"I'm sure." She sat up, the blanket falling to her waist. "Besides, Freya made me promise to stop by. Said Sage has been asking for you specifically."
That got a small smile from him. "Kid's got good taste."
They dressed slowly, Maren choosing a deep green sweater that left her neck exposed. The mate mark stood out clearly against her pale skin, two punctures surrounded by silver scarring. She caught Tristan watching her in the mirror, his expression satisfied in a way that was pure predator.
"Proud of your work?" she asked.
"Very." He came up behind her, his arms circling her waist. "Everyone will know you're mine now."
"Possessive much?"
"When it comes to you? Absolutely."
She leaned back against him, feeling the bond pulse warm between them. Her shadows curled around his ankles, content.
They left the cabin hand in hand, boots soundless through fresh snow. The walk into town took twenty minutes, long enough for the sun to fully rise and paint everything gold. Maren felt eyes tracking them from windows, saw curtains shift as people noticed the marks they both carried.
Let them look. Let them see.
The square had been transformed overnight. Lanterns hung from every branch, glowing warm despite the daylight. Stalls lined the perimeter, selling everything from Twyla's enchanted pastries to handcrafted ornaments that chimed softly in the breeze. The smell of cinnamon and pine filled the air, mixing with wood smoke from the central bonfire.
People clustered in groups, talking and laughing, children running between stalls with sticky fingers and bright smiles. It looked like every town's Christmas market, warm and welcoming and normal.
Except everyone stopped talking when Maren and Tristan entered the square.
The silence lasted maybe five seconds. Then Twyla appeared like she'd been waiting, her wheat-colored hair catching light, fae features bright with delight.
"There you are!" She rushed over, ignoring propriety entirely. "Let me see."
Maren turned her head, showing the mark. Twyla made a satisfied sound.
"Beautiful work, tiger. Very clean." She looked at Tristan's chest, where the spell-circle was visible through his open collar. "And Maren, that's exquisite. Shadow-binding patterns are notoriously difficult but you made it look effortless."
"It felt effortless," Maren admitted. "The magic knew what to do."
"It always does when the match is right." Twyla pressed something into both their hands. Small glass ornaments, perfectly round, filled with swirling shadow and light. "For your first Christmas together. Enchanted to hold memories. Just hold them when you want to remember this moment."
"Twyla, we can't—" Tristan started.
"You can and you will. Consider it payment for not betting against you two." She winked. "Though I did tell everyone you'd end up mated. I'm collecting quite nicely on those wagers."
She disappeared back into the crowd before either could respond.
"She bet on us?" Maren asked.
"Apparently." Tristan pocketed his ornament carefully. "Should we be flattered or concerned?"
"Both probably."
They moved through the market slowly, stopping at stalls that caught their interest. Diana appeared from the Hearth & Hollow's booth, her honey-blonde hair in loose curls, amber eyes warm with genuine happiness.
"Maren! Tristan!" She pulled Maren into a careful hug. "I heard about the marking. Congratulations."
"Thank you." Maren returned the embrace, surprised by how natural it felt. "How's the inn?"
"Thriving. Rowan finally finished the renovations." Diana gestured to where her mate stood talking with Silas, both men radiating that particular alpha energy that came from being comfortable in their own skin. "You should stop by sometime. We're hosting a New Year's gathering."
"We will," Tristan said, his hand finding the small of Maren's back.
