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Chapter 6: This Isn't Coffee

Roman

But Lumi was a wild card. She was bringing a warmth and cheer that was foreign, that was unsettling. She was a variable I couldn't control, and it made me uneasy. But, despite my misgivings, it also made me curious, pulled me toward her, made me want to get closer.

I headed to the diner for dinner but before I went in I glanced into the big picture window and saw the object of all my ruminations. Lumi. Her red coat was a beacon of warmth and cheer. She was talking to Stella, a waitress, her hands gesturing animatedly in a way I'd come to recognize. She was obviously explaining something or telling a story. Stella was laughing, her eyes crinkling at the corners. It was a sight I hadn't seen in a long time—Stella laughing. She'd lost her mate a little over a year ago and nothing anyone had done had helped to bring her out of her deep sadness. Until now.

I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the door handle. I wasn't sure what I was doing, what I was looking for. But I knew I couldn't stay away. I pushed open the door, the warmth of the diner enveloping me like a comforting hug. The smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries filled the air, and I took a deep breath, letting the scent ground me.

Lumi looked up as the bell over the door jingled merrily as I entered, her eyes widening in surprise. She smiled, her face lighting up with warmth and cheer. "Hi, Roman! What are you doing here?"

I hesitated, my voice gruff. "I was just... walking. Got hungry."

Lumi nodded, her smile never wavering. "Well, I'm glad you're here. Want to join me?"

I hesitated for a moment, my instincts telling me to run, to get away from this warmth and cheer that was so foreign, so unsettling. But my head nodded on it own, my voice gruff. "Sure. Why not?"

I sat down across from Lumi, shrugging out of my coat as the warmth of the diner enveloped me. Stella brought us two steaming mugs of dark liquid, the rich scent filling the air. My brows raised suspiciously as I sniffed. "This isn't coffee."

"Nope. Hot cocoa," Stella confirmed, a half-smile curling her lips. "Martha's latest special, though, I didn't figure you'd want the froufrou whipped cream and candy cane."

My mouth drew down in a frown. "I need coffee, Stella, not a kiddie drink."

"Talk to your friend, Roman. Lumi ordered them."

Glancing at the happy elf, I fought a smile as I saw the dollop of whipped cream on the tip of her disgustingly perky little nose. Huffing out a breath, I took a sip, the hot liquid warming me from the inside out. The sweet chocolate dancing on my tongue like sugarplum fairies. I looked at Lumi, her eyes sparkling, and I found my lips tipping up before I could control it.

"So, Lumi," I said, clearing my voice as I attempted to regain my normally stern demeanor. "Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What brought you to Frostpeak?"

Lumi smiled, her face lighting up with a thousand watt smile. "Well, I'm from the North Pole. I was an elf there, working with magic, and toys, and Santa, and all that. But I got bored, you know? I needed a change. So, I left, and here I am."

I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism evident. "The North Pole? Really?"

Lumi nodded, her smile never wavering. "Don't get me wrong, the North Pole is wonderful, Santa really is a great boss, but I needed to find something more. And I think I found it here, in Frostpeak."

I looked at her, seeing the sincerity and warmth in her eyes. She seemed genuine. I couldn't sense any deception in what she was telling me. Taking her in, I doubted she could lie at all.

But I also found myself holding back, my instincts telling me to be careful, to be wary. But part of me didn't want to miss out on this warmth and perky happiness that was so foreign, so unsettling. Was it worth the risk?

I took a deep breath, the scent of coffee and pastries filling the air as well as...something I couldn't identify, but that I wanted more of. A strange sensation fluttered in my chest, a feeling that was both exhilarating and terrifying. I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "And what do you think of Frostpeak so far?" I asked, my voice gruff.

Lumi's smile widened, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "I love it! It's so charming and picturesque. The people are so friendly, and the atmosphere is just magical. It's like stepping into a Christmas card. I can't get enough of it."

I nodded, looking around the diner. I had lived in Frostpeak my whole life but hadn't ever thought of it like a Christmas card. Many of the shifters had come here to hide, to escape persecution or losses in other towns and cities. We were friendly enough but also respected each other's privacy and kept to ourselves.

Lumi was already breaking through that barrier with her sparkling eyes and cheerful personality. And, suddenly, I found myself wanting to be a part of that, wanting to be drawn in, wanting to smile.

"So, tell me about the North Pole."

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