ONE
Blythe
It’s said that the holly sprig has long been used to ward off evil spirits.
As Blythe Dryden stood with her hands on her hips, assessing the foyer of Wisteria Gardens, she pondered how much of the plant she’d need to decorate with to ensure the most magnificent holiday season. Then she added another bough over the entryway, just for good measure.
It was fortunate that she’d mastered her powers since learning she was the reincarnation of Life, as Blythe could now grow as much holly as it took to repel demons, spirits, or any other mischievous deities that decided to take a sudden interest in her family. She’d shove every bough down their throats if necessary, because this year, they were all going to have a perfect Christmas.
Wisteria had transformed since Aris’s return. For years Blythe had missed the magic that once pulsed through the home’s very essence. Now, with its owner returned, Wisteria’s heart had resumed its proud beating. Giant statues of fantastical beasts loomed near the grand oak doors, welcoming all who entered into a spacious foyer adorned with intricately carved nutcrackers taller than she was, and well-decorated snowmen that never seemed to melt. The gold-trimmed ceiling showcased a perfect wintry sky, painted with stars and snowflakes.
The hearth burned bright, its flames matching the warm pink glow of strange sconces that lit the room. One of them was shaped like a boar and matched the handle of Blythe’s old bedroom from when she’d first arrived at the palace, betrothed to a man she despised. The memory had her smiling as she draped another bough of holly over its tusks, her heels clicking a familiar echo across the marble floors. Withdrawing several paces to admire her work, Blythe startled when she backed into a firm chest. Strong arms slipped around her, embracing her from behind, and Blythe relaxed into the warmth of the familiar touch. Into a comfort that she wished she could bottle up and carry with her forever.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” Aris noted, pulling her closer. She folded into him, tipping her head to the side as he bent to kiss it. Her eyes fluttered shut as he peppered kisses down her neck, and she squealed when he ended one of them with a gentle nip.
“It’s not too much?” she asked, forced to finally take stock of her hard work. It was, admittedly, very green. But that was nothing some well-placed ornaments couldn’t fix.
“Nothing you do will ever be too much.” His lips curled devilishly as they sank down to her bodice.
“Liar.” Blythe snorted, slipping her fingers into his blond locks to keep him close.
It’d been only four months since her husband had returned to her, and Blythe was still familiarizing herself with this new body of his—broader chested and a few inches taller than his previous form. His jawline was squarer and more pronounced, his skin a shade darker, and while the changes were just enough to feel jarring, there was enough about Aris that had felt familiar from the moment she’d laid eyes on him. One look and she’d known that the missing piece of her soul had finally made its way home to her.
His eyes were the same, as were the deftness of his clever hands and the way that light always seemed to pull toward him. There were a few other differences as well, though certainly none that Blythe could complain about. In fact, she’d probably be continuing to familiarize herself with those differences now, if not for the fact that it was just days before Christmas and their family was in town to celebrate.
Family who did not seem to understand when to make themselves scarce. ...
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