“Daisy! Mother!” I cried through a trembling throat.
My entire body quaked as my mother and sister burst from the carriage and enveloped me in a powerful embrace.
“You came,” I cried. “You’re here.”
“Oh my sweet Noelle, we’re together at last.” Mother shook as her tears wet my shoulder.
“And we will never be parted again.”
I crouched down and pulled Daisy into my arms. I kissed her on her full cheeks over and over tasting the salt of her tears. But as we held one another, our tender tears turned to wide smiles and a tinkling sweet laughter. A sound that I had missed ever so much.
“Your magic spoon.” I produced the wooden spoon from my satchel and displayed Daisy’s sweetly carved heart with pride. “This, saved our world from the darkness, Daisy. Your dear heart saved us all.”
A flushed smile flashed on Daisy’s face, but she buried her tears in my chest. “I lub you, “Elle. Forever and ever.”
Mother pulled me back and studied my face.
“So, what is this I hear about you and the king of the elves, Noelle?” Mother’s eyes shone with worry. I remember that pain, the pain of separation had stung like nettles. But the love I felt towards Elden had eased the pain like a balm. Mother hadn’t been there. She didn’t know him or the mysterious elves at all, for that matter. That would take time.
I could not hide the smile that widened my face, even as heat crept into my cheeks. I turned to find the Elf King standing a few paces away, a matching smile on his handsome face. She needed to see us, to see him, differently.
“Mother, I would like you to meet Elden.” I beckoned Elden to approach, which he did in two long strides.Sweet Christmashe was beautiful. “He and I, well. We’re both so similar. Stubborn and prideful, yet, he and I?—”
I laughed, tears stinging my eyes. Mother looked me over, her stony veneer cracking like an overcooked soufflé.
The Elf King bowed to my mother and sister. “Well met.” Elden took the hand of my mother and placed a kiss atop it. “I wish to welcome you and your precious daughter, Daisy, to the Undying lands of Ravensong. Welcome to Elkhaven.”
A deep blush colored my mother’s cheeks, her eyes widening at the kiss upon her hand.
It seemed all of my carefully planned explanations would not be needed. Mother’s mouth popped open as a blush spread across her cheeks. One couldn’t help but be dazzled by the king.
Daisy, not to be outdone, held her hand up to Elden. “I needs a kiss, too!”
I felt Elden’s answering laugh down to my toes. “Of course, my lady.”
Elden knelt before Daisy and kissed her little fist. Daisy stepped closer to Elden and placed her sweet little hands on either side of his face. “You’re pretty.”
A laugh burst from both mother and I as Elden struggled with what to say, then Daisy’s attention shifted to all the other elves in attendance, a small one in particular. Aldaar. Aldaar’s tall ears jumped at the attention of my little sister, but he made his way down from the dais.
“Do I have to kiss her hand, too?” Aldaar wrinkled his nose.
Elden chuckled, then nodded towards my mother and sister. “Virginia, Daisy, this is my little brother, Aldaar.”
“Happy to meet you,” Daisy said, eyes already on the enormous castle. “Gots any secret passages in there?”
A mischievous smile spread across Aldaar’s boyish face. “Loads.”
And before another word was said, Daisy and Aldaar disappeared through the castle doors, giggles sounding as sweet as any symphony to my ears.
I turned to my mother and took a hold of her arm. “I have so much to tell you, but first, let me take you to your new rooms. They are right beside my own and have the most gorgeous view of the castle.”
My mother smiled, both relief and joy in the planes of her beautiful face. “I never thought I would see you again, my beautiful girl, but to see you not only alive, but happy, thriving. Well, it’s the best Christmas gift I could ever receive.”
My motherand sister weren’t the only surprise visitors Elden had planned. A week after the incredible arrival of my family, Tabitha, Todd, and Terrine from Spindlewood arrived at the castle doors holding a fresh bag of salted caramels. Several days after that, Scarlet, Rowan and their boys joined us.
Little Hawthorne ran straight to Elden, happily squishing Elden’s face in his tiny hands. Elden’s answering laugh echoed through the castle hallways. The sound was that of pure joy.
“We can’t celebrate the first Christmas in Elkhaven without you.” Scarlet squeezed my hands. “You brought it back to us, Noelle. I can’t thank you enough!”
