Of course she’d still swap parents with Violet in a heartbeat – she adored Rose, and found Louis kind and considerate, with a softness that belied his strength – but she was beginning to understand that while her miserable childhood had been a huge influence on shaping her into the person she was, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She was finally content – even, maybe, happy – with who she was, and who she was becoming. And who knows, if she’d had a better, easier childhood, and less-cruel parents, less expectations, would she be the same person she was now?
Certainly she knew that if she ever had children she would be a much kinder, more demonstrative and more empathetic parent, the total opposite of her own mother and father. And just knowing that made her feel that she had broken the cycle, and was moving forward from her bitter darkness into the light.
Later, as they drank coffee while Mike grabbed them some oat cookies to ground themselves, Beth turned to her friend.
“Are you okay Vee? You seem, I don’t know, sad? I didn’t upset you did I, trying to convince you to tell your mum?”
Violet smiled. “No, not at all, I promise. I’m just really tired, and one of the readings I did today has stuck with me in a strangely heavy way. But a quick cord cutting and a good night’s sleep will fix that, and tomorrow evening I’ll come over and we can plan more of our London adventure, and that will get me excited again.”
Beth leaned over and hugged her. “I’m excited too.”
* * * * *
The following night, Beth was sitting downstairs in her lounge room, course notes spread over her lap and across the cushions and the nearest table. Her mother would have a fit, to see the chaos she’d created, but she was feeling free, and so productive – it made her incredibly happy to be getting so deeply into her studies, and discovering the ways that worked best for her to learn the new material, all of which she was soaking up like a sponge.
And Patricia need never know just how much she’d transformed the formal room into a relaxed and casual place of learning, right? Then she glanced at all the coffee cups and the half-eaten sandwiches strewn amongst the text books. Hmm, she supposed she could tidy those up at least, but the rest was fine. It was beautifully organised chaos.
For a while she lost track of time, diving in to her current research assignment, until a hammering at the front door brought her abruptly back to the present. As she went to answer it, she realised that night had fallen, and she tried to shake off her foggy study brain as she switched on the lights, just as another furious hammering broke out. She laughed. Violet must really be desperate to discuss London.
“Geez, what’s the hurry Vee?” she grinned, as she pulled the door open.
But it wasn’t her friend standing there on the front porch, lit up by the golden light spilling out into the darkness. It was Mike, and his eyes were wild, his hair a dishevelled mess and his clothes crushed. He pushed past her and paced down the hallway like a caged animal.
“Mike, my god, what’s wrong?”
“Have you heard from Violet?” he demanded, looking almost angry as his vivid eyes burned accusingly into hers. “Do you know where she is?”
Shrinking back into the couch she’d sunk down onto, Beth held a cushion to her chest defensively. She had no idea what was happening, or what she’d supposedly done to upset him, but he was worrying her with his strange misplaced rage.
“Mike, slow down, what’s going on?” she asked, trying desperately to understand what he meant. “I haven’t seen Violet since the ritual last night. She said she was going to come over tonight, to talk about our trip to London, but she hasn’t shown up yet.”
She looked at her watch. “She didn’t mention what time, but maybe she’s having dinner with Rose and Louis first, then coming over for a cup of coffee afterwards? Did she tell you what time she planned to be here? Mike?
“Mike!”
When she repeated his name again, he finally stopped his pacing and looked at her, as if seeing her for the first time and suddenly realising where he was. The nervous energy that had been fuelling him until then seemed to slide right out of him, and he stopped pacing and threw himself down on the couch next to her. She watched, horrified, as he seemed to unravel before her eyes.
“Rose came over to my place a little while ago – Violet’s gone,” he said, voice bleak, and flat, almost dead-sounding.
“What?”
“She’s disappeared. Packed a bag and run away.”
And then he broke down. Beth put her arms around the beautiful, compassionate man she loved, and held him close as violent sobs racked his body and his heart shattered into a million pieces.
Epilogue
Out of the Storm
Rhiannon... Today…
She was climbing the tor with her mother, golden light trailing behind Beth as her laughter dipped and wove around them. Rhiannon spun around, her long meadow-hued dress swooping and weaving and floating around her ankles. Turning to her mum, she was surprised but not alarmed to see that Carlie had taken her place. Her friend smiled at her, respect and love in her eyes, and motioned to the summit of the sacred hill.
Beth and Violet stood there together, silhouetted against the vivid blue sky. Beth’s cascading blonde waves of hair spilled around her shoulders, shining like gold against the deep red of her dress, while Violet was the mirror image of Carlie, long dark curls flowing down her back, and an emerald green cloak lifting gently in the breeze.
Together they gazed back at their daughters.
“Thank you Rhiannon, for supporting Carlie in her grief,” Violet said softly.
“And thank you Carlie, for helping Rhiannon so much,” Beth added, voice tender.
Then the two women stepped into the crumbling old stone tower on the top of the hill and disappeared, dissolving into a blur of golden light that blinded their daughters for a moment, but left them wrapped up in warmth, love and comfort.
Rhiannon awoke from her dream with a smile on her face and a lightness in her heart. She knew she would never get over the grief she felt at losing her mother, and she didn’t want to. But for the first time since she’d lost her, she was filled with hope for the future.
After feeling so isolated and alone, she had found a friend, a sister of the heart, and they were inspiring each other to dig deep to discover their own strength. She’d started her final year of school, and thanks to Carlie, she now had a career goal to work towards, the perfect way for her to give back, and at the same time continue her own path towards healing, and a companion to undertake the long years of study with.
The love she shared with her father and her little brother was growing ever deeper, and despite fearing she would lose the grandmotherly relationship she’d long had with Rose once her flesh-and-blood relative arrived, she now knew that nothing could break their bond, and that the priestess’s love was unconditional and without limit.
And she had a new, inspiring and potent relationship with magic that she knew would be a huge part of her life, a way to connect with her mother, and to deepen her connection to nature and the earth, as well as herself.
When she heard her little brother knock at her door, she jumped out of bed and hurried over to let him in. Through her sadness she had gained strength, and an intense gratitude for the family that she did have, and the friends who cared so deeply for her.
Despite the storms she’d endured, she knew now that it really was an enchanted life.
Rhiannon’s story will continue in Into the Fire...
* * *
“There are some things you learn best in calm,
and some in storm.”
Willa Cather, American writer
* * *
Thank You!
Thank you so much for reading this book, and sharing the magic of Rhiannon and her mother Beth’s stories. As an indie author, I rely on word of mouth and reader reviews to get the word out. If you enjoyed Into the Storm, I would be so grateful if you could take a moment to leave a review
on Amazon or any other book site. Reviews help improve sales and ranking, and are of immense help to all indie writers.
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With love and gratitude, Serene xx
With Thanks...
I am so grateful to my sweet husband, for his love, support, encouragement and belief in me. For making me countless cups of tea as I write. For being patient when I’m on deadline, and when I want to quit. For wanting me to tell Rhiannon’s story, believing in her, brainstorming plot points and debating her life with me. This one is for you. I love you so much, always.
I’m indebted to amazingly talented, kind and generous artist Selina Fenech, for the stunning cover image for this and all the Mists books, and for sharing the hard work and hilarity of so many festivals with me. I can’t wait to bring our project to life!
Love and gratitude to wonderful authors Selina Fenech and K. A. Last for the invaluable feedback on this story, and cover design inspiration. To Gabrielle Baker, narrator of the Mists audiobooks, for giving a voice to my characters. And to Margie for her love and support, and help with the French conversations, Petie for the laughter and political raves, and my beautiful family in the west.
Love and blessings to my writer friends, Kylie Matthews, Lucy Cavendish, Felicity Pulman, Elisabeth Knowles, Nigel Bartlett, Cheralyn Darcey and L. L. Hunter and the Story Queens, for sharing the book launches, festivals, writing retreats and sprints, and the craziness and wonder of our trials and triumphs.
Love and thanks to my workout buddies Janine, Claire, and our fun fit group friends. Working out every day keeps me sane, and there’s nothing like punching my way through a Combat session, upping my weights in Pump or letting Jillian Michaels kick my butt to gain a new perspective on a plot dilemma.
And love, honour and gratitude to beautiful Annalie, whose bravery, kindness and wisdom added an extra dimension to Beth. My heart aches for your gorgeous family left behind, but I’m trying to do as you asked and not be sad at your loss, just grateful for your friendship and happy we got to spend precious time together…
With much love, Serene xx
About the Author
Serene Conneeley is an Australian writer with a fascination for history, travel, ritual and the myth and magic of ancient places and cultures. She’s written for magazines about news, travel, health, spirituality, entertainment and social and environmental issues, been editor of several preschool magazines, and contributed to international books on history, witchcraft, psychic development and personal transformation.
She is the author of the Into the Mists Trilogy – Into the Mists, Into the Dark and Into the Light – and is finishing a new series within that world that includes Into the Storm and Into the Fire. She also wrote the non-fiction books Seven Sacred Sites, A Magical Journey, Witchy Magic, Mermaid Magic, The Book of Faery Magic and Into the Mists: A Journal, and created the meditation CD Sacred Journey.
Serene is a reconnective healing practitioner, and has studied magical and medicinal herbalism, bereavement counselling, reiki and many other healing modalities, plus politics and journalism. She loves reading, rainbows, drinking tea with her friends, and celebrating the energy of the moon and the magic of the earth. Her pagan heart blossomed as she climbed mountains, sat in stone circles, wandered through ancient cathedrals and stood in the shadow of the pyramids on her travels, and she’s also learned the magic of finding true happiness and peace at home.
www.SereneConneeley.com
Also by Serene Conneeley
* * * * *
THE INTO THE MISTS SERIES
Into the Mists is healing, empowering, inspiring and magical. I loved every single page. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much since I read Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier. Can’t wait for a sequel!
Julia Burdock, writer
Into the Dark is darker than the first book, but it also portrays the sweetness of love, and the power of the magical. This is a compelling novel, which haunted my dreams while I was reading it, and lingered in my mind long after I’d finished it.
Felicity Pulman, author of The Janna Chronicles
Into the Light is a wonderful story and a stunning conclusion. I’m absolutely blown away by this series. It is truly beautiful from start to finish – magical, realistic, gentle, harsh, sad and joyful... I feel bereft that these people will no longer be a part of my life.
Kylie Matthews, book reviewer
Into the Mists: A Journal is divine! The lovely quotes throughout are very inspiring, and the feel of the journal is heart-warming and comforting to me. It sits on my bedside table for writing in during the quiet times of reflection. It’s just beautiful.
Cheralyn Darcey, eco-artist and author of Flowerpaedia
The Into the Mists Trilogy: Hardcover Omnibus is a mystical, magical tale about forgiveness and love. I found myself unable to stop reading once I started – I had to know what would happen to Carlie next. I recommend this trilogy to everyone.
L. L. Hunter, author of the Legend of the Archangel Series
The Into the Mists Trilogy: Audiobooks will sweep you away with the melodic voice and magical story. My favourite parts were when Carlie was reading her mother’s journal – it was written beautifully, captivating both the character and the reader, a feat not easy to achieve. I cannot wait to jump into book three.
Rebecca Bosevski, author of Enchanting the Fey
Into the Storm takes you on such an emotional journey, and makes you believe in real magic. I loved it.
Selina Fenech, author of The Memory’s Wake Trilogy
* * * * *
THE MAGIC SERIES
The Book of Faery Magic is the ultimate guide to all things faery; entertaining, informative and enthralling. A charming book with much to offer, from history and legends, magical gifts and sacred sites and the unique beings found around the globe, to recipes and crafts to keep you busy while you explore this magical world.
Larissa Chapman, book blogger
Mermaid Magic is a wonderfully inspiring read. It really made me want to shed my twenty-first century shackles and dive into the ocean to embrace its wonderful healing powers. Mixing magic, myth and history with nature and environmentalism, it is clear, practical, well researched and written with real passion.
Sabina Collins, book reviewer
Witchy Magic is a definitive reference for the would-be witch, and entertaining and enlightening for the witch-curious. This beautiful book is for everyone, from the history buff, ritualist and nature lover to the magician, pagan and spiritualist.
Kylie Matthews, book reviewer
* * * * *
THE SACRED SERIES
Seven Sacred Sites is a rich and lovely, very wise and tender friend, with good advice and insights to inspire you in your travels, be they physical or imaginary. I wish I’d had it years ago.
Lucy Cavendish, author of Spellbound and White Magic
A Magical Journey is a gem for the adventurers among us. What distinguishes it is Serene’s emphasis on enchanting the writing process. A fascinating concept, and gorgeous to the touch.
Joanne Lock, Spheres magazine
Sacred Journey is a treasure. Serene is a gentle, loving, wise teacher of great wisdoms, and this meditation CD takes us on a sacred journey not only into the earthly and heavenly elements and realms, but into history, spirituality and self-love.
Lucy Cavendish, creator of As Above, So Below CD
* * * * *
COMING SOON
Into the Fire, plus new Into the Mists Chronicles featuring other beloved characters, including Out of the Shadows.
* * * * *
www.BlessedBeeBooks.com
torm: Into the Storm Trilogy Book One
Into the Storm: Into the Storm Trilogy Book One Page 43