Page 30 of Christmas Kisses
Brenya felt her eyebrows raise, and her grandma went on, “When I reached maturity, I was able to leave my home to venture here to seek my true mate. They are often found where we least expect it, and that was exactly what happened; when I met your grandfather, he was fighting in a war for the humans. This big event had just changed the world for the American people and your grandfather was called to fight for his country. And he was not expecting to meet me when he did. Nor I him. But the minute our eyes met, I knew he was my true mate. And he also knew I was the girl he had dreamed of and searched for his whole life. And our love story started from there. Your grandfather was skeptical at first about me, and my elf heritage, scared of what I had told him about me. That I was an elf from a magical realm. I understood his trepidation and fear.”
Grandma patted her hand, “He hadn’t known what to believe, until I saved him and his crew from certain death by teleporting their aircraft they were in, away from the bomb they would have hit.”
Astryd shut her eyes, as if remembering. “When their plane touched the ground and they were safe from harm, he looked around and saw me there, feeling my magic fade from the air, he knew that I was exactly what I said and he never doubted me or our love again. I brought him back to my world and we sealed our bond, and I became pregnant with Brynn. And with the permission from my parents, we moved here to give our children a life not filled with magic, but to show them how to live as humans did. As their father did. And we didn’t regret that decision. Still haven’t.”
Brenya gave a small smile and Astryd opened her eyes, “I have started to age slowly, as has grandpa, but we won’t fully age for a very long time. It’s what happens with a human and a elf. They share each other’s lifespan and so grandpa will live longer because of it. We are still happy, and healthy and have gone back and forth to my world a lot. It’s where your Uncle Joshua lives with his wife, because she is an elf, like me.”
Brenya raised her eyebrow, she had no idea about aunt Jayda being an elf. That was new.
“Your father is a human and your mother has enough elf magic that she knew her true mate as well. As do you.”
Brenya shook her head, “I’m so overwhelmed with all this and Jensynn explained some of it, but a true mate?”
“Yes sweetie. You told us you met your true mate. The one man meant for you. The one man meant to complete you in every single way. I know it’s hard to believe, and hard to process all of this information at once, especially with the day you have had, but feel the trust in my words. You know I speak only truth.”
Her grandma cupped her cheek softly, “You may not have the pointed ears like me or your mother, but you have elf blood running through your veins. You have powers and though you don’t always think you use them, you often do.”
Brenya felt her eyebrows dip in confusion, “I do?”
Her mom smiled, “Have you ever lost something and then the second you want to find it, it’s found?”
Brenya nodded, “Yes, but I thought that was normal.”
Her mom laughed, “How about when you think of something you need and it immediately is at your side, ready to be used?”
Brenya nodded slowly again, and then her mom laughed, “How about the fact that you can read people like I can? That you can tell if someone is telling the truth?”
Brenya nodded, “Lying is harder for me to read, as some people are excellent liars, but most of the time, it makes my skin crawl, so I always know if someone lies.”
Brynn smiled, “See? Now, you told us about your first meeting with Jensynn. When was this?”
“It was three days ago.”
Astryd laughed, “I told you Brynn. I felt the energy. Was your first kiss that night?”
Brenya nodded again, “It was. And it was as if the second we kissed it sent a wave of energy out.”
Her mom grinned, “It did. We felt it. It was so strong that it made those who have been unsure or wishing for love to find it. And your grandma and I knew that something big had happened. That a powerful couple had found their other half. There is something about Jensynn that makes even my magic feel as if it’s nothing. He has an energy about him that is so strong. He left it all over you.”
Brenya looked down at the clothes she was wearing, “He got me dressed in this, this morning.”
Astryd nodded, “Yes. That’s it. I have never been able to conjure things like that. Has he ever just known what you wanted? Like if you were hungry or something?”
She nodded, “He got me a burger the day that Alan tried to hurt me and I never told him I wanted one.”
Brynn patted her hand, “He has the power to see what is in someone’s heart and make it come true. That is a rare talent. You said he worked for Santa Claus?”
Brenya nodded again, “That’s what he said.”
Astryd tapped her chin, “Is his last name Bannon?”
Brenya almost fell over in shock. “Yes.”
Astryd grinned, “His line is one of the most sought after in the elf world. They are powerful and kind, and good down to their core. Many females will be disappointed. They have been wishing that Jensynn would find his true mate in the elf community. Looks like he did, but not with a full blooded elf. Oh hearts will break all over.”
Brenya felt a wave of jealousy surge out of her, “Well he is mine. So they can’t have him.”
Astryd laughed, “Oh, they know. They all felt the surge. Don’t worry, before he reached maturity, he kissed an elf girl or two, but from the second he hit maturity, he hasn’t looked twice at any woman. They weren’t who he was meant to be with.”
