Comet is content to relive the past, but meeting Salk gives her a glimpse into the future, and she might just let go of regrets.

Comet is 500 years old by human standards of linear time, but in her mind, she is the same young woman taken out of the Middle Ages by Santa. Being pulled out of her time to become one of the Christmas reindeer had been harsh but better than being stoned or hung as a witch.

Her foray away from the workshop takes her to a modern past, a Ren Faire. The clothing and traditions are familiar, and she spends time grieving for a family lost many Christmases ago.

Salk is a coal elf of the naughty-or-nice department. His job has been to find those who are definitely naughty and punish them. He never imagined that he would find a reindeer who needs his nice side more than anything else.

Excerpt:

Comet looked around the archive and twisted her lips. “I don’t want to go.”

Ru hugged her. “I know, but you don’t have to worry about the modern age. The snowflake will tell you what you need to know.”

Comet fidgeted. “So, it is all right that I am not looking forward to the human world?”

“It is fine. Santa pulled you from your time when you were nearly an adult. You had every expectation of living your life as a human and milking cows, having babies, and plowing fields. This was not a life you could have imagined.”

Comet ran a hand through her hair. “How can the snowflake give me what I want when I don’t know what I want?”

“Trust the magic. It will keep you safe and put you where you can be happy.”

Comet stepped back and held out her hand, extending the envelope to Ru. “Here it is.”

“Thank you. Here is the snowflake. Put it on you and think of what you want, what you really want. When it is time to return, remove it.”

“Do I really have to go?”

“It is the only way to make our point. Come on. A few weeks is a nice change of pace. When you come home, you won’t have to leave again unless you want to. I promise.” Ru stroked her hair.

Comet nodded. “Right. I can do this. The humans aren’t really that scary.”

“You may even come to enjoy their company.”

Comet opened the small box and lifted her tunic to press the snowflake below her navel.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on what she wanted. She wanted her familiar world back and a man to call her own. When she opened her eyes, her surprise was genuine. She was home again.