Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

KEELY

K eely stood at the heart of the workshop, feeling the electric hum of magic in the air as it swirled around her. It had been transformed into a nexus of energy, the very core of Christmas magic flowing like a current through the space. The twinkling lights seemed brighter, the air richer with possibility, as Cris prepared to channel every bit of that magic into the toy she had created—her miracle toy that would reignite belief in Christmas across the world.

Cris stood beside her, his expression focused and intense as he raised his hands, drawing the magic from the very earth beneath their feet. The elves were circled around them, sealing and helping to focus the magic. Keely could feel the power moving through him, vibrating in the air as it built, gathering strength. The energy was unlike anything she had ever felt before—warm, powerful, and pulsing with life. It was the essence of Christmas, the culmination of joy, love, and wonder.

Her breath caught as she watched him, the sight of Cris standing there, his dark eyes burning with concentration, stirring something deep inside her. He was magnificent, powerful, and utterly captivating. Keely could feel her heart expanding with pride and love as she stood at his side, ready to see their creation come to life.

With a final, graceful gesture, Cris focused all the gathered magic into the toy resting on the workbench, his hands steady, his expression intense. Keely held her breath as she watched the energy flow from him, a stream of shimmering light that seemed to pulse with life. It wrapped around the toy like a warm, protective blanket, the air humming with a quiet, electrifying charge. The toy, which had been a simple, static object just moments before, began to shift, its surface glowing softly.

The glow intensified, casting a gentle light over the workbench and the entire room. Keely could feel it—the magic—tangible and alive, as though it were breathing into the toy, giving it not just life, but meaning. It was as though everything they had worked for—the countless hours of brainstorming, the intricate adjustments, the fusion of her creative spirit and the powerful magic that came from this place—had culminated in this one moment.

The toy shimmered, its surface gleaming with a soft iridescence as the magic infused it fully. Keely's fingers itched to touch it, to feel the warmth radiating from it, but she held back, too entranced to move. She could hardly believe that this creation, this small and seemingly simple object, now held the power to reignite belief in Christmas for millions of children around the world.

The air around them grew warmer, the energy filling the room with a sense of completion, of something magical and profound taking root. The toy, no longer just a collection of parts, now pulsed with its own gentle heartbeat, as though it had become part of something greater. It was alive in a way that defied explanation.

Keely's chest tightened with emotion as she realized it was done. Their miracle toy, the one they had poured their hearts and souls into, was complete. It wasn't just a toy anymore—it was a symbol of hope, a beacon that would carry the magic of Christmas to every child who held one of the toys that it spread its magic to. Santa would keep the toy beside him in the sleigh and it would imbue every single toy that Santa touched with its magic, and each of the toys would be able to spread the gift.

"It's done," Cris said softly, as though he, too, could hardly believe what they had just accomplished.

Glancing around, she saw all of the elves nodding—their eyes locked on the toy, their faces a reflection of relief and hope.

"It's really done," she repeated.

Cris turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips, though his eyes still held the weight of the magic he had just channeled. "It's ready," he said, his voice low but full of emotion. "That's it, everyone. We did it. This is going to change everything."

A cheer went up, and everyone began to celebrate.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" said a jolly old man in a red velvet suit, trimmed in ermine.

"Santa!" came the collective cry, as the elves rushed to greet him.

As the final preparations were made, the workshop bustling with elves and reindeer shifters, Cris turned to Santa, who had been overseeing the entire process with a watchful eye. It was nearly time for the journey to begin—Santa's Christmas Eve journey to spread joy and cheer to every corner of the world.

Cris stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of something deeper. "Before we send you off, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

Santa's eyebrows rose, a knowing twinkle in his eyes as he looked between Cris and Keely. "Oh? And what might that be?"

Cris's gaze softened as he turned toward Keely, his hand still holding hers, his thumb brushing over her skin. The intensity in his eyes made her heart race, the world around them fading as she focused on him and on the connection they shared.

"I want to ask you to bind me and Keely together," Cris said, his voice low but filled with emotion. "As mates. As partners. I've found my fated mate, and I want her by my side."

Keely's breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked on Cris's, the depth of his love hitting her with the force of an avalanche—he wasn't just asking her to stay. He was asking her to be his, forever.

Santa let out a booming laugh, his belly shaking with mirth. "Well, Cris, that's a fine request. But I believe you've forgotten something rather important." His eyes twinkled as he nodded toward Keely. "I believe you should probably ask her first."

Cris's smile turned sheepish, but the intensity in his gaze never wavered. He turned fully toward Keely, his hand tightening around hers as he stepped closer. "Keely," he began, his voice deep and steady, "I love you. I've known from the moment I met you that you were meant for me. You've not only saved Christmas—you've saved me. Will you join me as my mate and my partner, in this life and all the lives to come? Will you share your joy with me?"

Keely's heart raced as tears welled in her eyes, but they were tears of happiness. There was no hesitation, no doubt. She had never felt more certain of anything in her life. This was where she belonged—with Cris here at the North Pole.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "Yes, I will."

Cris's smile broke wide, his relief and love palpable. He pulled her into his arms, pressing his forehead against hers as they shared a moment of quiet joy, their hearts beating in sync.

Santa stepped forward, holding a ceremonial ribbon of silver and gold, and a candy-cane knife in his other hand. "Well then," Santa said with a grin, "it seems I have a ceremony to perform."

With reverence, Santa made a small cut in Cris's palm, then in Keely's. He took the shimmering ribbon and gently bound their hands together, the silver and gold glowing with magic as it wrapped around their joined palms.

"By the magic of Christmas, by the love and joy in your hearts, and all of us who support you, I bind you as mates," Santa said, his voice booming with authority and warmth. "May your bond be as strong as the magic that fuels this place, and may you bring happiness to all who cross your path."

The magic in the room surged as the ribbon tightened, sealing their bond. Keely felt a rush of warmth flood her body, her heart swelling as the magic wrapped around them both. It was as though they had been woven into the very fabric of the North Pole itself, their love and connection now a part of the magic that made this place so special.

Cris pulled her close, his lips brushing hers in a soft, lingering kiss, sealing the vows they had just spoken. Keely melted into him, her heart full, knowing they had not only bound themselves to each other but to something far bigger than both of them.

As the ceremony concluded, the sleigh bells jingled, and it was time. Santa gave a hearty laugh as he patted his red suit. "I've got quite the delivery to make tonight," he said, winking at them both. "You've created something truly magical."

Cris and Keely smiled as they helped load Santa's sleigh, the miracle toys glowing with the magic they had infused into them. The air was alive with energy, the North Pole buzzing with anticipation as the reindeer lined up, ready to take off into the night sky.

With the sleigh fully loaded, Santa climbed aboard, giving them a final wave. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" he called as the sleigh rose into the sky, the reindeer pulling it higher until it disappeared into the night.

With their hands still bound, the magic of Christmas and the love between them stronger than ever, Cris and Keely turned, walking hand in hand into the sparkling snow. Their future stretched ahead of them—bright, magical, and full of possibility. They would face whatever came as partners and as mates bound by love and the magic of Christmas.