Page 3 of Elven Kisses & Winter Wishes

I nod, pretending this is all perfectly normal. “Of course. Magical onion juice. Why not?”

Candice grins, either missing or ignoring my sarcasm. “I know, right? It’s amazing what you can do with a little magic and a lot of onions.”

We continue the tour, moving into a small study. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with tomes on subjects I never knew existed. “A Beginner’s Guide to Magical Farming,” “101 Uses for Enchanted Produce,” and “The Secret Language of Vegetables” are just a few of the titles I spot.

“This is where I do most of my research. Magical farming is fascinating, but there’s so much to learn. I’m lucky my mentor, Puckley, is as eager to share her knowledge as I am to acquire it.”

I pick up a book titled “Communicating with Your Crops: A Comprehensive Guide.” “You actually talk to your plants?”

Candice nods enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. They have so much to say once you learn how to listen. The tomatoes are terrible gossips, and the carrots tell the best jokes.”

I set down the book carefully, wondering if I’ve finally lost my mind. “Right. Talking vegetables. Got it.”

We move on to the bedroom, which is surprisingly normal compared to the rest of the house. A large, comfortable-looking bed dominates the space, with soft, cream-colored linens. The only hint of the room’s unusual location is the curved ceiling and the faint, oniony scent that permeates the air.

“And here’s my favorite part,” says Candice, leading me to a spiral staircase in the corner of the room. We climb up, emerging into a small, circular space at the very top of the onion.

The room is entirely enclosed in the thin, translucent skin of the onion. Sunlight filters through, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. A comfortable-looking chair sits in the center, surrounded by potted plants of all varieties.

“This is my meditation space. It’s perfect for connecting with nature and honing my magical abilities.”

I walk to the edge of the room, placing my hand against the onion skin. It’s surprisingly sturdy, with a slightly waxy texture. “This is incredible. I still can’t believe it’s real, but it’s incredible.”

Candice beams. “I’m so glad you like it. Want to see how it connects to Ronan’s cabin?”

We descend the stairs and exit the onion house through a different door than we entered. This one leads directly into a more traditional log cabin. The transition is jarring—from the whimsical, vegetable-inspired decor to rugged, masculine furnishings.

“This is Ronan’s place. We moved the whole cabin here when we decided to combine our living spaces.”

I look around, taking in the sturdy wooden furniture, the pelts on the walls, and the enormous fireplace. “You moved an entire cabin? How is that even possible?”

She shrugs. “Magic, of course. Grizelda and some of the other witches helped. It was quite a spectacle—the whole cabin floating through the air like a giant Monopoly piece.”

I shake my head, trying to picture it. “And Ronan was okay with attaching a giant onion to his home?”

“Oh, he loves it.” She grins. “He says it adds character. Plus, the onion juice really helps with the wet dog smell when he comes back from a run.”

I blink. “Wet dog smell?”

Candice’s eyes widen. “Oh, right. I forgot to mention Ronan’s a lycan. You know, a werewolf, kind of, except he doesn’t shift. More like a wolfman, I guess? He’s a perfect gentleman though. Most of the time, anyway.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively and flushes, transmitting when she appreciates him not being a gentleman.

I sink into the nearest chair, my head spinning. Magic, talking vegetables, onion houses, and now werewolves...er, wolfmen? It’s too much to process.

Candice kneels beside me, her expression concerned. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but isn’t it exciting? A whole new world of possibilities.”

I look at the woman who’s been my friend for years. She seems so at home here, so happy. Part of me wants to run screaming from this insanity, but another part...is curious. Excited, even.

“Okay,” I say slowly. “I’m not saying I believe all of this yet, but I’m willing to keep an open mind. Tell me more about this magical farming you’re getting into.”

Her smile widens. “Let me show you the plans for my enchanted vegetable garden. Did you know that with the rightspells, you can grow watermelons that never run out of fruit? Or tomatoes that change flavor based on your mood?”

As she launches into an enthusiastic explanation of magical agriculture, I’m fascinated despite my skepticism. Maybe there’s more to this world than I ever imagined. Perhaps, in this strange town of Evershift Haven, I might discover a part of myself I never knew existed.

THE NEXT MORNING, AFTERmeeting Ronan and having dinner with Suzette and Throk as well, who joined us in the onion house, I’m no longer able to disbelieve in magic. How can I after meeting a lycan and an orc?

Still somewhat in a daze, I step out of Candice’s onion house, blinking in the bright winter sunlight. Snowflakes dance in the air, each one a perfect, glittering crystal. The sight is breathtaking, but something’s off about them.

“Are these snowflakes...magical?” I ask, eyeing them suspiciously.

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