Page 6 of Howls & Harvest

I shake my head in disbelief. “This is all so incredible. I feel like I’ve stepped into a fairytale.”

He nods. “Trust me, the stories barely scratch the surface of what Evershift Haven is really like. There’s magic in every corner of this town.”

“Interesting.” A little terrifying too.

We continue eating and chatting, and somehow, I’m relaxing more and more. The initial shock of meeting Ronan is wearing off, replaced by a genuine curiosity about him and his life in Evershift Haven. His dry wit and easy charm make conversation flow naturally, and I catch myself laughing at his jokes more often than not.

By the time dessert rolls around—a delicious apple pie Suzette swears was baked by actual fairies—I’m feeling almost comfortable in this surreal setting. Ronan shares tales of his adventures in the Whispering Woods, describing encounters with mischievous sprites and ancient tree spirits.

“There was this one time,” he says, leaning in conspiratorially, “When a young dryad decided she wanted to see the town. She literally uprooted herself and started walking down Main Street, trailing dirt and leaves everywhere. Took us hours to convince her to go back to the forest.”

I laugh, picturing the scene. “How did you manage it?”

Ronan’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “Let’s just say, it involved a lot of sweet-talking, a barrel of enchanted sap, and a very reluctant squirrel.”

As the evening winds down, I’m disappointed it’s coming to an end. Ronan stands, stretching in a way that highlights his powerful physique. “I should get going. Early start tomorrow and all that.”

“Right,” I say, trying not to sound too eager.

As he says his goodbyes and heads out, I catch myself watching him leave. There’s something undeniably captivating about him, a wild energy that both excites and unnerves me.

Suzette nudges me playfully once the door closes behind him. “So, what do you think of Ronan?”

I try to keep my voice neutral. “He seems...nice. Interesting.”

My sister laughs. “Uh-huh. ‘Interesting.’ That’s one way to put it.”

I roll my eyes but smile. Tomorrow’s tour of Evershift Haven suddenly seems a lot more exciting than I had anticipated, and I hope I’ll see him again as Suzette shows me around. As I help her clean up from dinner, my mind keeps drifting back to Ronan’s piercing blue eyes and that hint of wildness in his smile.

What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter 3

I WAKE UP TO SUNLIGHTstreaming through unfamiliar curtains, momentarily disoriented. Then the events of yesterday come rushing back—the magical town, Suzette’s revelations, and meeting Throk and Ronan. I sit up, rubbing my eyes. Is this all real or some elaborate dream?

A knock at the door startles me. “Candice? You awake?” asks Suzette.

“Yeah, come in,” I say, stifling a yawn.

She enters, already dressed in jeans and a cozy sweater. “Morning, sis. Sleep well?”

I nod. “Surprisingly, yes. Though I’m still not sure if I dreamed everything that happened yesterday.”

She laughs. “Trust me, it’s all real, and there’s plenty more to see. Ready for a proper tour of Evershift Haven?”

“Sounds great,” I say, climbing out of bed. “Just give me a few minutes to get ready.”

After a quick shower and change of clothes, I join Suzette downstairs. “Thought we’d start with breakfast at ‘The Enchanted Espresso.’ Their pastries are to die for.”

We step outside, and I’m immediately struck by the crisp autumn air and the vibrant colors of the changing leaves. The town seems even more magical in the morning light. Or maybe it’s transformed itself even more. I’m starting to believe it can do that.

As we walk, Suzette points out various shops and landmarks. “That’s the ‘Celestial Clock Tower,’” she says, indicating atall structure with an ornate face. “At midnight, you can see glimpses of the past or future from the viewing platform.”

“Seriously?” I ask, eyes wide.

She nods. “I’ve only done it once. It’s pretty intense.”

We arrive at “The Enchanted Espresso,” a cozy cafe with twinkling lights strung across the ceiling. The scent of coffee and freshly baked goods fills the air.

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