Nice and Naughty

  Table of Contents

  The Letters

  Nice and Naughty

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  About the Author

  With Rudolph facing off against Santa, Christmas is on the line, along with her freedom.

  Ru was born in a forest and soon recruited by Santa. He wanted her to help harness the remains of long-dead deities. Christmas is coming into fashion in the human world and that is a lot of energy to take advantage of. He moves her back in time, and together, they build the workshop.

  Ru has one problem. Santa tricked her and locked the collar around her neck. Her other forms are no longer hers to command, and without them, she can’t be whole.

  It has taken her over a thousand years, but she finally has a way to claim her freedom, and if Santa cooperates, Christmas won’t be hurt.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Copyright © 2015 by Viola Grace

  ISBN: 978-1-987969-11-5

  ©Cover art by Carmen Waters

  All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.

  Published by Viola Grace

  Look for me online at violagrace.com, amazon, kobo, B&N and other eBook sellers.

  Nice and Naughty

  Operation Reindeer Retrieval Book 9

  By

  Viola Grace

  The Letters

  Dear Santa,

  Get Bent!

  For the last few centuries, we have done everything that you asked of us, and we let you shut us up with only the team for company.

  You suck!

  We go into heat. Every. Single. Year. Do you know what that does to a bunch of women who sprout horns when they get agitated? I have no good shirts left. They have all been shredded.

  Now, I am going to tell you what I want for Christmas, because that is the only thing you seem to understand.

  For this Christmas, I want a companion that I can keep all year, every year. I want to be with a man who makes me smile and can hold me in the early hours of the morning when I come in and collapse from work.

  My wish is to not be alone. To share my life, such as it is, and I wish for my team to have the same chance at companionship. Ru especially. Ru spends every year keeping our spirits up, distracting us during mating season and running interference with you. She needs a man who respects her for what she does, what she is and just for her.

  Love,

  Dasher

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  Every year, we haul you around and deliver gifts to the good children around the world.

  My Christmas wish is that I can meet them. I want to see the excitement building up to Christmas and watch the change in their faces and attitudes.

  Doing what we do, we miss that excitement and the anticipation. We never get to see the children that wake up on Christmas morning.

  I want to see them before they get the presents. Before Christmas Eve. I need to know who they are.

  Now, onto what else I want, I want a chance at love, at a man who can fend for himself so I don’t need to keep an eye on him. I want the same thing for Ru. She tries so hard to keep us all in line and make sure that we feel love and affection when we can’t get it anywhere else. She needs someone who puts her first.

  Love,

  Dancer

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  I want to drive one of the big machines that the humans have developed. I have seen them, and I want to drive one.

  Every year, I get into the harness and pull along with the others, but I want to be the one directing the path, making the path. I think it will give me a better understanding of everything that Ru does for us.

  I am also asking that Ru find someone to take care of her when she isn’t on duty. She works hard to keep us together as a team, and she needs someone to pamper her.

  As for my love life, it is a little frozen right now. I am not looking for a man, but if one ends up in my path, I wouldn’t say no.

  Love,

  Prancer

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  For Christmas, I want the stars. I want to study the stars and talk to other people who are interested in the sky.

  Every year, we run through the sky without being able to really look around. The aurora borealis becomes an obstacle instead of a wonder. It should always be a wonder.

  As for mating season, I wouldn’t mind someone I can count on, someone who is good at back rubs and who can do a foot massage in a pinch. He also needs to love the stars as much as I do.

  As for stars, I want to talk about Ru. You have no idea how hard she works for you each and every year. When we get tired, she pulls us; when we get lost, she leads us. She keeps our spirits up and you lock her up with us for three hundred and sixty-four days a year. She deserves better. We deserve better.

  Love,

  Vixen

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  I miss the middle ages, but I hear that the humans have created replicas of that time around the world. I want to go to one and make things.

  Every year, I run with the group and we streak through the sky, but I want to make something with my own hands and have something to show for my time. Sure, the children enjoy their presents, but we never get to see the faces.

  I want to feel metal under my hands and shape it to my will.

  We have nothing to show for our lives. We are creatures of myth and legend. I want someone, somewhere to remember me. The real me.

  Now, as for remembering folks, Ru is the most deserving person I know, but then, I only actually know nine people, including you. She needs a support team, more help in the administrative details and she needs a love life. You have a ton of elves here; let her date.

  Love,

  Comet

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  I want to help people. I want to see those at their worst and help them in any way I can. Even if it is something small, I want to ease their burden, just for a moment.

  Baking cookies is something I need to practice, so I would like to involve that.

  Of course, I need to be in a place where I can control the environment. Ah well, I have seen you do more.

  In the love department, I want someone who likes food as much as I do and who doesn’t care that I really like food. I have heard that these humans are funny about food. I will have to see for myself.

  Love,

  Cupid

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  I want to plan a party. I want to plan dozens of parties. I love decorating and making things pretty, engaging the eye and getting folks to lower their guard.

  Ru said that we should ask for love, but I want to ask for a companion. I want a man who will simply be with me. He can do his thing, and I will do mine. Occasionally, we can do each other.

  My wish is to be able to help folks decorate for the holidays, in ways they would never have thought of themselves. I want light, I want laughter and I want to bring out the little kid in those around me.

  Oh, and I want a challenge. Putting up ribbons and bows isn’t really too hard for one of us. I want to decorate something no one has thought of before.

  Love,

  Donder

  * * * *

  Dear Santa,

  I miss the future.

  When I was a child, everyt
hing was becoming new. My family encouraged me to fix things, and there were discoveries around every corner. The industrial age was taking off, and I wanted to be taken with it.

  Instead of seeing what humanity could create, I was pulled into the life at the workshop. It was a jarring change, and I miss working with my hands.

  Now, for Christmas, I want to do something to make folks smile. I want something that can carry Christmas into the future instead of remaining in the present day. I want to be part of the memories of Christmas, even if the humans never see me.

  Personally, I would like to get over my fear of wolves. I don’t know if you know this, but I have been terrified of them for centuries. If you could make that happen, please let me know.

  Love,

  Blitzen

  Nice and Naughty

  Ru sat in the office and watched the gathering below.

  Santa had rustled up a very handsome selection of elves and was giving them a stern lecture. He was in mid-order when he looked up at her; a bright spark came into his eyes. His whole demeanour changed.

  Ru sipped at her tea as he bounded up the stairs.

  “How long have they been gone?”

  She looked at the tanned face surrounded by the snow-white hair that was his trademark. “Pardon?”

  He took her cup from her hands and set it on the table before he lifted her by her arms. “Ru, how long have they been gone?”

  She grinned. “Some have been gone since October. You have to figure out where they are. We didn’t make it easy.”

  Santa let her go and sat behind his desk. “Why? Why now?”

  “It was time. We have walked around you long enough, trying not to put pressure on you. We know you miss her, but we exist as well.” Ru resumed her seat and picked up her tea.

  Santa looked surprised. “Of course I miss her, but you could have said something. It has been decades since she was with us. You never said anything.”

  “You shut us away and tried to pretend we didn’t exist. How do you think that made us feel? You are so good at knowing what everyone else wants, why did it fail you with those who depended on you?”

  He winced. “I have selected eight good candidates for the team. Will you take a look at them and see if the matches are correct?”

  Ru sighed. “You trust my judgment?”

  “I always have. We have been together far longer than the team has. I trust you, Ru; that has never changed.”

  She snorted. “I doubt that. Well, did you want me to examine them now?”

  “It would help. They don’t know how to find your ladies.”

  She stayed in her chair, and she lifted her feet up to Santa’s desk. “Send ’em in one by one. I will tell you what I think.”

  “You can’t decide if they are in a group?”

  “Nope. Send them in with the band of the match you figured out. I will see if it is any good.” She set her teacup down. “You will have to send them back through time.”

  He nodded. “I am willing to expend the energy, but we need that team.”

  Ru smiled, tapped her teacup and it refilled at her command. “In that case, send in the first offering.”

  Santa sighed and got to his feet. “Your roots are showing.”

  She smirked and lifted her cup to his in salute, inhaling the peppermint that she loved so dearly.

  She eyed the elf coming through the door with Dasher’s collar in his hand, and she narrowed her eyes. The two of them vibrated a lovely golden brown.

  “You will do.”

  He paused. “Don’t you need to know my name?”

  “Nope. Next.” She flapped her hand at the amused elf, and he turned his wide shoulders to leave the office.

  The choices that Santa had made went along well for the first six, but when she got to Donder’s match, she paused.

  “Nope. You won’t do. Sorry. She is a little darker on the inside. She needs someone who is a little more anchored.”

  Ru lifted her hand, used her magic to pull and caught the collar.

  “Next!”

  When the elf left, the next came in. The smell of candy wafted off him, and he carefully held Blitzen’s band in his hand. Her team member would be safe with him.

  “Good. You can go. Remember that she likes to be useful. She has always enjoyed having busy hands.”

  He inclined his head. “Yes, madam.”

  He left as well, and Santa came in. “Why did you toss Randal out?”

  “He isn’t stable enough for Donder. She needs a man with a home, a base of operations. A house or something. He also needs to have a dark side. She does, so they need to match and meld that way.”

  Santa lifted his tablet from his desk, and he flicked his fingers swiftly across the screen. “How about this?”

  Ru read the dossier and covered her mouth as she chuckled. “This will do very well. Donder is a holiday decorator; this is going to be perfectly odd.”

  Santa rolled his eyes and held out his hand. “The collar, please.”

  She slapped it into his palm, and he left the room for a few minutes.

  It was rare that she had a chance to rummage through the elf database, but she did it now, learning about the men that she had just sent out to bring her team back.

  She was giggling and tears were running down her cheeks when Santa returned.

  “What has tweaked your funny bone, Rudolph?”

  “I am desperately glad that I sent them off with the snowflake magic. They would be hopelessly outclassed if there hadn’t been an info-dump involved.”

  Santa sat down and rubbed his forehead. “Is there a cup of tea around for me?”

  Ru smiled and waved her hand. A pot appeared between them, just like in the old days.

  “I don’t understand why, Ru. I don’t understand why they chose now?”

  “I will tell you later. Well, I suppose that I should return to the archive. Is Rin still around?” She set her cup down and made to get up to her feet.

  “You aren’t going anywhere. You are staying in the tower for the next week.”

  That was surprising. “Why?”

  “You can pull the sleigh by yourself if you have to. I want to make sure you are where I can find you.” Santa scowled.

  She leaned back in her chair. “You were a lot more fun before you became a living avatar of Christmas.”

  He sighed. “And you were much more obliging when you were fresh out of the forest. The world moves and times change.”

  Ru wrinkled her nose. “Fine. If I am going back to the tower, has it been made ready for me? I am not in the mood for housekeeping.”

  Santa scowled. “I sent Rin to clean up.”

  “Is my wardrobe up there?”

  Santa smiled slightly. “Just like you left it.”

  “I thought I was leaving it forever when we collected the others. I am pretty sure I left some laundry on the floor.” She dismissed her tea set with a wave of her hand.

  She was amazed at how calm he was considering that she had just endangered Christmas.

  Santa sighed. “I was enjoying that.”

  “Tough. Today is a stress point for both of us. If you want to know what is going on, meet me for dinner tomorrow. Oh, and bring an update on how the girls are doing. I want to make sure that my team is enjoying themselves.”

  She got to her feet and left the office without his dismissal. In the old days, there would have been roaring and yelling, but now, the door swung shut behind her.

  She crossed the main floor and headed to an ancient and ornate wooden door on the north side of the building.

  The handle of the door tingled as she pulled on the gateway to her old home. Centuries had come and gone since she had been alone in the tower.

  Time magic was a fickle thing, but with careful management, it could be manipulated into getting what you wanted. Rudolph had studied the cause and effect of all the possibilities that her
team would face. She hoped she had accounted for everything. A life alone was no proper life at all for a reindeer.

  It was all exactly where she had left it. Her wardrobe was full of gowns that she and Kresida had chosen over the centuries.

  Ru sighed and walked to the window, pushing it open with a hard shove. The icy air swirled in and pulled at her hair, ruffled her bed and cleared the feeling of sadness from the room.

  Time had stood still in this chamber. When Dasher was recruited, Ru had moved to the archive to be near her new teammate. Things had been so different then. Kresida was around and laughter rang through the tower daily.

  It had been a different time...

  * * * *

  She stepped through the winter wonderland of her forest. She knew the name of each and every leaf and the pitch and tone of the brooks burbling under their cover of ice. This was her home, and she enjoyed spending time with the sleeping trees of her domain.

  The soft footsteps of a stranger in her home thundered in her ears with the crash of discord. She pressed herself into the trees and used the shadows to conceal herself, and she crept toward the interloper.

  Her paws dug into the snow as she crept along, and in a few minutes, her path intersected with that of the invading being.

  She could smell the ancient magic on him. He looked nearly human, but the twist of power around him wasn’t. She blinked at him from under a heavily snow-bowed pine tree and watched.

  He was wearing a tunic and leather leggings. A wide belt held his daggers in place and a thick and furred cloak covered his shoulders. His belt had a heavy red buckle that glowed with a strange light.