Kaleb
One year later.
Heart’s Hollow during the holidays is one of my favorite places to be. The charming shops of downtown are dusted with snow and decorated with sparkling Christmas lights. Even the usual witch lights that illuminate the town seem to shimmer brighter than normal. The hint of peppermint floats on the ocean breeze. Something tells me the peppermint is Darius’ doing.
Darius laces his fingers with mine as he sends a sweet smile my way. Up ahead on the cobblestone path, Autumn and my sisterare giggling conspiratorially as they lead us to some mysterious surprise they’ve set up.
Since last year was my first official holiday season without Elizabeth, I was eager for a fresh start. This year, Darius offered to take me back to Rubinsville to decorate Elizabeth’s tombstone with her favorite festive flowers while we visit with her. It was such a thoughtful gesture, but ironically, I now feel more connected to my foster mom here in Heart’s Hollow than I did in Rubinsville. Even so, we decided to visit the cemetery last week.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been more connected to my magic lately, or maybe because I originally needed time to heal before I took Elizabeth at her word, but I now believe I can chat with her anywhere, and that she’s here with me in spirit. I smile back at my mate, my chest filling with happiness. Elizabeth would have loved Darius. They are so similar, both filled with passion and kindness.
“What do you think those two are up to?” I ask Darius as we cross the street and make our way toward the gazebo in the park. The story of how Autumn would magically nourish the wisteria every day in honor of his missing brother comes to mind. All that magic poured into the flowers must have created a special kind of magic of its own. I truly believe the purple flowers are now enchanted. Especially when I found out the wisteria had a role in bringing Autumn and Rook together.
Darius squeezes my hand. “I guess we’ll find out.” He points at Autumn and my sister as they continue to laugh together, picking up the pace the closer they get to the gazebo. Rook stepsout of the shadows and waves at his mate. Autumn throws his arms around the friendly wolfman.
Anya turns around to face us. “Hurry up, Kaleb!” she shouts cheerfully. She’s bouncing eagerly on the balls of her feet. I eye her suspiciously. “Why do I get yelled at, and you don’t?” I joke.
Suddenly, a happy meow sounds right behind me, and Cleo and Maple are weaving between our legs, encouraging us to pick up the pace.
I laugh. “Are you two in on this surprise as well?” I ask my familiar. Cleo mews, and I swear her eyes sparkle.
Darius chuckles. “Patience, love. I know how much you hate spoilers. You don’t want to ruin it, do you?”
I roll my eyes with a grin. “But can it really be a surprise if I’m actually expecting something?”
“Hmm,” Darius hums, narrowing his eyes playfully. A light snow drifts to the ground.
A few voices carry on the wind, causing me to glance up. I only see Autumn, Rook, and Anya, but I could have sworn I heard a few more voices. What on earth is going on? Shrugging, I decide to embrace Darius’ words and practice a little patience. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be shocked if the magical town was somehow in on this mysterious surprise as well.
Since making Heart’s Hollow my home, meeting Darius, my parents, my sister, and the others I consider my found family, I’ve never been happier. This past year has been filled with joyful adventures and romance. All those years I’d spent wishing to find my true family have paid off tenfold. But it has also made me realize that family is more than just blood.
As if hearing my thoughts, movement catches my eye, and suddenly Stacy is there, right in front of the gazebo, waving at me and greeting Autumn and Anya.
“Okay,” I nudge Darius. “Screw patience. Something is definitely up.”
Darius bites his lip, holding back a wide grin and failing. “Go on, then. Go see what they’re up to.”
I give his hand one last squeeze before letting go and jogging up to the gazebo. Stacy hugs me, pulling me into a tight embrace. She smiles, happy tears filling her eyes, as if we don’t see each other every day.
Autumn chuckles, pulling Stacy away from me and whispering into her ear. “Okay,” Autumn says, smirking at me. “Are you ready for your surprise?” He throws his arm up with a flourish. Purple magical sparks rain down, mixing with the snowflakes. I nod eagerly, even more curious now.
Rook steps forward and hands me a hot beverage. “A peppermint potion for this magical day,” he says. I take a sip,letting the sweet concoction coat my tongue. I know instantly that Darius made this. No one makes it quite as good as he does. I still swear he’s adding a secret ingredient I can’t seem to figure out. Before I can turn around and question my mate, Autumn throws magical sparks up into the air again. As they fall, it’s almost as if he pulls back a curtain of glamour, until I realize that’s exactly what he’s done.
Standing in front of me in the gazebo, and dressed to the nines, are my parents, friends, and several townsfolk.
“Surprise!” the group says like a well-timed collective. Everyone throws either glitter or magical sparks into the air right as the gazebo shimmers to life with Christmas lights and decorations. Laughing, I take in the beautiful sight.
“Mom! Dad! What are you two doing here?” I laugh. Lyra places a hand over her heart and smiles at me. I’ve started calling my parents Mom and Dad, and I swear Mom gets emotional every time. If I’m honest, I get pretty damn emotional too. Dad’s arm is lovingly wrapped around Mom as he gives me a wink.
Zero is here too, holding hands with Calix. Amongst the crowd, I spot Cass leaning up on his tiptoes and pressing a kiss to Blaze’s cheek.
“Darius! Oh, my goodness. Isn’t it beautiful?” I ask, taking in all our friends—our family, really—under the sparkling lights. Did Darius plan this with everyone? My mate knows how much Christmas means to me. I spin around to see if he had anythingto do with the stunning décor, when the sight of him takes my breath away.
Darius is kneeling before me, smiling. There’s a mint-green velvet box in his hand, and just like in all the silly romance movies I’ve seen, my hand instinctively flies to my mouth of its own accord.
“Is this real?” I ask in awe. “How is this real?”
My mate offers me a shy smile. “Very real, love.” Darius leans forward, and that’s when I realize he’s in his shifted form. I’ve grown so used to seeing him in both his human form and mer-kraken form that they’re both so natural to me. Except he doesn’t shift in front of others very often. I swallow hard, knowing what this moment means to him.
