“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. “Prettysure 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.
