Page 57 of Knot Sharing the Ice

To my surprise and delight, Ember loops her arm through mine without hesitation. "Lead the way," she says, and I swear I can feel the warmth of her even through our layers of winter clothing.

We make our way through the festival, stopping at various booths and attractions. At the gingerbread station, Jayce creates what he claims is a "postmodern interpretation" of a gingerbread house, but it looks more like a frosting explosion. Ember laughs so hard she snorts, then immediately claps a hand over her mouth, looking mortified.

The sound is so endearing, so purelyher.

Of course we can't help but join in.

As we wander, I find myself hyper-aware of every little interaction. The way Ember leans into me when we stop to listen to a group of carolers. How her eyes light up when she spots the ice sculpture display. The little gasp she lets out when we round a corner and come face to face with a massive Christmas tree in a long line of displays the townsfolk have entered into the annual competition, its lights reflecting in her wide eyes.

"It's beautiful," she breathes, but I can't help but think she's far more captivating than any tree.

We're passing a row of carnival games when Adder suddenly stops short. "Hey Em," he says, a mischievous glint in his eye, "see anything you like?"

Ember follows his gaze to a display of oversized stuffed animals hanging from one of the booths. Her eyes land on a fluffy pink-and-blue unicorn, and I see a flash of childlike wonder cross her face before she schools her expression.

"Oh, um, they're cute," she says, trying for nonchalance. "But those games are always rigged."

Jayce and Adder exchange a look, and I know exactly what's about to happen. Sure enough, Jayce puffs out his chest and declares, "Challenge accepted. Prepare to be impressed, Cotton Candy."

What follows is nothing short of ridiculous. Jayce and Adder take turns trying to best the clearly rigged games, their competitive streaks on full display. Ember watches with a mix of amusement and embarrassment, but I can see the pleased flush on her cheeks.

After several failed attempts and enough money to pay for the entire fair, Adder finally manages to knock down all the milk bottles. The look of triumph on his face as he presents Ember with the unicorn is priceless.

"Shit," Jayce grumbles half-heartedly. "Well, I loosened it up for you."

"Your valiant knights have slain the carnival dragon and rescued the noble steed," Adder teases with an exaggerated bow.

Ember accepts the stuffed animal, hugging it to her chest. "My heroes," she says dryly, but there's no mistaking the genuine happiness in her eyes. "How can I ever repay you?"

"Well," Jayce starts, a suggestive tone in his voice, but Mason elbows him before he can finish the thought.

To all our surprise, she leans up and pecks Adder on the lips, then does the same with Jayce. It's a shock, considering we wereunder the impression she didn't even want her family to know about us.

But maybe she's loosening up a little to the idea of being ours. And as far as I'm concerned, the whole world can know we're hers.

I know my packmates feel the same way.

As we continue our stroll, Ember's free hand finds mine, her fingers intertwining with my own. The gesture is so natural, so right, that it takes my breath away. I look down at her, and find her already gazing up at me, a soft smile playing at her lips.

In that moment, surrounded by the sights and sounds of Christmas, with our pack beside us and Ember's hand in mine, I'm struck by an overwhelming sense of belonging.

This—right here, right now—is exactly where I'm meant to be.

"Thank you," Ember says softly, her words nearly lost in the bustle around us. "For... all of this. For being patient with me. For not giving up."

I squeeze her hand gently.

I wish I could just pull her close and never let go.

But for now, this is enough.

This is everything.

"Always," I murmur back, and I mean it with every fiber of my being. "We're not going anywhere, Ember. Not unless you want us to."

She looks at me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. Then, rising up on her tiptoes, she presses a soft kiss to my cheek. "Good," she whispers against my skin. "Because I think... I think I want you to stay. And I don't know how that's going to look when we all have to go back to our worlds, but… I know that, at least."

I give her hand a tighter squeeze. "We'll figure it out," I promise. "One step at a time."

---