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“You’re such a drama queen.”

“I need to reverse a spell, Rose. It’s supposed to be dramatic.”

We’ve been at the farmers market for less than fifteen minutes, and somehow she has already acquired tomatoes, a loaf of bread, a bundle of dried lavender, and a tiny jar of honey that costs twelve dollars. None of these things were on a list because Rose does not believe in lists, which is one of the many fundamental differences between us as human beings.

My phone pinged while she was explaining why supermarket tomatoes are raised for thick skin and essentially bland, and I’d nearly dropped the apple I was holding trying to get it out of my purse.

It was worth it.

I look at the message again.

The Third Fairy

STEP TWO

Find five things you want simply because you want them.

They can be small. In fact, I would prefer that they are. You don’t need to buy anything, or do anything about wanting them at all. The only rule is that you are not allowed to explain why.

I frown. “See?”

Rose finally glances at my phone. “See what?”

“No explanations.”

“That makes sense, yes.”

“What does that even mean, Rose?”

“I think it means you’re not allowed to explain.”

I give her a look.

Around us, the market is crowded enough that we keep having to move slightly out of the way of other customers, and Rose catches my elbow before a woman pushing a stroller clips me from behind. The afternoon has turned gray since we left The Spindle, although the rain is still holding off, and strings of pumpkin-shaped bunting move overhead whenever the wind comes through the stalls.

I tuck my phone against my chest. “But how am I supposed to know if I actually want something if I don’t know why?”

Rose stares at me and blinks a few times. “I think that’s probably the saddest thing you’ve ever said.”

“Oh my god, you’re zero help.”

“I’m serious, Merry.”

“I know when I want things.”

“Apparently not,” she replies, turning back to look at some completely out of season peaches that look, quite frankly, sadder than the previous statement I uttered. “Or you wouldn’t have paid an internet witch to tell you.”

“She isn’t telling me what I want. She’s helping me reverse the spell that gave me the wrong thing.”

“Right.”

I narrow my eyes. “You don’t believe me.”

“I truly do believe that you believe you’re cursed.”

“That sounds so passive aggressive. I’m so impressed.”

Rose smiles and starts walking again, forcing me to follow her between a flower stall and a table covered in jars of preserves.