by Shona Husk
Taryn made a slow slice on his palm, but he welcomed the sharpness of the blade and the spilling of his blood this time. Taryn repeated the process on Jacqui’s hand. Blue and red blood dripped on the ground, coloring the snow.
Felan clasped Jacqui’s hand so the bloods mingled.
Jacqui’s eye’s widened, and a moment later he felt the jolt rush through him, as if Annwyn was racing through him all at once—every tree and rock, he knew them all in that instant. Then it was gone…mostly, except for a kind of pressure. Souls waiting to be moved on realized.
The snow stopped, one last flake landing on their joined hands and melting on Jacqui’s skin.
Taryn squatted down, peering into the mushy snow where their mixed blood had fallen. He knew what she was waiting for. His toes curled in his boots. What if it hadn’t worked? Was Jacqui really without a soul now? Would this fail if she wasn’t pregnant? He resisted the urge to get down and stare at the dirt, and tried to breathe calmly, as if everything would be all right.
People were moving, stepping closer. Anxiously waiting. Planning what they’d do if it failed? What would he do?
His heart thudded as if he were still fighting. Jacqui gripped his hand tighter, blood still oozing between their palms and dripping on the dirt. Did something just move? He held his breath and stared harder at the tiny patch of brown, willing something to happen.
A single blade of green broke through the dirt and slush of snow and blood. Brilliant, spring green. It had worked! Jacqui was pregnant and Annwyn had accepted her soul.
Taryn stood. “Spring is here.”
But Felan wasn’t listening to the official announcements anymore. He picked Jacqui up and swung her around. They’d done it. Annwyn was safe, the river would calm, and the mortal world would stabilize.
He set her down gently and kissed her on the lips, not caring that everyone was watching. He no longer had to hide her to keep her safe. She was the Queen; she was his love, his heart.
Epilogue
Five mortal months had been only weeks in Annwyn. His father had died with the autumn equinox, and there had been a mock battle to celebrate his passing before laying him out and letting Annwyn reclaim him. As a result, there had been no festival.
This time Felan knew he was going to have to put on a show, his first as King. It was almost midwinter in the mortal world, and he wanted to be able to show proof of his heir. There were still whispers that nothing was happening fast enough, that Jacqui should be spending more time in the mortal world to bring on summer. But Felan intended to keep his word and let spring develop slowly while he and Jacqui settled into ruling.
However, none of that time had prepared him for ultrasound day. He was more nervous than he had been going into battle or walking into the coffee shop that first time after seven years and speaking to her. He was sure his palms were sweaty. Yet she didn’t release her grip on his hand as he sat next to her waiting for the sonographer to get started. He wondered what the woman would do if she realized the King and Queen of Annwyn were anxiously waiting to see if everything was all right with their baby. The doctor hadn’t wanted to do the early scan at first, but when Jacqui had mentioned her previous ectopic pregnancy, she’d agreed.
Now they were here almost holding their breath, waiting for the results. He wasn’t letting himself think ahead. He didn’t want to. He just kept repeating to himself that everything would work out. Jacqui gave his hand a squeeze and closed her eyes, as if she couldn’t bear to watch. The woman made a few clicks and a few notes. Felan watched, but the blobby black and white picture looked like…well, fuzzy black and gray and white shapes that made no sense. He couldn’t imagine anyone in Annwyn getting excited over these images. And he had no idea how he was going to create an enchanted object that showed what was going on inside the way this machine did.
“Okay, everything is as it should be. I know you weren’t sure about your dates, but it looks like you’re about seven weeks pregnant.”
Jacqui sighed and opened her eyes. Her grip on his hand loosened and he let the tension he’d been holding ease a little. However, he’d heard the “but” in the woman’s voice and was waiting for the rest of the news.
The woman moved the pointer on the screen to a kind of a blob. “Here’s baby number one and here’s baby number two.”
“Two?” Jacqui lifted her head.
“Multiple births can be a bit of a shock. They’re fraternal twins; you can see that they have separate placentas.”
The woman was talking, but he was staring at the screen as the two little blobs suddenly became real. She did something and he heard their rapid little heartbeats. Two tiny babies because they’d used the cup of life twice. It had worked almost too well. Had there ever been fairy twins before?
“Would you like a picture to take home?” the woman asked.
He nodded. “Yes, thank you.” Would the Court believe him when he explained what the little smudges represented, or would they be just amazed at the technology?
It had been a long time since anyone had put the time and effort into making artifacts, but maybe this would excite someone enough to try. Now that they weren’t all jostling for position, there was time to experiment again and develop the deeper magic that had been lost over the last millennia.
The sonographer handed the print to him, and he tucked it into his jacket pocket. They were both dressed as mortals today. Even the fairies that had remained in Annwyn were dressing in simpler styles, copying Jacqui. He’d even seen a few men in jeans—although the artwork that decorated the cuffs and legs could only be fairy.
A few minutes later, Jacqui was ready to go, but she didn’t say anything until they were outside.
“Twins.” She slapped him on the arm, but she was grinning.
“It was the cup.”
“I know. We should get a scan at twenty weeks; then they will look like babies.”
“Really?” He wanted to look at the picture again.
“I’ll get you a book. We should get a book.” She stopped walking. “Are there midwives in Annwyn? I know they have to be born there to be fairies, but what if I need a doctor?”
“I’ll bring one across. I’ll bring you a whole staff if you want, but there has never been a problem with a baby born in Annwyn. Where there is death, there is life too.”
“And love.” She smiled at him and he placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“That would be the most important part.” He hoped more fairies would discover their heart. “Shall we find a place to make this picture huge?”
She rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you are going to do that.”
“Trust me, the Court will love it. They love anything new and intriguing.”
***
He’d been right, of course. Felan had put the picture of the babies in a large frame and placed it on a wall for all to see. He was explaining his idea for new magic to anyone who’d listen, and there were a few who were more than curious.
Jacqui hoped that they’d be able to make the magic work—not that she was going to volunteer as a guinea pig. While she still didn’t look pregnant, it was beginning to feel real with every passing day. And as the babies grew, Annwyn came to life a little more.
Soon Verden was going to come and get them for Christmas dinner across the veil, so they could celebrate with Felan’s son. Verden had survived his injuries and as promised Felan’s first act as King had been to lift the banishment. Verden and Taryn were living in Charleston with Caspian and Lydia, and were officially Caspian’s Brownies. She was looking forward to crossing the veil to see Felan’s family and hers.
Until then, she and Felan presided over the Yule festival, decked out like angels in gauzy silver. If she’d been anywhere else, she would have felt silly, but not here. Not when everyone else had also dressed up in silver and white with pretend wings attached to the
ir costumes. Some showed more skin than others, and there was enough silver dust to make everyone sparkle in the firelight.
In previous years, snow had apparently been brought across, and Annwyn had been turned into mock winter, but this year it was too close to reality, so the much more subtle theme of winter angels had been chosen.
Felan broke away from the group, who was examining the ultrasound picture—Jacqui suspected there would be a rush on babies as they wanted to see this for themselves—and walked over to her, his sheer silver wings sweeping the floor and his crown of holly making him look the way she’d imagined fairies should look—beautiful, regal, dangerous all in one heartbeat. She caught her breath and he took her hand and lifted it his lips.
“The first dance, my love?”
“Every dance.”
Acknowledgments
As always, this story wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my hubby and kids. The wonderful WINK girls, who read all my early drafts and brainstormed any glitches with me. My editor, Mary Altman, and agent, Eric Ruben, for believing in my alternate worlds. While there are many people who touched the story on its way to becoming a book, I don’t know them all by name, but I am grateful to all of them. And finally, my readers, as without them I wouldn’t get to share my stories. :)
About the Author
Three-time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination, she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult, she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she weaves new worlds and writes heroes who aren’t afraid to get hurt while falling in love.
With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she writes paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi romance. You can find out more at www.shonahusk.com. Also: www.twitter.com/ShonaHusk, www.facebook.com/shonahusk, and Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/lySiD.
The Outcast Prince
by Shona Husk
Just one taste is all it takes…
This was no ordinary mirror. Caspian caught a hint of color, a whirl of a waltz just past his reflection—a glimpse into the decadent Fairy Court of Annwyn. The home he could never have. It called to him, whispering temptation after temptation…if he would only reclaim his rightful heritage.
To be forever lost
Caspian has an even stronger reason to stay in the world of humans. He’s just met a woman who captivates him like no other. But loving him has proven to be dangerous. And he will do whatever it takes to protect Lydia from the vicious, seductive world of Court—even if doing so requires the ultimate sacrifice: his soul.
“Brilliantly unique, beautifully sensual, The Outcast Prince had me spellbound from the first page! Shona Husk’s engaging voice and vivid, creative world-building make every one of her books a must-read!” —Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author
For more Shona Husk, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Lord of the Hunt
by Shona Husk
Raised in the mortal world, the fairy Taryn never planned on going back to Annwyn, much less to Court. But with the power shift imminent, she is her parents’ only hope of securing a pardon from exile and avoiding certain death.
Verden, Lord of the Hunt, swore to serve the King. But as the magic of Annwyn fails and the Prince makes ready to take the throne, Verden knows his days as Hunter are numbered.
When Taryn and Verden meet, their attraction is instant and devastating. Their love could bring down a queen and change the mortal world forever.
Praise for For the Love of a Goblin Warrior:
“Ms. Husk outdid herself in this book… Once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down.”—Night Owl Romance Reviewer Top Pick
“Husk has an amazing ability to weave a mesmerizing story with a magical dark fairy-tale feel.” —Love Romance Passion
“An entertaining and unique read. Shona Husk creates a dark yet delightful world where romance and fantasy combine.” —Romance Reviews
For more Shona Husk visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Forged by Desire
by Bec McMaster
Look for the fourth book in Bec McMaster’s highly acclaimed London Steampunk series.
The captain of the Nighthawk guard has a deadly mission: capture a steel-jawed monster who’s been preying on women. Capt. Garrett Reed hates to put his partner Perry in jeopardy, but she’s the best bait he has. Little does he realize, he’s the one about to be caught in his own trap…
Perry has been half in love with Garrett for years, but this is not exactly the best time to fall in love—especially when their investigation leads them directly into the clutches of the madman she thought she’d escaped…
Praise for Bec McMaster:
“Bec McMaster brilliantly weaves a world that engulfs your senses and takes you on a fantastical journey.”—Tome Tender
“[McMaster’s] descriptive powers are flawless and her ability to draw the reader in is unparalleled.”—Debbie’s Book Bag
For more Bec McMaster, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Highland
Dragon’s Lady
by Isabel Cooper
He’s out of the Highlands and on the prowl…
Regina Talbot-Jones has always known her rambling family home was haunted. She also knows her brother has invited one of his friends to attend an ill-conceived séance. She didn’t count on that friend being so handsome…and she certainly didn’t expect him to be a dragon.
Scottish Highlander Colin MacAlasdair has hidden his true nature for his entire life, but the moment he sets eyes on Regina, he knows he has to have her. In his hundreds of years, he’s never met a woman who could understand him so thoroughly…or touch him so deeply. Bound by their mutual loneliness, drawn by the fire awakening inside of them, Colin and Regina must work together to defeat a vengeful spirit—and discover whether their growing love is powerful enough to defy convention.
Praise for Isabel Cooper:
“Cooper’s world-building is solid and believable.” —RT Book Reviews
“Isabel Cooper is an author to watch!” —All About Romance
For more Isabel Cooper, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com