Chapter 12
Leif
Chaos descends into my kitchen, led by Addy with good humor, sass, and a wicked grin.
I’ve never hosted and served a Solstice dinner at my home before.
As Koru, Poppy, Bjorn, August, my boss Brann, Tasha and Lucy, Peder, and Kaj remove shoes and coats, bring in even more food, and make themselves at home, I’m surprised by how right this scene is, even if Peder looks awkward as he tucks his wings against his body to make more space for Kaj’s fat bull head.
My co-workers are my family. They’ve seen me at my best and worst. And Poppy is Addy’s only family. Together, they make a merry group of folks who want the best for each of us. That idea blows me away. I’d never thought about family like this before.
My table isn’t big enough to hold all of us.
That insignificant fact doesn’t deter anyone.
Brann pops open a bottle of prosecco. Tasha has a giant pot of spiced cider to share, along with homemade mac and cheese and cut veggies.
Lucy, who I think is five now, has deposited herself in front of the hedgehogs and has declared herself their trainer.
August sits with her, laughing as the hedgehogs snort and huff around them both.
Poppy pushes her way around my kitchen with her giant belly, setting up plates and silverware, and placing cute mini pies on a serving platter.
And Addy, who watched from the sidelines at the Solstice party, places herself in the middle of everything. She chats and laughs, then checks on her sister, comes by and hugs me, and then goes to put another log on the fire.
When we serve the food, everyone spreads out like a picnic on the living room floor, and it’s a lovely evening. August asks trivia questions about both Solstice and Christmas traditions, making sure to include everyone, including little Lucy.
“I’ve never had mac and cheese at a holiday meal before, but this is absolutely amazing,” Poppy licks her plate clean.
“It’s my grandma’s signature dish. She used to make it for every family gathering, no matter the holiday or season.
” Tasha smiles, wearing her pride on her sleeve.
Brann rubs her back in a loving gesture that he tries to refrain from at work.
It makes my hand reach out to grasp Addy’s, ensuring she knows I’m here, and hers.
“You know, orcs used to have to hunt their beasts for Solstice,” Bjorn interjects, mouth full of meat.
“Next year, you’re welcome to do that, if you wish,” I say, which launches Bjorn into an entirely too long explanation of the modernization of orcs.
“Who got the infamous mistletoe ornament?” August asks loudly, changing the conversation from her mate’s long-winded discussion.
Addy freezes, her fork halfway to her mouth. “Infamous ornament? Sounds ominous the way you say that.” She sets her fork down, her smile not reaching her eyes. Inhaling, I sense anxiety with her. Interesting.
“Not ominous. But concentrated Solstice magic,” August says, again too loudly—she only seems to have one volume level—leaning forward in excitement.
“Supposedly, whoever holds it gets their deepest wish. And a kiss, if they aren’t the same thing.
” She giggles and takes a sip of cider and prosecco mixed together.
“Ah, interesting.” Addy picks up her fork and takes a bite. She doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Poppy, what was the ornament you said was my prize as Santa?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light, or at least neutral.
“Oh, that!” Poppy’s voice is higher pitched than normal, and clearly fake as she watches her sister watch her. There’s a beat of silence.
“Poppy, the ornament you had me hold early in the evening?” Addy eyes her sister with suspicion. Poppy laughs, rubs the spot on her belly where the baby keeps kicking or she’s suffering from indigestion already.
“Yes! That was the thank-you prize for Leif for being Santa! Oh, Tasha, will you pass me the carrots? These are delicious. I love the little bit of heat—is that ginger?”
“I see you changing the subject,” Addy says with a long look like that I imagine her giving our orclings when they try to sneak out of doing their chores.
“You purposefully gave me a magicked ornament that was also the gift for Leif. And now we’re here together, in love after a night snowed in together. What were you thinking?”
Heat ripples through my body, concentrating in my chest where my heart demands to be heard. My mate, it shouts with every beat. My mate says she loves me. I’m ready to crow, but gazing at Addy, her cheeks a deep red, eyes shut as she takes several deep breaths, I decide that maybe I should wait.
She didn’t mean to say that.
There’s a clanging of forks and cups as folks set their utensils down to look at us. Or rather, from her to me and back again. Her hand is still in mine; that’s a good sign. It flexes, as if to leave. I squeeze it gently, letting her know I’m not letting her go. Ever.
She looks at me, a slight wince on her face, as if my response might be negative. Never. Thoughts of joy and need and desire fly around in my head like chaotic reindeer. Opening my mouth to let them flow, nothing comes out. A raspy whispered, “You love me?” is all I can manage.
The silence is almost complete, except for the crackling of the fire and the snort of a hedgehog.