Page 12 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

“Evony, wait—” Frost starts, but I’m already reaching out.

My fingers brush the star’s surface, and a jolt of energy surges through me. The shop around us fades away, replaced by a swirling vortex of light and color. Images flash before my eyes—a snow-covered forest, a group of elves crafting toys, and a sleigh soaring through the night sky.

I gasp, overwhelmed by the visions. Instinctively, I focus on steadying my breathing, imagining roots growing from my feet into the ground. To my surprise, the chaotic energy begins to calm. The star’s erratic flickering slows, settling into a steady, warm glow.

The vortex dissipates, and I’m back in Frost’s shop. The star rests in my palm, its light now strong and constant. I look up to see him staring at me, eyes wide with astonishment.

“How did you do that?”

I shake my head, still processing what just happened. “I... I don’t know. It just felt right.”

He takes a step closer. “Do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve stabilized an ancient magical artifact with no training. That’s extraordinary.”

Heat rises to my cheeks under his scrutiny. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe the star just needed a human touch or something.”

Frost shakes his head. “No, it’s more than that. You have a gift. A connection to magic that I’ve rarely seen in humans.”

I open my mouth to protest, but the words die on my tongue. How can I deny what just happened? The visions and the energy coursing through me were unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Frost gently takes the star from my hand, brushing his fingers against mine. That same spark of energy passes between us, and his eyes widen slightly. He places the star in a velvet pouch, then turns back to me.

“Thank you, Evony,” he says, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard it. “Your help has been invaluable.”

The warmth in his tone makes me tremble. I’m abruptly lost in his gaze, noticing flecks of silver in his eyes that are currently a deep purple. The air between us feels charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.

I clear my throat, breaking the spell. “We should probably get going. We still have two more items to find, right?”

He blinks, as if coming out of a trance. “Yes, of course. The Snow Globe of Eternal Winter awaits us at ‘Mystic Melodies.’”

As we make our way out of the shop, I replay the moment in my mind. The way Frost looked at me, and the awe in his voice, stirs something deep within me, a longing I didn’t know I had.

Too bad there’s no time for that now. We have a town to save, and apparently, I have some latent magical ability to figure out. Just another day in Evershift Haven, I suppose.

Chapter 5

I STEP INTO “MYSTICMelodies,” and tinkling wind chimes announce our arrival. The shop’s interior is a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, with instruments of all shapes and sizes lining the walls and floating in mid-air. Frost follows close behind, his cool presence a stark contrast to the warm, vibrant atmosphere of the store.

“Hello?” I call out, my voice echoing through the shop. “Anyone here?”

A flash of bright feathers catches my eye, and suddenly, a large, colorful parrot swoops down from a high perch, landing on a nearby display case. His iridescent plumage shimmers in the soft light of the shop.

“Hmm...” The parrot squawks, cocking his head to the side. “What do we have here? A frosty fellow and a...hmm, interesting spark.”

I blink, taken aback by the talking bird. “Did that parrot just—”

“Speak? Of course I did, darling,” interrupts the parrot, ruffling his feathers. “The name’s Paulie, and I’m not your average squawker.”

Frost steps forward, his expression serious. “Paulie, we need the Snow Globe of Eternal Winter. It’s urgent.”

Paulie hops from one foot to the other, his beady eyes fixed on me. “Urgent, you say? Isn’t that exciting, but tell me, frosty one, have you noticed anything unusual about your companion here?”

I shift uncomfortably under the bird’s scrutiny. “We don’t have time for games. The Heart of Haven is failing, and we need that snow globe.”

“Oh, ho.” Paulie cackles, spreading his wings. “She’s got fire, this one. Or should I say...magic?”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, my patience wearing thin.

He ignores my question, instead addressing Frost. “You feel it too, don’t you? That hidden spark. It’s quite electrifying.”

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