Estelle leans back as she holds both my cheeks in her hands. “I’m so glad you’re here Holly. Watching this cookie crumble has been the highlight of my year. Wait until you see what’s next.” She winks before she steps back. But I’m still standing here trying to wrap my head around the fact that the Mrs. Claus just hugged me and knew my name.
She walks slowly over to Ryatt, wrapping her creamy white shawl tighter around her bust. The look she’s giving him over those spectacles is even making me suck in a breath, and I’m not the one in trouble, clearly.
“Prince Ryatt Dasher, you and I will be having a long conversation after the holidays about why our policies exist, andyour duties as a Prince. But for now, remember she’s human and they get cold.”
Wait..Prince? Dasher? As in the dasher? Is he…everyone knows their names. There was Dasher, Dancer, Prancer…am I here with a famous reindeer?
I fan my face as I clutch my side. This is so much to take in.
A brisk breeze drifts by, lifting my sweater, and causing me to shiver. Ryatt’s eyes snap to mine, and before I can protest about being fine, he snaps his fingers.
In an instant, warmth floods over me. A thick puffer jacket hugs my body, a gorgeous red scarf wraps around my neck, and a matching hat settles on my head. Even my boots have been transformed–now lined with fur and looking like something straight out of a winter fairytale.
My mouth rounds into an O as I look down at myself. He has magic, clearly. That’s how he was able to change that display without even moving. It all makes sense now. Even with reading so many fantasy books, I have no idea what kind of magic he possess or how he’s doing any of this. But wait…
“Ryatt…” I narrow my eyes as I take a few steps, coming to stand beside him and Estelle. “I’m trying not to freak out, I really am. But right now, standing besidethemost famous woman, while snow falls as if I’m in a snow globe? Kinda freaking out here. Why did she call you a prince? More specifically, why did she say Ryatt Dasher? Is she saying the Dasher, as in Dasher, Dancer, Prancer…”
Two other worldly men walk up, both around the same height as Ryatt and both as handsome as him, and then my words are cut off. I gasp as I look between the two of them. My eyes flick back and forth before they move down the one on the right’s body. He seems to notice my attention focused on him as he puffs out his chest and twists slightly from side to side.
He’s a lot like Ryatt, but only really in build. Ryatt’s hair is dark brown, almost black. This guy’s is almost a light brown, bordering on blonde with the highlights. It’s shaved close to his head on the sides, with a length on top that is swooped to the side. His sharp nose is one of his most dominate features, but his eyes are more brown than Ryatt’s.
Ryatt punches the guy in the arm when he whispers something to him in that same language I heard before. I’m sure I don’t want to know what was said this time. The other guy seems quieter, more reserved then the first one.
He’s standing back, allowing the other guy to have all the attention, while also seeming to not notice just how much attention he seems to draw.
I notice that he’s a bit smaller than Ryatt and the other guy, but no less handsome. His sharp jawline and tender eyes would melt any girl’s heart, or something else. His medium brownish hair is a messy style on top of his head, but I can easily tell it’s intentionally done that way.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Ryatt?” The first guy nudges Ryatt with his elbow, a flirtatious smile spreading across his face as he winks at me.
I snort when Ryatt smacks him against the back of his head and the guy yelps out an “ow.” Ryatt cuts his eyes at him before walking over and putting his arm around my shoulders.
“Everyone, this is Holly Winters.” He gestures with his hand towards me. “Holly,” he leans his head down, smiling softly. “These two idiots are Caspian Dancer,” he points towards the flirty one. “And Callen Prancer.” He points to the quieter of the two. Their names fit them so well, I can honestly say I’d have guessed them to by looking at them.
Caspian steps forward, bowing at the waist, as he says, “Hello Holly. I’m the handsomest of the nine princes and don’t let any of the others tell you otherwise.”
Callen snorts as he walks over, grasping my gloved hand in his before pulling it towards his mouth. He places a chaise kiss on my knuckles before stepping back and bowing. “Don’t listen to anything Caspian says. He’s nothing but a big ol flirt with nobody but the elves to flirt with. Welcome Princess, we are happy to have you here.”
My mind reels with what this all means. First, their names are the reindeer names, but they are men, aren’t they? Not reindeer? Is this town so into Christmas that they named themselves after it? I know she called herself Mrs. Claus, but surely she doesn’t mean the real one, right?
I can feel myself spiraling, the real panic setting in. It’s too much. I love Christmas and all that, but these people are taking it way too far. They really believe that they are the real deal, so much so they named themselves after it? He said to believe everything, but right now I feel as though I’m dreaming, and I need to wake up back in my shitty apartment with Chester.
Chester?!? This entire time he’s been quiet, way too quiet. He’s never this silent, lopsided on his well-behaved day. When I look down, he’s still dangling from my arm, watching everything unfold. Yeah, now I know I’m dreaming. See, even Chester is being weird.
“I think we need to give them so space. Someone has a serious amount of explaining to do, and if we keep bothering them, I think someone might pass out.” Estelle walks over, putting an arm around Caspians and Callen’s arms as she winks at me. “Come on, boys, I have some freshly baked cookies I need you to try. Something tells me you are going to love them.”
I don’t know how she knows it, or if it’s written on my face, but I could kiss Estelle on the cheek for this. The two princes bow their heads to us before they quietly walk down the path together. I whirl around to face Ryatt, ready to ask my million questions, but he stops me with a finger across my lips.
“I know Berry. I can see all the questions swirling behind those caramel eyes of yours. How about we walk to my house, have a fresh cup of cocoa, and I’ll explain everything.”
I pout. “Fine, but there better be whipped cream and chocolate chunks. Otherwise, I’m finding Estelle and telling on you. She clearly is the one in charge around here.”
“Oh, she definitely is the one in charge here.” He snorts.
“You’ve been warned, mister.” I point my finger up at him, my eyes narrowing into slits.
“Yes, ma’am.” He pulls my hand into the crook of his elbow, and we walk down the path.
As we walk along the path, I can’t help but compare this to the small towns I’ve grown up knowing. Quaint, peaceful, and full of friendly people. Even the shops have that same small-town charm. Red bricks lining the walls, sidewalks with piles of snow, wooden benches line the paths with mistletoe and holly berries decorating the back. The towering streetlights with candles glowing brightly in the glass. Small pine wreaths hanging beneath them with bright red bows tied to them.
