Chapter Three

R oderick

The dimly lit hallway stretched out before Roderick, the flickering shadows cast by the candlelight taunting him as he waited impatiently outside Ben's coffin room. Sykes, the ever-diligent manservant, was hovering nearby with a disapproving sneer etched permanently on his face.

"Stop that scowling, Sykes. You'll frighten away all the bats in the castle," he said.

Sykes huffed, adjusting his impeccably pressed waistcoat. "I assure you, sir, my intention is not to scare away the local fauna. My concern lies with you delaying the Master this evening. He has many important duties."

Roderick rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh, yes, of course, Ben's countless important duties. Who could forget about those riveting tasks like choosing the color of the new town banners or sampling the local bakery's latest pastry creations?" He let out a mock gasp. "Truly, I stand in awe of his profound responsibilities."

"You may mock him all you want, sir, but Mayor Whitlock is loved and respected by the townspeople. Unlike some... individuals."

The moment the sun dipped below the horizon, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing Ben Whitlock in all his undead glory. Roderick straightened as the vampire emerged with a yawn. "Another day, another dollar."

Roderick smirked. "You don't get paid." His amusement faded as he recalled why he was there. "We have a problem. Candace Juniper is making moves to take over the town."

"Who?" Ben stifled a yawn.

"She's a sunsidhe. The fae Ruler of Sweets and Dreams."

Ben made a face. "I have a toothache just thinking about her. Why does she have an interest in Whitlock?"

"She thinks they need her."

"Have you considered that she genuinely wants to help?" Ben asked, frowning. "Things haven't been right here lately."

"Don't be foolish. She's only interested in power." Roderick clenched his jaw, irritation simmering in his veins.

Ben shrugged. "Maybe you should talk to her."

Talk to her. As if it were that simple. Every moment in Candace's presence threatened to unravel his composure, revealing the inconvenient attraction he'd developed for his sworn enemy.

"I have talked to her. We bicker over what's best for the town. Why would I waste my breath on someone so determined to undermine me?" He couldn't help but picture Candace, that infuriatingly sunny whirlwind of joy and compassion, trying to wrest control of Whitlock from him. The thought made his blood boil.

Ben adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. "I think you might be jumping to conclusions. I've noticed things seem to be a bit more gloomy lately."

Roderick rolled his eyes. "That's just the time of year."

Ben took a moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "It's hard to put into words, but the atmosphere in town has changed. The air feels heavier, the laughter less genuine."

"I haven't noticed anything," Roderick said.

"You wouldn't, though. Would you? People are acting strangely—even for Whitlock. Maybe something is wrong, and she can help fix it."

"And just how does she plan to do that? By sprinkling glitter on everyone and preaching about the power of positivity?"

Ben held his ground, his voice calm yet resolute. "What if Candace's intentions are pure? It's worth considering, isn't it? I mean, what do we truly know about her?"

Roderick stared off into the distance. "She is the embodiment of everything I despise. Sunshine and joy are nothing more than irritants to me." And yet, he wanted to see her again, touch her hair. Press his lips against hers.

Ben placed a hand on Roderick's shoulder, his touch surprisingly comforting. "Maybe that's exactly what this town needs right now. Nightmares have their place, but so do pleasant dreams."

"Now you sound like her." Roderick could hear the resignation in his own voice. "What would you have me do? Just throw caution to the wind and trust her?"

Ben smiled. "Compromise wouldn't kill you, you know. If she's not looking to take over and you both work together, then maybe Whitlock can spring back from this fog of malaise that's edging out even the power of your nightmares."

"I'll...consider it," Roderick finally muttered, unable to meet Ben's eyes. "But make no mistake, this doesn't mean I trust her."

Ben nodded understandingly. "That's all I ask for now. Just give her a chance. For the town's sake."

As they walked out of the mansion into the night, Sykes trailed behind with an exasperated sigh. Roderick clenched his fists, fighting against the overwhelming urge to storm off. "Mark my words. This is not going to end well."

"You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." He patted Roderick on the back before strolling off into the town hall.

Roderick scowled at Ben's departing figure. Stalking through the streets of Whitlock, Roderick's mind raced with the accusations and rebuttals he planned to say to Candace when he saw her again. Each one was more scathing than the last. He'd show that meddling sunsidhe who was really in control here. She'd rue the day she ever crossed paths with him.

But deep down, hidden under his swirling fury, was a sliver of doubt. What if Ben was right? What if there was something amiss in town that they hadn't noticed? He shook off the thought, unwilling to entertain the possibility that he might be wrong.

When he couldn't track her down in town, he went into the forest looking for her. The moonlight guided him to her. She was standing beside her ornate carriage, a melancholic expression etched on her face. The sight of her like this was jarring, as if a storm cloud had swallowed the sun.

"Leaving so soon?" Roderick asked.

Candace turned to him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I can't stay here," she said, her voice trembling. "The people of Whitlock are suffering, and it's more than just the balance of dreams and nightmares."

"Of course," he scoffed, crossing his arms. "It couldn't possibly be your scheming to seize control of the town."

"Is that really all you see in me? A power-hungry usurper?" She glared at him, her sadness replaced by indignation.

Roderick's mind raced, searching for any hint of deceit, but found none. It infuriated him that he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe, she was telling the truth. But he pushed the thought aside. "You expect me to believe that you're suddenly concerned about the welfare of the townspeople? That's not what we are. We are fae. We love the power they give us. You through their dreams and me through their nightmares."

"Believe what you want," she snapped, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "But unlike you, I'm not focused solely on my own power."

"Right," he drawled. "Because the fae are known for their altruism."

"Sometimes the truth is difficult to accept," she retorted. "Especially when it challenges your narrow-minded beliefs."

"Fine," Roderick conceded, but only to keep the conversation going. He needed to know if there was even a shred of truth to her claims. "Let's say I believe you. What do you propose we do about it?"

"Perhaps if you stopped treating me like an enemy, we might find a solution together," she suggested, her voice softening.

"Unlikely," he muttered, unwilling to entertain the idea of working alongside her. "The people of Whitlock are just fine without your meddling."

"Fine?" She threw her hands up in exasperation. "You're so blinded by your own pride that you can't even see the suffering around you."

"Or maybe I just refuse to be manipulated by someone who craves power," he countered, his jaw set in defiance.

"You're a stubborn fool!" Candace cried out, her anger finally boiling over. Her eyes flashed with a fierce intensity that made Roderick's heart stutter—whether from caution or something else, he couldn't say.

"Maybe I am," he admitted begrudgingly, his voice low. "But until you prove otherwise, I'll continue to believe that your intentions are anything but noble."

"Then I guess there's nothing more to discuss," she said, her voice cold as she turned away from him and stepped into her carriage.

As the door clicked shut behind her, Roderick was left alone in the forest, the weight of their conversation settling heavily on his chest. The doubt still gnawed at him, whispering that maybe he had misjudged her all along. But admitting that would mean facing his own fears and insecurities—a battle he wasn't quite ready to fight.

Roderick stared at the carriage door, his mind racing with Candace's accusations and the weight of their heated argument. He couldn't deny that her words had struck a chord deep within him—but that didn't mean he was willing to admit she was right.

"Wait," he called out, the word escaping his lips before he could stop it. The carriage paused, and Candace peered out, her expression guarded.

"Changed your mind?" she asked, her voice wary.

"Perhaps," Roderick replied, considering his options. A plan began to form in his mind, one that would satisfy both his pride and her concerns. "How committed are you in helping the people of Whitlock?"

She hopped out of the carriage and patted the unicorn's flank so it trotted away to graze. "I'm all in."

"Are you?" He smiled. He had her now. "I wonder."

"Wonder what?"

"You say that the people of Whitlock are unhappier than normal."

She nodded.

"The mayor seems to agree with you."

"It's not right for people to be this sad around Yule."

Roderick bit back a sigh. "Let's agree to disagree on that for the moment. How about we give them a holiday treat?"

"I love treats," she enthused, clasping her hands together.

She was a treat, standing there in the moonlight looking so delectable that all he wanted was to kiss her again. They were on opposite sides of the fae kingdoms; he didn't understand what drew him to her so fiercely.

"If we combine our powers, we could create a magical wishing well for the people of Whitlock. It would grant them their heart's desire."

She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "This doesn't sound at all like something the King of Nightmares would come up with."

He held up a hand. "Every time someone makes a wish rooted in darkness and selfishness, I get a point. Every wish born from kindness, joy, and compassion earns you a point. Whoever has the most points by the end of the season gains control of Whitlock, while the loser is banished forever. What do you say?"

"I should have known you would have an ulterior motive in this." Candace studied him for a moment, weighing the proposal. "Very well," she agreed finally. "But if I win, you'll admit that you were wrong about me."

"Deal," Roderick said, extending his hand to seal their pact. As their fingers brushed, a jolt of energy passed between them, leaving him feeling more alive than he had in centuries.

"This seems a good of a spot as any," she said, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

Placing her palms on the mossy earth, she began to chant. The language was ancient and called to his blood. Candace's voice was lilting and lovely, and he swayed closer to her, pulled by the sweet sound.

Shaking off the strange trance, Roderick knelt across from her and joined his power to hers. Magic surged between them, heady and intoxicating, and he shuddered. Beside him, Candace drew a sharp breath, her eyes fluttering shut, and a warm, honeyed scent suffused the air.

She extended her hand, the golden aura of her fingertips casting playful shadows on the ground. A charged silence hung between them, thick with the weight of unspoken challenges.

His gaze traced the luminescence dancing upon her skin, a stark contrast to the somber tones of his own essence. She watched him, her head tilted in silent question, the corners of her mouth twitching with suppressed amusement. For a moment, Roderick's dark eyes flickered, uncertainty clouding the usual coldness.

"Scared of a little sunshine?" she teased, the warmth in her voice wrapping around the cold air like a comforting blanket.

Roderick's hesitation waned, and he lifted his hand, callused and shadowed, moving it toward hers. The distance closed with an inevitability that felt both dangerous and thrilling.

As their hands met, the space between them pulsed with newfound energy. Her sunlit power mingled with his darker force, and for a fleeting second, Roderick wondered if the world might shatter under the strain of their combined strength.

Around them, the colors of nightmares and dreams collided, weaving an intricate tapestry of light and darkness. His power was a haunting melody to her bright symphony, a fusion that should've been discordant but instead played out in an intoxicating harmony.

"Looks like we're more compatible than we thought," Candace said.

"Or our powers are conspiring against us," Roderick countered, feeling the pull of her energy tugging at the edges of his control.

Together, they set to work creating the wishing well. As they combined their powers, realization hit him like a wave crashing against the shore.

"Is something wrong?" Candace asked, sensing his discomfort.

"I didn't realize how much magic it would take to create the well. But we can't use up all our energy in the process. The only solution is to tap into more raw and powerful magic."

Candace's cheeks flushed. "Blood, sex, or death."

"I don't feel like dying tonight," he said.

"And I don't want to bleed."

"We could forget about this." The moonlit forest cast dappled shadows on the ground as his heart raced with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. Their previous kisses still lingered on his lips, a testament to their undeniable chemistry.

"Not a chance," Candace said, surprising him.

"Are you sure about this?" Roderick asked, his voice rough with desire.

Candace met his gaze. "Oh yeah," she whispered, taking his hand and pulling him down on top of her.

Roderick knew there was no turning back. He claimed her lips with a hunger that surprised even him. She responded eagerly, tangling her fingers in his dark hair as they deepened the kiss. With a growl, he notched himself between her soft thighs. The ache inside him grew unbearable as she rocked against his arousal, her hands working at the laces of his trousers.

He crushed her close as he deepened the kiss. She melted against him with a sigh, her curves molding to his harder frame in a way that made his blood burn.

All thought fled as instinct took over. His hands roamed her body, shoving up her skirts to grip her bare thighs. She gasped into his mouth and nipped his lower lip, desire darkening her eyes to a forest green that matched the trees around them.

He tore his mouth away from hers, trailing heated kisses down her neck as his hands explored the soft curves of her body. A shiver ran through Candace, and she gasped when his fingers found the sensitive peak of her breast under her gauzy blouse. He teased her nipple into a hardened nub. Roderick reveled in her reaction, thoughts of power struggles momentarily forgotten.

Removing her blouse, he brushed his lips against the soft, sensitive skin of her breasts, sending shivers down Candace's spine. She writhed beneath him, her body aching for his touch.

"Roderick," she gasped, her voice thick with desire. "Please, I need you."

He pressed a gentle kiss to the swell of her breast, savoring the sweet taste of her skin. His fingers traced a path down her side, igniting sparks of pleasure as they lightly grazed over her sensitive flesh. Candace's breaths came faster and faster, her body trembling with anticipation.

"Gods, Roderick," she gasped, her eyes glazed with desire. "I need you inside me."

"Patience, love," he murmured, sliding his hand between her thighs. He caressed her slick folds, delighting in the way she trembled with need. As he dipped a finger inside her wet heat, Candace cried out, her grip on him tightening.

"So wet and ready," Roderick growled, needing to feel her underneath him. He slipped another finger inside, pumping them in and out of her wetness, eliciting more moans from her. Her pleasure was intoxicating, fueling his own desire even more.

He lifted his soaked fingers to his mouth, sucking them off slowly. The taste of her was intoxicating, making him want more.

"This little taste isn't enough." Roderick spread her thighs wide and buried his face between them.

Candace moaned, arching her back as his tongue probed her core. She threaded her fingers through his hair, urging him on.

He groaned, relishing the taste of her. The more he explored her, the more her sweetness drove him wild. He couldn't get enough of her.

Her hips bucked against his face as his tongue darted and teased her.

"Roderick," Candace moaned, her voice strained with need. "I'm coming."

"Good," he crooned, then went back to licking her clit faster.

With a final lash of his tongue, Roderick held her as Candace convulsed against his face. Her body shook as she cried out.

"Tell me what you want," he whispered against her skin, savoring the taste of her.

"More," she panted, pushing herself against him. "I want more of you."

If she wanted more, he would give her more. With a growl, Roderick quickly stripped her naked. She lay on the forest floor covered only in moonlight.

"You're exquisite," he said.

Her hand slid into his hair and drew him down, and Roderick surrendered to the inevitable with a groan. Their mouths met in a kiss that shook him to the core, and he was lost.

Her lips were soft and sweet, tasting of summer and secrets and all the things he'd denied himself for far too long. Capturing her wrists, he pinned them above her head. She whimpered in need and curled her legs around his waist, wordlessly begging for more.

"Last chance to back out, sunsidhe. Once we start this, there's no going back."

Her lips curved in a secret smile, full of promise and peril. "Good."

The word was his undoing.

He couldn't deny her any longer. Positioning himself at her entrance, Roderick hesitated for a moment, their gazes locked. With a snarl, he thrust into her welcoming heat and lost himself in the sweetest torment he'd ever known. She clenched around him, a tight heat that made him groan with pleasure.

"Gods, you feel like heaven," he murmured, his voice hoarse with need.

"So do you," she whispered back, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

He began to move, thrusting slowly at first, savoring the feel of her around him. Her hips rose to meet his, their bodies moving together in perfect sync. The moonlight shone down on them, bathing them in a soft glow.

Candace's gasps filled the night air as Roderick's thrusts grew harder and faster. Her fingers dug into his skin, leaving marks that would be a testament to the passion that burned between them.

He could feel the sweat on her skin, her breaths coming in short, sharp bursts. She was getting closer, tightening around him, pulling him closer to the edge.

"Roderick," she whimpered, her voice straining with need. "Please, I need more."

He couldn't resist her plea. He picked up the pace, thrusting harder and deeper into her. He buried himself within her over and over again, and they both groaned at the exquisite sensations. As he began to pump harder, each stroke more powerful than the last, Roderick found it increasingly difficult to maintain control. His hands gripped her hips, steadying her as he drove into her with wild abandon.

"Roderick...yes!" Her cries of pleasure only fueled his desire, driving him closer to the edge.

"Tell me when you're close," he panted, his voice strained.

"Almost there..." she moaned.

"Good." He reached between them, his thumb circling her swollen clit. "Come with me, Candace."

The added stimulation pushed her over the edge, and she came apart in his arms, her body convulsing with ecstasy. Her climax triggered his own release, and Roderick followed her, lost in the blinding pleasure that consumed them both.

The air was thick with the scent of sex and crushed pine needles as Roderick came back to himself, heart pounding against Candace's breast. She clung to him, soft breaths stirring his hair, her legs still locked around his waist.

He shuddered at the exquisite sensation of her inner muscles clenching around his softening length, loath to withdraw from her embrace.

Roderick braced his hands on either side of her head, meeting her gaze. Her eyes were heavy-lidded, lips kiss-swollen, a becoming flush staining her cheeks. She looked well and thoroughly ravished, and a surge of possessive pride went through him at the sight.

In the aftermath, conflicting emotions warred within him as he watched Candace drift off to sleep, moonlight pooling over her bare skin. He knew he should regret their tryst, knew it could only lead to trouble, but holding her close felt so right he found he couldn't muster the will to push her away.

The wishing well was operational and ready for the townspeople's holiday wishes. Tomorrow they would be enemies again, but tonight she was his, and he would keep her as long as he was able before duty tore them apart once more.