3. Merry

Chapter 3

Merry

“Huh?”

Who said that? Perhaps it was my mate. That was quick. I didn’t feel a thing.

I blinked, but instead of landing at my mate’s feet, I was where I was a moment earlier: in Santa #1’s office.

“Is there something wrong?” I jiggled, thinking I had to be moving to set the spell of whatever it was in motion. When that had no effect, I jumped up and down and clapped and yelled, “I’m still here.”

Santa furrowed his already crinkly brow. “Is this a new dance routine?” His frown disappeared and was replaced with a wide smile. “I do love the elves’ annual Christmas concert.”

Crestfallen, my shoulders slumped and I bowed my head. If my tricks hadn’t worked, I’d have to up my game. My mind churned, imagining the pranks I’d play on my Christmas Village colleagues.

“I called you here for a reason, Merry.”

Oh, maybe my plan had worked.

“Whatever you want to dish out, I can take it, Santa.”

“What do you want for Christmas?”

It was my turn to say, “Huh?”

“Have you forgotten I ask all my elves for suggestions regarding their gifts?”

I had, and even if I hadn’t, I’d have assumed I would be far away.

“Not sure, Santa.” I was tempted to say, “ You choose? ” But Santa #1 and all of the other Santas spent the year making decisions about which gifts to give which child. He didn’t want the burden of choosing his elves’ gifts.

“A book of tricks.”

“Done.” He scribbled a note in his large ledger.

I dragged my feet as I left his office. What was the secret to getting a mate? Whoever it was, it was a secret.

If I was ever to meet my mate, I had to use magic. Real magic where things went poof and disappeared, not the magic of kindness. Some of the elves in the village possessed that skill. Not me. I’d ask one of my friends to give me a magic charm that I could use on Santa. He’d be furious and send me away with a shake of his fist.

Nym was reluctant to give me anything that contained magic, and he only agreed when I promised to say I’d found the charm and had no clue who made it.

Getting it into Santa’s office before he arrived in the morning required a fib that I’d left something there the day before. And I had to time it just right because Santa always arranged for a steaming hot mug of cocoa to be on his desk just before he walked in. If he was delayed, he’d tip it out and ask for more cocoa.

I hovered outside his office shivering when I should have been at work. When I caught sight of him, I sent a message to the universe asking that he not stop and chat to anyone.

As he got closer, I begged his secretary to let me in and dropped the charm in his hot drink. I vanished before he saw me because I didn’t want to delay him. I kneeled outside his office window and peeked in.

He plonked himself into his chair and wrapped one hand around the mug when his phone rang.

No, damn it. No!

But he spoke a few words and ended the call. Phew. Now for the cocoa.

Santa picked up the mug and brought it to his lips. He sipped, smacked his lips, and gulped more cocoa.

This was going to work. It had to.

Santa put the mug on the coaster and opened his laptop and his large ledger. While he’d embraced technology, he liked the pen and pencil backup.

He peered at the screen and rubbed his chest. Gods, please don’t let him have a heart attack. There was no jail in Christmas Village. If I killed him, I’d never meet my mate unless my fated was in prison.

He belched. A little gross, but I’d take it cause he had gas and not a problem with his heart. His belly jiggled as though he was about to laugh and his long white beard bobbed. It was happening. He just had to spit it out.

Santa #1 opened his mouth. Please not more gas.

“Co co co,” he yelled, and his assistant raced in.

“Santa? Did you want another cocoa?”

Santa #1 shook his head. “I was supposed to say…” He gulped, and his mouth formed into the shape as he readied himself to blurt out a “Ho.” But it came out as a “Co!” And more co’s followed.

He grabbed his belly and cackled. “This has to be Merry. He plays the best tricks in Christmas Village.” He asked for me to be brought to him.

I strolled in. Santa’s reaction had been too jolly, and I was certain the prank had failed. But I crossed my fingers he was inwardly furious and would send me away.

“Merry. You are a genius. Co, co, co.” His face creased into a grin, and my heart sank.

“Well done. I’m going to call a meeting of all the Santas and show them how clever you are.” He stroked his beard. “I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me who created the charm?”

“No, Santa.” Maybe if I refused to give him Nym’s name, I’d achieve my purpose.

“You’re a good friend and an invaluable member of my team.”

“Thank you, Santa.”

“Take the day off. Co, co, co.”

He sent me off with a wave, and I returned to my quarters. I refused to perform a trick that hurt anyone or made them cry. My pranks were centered around having fun.

I was never going to find a mate. Maybe my fate was to live my life in Christmas Village, bringing joy to children around the world and entertaining the Santas, elves, reindeer shifters, and gnomes who worked here.

And perhaps the universe had determined that I had no mate and this was what I was supposed to do for the rest of my life.

There were worse fates than making people laugh.