Free North Pole City Tales 03 - Vixen's Valor by Charlie Cochet

something terribly foolish? He let out a gasp and stared at Rudy.
    “I need to go see Vale.”
    Rudy studied him, a look of concern coming onto his face. “Vale’s with Jack and Hollis at the king’s palace. Something about an urgent meeting.” He came to sit at the edge of Vixen’s bed and held a hand to his brow. “Are you all right?”
    No. He was anything but all right. Plum pudding. What had he done? He scrambled out of bed and darted around the room, plucking pieces of clothing from here and there. For the love of Kringle, he prayed the meeting had nothing to do with the scepter.
    “Vixen, slow down. What’s wrong?”
    Vixen came to an abrupt halt and opened his mouth, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit what he might have done. Rudy would never have been so foolish. That was why his friend was captain, because he was good and responsible and didn’t get himself into such dreadful situations. “I need to go. I’m sorry.” He swiftly dressed and rushed out the door. He dashed through his apartment and out into the hall, making certain not to run into any of his brethren. Oh, he was never going to hear the end of this if they found out. He ran out the side door of the Rein Dear estate rather than the front and hailed a sleigh, asking the driver to be as quick as can be. It would take longer than he wished for the sleigh to get to the king’s palace, but once they were off North Pole City’s main street, traffic eased and the sleigh took off.
    At the palace, Vixen thanked the driver and rushed up the steps, informing the guards of who he was and how he was there to see Vale. The guards allowed him in, and Vixen found Vale pacing the grand foyer not far from where Jack and Hollis were quietly conversing. When Vale saw Vixen, he smiled brightly, and Vixen felt all the worse. He hurried over to Vixen and gave his lips a sweet kiss.
    “Vixen? What are you doing here?”
    Vixen took hold of Vale’s hand and pulled him to one side, speaking quietly. “I have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”
    “I’m afraid it will have to wait, darling. My uncle’s called a very important meeting. Something’s terribly wrong.”
    “Vale, I—”
    The massive doors opened, and the chancellor appeared. His expression gave nothing away, though his somber tone said enough. “Lads.”
    “Wait here,” Vale whispered in Vixen’s ear. “I’ll be back soon.” Without waiting for a reply, Vale joined his brother and cousin, the three trailing after the chancellor. Vixen couldn’t stand the thought of remaining outside. What if the king knew Vixen had stumbled upon the scepter? What if he forbade Vale from seeing Vixen ever again? His heart squeezed in his chest, and he took off after Vale, sneaking in silently behind him. Whether Vale was aware of his presence or not, he didn’t say a word. The three elves—with Vixen concealing himself behind Vale—approached the king. The monarch looked upset as he paced. The King of Frost pacing was never a good sign.
    “I have some grave news. Somehow, in the dead of night, my queen’s scepter was stolen.”
    The air seemed to have been sucked from the room, and Vixen went still. It was worse than he’d thought. Jack took a step forward, his expression one of stunned disbelief as he addressed his father. “How is that possible?”
    Vale turned to Vixen with a questioning look, his face having gone pale. He could deny it. No, he couldn’t. He couldn’t lie to Vale. Vixen racked his brain when a foggy memory came to him. He’d been speaking with someone last night. They’d been discussing…. His heart dropped to his stomach, and he stared at Vale. Oh no. It was just as he’d feared. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to bring you any trouble.”
    “What did you do?” Vale looked as if someone had plunged a knife into his back and twisted. Vixen supposed he’d done no better.
    “I had too much to drink last night, and I was chatting with someone. It must have