Page 12 of Sugar Plum Fae

As the man cranked the handle on the well, pulling up the bucket that was filled to the brim with the magically infused water, Candace was able to skim his mind. The man’s name was Ethan, and he was a farmer.

"Your move, Krampus," she said.

"Watch closely, sugar plum," Roderick shot back, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Ethan fumbled with the ladle, dipped it into the magical well water, and brought it up to his mouth to drink.

"Let the games begin,” she said.

As the first drops of liquid passed his lips, Candace felt the well's magic surge. "Drink from me and achieve your heart's desire," it intoned, its voice a blend of their powers. The man's eyes gleamed with greed as he spoke his wish. "I wish for more wishes."

Roderick's smirk widened as a tally mark appeared at his feet. Ethan began rattling off five more wishes, but none materialized. Roderick shot Candace a questioning look, and she innocently shrugged.

"He didn't specify that we had to grant the wishes," she said, hiding her disgruntlement with a sassy smile.

"Ah, a touch of darkness from the Sugar Plum Fairy herself." Roderick squeezed her hand.

Candace wanted to lean into him and put her head on his shoulder. How was it that even the slightest touch from him could make her feel so undone? The air crackled with magic,the very earth beneath their feet humming with the potential of what they could unleash together. In this merging of opposites, Candace sensed not just the spark of competition, but the ember of something far more treacherous—the first pangs of love.

"I must admit, I admire your deviousness," he said.

“I suppose we should lay down the ground rules,” she said. “Rule number one: No wishing for more wishes.”

“I’ll let Ben know,” Roderick said.

With no more wishes to fulfill, they wisped back to their own realms, but Candace’s revelation about her newfound feelings after a night of passion rocked her sugary world. She and Roderick were complete opposites and battling for a town’s soul. This was not the time to fall in love. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, hoping that the cold, snowy town they had just been in would help cool her ardor.

No such luck.

News of the magical wishing well spread like wildfire through Whitlock, drawing even more townspeople to the secluded grove. Candace had barely gotten settled back in her daily routine when she was summoned to the well again. This time there was a line of townspeople.

“Now we’ll see what lies in the hearts of Whitlock’s townspeople,” Roderick said.

Candace stood on one side of the well, her sunsidhe warmth shining like a beacon, while Roderick brooded on the other, his moonsidhe presence casting shadows over the gathered crowd.

She recognized the next supplicant from his dreams of winning at cards. Maxwell was a gambler known for his reckless bets. He stepped forward, eyeing the well with a calculating gaze. Candace sighed inwardly, knowing that granting his wish would give Roderick something else to gloat about. But they were bound by their pact, and she couldn't deny him his heart's desire.

"Please be careful what you ask for, Maxwell," she whispered under her breath, hoping that somehow her warning would reach him.

Maxwell took a sip from the ladle and stated his wish. "I wish for unbeatable gaming skills. No more losing for me."

"Wouldn't that be cheating?" Roderick asked, one eyebrow raised in amusement. "A point for me. Enjoy your victories, Maxwell."

"Let’s see what the next one wishes for," Candace said, trying to hide her annoyance.

Olivia, a plain and frumpy woman, approached and drank hesitantly.

"Make me the epitome of beauty," she whispered, clasping her hands together.

Olivia's features transformed, her once dull complexion now radiant and flawless. Her hair cascaded in soft waves down her back. The newly stunning woman stared at her reflection in the well water, awe etched across her face.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," Candace muttered under her breath, her heart sinking as she realized Roderick would score another point.

"Isn't it just so wonderful?" Roderick drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I do love a good superficial transformation."

"Shut up," Candace snapped, her cheeks flushing with anger. "Not every wish can be profound and life-changing."

"True, but it seems I’m winning nonetheless."