Ryatt slowly drops down to one knee beside his father, his head bowed, and for a moment–I’m just standing there staringat everyone. My eyes flick from one person to the next, each one of them not moving. I’m the only one upright, while everyone else seems to know what to do. As my eyes move along the room, I finally look back up to glowing snow spirit who I can somehow sense is smiling at me.
“Uh,” I whisper, awkwardly lifting my hand in a little wave. “Hi?”
The glowing figure tilts her head slightly, and though I still can’t see her face, I swear she laughs and the snow sort of shook with it. The sound ripples around the room, filling me with my own giddiness to match her own.
“You carry his light now, Holly Winters. You are his home, his reason, and the one he will always come to when he needs light in his darkest moments. Remember, no matter how far he goes, you are his true North.”
Before I can respond, her light brightens, blinding me. I shield my eyes with my arm as I wince at the brightness. As the light washes over the room, I look down to see each of our stars glowing brightly in response.
The moment the light fades, her words float down with the last of the snowflakes. “Let him rise and take his place among the reins. It’s time.”
Ryatt’s father stands first, his posture is one of a proud dad, but his eyes are softer than they were when we arrived. He steps forward, placing a heavy hand on Ryatt’s shoulder.
“The time has come, son,” his father says, voice low but steady. There’s a crack that resounds around the room as the panels in the center of the room slide back, as something seems to rise from below. A waist-high pedestal in white marble sits in the center with a perfect crystal sleigh perched on top of it.
As soon as it is fully erect, the panels slide shut forming a platform around the pedestal. Each of the nine take a marked spot on the ground, a symbol special to each of them.
Ryatt lifts off the ground and walks to stand before the crystal sleigh as each of the nine begins a hymn. It’s ethereal and beautiful even if I don’t understand the words.
Ryatt nods once before sinking to his knees, laying his hands palm up on his thighs as the music builds. Light ripples across the sleigh before pouring down in a beautiful, multi-colored waterfall, pooling in front of him as it moves beneath him. My chest tightens. I have no idea what’s happening, but I can’t help feeling that history is being written right in front of me.
The glow from the pedestal brightens as the first man steps forward, raising his right hand before pressing it to the emblem hanging from the braided leather necklace.
“Solvarn,” he intones. The sound hums through the marble floor, deep and resonant, vibrating through me. His head turns towards me before he says, “Strength.” His head dips as the word echoes around the room. He takes one step back, falling back into his original spot.
The second one follows, his tone softer, more melodic. “Elathen.” Just like before, he turns to me repeating the word in English, “Honor.”
The next lowers his head, his voice fragile but unwavering. “Mirenya.” His eyes flick to mine. “Compassion.” His cheeks warm when I smile at him.
We move around the room, each one speaking their word, and it rings into the air, adding a piece of magic with each spoken word.
All eyes turn to the final man—Ryatt’s father. His voice is strong, unshakeable, and proud. Though it carries a tinge of sorrow. “Elarion.” His eyes find mine, and I see the tears twinkling from his lower lashes as he says, “Legend.”
The moment he speaks the final word, the hall fills with light. The nine blessings shimmer into being—tiny motes of red and green swirl around Ryatt like a blizzard of Christmas magic. Thewords echo before transforming into a golden symbol before dissolving into him, sinking into his skin, finding their way to his soul.
Ryatt’s Northern Star flares so bright it outshines the hearth fire, the colorful light racing across his veins like lightning. I raise my hand, shielding my eyes as the hymn rises louder and louder, pulsing with power and purpose.
Before I know it, it’s over. The light fades, and the music cuts off mid-note.
When my vision clears, Ryatt is glowing, his antlers now adorned with antique bells, red velvet ribbon, and green leaves with three bright red berries covering the base of them. He’s majestic in a way that even makes the man who walked in her feel dull in comparison.
His father steps forward, raising both his hands as he says, “Rise, Ryatt Dasher, heir of the North Wind and Keeper of the First Reins.”
Ryatt rises, twisting around to face me as the room erupts in a unified chorus.
“By Aurielle’s will, so it is done.”
The soft white glow outlines his body as I take in my mate, now feeling even more mythical than he was before. His crest hangs from his neck, with the Dasher emblem glinting against his dark navy shirt.
And just like that, the man who saved me from dying—the flirty, cocoa-drinking, reindeer prince—is officially the new Dasher.
So, what does that mean for me?
Epilogue
Wait–You’re Really Dasher?
Holly
