Chapter 6

I STEP OUT INTO THE crisp 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.

Frost chuckles, a sound like tinkling icicles. “I can imagine. It’s not every day that a human discovers a magical town hidden between realities.” He slants me a glance. “Or forms such an immediate connection...”

We walk in companionable silence for a few moments, our breath forming small clouds in the cold air. The streets of Evershift Haven are quiet at this hour, the magical shops closed for the night, and tension pervades the town. Everyone is clearly on edge, waiting to see if we succeed. Only the occasional glowing fairy light illuminates our path.

“Evony,” he says softly, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

I turn to look at him, curious. “What is it?”

He takes a deep breath, looking at me. “I’ve dreamed about you for years.”

I blink, not sure I heard him correctly. “You’ve...what?”

Frost runs a hand through his hair, leaving a trail of snowflakes and mussed hair escaping the braid in its wake. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. I’ve had visions of you in my dreams for as long as I can remember, always clearly in my future. When you were born about three decades ago, they increased in frequency and detail. When you appeared in Evershift Haven, I immediately knew who you were.”

My mind reels. “Are you saying...you knew I was coming?”

He nods. “In a way, yes. I didn’t know exactly when or how, but I knew you would arrive someday. You’re my mate, Evony.”

I stop walking to stare at him, mouth agape. “Your mate? Frost, we barely know each other. How can you possibly believe that?”

He turns to face me, his expression earnest. “In the fae world, we have something called dream prophecy. It’s a rare gift that allows us to see glimpses of our future, particularly when it comes to our destined partners. I’ve seen you in my dreams for centuries, Evony. I’ve watched you grow up and seen snippets of your life in the human world. Over the past year, I’ve dreamed about you almost every night, so I knew you’d be coming soon, and now, here you are.”

I shake my head, trying to process this information. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“I know. I don’t expect you to feel the same way immediately. I’ve had years to come to terms with this, but for you, it’s all new. I just wanted you to understand why I’ve been so drawn to you since you arrived.”

I inhale deeply, and the cold air almost burns my lungs before I exhale. “I appreciate your honesty, Frost. I won’t lie—I’ve felt a connection to you too, but this is moving so fast. I mean, magical prophecies? Destined mates? It’s like something out of a fantasy novel.”

He laughs softly. “Welcome to Evershift Haven, where fantasy becomes reality.”

We start walking again, and I mull over his words. Despite the overwhelming nature of his revelation, I’m surprised to find I’m not entirely freaked out. There’s a part of me that feels...right about this. Like a puzzle piece clicking into place. “So...” I say, breaking the silence. “These dreams you had about me. What exactly did you see?”

He gives me a sweet smile. “Oh, so many things. I saw you as a child, playing in a park near your home. I saw you in high school, winning a math competition. I saw you graduate college and start your first job as an accountant. Little snippets of your life, spread out over years. More than that, I saw snippets of our future together.” His gaze softens. “There are two children in our future, both a perfect mix of us.”

I stare at him, amazed. “That’s...incredibly accurate, and a little freaky about the kid thing, but why me? I’m just a normal human. Or I was until I came here and discovered I have some kind of magical heritage.”

Frost smiles. “You’ve never been ‘just’ anything. Your elven blood has always been a part of you, even if you didn’t know it, and as for why you... That’s the mystery of fate, isn’t it?”

We walk in silence for a few moments while the snow falls gently around us. I’m struck by how comfortable I feel with Frost, despite the bombshell he just dropped on me. There’s an ease between us that defies our short acquaintance. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“If you’ve known about me for so long, why didn’t you try to find me in the human world?”

His expression turns serious. “It’s forbidden for magical beings to interfere with the human world unless absolutely necessary. We have to let fate take its course. I knew you would find your way here when the time was right.”

I nod, understanding. “And now that I’m here?”

He smiles, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “Now, I hope you’ll give me a chance to court you properly. Dream visions are all well and good, but I want to get to know the real you.”

I smile back. “I think I’d like that.” I’m supposed to go home after Christmas, but the idea suddenly holds no appeal. I love my family and have friends there, along with enjoying my job, but I never seem to quite fit in either. Since coming to Evershift Haven, I haven’t felt that low-grade compulsion to figure out my place in the scheme of things. I just seem to...fit.

Approaching the edge of the Whispering Woods, I see Throk and Candice waiting for us. Candice waves excitedly, her blonde hair glowing in the moonlight.

“There you are,” she calls out. “We were starting to worry.”

Throk nods in greeting, his massive form dwarfing Candice beside him. “Everything okay?”

I glance at Frost, who nods and smiles. “Yeah,” I say, smiling. “Everything’s great. So, what’s this about talking trees?”

Candice grins. “Oh, you’re going to love this. The Whispering Woods are amazing. The trees here are total gossips. They know everything that happens in Evershift Haven.”

Throk chuckles, which sounds like a deep rumble emerging from his chest. “Just don’t believe everything they tell you. Trees tend to exaggerate.”

As we step into the woods, I hear a faint rustling that sounds almost like whispers. Frost takes my hand, sending warmth through me despite his cool touch.

“Ready for another magical adventure?” he asks, his eyes twinkling.

I squeeze his hand, feeling a surge of excitement. “Lead the way.”

As we step into the Whispering Woods, a hush falls over our group. The trees tower above us, swaying their branches gently in a breeze I can’t feel. There’s an energy here, a presence that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Candice looks around, her eyes wide with excitement. “Oh, they’re so happy to see us. Can you hear them, Evony?”

I shake my head, straining my ears. All I hear is the rustle of leaves. “I don’t hear anything.”

Candice looks disappointed but nods as Frost squeezes my hand. “It’s okay. Most humans can’t hear the trees. Just try to sense their mood.”

I close my eyes, focusing on the energy around me. There’s a welcoming feeling that washes over me. “They seem...friendly?”

Throk nods, his deep voice rumbling. “They are. The Whispering Woods love visitors.”

We walk deeper into the forest, the path winding between ancient trunks. Suddenly, Candice stops, holding up a hand.

“What is it?” I ask.

She tilts her head, listening. “The trees say we can’t go any farther. The sacred tree with the evergreen bough is off-limits.”

Frost frowns. “We need that bough to save Evershift Haven. Can you explain our situation to them?”

Candice nods, then turns to face the nearest tree. She speaks in a language I don’t understand, and her voice is melodic. The leaves rustle in response.

“What are they saying?” I whisper to Throk.

He chuckles. “They’re reciting poetry. They’re quite the romantics.” He laughs again. “Their encouragement got Suzette to kiss me for the first time.”

Candice’s eyes widen abruptly, and she claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

“What?” asks Frost, looking between Candice and Throk.

Throk grins. “The trees are teasing you and Evony about new love. They say your auras are intertwined.” He wags his eyebrows suggestively. “In a certain way...”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. Frost coughs, looking anywhere but at me.

Candice turns to us, her expression revealing surprise and delight. “You two? Really? When did this happen?”

“It’s...complicated,” I mutter, not ready to explain Frost’s dream prophecy. “We were trapped in a bubble, and...” I clear my throat. “I’ll tell you later.”

Frost clears his throat too. “Perhaps we should focus on the task at hand. Evony, why don’t you try connecting with the trees?”

I blink at him. “Me? But I can’t even hear them.”

“Trust your instincts,” he says softly. “Your fae blood gives you a connection to nature. Just reach out with your feelings.”

Candice seems startled to hear that about my heritage, and her questioning look prompts me to nod, silently indicating I’ll tell her everything later.

With a deep breath, I step forward, placing my hand on the rough bark of the nearest tree. At first, I feel nothing but wood beneath my fingers. Then, slowly, warmth spreads through my palm. It’s like a pulse, steady and strong. “I think I feel something,” I whisper.

Frost moves behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders. “Good. Try to explain our situation. Tell them why we need the evergreen bough. Picture it in your mind.”

I close my eyes, concentrating on the pulse beneath my hand. In my mind, I form an image of Evershift Haven, of the flickering Heart of Haven at its center. I think of the danger, of the barrier failing, and of the magic faltering in this wonderful place I’ve just discovered. Lastly, I imagine the disappointed children all over the world.

The pulse beneath my hand quickens. The leaves above us rustle more intensely, and a warm breeze caresses my face. When I think of the children, the pulse intensifies, and I almost hear the trees moan.

Candice gasps. “They’re listening to you, Evony. They can sense your intentions.”

Encouraged, I press on. I picture the evergreen bough, imagining its power helping to stabilize the Heart of Haven. I think of the joy and wonder I’ve experienced since arriving in this magical town, and how devastated I’d be to see the town at risk.

The forest around us seems to come alive. The trees sway, their branches reaching toward each other. A shower of golden leaves rains down on us.

“What’s happening?” I ask, opening my eyes.

Throk’s expression is one of awe. “They’re clearing the path. You’ve earned their trust.”

Sure enough, the trees in front of us are parting, revealing a narrow path that wasn’t there before. At the end of it, I can see a massive tree, its trunk wider than any I’ve ever seen. One of its branches glows with a soft, green light.

Frost squeezes my shoulders. “You did it, Evony. That’s the sacred tree with the evergreen bough.”

I lean back against him, suddenly exhausted. “I can’t believe that worked.”

“I can,” he says softly. “You’re more powerful than you know.”

Candice claps her hands. “This is amazing. The trees are so impressed. They say they haven’t felt such devotion in centuries. They say you have strong fae magic.”

I look at her, startled. “Fae magic? But I’m human.”

Frost chuckles. “Mostly human, perhaps, but there’s definitely fae blood in your veins, as everyone around you keeps saying.”

I shake my head, trying to process this new information. “This is all happening so fast. First, I discover magic is real. Now I’m part fae?”

Throk pats my shoulder gently. “Welcome to Evershift Haven, where nothing is quite what it seems.”

Frost takes my hand, his touch sending a spark through me. “We should get that evergreen bough to save our town and Christmas.”

As we walk down the newly revealed path, the trees seem to whisper around us. I can’t hear their words, but I can feel their approval and acceptance. I feel like I truly belong.

The sacred tree is just ahead, its presence both comforting and intimidating. The glowing branch seems to pulse with energy, calling to something deep within me. I approach the sacred tree, its massive trunk dwarfing everything around it. The enchanted evergreen branch glows with a soft, ethereal light, beckoning me closer. As I reach out, I feel a resistance, like an invisible barrier pushing against my hand.

“It’s protecting itself,” says Frost softly beside me. “You’ll need to use your magic to harmonize with it.”

How am I supposed to do that? I don’t bother to ask. Acting on instinct, I focus on the energy flowing through me. It’s still new and unfamiliar, but I can sense it thrumming just beneath my skin. I close my eyes, picturing the magic as a gentle stream flowing from my core to my fingertips.

The air around me shifts, and Candice gasps. “Oh, Evony, you’re glowing.”

I open my eyes to see a soft, golden light emanating from my skin. It pulses in rhythm with the glow of the evergreen branch. Slowly, the resistance fades, and I’m able to wrap my fingers around the branch.

As soon as I touch it, a surge of power rushes through me. It’s overwhelming, like trying to contain an ocean in a teacup. My knees buckle, and I stagger backward.

Frost catches me in his strong arms, steadying me against his chest. “I’ve got you,” he murmurs, his cool breath tickling my ear.

The world spins around me, the colors blurring and swirling. I cling to him, grateful for his solid presence. Gradually, the dizziness subsides, and I become acutely aware of how close we are. I turn in his arms, looking up into his now-cool blue eyes. While I watch, they darken to a stormy gray, filled with concern and something else—desire. The air between us crackles with energy.

Without a word, he bends down and captures my lips with his. The kiss is gentle at first, a soft brush of lips, but it quickly deepens. I melt into him, tangling my free hand in his hair. The braid is almost entirely unwoven now, so I wrap strands around my fist. The evergreen branch in my other hand pulses with energy, as if approving of our connection.

When we finally pull apart, I’m breathless. Frost’s eyes are wide with wonder as they become a gentle green, and a dusting of snowflakes falls from his hair.

“Completely...” I trail off, unable to find the right words.

“Magical.” He smiles at me, as if I’m the only person in the whole world besides him. I feel that too until a squeal of delight breaks the moment.

I turn to see Candice grinning from ear to ear, her hands clasped together in excitement. “I knew it,” she says with a grin. “Oh, you two are so cute together.”

I blush but can’t stop smiling.

Throk stands beside Candice, looking approving and amused. “Looks like the Whispering Woods were right about your auras being intertwined.” He bursts into laughter that rumbles through me with its intensity. My cheeks grow hotter, but I’m still smiling.

Frost chuckles, his arm still wrapped around my waist. “Indeed they were. The trees are rarely wrong about such things.”

I look down at the evergreen branch in my hand, its glow now pulsing in sync with my own magical aura. At some point, it disconnected itself from the tree. “We should get this back to the Heart of Haven,” I say, trying to focus on our mission despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Candice nods, her expression turning serious. “You’re right. We don’t have much time left.”

As we prepare to leave the Whispering Woods, I hear a rustling sound. The trees around us seem to bend in, brushing their leaves against each other in a whispered conversation.

“What are they saying?” I ask, looking at Candice.

She tilts her head, listening intently. A smile spreads across her face. “They’re giving you both their blessing and trust that you’ll save our town and Christmas.”

I glance at Frost, who looks both pleased and a little embarrassed. “No pressure or anything,” he says with a wry smile.

We make our way out of the woods, and I’m amazed at how much my life has changed in such a short time. Just days ago, I was a normal human accountant. Now, I’ve learned I’m part fae, tentatively wielding magic, and apparently, destined for a happy future with the handsome fae by my side.

The path back to town seems shorter somehow, as if the woods themselves are eager for us to complete our mission. When we emerge from the tree line, I see the town square in the distance. The normally bustling area is eerily quiet, and the magical decorations hang limply.

“The Heart’s magic is fading fast,” says Frost, his voice tight with concern. “We need to hurry.”