Page 1 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

Chapter 1

I GRIP THE STEERINGwheel of my red convertible as I approach the shimmering barrier surrounding Evershift Haven. Candice practically bounces in the passenger seat, her excitement obvious. She’s been like this ever since she met me a few minutes ago, on the outskirts of this mysterious town to where she and her sister, Suzette, have moved.

“Come on, Evony. Just drive through. It’s perfectly safe, I promise.”

I roll my eyes. “Right. Because driving through an invisible wall is totally normal.” Nothing about this visit is normal, and I’m worried for my friends. Candi though Suz might be mixed up in a cult when she came to visit, and then she invited me. I’m wary, to say the least.

“It’s not invisible,” says Candice. “Look at how it sparkles.”

I squint, and sure enough, there’s a faint shimmer in the air, like heat rising from hot pavement. “This is insane,” I mutter, but I press the gas pedal anyway. The barrier flashes as we pass through, and a tingling sensation washes over my skin. I blink rapidly, disoriented.

“See? Told you it was fine.” Candice grins.

I shake my head, trying to clear the lingering dizziness. “Okay, so we made it through your magic forcefield. Now what?”

“Now,” says Candice, practically vibrating with excitement, “We drive to my new place. You won’t believe it, Ev. It’s amazing. We moved Ronan’s cabin and added a...special addition.

I arch a brow, wondering what’s so special about it Oh, right, magic. My friend is either crazy or in a cult.

While driving, I notice the landscape changing. The trees seem...greener somehow, their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly light. There’s snow in the air and on the ground, as one would expect in Montana at Christmastime, but there are also flowers blooming in impossible colors. I swear I see one turn to follow our car as we pass.

“Candice,” I say slowly, “What’s going on with the plants?”

She laughs. “Oh, that’s just the enchanted flora. Wait till you see the talking sunflowers. Or the gourds. I could spend hours talking to them.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter. “The what-now?”

Before she can answer, we round a bend, and I slam on the brakes. A massive, glittering unicorn stands in the middle of the road, munching on what appears to be a bush made of cotton candy. “What the actual f—”

“Language,” says Candice, looking dismayed. “Unicorns are very sensitive to swearing.”

The unicorn turns its head, fixing us with an imperious stare. It snorts, tossing its mane, before trotting off into the woods.

I turn to Candice, my mouth hanging open. She just grins and points ahead. “Keep driving. We’re almost there.”

Numbly, I put the car back in gear and continue down the winding road. My mind races, trying to make sense of what I’m seeing. Fairies flit around the windshield. A gnome waves cheerfully from his front yard. A group of what can only be described as walking, talking mushrooms crosses the street in front of us.

“Candice,” I say, my voice strained, “I think I’m having a mental breakdown.”

She pats my arm. “Nope. You’re just experiencing magic for the first time. Isn’t it wonderful?”

I don’t answer, too focused on not crashing as we navigate through this impossible landscape. Finally, we pull up to a clearing, containing a cabin attached to a...giant onion?

“We’re here.” Candice leaps out of the car before I’ve fully stopped.

I park and slowly get out, staring at the enormous vegetable before me. It’s easily the size of a small house, its papery skin a soft golden color. A door and windows have been carved into its side, and smoke curls from a chimney poking out of the top.

“You live...in an onion?” I ask, incredulous.

“Grizelda designed it for us to expand the cabin’s size when we moved to Ronan’s land so I could start my farm. Oh, so much to tell you.” Candice beams. “Isn’t it perfect? Come on, I’ll give you the tour.”

She grabs my hand, pulling me toward the onion-house. I dig in my heels, resisting.

“Candice, wait. What is all this? What’s going on?”

She turns, her expression softening. “Oh, Ev. I know it’s a lot to take in. I thought Suzette was in a cult when she told me about it, remember?” She giggles.

“I’m not convinced you both haven’t fallen victim to a cult,” I say bluntly.

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