Chapter 7

I RUSH BACK TO THE town square with Frost, the three enchanted items clutched tightly in my arms. I’m nervous approaching the Heart of Haven, whose pulsing light grows fainter by the second. The townsfolk gather around, looking worried.

“We’ve got them,” I say, holding up the Christmas Star, Snow Globe, and Evergreen Branch. “What do we do now?”

Frost takes the items from me. “We need to place them around the Heart in a triangular formation. Their combined magic should stabilize the barrier.”

We hurry to position the artifacts. As soon as they’re in place, a surge of energy ripples through the air. The Heart of Haven glows brighter, its light pulsing with renewed strength. For a moment, everything seems perfect.

Then, a loud crack echoes across the square. I look up to see fissures spreading across the dome of the magical barrier, like cracks in a massive eggshell.

“No,” whispers Frost, his face pale. “It’s not enough.”

A strange sensation washes over me, like invisible tendrils of energy pulling at my very being. My skin tingles, and I gasp as an unfamiliar warmth spreads through my body.

“Evony?” Frost turns to me, concern etched on his face. “What’s wrong?”

I struggle to find words as the sensation intensifies. “I don’t know. It feels like...something’s waking up inside me.”

The pulling sensation grows stronger, and I stumble. Frost catches me, steadying me with his strong arms. “It’s your fae heritage,” he says softly. “The Heart is calling to your latent magic.”

I shake my head, overwhelmed by the rush of sensations. “This can’t be happening. I’m just an accountant from Chicago. I can’t have magic.”

Frost cups my face in his hands. “You’re so much more than that. I’ve known it since the moment I first dreamed about you. Your magic has always been there, waiting to be awakened.”

Another crack splits the air, and the barrier flickers ominously. Frost releases me and turns his attention back to the Heart of Haven. He raises his hands, channeling his own magic into the ancient tree. Streams of silvery light flow from his fingertips, enveloping the Heart in a shimmering cocoon.

“It’s not enough.” He grunts, strain evident in his voice. “The damage is too extensive. I can’t hold it alone.”

Without thinking, I step forward, placing my hands on the rough bark of the Heart. The pulling sensation intensifies, and I gasp as energy surges through me. It’s overwhelming, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once.

“That’s it, Evony. Let your magic flow. Connect with the Heart.”

Every other magical creature in the town square also steps forward, joining hands. A swell of magic surrounds me, and I can feel it to my very depths. I close my eyes, focusing on the warmth spreading through my body. I imagine it as a river of light, flowing from my core and out through my hands. The bark beneath my fingers grows warm, then hot.

“It’s working,” shouts someone in the crowd. “Look at the barrier.”

I open my eyes to see the cracks in the magical dome slowly closing, like reverse lightning streaking across the sky. The Heart of Haven pulses with renewed vigor, its light growing stronger by the second as the combined magic of the townspeople and the three items helps it heal.

As the last crack seals itself, the Celestial Clock Tower begins to chime. Midnight. We made it just in time.

The surge of energy subsides, and I sag against the Heart, suddenly exhausted. Frost is there in an instant, supporting me with his strong arms.

“We did it,” he says, his voice filled with awe. “We saved Evershift Haven.”

I look around at the cheering townsfolk, their faces lit with joy and relief. The reality of what just happened begins to sink in. “We... I used magic. Real magic.”

Frost nods, a proud smile spreading across his face. “You did, and quite impressively, I might add.”

“But how? I’ve never done anything like that before.”

He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Your fae heritage has always been a part of you, Evony. Coming to Evershift Haven and connecting with the Heart awakened what was already there.”

I lean into his embrace, my mind reeling. Next time I see my grandmother, I’m going to have some questions for her.

The crowd around us erupts into cheers and applause. Candice rushes forward, enveloping me in a tight hug. “You finally found your ‘thing,’” she says with a smile as her eyes shine with tears of joy.

I hug her back. “It feels like I have.”

As the last echoes of the Celestial Clock Tower’s chimes fade away, a hush falls over the crowd gathered in the town square. The newly repaired barrier shimmers with a soft, iridescent glow, casting a magical light over the faces of the townsfolk. I stand next to Frost, his arm still supporting me, as we catch our breath from the intense magical exertion. They’re obviously waiting on something, and I assume it’s Santa.

The rational part of me rejects the idea even as a low hum fills the air, growing louder with each passing second. The crowd parts, revealing a swirling vortex of red and green light materializing in the center of the square. My eyes widen as the portal expands, its edges sparkling with golden flecks.

“Is that...?” I whisper, unable to finish my question. It’s crazy to think I’m actually going to see Santa Claus—that he’s real.

Frost nods, a smile spreading across his face. “Santa’s portal.”

As if on cue, a sleigh and reindeer glide through the shimmering gateway. I immediately notice the driver in the sleigh. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, with a flowing white beard and twinkling blue eyes. His red suit is trimmed with white fur, and he has a sack slung over his shoulder as the sleigh stops, and he gets down. There’s no mistaking him—it’s Santa Claus himself.

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as Santa surveys the scene, his jolly laugh booming across the square. “Ho, ho, ho. What a welcome. It seems I’ve arrived just in time for some Christmas magic.”

He strides toward us, each step leaving a trail of sparkling snowflakes in his wake. As he approaches, an external wave of warmth and joy washes over me, dispelling the lingering fatigue from my magical efforts.

“Ah, Frost, my boy,” says Santa, clapping a hand on Frost’s shoulder. “I see you’ve been busy, and who might this lovely young lady be?” He winks at me.

Frost’s cheeks color slightly as he introduces me. “Santa, this is Evony Johnson. She helped save Evershift Haven.”

Santa’s eyes twinkle as he turns to me. “Evony, my dear, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard whispers of your arrival, but I must say, you’ve exceeded even my expectations.” He winks again. “You were always on the nice list, you know.”

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I’m standing face-to-face with Santa Claus. The real Santa Claus. How does one even begin to process that?

Santa chuckles at my speechlessness. “Don’t worry, dear. The first encounter with true Christmas magic can be quite overwhelming. Let’s see what we can do about our dear Grizelda, shall we?”

He turns toward where Grizelda lies on a bed someone conjured or moved into the town square, likely at her insistence to oversee everything before she fell asleep. Atlas hovers anxiously by her side as the Christmas elf approaches them, reaching into his sack and pulling out a small, glowing orb. “This is the essence of pure Christmas joy. It should do the trick.”

He gently places the orb on Grizelda’s forehead. It dissolves into a shower of golden sparkles that envelop her body. The crowd watches in awe as color returns to Grizelda’s cheeks, and her eyes flutter open.

“What...happened?” she asks, her voice weak but growing stronger by the second.

Atlas helps her sit up, tears of joy in his eyes. “You’re okay, my love. Santa’s here. He gave you extra magic to restore you faster.”

Grizelda looks around, taking in the scene. Her eyes widen as they land on the Heart of Haven, once again glowing with its deep, healthy light. She looks immediate at me. “The Heart has connected to you, Evony.”

I shift uncomfortably under her gaze, still not entirely used to the idea of having magical abilities. “I... I just wanted to help,” I stammer.

Santa laughs heartily. “And help you did, Evony. Being connected to the Heart merely means you’ll be contributing to the magic of the town.”

“For as long as you stay,” says Grizelda with a yawn. “The connection will sever when you leave.”

“I...” I’m not sure how I feel about that. The idea of leaving sends a spasm through me, like a physical ache.

As if to emphasize her point, the barrier above us pulses with renewed energy, sending cascades of colorful light dancing across the sky. The townsfolk gasp and point as one of the branches sways toward my direction.

Santa turns back to Frost and me, a knowing smile on his face. “I must say, I’m particularly pleased to see the two of you working together so well. It warms my heart to see new love blossoming on Christmas.”

My cheeks heat up, and I sneak a glance at Frost. He’s looking at me with such tenderness that my pulse drums in my ears like a tribal rhythm.

“Now then,” says Santa, “I believe we have some Christmas magic to share.”

The crowd cheers, and Santa presses his palm against the tree. A surge of power emanates from the Heart, and he visibly glows for a minute. When the wave hits me, I feel invincible for a time, at least until it fades when Santa steps back.

He bows to the crowd. “I have to continue the journey.” With a wave, he returns to his sleigh. “Merry Christmas to all.” With a flick of the reins, the reindeer run a short distance before jumping into the air and taking flight. That same red and green vortex briefly appears as they depart through it, then seals behind them as a phantom, “And to all a good night,” echoes around us.

I stare, still shocked but warmed by the experience, while the rest of the townspeople start to party. As the celebration kicks into full swing, Frost takes my hand, leading me away from the crowd. We find a quiet spot near the Heart of Haven, which now pulses with vibrant, healthy energy.

“I’m so glad you came here,” he says softly. “Everything has changed, at least for me.”

I look up into his eyes, which are currently dark blue with silver sparkles, seeing the depth of emotion there. “I... I don’t even know how to process everything that’s happened. A week ago, I was just an accountant from Chicago. Now I’m apparently a fae with magical powers, standing in a hidden town full of magical creatures, holding hands with the most incredible man I’ve ever met.”

Frost chuckles, pulling me closer. “I am, aren’t I?” He winks. “Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it?”

As snowflakes begin to fall gently around us, he tilts up my chin. Our lips meet in a kiss that sends sparks of magic coursing through my body. It’s tender and passionate, filled with promise and the excitement of new beginnings.

We rejoin the celebration, hand in hand, as I contemplate the twists and turns my life has taken. Who knew that a simple visit to a small town would lead to discovering my true heritage, unlocking magical powers, and finding love?

This Christmas in Evershift Haven has changed everything.