Page 16 of Dreaming of an Earth Christmas

Alexis turned her head to scan the room for Carlie and saw that her friend was holding a sleeping Violet in much the same way K’thiss had Althiss resting with his head against his chest. In Carlie’s case, little Violet’s head reached her shoulder, but the effect was the same.

Alexis smiled. It was very cozy despite the large size of the chamber. The numerous Christmas trees, the music someone had set playing, and the decorations throughout the space combined to give it a magical feel. She reached for her cup of chocolate as she glanced at the wall across from her. Count on Sseith of Ka’alaniss to hang a garland of literal gold. She shook her head with an amused huff.

“Not that we need it, but I brought some supplies if anyone wants to make some old-fashioned garland,” Marta announced, holding up a large bag. “I’ve got a berry that looks close to a cranberry that L’allith promises won’t poison anyone, even though it apparently tastes awful, and I asked Kat to have the palace staff pop some popcorn. We’ve got needles and thread, too. Since everything is edible, maybe we can decorate some of the trees outside—as long as no one will mind,” she added with a quick glance towards V’esthiss.

“I’ll explain it to them if anyone has complaints,” he replied. “I will attempt to make your garland.”

V’esthiss was sitting with one arm slung around Kat’s shoulders as she picked at a plate with a large assortment of Xithilene fruit. Alexis caught the moment when the other woman half choked on a segment of v’ellish as she stared at her mate in surprise, and she grinned. She guessed that meant V’esthiss wasn’t usually the crafty type.

“I’d like to make one, too, Marta,” she said, waving her hand.

She’d never done a cranberry garland before, but she’d made the popcorn strings with her grandma growing up. She’d never imagined doing it on Xithilene, but she supposed it made sense. Alice had introduced popcorn as an appetizer in her restaurant, and its popularity had skyrocketed from there. Its appearance as “miniature maize” had only added to the appeal. She didn’t think most Xithilene actually enjoyed eating it, but it had a certain cachet, and the priest clan had added the crop to their sacred fields.

Marta set down her bag in the middle of a seating area with layered carpets. “All right, I’m going to set things up here. Come join me if you want to—the more the merrier!” She began to pull her supplies out and set them down on the carpet. Alexis stood, giving K’thiss and Althiss a swift glance before she headed over towards Marta.

They spent the rest of the afternoon whiling away the time as the conversation flowed, relaxed and easy. She’d never had a big family growing up, but looking around, Alexis felt like Althiss would have that privilege. K’thiss wasn’t especially close with his family, but they visited his parents and sisters a few times a year, and Althiss would have his Lisseethi cousins as well as this new hybrid human-Xithilene family they were making for themselves. He was a lucky little boy, and she was an even luckier woman.

She set down her length of garland and stood up to stretch. “I think I’ll grab something to eat,” she told Marta. Her friend nodded and leaned into L’allith’s side. He’d joined them, as had most of the others. At this rate, the palace grounds were going to be looking extraordinarily festive by the time they were done with them.

Alexis was still nibbling on the remains of her plate when K’thiss lifted up Althiss and snapped his feathers loudly. Their son’s eyes rapidly opened at the sound, but his face cleared when he realized it was his daddy who’d made the noise, and he gave K’thiss a sleepy smile.

“It’s time for you to eat your dinner,” he told Althiss before he set him down and led him over to the food table. She watched, sipping her chocolate, as K’thiss helped him select his favorites. He brought over Althiss and his full plate to Alexis. “I need to step outside for a moment. I’ll leave him with you now that you’ve finished your garland making time.”

“Thanks for holding him for so long. You know that you could’ve told me if you’d wanted to make a garland, too, right?” she asked.

“Yes, my k’lisseth, but this is your holiday. I want you to enjoy yourself. I’ll see you again soon,” he said with a decided nod of his head.

Alexis watched him go, content, yet slightly confused. That had been an odd thing to say, considering she didn’t believe he’d be going anywhere further than the palace grounds. Now that she looked around, a few of the other men were quietly leaving the chamber, too. She saw L’allith headed towards the door to the courtyard, and Sseith was gone entirely.

Alice suddenly cleared her throat and straightened up in her seat as she fiddled with a viewscreen. The Christmas music that’d been playing in the background shut off. “Since it is Christmas Eve, I was hoping no one would mind if I took a moment to read the original story from the Bible. I realize we all have different beliefs, but since going to church isn’t an option, I’d like to at least share the scripture tonight.”

Had it already grown so late? Alexis took a surreptitious glance at her comm device and saw that Alice was correct. If it wasn’t dark outside yet, it would be soon. Alice was smiling nervously as she looked out at the others and raised her viewscreen up, so Alexis assumed there’d been no objections. Although she herself wasn’t very spiritual, she didn’t mind hearing a quick reading. Today was about honoring all of their traditions, after all.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed,” began Alice, her voice sounding a bit shaky as she looked up and saw that everyone was watching. She cleared her throat again and took a deep breath. “And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”

Alexis continued to sip her chocolate as Alice went on with the rest of the story. The holy couple was turned away at the inn, Mary had her baby in a manger, and angels announced it to the world. Althiss had cuddled up at her side again, still looking sleepy, as Alice set the viewscreen down on her lap with a soft sigh.

“Thank you for listening,” she said as T’kalinth gazed at her proudly, baby Daniel lying contentedly in his arms.

Perhaps it was time to call it a night. All of the children were ready for bed, and even Alexis herself was eager to go home and relax in K’thiss’ strong arms. It’d been a wonderful day, but they’d be back tomorrow for the rest of the celebration. WherewasK'thiss? She glanced around the room again, looking for the distinctive markings on his wings, but she came up empty. Even with all of the trees in the chamber, he wouldn’t have been able to hide.

Sseith was back. Alexis saw him speaking quietly with V’esthiss over in a corner. She was just considering whether she should approach them and ask about K’thiss, when V’esthiss walked forward and held up a hand and tapped his nails together. She winced. That particular Xithilene gesture always startled her, no matter how prepared she thought she was.

“Thank you for coming today and sharing your holiday with us. Although we look forward to continuing the Christmas celebration with a meal tomorrow evening, we have one more event planned for tonight.” Alexis saw Sseith trying not to grin in the background and wondered what they were up to. “Please follow me outside, and keep the children in front. This surprise is for them.”

V’esthiss nodded at someone on the other side of the door before he strode through, with Sseith sweeping by regally behind him. Mia and L’xat were next since they’d been sitting closest to the door. The rest of them got up more slowly, making their way leisurely over to the doorway. She and Althiss were almost last. They ran into Carlie and Violet at the threshold.

“Do you know what this is about?” Alexis whispered to her friend.

“Not a clue,” Carlie replied with a bemused grin. “It could be anything. We’ve had quetzals and vampiric mistletoe—I’m not going to make any bets. I guess we’ll just have to see what they came up with.”

They crossed into the hall and followed the others back outside. This time, they walked towards the main courtyard. “It must be something big,” Alexis murmured.

Carlie shrugged and fake grimaced as she widened her eyes. Then she smiled brightly again before she bent down to encourage Violet to see what her daddy had planned next. That’s what worried Alexis—Sseith’s plans. K’thiss had said that the next surprise would be strange, but if he’d been willing to take part, it must not betoocrazy.

V’esthiss had brought them to a stop at the base of the wide stairs that led to the main palace entrance. His crown feathers were lifting and wavering with excitement as he glanced down at Kat, who was giving him a grumpy look. Alexis wondered if she’d tried to get the surprise out of him and failed.

All of the men seemed to have the same gleeful energy about them. Even L’allith, who she’d always considered rather taciturn, was fidgeting with something beneath his robes. Just as he pulled the item out far enough for her to see that it was a Lisseethi instrument, she heard Althiss’ sharp gasp.

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