Chapter 10

chapter

ten

S unlight streams in through the window, waking me from the most relaxing night’s sleep I’ve ever had. Every single second of our time together plays on a glorious loop in my head. The way Declan worshiped my body makes my core clench and muscles deliciously ache just thinking about it.

Turning onto my side, my eyes are still closed as I reach over to cuddle with the giant softie that I’m quickly falling for. Only his side of our little nest is cold, and my eyes shoot open, searching for him.

That’s when I notice a children’s book lying on his pillow. Sitting up, I pick up the hardcover book. It appears to be a well loved children’s story about trolls. The cover shows a young troll boy and girl with beaming smiles. I didn’t know that we had this in the library.

Opening the front cover, I notice a small slip of paper tucked inside. Someone must have left this in here. I’m about to crumple the paper when I notice my name.

Hannah,

The past 48 hours have brought me an unimaginable amount of happiness. I never imagined that I would be fortunate enough to spend this time with you. After our disastrous first date, I've been wishing that we could rewind time and do it all over. There are so many things I wished that I had said. For one, you stole my breath away with your kind heart and beauty. Unfortunately, instead of telling you what I was thinking, I froze, not trusting myself to not fuck everything up. Mo ghràidh-my love- you mean everything to me.

It's clear that there are a few things about trolls that we should’ve discussed after our first date. I found this book while you were sleeping that might shed some light on a few things. Take as long as you need to read through it. I care deeply for you Hannah, but will never pressure you into a future with me.

Come and find me when you're ready.

Love,

Declan

I flip back to the cover. The title, Celebrating Your Changing Body: A Guide for Adolescent Trolls , instantly reminds me of a book my mother gave me about puberty. Goddess, that was an awkward moment. This must be the equivalent for young trolls.

A sticky note is attached to one of the well loved and worn pages. The top of the page reads, Troll Courting Rituals: How to let a female know that you are interested without being creepy .

Well, consider my interest piqued. There are so many different types of monsters in Whispering Springs, each with their own unique cultures and traditions, so it’s hard to keep track. It might be a good idea to get more books like this for the library so that others can learn more about their neighbors and friends. I make a mental note to talk to Mable about that later.

The list of things for trolls to do when they’re interested in pursuing a partner isn’t very long, but it does answer a lot of my questions about some of Declan’s behavior.

A troll must determine if the potential partner is unattached.

When courting a partner, it is vital to go at their pace. Being patient is a skill that many trolls have.

Once you have followed steps 1 and 2, you must prepare the first courting gift. Traditionally, a troll will gift a potential partner with a sapling from their village. The tree represents your love taking root and growing larger over time. If the gift is accepted then you will move onto #4. If not, then you must respect their decision and move on.

The room spins, and I find it hard to breathe. The sapling that he tried to give me was a gift to show his love?

Oh no, I’ve made a huge mess of this. Declan was just trying to let me know that he liked me. Well, aren’t we a perfect pair of idiots. I had no idea that the tree was significant to him, and he never said anything. Standing on shaky knees, I search each and every room in the library to confront him.

I finally spot Declan lounging in a chair, reading the latest release from Mina Brower. There’s never been a more panty-melting sight than that man reading a book by one of my favorite authors. I guess books are my kink.

Apparently sensing my presence, his eyes peer over the page and land on me. “Hannah,” he says, a soft whisper.

Something in me snaps, and before I can process what I’m doing, I’m practically jumping into his lap. The book he was reading falls to the floor and his arms wrap around me in a warm embrace.

“I’m so sorry.” I bury my face into his neck, needing his comforting scent to calm me.

“Sorry about what?” he asks, running a reassuring hand over my back. “Hannah, what do you have to be sorry for?”

“The tree!” I sob. “I thought you didn’t like me. If I’d just known what the damn pine sapling meant?—”

“Hannah, stop. Look at me,” he interupts.

Our eyes meet, and my heart beats an unsteady rhythm. Please don’t let this thing between us be over already , I silently beg. Tears pool in my eyes.

“Hey, none of that. You didn’t do a damn thing wrong.” He huffs a heavy sigh. “If anything, this is my fault. Mo ghràidh, I need you to understand, meeting you changed everything for me. You consumed all of my thoughts, day and night. Then, to have you agree to go out with me—it was like a miracle. That whole night was a mess. I froze, and instead of letting you know how I was feeling, I dove head first without so much as giving you a warning or at least making sure you knew about trolls. This is on me, Han.”

“I think we both can agree that we’re two idiots that thankfully the Goddess decided to give a second chance to.” I lean over and kiss his cheek, loving the way his beard feels against my lips. His arms pull me in tighter.

“So, I read the book,” I say after a few moments of contented silence.

“Yeah, and what did you think?”

“It was quite an interesting read. Though I won’t lie, it was a little disappointing to find out that trolls don’t guard bridges,” I try to remain serious, but I’m unable to hide a small giggle.

Declan throws his head back, roaring with laughter. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. How about I guard the library for you? Would that make you happy?”

“I guess that would be acceptable,” I sigh, pretending to sound apathetic while the heat in my cheeks reveals I’m anything but. His lips are on mine in an instant, and my body turns to mush at its soft sweetness.

When he pulls back, a look of contentment is written into his every feature.

There’s one final thing that needs to be addressed, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t have my stomach in knots. I take a deep breath and muster up as much courage as I possibly can.

“Declan?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

“Yes?”

“Can we try the whole courtship thing over again?” Please, Goddess, let him say yes. “I promise, this time I’m going to cherish the fuck out of that sapling.”

A slow smile creeps across Declan’s face, his eyes filled to the brim with a strong emotion that I hope is the same as the love I have for him.

“Are you asking me to court you, mo ghràidh?” he asks, his voice deepening, making my lady bits weep.

“Well, duh,” I reply, playfully rolling my eyes at him.

“It would be my honor, Hannah. I want to do this properly.” He moves me off his lap and stands with me. Reaching into the pocket of his jeans, he retrieves something that glistens in the morning sunlight.

A gasp escapes me when Declan’s palm opens. In his hand is a gold charm bracelet with a dainty golden pine tree charm. My vision blurs, tears sliding down my cheeks. “Oh, Declan.”

“Do you like it? I know it isn’t a real tree, but…”

“It’s absolutely perfect!” I squeal, my face hurting from smiling. His face radiates pride as he secures the bracelet around my wrist. He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my inner wrist. “Can I ask how you got this in the middle of a snowstorm?”

“Funny story, actually.” He looks down, avoiding eye contact with me as he rubs the back of his neck. “I had that made for you after our first date. I’ve been keeping it in my pocket ever since, in case you ever changed your mind. Having it gave me a small amount of hope that this would work out.”

This simple piece of jewelry is now my most prized possession. I don’t know what the future will hold for Declan and I, but the Goddess must really like me for putting this incredible man in my life.

Declan slings his arm around my shoulders, and we walk back towards the children’s room. We both stop in our tracks when we hear the distant sounds of voices coming from outside.

“The storm must have stopped. I hope the roads are clear by now.” I cross the room and reach for the door knob. While part of me wishes that the snow is taken care of, another, larger part of me doesn’t want my cozy holiday bubble with Declan to pop. But it’s now or never—time to face the real world.

Opening the door, the sight before me takes my breath away, making me question whether I’m actually awake or still dreaming. “Declan…” I call, unable to finish my sentence.

“Is it that bad?” he asks, walking over to where I stood in the doorway. “What the fuck?” How is this even possible?”

“Where is the snow?” I look around at the scene in front of me in disbelief. The ground that’d been covered in a thick blanket of snow the night before is as green as a spring day. There’s not a single snowflake to be seen. Not plowed onto sidewalks nor shoveled around the walkways of buildings. People stroll right past the library, enjoying the beautiful day.

It’s then that I notice an envelope taped to a pillar on the front porch. This just keeps getting weirder.

Both of our names are written in a fancy scroll. I carefully open the envelope and pull out a cream piece of cardstock that’s entirely blank.

This can’t be right. Then, before I can show Declan, words slowly appear in even lines, written in deep black ink.

Hello my dears,

You are probably wondering what’s going on right now. Well, it was painful to watch you both pine for one another, so I stepped in. That’s right, this old bat dusted herself off and utilized her match-making skills.

Hannah and Declan, you two are clearly meant for each other. Never have I met two individuals with hearts as pure as yours. With a little help from your friends, we were able to put my plan into action. You won’t believe this, but apparently our Theo has some pretty powerful glamor magic. He was responsible for our little snow storm illusion. He and Ulgan had an absolute blast putting a hole in the roof. Each of your friends, and even little Kaida, stepped up because they want you both to experience the same level of happiness that you bring to each of their lives.

Also, they, too, were growing impatient at the glacial pace of your relationship.

Declan, I’ve left a small gift for you. I trust you’ll know what to do with it.

Lots of love,

Mable

My jaw is on the floor as I process the letter. My legs wobble like jello, so I sink down on one of the creaky wooden steps. I extend the letter to Declan. The sound of paper crinkling as he reads is the only thing I register. The world around me fades away as I replay every moment of the past week, especially the last twenty-four hours.

Mable—that meddling woman—orchestrated all of this chaos to force Declan and I to slow down and get to know each other. I don’t know whether to be slightly irritated by the stress she gave me or in awe of her love for the two of us.

A large warm body sits down next to me. My troll’s eyes are wide as he looks between me and the letter. Suddenly, he throws his head back and a hearty full body laugh snaps me out of my shock. It’s infectious, and I join him, laughing until my stomach hurts and it’s difficult to breathe.

“That woman is a true menace,” he says, his voice still heavy with disbelief as he shakes his head, making his dark curls bounce. “As mad as her plan was, I’m thankful she did it.”

Declan pulls a terracotta pot into his lap that I hadn’t previously noticed. It’s wrapped in a shimmery red ribbon, filled with soil and a small green plant of some kind. I lean over to get a closer look and realize that the plant is actually a small tree sapling.

Mable gave us a do-over. My lower lip trembles as the significance of this small gesture becomes clear. Declan’s watery eyes meet my own as a gentle smile spreads across his lips.

“Declan,” I whisper. “Are trolls allowed to give a courting gift again, if the recipient was too big of an idiot to realize that a certain handsome troll was making a beautiful gesture? I’m the idiot in this scenario, if that wasn’t clear.”

Each second feels like an eternity as I await his answer, until Declan places that precious sapling into my lap.

Hand on my chin, Declan angles my face to look at him. “Hannah, will you accept this sapling as a courting gift, and symbol of the future that I hope we build together?”

Placing the pot carefully in the step next to me, I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Yes, of course I will!” I reply through fresh tears. We sit there for a while just holding one another, allowing the waves of happiness to wash over us.

Declan startles me when he looks up and releases a loud laugh, his entire body shaking.

“What’s so funny?” I ask, curiously.

“Look up, mo ghràidh,” he replies. My eyes follow the direction of his stare and land on what made him laugh. Before our eyes, mistletoe magically blooms above our heads on the roof covering the library’s porch, all rosy red berries and perfectly green pointed leaves.

“It would be a shame to waste perfectly good mistletoe.”

“A true shame.” He grins, lowering his lips to mine.

This Yule didn’t exactly go according to plan, but I wouldn’t change a single moment of it. Who knew that all you need for a happy ending is a meddling coworker, some magical friends, and a smutty book.