“Little Baker,” Elden curled me into him and whispered into my ear. “It seems you have restored magic to humans once more.”
I squirmed at the chills that spiraled down my side. “So it would seem.”
“The magic in your words. They healed me,” Sam said to Lila. His cheeks were flush, full of life as he stared in awe at Lila with his face handsome and whole. His body seemed to quake with a nervous energy. He ran a hand through his auburn hair and stood, pulling Lila up with him.
Lila’s eyes flew wide, as wide as the smile on her lovely face. “I didn’t know I could—I have magic?”
“Only the magic of true love can heal.” I offered as they stared into the eyes of one another wonderingly.
“You, you love me?” Sam asked Lila, with eyes only for her.
“I do.” Lila raised her chin, her smile effervescent.
“I feel as if my heart is going to burst, Lila.” Sam spoke quickly, boyishly, as if he just now held the greatest of gems. “I came here to save Noelle, but it was you who called upon me. Your voice rang out to me from darkness where the magic had seized me, and I knew that if I held on to that, somehow I would find my way home.”
They shared a kiss then. Sweet, slow and tentative. I could only look on for so long before I couldn’t take the excitementany longer. I ran and flung myself at my two friends, enveloping them both in a strong embrace. Hot tears streamed from my eyes.
“You’re alright!” I cried.
“‘Elle!” Sam pulled me to him and spun me around. “You are safe! You are—” Sam set me down and stared at the wide smile on my face, his auburn eyebrows knitting together— “You’rehappy?”
Sam’s eyes went from me to the king, then back again. “What did I miss?”
Lila raised an eyebrow. “Yeh, Noelle, what’s going on between you two?”
I blushed uneasily. “Well, heh.” How to explain everything that had happened over the past fortnight. The slow unspooling of my anger, the embracing of the elves, of Elden.
But it was Serrina who rushed to my aid, drolling in her alto voice. “Little Noelle and the king have been on a journey to save the world. Looks like they saved each other in the process.”
That was as good an explanation as any! I giggled and walked toward Elden, though my steps were unsure, my thoughts scattered. He wrapped his large arm about my waist. He and I had saved the continent. Our love had saved the world. And if Lila was any indication, we had restored magic back to humans. We were meant to bring our two peoples together in peace and harmony, and I knew just how to make that happen.
Christmas.
I smiled up at Elden, but watched in confusion as his eyebrows turned down, his expression deadly serious.
“Noelle, before another word is spoken, I cannot go any farther without telling you of a plot between Serrina and I,” Elden said curtly.
“A plot?” I stopped dead in my tracks, all thought of my own plans flying out of my mind faster than hot oil from a pan. Myheart hammered in my throat as I glanced from Serrina, who only looked on as if bored, to Elden, then back again.
“Yes. I must endeavor to keep your heart,” Elden said solemnly. “And I mean to do all that I can to keep you, Noelle, for you are my life. I wish for there never to be another secret between us again.”
“What are you talking about?” Apprehension filled me.
“I sent a letter this morning when I was testing the portals between our realms,” Elden confessed. “I made a promise to you at the beginning of our journey, and I mean to keep it. I would love nothing more than to welcome your family into my home…for Christmas, for always if you wish it.”
32
A MERRY ELVEN CHRISTMAS
No one can quite prepare oneself for the reunion between mother, sister and daughter. I bounced on my heels and fiddled with my deep crimson gown as Elden placed a hand reassuringly on my back. We stood atop the dais where I was first led unwillingly and angry into Elkhaven. Where my hate for the elves had festered so fully in my heart. But now there was only love and joy there. My heart was full to bursting as I grasped onto the hand of the king, so strong and sure, enveloping my own.
“They should be here any moment.” Elden smiled, his golden eyes twinkling.
Before I could release another breath of nerves, the walnut carriage promenaded into view from afar off.
“They’re here!” I squealed. I ran from my spot atop the dais and into the street as the gilded carriage approached at last.
“Noelle!” Daisy’s sweet high-pitched voice called out from the open window of the walnut carriage. Her sweet little hands waved wildly. Could it be that she’d gotten bigger since I’d last seen her only a fortnight ago?
