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Tentatively, I whisked a single finger through the top of the flame. I felt nothing but a soothing, warm heat. So, I held out my hand, and she passed the flame over.

"This feels great," I said. "How can you do this?"

She shrugged. "I’m not really sure. I only just found out about it."

A moment later, Forrest and Clara’s fae man were towering over us.

Forrest cleared his throat. "Ahem."

I bolted upright and straightened my gown with my hands.

His eyes sparkled with mirth.

The other fae, harsh and hulking but with a slight hint of a smile now, said, "Come, Clara. We have what we need."

He bowed to Forrest, and Clara did the same.

Before she left, Clara reached into her cloak pocket and pulled out a soft green candle with raised white and gold leaves. She handed it to me. "Here. I want you to have this."

"Oh! It’s so pretty, and is it handcarved? I can’t accept this. You’ve already gifted me your sommelier skills."

"Of course you can. This is your engagement party."

For the first time, Ivan spoke directly to me. His voice was a deep rumble but oddly soothing. "That’s not just any candle, princess. Clara has a rare flame magic. Her candles are imbued with it."

Clara’s eyes twinkled. "He’s right! That candle will burn for years."

Ivan looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "What Clara has forgotten to tell you is that she imbues each candle with a wish. I won’t pretend to understand her magic, but they often come true. What’s this one, my meddlesome flame? ‘Fess up."

She crinkled her nose. "Why do you always have to spoil my fun?"

I looked at her expectantly.

"It’s love. Whether it comes true is up to you. It can be filial love or romantic love. The way I see it, love is always a gift."

She beamed, and I smiled back.

Then, unexpectedly, she leaned in and gave me a tight hug. I felt her hand in my dress pocket and a soft whisper in my ear, "There’s more under the white rose bushes."

Clara stepped back and said out loud, "I hope we’ll meet again."

I did, too. I also couldn’t wait to ditch Forrest, so I could see what in the twelve kingdoms she had left in my pocket. Maybe the white-haired fae was right, and she was a meddler. I smiled.

The odd couple bowed once more and quickly departed back to their land of nightmares, frost, and flame.

Forrest reached for my hand. "Shall we dance? I’ve had more than enough diplomacy for one night." He grumbled the last bit in a low voice.

On our way back to the faerie circle, we were interrupted once more. Another important political guest. Forrest’s shoulder sunk, but he smiled politely.

After a few minutes, I looked up at Forrest and batted my eyes in what I hoped appeared to be dumbstruck devotion. "Love, would you mind if I left you and your enchanting companion for just a moment? My throat is parched."

"Not at all. Please." He gestured for me to take my leave, and I did.

I hurried behind a trailing lattice of jasmine and quickly reached into my pocket. I felt something fragile and moist. Carefully, I liberated the object from my pocket and let out a gasp as I set eyes on it. Susurrus! Clara had found it!

The little plant even had its roots intact. I knew she said there was more, but just in case, I hid it carefully at the jasmine’s base, topping its roots with fresh soil to prevent them from drying out. I’d come back tomorrow morning to collect it. Hopefully, I’d find more.

I had scarcely straightened when I noticed a familiar man approach–young and handsome with eyes like liquid gold. He dipped into a long, deep bow. When he finally rose, he said, "Good evening, my queen to be."