Page 28 of Santa Daddy, I'm Not the One

I carried Landon through a side entrance where we wouldn’t be seen by the elves in the workshop and brought him to my rooms.

“Let’s get you out of your clothes.”

I set him on his feet, but Landon and took a step back. “What are you going to do to me?” he asked. “I told you I didn’t want to touch the tree, and you made me.”

He was right. I should have listened, but I never expected the tree to react so strongly to him. I sighed, a heavy weight settling in my chest. The fear in his eyes was heartbreaking.

“Landon, you don’t have to be afraid. No one’s going to hurt you. I’m glad you’re okay. I’ve searched for you all night.”

He said nothing, just looked at me with those big, hurt eyes.

“I’m really sorry. I was the one who put you in that position, but I swear I’ll fix it. I’ll find out what’s happening.”

The silence between us stretched, filled only by the soft crackling of the fire and the distant hum of activity from the workshop.

Finally, Landon gave a small nod. “Okay,” he whispered. “But I don’t want to go to the town anymore.”

“That’s okay. There’s still lots to do around here until the Crossing opens, and then…” He would be gone out of my life. Was it too soon to weep? He’d just entered my life. How could he leave so soon? But after everything he’d been through, how could I ask him to stay?

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Dolbie, sir. The elders are getting restless. They want to search the workshop for the human boy.”

Landon stepped back, glancing around the room, and I knew he was thinking of running away again. I could tell he’d done this all his life with no one to protect him. Not anymore. As long as he had me, I would protect him.

“I’ll be right there,” I said. “Do not let any of them leave the workshop.”

“Okay, sir.”

“You’re going to hand me over to them, aren’t you?” Landon asked.

“Of course not. I’ll never hand you over.”

“Even if it means choosing between me and them?”

“Landon.” I cupped his face in my hand. “I’m never going to abandon you. Don’t worry. Go to the bathroom and get into the bath. I’ll send everyone on their way and then be right back.”

He licked his bottom lip and swallowed. The worry in his eyes made me scared he would run again as soon as my back was turned, but I didn’t want him to feel like he was in a prison either.

“Landon, I’m going to need you to trust me. Please. Can you do that for me, baby boy?”

“And you won’t hand me over to them?”

“Never.”

I took his face in my hands and kissed him hard. “No one will ever take you away from me.”

Leaving Landon alone made me anxious. I was tempted to send an elf to guard the door, but we had to establish trust between us, so I left him alone in good faith while I went to join the elders and listen to what they had to say.

When I entered the room, the loud chatter died. The town had sent four elves—the most senior members of their community.

“Elders.” I nodded respectfully at each of them. “I understand you have some concerns. Please go ahead.”

Elder Baelis stepped forward. His beard was a snowy white, and his eyes held a shimmering wisdom.

“Nils, what will you do about the tree?” he asked. “The people in town are panicking. Against our better judgment, we allowed you to bring the human boy among us, and now our whole town might be ruined.”

“You are right to blame me,” I said. “It is true that the boy who is with us is unique in temperament.”

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