Fabled Realities Issue #17

Fiction at the Edge of Reality

About the Newsletter

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of Fabled Realities. You will enjoy fictional stories that will transport you to unique experiences. Every Friday, I will publish an issue that includes part of a short story. The entire story will be published before a new one begins. I have decided to make each story 12 parts as 12 is my favorite number!!

I aim to tantalize your creative spirit and keep you coming back for more!

If you missed the earlier issues, check them out!

---

The Candle Maker

Part Five

"I just love the deep green color of these jewels," Jane, one of the regulars mentioned to Luna. "Are they real emeralds?"

Luna laughed. "If they were real ones we'd have to charge a lot more than $50 a person."

Jane blushed. "Of course."

Ezzy walked up and patted Jane on the back. "Who knows? Maybe our next event will be a premium one with birthstones. And even though those aren't real," she pointed to the small glass container holding the green gems, "This one is." She proudly showcased her ring to the customer. It seemed to sparkle extra brightly at the attention.

"Wow!" Jane was completely enamored by the unique ring. "I've never seen anything like it before."

Ezzy sighed, while Luna excused herself to visit other customers.

"It is truly one-of-a-kind. My great-great-grandfather was a jeweler in Granada. He created amazing pieces based solely on birthstones. His favorite was the emerald. So, he crafted a ring, this ring, and had it blessed my three sisters who were known to be witches. My family has always been captivated by those two things: jewels and witchcraft. Anyway, this ring was blessed to give special powers to the true wearer. Unfortunately, nobody knew who that was and how they would know. My mother thought it could be me. I was the firstborn in May since the ring's creation. That's also why my parents named me Esmeralda."

Ezzy dramatically picked the hand with the ring up and gave it a flourish.

"Alacazam!" Nothing.

"Hocus Pocus!" Nothing.

Pointing to a nearby closed trunk she proclaimed, "Alohomora!" Nothing.

"As you can see, my mother was wrong. My name may mean emerald, but that's about as far as it goes."

Jane grinned, "What a lovely story, Ezzy." She went back to mixing sandalwood and vanilla essential oils for her Lover's Embrace Candle.

"You told her your namesake story, huh?" Ezzy turned around and saw Luna.

"How long have you been there?"

"Just at the end. I've heard you share that tale so many times that I almost feel like it's my own."

"Why don't you share your magical story with others? Am I still the only one you've told it to?"

"Shh!" Luna looked around in alarm. Nobody seemed to be paying attention. "You know that you're the only one I've ever told. And I still can't for the life of me figure out why I did."

Ezzy smiled. "Because I'm your best friend,"

"We weren't best friends then! I felt compelled to share in a way I never had before."

"Well, I think it's pretty special that we both have unique backgrounds—almost like we're soul sisters."

Luna nodded. "True. I couldn't ask for a better friend. And isn't tonight starting well?" They looked around and the happy women. While they didn't specify only women, it happened that way. Everyone had started the early stages of creating their blessed candles. Some were like Jane, mixing the oils. Others were melting their wax. Many were chatting away, making friendships along the way. Luna was excited to see how the night would end. She had high hopes that this would be successful enough that they could do many more events in the future.

Ezzy put her arm around Luna's shoulder. "It really is. I can't wait to see everyone's blessed candles. Maybe some big wishes will come true tonight."

---

If you are interested in supporting me with my self-publishing endeavors, feel free to throw me a Kofi!