Once, Emily had said that the field where Isabella had left a sandwich for the Changer as a simple act of kindness was covered, in spring, entirely by the bewitching blossoms of fox kiss. They were Isabella’s favorite flower, not only beautiful and joyously perfumed but very important in many (easy) magical spells.
As Isabella crested the little knoll before the field, her heart skipped an entire handful of beats. Because there was her Changer, Emily, standing in the center of the field, her cloak of hides cast off in a riot of fox kiss flowers, her bare arms upheld to the newly born sunshine of spring, her head held back in bliss, eyes closed as she let the light pour down on her, the wild one of the wood.
“Emily!” Isabella called, and the Changer turned, the wildness transforming, in that instant, into something brighter, for when Emily looked at Isabella, her eyes dark and wide and lovely, there was an intensity in her gaze. She walked through the field of tall, imposing blossoms slowly, softly, with a divine grace that Isabella hardly dared to gaze upon, lest it shatter this moment, all of this loveliness.
The Changer stepped forward, then, and placed her hands upon the gentle curves at Isabella’s waist, where the witch knew, without doubt, that they were always meant to be, and as Emily leaned down, as their mouths and hearts met, Isabella breathed out, throwing her arms about the Changer’s neck, drawing her down into a heartfelt kiss that could not possibly contain the depth of love she felt for Emily Deer.
But still tried to, valiantly.
And when they separated, when their foreheads pressed against one another, and Emily’s smile lit up the entire world, the Changer breathed out, too. “I finished it for you, darling,” she whispered, then, and she took up the carved broom handle that was finely thatched with straw at the bottom—not only a proper broom now, but a beautiful one at that.
And Isabella held the broom, feeling tears come to her eyes as she turned the lovely thing this way and that before she clutched it to her.
“Thank you, Em,” she whispered, and stood up on her tiptoes to kiss the Changer’s cheek.
“I wove some fox kiss into the bristles,” said Emily after a moment, clearing her throat as she knelt down, running her fingers through the broom’s straw and showing the witch the purple blossoms there. “I read in your great book that fox kiss is for protection…and I wanted you to have that.”
Isabella opened her mouth, but Emily stood now, shaking her head and gently pressing a finger to the witch’s lips. “I know that I worry,” the Changer whispered. “I love you…so much…” She trailed off and cleared her throat again. “But you are just as wild and free as I am, and there’s nothing I could—or should—do to lessen that. So I want you to do what you’ll do, going out on lakes, being enamored by beautiful things and straying too close to the edge. I just hope you won’t mind much if I’m there to help you, if you ever get stuck…or fall too deep underwater again. Because I want you to do what you’ll do, Miss Isabella Fox. And if you’ll let me, I’ll be there to help you if you need it.”
“And there is a very fine line between recklessness and foolishness, Emily Deer,” said Isabella, standing up on her tiptoes and putting her arms about the Changer’s neck. “And I will do my best to walk it without falling. And I’ll probably fall. But I’ll have a broom to catch me.”
“And a Changer to catch you, too,” said Emily with a kiss, sweeping the witch off her feet.
Which was surprisingly easy to do.
The End
(for now!)
More from Bridget Essex:
- A Knight to Remember: Holly, a librarian, is starting to believe that love is impossible to find. But one night, during an unusually vicious storm, magic and romance appear in Holly’s backyard in the form of a mysterious, gorgeous woman…wielding a sword.
- Date Knight: The sequel to the much-loved novel A Knight to Remember, Holly and Virago are on another adventure—this time, in another world.
- Forever and a Knight: Follow along on the adventures of Josie, a shock jock DJ from Boston, as she falls through a portal into another world...and on top of the woman of her dreams...who just happens to be wielding a sword.
- A Dark and Stormy Knight: Mara is a painter who has always felt alone...Charaxus is a lady knight who's always felt alone, too. Together the women meet, one magical night, and a love story begins to unfold that will change them both forever.
- The Protector: Elizabeth Grayson doesn’t want a bodyguard, but changes her tune when she meets brooding, mysterious, sexy-as-hell Layne…who harbors a secret.
- The Vampire Next Door: (Co-written with author Natalie Vivien) Courtney's book store is failing, and she thinks her girlfriend might be cheating on her...Courtney doesn't even think she believes in love...that is, until she meets the vampire next door.
- Raised by Wolves: Meet Becca Swift! She's got the most overbearing family in the world—because she was raised by wolves. Literally. Becca is a werewolf, and she is part of a loud and crazy, up-in-your-business pack. In her day-to-day life, she tries to keep the fact that she's a werewolf a secret... But then along comes Loren.
- Meeting Eternity (The Sullivan Vampires, Volume 1): Would you risk your life for love? The compelling, epic love story between Rose and the mysterious Kane Sullivan begins.
- Trusting Eternity (The Sullivan Vampires, Volume 2): What would you do if a chance at love slipped through your fingers? The compelling, epic love story between Rose and the mysterious Kane Sullivan continues.
- The Guardian Angel: When Erin's life is saved by a gorgeous woman who swears she's Erin's guardian angel...things begin to get complicated.
- Wolf Queen: When they were teenagers, Amber and Stevie were so deeply in love that nothing could drive them apart. Until the one night, when Amber needed Stevie to be there...and, instead, Stevie disappeared without a trace...
- Wild: An Erotic Lesbian Romance: Six months ago, Lily made the worst mistake of her life and let the woman she loved walk away. Now, at a campground party, she glimpses Cora across the fire, the woman she's not stopped thinking about or wanting, and sparks begin to fly.
- Come Home, I Need You: An Erotic Lesbian Romance: Faith has a passionate, potent relationship with her wife, Marina, one that has stood the test of time. What started as a fiery fling has evolved into a lifelong love affair of two powerful women who love each other intensely. But Marina's job often takes her out of the country, and Faith's been missing her terribly lately…
- Falling for Summer: On the twentieth anniversary of her sister's drowning, Amanda goes back to Lake George to face her past and unexpectedly meets Summer McBride. Summer is a beautiful, vivacious, carefree woman--everything Amanda isn’t--and Amanda begins to fall for her until she learns Summer’s dark secret. Can love heal all wounds?
- Don’t Say Goodbye: Maxine “Max” Hallwell has spent her entire life making the safe, responsible decisions. When her best friend, Jo, introduces her to her new girlfriend Fiona, a stunning, charismatic cake decorator, Max realizes that making safe decisions might have cost her the woman of her dreams...A heartwarming, poignant romance.
- A Wolf for Valentine's Day – Trish Dalton has put her wild, adventurous days behind her. But when she's gifted a weekend stay at a remote lodge in the Rockies, she finds she may have one more adventure left in her. A light-hearted, steamy romance, perfect to read any time of year.
- A Wolf for the Holidays: Mandy’s not having a great December. Her lackluster girlfriend has given her a massive dog--who looks a lot more like a wolf than a dog--as a gift. But all problems seem minor when she wakes up to a gorgeous, naked woman stealing jeans out of her dresser...a woman who swears she’s a werewolf. A warm, holiday romance!
- The Christmas Wolf: When Kat meets potential roommate Jewel, she has high hopes. For one, Jewel's gorgeous as hell. Distracted by that fact, Kat's budgetary concerns fly out the window, and an intoxicating chemistry begins to brew between Jewel and herself. There's just one problem: Jewel just happen
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- Wolf Town: Amy moves to the strange little New England village, Wolf Town--but she finds more than a fresh start when she begins to fall in love with the daughter of the Wolf Town patriarch...who also just happens to be a werewolf.
- Big, Bad Wolf: During a terrible snowstorm, Megan thinks she sees a wolf. But when beautiful, hungry-eyed Kara comes into Megan’s life, she brings more danger than a pack of wolves.
- Dark Angel: Cassandra Griman was in the wrong place at the wrong time when her life is saved by an angel. But first impressions aren’t everything, and the captivating woman who saved her life is no angel. Can love save the soul of a vampire?
These and more are available now.
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About Author Bridget Essex
My name is Bridget Essex, and I write about werewolves, vampires and lady knights; about two strong, courageous women who fall deeply in love with one another, living love stories that transcend time. I’m married to the love of my life, author Natalie Vivien.
I’m best known for my Knight Legends series, stories about women knights, real world hi-jinks and love stories that are out of this world. My Sullivan Vampire novellas are a popular series lauded as “TWILIGHT for women who love women,” and I have several other series and stand-alone novellas, and I’m always putting out something new. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when I release something!
You can find out more about my work at http://BridgetEssex.wordpress.com I’d love to connect with you on Facebook! Friend me on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/bridgetessexauthor
Learn more about Rose and Star Press, publishers of lesbian romance and fiction of distinction, at http:///www.LesbianRomance.org
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