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The elves could go forever on a pack of marshmallows and a good cup of hot chocolate. I’ve never known how they maintained their enthusiasm, especially since most of them were easily several centuries old.
“Damn... what’s wrong with me?” I tilted my head back and let the water cascade over my face. The loneliness was getting to me, I had to admit that at least. I’d done a decent job of staying sane over the decade without my parents, staying busy and looking after my people—the elves and their families.
Then, a week after Christmas every year, I allowed myself to release some tension and indulge in the bodies of human women; but for the rest of the year, I was celibate and without any other human company.
Meeting Mary and Stephen a few months ago had been a blessing and a surprise. But their unexpected ‘visit’ had reminded me of just how alone I was up here without a single soul like me. No family. No wife. No children. No friends. The elves were great, but they treated me like their boss, and they had their own families.
I smiled as I remembered meeting the two strangers out in the snow fields, lost, and exploring. Mary and Stephen had been a great couple. Funny, happy, and hopelessly in love. They’d been travelling the world together. A warlock and his witch.
I turned the water off and dried myself quickly before shuffling over to my huge bed. I needed a break from all this. I needed...more.
My father had always said that the woman who was destined to be my wife, and the next Mrs. Clause, would find her way to me. But in the ten years since my parents had died, Mary and Stephen were the first human-types to find their way to the North Pole at all. I didn’t leave my kingdom except for a few hours on Christmas Eve, and my one week of debauchery post Boxing Day. So, how was she going to find me?
I rolled into my warm bed and pulled the thick blankets up over my nakedness. This time of the year was busy, but we were on top of things. In fact, we were almost ahead of schedule. I should be feeling elated, exhausted, but happy. But instead, inside my heart there was nothing but turmoil, loneliness, and regret.
I wanted to see more of the world, and perhaps it was time I did? Once the Christmas rush was over, I’d make plans to find my Mrs. Clause. Because if she wasn’t going to find me, maybe it was time I went looking for her?
I closed my eyes and settled my head against the pillow.Where should I start my journey?I wondered. Somewhere like Northern Canada, where the temperature would be freezing, but the people were friendly? She’d acclimatize to the weather here, well, at least. Or perhaps somewhere like Australia? This time of the year was hot, and everyone was on vacation. Sunny beaches and gorgeous women?Yeah... I could do an Aussie ‘holiday.’
I smiled to myself as I let exhaustion finally tug me into sleep. My options were limitless. There was nothing to stop me! It was high time I stepped up and grabbed the life I truly wanted.
JAYDY
I finished up work a few days before Christmas, then it was time to get organized for the big day. My parents were still coming, despite my misgivings—and Pansy’s—confirming we were still on for lunch.
Thanks to my magic, I didn’t need to shop for anything except the few ingredients I’d need for casting my spells. And luckily for me, there was only one shop where I could get everything. Pansy’s potion shop was the best in town, which was something I’d always been very proud of her for. As I rounded the corner, I was relieved to see that her shop was open and filled with people as always.
I pushed open the door with a wide grin, not surprised to see the woman herself manning the desk.
Pansy lifted her head from where she stood, immediately recognizing my presence as she finalized noting something down in her ledger. She caught my eye, grinning broadly. “Hello stranger,” she said cheerfully.
I wandered through her store, closing the distance between us, happiness filling up my lonely heart. “Welcome back! How was Hawaii?” I enquired.
Pansy and Maverick had returned from their honeymoon only a few days ago, yet I wasn’t surprised to see that my friend was already back to working like her usual self, post wedded bliss.
“Oh, it was amazing.” Pansy gushed, wrapping her long hair around itself and piling the mass on top of her head in a stylish and casual messy bun. “It was so warm, even at this time of year.”
“Lucky duck,” I said, hugging my sweater tighter to my body. It was only fifty degrees here in town today, and yet when I’d checked the weather in Hawaii a few days ago it had been closer to seventy.
“Can I get you something, hon?” Pansy asked, “Or are you just swinging by for a catch up?”
There was a line growing behind me of customers who wanted to pay, so I needed to get out of the way.
I stepped to the side. “I do actually need a few things, so unfortunately the catch up will have to wait.”
“Do you need my help?” she asked, “Or?”
“No,” I waved my hands at her, already stepping out of the line. “I know where everything is. I’ll be back in ten.” I let the other women behind me come forward with her armful of purchases and went for a wander.
Pansy was smart and had a mind for business when it came to public holidays. She always bundled up popular ingredients to make the buying experience easier and faster for customers—as well as more profitable for her. This month she’d bagged up ingredients for cooking potions and common recipes kits for Christmas feasting.
I needed exactly those types of ingredients for my lunch, but I didn’t bother to hurry. I didn’t have children waiting for me at home, or a million presents to buy. So, I took my time and leisurely wandered around Pansy’s shop, enjoying the lack of Halloween paraphernalia and the familiar scent of cinnamon in the air.
The ingredients I needed for my spells were easy to find and when I finally ambled back to the front desk, Pansy was just closing the cash register again. I put all my desired purchases up onto the desk and pulled out my credit card. “You know the High Witch doesn’t usually work, right?” I teased.
Maverick was the son of the High Warlock of Salem and would inherit his title with time. Once Pansy had married Maverick, she’d automatically become the next High Witch in waiting. A position coveted by almost every witch ever.
Pansy rolled her eyes at me with a good-natured smile. “Don’t you start.”
