Page 17 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

“To break free from this magical sphere,

Unite your strengths, both far and near.

One of logic, one of frost,

Combine your gifts or remain lost.”

I read the riddle aloud, and he nods. “It’s asking us to work together,” he says. “Your logical mind and my frost magic.”

“But how?” I ask, frowning. “I don’t have any magical abilities.”

Frost takes my hand. “You do. You just haven’t fully awakened them yet. Trust your instincts.”

I close my eyes, focusing on the energy I can sense humming around us. “Okay,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Let’s try something.”

I place my palm against the bubble’s surface, concentrating on the logical patterns I can discern in its magical structure. “Frost, can you channel your magic through me?”

He nods, positioning himself behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. I gasp at a surge of icy power flowing through my body. It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

“Now,” he whispers in my ear, “Visualize the bubble’s structure breaking down. Use your analytical mind to find its weak points.”

I focus intently, imagining the bubble as a complex equation. I can almost see the variables and constants, the intricate interplay of magical forces. With Frost’s power augmenting my own nascent abilities, I begin to unravel the spell.

The bubble shimmers and vibrates. Cracks appear in its surface, spreading like a spider web. With a final push of combined energy, it shatters into a shower of glittering particles.

We fall, landing on a soft pile of cushions in a corner of “Mystic Melodies.” The magical parrot, Paulie, flutters down to perch on a nearby shelf, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Well done.”

I blink, still processing what just happened. “Did we just...use magic together?”

Frost helps me to my feet, a proud smile on his face. “We did. You were incredible, Evony.”

Before I can respond, a shimmering object catches my eye. On a pedestal near where we landed sits an exquisite snow globe. Inside, a miniature winter wonderland swirls with perpetual snowfall.

“The Snow Globe of Eternal Winter. We found it.”

I reach out to take it, marveling at its delicate beauty. As my fingers close around the globe, I feel a surge of magical energy. The snowfall inside intensifies, and for a moment, I swear I can hear the faint tinkling of sleigh bells.

“It recognizes you,” he says, his eyes wide with wonder. “Evony, I think this confirms it. You must have elven blood.”

I stare at him as myriad emotions swirl inside me. “But how is that possible, Frost? My family is completely ordinary.” I keep saying that, but is it true?

Paulie cackles, flapping his wings. “Ordinary? Ha. There’s more to your family tree than meets the eye, dearie, but that’s a mystery for another time.”

I nod, tucking the snow globe safely into my bag. As we turn to leave “Mystic Melodies,” Frost is watching me with a soft expression I’ve never seen before. He reaches out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear—my slightly pointed ear, I realize with a start.

“You’re amazing,” he says softly. “I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”

I blush. “You’re pretty incredible yourself, Frost.”

He smiles, a genuine, unguarded expression that makes my heart skip. Taking my hand, he leads me toward the shop’s exit. “Come on,” he says. “We have one more item to find.”

Chapter 6

I STEP OUT INTO THEcrisp winter air, crunching snow beneath my boots. Frost walks beside me, his silver-white hair shimmering in the moonlight. We’re heading to meet Throk and Candice at Whispering Woods, but my mind races with everything that’s happened since I arrived in Evershift Haven.

“You’re awfully quiet,” he says, his for-now pansy-colored irises revealing his concern. “Is everything all right?”

I nod, trying to find the right words. “Just...processing. This whole experience has been surreal.” We’ve gotten so close so quickly that it’s a little overwhelming for me. Most of my relationships have lasted no more than a few weeks, but I don’t usually jump into bed—um, bubble—with guys on such short acquaintance though.

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