Page 5 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

There’s something magnetic about him, a charisma that draws the eye despite his cold demeanor. He helps an elderly woman select a scarf that changes pattern to match her outfit, and his movements are graceful and precise. When he smiles at her, it’s warmer than the ones he gave me, and I feel an inexplicable pang of...something. Envy? Ridiculous.

I force myself to focus on my shopping, selecting a few “normal” items that won’t raise suspicion back home. A cozy sweater for Mom, a leather-bound journal for Dad, and some artisanal chocolates for my sister. I find a collection of stationary for my grandmother. As I make my way to the counter, I’m face-to-face with Frost once again.

“Find everything you were looking for?” he asks, his tone polite but distant.

“Yes, thank you,” I say, trying to match his coolness.

He begins ringing up my purchases, moving his long fingers with inhuman speed and grace. “No magical items?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. “How...quaint.”

I bristle at his condescending tone. “My family doesn’t know about all this,” I gesture vaguely around us, “And I’d like to keep it that way.”

He pauses, fixing me with those mesmerizing, color-shifting eyes. “Ah, yes. The great secret. Tell me, Evony, how long do you think you’ll be able to keep this world hidden from them? Magic has a way of seeping through the cracks.”

His words make me shiver. “What do you mean?”

He smiles enigmatically. “Oh, nothing to worry about, I’m sure. That’ll be forty-seven fifty.”

I hand over the money with a frown. As he gives me my change, our fingers brush, and I swear I feel a spark of...something. Magic? Static electricity? My imagination running wild?

“Thank you for your patronage,” he says, his tone formal once again. “Do come again. Who knows? Perhaps next time you’ll be ready for something a bit more enchanting.”

As I turn to leave, I catch sight of my reflection in a nearby mirror. For just a moment, I could swear I see a faint shimmer around me, like the air itself is sparkling. I blink, and it’s gone.

LATER THAT EVENING, accompanying Candice and Ronan, I step into the town square, marveling at the transformation unfolding. Just earlier today, Evershift Haven was awash in the warm hues of autumn. Now, it’s morphing into a winter wonderland right before my gaze.

Snowflakes materialize in the air, each one a perfect, unique crystal. They dance on an unfelt breeze, swirling in intricate patterns before settling on the ground. The cobblestones,previously dry and warm, now sparkle with a light dusting of snow that doesn’t melt.

“How is this possible?” I whisper, watching as bare tree branches suddenly sprout evergreen needles.

Candice grins beside me. “It’s the seasonal shift. Evershift Haven has a mind and magic of its own and seems to know innately when it’s time to change—though it can also change for random reasons, like a welcoming ceremony, or a baby shower. Grizelda’s just officiating it.”

As if on cue, Grizelda appears in the center of the square. In a way, she looks exactly like I’d expect a witch to look, with silver-streaked purple hair and seafoam green skin, but she’s pretty. Not a wart in sight. Her wild mane of hair seems to move of its own accord, and her vibrant purple eyes glow with an inner light. She raises her arms, and the air around her shimmers.

“Hello, citizens of Evershift Haven.” Her voice rings out, magically amplified. “It’s time to welcome the winter season and especially, Christmas.”

With a dramatic flourish of her hands, a wave of magic ripples outward from the center of the town, near her but clearly not originatingfromher. I gasp as it passes through me, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. The transformation accelerates.

Pumpkins on doorsteps morph into perfectly round snowmen, complete with coal eyes and carrot noses. Piles of gourds decoratively arranged transform into ornate ice sculptures. Autumn leaves still clinging to trees change into delicate icicles that chime softly in the breeze.

Storefronts shift before my eyes. “The Enchanted Espresso’s” exterior turns a crisp white, with peppermint-striped awnings appearing over the windows. “Frost’s Festive Finds,” already Christmas-themed, grows even more elaborate. The ice structure seems to expand, sprouting delicate spires and arches.

“This is incredible,” I say, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.

Candice nods enthusiastically. “Wait until you see the best part.”

As if on cue, the massive oak tree in the center of the square—the Heart of Haven, Ronan tells me as an aside—begins to change. Its bare branches fill out with lush evergreen needles. Twinkling lights appear, wrapping around the trunk and spiraling up into the branches. Ornaments in every color imaginable materialize, hanging from the boughs.

“Citizens,” says Grizelda, “I’m pleased to report our protective barrier remains strong and stable. We can look forward to another peaceful holiday season in Evershift Haven.”

The crowd cheers, but I notice something off about Grizelda. Her skin, previously a seafoam green, suddenly looks pale and washed out. She sways slightly, and Atlas, her towering troll husband, moves to support her.

“Candice,” I whisper, nudging my friend. “Is Grizelda okay? She doesn’t look well.”

Candice’s eyes widen. “Oh, I forgot you didn’t know. Grizelda’s pregnant.”

I blink in surprise. “Pregnant? But she looks...well, older.”

Candice giggles. “Grizelda’s over a hundred years old, but that’s not too old for a witch. This pregnancy has been causing some magical mayhem though. Last week, all the books in the library started reading themselves out loud. The week before that, every mirror in town only showed people’s auras instead of their reflections.”

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