I rubbed the fabric between my thumb and forefinger. The damn things were impossibly soft. The kind of soft that made me question my entire stance on Christmas clothing.
I yanked the leggings off the hanger and grabbed a cream sweater covered in candy canes that formed hearts with their curved tops. It was equal parts adorable and nauseating. My pride screamed in protest, but I slid into the leggings anyway. The sweater followed, settling around me in a warm hug that smelled faintly of cinnamon.
I hated how much I loved it.
When I emerged from the closet, Dane looked up from where he sat on the bed, a crochet hook moving between hisfingers as he worked on a hat. His eyes widened, traveling from my sparkly leggings to the candy cane hearts hugging my torso.
A low whistle escaped his lips. “Well, ho ho ho. Looks like Christmas came early this year.”
I flipped him off, fighting the smile threatening to betray me. “One more Christmas pun and I’m shoving that crochet hook somewhere festive.”
The bathroom door swung open in a cloud of steam as Dash emerged, a towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets clung to the defined muscles of his chest, catching the light as he moved. My mouth went dry.
“Are we ready to head into Reinberg?” His eyes landed on me, a smile tugging at his lips. “Christmas spirit looks good on you, Neve.”
I tugged at the hem of my sweater. “Don’t get used to it. This is purely practical.”
Dane set his crocheting aside, stretching his long limbs like a satisfied cat. “Sure it is. Just like humming that Christmas song while doing the dishes last night was purely practical.”
I rolled my eyes, reaching up to run my fingers through my hair. The silver strands slipped between my fingers like liquid mercury, catching the light in a way that made them almost glow. The black was completely gone.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I examined the ends. “The universe couldn’t let me keep this one little piece of myself, could it?”
Dash disappeared back into the bathroom, returning with my hairbrush. “Your hair is beautiful either way. It reminds me of starlight.”
I scoffed, though the compliment warmed something deep inside me. “It’s like I aged sixty years overnight.”
Dane hopped off the bed, moving to stand behind me. His fingers joined mine in my hair, gently separating the strands. “This isn’t gray; it’s a manifestation of your magic.”
Dash approached, the brush held between his fingers like an offering. “Let me braid it for you.”
I blinked, surprised. “You know how to braid hair?”
A hint of a smile softened his features. “I have three sisters.”
“Fine.” I perched on the edge of the bed, shoulders relaxing as Dash positioned himself behind me.
There was something incredibly intimate about him doing my hair, and I quickly forgot that one of the last pieces of my previous life had disappeared overnight. I’d fought so hard against the change, but since being in Klarhaven, it felt like the missing pieces of myself were falling into place.
Thirty minutes later, I stood frozen at the entrance to Reinberg’s main square, my senses assaulted from every direction. Overhead, star-shaped lanterns hung between booths on nearly invisible silver wire, casting a warm light across the cobblestone streets. Holiday music drifted from hidden speakers, creating a gentle background to the bustling crowd.
“It’s like Santa threw up all over this place.” I tugged my borrowed hat lower over my ears, trying to create some barrier between me and the sensory overload.
Dash’s hand found the small of my back, guiding me forward with gentle pressure. “You’ll adjust. Take a deep breath.”
I did so reluctantly and immediately regretted it. The air was thick with scents that made me ache with familiarity.
Dane’s eyes were bright with childlike enthusiasm. “This is nothing compared to the real North Pole, but it’s the closest humans get. Their joy helps feed your father’s magic.”
“That’s not exactly a selling point for the North Pole.” I crossed my arms over my candy cane sweater, trying to ignore how perfectly the festive atmosphere matched my outfit.
A group of children darted past us, their laughter ringing like bells in the crisp air. One small girl with pigtails spun in circles, arms outstretched as she tried to catch paper snowflakes falling from a nearby stall’s mechanical snow machine.
Something shifted in my chest at the sight; a tiny crack in the wall I’d built against all things festive.
Dash noticed, his eyes catching mine with quiet understanding. “Come on. I know a shortcut to the best part.”
We moved deeper into the market, Dane leading the way with easy charm. He exchanged cheerful greetings with vendors, stopping occasionally to chat. Like the last time I’d been in Reinberg, I didn’t miss how some people froze when they spotted me, their eyes widening in silent recognition before they recovered.
