Gerall's Festivus Bride
Page 16
The sun began to peek over the hills. She kicked down the dirt path around the side of her house toward the rear. The chickens hadn't even left their nests yet and Annabelle's eyes still drooped. She shuffled to the animal and rubbed her creamy colored head.
"Sell the cow or his daughter. Not get a job. Makes perfect sense. He sees us as the same."
Annabelle continued to sleep as Jak kissed her warm head and then turned toward the road.
She walked for half a mile before arriving at the village. Only a few women were up, milking cows, feeding chickens, getting things set for the day. The scent of yeast and rising bread made her stomach growl. She wrapped her shawl tighter around herself and headed to her destination.
Jak stopped in front of the Ugly Ogre tavern and pushed open the creaky, weathered door. The pudgy owner, who resembled the name of his tavern a little too much, rubbed down the bar with a moth-ridden cloth. He stopped when he spotted her, but she paid him no mind. She glanced around the tavern. A bark of laughter flow from the back room. Jak squared her shoulders and headed for it.
"Miss," the owner called. "Miss, you can't go in there."
Another feeble attempt by a man to keep her in what he considered her place. But she knew the men of this town all too well. Not a one possessed the guts to stand up to her.
Jak pushed through the curtain separating the rooms and the three men at the table glanced up from their cards. The two town rowdies' eyes widened at the site of her, but Rupert smiled from beneath his thick dark mustache.
"Hello, darling." He grinned
"Don't you dare call me that." She stormed to him.
"Why? We are engaged now after all." He chuckled.
The two rowdies laid their cards on the table and leisurely bee-lined for the exit, keeping a full birth as they rounded her. For once she was glad everyone in the village steered clear of her.
"How could you?"
Rupert plopped his heavy booted foot on the table. "How could I what, darling?"
The word grated on her ears like a chisel. She clenched her fists tight trying to keep control of her anger.
"I told you I wouldn't marry you last week and the month before and the month before. How could you take a bet from my father for my hand in marriage?"
"Take it from him? Darling, I'm the one who suggested the deal."
Fury pulsed through her so hard she could barely see his smug expression any longer.
"Jakleen. Why are you fighting this? No one else will take you, and your father has given you to me to be my wife. I will build you the biggest house in town. Furnish it with beautiful things and lavish you with anything you want. In return, you will adorn and love me and give me children aplenty. Why is this a bad thing?"
"If it's adoration you want, let me show you the adoration I have in store for you."
With a flick of her wrist the floorboards creaked and groaned underneath his chair. Tree roots burst through the floor knocking him over. She pushed the roots at him as he screamed and she squeezed them tight around his body. Not enough to hurt him but enough for him to realize he would never control her. She would never be his.
Wide-eyed Rupert yelled for help. He struggled against the thick roots, but they didn't budge. Jak sauntered over to him, the feel of the roots as much a part of her as if she held him in the palm of her hand.
"I will never marry you, Rupert. I will never love you. I will never adore you. If you try to force me into this marriage I can assure you, you are going to spend a lot of time pinned to the floor. And not in a way you will enjoy."
She pulled her shawl tight around her shoulders and stormed out of the room to the sounds of Rupert's continued screams. She pushed the curtain aside and stepped into the tavern. The two thugs as well as the tavern owner stared at her. Jak eyed at each of them in turn and headed to the exit.
Heavy footsteps ran into the back room.
"My toth, look what she did!"
"Get an axe, you dolts!" Rupert yelled.
Jak stepped out onto the dirt street and scanned both ways. People exited their houses at the sounds of Rupert's yelling.
She huffed down the front of the tavern the wind mixing with Rupert's screams. People drew closer to the bar, being sure to keep away from her.
"Holy mother! The old willow," a woman cried.
Jak rounded the corner, and sure enough, the old willow leaned over the top of the tavern. Its roots spread underneath the structure.
"An axe," someone yelled. "We need an axe!"
The anger inside Jak abated at the thought that they would chop up her a friend that had come to her aid. Jak moved to the tree and laid her hand on its truck.
"Thank you for your aid," she whispered.
She caressed the soft bark and bid the tree to release Rupert. The tree groaned and retreated, pulling back. Its roots slid out from under the tavern making the entire building shake. When the tree settled she touched it again, lending her strength and comfort. Jak peered up into the branches swaying though no breeze blew.
"Slumber and sleep. Drink and grow."
Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read Gerall’s Festivus Bride. I had so much fun writing this book. I have loved Gerall’s quiet strength for so long and couldn’t wait to find him a woman of equal kindness and strength.
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Rebekah R. Ganiere - BOOKS WITH A BITE
Award Winning–USA Today Bestselling Author
Rebekah R. Ganiere
Fairelle Series
Red the Were Hunter - Book One
Yanti's Choice - Fairelle Short Story
Snow the Vampire Slayer - Book Two
Jamen’s Yuletide Bride - Book Three
Zelle and the Tower - Book Four
Cinder the Fae - Book Five
Belle and the Beast - Book Six
Gerall’s Festivus Bride - Book Seven
Jak the Giant Healer - Book Eight (2019)
Wolf River
PROMISED at the Moon
CURSED by the Moon
RECLAIMED from the Moon
TAMED under the Moon
UNLEASHED with the Moon
FATED despite the Moon (2020)
The Society Series
Reign of the Vampires
Rise of the Fae (2019)
Vengeance of the Demons (2019)
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Saving Christmas
Cupid’s Curse
Dead Awakenings
Kissed by the Reaper
Dracula’s Bride
Rekindling Christmas
Christmas Lodge (2019)
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