“That happens when you’re pelted with snowballs for an hour straight.”
His gloved thumb gently brushed my cheekbone. “Joy’s a good look on you, Neve.”
Something fluttered in my chest that had nothing to do with the drink.
I sipped the last of the hot chocolate as Dash’s fingers lingered against my cheek. His touch seemed to spread through my entire body, making me momentarily forget how soaked and freezing I actually was.
“Neve! I got you something!” Vix came toward us, carrying a plate of caramel apple pieces smothered in nuts, chocolate drizzle, and way too much edible glitter.
My eyes widened. “How did you know I wanted that?”
Vix’s grin was triumphant. “You mentioned it right beforePierce got his face rearranged by Rudy’s snowball.” He thrust the treat into my hands. “I got the works. The elf at the stand said it’s the best one.”
“You believe everything elves tell you.” Pierce approached, still brushing snow from his coat. His hair remained perfectly styled despite the battle, which seemed unfair.
I took a giant bite of the apple and nearly moaned. The tartness cut through the buttery caramel in a way that made my taste buds sing.
Cole materialized at my other side, gesturing toward the village center, where a crowd was gathering. “The aurora lantern ceremony is starting. We should head over.”
My stomach fluttered with nerves. Dad had mentioned this tradition, but I’d been too busy panicking about sleigh flying and present delivery lessons to really absorb the details.
“Do I need to do anything special?” I wiped caramel from my chin.
Rudy’s expression softened as he watched me. “Write your wish and release your lantern when the time comes. Nothing complicated.”
“Unless you count baring your soul to the cosmos as complicated,” Vix chimed in, earning an elbow from Dash.
We made our way to the center of the square, where Dane, Don, Kip, and Blitz were already waiting. The entire village had gathered around a circular platform where elves distributed paper lanterns.
An elf handed me one with a small wooden stylus, the tip glowing faintly blue.
“What are you going to wish for?” Vix tried to peer over my shoulder.
Pierce pulled him back by his collar. “It’s private. That’s the whole point.”
I stared at the blank paper, the stylus hovering uncertainly. What did I want?
I closed my eyes and let myself feel the bond connecting me to these nine impossible men. It hummed beneath my skin,warm and electric. When I opened my eyes, I knew exactly what to write.
May we always find joy together, no matter how the sleigh flies.
My dad stepped onto the platform, his presence immediately commanding attention without him saying a word. He raised his hands, and the crowd fell silent.
“Tonight, we release our hopes to the sky, where the aurora will carry them to the stars.”
On his signal, the first lanterns began to rise. I held mine, waiting my turn, watching the paper glow brighter as if sensing the moment approaching.
When I finally released mine alongside my herd’s, my magic surged. It swirled around the ten lanterns and sent them spiraling upward in a perfect formation that mimicked our sleigh. They glowed with silver and gold light, far brighter than the others, cutting through the night sky.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as the ten lanterns reached the aurora, merging with the cosmic light. The entire sky lit up in a display more brilliant than any I’d ever seen, with bands of color dancing and weaving together.
Warmth flooded through me, not just physical heat but something deeper, more essential.
Pure, undiluted joy.
Only when the crowd’s murmurs grew louder did I notice the shimmer of magic around me. Silver-blue and gold sparks danced over my skin, visible to everyone.
Laughter bubbled up from somewhere deep inside me, spilling out into the night air. For the first time since discovering who I truly was, I was ready. Ready for Christmas Eve, ready for whatever came after, ready for this joy-filled life with my nine men.
