Feline the Burn (The Firehouse Feline Book 3)
Page 14
“We trust you,” James whispers at last.
And his words help me to find my own. “You’re handling this better than I ever could’ve dreamed. I don’t know how I, we, got so lucky as to have you align your stars with ours.”
Callie scoots closer and presses her lips to mine. For a second, I just enjoy the moment. It feels right.
When she pulls away from me, Will leans over and bumps his forehead to hers. Nothing in me is upset at seeing the move of affection between them. Which is oddly nice.
When she leans over again and exchanges a soft kiss with James, I smile. “I think this is going to work.”
“You’re just now realizing that it’s very possible I’ll be able to take the throne?” Callie asks.
“No, I mean this. Us. Our odd relationship. I think it will work.”
James and Will grin while Callie ducks her head. “I sure hope so.”
Epilogue
Fran
We stand in front of the gathering crowd with the stones at our back. Magic leaps playfully between the stones, so alive it feels like I should be able to see it. That I should be able to touch it.
I can only imagine what it must feel like for Callie.
This place. It’s special. It’s the perfect choice for this.
Phoebe, I miss you every day. I send the thought out into the magic, and I swear I feel it swirl around me. My love was like a goddess of this world. When she died, the very fabric of this world felt it.
I hope that meant the magic could feel me too, and that if she still existed in some form, that she will know I’m thinking of her. She’ll know how much I loved her. Love her still.
I finger the paper in my pocket. I don’t need to pull it out. I have it committed to memory. The first part asks me to do anything I can to help Callie. Phoebe knew when she died that Callie would need everyone she could get on her side. That was why she’d allowed them to kill her when she had. Dying on her own terms, she was able to help in ways I didn’t even realize yet.
“I hope I’m doing this the way you would want, Phoebe,” I whisper as I clutch the letter.
She doesn’t answer me.
Stepping forward, I put my hand on Callie’s back. “Remember why you’re doing this,” I whisper into her ear.
Callie looks at the large crowd gathered inside the stones. “For them.” The entire town has turned out, at least it looks like they have. “And for Mom. And Grandma.”
I smile. She’s a good girl. I resented her at first. Her existence had killed my beloved Phoebe. But it wasn’t the child’s fault. All we can do now is make sure Phoebe’s death isn’t in vain.
I eye the crowd as Callie steps forward. She’s got her hands clutched behind her back. Nervous. Benny steps forward, to the front of the crowd, even though this isn’t his coven. Any visiting witch is always welcome at ceremonies like this.
He stares at Callie in awe. Not lovingly. Respectfully. He recognizes power when he sees it. I can only hope the rest of town does as well.
“My name is Calliope Sawyer Kranton. I am the daughter of Regina Kranton and the granddaughter of Phoebe Kranton.” Her mother never took her father’s name. There had always been a Kranton on the throne, so she kept her maiden name, which means Callie is also a Kranton. Sawyer had been her father’s last name.
The crowd is mixed. Some are shocked, some don’t look like they are surprised at all. The rumors have spread. “I am here to formally claim my spot as the Queen of the East Coast Coven.”
Again, mixed reaction. Part of the crowd cheers and claps. Some look apprehensive. And some look outright hostile. I make note of the angry faces. They’ll need watching.
I missed a few things Callie said as I did so, but my focus pulls back to her when she speaks again. My heart swells with pride. This girl, who I’d been so angry at when she first came to Blackwater Falls, has become the woman she’s meant to be. She’s ready to lead the coven. Time will tell if she’s ready to take on the King. “I will not stop until I succeed. Until Robert is deposed and you are a free coven again.”
This time the cheers are louder, but people are already walking out of the circle. Those loyal to Robert. They will bring trouble. Robert will not give up his throne without a huge fight. But we knew that already.
Now the real fight begins.
***
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Also by L.A. Boruff
The Unseen War
Paranormal Reverse Harem
War of Fangs
War of Fire
War of Wings
Coven’s End
Complete Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Lia Davis
Kane
Voss
Quin
Jillian
Coven’s End: The Complete Series Boxed Set
Academy’s Rise
Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Lia Davis
Hell Fire
Dark Water
Dead Air
Academy’s Rise: The Complete Series Boxed Set
Valentine Pride
Complete Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Laura Greenwood
Unicorn Mates
Unicorn Luck
Unicorn Truth
A Platypus and Her Mates
The Firehouse Feline
Paranormal Comedic Reverse harem co-write with Laura Greenwood and Lacey Carter Andersen
Feline the Heat
Feline the Flames
Magic & Metaphysics Academy
Paranormal Academy Reverse Harem co-write with Laura Greenwood
Magical Mischief
Magical Mistake
Magical Misfit
Southern Soil
Sweet Contemporary Reverse Harem
Literary Yours
Snow Cure
Also By Lacey Carter Andersen
Mates of the Realms
Renegade Hunter *audiobook*
Cursed Hunter
Betrayed Hunter
Rebel Lover
Rebel Lies
Rebel Loss
Rogue Demon
Box Set I:Demon Hunter
Box Set II:Rebel Angel
Monsters and Gargoyles
Medusa’s Destiny *audiobook*
Keto’s Tale
Celaeno’s Fate
Cerberus Unleashed
Lamia’s Blood
Shade’s Secret
Shorts:Their Own Sanctuary
Shorts:Their Miracle Pregnancy
The Firehouse Feline
Feline the Heat
Feline the Flames
A Villainously Romantic Retelling
Worthy
Alternative Futures
Nightmare Hunter *audiobook*
Deadly Dreams *audiobook*
Mortal Flames
Twisted Prophecies
Box Set:Alien Mischief
An Icelius Reverse Harem
Her Alien Lovers
Her Alien Abductors
Her Alien Barbarians
Her Alien Mates
Collection:Her Alien Romance
Steamy Tales of Warriors and Rebels
Gladiators
The Dragon Shifters’ Last Hope
Stolen by Her Harem
Claimed by Her Harem
Treasured by Her Harem
Collection:Magic in her Harem
Harem of the Shifter Queen
Sultry Fire
Sinful Ice
Saucy Mist
Collection:Power in her Kiss
Standalones
Beauty with a Bite
Shifters and Alphas
Collections
Monsters, Gods, Witches, Oh My!
Wings, Horns, and Shifters
Also by Laura Greenwood
Books in the Paranormal Council Universe
The Paranormal Council Series
(shifter romance, completed series)
&nb
sp; The Dryad’s Pawprint * Audiobook
The Vixen’s Bark * Audiobook
The Necromancer’s Prey * Audiobook
The Vampire’s Bite
The Witch’s Stripes
The Paranormal Council Boxed Set
The Fae Queen Of Winter
(paranormal/fantasy fae romance)
Saving Eira * Audiobook
Reigning Eira
Calling Eira
Fated Seasons: Spring
(paranormal/fantasy fae fantasy romance)
Chasing Aledwen * Audiobook
Thornheart Coven
(witch romance)
Witch’s Potion * Audiobook
Witch’s Spark * Audiobook
Return Of The Fae
(paranormal post-apocalyptic)
Fall Of Hope * Audiobook
Rise Of Night * Audiobook
Dawn Of Pain * Audiobook
Sight Of Change
Paranormal Criminal Investigations
(urban fantasy mystery)
Spell Caster * Audiobook
MatchMater Paranormal Dating App
(paranormal romance)
Reluctant Dragon Mate * Audiobook
Bewitched Incubus Mate
Forbidden Vampire Mate
Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe
(each story stands alone)
Frost’s Forfeit * Audiobook
Death’s Choice
Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe Collection
Blood & Deceit * Audiobook
A Touch of Necromancy: Six Tales of Necromancers
Books in the Obscure World
Ashryn Barker Trilogy
(urban fantasy, completed series)
Shattered Illusions * Audiobook
Broken Illusions * Audiobook
Tarnished Illusions * Audiobook
The Ashryn Barker Trilogy Boxed Set * Audiobook
Grimalkin Academy: Kittens
(paranormal academy romance)
First Time’s A Charm
Second Time’s A Curse
Third Time’s A Crime
Fourth Time’s A Cure
Fifth Time’s A Crisis
Curses Start Somewhere
Grimalkin Academy: Catacombs
(paranormal academy romance, completed series)
Catching A Vampire * Audiobook
Catching A Wizard
Catching A Warlock
City Of Blood
(urban fantasy dystopia)
Drop Of Blood
Standalones in the Obscure World
(each story stands on its own)
No Stakes Allowed
Books in the Forgotten Gods World
Consorts of the Goddess Trilogy
(paranormal/mythology romance)
Quest of the Goddess
Forgotten Gods
(paranormal/mythology romance, completed series)
Protectors of Poison (Zodiac Shifters) * Audiobook
Daughter of the Sun * Audiobook
Servant of Chaos
Priestess of Truth (Short Story)
Forgotten Gods Boxed Set
Books in the Grimm World
Grimm Academy
(fantasy fairy tales academy)
Spindles And Spells
Pumpkins And Proms
Huntsmen And Hoods
Mirrors And Magic
Lamps And Lies
Frosts And Fears
Fate Of The Crown
(fantasy Arthurian academy)
The Almost Queen
Other Books
The Dragon Duels
(urban fantasy dystopia)
Stoking The Embers
Untold Tales
(fantasy fairy tales)
Balanced Scales * Audiobook
Golden Wings
Poisoned Fate
Tainted Ashes
Braids Of Silver
Fractured Core
ME Contemporary Standalones
(contemporary romance)
Sweet About Me * Audiobook
Kneel For Me * Audiobook
Heard From Me * Audiobook
Laid By Me
If The Shoe Fits * Audiobook
Con With Me
ME Collection Volume One
Rats: Tori
(steampunk one shot stories, completed series)
Ruler of Rats
Collector of Rats
Yuletide of Rats
Rats: Tori Collection
Standalones
Permission to Breathe Denied (dystopian) * Audiobook
Glass Heart (urban fantasy) * Audiobook
Reaper (fantasy romance) * Audiobook
Co-Written Books
Twin Souls Trilogy
with Arizona Tape
(paranormal romance, completed series)
Soulswap * Audiobook
Soulshift * Audiobook
Soultrade * Audiobook
Twin Souls Trilogy Boxed Set * Audiobook
Dragon Soul Series
with Arizona Tape
(paranormal romance)
Torn Soul * Audiobook
Bound Soul
The Renegade Dragons Series
with Arizona Tape
(paranormal romance, completed series)
Fifth Soul * Audiobook
Fifth Round * Audiobook
Fifth Flame * Audioboo
Renegade Dragons Boxed Set * Audiobook
The Vampire Detective
with Arizona Tape
(urban fantasy mystery, completed series)
Fangs For Nothing
What The Fangs
Fangs For All
The Witch And The Detective
with Arizona Tape
(urban fantasy mystery)
Hexes And Vexes
Seven Wardens
with Skye MacKinnon
(paranormal/fantasy romance, completed series)
From the Deeps * Audiobook
Into the Mists * Audiobook
Beneath the Earth
Within the Flames
Above the Waves
Under the Ice
Rule the Dark
Beyond the Loch (series prequel)
Through the Storms (to be read between From the Deeps & Into the Mists)
Below the Baubles (to be read between Above the Waves & Under the Ice)
Seven Wardens Boxed Set: Books 1-4
Seven Wardens Boxed Set: Books 5-7
Valentine Pride
with L.A. Boruff
(paranormal shifter romance, completed series)
Unicorn Mates
Unicorn Luck
Unicorn Truth
The Platypus And Her Wolves
Wolf Tears
Magic and Metaphysics Academy
with L.A. Boruff
(paranormal academy, completed series)
Magical Mischief
Magical Mistake
Magical Misfit
The Firehouse Feline
with Lacey Carter Andersen & L.A. Boruff
(paranormal/urban fantasy romance)
Feline The Heat
Feline The Flames
Feline The Burn
Kingdom Of Fairytales Season 11
with J.A. Armitage
(fantasy fairy tale)
Queen Of Reflections
Heiress Of Mirrors
Throne Of Wands
Goddess Of Magic
Prequel
Standalones
Ocean’s Serenade
with J&L Wells
(Paranormal Romance)
Audiobooks
About the Authors
Lacey Carter Andersen
Lacey loves reading, writing, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She spends her days taking care of her husband, three kids, and three cats. But at night, everything changes! Her imagination runs wild with strong-willed characters, unique worlds, and exciting plots that she enthusiastically put
s into stories.
Lacey has dozens of tales: science fiction romances, paranormal romances, short romances, reverse harem romances, and more. So, please feel free to dive into any of her worlds; she loves to have the company!
And you’re welcome to reach out to her; she really enjoys hearing from her readers.
You can find her at:
Email: laceycarterandersen@gmail.com
Mailing List:https://www.subscribepage.com/laceycarterandersen
Website:www.laceycarterandersen.wordpress.com/
Facebook Page:www.facebook.com/Lacey-Carter-Andersen-1940678949483316/
***
Laura Greenwood
Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal and fantasy romance. When she's not writing, she can be found drinking ridiculous amounts of tea, trying to resist French Macaroons, and watching the Pitch Perfect trilogy for the hundredth time (at least!)
Laura Greenwood’s Mailing List: https://www.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/p/book-list.html
Laura Greenwood’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theparanormalcouncil
***
L.A. Boruff
L.A. (Lainie) Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.
L.A.’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LABoruffCrew/
Follow L.A. on Bookbub if you like to know about new releases but don’t like to be spammed: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-a-boruff