Page 95 of The Naughty List Agreement

“Nicholas’s good heart and intentions wove Gold Lumen into the world. When he was forty-two, he was visited by the Weaver of Seasons. She showed him the threads of the children he had saved and explained that the laughter he kindled had softened winter. She offered him a place in the pattern—immortality bound to service. As long as he remained a keeper of joy, he would be immortal.”

“The Weaver of Seasons? Is she the one who made that tapestry?” Cora asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes, it’s a reflection of the entire world. The contract that Nicholas signed was woven into the tapestry—that tree there at the start of it. He wasn’t meant to be alone forever. She made concessions for him to have a wife and children. When the time came, the mantle of Gift Bearer would be passed to one of his descendants,” Nick told her.

“That’s why you have to be married?” she asked.

“Both yes and no. I can continue but my magic will grow weaker as Pete’s takes over until I eventually fade from memory and from existence. Christmas magic powers hope and goodwill in the mortal world—your world—but in mine it powers life itself.”

“So Christmas disappears?”

“It would continue but instead of a celebration of joy, it would be more like an audit.” Cora knotted her hands together. “This is all a lot to take in, I get that. But I needed you to know the truth of who I am before we talk about love. I can’t walk away from this. Ever. It’s important you understand that.”

Even if he wanted to give up everything for Cora, he couldn’t.

“I’ve talked to the council today and petitioned for an extension and they have agreed. An engagement will be enough to satisfy the contract to give you time to adjust to⁠—”

“The council? I thought the … Weaver of the Seasons was in charge,” Cora said, tensing.

“The weaver is a spirit who only takes the form of a being when called upon. They can appear as a woman or a man and usually they are carrying some kind of needle and thread. The Council of Legendaries monitors levels of Gold Lumen; it is self-governing. I’m one of eight.”

Cora put her head in her hands and her shoulders slumped forward. “I can’t deal with this. This is all … a lot to take in. And if I did believe all this, how do I know you care about me for me and not just to beat Pete? Or to save your realm?”

Nick got up and knelt in front of her chair, putting his hands over hers and lowering them from her face until their eyes met. “I’m still the man you love. The man who loves you.”

She gave him the saddest smile he’d ever seen.

“When you entered my life in your on-point plaid with your demands that I help you save the Winter Wonderland with a toy that would enchant kids of every age, you intrigued me greatly.”

“I annoyed you too.”

“Not really. You showed me something that I had been missing by hiding up here in Hearthvale. The real world didn’t work the way I remembered. It had changed and expanded. You were creating a modern Christmas experience. What I’ve seen is a woman who is smart, funny, and who understands the true meaning of Christmas.

“I need that woman by my side, Cora. I love you more than you can imagine. I have been falling for you since that night I walked you home. I got a glimpse of the special magic you carry in your soul.”

“I’m not sure about that.”

“I am. Your life hasn’t been easy but you kept that spark alive. You took a season that for you meant pain and heartache and created an event that brings joy and light to everyone who visits it and everyone they visit when they leave. That kind of Gold Lumen is powerful, Cora. The kind that can power both of our worlds. I love you and I want you to be by my side. Forever.”

CHAPTER 25

Cora was in free-fall. Everything was too unreal. Like, she probably was having a fever dream, except she knew she wasn’t because Nick’s hands on hers were real, the heat from the fire warming them was real, and the familiar scents of cedar and pine were real too.

“I still have a bunch of questions.”

“I’ll answer them all,” he assured her. “I’m asking you to build on the love that is growing between us. To live with me here in Hearthvale and become the Hearth Anchor, my Mrs. Claus. My wife.”

“What would that entail?” she asked, shaking her head. “I was talking about loving you and dating you, Nick, but you’re talking about much bigger stakes.”

“No, I’m not. You don’t have to be anything other than yourself,” he assured her.

“But you have to get married?”

“I do. I always thought that it was simply for appearances, but working with you at Winter Wonderland, seeing the holiday through your eyes, made me realize that the woman at Santa’s side is the heart of the holiday. You are not only my heart, but I believe you are the heart of Christmas, Cora.”

“My knot told you all that?” she asked. She was still trying to piece this together and deal with her own fears, which had turned into a blizzard in her stomach. The only anchor in the storm was Nick with his sparkling blue eyes keeping her grounded.

“I wasn’t paying close enough attention at first and … you were on the Naughty List.”