Antlered Crown

by Yasmine Galenorn

  Antlered Crown

  A Wild Hunt Novel, Book 18

  Yasmine Galenorn

  A Nightqueen Enterprises LLC Publication

  Published by Yasmine Galenorn

  PO Box 2037, Kirkland WA 98083-2037

  ANTLERED CROWN

  A Wild Hunt Novella

  Copyright © 2021 by Yasmine Galenorn

  First Electronic Printing: 2021 Nightqueen Enterprises LLC

  First Print Edition: 2021 Nightqueen Enterprises

  Cover Art & Design: Ravven

  Art Copyright: Yasmine Galenorn

  Editor: Elizabeth Flynn

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any format, be it print or electronic or audio, without permission. Please prevent piracy by purchasing only authorized versions of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, or places is entirely coincidental and not to be construed as representative or an endorsement of any living/ existing group, person, place, or business.

  A Nightqueen Enterprises LLC Publication

  Published in the United States of America

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Welcome to Antlered Crown

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Cast of Characters

  Timeline of Series

  Playlist

  Biography

  Acknowledgments

  Welcome back to the world of the Wild Hunt. While this is the last book in the “mother” series, so to speak, the adventures will continue in the Hedge Dragon Series and the Night Queen Series. You’ll see some familiar faces in both of those.

  Thanks to my usual crew: Samwise, my husband, Andria and Jennifer—without their help, I’d be swamped. To the women who have helped me find my way in indie, you’re all great, and thank you to everyone. To Kate Danley in particular, for running our author sprints that have helped me regain my focus in this current pandemic. To my wonderful cover artist, Ravven, for the beautiful work she’s done.

  Also, my love to my furbles, who keep me happy. My most reverent devotion to Mielikki, Tapio, Ukko, Rauni, and Brighid, my spiritual guardians and guides. My love and reverence to Herne, and Cernunnos, and to the Fae, who still rule the wild places of this world. And a nod to the Wild Hunt, which runs deep in my magick, as well as in my fiction.

  You can find me through my website at Galenorn.com and be sure to sign up for my newsletter to keep updated on all my latest releases! You can find my advice on writing, discussions about the books, and general ramblings on my YouTube channel and my Patreon. If you liked this book, I’d be grateful if you’d leave a review—it helps more than you can think.

  Brightest Blessings,

  ~The Painted Panther~

  ~Yasmine Galenorn~

  Welcome to Antlered Crown

  Herne and I have a new home in Annwn, a castle overlooking a sea. We’re about to get married, and I’m learning what it means to be a goddess. I’m also learning what I have to leave behind. But secrets come to light, bringing hope for my homeland. I thought I was done with the dragons forever, but things aren’t always simple, and happily ever after doesn’t mean worry-free.

  Reading Order for the Wild Hunt Series:

  Book 1: The Silver Stag

  Book 2: Oak & Thorns

  Book 3: Iron Bones

  Book 4: A Shadow of Crows

  Book 5: The Hallowed Hunt

  Book 6: The Silver Mist

  Book 7: Witching Hour

  Book 8: Witching Bones

  Book 9: A Sacred Magic

  Book 10: The Eternal Return

  Book 11: Sun Broken

  Book 12: Witching Moon

  Book 13: Autumn’s Bane

  Book 14: Witching Time

  Book 15: Hunter’s Moon

  Book 16: Witching Fire

  Book 17: Veil of Stars

  Book 18: Antlered Crown

  Chapter One

  “I wish I could wear jeans and a corset for my wedding,” I whined. “If I have to go in for one more fitting, I’m going to throw a fit! They always manage to jab me with the pins.” I was tired of the endless hours the seamstresses had demanded of me. Try on the dress. Take off the dress. Try on the dress. Morgana’s seamstresses were making it, and during the past two months, I had had no less than ten fittings. But I’d given up protesting. First, it did no good. Second…well, it was part of my new role as both a goddess and a bride-to-be.

  “Quit complaining,” Angel said. “Woman up. You knew going in that your wedding wouldn’t be simple, that was a given. So deal with it. You’re marrying the man of your dreams. Isn’t that worth a few jabs?”

  She set down her book. Angel was learning how to speak Elvish and it turned out she was a quick study when it came to languages. And while she was at it, she was also learning Turneth and Nuva—the languages of the Dark and the Light Fae.

  The past six months had been an intense roller-coaster ride of emotions, and the ride didn’t feel over yet. Ever since I had come through the Gadawnoin, the ritual that had walked me through my death from mortality into my birth as a goddess, I had floundered, not quite sure about who I was or how I fit in anymore. I loved all my friends, especially my bestie—Angel—but the ritual had slashed an unspoken chasm between us. Some days I wanted to sit in bed and cry all day.

  While I didn’t regret my decision, I could never turn back, and that had caused more angst than I thought possible. People always assumed that if they were immortal they wouldn’t worry anymore, but that was far from the case. While my sense of self had expanded, a part of me had vanished and I missed her—the mortal Ember. Because, when you realized you couldn’t die, everything changed—there wasn’t the same sense of urgency.

  Mostly, though, I had sequestered myself with Elta, my tutor. An Elf, she had to be several thousand years old because she had helped Morgana when she ascended to goddesshood. Elta was teaching me everything I’d need to know for my life in Annwn. Customs and decorum, the history of the Celtic gods. In fact, I had textbooks, notebooks—everything a new goddess could need to find her place among the Immortals. I was facing a solid five years of training.

  “You’re positive you’re coming to live with us at Caer Briar Shore?”

  Herne had let me name our new home, and I had—in a fit of romantic flair—decided to name it in honor of the sea over which it stood sentinel. The name reminded me of windswept moors and ghostly castles and all the bone-chilling tales of days gone by. Our new home was located on the edge of a cliff overlooking a massive sea, about two hundred miles from Cernunnos’s palace. In fact, we were on the other side of the stretch of the great forest of Y’Bain that was near the Forest Lord’s palace.

  “For the last time, yes, I am. And so is DJ, and Cooper’s family.” Angel ducked her head, but I could hear the joy in her voice. “I’m so grateful that I get to live in the same castle as my brother. I’ve missed him so much.” She paused, then said, “How are you coping? You’ve been awfully quiet the past few days.”

  I put down my own book and walked over to sit beside her in front of the massive fireplace. We were in the common room Cernunnos had assigned to Herne and me, directly off our bedroom suite. It was large and elegantly furnished, but I still felt like an outsider.

  “I didn’t think it would take this long to adapt, but I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what my life is becoming.” I stared into the flames. “Seriously, I have no clue where I’m going. Or who I’ll e
nd up becoming.”

  Angel rested her hand on my arm. “How can you expect to be the same? You’re a goddess, Ember. Your mind and emotions are going to take awhile to catch up with the physical changes that have happened. Isn’t that why Morgana insisted you start seeing Sejun twice a week?”

  In addition to my studies, I had entered deep therapy with Sejun because Morgana—who knew better than anybody what I was going through—had insisted.

  “You’re right. And Morgana was right. It helps to talk to him. He’s talented.”

  Angel blushed. I knew that she and the Elf were dating. As much as we had all liked Rafé, Sejun was a much better match for her. Elves were more conscientious and far less chaotic.

  “Yeah, he is,” she murmured. “How will you see him when we move to the castle?”

  I decided to drop a bit of news that she didn’t know. “You know that he’s coming to live in Briar Shore with us, right? So that I can continue my therapy?”

  Angel straightened up, a smile spreading over her face. “Really?”

  Laughing, I nodded. “Yeah, so you won’t have to deal with a long-distance relationship. Since Annwn doesn’t have the internet, that would be a lot harder than it was back home.” I paused, then added, “I guess I should stop calling it ‘home’…Earth is no longer my home, is it?”

  “No, that world no longer belongs to any of us.” She stared at the floor, and we both sank into our thoughts.

  I had tried to keep from looking back, but the knowledge that the world Angel and I had claimed for thirty-some years no longer belonged to us rankled. The dragons had taken over, and while most countries were supposedly running themselves, the truth was, the dragons were systematically insinuating themselves into every country, wresting control one city—one state—one nation at a time.

  The Father of All Dragons had been locked away again, hopefully this time forever, but his children were battling over the spoils. The Celestial Wanderers and the Mountain Dreamers were fighting against the Luminous Warriors to keep them from enslaving humankind. The war raged, mostly still under a cloak of secrecy, but I didn’t hold out much hope.

  “What about all of the people we knew?” I whispered.

  “I hope they’re all right,” Angel said. “I miss Raven and Kipa, but at least they’re in Kalevala, safe from the dragons.”

  “I miss them too. I guess we’re all scattered to the winds, though. At least for now.” So many memories, so many friends, and all at loose ends. “Did I tell you Viktor and Sheila are going to move to Caer Briar Shore? Herne appointed him head of his guard, so they’ll be there with us.”

  Angel cheered. “Oh good! I thought for sure they’d stay in Eselwithe.” She settled back down on the sofa and opened her book again.

  Eselwithe was the village directly outside of Cernunnos’s palace. It was a pleasant town, mostly filled with Elves, but it was hard to imagine Viktor living there with any comfort. The half-ogre did his best to fit in, but Elves could be total assholes when they chose to be.

  “They considered it, but Viktor and Herne have been good friends for a long time.” I paused. “I’m not sure about Yutani, though. He seems unhappy here and his aunt told me that he misses his old life a lot. And I know Talia has been talking about going back. Anyway, I’d better get moving or the seamstresses will drag me away in chains.” I waved and headed out as Angel went back to her reading.

  A few days later, Herne and I prepared to leave the palace.

  “It’s time to go home, love. To our new home,” he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I can’t wait till we get married.”

  I nodded, suddenly feeling hesitant about leaving the safety of Cernunnos’s home. Here, he was in charge and we didn’t have to make any of the decisions.

  As well as Yutani, Talia, Viktor, Sheila, Angel, DJ and Cooper’s family, and Sejun, we were being accompanied by Herne’s guard—which had been siphoned off of Cernunnos’s army—and a host of staff chosen from the village and my soon-to-be father-in-law’s court.

  Even then, we wouldn’t have enough people to run the castle the way we needed, but they would keep us going until we could hire a full crew.

  “Morgana’s meeting us there,” he added.

  Morgana had taken over decorating our new home, and she’d stick around until we were married. The wedding was in three weeks, and it would take us a full week to reach the new castle, so our schedule was tight. But we wanted to be married on Samhain, so we had to get a move on.

  I stared out the window in our private chamber overlooking a thicket of oaks. The wind was shaking the trees, and the rain came down in sheets. The weather in Annwn—in Cernunnos’s land—mirrored our weather back in Seattle, although it was colder here. And living by the sea would be even colder and stormier. Our land and castle might only be two hundred miles north, but in that distance, the elevation increased steeply.

  The sea beneath Caer Briar Shore was vast, and the depths had never been measured. There were supposedly monsters in the sea, although I wondered how true the rumors were.

  Cernunnos joined us, placing a hand on my shoulder. I glanced up at him, trying to quell my nerves. He had been nothing but gracious and kind to me, but I had seen him when he was angry, and he was a terror to behold.

  “You’ll be there for the wedding, right?” I asked.

  “Nothing could keep me away. I hope you know how happy Morgana and I are that you’re joining our family. You’re good for Herne, he needs you. You will do for him what Morgana did for me—make him a better man.”

  “It’s hard to believe that two and a half years ago I didn’t know him. That I had never heard of the Wild Hunt. And now, it’s my life.”

  Cernunnos folded his arms and stared out the window. The massive god was close to seven feet tall, although he could rise up or shrink down at will. It was a power I would eventually acquire. Morgana had.

  “Let me guess. You’re nervous, and questioning whether you did the right thing.”

  Startled, I leaned against a column near the windows. “How did you know?”

  “Because that’s what Morgana did right before, but especially for a few years after she went through the Gadawnoin. It took her awhile to adapt, so don’t think you have to feel settled. This is the biggest adaptation that you’ll ever have to make. But I can guarantee you, you will get past the indecision and the uncertainty.”

  “But how can I be certain?” I wanted a guarantee, even though I knew life seldom offered one.

  “Because if you couldn’t adapt, you would have gone mad during the ritual. Or you would have died. The only ones who haven’t adapted are no longer with us. Those who make it through the ritual but lose their minds we have to send to a haven where they’re watched and cared for. If they’re dangerous, they’re watched by security guards. As for those who’ve died, well, their spirits moved on. If you survive the ritual and are sane, you will manage the transition process.”

  While I knew that was supposed to make me feel better, I wasn’t sure it did. Before I had moved through the Gadawnoin, no one had told me that there was even a possibility of going mad, or of dying. I still felt miffed. But I decided to ignore the irritation.

  “So you don’t mind having a daughter-in-law who was mortal?”

  Cernunnos laughed. “I wouldn’t have married Morgana if I minded mortals. You remind me of her. There are reasons that she was assigned to be your goddess. Now, make sure that you have everything you need, and I will see you in a couple weeks for your wedding. Give Morgana my love.” And with that, he walked off.

  Chapter Two

  Everything was packed, and the caravan headed out. Herne and I had our own vardo, wagons we could sleep in, and Angel rode with us most of the way.

  We were due at the castle in a week, and most of the journey was straight uphill. The horses who pulled our carriages were strong, among the best of Cernunnos’s stables. They were sturdy, used to pulling a lot of weight, and their endurance a
mazed me. I opened the windows on both sides of the vardo so Angel and I could look out as we rode along. Herne rode up front along with Viktor, both on massive horses leading the way. Thirty wagons long, the caravan was filled with personal luggage we would need when we arrived. Morgana was already at the castle, making sure that there would be food and a skeleton staff to welcome us in.

  The scenery was breathtaking. We passed through a break in the forest, which took one full day. If the pass hadn’t existed, we’d have a lot longer trip. Neither Herne nor I could enter Y’Bain, the magical forest that spread across Annwn. The spell was endemic to the forest itself, and it prevented any god from journeying into its borders. Now that I was a goddess, I could never enter the forest again.

  The break in the forest was actually a low-elevation pass, leading into the foothills of the White Mountains, a massive mountain range that led far north into other realms, including the Forgotten Kingdom, the land of the dragons.

  “What’s it like, where we’re going? Where your castle is?” Angel asked.

  “Caer Briar Shore is at the top of the cliff. It’s not above the tree line—but it’s pretty far up. If you think of Blewett Pass or Stevens Pass back in Washington, we’re probably about at that level. There’s a lot of tall timber—the forest continues up to the crest. But on the other side, the road dips down into a valley, about a thousand feet down to the shores of the Muir Leathan Sea. The valley below has enough room for a village to settle. The land isn’t too bad—while it won’t grow more delicate crops that have a longer growing season, the villagers should be able to plant plenty of root vegetables, and there’s a long swath of land that can sustain corn and wheat. It’s decent agricultural land.”