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“I understand.”
“We haven’t figured out the future entirely,” Winter said. “Her people are owl-only, so our choices are here or my family’s home. Since we’ve got time to decide, we’ll figure things out as we go.”
“That’s always a good idea,” Santa said. “I wish you could take the rest of the month off to enjoy your mating, but we are at the highest level of security needs until my brother either makes his next move or gives up.”
True was sure that, after so many years of trying to take out his brother and take over the Well, Jack wouldn’t stop unless he was forced to.
“I wanted to ask if there’s something you’d like to do while Winter is on patrol. You can do whatever you wish, but if I can help you find something you’d enjoy, I’m happy to.”
Winter looked at her and said, “You can’t patrol with me, by the way.”
“It’s freaking cold out there, so hard pass anyway,” she said, sticking out her tongue.
Winter grinned at her while Santa chuckled.
“Fair enough,” Winter said. “Just so you know, I can’t patrol and keep an eye on you too, and you’re too precious to me to put you in danger. But, Santa, she likes woodcarving.”
His brows winged up. “Do you?”
“I do.” She sat up a little straighter in the chair. “My grandpa taught me. I like to make figurines.”
“Billie?” Santa called out.
A few moments later, a female elf with pointed ears and pale lavender hair walked into the office. “You bellowed?”
“Your mom works in toys, right?”
“Yep, for the last few years. She paints. Why?”
“Would you mind introducing Winter’s mate, True, to your mom? She likes woodcarving, and your mom would know who she can talk to about helping out for the rest of the season.”
“Hey, I’m Billie, in case you didn’t catch that foghorn Santa considers a polite call. Nice to meet you, True.”
“You too.” She looked at Santa. “Can I really carve here? With actual toymakers?”
“If you’d like,” he said. “They would want to try you out and see if you like it, but toymakers never turn away extra help this time of year.”
“Come on, girl. We can take the underground halls to the toy shop so I don’t have to wrangle on my heavy coat.”
She smiled at Winter. “Oh, I’m so excited! I get to see the toy shop.”
Winter grinned. “Thanks, Santa.”
“You bet. Have a fun shift, both of you.”
“Thank you!”
She and Winter parted ways in the office with a kiss, and then she walked with Billie down a hall, turning one way and then another, while Billie asked about finding her truemate and coming to Northernmost.
“Are you mated?” True asked.
“Nah, I haven’t had my forever guy fall from the sky yet, but maybe someday,” she said with a chuckle.
“I hope so, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Billie led her to the toy shop and introduced her to her mom, Zina, who had the same pale lavender hair pulled up in a messy bun. She put down her paintbrush and gave True a hug. “Welcome to the toy shop, hon. Now, I’ve dabbled with woodcarving, but painting is my jam. Let’s go talk to the carvers and get you set up at a station until your fella comes to find you. We can have lunch together. I packed an extra snackle box.”
“Mom! I thought that was for me, it’s not extra,” Billie said.
