Chapter 20

Christmas

"Hey, Talia, wanna stay up and meet Santa?" Puck asked after our lesson. "Maybe play a prank on him." He smiled.

"Santa's real?" I asked.

"Of course he is, kiddo." Puck brushed my hair behind my ear.

"I guess Alex's still too young to stay up all night, huh?" I thought.

"Yeah. Don't worry. Alex can join in later." He smiled.

We went back to my room and he told me about Santa. He wouldn't come until later in the night because everyone here tended to stay up later than normal families. He was basically like all the TV specials said he was, but he had powerful magic which made mortals and Halflings sleepy.

Puck's eyebrows narrowed. "Showtime, kiddo. He's coming. I need a strand of hair."

I tugged one out and gave it to him. He made something more than an illusion, but not a clone appear in my bed asleep.

"Do you think you can mimic other Fae's magic? Cause he'll sniff out your magic in an instant." Puck told me.

"I don't know any others beside Oberon and Titiania's and that seems like a bad idea." I frowned.

"Just this once, I'll let you see my memories. Coyote's a good one." Puck said, eyes glowing.

"Al-" I was in a green forest. It was supernaturally beautiful. Then Puck dodged the falling branch. A man started laughing. That was Coyote. I felt his magic and I changed my form.

"Nice work, kiddo. You like a Maza though." He hummed and handed me a mirror.

My skin was a darker brown than my normal coloring and I had Elisa's nose. My eyes were rounder and well, brown. My hair was straight now.

"I guess I do." I said.

"Let's go." He smiled.

We went to the Great Hall and I saw Santa. He was looking over a list and pulling out presents out of his bag. "Ah, yes, Talia Xanatos-Burnett-Goodfellow."

Burnett-Goodfellow? We looked at each other.

"I could change it if you'd like." Santa looked at us.

We turned visible. "No, it's fine. I just…" Puck paused.

"Was curious? She's your daughter, isn't she?" He smiled.

"Yeah." He ruffled my hair.

"It was a good try, but I know who's awake and who's asleep. Let me see your true face, princess of Avalon." He bowed.

I dropped my Coyote Halfling persona. "I'm not…"

"You are, little trickster. Why else would Oberon try to take you?" Puck told me.

"I'm yours?" I shrugged.

"Ok, yes… But we're up to meet Santa so let's meet him." Puck descended.

I did too. Puck shook his hand. I hugged him. He hugged back.

"Up!" Alex waved his arms toward us.

"Xander, you're supposed to be asleep." I picked him up.

"Tai up." He told me.

"I'm older than you." I said.

"Who that?" Alex pointed to Santa.

"Hello, little prince, I'm Santa Clause." He smiled.

Alex's eyes lit up and he smiled.

"You wanna go meet Santa's reindeer?" I cooed at him. Alex squealed excitedly.

"As you wish, little prince." He said and we were taken up to the roof.

The reindeer's ears flicked toward us. We were given winter clothes. I walked up to them and let Alex pet one. He giggled and petted softly.

"Doggie." He said.

"Reindeer." I told him.

I balanced him on one arm and scratched its neck. It felt nice. We petted each one and then we sat in the sleigh. It was comfy. I let him hold the reins, but he couldn't wiggle them. Then his nose started to run and we went back inside. Puck wiped his nose and took Alex. Santa couldn't stay any longer and then I didn't remember falling asleep, but I woke up on the couch with a red blanket. Owen was in the arm chair. I yawned and sat up.

"Morning, Talia." Fox gave me a cup of cocoa.

"Morning." I sipped it.

Owen stirred. He found his glasses on the stand. "I'm sorry, Fox, I meant to take Talia to bed after she met Santa."

"It's all right. Alex was telling us about it. He loved it." She turned as David waked in with Alex.

"Tai!" Alex smiled.

"Hey, little guy." I smiled sleepy.

"We'll open presents after you two eat." David smirked.

We got breakfast and ate. Then we opened presents. I got everything I asked for. Then we got to Santa's gifts. Santa gave David an off black dress shirt. His eye twitched. He gave Fox a gold and sapphire pair of earrings shaped like a rain drop. Owen got a crimson tie. He frowned. Santa gave Alex a picture book about Avalon and I got a gold ring with my birthstones, November had two, Topaz and Citrine. I tried it on and it fit. I, however, felt a buzz of power from it. Owen explained that jewelry made from Avalon's natural material had natural magic properties and they tended to purer than Earth jewels.

We had a nice time playing in the snow. I taught Alex how to make a snowball and I should have guessed he was going to toss it at me. Then I got Owen to have a snowball fight with because Alex was still a baby. He giggled and had fun anyway. I had more cocoa and Alex was taken to go nap.

"Merry Christmas, Talia." Owen kissed the side of my head.

"Merry Christmas, Dad." I hugged him.