Page 34 of Christmas Wishes
His father smiled and winked, though didn’t utter a word of confirmation or denial.
“Will my memories fade?” Blix asked.
“My dear your memories will stay intact and you will be free to come and go as often as possible.”
“Why do I get to keep mine and she had to give up hers?”
“Because…” Santa chuckled and gave her a wink. “You will one day be Mrs. Claus. I can’t have you forgetting all about that.”
“Oh.” Rand had listened to the exchange of questions and answers. “Father? Are there other shifters inSnow Falls?”
“There are. It’s a safe zone for shifters of all sorts. Foxes, wolves, bears, reindeer. No one controls it the area, it’s just the way it is. They exist with the humans, protecting them from other wildlife and dangers.”
“Dangers? From what?”
“Anyone who gets too close to the edge. We can’t allow anyone to simply wander. Maria was the last incident we had and we can’t allow any others like that.”
“Is there magic inSnow Falls?”
“Not until you. You and Blix will be the magic.”
“How?”
“Who’s to say? You’ll do great things, Rand. You had to get out of your own way and though I’m sure there are more growing pains for you to go through, you’re on your way. Responsibility will help. As will Miss Silverberry.”
The more his father explained, the more Rand began to understand. There was so much to experience, so much to explore in the world. He had flown across it, but had never really understood it.
He was going to have that chance and he was going to have Blix. He stood and declared, “I’m ready.”
“Good. I need you, son.”
He never thought he’d hear those words from Father Christmas. “You do?”
“Yes. You returning to the sleigh team means I’ll get to live for a few hundred years more.”
“What do you mean?” But his father was smiling and Blix stood snickering.
“Maria.” Santa shuddered. She threatened me with a rolling pin if I didn’t make things right and allow Tomas to be home for the holiday. How could I say no?”
* * * * *
“Rand? Are you sure about this?” Blix asked. She stood with him in a small clearing behind the cabin where he undressed. Blix barely kept her desire in check. Now that she’d had Rand once, she wanted him again, and again. Would a quickie be against the rules?
“I’m sure. Where will you be? Here or back home?”
“Here. If you want me to stay.”
“Want you to stay?” He kissed her hard, swift. “Of course I want you to stay. Didn’t you hear? You’re going to be my Mrs. Claus one day. We might as well get started now.”
He would shift and the team of elves Santa brought with him would hitch Rand to the sleigh, which was in another, larger clearing not far. Santa had come to collect his son. “He was trying to teach me a lesson by sending me here, wasn’t he? Not punish me.”
“I think he wanted you to see that there are simplistic pleasures. We have Christmas trees in the North Pole, but we also have the elaborate and twinkly decorations. Yours here are as close to handmade as I’ve seen in years. You met three people who were open and showed you a different side of humanity than what you perceived humans to be. Not all are full of greed and the desire for shiny things. I think he wanted you to experience just a taste of it, enough to make you want more.”
“Do you want it, too?”
“I want a chance to have you, to explore with you. I waited hundreds of years for you, Rand. I’m not going to walk away now that my wish came true.”
He handed her the last of his clothing and bent to kiss her. “You’re the best gift, Blix. The best gift I’ve ever received.”
