Page 18 of A Snowstorm & A Stronghorn

“Candice?” I exclaim, shocked. “What are you doing here?”

She throws her arms around me, laughing. “I live here now. Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe you’re here too!”

As we pull apart, I notice two other women approaching – Suzette, Candice’s sister, and Evony, another friend from college. My head spins with the improbability of it all.

“Come on,” says Candice, linking her arm through mine. “We have so much to catch up on. Let’s go to ‘The Enchanted Espresso.’ You won’t believe their coffee and spells.”

I glance back at Bram, who nods encouragingly. “Go ahead. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Candice leads our group down the street to a cozy-looking café. As we enter, I gasp in wonder. The wallpaper shifts and changes, morphing from a soothing forest scene to a vibrant underwater landscape. Cups float gently through the air, descending to tables as orders are called out.

We settle into a booth that seems to mold itself to our bodies for perfect comfort. A menu materializes in front of me, the text swirling and rearranging itself.

“I recommend the Snowflake Latte,” says Candice with a wink. “It’ll give you a personal snow cloud for about an hour.”

I shake my head, still trying to process everything. “I’ve had enough snow.”

“In that case, try the Fae’d Latte,” says Suzette. “It’s a staple on the menu and will give you fairy wings for an hour or so.”

I nod in agreement at the woman who takes our order, still feeling dazed. “I can’t believe you’re all here. How did this happen?”

Suzette leans forward, her brown eyes twinkling with gold flecks. “It’s a long story, but I guess we all found our way here when we needed it most. For me, it was after I burned out at my law firm in the city. I accidentally drove through the barrier during a working vacation and never left after meeting Throk.”

“What do you do now?” I ask, curious.

Suzette grins. “I’m the town’s magical law consultant. You’d be surprised how many legal issues arise in a place like this. Just last week, I had to mediate a dispute between a family of brownies and a troll over property lines.”

Evony speaks next. “I’m just getting settled in, but I’ve been helping Frost, my boyfriend, with his shop. I might take on some more accounting clients once I figure out the full scope of all the magical items the townspeople use to barter and trade when they aren’t using cash and credit cards.”

I blink at all that information, unsure how to absorb it all for the moment. Instead, I turn to my old roommate, who’s practically vibrating with excitement. “What about you, Candice?”

“I’m learning to magically farm, and I live with Ronan. He’s a lycan—kind of like a wolfman, since he can’t shift between forms—and he just makes me so happy.” She lets out a long, happy sigh.

As they share their stories, our drinks arrive, floating gently down to the table. I take a sip of my Fae’d Latte, and a tingling sensation spreads across my back. Candice holds up a mirror, and I gasp at the sight of delicate, shimmering wings sprouting from my shoulder blades.

“So, how are you adjusting to all this?” asks Evony, her gaze sympathetic. “It can be overwhelming at first. I’m still settling in. I came for Christmas and decided to stay forever, but it’s still an adjustment.”

I nod, trying to find the words. “It’s...incredible. Terrifying. Wonderful. I’m not sure how to process it all.”

Suzette reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. “We’ve all been there. It takes time, but you’ll find your place here. Evershift Haven has a way of helping you discover parts of yourself you never knew existed.”

As they tell me more about their arrivals here, and the men they’ve met, I sit back, sipping my latte and marveling at the strange turns my life has taken. The coffee shop buzzes with energy around us. A pair of goblins argue over the last blueberry muffin while a mermaid in a hovering water bubble orders a seaweed smoothie, and a young witch practices levitation spells on her cookie.

Evershift Haven is unlike anything I could have imagined, full of wonder and possibility. As I listen to my friends’ stories and watch the magical world unfold around me, I begin to think maybe I’ve found a place where I truly belong.

LATER, AFTER MEETINGup with him again, Bram and I stroll through the snow-dusted streets of Evershift Haven, the magical energy of the town humming around us. Colorful storefronts line the cobblestone path, each one more whimsical than the last—a bakery with cakes that float in the window, a bookstorewhere the books flutter like birds, and a clothing shop with mannequins that strike poses and wink at passersby.

“This is incredible,” I say, my eyes wide with wonder. “I never imagined a place like this could exist.”

His deep chuckle rumbles beside me. “Wait until you see my workshop. It’s just around the corner.”

We turn down a side street, and I spot a large, rustic building with a wooden sign that reads “Stonehorn Creations” swinging gently in the breeze. The scent of freshly cut wood and varnish wafts through the air when we approach.

Bram pushes open the heavy oak door, and I step inside, my breath catching at the sight before me. The workshop is a wonderland of wood and magic. Intricate carvings line the walls, depicting scenes of mythical creatures and fantastical landscapes. Half-finished furniture pieces float in mid-air, tools working on them seemingly of their own accord.

“Welcome to my world,” he says with pride.

I wander through the space, running my fingers along the smooth surface of a beautifully crafted table. “This is amazing, Bram. You made all of this?”

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