“I can’t decide if these people are scared of me or think I’m royalty.” I hissed after the third vendor nearly dropped a tray of gingerbread.
Dane scratched the back of his neck. “Well, youareSanta’s daughter, and most probably remember you.” What he didn’t say was that they probably also remembered how I’d injured people and practically destroyed the North Pole.
Dash’s fingers intertwined with mine, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin. “The North Pole has a hierarchy, and the Claus family sits at the top.”
I was about to make a sarcastic comment when we rounded a corner, and a small wooden stall came into view. The sign above it read “Mrs. Berry’s Sweet Treats” in swirling red letters, and something about it stopped me in my tracks.
The woman behind the counter was smiling with rosy cheeks, her silver hair twisted into a bun beneath a red-and-white striped hat. Steam rose from a massive copper pot beside her, and the display case held rows of brownies topped with everything from crushed candy canes to toasted marshmallows.
My feet moved forward without conscious thought, drawn by something beyond the chocolate scent hanging heavy in the air.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” The woman’s eyes twinkled as they landed on Dash and Dane, then shifted to me. For a moment, her smile faltered, a flash of recognition and surprise crossing her features before returning brighter than before. “And what a pleasure to see you again, young lady.”
Again?
The world tilted slightly beneath my feet as somethingstirred in the recesses of my memory, like a door long closed creaking open.
I was sixteen, standing at this very stall, but I wasn’t alone. My mom was beside me, her laugh musical as she pointed to the peppermint brownies. “One of those and two hot chocolates, please.”
I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck, trying to pretend I wasn’t excited about the brownie we were about to share.
She dug in her ridiculous snowflake-patterned purse for her wallet. She was also wearing an over-the-top Christmas cardigan with 3D ornaments that lit up when she pressed a hidden button in the pocket. I was mortified, rolling my eyes every time a human stared too long or pointed. But Mom just laughed and sometimes pressed the button in response, making the tiny lights dance across her torso.
“We should get a peppermint brownie too,” she suggested, winking at the vendor, Mrs. Berry.
“No way.” I was painfully aware of how uncool it was to be there with my mom, eating Christmas desserts before Thanksgiving had even happened. “I’m not even hungry.”
My stomach chose that moment to growl audibly, and both Mom and Mrs. Berry laughed.
Mrs. Berry’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Maybe an extra marshmallow for the young lady who isn’t hungry.”
I scowled but didn’t protest when the extra marshmallow appeared, floating on my hot chocolate like a sugary island.
“You’ll change your mind about the brownie,” Mom said, breaking off a piece and holding it out to me. “Just like you’ll change your mind about Christmas again someday.”
I took the piece reluctantly, the treat smelling too good to resist.
“Never.” There was more conviction than there had been last month when I begged her to stop using my nickname. Or the week before when I refused to help decorate the tree.
Something had slowly been changing since we’d moved from the North Pole to Klarhaven, then to Reinberg. My magic was no longer accessible, and I found myself wanting to be around humans more and more. The world I once knew was slowly slipping away, and I couldn’t find it in myself tocare.
I blinked, the stall coming back into focus as the past receded.
“Neve?” Dane’s voice sounded far away. “Are you okay?”
I reached out, steadying myself against the wooden counter. “I’ve been here before.”
Mrs. Berry’s eyes softened. “Yes, dear. Many times. You and your mother loved my peppermint brownies.” She reached into the display case and placed a brownie on a napkin.
My fingers trembled as I picked up the brownie, the scent of chocolate and mint rising to meet me. I took a small bite of it, and a tear slid unexpectedly down my cheek.
“I think the last time I was here was right before...” I shook my head, frustration building as I tried to grasp at wisps of a memory that dissolved upon contact. “I forgot. I forgot it all.”
Mrs. Berry’s eyes filled with understanding. “Some things take time to remember, dear. But they’re never truly gone.” She slid three steaming cups of hot chocolate across the counter. “Sometimes, the taste of something familiar can help bridge the gap.”
I took a sip, letting the rich chocolate warm me from the inside out. “Thank you.”
We moved away from the stall, Dash and Dane flanking me like protective bookends. Neither spoke, letting me process whatever was happening in my head. The Christmas music that had seemed so oppressive minutes ago now felt like background noise to the louder storm of half-formed memories swirling in my mind.
