Page 20 of Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells

They moved together, finding their rhythm. Falkor led with surprising grace, his movements fluid and assured. One hand rested on her waist, warm through the fabric of her sweater while the other held hers as if it were something precious.

“Where did you learn to dance?” she asked, curious about this hidden talent.

A shadow crossed his face. “It was expected, in my family. Part of our... education.”

“You make it sound like a punishment.”

“It usually was.” But then his expression softened as he looked down at her. “Though perhaps I’m finding reasons to appreciate the skill.”

The music shifted to something slower, more intimate. Without discussion, they drew closer. Briar could feel the steady beat of his heart and smelled the hint of smoke and spice that clung to his skin. His thumb traced absent patterns on her waist,probably unconsciously, each touch sending sparks of awareness through her.

“This is nice,” she murmured, not wanting to break the spell of the moment.

“Hmm.” The sound rumbled through his chest. “You’re changing things, you know.”

“The cabin?”

“Everything.”

The moment stretched between them, full of unspoken possibilities. Then a tremendous crash shattered the silence. They whirled to find one of Briar’s garlands had come loose, taking down an entire section of decorations in its wake. A cascade of ornaments, ribbons, and magical lights created a spectacular light show as they fell.

Briar burst into helpless laughter. “I guess my decorating skills need work.”

To her amazement, Falkor joined in, his deep laugh harmonizing with hers. “Perhaps this time, we’ll secure everything properly.”

“Thistime?” she asked, eyes twinkling.

He smiled—a real, warm smile that transformed his entire face. “Well, we can’t leave the cabin half-decorated, can we?”

As they began cleaning up the fallen decorations together, their hands brushed occasionally, each touch sending little shivers of awareness through Briar. She noticed something had changed in the cabin’s atmosphere. It felt warmer, more alive. And it wasn’t just the decorations or the fire—it was something else entirely, something growing between them with every shared laugh and gentle touch.

Outside, the dark storm still raged, but inside Falkor’s cabin, a different kind of magic was blooming—one that smelled like cookies (both burnt and edible), sparkled like enchanted frost, and felt remarkably like hope. More than that, it felt like thebeginning of something special, something that could warm even the coldest of hearts.

TWENTY-ONE

The storm’s sudden retreat painted Whispering Pines in brilliant winter sunlight, transforming ice-covered cobblestones into sparkling pathways. Briar seized her chance the moment she noticed the dark clouds retreating, practically dragging Falkor from his cabin into town. “Fresh air will do you good,” she insisted, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. His heat radiated through his black wool coat, warming her entire side.

“I have plenty of fresh air at home,” he grumbled, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, he adjusted his stride to match hers, sheltering her from the worst of the winter wind. His powerful presence beside her made her feel oddly safe despite knowing the storm’s retreat was temporary.

The Lone Wolf Café emerged from the winter wonderland like a beacon of warmth, its windows glowing with welcoming light. Delicious aromas wafted out each time the door opened—Kade’s famous beef stew, fresh-baked bread, and something sweetly spiced that made Briar’s mouth water.

“Look who finally left his cave!” Celeste’s delighted voice greeted them as they entered. She sat with Kade at their usual corner table which had expanded to accommodate Reed andEllie as well. Luna raised her teacup in greeting from where she sat, her violet eyes twinkling with obvious interest in this development.

“The storm broke,” Briar explained, unwinding her scarf. A few snowflakes still clung to her dark red hair, melting in the café’s warmth. “I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity.”

“Smart woman,” Kade rumbled approvingly, pulling out chairs for them both. Briar noticed how Falkor positioned himself slightly behind her, protective even in this safe space. His hand ghosted over the small of her back as she sat, the brief touch sending shivers up her spine.

They had barely settled when the bell above the door chimed again. Tabitha and Bram entered in a swirl of cold air and laughter, followed closely by Fia and Sayer. Moments later, Sera arrived with Lark, their cheeks pink from the cold.

“Well, this is turning into quite the gathering,” Ellie observed, smiling as the tables were pushed together to accommodate everyone. The café filled with the scraping of chairs and friendly chatter as everyone rearranged themselves.

Briar found herself wedged between Falkor and Celeste, noticing every time Falkor’s arm brushed hers as he reached for his coffee. The café hummed with conversation and laughter, a welcome change from the eerie silence of the storm.

“How’s the reorganizing of the children’s shop coming along?” Fia asked, leaning forward with interest. Her businesswoman’s directness was softened by genuine warmth. “Any trouble with the storm?”

“We’ve managed to keep it protected,” Briar replied, unconsciously leaning into Falkor’s warmth beside her. “Though I have to reinforce the wards daily now.”

“Speaking of protection,” Sayer’s deep voice rumbled from beside his wife, “what brought you two out during this briefrespite?” His golden eyes, so similar to Falkor’s, held a knowing gleam.

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