Epilogue

The eve of solstice, one year later…

NICK

A s usual, the village was alive with anticipation as Christmas was only a few days away. Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, catching the golden glow of lanterns strung along the rooftops. Every corner of the square had been adorned with garlands of holly and ivy, ribbons of red and gold, and twinkling fairy lights that cast a magical sheen over everything.

Despite the excitement rippling through the realm, I couldn’t shake the nervous energy sinking into my bones.

Alva had been adamant—no seeing each other the night before the wedding. “It’s tradition, Nick,” she’d said with that determined spark in her eye that I’d long since learned not to argue with. Of course, she’d also insisted on overseeing every detail of the wedding preparations herself.

With nothing else to do and nerves tying my stomach in knots, I wandered to the stables, the familiar scents of hay and leather a comforting reminder of simpler times, when I was just a boy looking for adventure and mischief. The reindeer were settled in their stalls, their gentle breaths forming small clouds in the crisp air. I walked down the row, pausing to scratch behind Comet’s ears and to murmur a few words to Blitzen.

By the time I reached the sleigh, my father was there, standing in its shadow with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked every bit the legend he was, his crimson coat trimmed with white fur, his beard thick and snow-white as ever.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked, glancing at me with a knowing smile.

I shook my head. “Too much on my mind.”

He chuckled, the deep, resonant sound filling the quiet stable. “That’s how it should be. The night before your wedding isn’t just about nervous excitement; it’s about reflection, about understanding what’s about to change.”

I leaned against the sleigh, my fingers trailing over the polished wood. “It feels… surreal. I’m marrying Alva tomorrow. And after that, taking up your mantle. It’s a lot.”

He nodded, his expression softening. “It is a lot. Marriage, Nick, is a partnership. It’s about trust, communication, and above all, respect. Alva’s a remarkable elf—strong, driven, and so deeply devoted to this realm. You’ll need to cherish that, but also make room for her to lean on you when she needs to.”

“I will,” I said firmly, though the weight of his words sat heavy on my shoulders.

“And as for the mantle,” he continued, gesturing to the sleigh, “you’re ready. You’ve proven yourself time and time again this past year, but especially last solstice with the Heart of Yule. You’ve shown me the kind of leader and prince you’ve become. The magic will guide you, just as it guided me. And remember, son, you’re never alone in this. You have your family, and soon, you’ll have Alva by your side for every step of this journey.”

The lump in my throat made it hard to speak, so I simply nodded. My father clapped a hand on my shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Nicholas. And your mother and I couldn’t have hoped for a better partner for you than Alva.”

We stood there for a while longer, the quiet companionship easing some of my nerves.

The next morning, the entire realm was enthralled in preparing for the big moment. The square bustled with elves setting up tables and fire pits, while others worked on arranging the massive reception feast.

Inside my chambers, my valet fussed over every detail of my royal red and gold suit. “Hold still, Your Highness,” he scolded gently, straightening my cravat for what felt like the fifth time. I couldn’t care less about the blasted silk tie. My thoughts were racing, anticipation for when I’d finally get to see Alva making me damp with sweat. Not the look of a dapper prince.

Then the door opened, and my mother stepped in. She wore a gown of gold, her white hair swept up elegantly. The pride in her eyes as she looked at me made my throat tighten.

“You look handsome, as always, Nicholas,” she said, her voice full of motherly love.

“I’m sweating like a pig,” I said, a half-smile curling at the corners.

She walked over, placing her hands on my shoulders. “I know you’re nervous, and that’s normal. But remember, marriage isn’t about being perfect. It’s about growing together, learning from each other, and building a life that’s stronger because of the love you share.”

“I want to do right by her, that’s all.”

“And you will,” she said firmly. “You’ve already proven how deeply you love her, how much you’re willing to fight for her. Just keep showing her that every day.”

Her words seemed to settle the storm inside me, and I was finally able to finish getting dressed so I could go see my bride and marry the elf of my dreams.

Alva had wanted the ceremony to be a private affair, with only our closest family and friends, especially since she’d wanted to have it at the grove where the Heart of Yule had revealed itself to us. She’d had the place transformed into a winter wonderland. The ancient trees were draped in icicles that sparkled like stars, their branches intertwined with garlands of frost-kissed flowers and glowing orbs of light. Snow blanketed the ground in a pristine, untouched layer, and the air shimmered with a faint, magical ring.

I stood by the ice pedestal, my hands clasped tight so I could stop wringing them. Suddenly, the small crowd quieted, and the sound of bells chimed, announcing Alva’s arrival. My breath clouded in the air as I watched the sleigh approach, the reindeer pulling it gliding effortlessly over the snow.

And then I saw her, and the rest of the world melted away. Alva stepped out of the sleigh, her emerald and silver gown glinting with diamonds that caught the light like a spectrum of galaxies. Her hair was swept into an elegant side swoop, a small tiara resting atop her head, her delicate pointy ears adorned with glimmering jewels.

My heart felt like it might burst. She wasn’t just beautiful; she was radiant, brighter than the Heart of Yule itself.

As she approached, the spirit of the grove appeared, its golden light weaving through the trees. It nodded in approval, its presence a blessing from the Gods themselves .

The ceremony was brief, officiated by an elder elf who spoke words of unity and love. Alva and I exchanged vows, words that we’d said to each other countless times, but now we’d set them in stone in the eyes of those who mattered the most to us.

When we kissed, sealing our union, the grove seemed to come alive as the fairy folk, who seldom showed their faces to strangers, came out to offer their blessings.

Later, as the evening festivities wound down, I found Alva by a fire pit, sharing a hot cocoa with some of her elf-friends. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and I couldn’t help but gaze at her adorable face in wonder. Alva Brightwinter was my wife… It was surreal. Just a year ago we couldn’t stand each other, now we couldn’t get enough.

I took her hand and smiled at her friends. “Excuse me as I steal my wife away for a moment.”

Alva smiled, her eyes widening with puzzlement. “You’re looking mischievous, Mr. Claus. What are you up to?”

“I have a small surprise,” I whispered as I tucked her into my body, draping an arm over her shoulders.

I guided us toward the stables, where my father’s sleigh stood ready, the reindeer pawing at the ground in anticipation. “What’s this?” she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice as she rushed to the reindeer.

“Consider it a wedding gift,” I said, donning my father’s signature hat. “Santa’s officially retiring this Christmas and told me to take the sleigh for a spin. Thought you might like to join me.”

Her laughter was all the answer I needed, the timber of her voice a sweet melody to my ears. We bundled up in thick coats and climbed into the sleigh, securing ourselves under a fur blanket. The stable elves guided the reindeer to the runway, and with a crack of the reins, I practiced my father’s famous line. “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!” We soared into the night sky, the village lights twinkling below us, and I couldn’t help the “Ho-ho-ho” that escaped from my lips.

The stars seemed to wink in approval as Alva leaned into me, her warmth a perfect counter to the frigid air. “You know,” she said with a shy giggle, “I’ve always had this naughty fantasy of one day doing it in this sleigh.”

I chuckled as I steered the sleigh higher into the sky. “Mrs. Claus… you dirty little elf.”

She reached for the buttons on my trousers, her hand sliding inside, causing me to jolt. She stroked me until I was harder than granite, and everything male inside me jumped to full attention. Alva looked at me with a devilish glean in her eyes as she said, “Not just a dirty little elf. Santa’s dirty little elf.” And with that, she lowered her mouth to my cock, and I swore I almost crashed us into the side of Ice Mountain as she devoured me like she’d been famished, drawing from me an explosive release that she swallowed so greedily, I nearly lost my mind.

“Fuck…” I said, stroking her hair back as she licked her lips, looking up at me with innocent doe eyes that were anything but. “You are definitely Santa’s dirty little elf. But we’re not done yet. Sit on my lap.”

She obeyed with zero protest as she unbuckled her seatbelt and straddled me, her wedding dress bunching at her waist as she rested her center over my lap, reawakening my erection. “This is dangerous,” she said with a playful smirk.

I ran a hand up her neck, cupping her jaw as my thumb ran along her bottom lip. “More dangerous than you sucking on my cock as I tried to steer these reindeer for the first time in my life? We almost crashed into the side of the mountain. ”

She rolled her eyes, licking her lips. “Really? I didn’t notice. I was busy.”

“You are a sinful little thing, you know that, Alva Claus?”

“I like the way my new name sounds on your tongue…”

I smirked. “You know what else is great on my tongue… your clit as you come. But that’s going to have to wait until we’re back in our chamber because I want you sprawled before me as I eat that delicious pussy. For now, you’re just going to have to come over my cock.” I pressed the auto-navigation button on the sleigh’s dashboard. “Luckily for me, you had the fabulous idea of installing this nifty new gadget.”

She graced me with a self-assured smile. Smug little elf. She lifted her hips and lowered herself achingly slow over my hardness. Once she was seated all the way to the hilt, she began to rock, creating friction with my cock right where she wanted. She knew exactly how to use my body to bring herself to a shuddering release, but I gripped her hips, guiding her up and down at my desired pace. “You come when I say you can come.”

The cold air whipped whisps of her hair undone as we soared through the sky. The reindeer were trying to keep us at an even height, but the turbulence still made the sleigh vibrate and bounce… reminding me how crazy this was—fucking on Santa’s sleigh miles above the ground. Alva was utterly unbothered about the whole thing. In fact, the bouncing and cold, whipping wind only intensified the thrill of it all. It filled me with so much joy to see her let go, to see this carefree version of her—a version where not even the danger of plunging to our deaths was enough to snuff out her fire.

Or maybe it was the fact that deep down she knew I was still strapped in and there was no chance in Odin’s Hel that I would ever let her slip from my arms.

Her lust-drowned gaze sank into mine, her body fighting my grip around her hips as I tried to slow her movements. “Please…” she begged. Alva’s lips parted as she mo aned, her eyes half-lidded. Gods, she was so blasted beautiful, especially when she was giving her body to me, begging me to let her come. Unable to contain my thirst for those perfect candy-apple-colored lips, I wrapped my arms around her waist instead, claiming her mouth like she would be my last meal.

I let her ride me at her own pace while our tongues swirled in a flurry of breath and teeth. The way she moved… it was a thundering race to the finish line as she chased her orgasm with such abandon, that when I slid a finger over her soaking center, rubbing her clit in slow, gentle circles, it sent her into a spiral of uncontrolled release. Her entire body shook as she finally came. Her warm slickness was so intense, it summoned my own release.

She roped her arms around my neck as her body continued to rock with aftershocks. I tightened my grip around her body, anchoring her as close as possible to my chest. “I want to stay like this forever,” she whispered into the crook of my neck, the warmth of her breath a welcome reprieve from the cold. “You buried inside me. It makes me feel complete.”

“Look at me,” I said. “Did you forget it’s our wedding night, Mrs. Claus? I plan to be buried inside you until dawn, and until every dawn after that… but if you don’t mind, I’d much prefer to worship your body back on solid ground.”

Alva laughed, that melodic sound my total undoing.

Re-bundled under the fur blankets, I took control of the reins and flew us back home, where I kept my promise and worshipped her.

And where she not only reclaimed my body and soul, but my rakish heart.

THE END