Chapter 4
TheSaintsandSweetheartsFestival was a multi-day event that had been started in the same year that Moonrot appeared. Every year, a different magical town hosted the festival. All the council and all the fae gathered in order to concentrate and gather their love into a single place. The floating lanterns overhead acted as vessels, collecting and storing the love of the fae. After they were full, the fae took them to the different towns, and the magic was distributed to those with Moonrot to keep them well for another twelve months. It sounded ridiculous, but it worked.
At least it helped for a few days. The distribution of magic had yet to show any long-lasting effects on the cursed. Still, the council needed to be seen doingsomethingabout Moonrot, so the festival continued to be held.
I waited for Lizzy on the south side of Regency Meadows Park, by the lake that someone had converted into an ice-skating rink. Although patches of snow covered the ground, the winterbreeze was warming early, so they had shut down the lake for ice skating.
She walked up with her friend Charlotte, who quickly waved goodbye with a small wink and headed toward the festival. Lizzy was wearing a heavy coat with a fake-fur lining. Her hair was loose and flowed about her like a river of warm chestnut, catching hints of gold whenever the light touched it. It was a little aggravating how my heart raced at just the sight of her.
“Good morning, Lizzy.”
“Darcy.” She cast a glance at the cluster of booths a good distance from us. “Have you seen anyone on the list?”
“Not yet,” I said. “But it’s hard to see from here.”
“Looks as if a decent number of folks have already arrived,” she observed. “Should we head over?”
We walked to where people were browsing up and down the stands. The Saints and Sweethearts Festival would last six days and included activities that were meant to bring the community together. The more togetherness there was, the more love would be in the air. During the interval, smaller businesses and other sellers had an opportunity to offer items and get people participating in their contests and events.
The town’s beloved park had transformed into a glowing wonderland for the festival. Snow-soft grass peeked through patches of early spring blooms—rosy hellebore and pale crocuses that had been coaxed open by gentle enchantments. Winding paths of red and gold fairy lights traced the walkways, guiding visitors deeper into the celebration.
At the heart of the park, the old pavilion shimmered beneath cascading strands of enchanted lanterns that hovered like fireflies caught in a slow dance. Willow branches rustled with quiet magic, their long silver-green tendrils forming natural archways where couples strolled hand in hand.
“I talked to my sister,” Lizzy said as she watched the couples pass by. “She confirmed that those who were cursed from Austen Heights were pure-blood fae. Not a werewolf or vampire or half-anything among them.”
“That is something.” At least I hoped it meant something. “You wouldn’t have a way of checking if the same thing is true for other towns, would you?”
Lizzy shook her head. “Unfortunately not.”
Nestled between the trees were booths decorated with mossy wreaths and flickering runes. Vendors offered warm rose-cinnamon pastries, heart-shaped charms, and tiny bottled spells—each glowing like captured stardust. Children ran laughing across the open meadow, chasing enchanted paper hearts that dipped and twirled out of reach, leaving trails of pink sparkles that faded on the breeze.
A small gathering of people congregated around a booth marked “Lovebirds Showdown.”
Lizzy snorted. “Who would sign up for something like that?”
“Some poor saps who want to publicly embarrass themselves,” I agreed.
Just then, Lizzy’s friend Charlotte and her husband, Pastor Collins, walked up. “Oh good. You guys made it in time for the Lovebirds Showdown. You were the last on my list. Lizzy and Darcy are here, everyone!”
People shouted and clapped.
Lizzy and I exchanged bewildered glances.
“We didn’t sign up for any Lovebirds Showdown,” Lizzy protested.
“I don’t know.” Charlotte’s eyes were wide with fake sincerity as she gazed at the clipboard that she held. “Someone might have mistakenly signed you up?”
Pastor Collins stared at us, completely serious. “You’re on the list. You are going to take part, aren’t you?”
Lizzy sighed in exasperation and threw Charlotte a look. “We don’t have time for this—”
“Let’s play,” I said.
Lizzy looked at me skeptically. “You want to do this?”
I nodded toward Sir Walter Elliot, an older fae gentleman with silvery hair who placed a lot of value on station and titles. He stood next to an older fae woman, a widow by the name of Lady Denham. I’d heard they’d recently gotten engaged.
Lizzy’s eyes widened. “Is he…?”
