Chapter 29 Of Magic and Reindeer #2
I walked to the wall and pressed my hand against the crystal window, watching as Rudy suddenly paused, his head lifting as if sensing something. The other reindeer followed suit, all turning toward the castle in perfect unison.
Toward me.
I traced my finger around the rim of a steaming mug, watching the miniature marshmallows slowly dissolve into the hot chocolate.
The guys’ kitchen was cozy, with mismatched dishes in the cabinet, a dish towel with a reindeer wearing sunglasses thrown over the oven handle, and the lingering scent of whatever ridiculously delicious thing Dane had baked earlier.
Their North Pole cabin was essentially Klarhaven 2.0, but with extras. There was a massive game room with a pool table large enough to land a small aircraft on, a movie theater with recliners that practically swallowed you whole, and stables for when shifting back to human form was too much effort.
I’d chosen to process my Christmas identity crisis in the castle, but standing in their kitchen felt more like home than any crystal-encrusted royal bedroom ever could.
The thought should have terrified me, but it didn’t.
The castle impressed me, but this place disarmed me, sneaking past my defenses with warmth instead of splendor.
I could feel each of the guys moving through the house. There were nine distinct tugs on my soul, like someone had tied magical bungee cords between us.
“Are you going to drink that or continue your staring contest with it?” Kip leaned against the kitchen counter beside me, his eyes dancing with amusement.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m strategizing the optimal whipped cream to chocolate ratio.” I squirted out the fresh whipped cream that Cole had whipped up and put into a canister.
“She’s nervous,” Vix called from across the room, where he was adjusting the collar of his crimson jacket. “First official public appearance as Santa’s daughter since her return. I’d be surprised if she weren’t.”
I lifted the mug to my lips, using the whipped cream mountain as a shield while I watched the guys preparing for the tree-lighting ceremony.
They’d all dressed in coordinating outfits of deep greens, rich burgundies, and midnight blues that somehow looked festive without veering into tacky territory.
“It’s not a coronation,” I muttered into my drink.
Pierce took the mug from my hands and set it on the counter. “For the North Pole, it might as well be.” He wiped a smudge of whipped cream from my upper lip with his thumb. “The first Christmas with the Claus heiress returned.”
My stomach performed an elaborate gymnastics routine. “Don’t call me an heiress. It’s weird.”
“Would you prefer ice princess?” Dane smirked from where he was helping Don with his cufflinks. “Or perhaps her royal frostiness?”
I flipped him off, earning a chorus of laughter from around the room.
Blitz approached with a garment bag draped over his arm. “Your mom sent this over.”
As he held up the bag for me, I unzipped it to reveal a dress that made my breath catch. Deep red fabric with silver threading along the bodice that formed intricate snowflake patterns.
“Holy sugarplums,” I whispered in awe.
Cole’s warm hand settled at the small of my back. “Need help getting into it?”
My cheeks heated at the double meaning in his words. “I think I can manage clothing myself.”
“Pity.” Cole twisted away as I swatted at him on my way to change.
Alone in the guest bedroom, I shed my casual clothes and carefully slipped into the dress. The fabric settled against my skin, molding to my curves in a way that defied normal textile physics. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
My silver hair cascaded over my shoulders, catching the light with every movement. The dress made my skin glow with an inner luminescence, and my eyes shimmered like sunlight through ice.
I touched my reflection, half-expecting my fingers to pass right through it.
A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.
“Come in.”
Rudy filled the doorway, his eyes widening.
“That bad, huh?” I smoothed the fabric nervously.
He crossed the room in three strides, stopping short of touching me. “You look like the North Star in human form.”
I swallowed hard, caught in the intensity of his gaze. “Pretty sure that’s not scientifically possible… You know what, never mind, it probably is.”
His fingers brushed my cheek. “Are you ready?”
I wasn’t, but I nodded anyway.
Twenty minutes later, the ten of us approached the central square, where it seemed every resident of the North Pole had gathered. The massive evergreen towered at least forty feet high, already covered in ornaments and ribbons that caught the light of the aurora dancing overhead.
Santa stood on a raised platform in front of the tree, the casual attire he’d been wearing earlier replaced by his iconic red suit. The crowd parted as we approached, whispers following in our wake.
“Is that her?”
“She’s back...”
“You weren’t lying about the nine of them...”
“Her magic nearly destroyed...”
My mom stood on the platform beside my dad, radiant in a gown almost identical to my own, her smile encouraging as she spotted me. As we reached the platform, my dad raised his hands, and the square fell silent.
“Citizens of the North Pole!” His voice carried effortlessly. “Tonight we gather, as we have for centuries, to honor the Spirit of Yuletide with the lighting of the Great Tree.”
The crowd murmured their approval.
“This year’s celebration holds special significance.” His eyes found mine in the crowd. “My daughter has returned to us after twelve years in the mortal realm.”
Every eye turned to me. I fought the urge to create a snow monster diversion and flee.
“Tonight, I’d like to bestow the honor of placing the final ornament to Neve.” He extended his hand toward me.
The crowd erupted in cheers as my herd led me forward, forming a protective semicircle behind me.
My dad descended the steps to meet me, his eyes suspiciously bright. “I’ve waited for this moment longer than you know, snowflake.”
I blinked rapidly, determined not to cry in front of the entire North Pole. “No pressure or anything.”
He chuckled, then turned to Rudy. “The ornament, if you please.”
Rudy reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out my glass ornament. It glowed faintly in his palm, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. Well, that was new.
“This is perfect.” My dad nodded approvingly.
Rudy placed it in my hand, his fingers lingering against mine. The ornament warmed instantly, and the glow intensified until it illuminated our faces.
My dad led me up the platform steps and toward the massive tree. “You’ll know where it belongs,” he whispered.
Approaching the towering evergreen, I felt a magnetic pull toward a spot near the top, beyond normal reach. Without thinking, I raised my hand, and a gentle platform of ice formed beneath my feet, lifting me effortlessly to the perfect height.
The crowd gasped collectively.
With trembling fingers, I hung the ornament on a sturdy branch. The moment it touched the needles, magic erupted from my fingertips, traveling up the branch and spreading throughout the entire tree like wildfire.
Thousands of lights blazed to life, and the ornaments spun slowly, casting rainbow reflections across the square. Snow drifted down from nowhere and everywhere, dissolving into sparks of light when it touched anything.
The hum of the North Pole surged through me like a current, amplifying my connection to the nine men standing below. I felt their wonder, their pride, their desire, as if they were extensions of my body.
In that moment of perfect clarity, while magic flowed through my veins, I finally admitted the truth to myself.
I wanted this. I wanted them. I wanted to complete the bond that had been forming since I’d met them.
I, Neve North, wanted to be Santa Claus with nine reindeer mates.