Page 14 of Sugar Plum Fae
She slugged him in the arm, though it lacked the force she'd intended. "You're infuriating," she muttered.
"But you find it charming, don't you?" He stepped closer to her, enveloping her in a sensuous feeling shadow. It sent an involuntary shiver down her spine, and she cursed herself for reacting so strongly to him.
"It's going to be a long day," she muttered.
The next supplicant was Emily. The young woman took a dainty sip from the ladle. "Let true love find me. A connection that sweeps me off my feet and fills my days with passion."
Warmth spread through her chest as the well responded with a gentle radiance, granting Emma's heartfelt desire. Roderick, however, merely raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and disdain.
"True love? How quaint. You do realize that such a thing rarely ends well, don't you?"
"Your cynicism is showing." Candace nudged him playfully with her elbow before allowing herself a moment of introspection. It was true. She knew all too well the pitfalls that could accompany a passionate love affair. "Maybe," she conceded, "but sometimes, it's worth the risk."
"Spoken like a true romantic," Roderick scoffed, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just remember, sugar plum, that love can be as cruel as it is kind."
"Then I suppose it's a good thing we're not in love," she shot back, her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink.
"Truly," he agreed, a wicked glint in his eyes as he stepped closer, his breath hot against her ear. "But who's to say that won't change?"
She was going to ignore that for the moment. "May your heart find the warmth it seeks," she said to Melissa’s retreating form. Candace’s first hashmark appeared at her feet.
"I suppose I should give you that one," Roderick said. “True love is rather sunshiny and goody-goody.”
"Your generosity knows no bounds," she replied, sarcasm dripping from every word.
The next supplicant to drink from the well was Jacob, the bakery owner. Candace saw lines of exhaustion etched into his face.
"I wish for my bakery to be successful," Jacob said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I want success, bustling customers, and financial stability."
“That’s more than one wish,” Roderick said.
“No, I disagree. He’s just specifying.” She felt a connection to the baker, as both of them sought to bring happiness, even if it was through something as simple as a sweet treat.
Roderick snorted, casting a dismissive glance in Jacob's direction. "A point for the side fixated on material gains."
"That was worth losing the hashtag to you,” she said, staring at his collection of points. Seven to one.
“The numbers are overwhelmingly in my favor,” he said.
Candace had to remind herself that it had never been her intention to take Whitlock from Roderick. She wanted to help the people, and that’s exactly what they were doing. “I still believe that, given the chance, people will choose kindness over greed."
"Your optimism is charming, albeit misguided," Roderick said.
A woman named Sarah approached the wishing well next. Candace noticed the weight of worry that pulled at her every movement. As she drew closer, Roderick leaned against the edge of the well, his dark gaze fixed on the woman with an intensity that made Candace bristle. Did he find her attractive?
Candace's fingers tightened around the edge of the well, the stone pressing into her palms. She didn’t like the flash of jealousy that singed through her.
"Please," Sarah said after drinking the water. "Wishing well, I need my daughter to be healed. She has been suffering for so long, and I cannot bear to watch her pain any longer."
An eerie hush fell over the crowd, as if they were collectively holding their breath. Candace glanced at Roderick, searching for any sign of mockery or disdain, but found only a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He looked away quickly, leaving her to wonder what it meant.
"May your child find the strength to overcome," Candace murmured, her voice gentle and full of empathy.
"Well, that was a wasted wish," Roderick said, but it lacked his usual bluster.
"What are you talking about?” Candace said, admiring the hashmark at her feet. “Her daughter will make a full recovery.”
He waved his hand and revealed that he had peered into Sarah’s future. “There is still tragedy ahead for this family.”