Chasing Dove (Branches of Emrys Book 4)
Page 20
The excuse was a party to welcome Jacinda into the family, and her family. Brent was there with a gift that might upset Jacinda for a while, but she’d accept it, he hoped. The other women of her bloodline were there, including Jessabelle and her baby.
Loval nudged his shoulder. “Think Taryn knows?”
“This is the best shot you have,” Chatan answered.
“Yeah, she’s been so focused on helping put this party together for Jacinda. Maybe I’ll get lucky.”
Chatan chuckled. “You know, whatever you do, you’re going to make her happy. She wouldn’t be with you if she didn’t think you could.”
“True. Thank God she loves me.”
“That’s the right attitude.”
“You ready for Jacinda to get here?”
“Wish she were here already, but Brent took her for a surprise. I just wonder how she’s going to take it.”
“What’s that?”
Chatan pushed his fingers through hair. “Just wait until she gets here. We’ll see if he managed to convince her then.”
* * * *
Jacinda stared at the Jeep dealership as Brent pulled in. “What are you doing?” she asked.
He sighed. “You need a reliable car. The Tercel died. Christian tried to save it. There was no saving it.”
Gulping, she nodded slowly. “You don’t have to buy me a car.”
He grinned. “No, but I want to. And not because I feel like I should have done more for you. Let’s face it, until recently, I had no way to do that. Now that you’re here, and part of my life, I want to do this because I want you safe. And the Tercel can’t be resurrected.”
She nodded. “I know. Still, a new car?”
He snorted. “I have money, Jacinda. I’ve lived a long life and can see the future. If I was worried about it at all, I wouldn’t offer. I won’t even be in debt. I’m buying whatever you choose outright, and putting it in your name, with insurance.”
“Brent, you can’t do that!” she said.
“I can, and I am. If you want to transfer the insurance later, that’s fine. But you need a vehicle that can make the trip up to me when you want to visit. And I don’t trust either of Chatan’s vehicles. They are beat to shit.”
She giggled. “Okay, okay, fine.”
“Thank you.” He squeezed her hand. “You’re still my granddaughter, and we like to spoil our grandkids.”
“Never been spoiled.” Except by Chatan, and she wasn’t about to go there with Brent. “Let’s get this over with. I understand I get to see Clara, Brialle, and Jessabelle soon.”
“And Jessabelle’s little girl.”
“Apparently, Chatan’s niece and nephew are coming with his brothers and their families. And I get to properly meet Arisa. At least he’s been talking to his father a lot more.”
He grinned. “And Amelia is there too or will be after the sun goes down. All your family.”
“Then let’s get this over with. And you must help me decide. I don’t know what any of the new stuff is.”
“I thought you might say that.” He climbed out and she joined him.
* * * *
If Jacinda didn’t get there soon, Chatan was going to go crazy. It was after dark, though, so they probably stopped to pick up Amelia, who had been asleep at Wanatoga Inn.
Finally, she pulled up a brand-new Jeep Tribute. Amelia sat shotgun, Brent in the middle of the back with a grin on his face. The new vehicle was an improvement over her dead Tercel.
He rushed to the door and she slid down with a smile. “Like it?”
She nodded. “And I can accept it, though it took me a few minutes to figure that out.”
Chatan looked around. “Can’t wait to go on a road trip with you. There’s room to do all sorts of things.”
She blushed, but nodded. “Let’s get in there.”
“Yeah, everyone is here now.”
They went inside. Loval looked like he might burst. He stepped in front of Taryn and dropped to one knee as he pulled a ring box out.
He cleared his throat and opened the velvet box. “You’ve been my world since we were kids. I want to spend all my days with you.”
Taryn blinked. A tear fell as a smile lit her face. “You have me forever, Loval.”
He ducked his gaze. “Did I surprise you?”
She nodded, pulling him to a stand. And you did it a thousand percent right.”
“You want that one day?” Chatan whispered in her ear.
Jacinda smiled. “I have you forever. A ring and a ceremony won’t change that.”
“But would you?”
She looked around at everyone there. “I wouldn’t say no.”
He grinned, a new idea forming.
About Brandy L Rivers
Brandy L Rivers is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is kept busy writing the Others of Seattle, Others of Edenton, Combustible, and the Pine Barrens Pack series.
An avid reader, Brandy has always loved writing. She became serious about it as a stay-at-home-mother. With every story her world of characters expands, pulling her new directions.
Living in rainy Western Washington with her husband and three kids, Brandy is already working on future stories in each of the series, and several other projects.
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter
Or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Bundled Sets
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 1
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 2
Others of Edenton – Series Volume 3
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 1
Others of Seattle – Series Volume 2
Combustible – the Complete Series
Branches of Emrys
Sleepwalker
Dreams of Change
Finding Hawk
Chasing Dove
Untitled – Coming 2019
Others of Edenton
New Beginnings
In Too Deep
Shadows Fall
Shadows of the Past
Fated Love
Falling Into Place
Breaking Free
Mending Scars
Labor of Love
Light in Darkness
Blissful Agony
Deep Trouble
Entangled Darkness
Deadly Design
Blood Bound
Untitled – coming late 2018
Others of Seattle
Nights Embrace
Storm Mistress
Accepting Fate
Red Queen
Seductive Solutions
Changing Destiny
Coming Together
Storm Wrath
Twisted Bonds
Darkness Binds
Untitled – coming late 2018
Nights Embrace Spin-Off
Summer Rhythm
Combustible
Heart on Fire
Falling Star
Sweet Tooth
Backburn
Love Behind the Scenes
The Callback
The Long Shot (coming summer 2018)
Pine Barrens Pack Co-Written with Rebecca Brooke
Cursed Vengeance
Vengeance Unraveled
Shifted Vengeance (Coming 2018)
To keep up with upcoming releases and news visit me at my
Website – Facebook - Twitter
Or join my newsletter or reading group Rivers’ Shenanigans
Reference Guide
Auras – Some people can read emotions through the colors that surround each individual. Not everyone can see auras.
Awakening – Faeries come to age after their first sexual release with another Faerie. This process brings their power to the surface. It will strengthen what might have previously shown as a weak power, or produce new ones to the indi
vidual Fae.
Bond – Werewolves often find a mate, someone they have trouble living without. Sex seals the bond. Fae sometimes find a similar connection with the right person.
Branches of Emrys – A group of Others trying to stop HARP and the Dark Templar from tearing about Earth to create a realm that was long ago destroyed.
Dark Templar – An unsanctioned organization within the Silver Council bent on removing anyone they deem too powerful or a threat.
Dreamwalker – An individual who can enter another person’s dreams. Some are powerful enough to alter a dream completely.
Druids – Humans who possess nature magic primarily. They aren’t as common as mages. Tend to stick with other druids. They cast mostly earth and air spells, though some can manipulate fire and water. Druids can shift into animals with practice.
Faery – Both the physical realm on the other side of the veil and the people who come from there. There are many different forms of Fae.
HARP – Hunters Against Radical Paranormals. A group that hunts Others. They also test on Others and have hidden goals.
Hybrid – Other of mixed parentage. Sometimes even children of human and Others are considered Hybrids.
Mages – Humans who possess elemental magic. They can either sling spells like weapons or heal, though it is rare for a mage to be a healer.
Magistrate – Somewhat like the Silver Council’s Sheriff, though their territory is larger than just one city.
Mate – Werewolves, Fae, and some other creatures, sometimes create a supernatural bond with their soul mate. The bond is nearly impossible to break unless one party dies. The bound couple will sometimes feel what the other is feeling, or sense danger the other is in.
Mystic – Caster that can translocate nearly anywhere. Some can move through time. Often have psychic abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy. Some say they came from another realm.
Others – Any being that isn’t quite human. Werewolves, vampires, shaman, druids, mages, witches, warlocks, Fae are some examples.
Pack – Or werewolf pack, is a group of werewolves in an area. The size of the pack determines the size of their region. Werewolves in a pack have a hierarchal structure based on the creature’s innate dominance. Usually, there is an alpha which is the leader, and several enforcers who enforce the will of the leader, and the rest of the werewolves. Every pack is run differently.
Pack Enforcer – Werewolves high in the pack hierarchy who carry out the Alpha's orders or discipline.
Paineater – A type of Fae who heals others by taking their wounds. They heal more quickly than other Fae.
Rift Bender – Mage/druid hybrid. They have skills of both sides of their parentage, as well as skills born of both magics. They can open rifts and portals to other dimensions.
Shaman – Humans who possess nature magic. Similar to druids, but not the same. Most shamans can shift into a specific animal.
Shield – A protection spell. Forms a wall usually of one or two elements.
Silver Council – Organization of mages. They are the governing force of most Others. Not everyone recognizes them, but they try to police all Others. The Silver Council is mostly made up of formally trained mages. They occasionally will employ other casters.
Silver Council Enforcer – The mages who police Others.
Sleepwalker – The individual a Dreamwalker is drawn to. Sometimes the Sleepwalker can pull the Dreamwalker into a dream. Oftentimes, the Dreamwalker can watch over their Sleepwalker while they are both awake.
Sorceress – A caster who sees Aura’s, can manipulate spirits or unseen entities around them. Danger lies in forcing their will too heavily on certain entities.
Sylvan Fae – Nature faeries that powers revolve around plants, earth, and animals. They can communicate, control, and sometimes possess beasts.
Translocation – Some mages can vanish and reappear in another area. It is a rare talent.
Ward – A spell that protects, sometimes keeps people from entering.
Wereanimal – Any type of wereanimal. Werewolves are the most common. Werecats probably second. They are stronger and faster than your average human. There are rare cases of other wereanimals. Each species varies in what it may, or may not, be able to do. These creatures heal most wounds incredibly fast.
Werewolves – Specific type of wereanimal. A werewolf is created when a werewolf in either its beast form or half-man form, bites and in rare cases scratches a human. They are incredibly strong, and faster than a normal human. Powerful werewolves can shift into their wolf form and a physical presence larger than human, covered in fur with enormous claws and bestial head. Their sense of smell and sight are very strong, especially in their beast forms.
Witch – A human who is highly sensitive to magic, and can cast a limited amount of magic. Abilities vary from clairvoyance, empath, telekinesis, or various other psychic abilities. Most are adept at potions which combine natural ingredients with magic.
Wolfssengen Pendant – An ancient artifact that creates or breaks bonds between two creatures. It can also act as a tracking device for mystics.
Vampire – There are several varieties of vampire. They live off human or Other blood. For the most part, highly allergic to the sun. They are incredibly fast, and each breed possesses a different set of abilities.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
Reference Guide