Page 39 of Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells

“Speaking of love...” Molly appeared at her elbow, holding out a special cupcake decorated with tiny golden dragons. “Want a peek at what’s ahead?”

Briar hesitated only a moment before taking a bite. The vision bloomed behind her eyes—a Christmas morning years from now. She saw herself and Falkor surrounded by children, some with his golden eyes, others clearly adopted, all radiating joy as they opened presents by a twinkling tree. The scene filled her heart near to bursting.

“Good things coming?” Molly asked, noting Briar’s misty eyes.

“The best things.”

“Any wedding bells in those plans?” Mari inquired, abandoning her half-finished painting to join them.

Briar shook her head. “We’re not rushing. After everything he’s been through, the fact that he’s opened his heart at all is miracle enough. Besides,” she grinned, “I still need to teach him proper Christmas cookie decorating technique. Marriage can wait until he masters construction-paper snowflake cutting.”

“That could take centuries,” Tabitha joked. “Have you seen what he did to those poor gingerbread men?”

“They’re not that bad,” Briar protested loyally.

“Honey, they look like they’ve been through dragon fire,” Daisy pointed out. “Which, considering the source...”

More laughter bubbled up as they gathered around the various stations. Fia proved to have a hidden talent for gingerbread architecture while Celeste’s attempts at painting kept mysteriously incorporating random explosions of glitter. Ivy brewed special teas that made the drinker temporarily speak in carol lyrics, leading to increasingly ridiculous conversations.

“Thank you,” Briar murmured to Luna as they watched Daisy and Mari engage in a frosting duel. “Not just for tonight, but for making me feel welcome from day one. The orphanage I grew up in taught me the importance of community, of having people who care. Finding that here, with all of you...” She gestured to their laughing friends. “It means everything.”

Luna squeezed her hand. “You give as much as you receive, dear. The children at the orphanage adore you, and you’ve helped heal more than just Falkor’s heart. This town is brighter because you’re in it.”

“Group hug!” Daisy declared, overhearing them. Before anyone could protest, they found themselves wrapped in a many-armed embrace, giggling like schoolgirls.

The evening continued with an exchange of gag gifts—enchanted mistletoe that ran from potential kissers, a sweater that played off-key carols, a coffee mug that insisted on adding progressively more sugar to every drink. Through it all, Briar’s heart swelled with gratitude. These women had become more than friends—they were family, bound together by love, magic, and the occasional frosting disaster.

FORTY

Later that night, snow crunched beneath Briar’s boots as she made her way up the path to her house. Christmas lights twinkled through the windows like welcoming beacons. The scent of chocolate and cinnamon drifted on the night air, drawing her forward with its promise of warmth.

She barely had time to reach for the doorknob before it swung open, revealing Falkor’s tall frame silhouetted against the cozy light within. His golden eyes sparkled as he took her in, snowflakes melting in her red hair.

“I thought dragons didn’t do domestic,” she teased, spotting the steaming mugs of hot cocoa on the coffee table behind him.

“We make exceptions for Christmas witches.” He pulled her inside and into his arms. The lingering winter chill melted away as she pressed against his chest, his natural dragon warmth enveloping her like a blanket.

“I missed you,” he murmured into her hair. The simple admission meant more coming from him—this ancient being who’d spent centuries avoiding attachment.

Briar tilted her face up to his. “Enough to make hot cocoa?”

“With extra marshmallows.” His lips curved into that rare, genuine smile that never failed to make her heart skip. “Though if you’d rather have tea...”

She silenced him with a kiss, rising onto her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. His response was immediate and passionate, one hand tangling in her hair while the other drew her closer.

When they finally broke apart, his eyes had taken on that molten quality that never failed to make her knees weak. “The cocoa’s getting cold,” he observed, his voice rougher than usual.

“We can reheat it later.” Briar traced the line of his jaw, feeling the slight tremor that ran through him at her touch. “Much later.”

Briar grabbed his face and kissed him. “What are you thinking?”

“I think I need you now, or I’ll go insane.”

Falkor carried her to the bedroom. He set her onto her feet and immediately consumed her lips, his tongue plunging inside her mouth and taking command.

He removed her sweater and pushed down her jeans. His hungry eyes devoured her. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached up to undo his jeans. She freed his cock from its prison and licked the tip while meeting his eyes.

“You are so sexy,” he gasped.

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