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  MISS FROST

  CHILLS THE CHEATER

  A Nocturne Falls Mystery

  Jayne Frost, book six

  Kristen Painter

  Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.

  Jayne Frost is a lot of things. Winter elf, Jack Frost’s daughter, Santa Claus’s niece, heir to the Winter Throne and now…private investigator. Sort of.

  Jayne takes Sinclair on a much needed visit to her winter wonderland home, the North Pole. She wants him to see what her royal life is truly like. She knows the protocol and regulations that define her existence as heir to the Winter Throne aren’t for everyone and worries that it will be more than he wants to handle.

  All seems well until a weird coincidence in a toy contest has some of the citizens of the North Pole giving Sinclair the side-eye. He’s a necromancer, and not everyone is okay with that.

  Jayne vows to prove his presence and the apparent cheating are unrelated, but digging deeper uncovers all kinds of strange occurrences that only complicate things and make another perfectly clear. Someone doesn’t want Sinclair around.

  When that someone cracks and takes action, Sinclair is in danger of losing more than his good name. Can Jayne chill the rumors that threaten the royal family and keep Sinclair from being permanently iced?

  MISS FROST CHILLS THE CHEATER:

  A Nocturne Falls Mystery

  Jayne Frost, Book Six

  Copyright © 2018 Kristen Painter

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  ISBN: 978-1-941695-40-1

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  Table of Contents

  MISS FROST CHILLS THE CHEATER

  About the Book

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Many Thanks

  I had to be honest. A lot had happened since I’ve lived in Nocturne Falls. Some good, some great, some not so great, but most of it stuff I’d never expected in a million years.

  For example, I’d never thought that, due to some magical circumstances, I’d have a talking cat for a pet. I’d never thought I’d end up solving a whole bunch of mysteries that I also, somehow, ended up getting right in the middle of. I’d never thought I’d be friends with vampires and werewolves and witches and all kinds of non-elf supernaturals.

  And don’t get me wrong—I loved all the friends I’d made and all the crazy things that had occurred in my life since I came to Nocturne Falls. I had just never imagined they’d happen to me, Princess Jayne Frost, heir to the Winter Throne.

  I had always figured my life was going to be in the North Pole with my family, prepping for the day I’d become queen.

  Then my dad sent me to Nocturne Falls to figure out why employees were going missing at Santa’s Workshop, the store where my uncle, Santa himself, tested out what worked and what didn’t when it came to entertaining kids.

  What wasn’t a mystery was how I’d fallen in love with Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrated Halloween every day of the year. I mean, come on. Halloween? Yes, please.

  And the way that celebration both attracted tourists and allowed the supernaturals to live undercover? Brilliant. No one here looked twice at my pointed ears or blue hair. Well, not twice in a bad way.

  But more than any of those crazy-fun things that have happened to me since moving here, I really, really, really never thought Sinclair Crowe, necromancer, owner of Zombie Donuts and all-around amazing guy, would propose. To me.

  That was sort of a heart-stopping moment. In a good way. But…it was also a little bittersweet.

  Why?

  Because no matter how much I wanted to, I knew I couldn’t immediately say yes. Not until he’d been to the North Pole with me and experienced my life—my royal life—in a very real way. He had to know what he was getting into by marrying me and marrying into the whole chaotic royal scene.

  And even though it would break my heart if he took me up on it, I had to give him the chance to bow out gracefully.

  I loved him too much not to.

  And that, dear reader, was why he and I were standing on the roof of the building that housed my apartment, the apartments of my employees, and Santa’s Workshop, the store I now managed for my dad (Jack Frost) and my uncle (Santa Claus, as I mentioned).

  Well, we were up there because the roof was one of the few places where my uncle’s magical sleigh could land.

  Granted, the roof wasn’t all that inconspicuous a spot, but it was four in the morning, still dark, and most of the people who were up at this hour were vampires. Maybe a few shifters out for a run. Anyway, those awake right now were mostly all supernaturals who wouldn’t freak out about seeing the sleigh the way humans would.

  I was hoping that any humans who did see it would just think we were setting up for some kind of early Christmas promotion. Hey, the store was called Santa’s Workshop. With a name like that, a giant red sleigh on the building’s roof in October shouldn’t be that odd.

  Spider meowed at me from his carrier. Just a meow, not actual words, which he was capable of, but then, he wasn’t much on conversation in front of anyone besides me. He’d spoken a little in front of Birdie, but so far that was it.

  I’d explained to Sin that Spider could talk, told him how an escaped imp had granted me a wish I didn’t know I was making and all that, but Spider being Spider had decided he wasn’t going to talk in front of Sin, even though I told him it was okay.

  Stubborn cat. Sin probably thought I was a little bananapants for thinking Spider could talk.

  Except, he could. When he wanted to.

  I glanced down at the carrier, tipping it a little so I could peek through the metal gate. “It’s okay, baby. I know you don’t like being in there, but it’s not a long trip, I promise. That’s why we’re taking the sleigh. To make it quick.”

  Spider sighed and sat down. I’d have to give him some extra Chicken Party to make up for this.

  Sinclair lifted his carrier to check on Sugar, his pretty white cat. She had basically become Spider’s girlfriend about two seconds after they’d met. “Sugar looks a little anxious too. She’s usually a good traveler, but then, most of the trips I take her on end at y
our apartment for a play date.”

  We’d decided to bring our cats because we were going to be gone for a whole week, and my parents didn’t mind. Had we been flying on a standard human airline, the cats would have stayed home. But the trip by sleigh would be relatively short and sweet, so why not bring the fur babies?

  This way they could hang out with each other and not be bored silly at home alone with the occasional visit from the pet sitter (aka Birdie Caruthers) to amuse them.

  I wiggled my fingers at Sugar. “She’ll be okay, won’t you, girl?” I looked at him again. “I don’t think most cats are good travelers.”

  He tipped his head, aiming an ear skyward. “Do you hear…bells?”

  I smiled at the familiar sound. “Santa’s coming to town.”

  He laughed. “You’re pretty much the only one I know who can say that and really mean it.”

  The sleigh and the eight reindeer pulling it flew into sight. The bells on the reindeer’s tack chimed with the light, crisp tinkling that was their signature sound. As the sleigh descended toward the roof, Sinclair and I backed up toward our luggage, cat carriers in hand.

  My uncle was driving, which was standard operating procedure. He wasn’t keen on anyone taking the sleigh out besides him, except occasionally for my father. Which I could understand. The sleigh was a pretty pivotal part of his job as Father Christmas.

  Seated next to him was Archie Tingle, elf baker extraordinaire. He was here to help Sinclair by filling in at Zombie Donuts. Archie had helped out once before not long after Sin and I had first met and Sin had injured himself saving my life. That injury had resulted in Sin’s arm being in a sling, which made doughnut production trickier than usual.

  My dad had sent Archie then as a thank-you. Archie was coming now as a show of my parents’ affection for the man who’d become such an important part of my life. They wanted Sin’s visit to the North Pole to be as stress-free as possible. Knowing his shop was in good hands and not short-staffed would help a lot.

  I think Archie really liked being at the shop too. He was a hard worker. He’d been one of the head bakers in my uncle’s toy factory cafeteria for over thirty years. But of course, Archie wouldn’t be here if my father hadn’t asked him to come and given him the time off with pay.

  My father’s willingness to accommodate Sin and me on this trip home wasn’t lost on me. I had a strong gut feeling that both of my parents were very much hoping I said yes to Sin’s question.

  He’d asked me to marry him, after all. With a stunner of a diamond and sapphire ring. But as much as I wanted to, I knew saying yes would be unfair to Sin until he got a chance to see what my life was really like.

  My royal life. The life that would be the reason I someday left Nocturne Falls and returned permanently to the North Pole. As my husband, and the Queen’s Consort, Sin would have to accompany me.

  Being the Winter Princess wasn’t all snowball fights and peppermint hot chocolate. There were meetings and appearances, balls and dinners, all kinds of things that required my attendance. Things I only got a pass on now because I was running the shop in Nocturne Falls. And when the day came that I took the throne, my responsibilities would increase tenfold. I would be in charge of the entire kingdom.

  And, just like my father, I would have the power over winter.

  Both important, but the North Pole took a special kind of guidance. As the headquarters for my uncle’s work, Christmas essentially depended on things at the NP running smoothly.

  Can you imagine if the tinkers decided they were no longer going to make toys? If the stable hands who took care of the flying reindeer went on strike? If the gift wrappers and the ribbon curlers got jealous of each other’s jobs? If the candy makers went sugar free?

  Chaos. Especially that last one. Riots, even.

  Worse, no Christmas. And everyone would end up on the naughty list.

  But besides my father’s job of keeping things running smoothly, there were constant meetings for the various committees and organizations that my father was a member of or on the board of, charity functions, local business openings to attend, diplomatic trips, hosting other dignitaries, presenting awards, all kinds of official royal business engagements and events, weather patterns to schedule, etc., etc., etc.

  So yeah, there was a lot of weight on my dad’s shoulders. Weight I would have to bear someday.

  I was mostly prepared for it. Some of the preparedness would develop on the job, I supposed. As for the rest, well, I’d grown up a princess, so I understood what was required of me, and what my life would be like the day I took over for my father. I’d had years of training, all focused on my future obligations.

  But Sin hadn’t had the benefit of growing up royal. I mean, who did, really? He was a necromancer and a doughnut shop owner. He was also the love of my life and one of the best men I knew. I thought he would adapt very well to life as the Queen’s Consort, when that very-far-away day came, but it was his decision to make.

  Once he did that, I could give him my answer.

  Which I very much wanted to be yes. And let me just apologize for rambling and repeating myself. In case you haven’t noticed, this whole thing has me a little shook.

  But enough about that. The sleigh had landed. I set Spider’s carrier down and spread my arms wide, mostly ready for the adventure to begin. “Uncle Kris!”

  My uncle climbed out of the sleigh and came toward me, gathering me in a hug that was warm and loving and perfect. Seriously, if you haven’t been hugged by Santa, take my word that it’s pretty awesome. He kissed my cheek, his beard tickling me. “How are you, my darling Jayne?”

  “Really good. Glad to see you. You look well.” He was in his green suit. He’d change to red on December first.

  “I am very well. Too well, maybe. Your aunt Martha just made a new batch of eggnog fudge to have on hand for your arrival.” He put his hands on his belly and laughed. “She might have had to make a second batch.”

  “Totally get it.” I laughed. Aunt Martha’s eggnog fudge was hard to resist.

  Uncle Kris stuck his hand out to Sinclair. “Young man. Nice to see you again.”

  Sinclair shook his hand. “You too, Mr. Kringle. Thank you for coming to get us.”

  “No problem. It was a good chance to test the sled’s new tachometer on a long-distance run.” Uncle Kris glanced back at the sleigh. Archie was getting his things out of the back. “And the easiest way to get Head Baker Tingle here.”

  Sinclair greeted the baker as he came over. “Really appreciate you giving me your time again, Archie.”

  “Happy to help, Sinclair.” Archie slung his bag over his shoulder. “Truth be told, working at your shop is a vacation. And it’s a real treat being able to make doughnuts. Pun intended, I guess.” He chuckled. “Say, mind if I introduce something new while you’re away?”

  Sinclair squinted a little. “What did you have in mind?”

  “I was thinking a limited-edition autumn flavor. A filled doughnut with pumpkin mousse and a spiced butterscotch glaze. Also, do you do an apple cider cake doughnut? Maybe with a little cream cheese frosting and a crumb topping? Just a thought.”

  Sinclair’s brows shot up. “Sounds awesome. Both of them. Go for it. If they take off like I think they will, we can put them into the regular fall lineup.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the store key on a Nocturne Falls keychain. “This is for you too.”

  Archie grinned. “Thank you. I’ll let you know how those new combinations are received.”

  Uncle Kris rubbed his hands together. “We should get going if we’re going to minimize visibility.”

  “True,” I said. I picked up Spider’s carrier, then grabbed the handle of my rolling bag and headed for the sleigh, letting the handle go briefly to give Donner’s nose a little scratch as I went by him. He nickered at me, snorting a little air in a happy way.

  Uncle Kris helped me load my stuff while Sinclair put his bag in next to mine.

  We kep
t the cats with us as we settled onto the front bench, tucking the carriers into the space in front of our feet where they’d be warm and secure. I sat in the middle between my uncle and Sinclair. It would give Sinclair a better view.

  Uncle Kris climbed in and took up the reins. “Ready?”

  “Yep.”

  Sinclair put his hands on the sleigh’s front edge. “You bet I am.”

  Uncle Kris laughed and winked. “Here we go!”

  The sleigh ride took a little longer than I’d expected it to, but I realized Uncle Kris had slowed down a bit for Sinclair’s sake. Which I was totally okay with. Magical sleigh travel could be a little nausea-inducing for the inexperienced. Sleigh sickness was real.

  And even though I wasn’t experiencing it, I was still happy to be making our approach. Especially when the first wave of a different kind of malady hit me. Homesickness.

  Seeing the vast stretches of deep green polar forests give way to the beautiful undulating plains of blue-white snow unfold below us made my breath catch. Then, when the twinkling lights of the city came into view, I almost shed a tear.

  My home. My kingdom. My heart.

  Well, part of my heart. The other part was sitting next to me, holding my hand and leaning over the sleigh’s edge to see better.