweet Inspiration (13 page)

He and Lucy spent the night making love, sleeping in each other's arms, and whispering sweet-nothings as the sun rose over Glasdorf. He lavished her with a decadent bubble bath in his big bathroom, and fed her morsels of food while they snuggled on the sofa. They kept exchanging secret smiles and could not seem to stop touching each other.

He and Lucy talked for hours. She was fascinated by his travels. He could sense a burgeoning wanderlust inside of her, and could not wait to introduce her to exotic places all over the world. She had hidden herself away in Eston, New York long enough.

The blaring phone reminded him that there was still important business at hand. He reached for the phone and snapped it open.

"Nicholas here."

"It's Markus, Sir. You told me to inform you when the council was ready."

"Is it time?"

"Yes, just after sunset."

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Nicholas let out a ragged sigh. "Thanks for calling, Markus.

I'll be there shortly. Is my father coming?"

"No, Hector and the rest of the council want to speak to you alone. Your father will be informed of their decision later.

But your father did request your presence at his home this evening for dinner, following the council meeting."

"All right. Thank you." Nicholas hung up the phone and pulled a frowning Lucy into his arms. "Don't fret, little love.

Everything will be okay."

"That was Markus, wasn't it? What did he say?"

"The council is ready to see me. I have to get ready."

"I want to come with you."

"Sudlanders are not allowed at council meetings, sweet. I appreciate that you want to help me, but there's nothing you can do. Just knowing you're here, waiting for me, is all I need."

"What do you think is going to happen?"

"I honestly don't know. But please try not to worry. No matter what happens, we'll be fine, I promise you. Why don't you relax in front of the fire, and I'll be home before you know it. You'll finally get to meet my family tonight. My parents invited us for dinner." He leaned down to kiss the frown lines on Lucy's forehead.

Lucy gazed at him intensely, her blue eyes shimmering.

She sighed deeply and wound her arms around his neck, squeezing tight. "I think I might do some baking, to keep me occupied so I don't get too nervous."

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"That's a wonderful idea. Why don't you try out those lemon stars we talked about? My brothers could demolish a dozen batches of those in no time."

Nicholas kissed Lucy one last time, and then grudgingly got out of bed to shower and change. She was hard at work in the kitchen by the time he departed for the council meeting. With a heavy heart, he set out for Hector's cottage.

And prayed that his future in Glasdorf was not about to end.

Nicholas rapped on the wooden door to Hector's cottage.

Bitter winds whipped across the path and swirled around him, chilling him to the bone.

The door creaked open, and Helga beckoned for him to enter.

"Nicholas, come in, come in." She clasped his arms and peered up into his face anxiously. "How is your Schatzi doing?"

"She's doing great, Helga. Lucy Anne has completely recovered, thanks to you and Hector."

"I talked to my friend Greta today and she said that Lucy made quite an impression at Klaus Kuche. The elves adore her."

Nicholas smiled. "I know. She thinks they're wonderful, too."

Helga took his hand and led him through a dim hallway. "I hope you're not too nervous for this meeting, young man."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about getting thrown to the wolves."

Helga shook her head vigorously. "Don't even say that, Nicholas! The council will do the right thing. I know they 120

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seem...a bit solemn at times. But underneath the scruff, their hearts are beating with love and understanding. Don't doubt it."

Nicholas carefully ducked his head as he followed Helga through the cottage. They entered an oval-shaped room darkened by shadow. In the center of the room stood a black circular table, surrounded by high-backed chairs with red velvet cushions. Seven wall sconces dotted the curved walls, dripping wax onto the stone floor. The glass-paneled ceiling offered a clear view of the night sky.

Helga led Nicholas to the single human-sized chair and motioned for him to sit. "They will be with you shortly, Nicholas. Please try not to fret. Do you believe in your heart that you did the proper thing?"

"There's not a doubt in my mind."

Helga smiled and patted his hand reassuringly. "You'll do fine, young man," she whispered softly, and was gone.

Nicholas gazed at the ceiling, noting the leaded glass panels formed a star. The glass seemed thick and wavy, shimmering occasionally. He shivered in the cool air, and pulled his coat tightly around him. Long, lean shadows flickered against the slate tiles on the floor and up the walls toward the sky. He propped his elbows on the polished table and rubbed his eyes wearily. It was ironic that the best-behaved Klaus son was now summoned to the council. His mother and father were probably shocked by his actions.

Growing up, he and his brothers often fantasized about what life would be like in the Sudenwelt. Now that they traveled frequently, they were aware that life outside of 121

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Glasdorf came with its own set of complications and problems. In spite of the quirks and eccentricities of life at the Pole, Nicholas loved it here. He would be devastated if the council chose to expel him. Nicholas prayed silently in the darkness that the elves could forgive his actions.

A heavy door scraped open at the far end of the room.

Nicholas looked up to witness a somber procession glide across the floor. Seven men, their brows creased with worry, approached the table. Nicholas noticed that they were wearing their formal dress, loden green robes with silver sashes. Hoods were pulled up over their heads, and long braids hung down, plaited with silver threads.

Nicholas stood and bowed his head respectfully as the ancient elves took their places around the table. Achim, Tobias, Otto, Gerd, Johan and Ebbe were seated. Hector remained standing, and faced Nicholas.

"Young man, it is good to see you." Hector grasped his arms with gnarled hands. Nicholas was surprised to feel a tremor there.

Achim stood suddenly and fidgeted with his sash.

"Nicholas, please be seated. Before we begin, Hector has something to say."

"Yes, yes I do." Hector shuffled to his chair, but remained standing. "I feel that I must withdraw myself from the decision this evening. In fact, I am convinced that I am mostly to blame for the events of two days past. Nicholas was not thinking clearly; his loved one was dying. I, however, had a choice to make. And, for whatever reason, I chose to ignore a sacred rule of the council, and to use my magic to save the 122

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life of a Sudlander. I respectfully request that the council excuse me from the forum tonight."

Achim cleared his throat nervously. "All in favor, say aye."

Nicholas watched in astonishment as a unanimous decision was made to exclude Hector from the judgment.

Tobias stood and read from a scroll in front of him.

"Nicholas Sebastian Klaus, son of Weihnachtsmann, heir to Weihnachtsmann, you have committed the following offenses which must be reviewed by the Elfin Council of Seven. First, you have brought a Sudlander to Glasdorf without prior permission of the council. Second, you have coerced a member of this council to use elfin magic to alter the outcome of a medical emergency on the previously mentioned Sudlander. What say you?"

Nicholas nodded. "Yes, I did commit these acts."

Gerd shook his head and glared at Nicholas. "Truly, I did not think you capable of such outrageous behavior. Of all the Klaus sons, you were the one who seemed most clear-headed and responsible. It is difficult to believe that the heir to Weihnachtsmann has been so defiant."

Ebbe concurred. "How could you disregard the laws of our village? You know how imperative it is that Glasdorf is kept secret from the Sudlanders. We cannot allow just anyone to know about this place. Only the council can look into the hearts and minds of Suddies to be assured of their loyalty."

Nicholas nodded. "I understand. Under normal circumstances, I would have gained your approval first before bringing Lucy here, but there wasn't time..."

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Johan interrupted. "We were not aware that you had formed an attachment with a Sudlander, Nicholas. We would have happily honored your request for a visit."

"Yes, I realize that...but..."

"Are you in love with her?" Otto's direct gaze caught Nicholas off guard.

He turned to Otto to respond. "With all of my heart."

"And so you allowed your emotions to dictate your actions?

You always seemed such a disciplined, rational young man.

This is shocking." Ebbe shook his head in disgust.

"For God's sake, Ebbe, let the boy speak." Otto leaned over the table to peer at his colleague. "There is nothing wrong with emotion."

"There is a time and place for everything, but not at the expense of our safety." Achim's eyes darted nervously.

Otto turned to Nicholas. "Please give the council an accounting of the events leading to this forum."

Nicholas cleared his throat. "Thank you, Otto. As most of you already know, I frequently travel to the Sudenwelt. A colleague told me that the sugar cookies at a certain establishment were excellent, and I went there to investigate.

The owner of the cafe is Lucy Anne Brewster. She is a very talented pastry chef, and also a kind and loving woman. On the morning I was to return to Glasdorf, Lucy was involved in an accident, and she was dying. I...I..."

Tobias gently placed his hand on Nicholas' arm. "Take your time, young man. These must be difficult memories."

"Quit coddling the boy, Tobias. Get on with it." Ebbe rolled his eyes.

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Nicholas swallowed. "I have never been so afraid in my life. I didn't think about what I was doing. I just called Markus, and he brought us to Hector's." Nicholas turned to look at Hector, who was looking increasingly uncomfortable.

"I forced Hector to save her. And thank God, he did. I would be lost if anything had happened to her that night."

"That's it? Your explanation? Ridiculous! That is simply unacceptable. Just because you are a member of the Klaus family, don't think you are not bound by the laws of Glasdorf, like the rest of us, young man!" Spittle flew from Gerd's mouth as he yelled.

Ebbe pounded the table. "I agree! The pact made by our forefathers clearly delineates the most critical aspects of this community...respect for the magic, the vital need for secrecy.

How a Klaus intending to fill the role of Weihnachtsmann could possibly ignore these laws is beyond my understanding.

Shame on you, Nicholas!"

Otto sighed. "Calm down, Ebbe." He turned to Nicholas. "I am reluctant to admit it, but Ebbe has made a valid point.

The future Weihnachtsmann must be above reproach.

Although we were willing to extend some flexibility with your brother's questionable behavior, you are certainly not in the same situation, Nicholas."

"I know, I apologize, Otto. I give you my word that it will not happen again. I never intended to disappoint the council, or my parents."

Johan stroked his beard thoughtfully and regarded Nicholas. "Our disappointment with you is not solely limited to these transgressions, Nicholas. You are not showing any 125

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indication of readiness for the role of Weihnachtsmann. In the near future, you must assume responsibility for Glasdorf, and yet you continue to toil away in that bakery of yours. Have you sat down with your father and begun instruction? When will your apprenticeship begin? We have waited patiently for you, but enough is enough."

Gerd's expression became more grim. "Excellent point, Johan. Nicholas has an enormous obligation to fulfill as the eldest Klaus son, and it's high time he embraced it. Your father has carried out his duty faithfully for many years. It is time for you to put aside piddly interests and assume leadership."

"With all due respect, Gerd, I do not consider Klaus Kuche a 'piddly interest.' I've worked hard for years to establish my reputation as a master baker. I have every intention of honoring the pact, once my father informs me he is ready to step down."

Ebbe scowled. "Show a little initiative, young man. The time has come!"

Johan turned to Hector. "We seem to have gotten a bit off track at these proceedings. May we continue with the discussion concerning Nicholas' disregard for the rules in question?"

"Fine! Get on with it, then!" Ebbe grumbled.

Johan spoke to Hector. "Is Nicholas' recollection of the events which occurred two nights past a true accounting?

Hector sighed. "Yes, for the most part. But as I have already mentioned, I made the decision to heal Miss Lucy. I am also responsible for what transpired that evening. And, 126

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according to the laws of Glasdorf, I must also be held accountable."

Tobias held up a hand. "Just a minute, Hector. I would like to know how you saved Lucy's life."

"I used the red sphere, the most powerful magic I have.

She would not have survived otherwise. Her wounds were severe."

Otto nodded deliberately. "The red sphere, you say. I thought that sphere was quite choosy about her tasks. I've heard stories that she has refused treatment for certain patients..."

Achim chimed in, "Yes, I have also heard such things.

Wasn't there an incident with Hans Ulderman?"

"The man who was beating his wife?"