Page 14 of Howls & Harvest

Bella winks at me. “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Take a sip.”

I lift the mug to my lips. The first taste is a concerto of flavors—rich espresso, creamy milk, and a blend of spices that dance on my tongue. As I swallow, a peculiar warmth spreads through my body. “Oh.” I exclaim, looking down at my hands. My skin seems to be glowing from within, taking on a warm, golden hue. Flecks of gold shimmer across my skin, reminiscent of sunlight filtering through autumn leaves.

Ronan chuckles, his own skin now radiating the same warm glow. “Bella, you’ve outdone yourself this time.”

Bella preens, her hair frizzing even more with pride. “The Autumn Glow Latte. It gives you that perfect fall golden hour look for about an hour. Quite popular for selfies, I must say.”

I catch my reflection in a nearby mirror. The effect is stunning—I look as if I’m bathed in perpetual sunset light, my skin glowing and my hair shimmering with golden highlights.

“This is incredible,” I say, turning back to Ronan. The sight of him nearly takes my breath away. The golden light emphasizes the strong lines of his face, and his blue eyes seem even more vibrant against his shimmering fur.

“You look beautiful,” he says softly.

I duck my head, suddenly shy. “So do you. I mean, handsome. You look handsome.”

Bella clears her throat, a knowing smile on her face. “Why don’t you two take a seat by the window? The sunlight will really make that glow pop.”

We make our way to the cozy nook by a window, settling into plush armchairs that seem to mold perfectly to our bodies. Outside, the streets of Evershift Haven bustle with activity, the golden glow of our skin drawing curious and appreciative glances from passersby.

“So,” I say, taking another sip of my latte, “Is this a typical day in Evershift Haven? Magical lattes and glowing skin?”

He laughs. “Every day here is different. That’s part of the charm. You never know what kind of magic you’ll encounter.”

I nod, my mind spinning with the possibilities. “It’s all so overwhelming. Beautiful, but overwhelming. How do you ever get used to it?”

“You don’t really, but that’s the beauty of it. There’s always something new to discover, or some new wonder to experience. It keeps life exciting.”

As if to prove his point, a group of fairies flits past our window, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake. The dust settles on the cobblestones, forming intricate, swirling patterns.

“I can see why you love it here,” I say, turning back to him. The warmth in his eyes matches the glow of his skin, and I sway forward slightly.

“I’m glad you’re here to see it,” he says softly. He moves his hand across the table, brushing his fingers against mine. The touch sends a jolt through me, more potent than any magical latte.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping our drinks and basking in the warm glow. The attraction between us seems heightened by the magical effect of the latte. Every glance and every accidental touch feels charged with possibility.

He sets down his mug, clearly finished. “What would you like to see next? Evershift Haven has no shortage of wonders to offer, and we can spare a little more time before the feast begins.”

I consider for a moment. “Surprise me. Show me your favorite place in town.”

His grin is wide and eager. “I know just the spot. Finish your latte. We’ve got a bit of a walk ahead of us.”

As I drain the last drops of my Autumn Glow Latte, I get a thrill of excitement. Whatever magical adventure awaits us next, I’m ready for it.

A short time later, I follow Ronan through the winding paths of Evershift Haven, the golden glow from our Autumn Latte still shimmering on our skin. Enchanted leaves crunch beneath our feet, releasing bursts of cinnamon and nutmeg scents into the crisp air. As we leave the town center, a gentle mist rises around our ankles with cool tendrils curling up our legs.

“Where exactly are we headed?” I ask, my curiosity piqued by the secretive glint in his eye.

He grins, a flash of white teeth against his dark fur. “You’ll see. Just listen.”

I strain my ears, and soon, a gentle lapping sound reaches me, like tiny waves kissing a shore. The path narrows, and his broad shoulders barely fit between the trees. He turns to make sure I’m still behind him, his eyes gleaming with a hint of animal shine in the fading light.

“Here we are,” he says, his voice a low rumble of excitement. He reaches out, gently pushing aside a curtain of silvery willow branches with his clawed hand. “The Luminous Lagoon.”

As the branches part, I gasp. The lagoon stretches out before us, its surface so still it looks like polished glass. The twilight sky reflects perfectly in its depths, but it’s not the mirrored image that steals my breath.

Colors dance across the water—vibrant swirls of sapphire, emerald, and amethyst. They pulse and shift, intertwining and separating in a mesmerizing ballet. It’s as if the northern lights have fallen from the sky and decided to make this lagoon their new home.

I’m unable to look away from the spectacle. “It’s beautiful.”

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