Stellar Surprise

"I'm sorry I broke your wing, fairy Zoe."

She smiled, and sparkling bits of happiness shone in her eyes. "I was already wounded when you found me."

When the worry did not leave his innocent gaze she added, "You rescued me."

"I did?"

She didn't think his eyes could get bigger, but they did. Though she found it frightening, she kept her smile plastered to her face. "Yes, I might have frozen out there."

"Stellar would have rescued you." He grinned and puffed out his chest. "Well, if I hadn't caught him first."

"Delmar, off with you." Santa chuckled and prodded him on his way.

"Okay Santa." Delmar grinned at her.

Zoe felt foolish for mistaking a sweet little elf as a snow monster. She was glad he didn't know what fear he had caused. "I'm glad we met, Delmar."

"Me too, Fairy Zoe, welcome to the North Pole!" Delmar skipped away, followed by his friends. "Merry Christmas!" he called over his shoulder.

She shrugged, wondering if Mary Christmas was another fairy he'd captured. Santa raised her to his face.

"So, what is a fairy to do without wings?" He sighed. "Where is your home, little one? I will travel the world soon and can take you there."

Craning to see the great one's wings, she wondered how such a fat creature could be raised from the ground. Stellar landed next to her and burst out laughing.

"You find the oddest things to laugh about," she said, eyeing her handprint on his cheek. His smile touched her. "I am sorry about slapping you, Stellar."

"That is the first time you called me by my name." He grinned. "I like it, my Zoe."

Rolling her eyes, she didn't tell him how much she liked that he called her his. She focused on Santa and tried to recall their conversation.