Page 33 of Santa Daddy, I'm Not the One

I released him, stepping back as if burned. The implication of his words cut deeper than any physical wound could. A choice between Landon and the very essence of Twinkle Glen. How could I choose?

With a sinister laugh, Frostheart faded back into the shadows of the trees, leaving me alone with my turmoil. I stood there for a long time, the snow falling gently around me, the quiet of the forest a stark contrast to the storm inside me.

What I felt for Landon was strong, a deep bond that had formed so unexpectedly. But could I sacrifice the tree, the heart of our world, for him? Was there no other way?

With a heavy heart, I returned to the sleigh and set off once more, the questions plaguing me with every mile. The familiar sight of the workshop offered no solace. I needed answers, and I needed them fast. Landon’s life depended on it, as did the future of Twinkle Glen.

I left the sleigh and the reindeer in the caring hands of the elf in the stable, then hurried back to my bedroom. Eirik greeted me outside. My stomach dropped.

“Landon. How is he?”

He smiled widely. “As good as new. He woke up and was hungry. Ate two bowls of soup, then took a bath.”

“Is this true?”

“Go see for yourself.”

I slipped into the room, my heart hammering, half-afraid to believe Eirik’s words. The sight that greeted me washed away all my doubts and fears. Landon was on his feet, pacing the room with an energy and vibrancy that had been missing for days. Color had returned to his cheeks, flushing them with life and warmth. As I entered, he turned, a smile breaking across his face that lit up the room.

“How are you feeling?” I ran over to him, my words tumbling out in a relieved rush.

“I feel great, actually. A bit hungry still, but otherwise, I’m okay,” Landon said, his voice strong and clear. “Was I terribly sick?”

“Yes. I couldn’t find out what was wrong with you.” Unable to help myself, I pulled him into a tight embrace, reveling in the solid reality of him, alive and well.

“You’re squishing me, Daddy.”

“Sorry.” But I didn’t loosen my grip. “Please bear it for a while. Lan, I was so worried about you. When you collapsed, I didn’t know what to do. I thought I might lose you.”

He returned the hug, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m okay now.”

As we pulled apart, I studied his face, looking for any lingering signs of his ordeal. “The day you ended up in the stable. Can you remember anything that happened the night before that? How did you find your way back?”

Landon shook his head, furrowing his brow in concentration. “No, it’s all a blur. I remember feeling intense pain, and then darkness descended. When I woke up, I was lying on that…cloak, right?”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral to hide the churn of emotions and thoughts inside me. The mention of the cloak reminded me of bumping into Frostheart, the sinister threat he posed, and the impossible choice he’d laid at my feet. But I couldn’t burden Landon with that, not when he’d just recovered.

Instead, I smiled, basking in the moment of relief and happiness. “It’s fine. We’ll take it easy for a while, get you fully recovered.”

Landon nodded, his smile faltering slightly as if sensing there was something I wasn’t telling him. But he didn’t press, and I was grateful for it. There would be time for hard truths and difficult decisions, but for now, I wanted to enjoy the simple joy of having him back, healthy and alive.

12

LANDON

Iwas lounging in Nils’s room, enjoying the solitude and warmth, when the air shifted with a presence that hadn’t been there a moment before. Nils entered the room, his appearance comforting and familiar. He walked over to me and, without a word, leaned down to kiss me. It was a gentle, affectionate gesture, but it left me longing for more, something deeper, something more intimate. Since I’d recovered, we’d been cautious with each other, but I couldn’t help the growing frustration at the restraint between us.

I was short of begging him to have sex with me again.

“How’s the village doing?” I asked, trying to distract myself from my wanton thoughts. He’d been visiting every day to help with repairs the village needed.

He sighed, sitting next to me on the bed. “We’ve repaired most of the damaged houses. The community really came together.” His voice was proud but with an undertone of something else, something he wasn’t saying. But I’d learned that pressing him wouldn’t get me anywhere. He’d become more protective, more guarded about certain things since my recovery.

I wanted to push, to know what lay behind those blue eyes, but I held back. Instead, I leaned into him, enjoying the closeness. “That’s good to hear,” I said softly.

He looked at me with a light in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. “I have a thought. Would you like to see the workshop where we make the toys?” he asked with almost boyish excitement.

I nodded. “I’d love to.”

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