Page 22 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

Every other magical creature in the town square also steps forward, joining hands. A swell of magic surrounds me, and I can feel it to my very depths. I close my eyes, focusing on the warmth spreading through my body. I imagine it as a river of light, flowing from my core and out through my hands. The bark beneath my fingers grows warm, then hot.

“It’s working,” shouts someone in the crowd. “Look at the barrier.”

I open my eyes to see the cracks in the magical dome slowly closing, like reverse lightning streaking across the sky.The Heart of Haven pulses with renewed vigor, its light growing stronger by the second as the combined magic of the townspeople and the three items helps it heal.

As the last crack seals itself, the Celestial Clock Tower begins to chime. Midnight. We made it just in time.

The surge of energy subsides, and I sag against the Heart, suddenly exhausted. Frost is there in an instant, supporting me with his strong arms.

“We did it,” he says, his voice filled with awe. “We saved Evershift Haven.”

I look around at the cheering townsfolk, their faces lit with joy and relief. The reality of what just happened begins to sink in. “We...Iused magic.Realmagic.”

Frost nods, a proud smile spreading across his face. “You did, and quite impressively, I might add.”

“But how? I’ve never done anything like that before.”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Your fae heritage has always been a part of you, Evony. Coming to Evershift Haven and connecting with the Heart awakened what was already there.”

I lean into his embrace, my mind reeling. Next time I see my grandmother, I’m going to have some questions for her.

The crowd around us erupts into cheers and applause. Candice rushes forward, enveloping me in a tight hug. “You finally found your ‘thing,’” she says with a smile as her eyes shine with tears of joy.

I hug her back. “It feels like I have.”

As the last echoes of the Celestial Clock Tower’s chimes fade away, a hush falls over the crowd gathered in the town square. The newly repaired barrier shimmers with a soft, iridescent glow, casting a magical light over the faces of the townsfolk. I stand next to Frost, his arm still supporting me, as we catchour breath from the intense magical exertion. They’re obviously waiting on something, and I assume it’s Santa.

The rational part of me rejects the idea even as a low hum fills the air, growing louder with each passing second. The crowd parts, revealing a swirling vortex of red and green light materializing in the center of the square. My eyes widen as the portal expands, its edges sparkling with golden flecks.

“Is that...?” I whisper, unable to finish my question. It’s crazy to think I’m actually going to see Santa Claus—that he’s real.

Frost nods, a smile spreading across his face. “Santa’s portal.”

As if on cue, a sleigh and reindeer glide through the shimmering gateway. I immediately notice the driver in the sleigh. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with a flowing white beard and twinkling blue eyes. His red suit is trimmed with white fur, and he has a sack slung over his shoulder as the sleigh stops, and he gets down. There’s no mistaking him—it’s Santa Claus himself.

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as Santa surveys the scene, his jolly laugh booming across the square. “Ho, ho, ho. What a welcome. It seems I’ve arrived just in time for some Christmas magic.”

He strides toward us, each step leaving a trail of sparkling snowflakes in his wake. As he approaches, an external wave of warmth and joy washes over me, dispelling the lingering fatigue from my magical efforts.

“Ah, Frost, my boy,” says Santa, clapping a hand on Frost’s shoulder. “I see you’ve been busy, and who might this lovely young lady be?” He winks at me.

Frost’s cheeks color slightly as he introduces me. “Santa, this is Evony Johnson. She helped save Evershift Haven.”

Santa’s eyes twinkle as he turns to me. “Evony, my dear, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard whispers of your arrival, butI must say, you’ve exceeded even my expectations.” He winks again. “You were always on the nice list, you know.”

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I’m standing face-to-face with Santa Claus. The real Santa Claus. How does one even begin to process that?

Santa chuckles at my speechlessness. “Don’t worry, dear. The first encounter with true Christmas magic can be quite overwhelming. Let’s see what we can do about our dear Grizelda, shall we?”

He turns toward where Grizelda lies on a bed someone conjured or moved into the town square, likely at her insistence to oversee everything before she fell asleep. Atlas hovers anxiously by her side as the Christmas elf approaches them, reaching into his sack and pulling out a small, glowing orb. “This is the essence of pure Christmas joy. It should do the trick.”

He gently places the orb on Grizelda’s forehead. It dissolves into a shower of golden sparkles that envelop her body. The crowd watches in awe as color returns to Grizelda’s cheeks, and her eyes flutter open.

“What...happened?” she asks, her voice weak but growing stronger by the second.

Atlas helps her sit up, tears of joy in his eyes. “You’re okay, my love. Santa’s here. He gave you extra magic to restore you faster.”

Grizelda looks around, taking in the scene. Her eyes widen as they land on the Heart of Haven, once again glowing with its deep, healthy light. She looks immediate at me. “The Heart has connected to you, Evony.”

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