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Charlie leaned toward my ear and whispered, “It’s time to select.”
As he pulled back, I grabbed his arm. “I already know who I want. And it may go against the rules, but—”
He cut me off with a hush and turned to the masses, lifting his microphone. “As is tradition, my time has come to pass the sacred responsibility of leading Christmas to a new selected.”
A young elf rushed onto the podium, holding a velvet pillow and on it sat the Santa hat. Charlie picked it up and turned to me, placing it on my head. The crowd cheered and exploded with hoots. The whole idea still sat awkwardly in my thoughts. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to having everyone looking up to me as they’d looked up to Charlie.
“And now she must select her cast of warriors who will keep her safe, guide her, and draw the golden chariot across the heavens.”
I scanned the myriad of faces, all the smiles and beaming eyes. All the denim, the strong men in coats and jackets, their partners huddled closer to them, some cradling children and babies. This was a place for families and love. They cheered and broke into a song about being merry.
Over the top of the voices, Charlie said, “Nickie,choose your warriors.”
“Wait,” I said, but he ignored me. “I can’t see them.” I searched the faces, hunting for my men, but I couldn’t see them.
Charlie took me into his embrace, squeezed me tightly, and said, “Remember, as Santa you can bend the rules.” Then he left me alone, and I turned to the assembly of at least three hundred attendees.
A strange quiet fell over us, and I kept surveying the mob, deflated my men weren’t present. I turned to my sister and shrugged, but she pointed to something in the distance.
Three men were now strolling down the center of the divided audience. They were dressed in black, a red cloak fluttering across each of their backs, and each man carried a staff topped with a golden ball that sparkled beneath the sun.
My heart fluttered as I met their faces. Tatum leading the charge, head high, serious, but sexy as hell. Leven winked while Jax waved to the people as if he were royalty, making me laugh. His long hair had been tied back in a ponytail and it damn suited him, highlighting his sharp cheekbones. All I pictured was me running to them, but I stood my ground.
They marched closer, reminding me of gladiators, strong and ready to take on the greatest battle. Once they halted in front of the podium where I stood, my mouth ached from smiling nonstop. Their eyes poured over my long-sleeved red dress with a tight bodice beneath a square neckline, and a skirt flowing outward in waves from my hips.
Each of the them took a knee in the snow and drove the staff into the earth.
The voices around us silenced.
“Nickie, I pledge my allegiance to you for eternity,” Tatum said first. Then Leven repeated the words, followed by Jax.
My throat tightened, and my vision blurred with tears. I wasn’t a crier, but that was all I’d done since I’d gone to Austria. The tears pooling my eyes right now had come from my soul. I’d never felt as special as I did now. The way the men stared at me with pure loyalty and admiration made my chest beaming.
The masses boomed with applause, throwing glitter into the air, a rainbow of sparkle rained down on us.
Unable to wait a second later, I climbed down from the podium to where the men climbed to their feet, leaving behind their staffs and surrounding me. All three circled me, their hands on my arms, and my breaths raced. I burned up, unsure what came next. But I loved being so close to them.
“What now?” I asked. “Do I have to select five more reindeer, since we have eight for the sleigh?”
“You’re the new Santa of the Workshop, ruling over everyone here,” Leven said. “So Tatum will arrange to show you the best of the best to join your elite team at a later time.”
Tatum stared me up and down. “That dress is spectacular on you. A shame it’ll have to come off soon.”
I raised a brow. “Is that another ritual?”
Jax’s hand glided across my back. “A great feast and celebration will be held tonight in your honor, but first, you’re required to spend a few hours with your new elite team to bond. Get to know us, tell us how you want us to work with you.”
My mouth curled upward and I clenched my thighs together.
“Let’s play a game,” Leven whispered. “We guess what you have planned for us.”
“But first,” Jax said, “I’ve arranged for your sister to spend a few hours in the toy shop.” I glanced toward her to see she was hand in hand with a young girl. They both waved at me. “Can I go?” she asked.
I nodded and moved toward her, giving her a hug. “Have fun.”
Leven and Jax took my hand while Tatum led us out of the yard and we headed to the biggest mansion situated at one end of the court.
“Welcome to your new home,” Leven said.
I froze in place on a stone path cleaned of snow. My legs refused to move as I stared up at the cobblestone colossal structure. Dozens of windows were lit up with fairy lights, and the roof was crowned in snow. Trees surround the place like great armies.
The double front doors opened for us by two men, who bowed in our direction.
“Are you fucking shitting me?” I asked.
Jax didn’t waste a moment, and swooped me off my feet and into his arms. “Wait until you see the mistletoe!”
