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

troll.”
    Chantelle blinked a few times. “He’s not?”
    “No, but it doesn’t matter. I love it.” Rhia hugged her again. “Thank you, for everything.”
    Before she could say anything, a deep voice boomed in the room. “Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas.” A shower of brilliant glitter burst just inside the great room door, blurring the vision behind it, but she didn’t need to see to know who it was. When the last of the shimmery flakes fell, Sebastian stood dressed in a huge costume. His rounded belly jiggled as he laughed and patted it. What little skin she could see beneath the red hat and massive white beard was almost as crimson as the suit itself. His gaze met hers and held for a moment before finding little Max.
    With a wicked grin, Drake pulled a chair close to the tree. “Have a seat, Santa .”
    A low growl rumbled between them, but then Sebastian laughed again, jiggling all over. “Don’t mind if I do. It was a long trip from the Snow Pole.”
    Rhia tittered again, but didn’t say a word, instead went to stand next to her mate, who instantly tucked her under his arm. The sight had Chantelle sighing and wishing things hadn’t gone so horribly wrong for her and Sebastian. They really needed to talk.
    Chantelle shook her head. William, Rhia’s father, was supposed to play Santa. The fact that Sebastian would do it had her heart racing. “What are you doing?”
    Sebastian didn’t take his eyes off Max, but he stiffened and exhaled a long, slow breath. “I’m playing Santa. I know it’s been a few hours, but I’ve not gained so much weight since we last spoke.” More than teasing, relief seeped into her mind with each word he spoke as she allowed him into her mind. “I wanted to make you smile.”
    Sebastian’s eyes glittered beneath his big white eyebrows. “Who do we have here?” Santa ran his hand over his beard, narrowing his eyes at the boy. “Oh yes, little Max. Have you been a good boy this year?”
    Max’s eyes grew impossibly wider and his bottom lip jutted out, quivering as his eyes rimmed with tears. He managed a small nod before hiding his face behind his mother’s leg.
    “Now, now, little one, I’m no one to be afraid of.” Sebastian tried to soothe the boy, but he only whimpered in response. “How about if we start with someone else? Would that ease your worry?” He waited for Max to peek at him and nod from the safety of his mother’s leg. “Very well, let’s see… Queen Rhiannon. Is there a Queen Rhiannon here today?” Sebastian pulled a small box from within the big red bag he had carted in with him.
    “Yes! Yes, I’m here!” Rhia jumped up and down, clapping her hands, and Chantelle had to wonder how much of it was real, and how much was for the boy’s benefit.
    “Well, come on up here and sit on Santa’s knee…”
    A low growl ripped through the crowd, making everyone close snicker.
    “On second thought, maybe you could just stand close to Santa.” Sebastian held his belly and gave a big laugh. “I think my elves made a little something for you.”
    Rhia ignored her mate’s rumbles and plopped herself on Santa’s knee. “Don’t worry about the dragon, Santa. He just doesn’t like to share.” She gave Drake a saucy grin and a wink before giving Sebastian a chaste peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Santa.”
    By the time Rhia made her way back to Drake, Max had stepped to the side and was eyeing Santa, but he still held his mother’s leg.
    “Who else do we have here?” Sebastian asked.
    His gaze caught hers, and Chantelle couldn’t keep her grin from breaking free. He could balk all he wanted, but he was enjoying himself.
    “Ah yes, Miss Chantelle. Come on up here and sit on my lap, and let’s see what Santa has in store for you.” More snickers rushed through the room. The gleam in his eye told her his slip wasn’t unintentional.
    Heat crept up from her neck, but she locked gazes with him and came forward, hesitating only a moment before