Author Note

Wynter

Five servants curl my hair while a six others paint my feet. I thought preparations for the ball were going to be lengthy but all the servants used magic  so it was quick.

I wanted to take part in something so I made an effort to shimmy into my tight green emerald dress despite the pleas against my involvement.

I smoothed the middle of the gown, making sure to adjust the velvet fabric to hug every curve of my body.
It was a statement piece. Simple yet elegant.

"All done" the servants clapped excitedly.
I took a one final look in the mirror and was content with my appearance.

"Beautiful, thank you all. I love it" I smile in appreciation. They really did make me look my best.

"They are ready for you Ms. Wynter" Another servant comes behind me and smiles. I nodded, taking in a deep breath before turning to the exit.

I hear the distant chatters of guests and a beautiful aria playing in the distance. The tepid sound of plates and glasses clanging against the bursts of silence throughout the hall.

The ballroom looked packed.

"Has the banquet started?" I turn to the woman with the gold rimmed spectacles.

"Yes, Ms. Wynter. It has started from quite some time now. Nick instructed we dress you late"

"Of course" I mumbled. I roll my eyes but nodded, already anticipating his tardiness.

"Oh Wynter!! Wynter!!" Mrs. Claus waves me down, running to pull me aside. She looked pretty in her simple red dress. "I must introduce you to everyone. Tinsel, Yuletide! Patrick and Dasher!" She pulled my arm into hers before leading me down the steps.

Boy this would be a long night!

———-

It was by sheer luck I escaped from the clutches of Ms. Claus. She introduced me to half the Pole!
I was tired and needed a breather for myself.

I hovered by the railing overlooking the grand foyer, gripping the iron railing. I tiptoed to survey the pool of guests as they conversed with their respective groups.

A sudden wave of pride fell over me as my fingers danced against the railing of the icy steps. It was a  feeling of euphoria?
I felt like a queen ruling over her kingdom and the people below? They were my people...if I chose to remain with Nick at the pole.

I push an elbow against the railing, staring in marvel at the beauty of it all. I guess I would pass the time here until Nick showed.

"Don't look too worried Ms. Claus"  He rests a warm hand against the small of my back.

Nick

Wynter turns around and sighs a breath of relief as she sees me.
"I told you not to be late!" She pouts, pushing my arm away.

"I'm not! I'm conveniently...delayed" I explain.

I tried to be serious, but I couldn't focus, instead, taking in her appearance in awe.
Beautiful black curls cascaded down her rich brown skin. An emerald gown hugged every ridge and curve of her body. The dress was made for her.

"You look...beautiful Wyn" I whisper, still in awe. I pull her into my arms, staring into her soft brown eyes. Her face was the perfect shade of chocolate. A soft pink caressed her cheeks? Was she wearing blush. My goodness...I would die for this girl.

She blushed as she saw me staring, pushing a curl from behind her ears.
"Is it okay? The council won't think it's too .."

"Wyn you look, ethereal. They'll love you"

She nods before sizing me up, "you don't look so bad yourself."

"So what have I missed?" I refused to take my hand away from her waist. Our proximity was too comfortable.

"Your mother introduced me to like 309 people. I have no clue what their names are."

I chuckle, looking down over the stairs.
"Well, let's learn their names, shall we?" She leans into my arm as we make the trek down the stairs to the foyer.

We pass the dignitaries of some provinces and queens of the ruling kingdom.

"Greetings"
"Greetings"
"Hello"

The people how, some only nodding their heads in acknowledgement. Wynter nodded and smiled, accepting their greetings.

"Okay, don't look right now but the group of 6 past the white table? Those are the guardians"

Wynter pretends to look for something in her purse before casually turning her head around.

"Those are the guardians?" She whispers.

Wynter

There were six of them who liked as regal as grace itself.

"That guy right there?" Nick pointed to a talk man with short white hair. "That's Father Time. He can stop and control time. Fast forward, rewind, pause, etc"

I nodded, clutching his arm, signaling him to continue. "That's the Easter bunny"

I see a short little blue bunny. He looked like  none of the illustrations we use on earth.
"He's cute" I giggled.

"Don't tell him that. He hates the c word" I nodded and diverted my attention to another spirit.
"And that's New Year's Eve on the right with the green suit and that is the tooth fairy in blue. She's cool"

"They look unreal! Almost like...like???"

"Magic." He snapped, interrupting my train of thought. I giggle forgetting the magic entirely. We continue on, smiling and greeting each guest.

"Oh, there she is.?" Nick frowns, looking at a lady with a golden crown. She was a beautiful woman. "That's  the last of the six: Mother Nature"

"Whats her deal? She looks as if she would rather be any place but here."

"She would rather be any place but here" he clarified, "You are working to please her. She's the leader of the 6"

"I see" I frown. She surveyed the crowed with her head held high. There was distrust in her eyes. "Why does she hate you?" I frown, looking over at Nick's profile.

"How do you know she hates me" he scoffs in fake surprise. Did he forget I was a woman?

"Did you sleep with her?" I ask, looking into his eyes.

"Wynter!" He fumed, looking around as a way to distract himself.

"The only reason a woman hates a man is if they slept together and the guy left the next day or they dated and left on bad terms"

"Wyn, let's just drop it. It's not important"

"Oh my gosh! You did" I smirked, staring him down. He couldn't deny it cause he was blushing.

"It was a long long long long looooonggggg time ago. It's not important okay?" He says, pulling me into his arms. "Plus, now I have a new woman on my mind."

"Oh really?" I throw my arms around his neck. We stare into each other's eyes, appreciating our own story. Just before we kiss, Jack Frost came and interrupted our actions.

Nick
"
"Seems like you want to keep your beautiful fiancé all to yourself Nick." Wynter clutched my arm tighter. Jack pulls her hand into his lips and kisses it fondly. She looks taken aback but forces a smile.

"I remember you. Mr. Frost right?" She asks.

"I'm sure we are past the formalities. Call me Jack". He nodded carefully, his eyes glued to her features.

"Well, for someone who I am supposed to avoid, we sure keep bumping into each other Mr Frost." She made sure formalities were nonexistent.

"Maybe it was meant to be? " He teased in blissful coincidence.

"Is there something you need Jack?" I pull Wynter to my side as she smiled politely. I for one was impatient with his false sense of confidence.

"The council wants one last chat with you before the meeting"

"And they asked you to deliver this message?"

"Of course. I am the runner up Santa if ..." he looks at Wynter and shrugs. "You know"

She rolls her eyes before looking behind his shoulder. "Nick I see Drew. Can we go?""

"Yea. Come on" I pull her away but Jack Frost halts her path. "The council only wants to see you Nick. I think she'll be fine alone?" Jack interrupted.

Wynter

"She will, far away from you.
Let's go Wyn" He leads me to an outside balcony, grabbing my arm and taking me into his lips. We kiss rather carelessly, letting the cold wind dance around us. His lips were the perfect warmth to the chilly weather.

He kisses my cheek before before breaking away.
"Stay away from Jack." He pushes a finger to my lip, gripping my neck in admiration.

I nodded, looking at his shiny lips. Some of my make up had transferred. "I'll be back"

"Okay." I frown, wiping his lips with the handkerchief from his pocket. He smirked, staring into my eyes.
We stare in silence and my mind wanders to my talk with Drew earlier today.
Maybe now was the time to tell him?
It seemed like the perfect time.

"I have to go. The guardians will kill me if I'm late again" He kisses my forehead once more before walking out the door.

"Nick...wait!"

He turns around and watches me.
I wanted to tell him of my feelings.
I wanted to tell him that I saw a future in the pole with him at my side.
That maybe, just maybe, we didn't have to pretend anymore.
But my heart...
I couldn't... take his...rejection.

"Be good" I warned him.

"I'll try" He smirked, before leaving me alone.