The Prince's Christmas Vow

Zoe stuck one shiny, red-heeled boot on the pavement. Then the other. What had possessed her to agree to this? Okay, so it wasn’t every day the king asked her for a favor. Oh boy, what a favor.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up. She automatically reached down and gave a tug on the snug-fitting green velvet skirt with a jagged hem that stopped just above her knees. The neckline was scooped with red fringe and gold jingle bells. A red belt with a large gold buckle held everything in place. And a matching red velvet shrug sweater with three-quarter-length sleeves kept away the chill in the December air. The hat was really special in a unique kind of way. It was made of the same red-and-green material as the dress, but what was worse were the two or three dozen jingle bells sewn all around it. With every move she made, her head jingled and heads turned her way. Oh, the things the spectators must be thinking.

When she told the king that she’d do him this favor, she’d imagined handing out gifts in her normal street clothes. She didn’t recall the king mentioning anything about dressing up like an elf. But then there’d been a special box delivered to her apartment that afternoon with her name on it. Inside she’d found the outfit and a note with the king’s crest on the front. She’d opened the note card to find a hand-scrawled message that simply said, “Grazie.”

The limo driver removed a red sack from the trunk. When he returned to her side, she said, “I can take it.”

The driver’s gaze moved from her to the sack. “It’s my job.”

It didn’t look too heavy and the car was currently parked in the fire zone. “I insist.” She held out her hand. “I’ve got it from here.”

The driver looked torn. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “I appreciate the ride.”

The man in the black suit and driver’s cap handed over the Santa sack full of what she suspected were toys. And though it weighed a little more than she anticipated, she could manage on her own.

The driver cleared his throat. “They’re expecting you on the fifth floor. Just follow the sound of excited voices.”

Zoe thanked the kind man again, slung the pack over her shoulder and set off. Jingle. Jingle. Jingle. Women smiled. Men stared—some even winked. Thank goodness Demetrius wasn’t here to witness her experience as an elf. She’d never live it down—then again, it was highly doubtful that he’d speak to her again.

The driver’s directions were perfect. She easily found the Christmas party. The large room was filled with an army of wheelchairs holding excited children who were all chattering at once. At the front of the room sat a very plump Santa in a red velvet outfit with lush white fur trim. Santa’s deep ho-ho-ho boomed across the room as he held a hand over his round belly that was strapped in with a wide black belt.

“She’s here! She’s here!” Cheers filled the room.

They were all waiting for her? As everyone turned her way, heat rushed to her cheeks. She’d be willing to bet if she checked a mirror that her face was as red as Santa’s suit.

“Annabelle, we’ve been waiting for you.” Santa’s voice was deep but there was a familiar tone to it. When she stopped next to Jolly Saint Nick and slung her load to the floor, he leaned over and said softly, “You’re certainly not Annabelle. What are you doing here?”

Now Zoe knew why that voice sounded so familiar. Behind that bushy beard, gold-rimmed glasses and makeup was Demetrius. Her heart clenched. Had the king known his son would be here? Well, of course he had. He was the king.

“Your father sent me.” She thought the explanation would put a quick end to his questions and they could get to work. Being so close to Demetrius and yet so far away was extremely difficult for her.

“Why would my father send you here?”

Zoe resisted the urge to sigh in frustration. “I think the kids want their presents.”

“Not until you explain why he sent you.”

“The king summoned me to the palace and explained how Annabelle had come down with the flu. He explained how delivering toys to the children’s ward was a royal family tradition. And since he thought that Annabelle and I are about the same size, he thought that I could fill in for her.”

Demetrius sent her a puzzled look. “But I just saw Annabelle this morning at the office. She looked fine. It was my father who told me he wasn’t feeling well. Come to think of it, this is the first Christmas I can recall when he hasn’t dressed up like Santa.”