Chapter 5

THE BELL ABOVE THE door of “The Enchanted Espresso” chimes as Ronan and I step inside. The cozy interior wraps around us like a warm blanket with the scent of freshly ground coffee beans and cinnamon filling the air. Plush armchairs in rich autumnal hues invite patrons to sink into them, while floating candles cast a soft, flickering glow over the room.

Behind the counter, Bella Brewster’s curly leaf-red hair frizzes with magical energy. Her eyes, currently a warm amber, twinkle as she spots us. “If it isn’t my favorite new human and our resident lumberjack? What can I get for you two today?”

I glance at the menu board, which seems to be writing and erasing itself. “I’m not sure. What do you recommend?”

Her grin widens, revealing dimples in her rosy cheeks. “Oh, I’ve got just the thing for you both. How about our special fall drink? The Autumn Glow Latte.”

Ronan nods with interest. “Sounds perfect. Two of those, please.”

As Bella busies herself with the espresso machine, which hums and purrs like a contented cat, I turn to Ronan. “So, what makes this latte so special?”

“I don’t know yet.” He leans in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Bella’s drinks always have a little extra magic to them. I’m curious to see what this one does.”

Before I can ask for clarification, she returns with two steaming mugs. The foam on top swirls and shifts, forming an intricate design. I bend closer, eyes widening as I recognize the scene depicted in the latte art. It’s Ronan and me, walking through the woods we’d explored earlier. The foam figures move, brushing their hands against each other. As I watch, they turn toward each other, leaning in for what looks like a kiss.

Heat rises to my cheeks, and I quickly grab a spoon, stirring the foam away before Ronan can see. “That’s, uh, some impressive latte art,” I say with a stammer.

Bella winks at me. “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Take a sip.”

I lift the mug to my lips. The first taste is a concerto of flavors—rich espresso, creamy milk, and a blend of spices that dance on my tongue. As I swallow, a peculiar warmth spreads through my body. “Oh.” I exclaim, looking down at my hands. My skin seems to be glowing from within, taking on a warm, golden hue. Flecks of gold shimmer across my skin, reminiscent of sunlight filtering through autumn leaves.

Ronan chuckles, his own skin now radiating the same warm glow. “Bella, you’ve outdone yourself this time.”

Bella preens, her hair frizzing even more with pride. “The Autumn Glow Latte. It gives you that perfect fall golden hour look for about an hour. Quite popular for selfies, I must say.”

I catch my reflection in a nearby mirror. The effect is stunning—I look as if I’m bathed in perpetual sunset light, my skin glowing and my hair shimmering with golden highlights.

“This is incredible,” I say, turning back to Ronan. The sight of him nearly takes my breath away. The golden light emphasizes the strong lines of his face, and his blue eyes seem even more vibrant against his shimmering fur.

“You look beautiful,” he says softly.

I duck my head, suddenly shy. “So do you. I mean, handsome. You look handsome.”

Bella clears her throat, a knowing smile on her face. “Why don’t you two take a seat by the window? The sunlight will really make that glow pop.”

We make our way to the cozy nook by a window, settling into plush armchairs that seem to mold perfectly to our bodies. Outside, the streets of Evershift Haven bustle with activity, the golden glow of our skin drawing curious and appreciative glances from passersby.

“So,” I say, taking another sip of my latte, “Is this a typical day in Evershift Haven? Magical lattes and glowing skin?”

He laughs. “Every day here is different. That’s part of the charm. You never know what kind of magic you’ll encounter.”

I nod, my mind spinning with the possibilities. “It’s all so overwhelming. Beautiful, but overwhelming. How do you ever get used to it?”

“You don’t really, but that’s the beauty of it. There’s always something new to discover, or some new wonder to experience. It keeps life exciting.”

As if to prove his point, a group of fairies flits past our window, leaving trails of sparkling dust in their wake. The dust settles on the cobblestones, forming intricate, swirling patterns.

“I can see why you love it here,” I say, turning back to him. The warmth in his eyes matches the glow of his skin, and I sway forward slightly.

“I’m glad you’re here to see it,” he says softly. He moves his hand across the table, brushing his fingers against mine. The touch sends a jolt through me, more potent than any magical latte.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping our drinks and basking in the warm glow. The attraction between us seems heightened by the magical effect of the latte. Every glance and every accidental touch feels charged with possibility.

He sets down his mug, clearly finished. “What would you like to see next? Evershift Haven has no shortage of wonders to offer, and we can spare a little more time before the feast begins.”

I consider for a moment. “Surprise me. Show me your favorite place in town.”

His grin is wide and eager. “I know just the spot. Finish your latte. We’ve got a bit of a walk ahead of us.”

As I drain the last drops of my Autumn Glow Latte, I get a thrill of excitement. Whatever magical adventure awaits us next, I’m ready for it.

A short time later, I follow Ronan through the winding paths of Evershift Haven, the golden glow from our Autumn Latte still shimmering on our skin. Enchanted leaves crunch beneath our feet, releasing bursts of cinnamon and nutmeg scents into the crisp air. As we leave the town center, a gentle mist rises around our ankles with cool tendrils curling up our legs.

“Where exactly are we headed?” I ask, my curiosity piqued by the secretive glint in his eye.

He grins, a flash of white teeth against his dark fur. “You’ll see. Just listen.”

I strain my ears, and soon, a gentle lapping sound reaches me, like tiny waves kissing a shore. The path narrows, and his broad shoulders barely fit between the trees. He turns to make sure I’m still behind him, his eyes gleaming with a hint of animal shine in the fading light.

“Here we are,” he says, his voice a low rumble of excitement. He reaches out, gently pushing aside a curtain of silvery willow branches with his clawed hand. “The Luminous Lagoon.”

As the branches part, I gasp. The lagoon stretches out before us, its surface so still it looks like polished glass. The twilight sky reflects perfectly in its depths, but it’s not the mirrored image that steals my breath.

Colors dance across the water—vibrant swirls of sapphire, emerald, and amethyst. They pulse and shift, intertwining and separating in a mesmerizing ballet. It’s as if the northern lights have fallen from the sky and decided to make this lagoon their new home.

I’m unable to look away from the spectacle. “It’s beautiful.”

He nods. “The colors change with the phases of the moon, among other reasons. Tonight’s show is courtesy of the waxing crescent.”

I take a step closer to the water’s edge, feeling the damp earth give slightly beneath my feet. The mist swirls around us, carrying the scent of water lilies and magic. As I watch, a tendril of green light seems to reach out toward me then playfully retreats back into the dance.

“Can we touch it?” I ask, my hand already half-extended.

He chuckles. “Go ahead. The water spirits are always eager to meet new friends.”

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper again, afraid to speak too loudly and break the spell.

His sharp teeth glint in the magical light. “Wait until you see this.” He leads me to the water’s edge and kneels. “Watch.” He dips his hand into the lagoon. The water around his fingers immediately turns a deep, rich blue. Ripples of the color spread outward, mixing with the other hues on the surface.

“What does that mean?” I ask, fascinated.

“Blue represents calm and contentment. The lagoon reflects our emotions. It’s different for everyone who touches it.”

I hesitate before lowering my hand into the cool water. The effect is instantaneous. A vibrant purple blooms around my fingers, spreading out in mesmerizing patterns. “Oh.” I exclaim, surprised by the intensity of the color. “What does purple mean?”

He looks at me with speculation. “Purple typically represents amorous feelings.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I snatch back my hand. “That can’t be right. The water must be malfunctioning or something.”

He chuckles. “The lagoon doesn’t lie, Candice. It simply reflects what’s in our hearts.”

I cross my arms, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. “Well, it’s wrong this time. I’m not feeling...amorous.”

“No?” he asks, clearly teasing. He leans closer, and I catch a whiff of his scent—pine and earth and something wild. “Are you sure about that?” Before I can respond, he dips his hand back into the water. To my shock, the liquid around his fingers turns the same vibrant purple as mine.

“Oh...” My eyes widen as I look from the water to his face.

His expression is vulnerable. “I guess the lagoon reveals my feelings too.”

We stare at each other, the air between us charged with possibility. The golden glow from Bella’s latte seems to intensify just before it starts to fade, casting Ronan in an ethereal light. His fur shimmers, and his eyes are impossibly bright.

I lean toward him, drawn by an irresistible pull. He meets me halfway, gently cupping my cheek in his large hand. Our faces are inches apart when I hesitate, suddenly unsure. “I... I’ve never kissed anyone with a muzzle before.”

His eyes crinkle with amusement. “There’s a first time for everything in Evershift Haven.” He traces my jawline with extraordinary gentleness, those dangerous claws somehow feeling like silk against my skin as he tilts his head, compensating for his lupine features with practiced grace. “Trust me,” he whispers, caressing my face with his warm breath.

Our lips connect—a study in contrasts. His are covered in that same velvet-soft fur that masks his powerful form, radiating heat that makes my knees weak. My own lips part slightly, surrendering to the gentle pressure.

The kiss starts feather-light, almost questioning, while we learn each other’s shapes and boundaries. Electric shivers race from my scalp to my toes, making my fingers tremble as they find their way into the thicker fur at the back of his neck. It’s impossibly plush between my fingers, like burying my hands in the warmest, softest wool.

I press closer, taking in his woodsy scent as the kiss deepens. With my fingertips, I discover the solid strength of his neck beneath all that softness, and I hold on like he’s my anchor to reality. When we finally pull apart, we’re both a little breathless. The glow from the latte seems to have further intensified, making our skin shimmer like we’ve been dusted with gold. With a slight flicker, it abruptly disappears, leaving us in much darker surroundings with the sun starting to set, and the trees shading us.

“Whoa,” I say, tracing my tingling lips with a finger.

Ronan grins, looking equally affected. “Yep.”

We stand there without speaking for a minute with neither of us stepping back, caught in the moment and the magic surrounding us. The lagoon continues its colorful dance, now dominated by swirls of deep, rich purple.

“We should get back to help Caelan with the rest of preparations for tomorrow,” he says with regret.

I nod but then blink as the wind suddenly picks up. Leaves blow around us, and a small waterspout forms. The sky gets abruptly dark. “What’s happening?”

He frowns. “Either an unexpected storm, or Grizelda’s magic has gone haywire again.”