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  Dreaming of an Omega Christmas

  A Holiday Romance

  Vale Valley Season Four

  By Kallie Frost

  Copyright 2019 Kallie Frost

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.

  This book is only available on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. Please respect and support the hard work of the author and purchase your copy from an authorized vendor.

  Please Note: Although reading other Vale Valley books may enhance your experience as you see familiar places and faces, Dreaming of an Omega Christmas can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone.

  If you enjoy this book, please consider leaving a review and telling your friends!

  Chapter One

  Falkanar

  It was five in the morning and I was surprised I hadn't worn a hole in the floor of the hotel carpet, from pacing back and forth across my room all night. I was too anxious to sleep. For the first couple of hours, just moving around had relieved the itch, but now, hours later, I wondered if maybe I would have been better off trying to get a little bit of sleep. I was exhausted but felt like I couldn't slow down. My head was pounding, and my stomach felt sore and cramped, as if I was starving, but I wasn't. I wanted to be sick but couldn't.

  I looked out the window, still caked with snow from the driving blizzard, and could swear that my headache intensified for a moment. I spun away and paced back toward the door. My bag lay on my bed, fully packed, and waiting. Next to it was a handful of change that would take me somewhere; I didn't care where, I just needed to go. Had to go.

  The blizzard changed course unexpectedly and struck the town where I was staying and harder than anyone expected. I was already starting to feel the itch to move on when the blizzard struck and now, after being trapped here for almost a week, I was quite literally going out of my mind. I couldn't stay in one place for this long; the curse made sure of that.

  I paced back across the room, glancing at the TV as I did, hoping that there was something else on to hold my attention for a few minutes and take my mind off how crappy I was feeling. It was a commercial for some ski resort. As the camera panned over the picturesque town it reminded me of Vale Valley and, in spite of my discomfort, I smiled.

  Like all wandering elves, I was happiest when I was wandering aimlessly without a set destination. Nevertheless, I found that my path took me to Vale Valley quite frequently, almost as if the magical town wanted me to call it home. Unfortunately, that was impossible. Even after traveling the world and seeing countless places, Vale Valley was always the one that, for a few days, almost felt like home.

  The town was full of magical creatures of all types. There were dozens of different kinds of shifters, everything from wolves to swans. There were mermaids, and witches, and even a couple of wood elves I had befriended.

  Rumor says that, for a time, the son of the Fae King lived there too. I hadn't encountered him, and I was glad for it. My people were wood elves once, long ago. Then the leader of a troop insulted the King of the Fae. In return, the elf and everyone loyal to him had been cursed: changed into wandering elves. Doomed to spend our lives moving aimlessly from place to place, physically unable to settle down for more than a couple of weeks at a time. Not without ending up like I was now.

  They say that wandering elves have died in the past from being stuck in one place for too long. I didn't personally know any, not that I knew many others to begin with. But it wasn't something I was eager to test. Luckily, the snow was clearing up and I was confident that anytime now I'd be able to get out of wherever I was stuck.

  I turned away from the TV, trying to hold on to the image of Vale Valley, and returned the window. My heart leapt with joy, the light at the bus station across the street had turned on. I could see someone through the window, bustling around and getting things ready.

  The bus station was open.

  I could go.

  I didn't care when the next bus was or where it was going. I just had to be on it. I grabbed my bag, my handful of cash, and pounded out the door. I quickly checked out, with a dismissive shrug as the lobby clerk inquired as to why I was leaving so early and where I was going.

  “Doesn't matter,” I mumbled. I thrust the room key at him and all but raced across the lobby.

  A blast of icy air hit my face the moment I left the hotel. But something about it was fresh, invigorating. I was on the move. And whatever force inside of me demanded I keep going realized it. I crossed the street quickly and entered the bus stop, just as the attendant was starting the coffeemaker.

  “Oh,” he said in surprise, turning. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” I said. “When does the next bus leave?”

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  I shrugged casually. “Wherever the next bus is heading.”

  “Getting out of town fast?” he asked. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I'm not going to find your face on a wanted poster, am I?” He straightened in a manner that suggested he knew how to take care of himself, in case I was some sort of threat.

  I shifted my bag to one shoulder and held up my free hand innocently. “No, sir. I'm just…” I certainly couldn't explain that I was a wandering elf to a human. “I’m a few days late getting out of here,” I said, truthfully. “Thanks to that blizzard.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I hear you. That was a whopper. Well, next bus should be here in about an hour. And it’s bound for New York City.”

  “One ticket then,” I said agreeably, feeling another surge of satisfaction.

  I did my best not to pace for the hour that it took for the bus to arrive, and instead kept myself awake by draining his entire pot of coffee. I apologized, but he refilled it looking more amused than anything else. Even though I was about to be on the move my discomfort had only stopped getting worse, not vanished. And I knew it wouldn't be gone until I was well out of town.

  The bus came and I hopped on board, even though the driver was getting some coffee and taking a quick break. I could have cheered when the driver returned and pulled the bus away from the station.

  The heat wasn't working, so the bus was as cold as ice. The seat was lumpy, and something smelled foul. And yet the bus ride felt like absolute heaven. By the time we were a couple of hours out of town, my headache had completely receded for the first time in several days. My stomach was tight from actual hunger, not horrible, painful cramping of the need to move on. I found myself smiling more often than not, as I watched the scenery fly by. It felt great to be on the move again. And yet I always found myself wishing that, just this once, I was going home, and not on to my next unknown destination. But such was the life of a wandering elf.

  As I found as I got comfortable, I found a $50 bill wedged in between the seats and stuck it in my pocket, with a dark chuckle. The King of the Fae knew what he was doing when he cast the curse. It seemed that he didn't want us to suffer, so much as atone for what my ancestor had done. And so, the nature of the curse made sure that we were all taken care of. Like all wandering elves, I had a knack for stumbling across shelter, and money, and food and other necessities. Often just before I realized that I needed it. I had learned to follow my gut and let the universe, or maybe the distant hand of the Fae King, guide me, and thus far it had never steered me wrong.

  I was just starting to wish I had eaten something, when the bus driver told us we'd be stopping for a few minutes to refuel, and so that he could have a late breakfast. We were welcome to wander the bus station and get some food for ourselves. I did just that, feeling light
as a feather. Once I was full, I hopped back on the bus and watched as we rolled through a town that reminded me somewhat Vale Valley.

  I shook my head ruefully as I thought of myself favorite little place on earth again. The holidays were here, and I probably spent more Christmases there than I ever had anywhere else. The residents always made me feel welcome and the decorations and the celebrations were homey. Sometimes I fantasized that the reason I kept ending up in Vale Valley was because the wandering elf I was destined to be with was there. Of course, that elf wouldn't actually live there. Not a wandering one. That was impossible. We rarely crossed paths and never managed to stay in contact with each other easily. Another facet of the curse, of course. And just to make things difficult, finding that one special wandering elf was the only way to break it.

  Legend had it that our curse could be broken by meeting our fated mate: our soul mate. The only catch was that our soulmate had to be another wandering elf, and considering we were constantly on the move, it was pretty hard to actually sit down and come across each other. Even then, I wasn't sure how long we had to spend with each other to figure out whether or not we were soulmates. I never felt anything with the handful of wandering elves I met over the years. They said that we’d “just know.” And then the curse will break, and we'll be able to settle down somewhere and call it a home. Wouldn't that be nice?

  I felt sometimes like Vale Valley could be that home. After all, the residents called it a place for those looking for a home and for love. Maybe that's why my path led me there so often. Aside from the fact I had yet to find either.

  The bus continued along for most of the day on the way to New York City, stopping for a small lunch and then a dinner. With each growing mile between me and where I had been stuck, it was like a weight was lifting. I felt fantastic. Thanks to being up all night, I fell asleep.

  ~~~***~~~

  A loud sound, like the screech of brakes woke me from my sound sleep. I looked around, trying to figure out why the bus stopped.

  “Are we there?” I groggily asked another passenger.

  She turned around in her seat and smiled at me. “The driver was having some trouble with the engine, so we took the next exit and found an auto shop. He’s not sure if we will have to change buses or not.”

  Well, that was as clear a sign as any. This was my stop.

  I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder, nodded to the other passenger in thanks, and headed down off the bus. I began my habitual scan of the horizon, looking for a hotel or some kind inn, or a coffee shop. I’d head in, get my bearings, and figure out where I'd spend the next few days. Once settled, I’d see if there was anywhere noteworthy to visit for my travel blog. The blog provided a decent enough income for a comfortable life on the move, but the occasional curse-provided windfall always helped.

  I spotted a little hotel across the street and waited for the cars to clear, absently reading the signage around me. I gasped when I realized I recognized the name of the town. More than that, I knew exactly where it was located. I was no more than twenty minutes away from Vale Valley!

  My path always took me back sooner or later, but it had barely been six months since I was there last, which was odd. There were usually a few years between visits. It was an unusual coincidence. But, I supposed, a somewhat welcome one. Then again, I would have preferred to be there for Christmas instead of Thanksgiving, but some of the holiday decorations would already be on display, and it wasn't as if the homey nature of Vale Valley ever lost its luster, no matter what time of the year was.

  I found myself grinning at the thought of returning, and reached into my pocket for my phone to order a ride. After paying for lunch and dinner with the fifty that I found, I had a feeling I’d have almost exactly enough left to offset the cost of the trip to Vale Valley.

  As I pulled up my app to find a ride, a wide grin spread across my face. I was going back.

  Chapter Two

  Travis

  The sound of a crying baby echoed out of the baby monitor. Elarian set down his hand of cards and smiled ruefully across the table at us.

  “Excuse me,” he said. “It's time for night feeding number one.”

  I set down my cards and stood as well. “I should be getting back home anyway, but thanks for dinner.”

  “Anytime.” We met halfway around the table and he gave me a tight hug. “Will you come over tomorrow for tea?”

  “Probably.” It wasn't as if I had anything better to do.

  “And you are coming for Thanksgiving?” Elarian confirmed for the hundredth time.

  “If you're sure,” I said. “I don't want to crash your first Thanksgiving together.”

  He took my hands in his. “We wouldn't be here to celebrate Thanksgiving at all, if it wasn't for you,” he said earnestly. “It won't be the same without you.”

  “I'll be there then,” I promised.

  The crying started working its way up into a wail. Elarian flashed me a grin and waved goodbye, before jogging across the living room and up the stairs.

  “I'll walk you out,” said Traviel, standing as well.

  There was no need for that. I knew the house as if it was my own, which it practically was. Nevertheless, I let him walk to the front door with me. Our faces reflected in the glass as he opened the door and, after almost six months, I still wasn't used to seeing a face that could have been my twin. The only visible difference were the slightly pointed tips of his elf ears, compared to my normal human ones.

  “Have a good night, Travis,” he told me.

  “You too, Traviel.”

  I didn't bother looking both ways as I crossed the quiet street to my house. We were tucked away in a quiet corner of Vale Valley and there was rarely traffic. In fact, I didn't even lock my door most days.

  I couldn't resist a smile as I walked into my house. It always made me smile. It was my dream house, after all. Quite literally, in fact. A genie had created it out of thin air for me, and the little house had everything I ever wanted. And yet… I cast a longing look over my shoulder at the lights dancing on the lawn of Traviel and Elarian’s house. Upstairs, curtain was parted slightly and I could just see the colorful shapes, projected on the baby's room ceiling, as they slowly twirled around.

  I did the right thing, making that wish.

  I knew that, but six months later I sometimes found myself wondering what life would be like if I hadn't…

  I sat down at my laptop to see if there were any responses to the draft of my latest writing project. The house had come complete with a contract for a wonderful job writing for the Dungeons and Dragons games. They obviously liked me; last month I was invited to submit a proposal for a novel. The job paid more than enough to live comfortably on, especially without rent.

  It was a luxury I never could have imagined in my old life. Ha, my old life.

  It wasn't that I missed it. Who could miss living from paycheck to paycheck, never knowing where you'd be living next, or even what you'd be eating? I didn't miss that aspect at all. In fact, the night I met the genie had started out like so many others. I was sitting in a local coffee shop, looking for freelance writing work with their complimentary Wi-Fi, and guzzling down free refills of black coffee. If I was there until close, the baristas would bag up all of the baked goods they were expected to throw away at the end of the night and give them to me instead. I couldn't say how many times I hadn't gone hungry, thanks to slightly stale croissants and muffins.

  That night, I didn't have any paying work, iinstead I was plugging away at my personal project. It was a series of stories featuring the adventures of Traviel, the elf version of me, and his partner Elarian. Shortly after leaving the shop, I saved a man from being hit by a bus. He didn't bother to tell me he was a genie, or that he was giving me three wishes in exchange for saving his life. Not that I would have believed him. Not back then, anyway.

  Shortly after that, I accidentally wished to become Traviel my dreams. The genie’s magic brought both Traviel a
nd Elarian to life in Vale Valley. As a result, my dreams for the next few months were amazing, vivid ones, all as Traviel. It took me a while to realize the dreams were real, but once I did I inadvertently wished to find my way to Vale Valley. Before I knew it, I was face to face with a character straight out of my own book.

  Unfortunately, the old adage “be careful what you wish for” was true. Since I had accidentally wished to be Traviel in my dreams, he only existed when I was asleep. As soon as I woke up each day, he vanished, leaving behind a very confused and frightened Elarian.

  After a lot of soul searching, I used my third and final wish to bring Traviel fully to life, as his own, individual person. I sometimes wondered what would have happened if I had chosen to remain him instead. But I knew that I made the right choice. I created Elarian and Traviel to be together. Not with me.

  Still, though, I did often find myself wishing – literally and often out loud – that I had worded that final wish a bit differently. Because as the days went on, I found the wonder of being surrounded by the sort of magic I always dreamed about was wearing off. The excitement of tea with elves, and shifters as neighbors, and a house made by a genie was fading. Each day I felt more like a boring human, completely out of his element, and isolated from the magic I could see, but never use. And even though everyone told me Vale Valley was a place for people looking for a home and for love, I felt like I had neither.

  My house, perfect though it was, was starting to feel less and less like a home. It was big and empty. I always felt like a third wheel when I went to visit Traviel and Elarian. True, I didn't miss all the frequent moving around that I had done while hopping from job to job, but everyone seemed to expect I would stay in Vale Valley forever. And I really couldn't see that. I didn't think I'd ever lived anywhere for more than a couple of years. I stood with a sigh and walked over to the door, looking out over my garden. Even the yard the genie created was perfect.