Once Upon a Fiery Christmas (Return to Avalore Book 3) by Elianne Adams

couple of hours? Chantelle should have been there to help. The whole affair had been her idea, but she hadn’t been able to face Sebastian. The hurt was too fresh.
    Several brightly wrapped boxes sat beneath the tree, waiting for tiny fingers to tear into them. Although she and Katie had done some shopping for little Max, those came from someone else. The ones they got were still in her closet. Sitting on her heels, she opened the little card with the tip of one finger. “To Max… from Santa.”
    She didn’t have to guess who had brought the gift. She would recognize Sebastian’s scent anywhere. A sharp pang pierced through her. In less than twelve hours, she would be expected to sing and celebrate and… be merry, yet all she wanted to do was go home and lick her wounds in private. To try to patch the gaping holes in her heart so she could breathe again.
    “I hope you don’t mind. I made a few things for Maxwell.”
    Chantelle whipped around, dropping the small box onto the floor with a clatter. Had she been paying attention she would have known Sebastian was coming and made her escape before he arrived.
    Even looking at him hurt. She bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering, wrapped her arms around her middle, and stepped back. “No, it’s fine. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”
    “Chantelle…” He opened his mouth to say more, then closed it again and sighed before he squared his shoulders and took a step closer. “Was there anything else you needed to have done before tomorrow? I’m all yours.” He didn’t look around at the festive décor—didn’t take his gaze from her at all.
    A small shudder coursed through her. He knew. He had to. Michael must have told him. “No, I think everything has been taken care of already. Whoever took over when I left did a wonderful job.”
    His shoulders dropped just a fraction. “If you’re certain…”
    She fought to blink the moisture from her eyes. “I am. Thank you.”
    He nodded once with a small, sad smile, then turned on his heels and walked out the door. She wanted to rush after him and make things right between them, but she needed time to figure it all out. She took a slow look around again. They had thought of everything. All she had left to do was paste a smile on and join in the celebration come morning. No problem.
    She made her way home, aware that someone followed at a distance, likely to ensure her safety, but even more aware that it wasn’t Sebastian.
    Chantelle tossed and turned as sleep eluded her. When she finally did drift off, it was to dream of a disgusted, angry Sebastian walking away from her again and again. She woke to a heavy ache in her chest and a damp pillow where her tears had fallen. Blinking the grittiness from her eyes, she looked around, surprised to find morning light chasing the shadows from her room. She jumped out of bed with a start. Of all the days she could oversleep, this was the worst. She had to be at the palace. She showered and dressed in record time and headed out the door.
    By the time Chantelle made it to the castle, the great room was bustling. Carolers, dressed in festive garb, warmed their voices by singing a few of the songs they had learned. Katie gave orders to add the last-minute touches that would make the event spectacular for Rhia. More gifts had appeared beneath the tree, and if the number of people arriving with brightly colored boxes was any indication, there would be plenty more. She hurried to add what she and Katie had bought.
    Everything was perfect—almost everything. Had things gone according to plan, by the end of today, she would have been joined with her mate and living in bliss. Now all she had to look forward to was assisting in the massive cleanup efforts at the end of the party.
    She couldn’t help scanning the crowd first with her eyes, then with her energy, seeking her would-be mate. When she found no trace of him, she sighed and tried to swallow her disappointment. She wasn’t