Tales from Shady Grove: Stories from the Trailerverse, Volume One

by Kimbra Swain

  “Not going to happen,” Levi said.

  “Bard, you could stay with us,” Seamus proposed as any good fairy would.

  “I don’t share,” Levi said.

  “I don’t blame you,” Seamus replied. “It has been a pleasure, Love. I hope to see you again very soon.”

  “Until next time,” I said.

  Levi, Tennyson, and I boarded the plane where Stone, Bronx, and Viggo were waiting. I supposed Viggo would have to leave Vegas too. Tennyson’s involvement may have severed his ties to the Otherworld here.

  I focused on getting home to my children. It was almost Christmas, and I couldn’t wait to see what the Yule Lads would be leaving for the children.

  When the plane took off, Levi squeezed my hand.

  “I feel home,” he said.

  “Let’s go,” I replied. “Tennyson, if you don’t mind, we are going home.”

  “Not at all, Grace. Merry Christmas,” he said.

  “You too,” I replied.

  I looked into Levi’s denim blue eyes and nodded.

  “Home.”

  55

  We appeared in front of the house which was lit up from the inside. Lights twinkled along the porch and in the bushes, and a Christmas tree blinked in one of the windows.

  “Welcome home, my Queen,” Marshall’s deep voice startled us from behind.

  “Hey, Marshall. All quiet?” I asked.

  “Not a creature stirring,” he said.

  “Thank you for watching my home,” I said.

  “My pleasure,” he replied. “We will cut the force back to a normal patrol now that you have returned.” He and the centaurs had developed a rotation of patrols around the house to keep from having another incident like the one with Atohi.

  We watched as Marshall trotted down the drive to another waiting centaur. Levi wrapped his arms around me from behind.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m home with you and the kids,” I said.

  “About your mother,” he added.

  “I don’t know what to make of it. I know I said that the others might not want to come here, but it doesn’t make any sense that my mother wouldn’t.”

  “We can start looking for her,” he suggested.

  “No. She knows where to find me,” I replied.

  He brushed my hair aside and kissed the base of my neck. Tingles shot down my body. There were times when his kisses made my toes curl. Only one other man had ever done that to me, and it wasn’t Dylan.

  “Momma!” Winnie yelled from the front door.

  “Hey kiddo,” I said, as she ran out to meet us. Aydan and Callum appeared at the door behind her. Winnie latched on to my leg and looked up at me with big brown eyes.

  “I’m so glad you are home,” she said.

  “I’m so glad to be here with you,” I replied touching my finger to her nose.

  “Of course, I’m wonderful,” she said with a smile and a giggle. Levi laughed.

  “She’s too much like you,” he said.

  “Come see the Christmas tree, Uncle Levi,” she said, grabbing his hand. He released me and followed her.

  “We will finish that later,” he said. I shook my head and swatted his butt. It jingled.

  “What the?” he asked, reaching into his pocket and pulled out a set of jingle bells.

  “Looks like you got a little jingle in your jangle,” I said.

  “What does that even mean?” he asked.

  “Hell, if I know, but it works for me,” I laughed.

  He grabbed my hand, pulling me along with Winnie. Aydan and Callum gave us hugs as we entered the house to find Nestor and cups of glittering hot chocolate.

  Cast of Characters

  Grace Ann Bryant- Exiled fairy queen hiding in Shady Grove, Alabama. Daughter of Oberon. Also known as Gloriana, to her Father and the fairies of the Otherworld. She was called Hannah while traveling with the gypsy fairies before coming to North America. Owns a dachshund named Rufus. Loves orange soda and Crown. Nickname: Glory

  Dylan Riggs- Sheriff of Loudon County, Alabama. Fiancé to Grace Ann Bryant. The last living Thunderbird and the only living Phoenix. Also known as Serafino Taranis and Keme Rowtag. Died saving his daughter, Winnie. Nickname: Darlin’

  Levi Rearden- Changeling from Texas brought to live with Grace by Jeremiah Freyman. Given Bard powers by Oberon. Looks good in a towel. Engaged to Grace after he rescues her from the Summer Queen, Rhiannon. Nickname: Dublin

  Wynonna Riggs- formerly known as Wynonna Jones, but adopted by Grace and Dylan. Human daughter of Bethany Jones who dies in Tinsel in a Tangle. Given the power of the Phoenix by her father. Nickname: Winnie, Wildfire

  Aydan Thaddeus Riggs- son of Dylan Riggs and Grace Ann Bryant. Heir to Thunderbird inheritance. Rapid aging caused Aydan to seem like he’s 18 years old.

  Callum Fannon- Cherokee white wolf shifter. Lives with Grace and family. Calls Grace, Mom. Approx. 20 years old.

  Killian Hart Rearden - son of Grace and Levi Rearden. Conceived and yet unborn in Amazing Grace, the final book of FToaTPQ.

  Nestor Gwinn- Grace’s maternal grandfather. Kelpie. Owner of Hot Tin Roof Bar in Shady Grove. Maker of magical coffee.

  Troy Maynard- Police chief in Shady Grove. Wolf shifter. Married to Amanda Capps and father to his adopted son, Mark Capps (Maynard) who is Winnie’s best friend. New father to three girls.

  Betty Stallworth- wife to Luther Harris. Waitress at the diner. Flirts with everyone. Banshee.

  Luther Harris- head cook at the diner. Makes good gravy biscuits. Ifrit.

  Tabitha Mistborne- fairy physician. Daughter of Rhiannon. Dated Remington Blake. Died after betraying Grace and the Exiles.

  Mable Sanders- former spy for Oberon. Fairy Witch. Girlfriend of Nestor Gwinn. Member of the ORCs. Once known as Mab, the Winter Queen.

  Sergio Krykos- Grace’s Uncle who has taken over the Otherworld. In his first life, he was known as Mordred, half-brother to King Arthur. Goes by the name Brockton.

  Oberon- King of the Winter Otherworld. Grace’s father. In his first life, he was known as King Arthur.

  Rhiannon- Queen of the Summer Otherworld. Half-sister to Oberon. In her first life she was known as Morgana, a fairy witch. Killed by Levi.

  Robin Rayburn- daughter of Rowan. Embodiment of Titania, the former Summer Queen. Member of the ORCs. Killed by Grace after she threatened Aydan.

  Cohen- mentioned as a former king after Arthur. Grace’s first human world lover. Exiled and forsaken.

  Remington Blake- Grace’s ex-boyfriend. Dating Tabitha Mistborne. From N’awlins. Sweet talker. One of the Native American Star-folk.

  Astor Knight- The ginger knight that Grace brought back from the Summer realm. Formerly betrothed to Grace. Former First Knight of the Tree of Life. In his first life, he was Percival, Knight of the Round Table. Married to Ella Jenkins.

  Soraya Harris- Jinn granddaughter of Luther Harris. Living in Shady Grove. Has connections to the world in-between life and the afterlife.

  Matthew Rayburn- Druid. Spiritual leader of Shady Grove. Leads services in a Baptist Church which is a portal into the Summer Realm. Enthralled by Robin Rayburn.

  Kadence Rayburn- Daughter of Matthew. Ex-girlfriend of Levi. Enthralled by Malcom Taggert. Becomes a fairy. Dating Caleb Joiner.

  Malcolm Taggart- Incubus that once tried to seduce Grace. Enthralls Kady. Executed by Grace.

  Caleb Joiner- Lives with Malcom and Kady, but frees Kady from Malcolm.

  Riley McKenzie- Daughter of Rhiannon and Jeremiah Freyman. Levi’s ex-girlfriend. Stole the songbook. Fled the Summer Realm with Grace. Marries Finley becoming Riley Bryant, Grace’s sister-in-law.

  Stephanie Davis- Daughter of Rhiannon. Dylan’s ex-girlfriend. Sergio Krykos’ ex-girlfriend. Mother to Devin Blankenship. Missing in the Winter Otherworld. Killed by Levi. Reincarnated with no memories of past deeds.

  Joey Blankenship- Tryst with Grace. Enthralled by Stephanie. Father to Devin Blankenship. Turne
d into a faun by Rhiannon. Escapes the Summer Realm with Grace and his son. Now the head of the army in Summer under King Astor.

  Eugene Walter Jenkins- Mayor of Shady Grove. Former Knight of the Round Table, Ewain. Wife died in childbirth. Father to Ella Jenkins. Partner to Charles “Chaz” Leopold.

  Eleanor “Ella” Jenkins- Changeling daughter of Mayor Jenkins. Teacher at the fairy school. Marries Astor. Pregnant with twins.

  Charles “Chaz” Leopold- Also known as “The Lion.” Hairdresser. Second Queen in Shady Grove.

  Finley Bryant- Grace’s “twin” brother. Wears armor portraying the symbol of Grace’s royalty. Marries Riley McKenzie.

  Jenny Greenteeth- A grindylow living in Shady Grove. In her first life, she was known as Guinevere, wife of Arthur, lover of Lancelot. Cursed to her current form.

  Tennyson Schuyler- Mob boss. In his first life, he was known as Lancelot, Knight of the Round Table. Oberon calls him Lachlan.

  Cletus and Tater Sawyer- Last human residents of Shady Grove. Comical, but full of heart.

  Yule Lads- A group of Christmas Trolls who moved into town. Lamar is the most frequently mentioned with his various peg legs. Others include: Phil, Cory, Willie, Chad, Keith, Kevin, Phillip, Ryan, Bo, Richard, and Taylor.

  Michean Artair- Solomonar. Owner of Magic Vape. Produces magical liquids for all occasions.

  Brittany Arizona- Shady Grove’s tattoo artist.

  Bramble and Briar- Brownies who live in Grace’s house, but are attached to Winnie. Hired by Caiaphas to watch over Grace. Now in servitude to Grace.

  Caiaphas- Leader of the now defunct Sanhedrin. Formerly known as the wizard, Merlin, but has lost most of his power.

  Fordele and Wendy- King and Queen of the Wandering Gypsy Fairies. Fordele was Grace’s lover ages ago.

  Josey- Grace’s former neighbor in the trailer park. Perpetually pregnant. Goddess of the Tree of Life. Also known as Lillith.

  Jeremiah Freyman- Deceased. Former member of the Sanhedrin that brought Grace, Dylan, Levi, and most of the other fairies to Shady Grove. Worked for Oberon. Father of Riley. Former Knight of the Round Table. Known as Tristan.

  Deacon Giles- Farmer in Shady Grove. Krampus.

  Connelly Reyes- First Knight of the Fountain of Youth. Former Knight of the Round Table known as the Grail Knight, Galahad. Best friends with Astor.

  Chris Purcell- Winged-werehog. Known as a dealer of information. Settled in Shady Grove with his domesticated wife, Henrietta.

  Lissette Delphin- Creole Priestess. Tricked Levi into summoning the demon, Shanaroth. One of the ORCS.

  Rowan Flanagan- Partner of Tennyson Schuyler. Died in Summer Realm. Mother of Robin Rayburn. In her first life, she was known as Elaine. Mother of Galahad. Took the name Phoebe to marry Remington Blake.

  Artemis- Wolf doctor for Troy’s pack

  Kyffin Merrik- Former partner in Sergio Krykos law firm. Missing.

  Demetris Lysander- Grace’s former lawyer. Deceased. Aswang.

  Phillip Chastain- Judge at Grace’s hearing in BYH. Helps with legal matters. Liaison to Human Politicians.

  Misaki- Oni disguised as a Kitsune.

  Elizabeth Shanteel and Colby Martin- human children murdered in BYH by Demetris Lysander.

  Rev. Ezekiel Stanton- Pastor of Shady Grove Church of God. Evacuated when the humans left Shady Grove.

  Sylvestor Handley- Michael Handley’s father. Blacksmith.

  Diego Santiago- Bear shapeshifter. Executed by Grace.

  Juanita Santiago- Bear shapeshifter. Widow. Mother of two. Oversees a farm with Deacon Giles help.

  Niles Babineau- Developer from New Orleans that helped Remington Blake build more housing in Shady Grove. Returned to New Orleans. Has two children, Celestina and Kyrie.

  Jessica- Summer fairy working at the sheriff’s office.

  Stone and Bronx- Tennyson Schuyler’s bodyguards.

  Eogan- Treekin in Summer Realm.

  Marshall- Captain of the Centaurs in Summer Realm.

  Nimue- Lady of the Lake. Keeper of Excalibur. Controls the Water Element Stone.

  Brad and Tonya- Brad owns the BBQ joint in Shady Grove. Tonya works there as a waitress.

  Katherine Frist- Fairy woman living in Shady Grove known for her many dead husbands. Known as the Black Widow.

  Ellessa- Grace’s Siren mother. Whereabouts unknown.

  Melissa Marx- Levi fangirl.

  Taleisin- Bard for Arthur and many other Kings and Rulers. Wrote the songbook given to Levi.

  Thistle- Purple haired pixie with a love envelope.

  Sandy- Matthew Rayburn’s Nurse

  Zahir- former knight of the Round Table, Palamedes. Exiled and forsaken for choosing Lancelot’s side. Jinn.

  Madam Luella Specter- Griffin breeder, also known as Lulu

  Tashi- yeti brewmaster

  Catrina Morales- human assassin with a magical tattoo.

  LeAnne- Valkyrie brought in to protect the children of Shady Grove, specifically Grace’s children.

  Malphas - Cambion knight who took the blood oath to Grace to receive her protection for his people. Raven shifter. Thought.

  Echo- Malphas’ raven partner. Mute. Memory.

  Tobias, Floria, and Isabella Valerian- the steward of Gloriana and Levi’s home in Winter. Formally known as the knight, Gawain.

  Aubrey Lunette Bryant - daughter of Finley and Riley Bryant

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to all of my readers and patron subscribers. It was a pleasure to finally see these stories get their own glory.

  A Month of Sundays was a heartbreaking look into Levi’s time in Winter. It took me forever to get it out of my head. I had enough dark places in real life during 202o that I couldn’t mentally handle it until this year. Dylan deserved to have this part of the story told. Finley deserved it, and much more. More is coming for dear Fin. And Levi, now you know why he came back so changed from the Otherworld. His world few tipped, flipped, and crashed into the burning embers of a phoenix’s wings. I love these characters dearly through all the hurt and pain, these three are heroes.

  Thanks to my loving and supportive family.

  Maleia, you are my princess.

  Jeff, you are my King.

  From early in life Kimbra Swain was indoctrinated in the ways of geekdom. Raised on Star Wars, Tolkien, Superheroes, and Voltron, she found herself immersed in a world of imagination. She started writing in high school, and completed her English degree from the University of Alabama in 2003.

  Her writing is influenced by a gamut of favorite authors including Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien, L.M. Montgomery, Timothy Zahn, Kathy Reichs, Kevin Hearne, and Jim Butcher.

  Born and raised in Alabama, Kimbra still lives there with her husband and 8 year-old daughter. When she isn't reading or writing, she plays PC games, makes jewelry, and plays with her two dogs, Carter and Kaiser.

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