“It seems Utlav has deceived me,” she said, looking over the Barren Plains, where Mole still reigned.
“And you had expected otherwise.” It was not a question, merely a teasing accusation they both knew to be false. Hunting Hawk reached out and grasped Whisper’s chin, turning her head back his direction. “Who am I speaking with today? The half-breed…or Kanegv?”
She half-smiled then and lifted a shoulder. “Who would you prefer?”
The taunting, husky tone had Hunting Hawk grinning as he leaned over and grabbed Whisper in his arms. He kissed her firmly, feeling her hands tracing over the scars that lined his chest and shoulders. Those scars had been what first captured her interest, and she’d had many questions about them. Hunting Hawk had obliged, his ego certainly stroked by her attentive listening to his many war stories about a time before the white man. It was a battle for her attention any other time, as her souls constantly fought against one another, one side struggling to overcome the other, but the Elder had taught her well. Just as Smoke Speaker had saved Hunting Hawk from the wrath of the Western Sun, he had likewise educated his granddaughter on how to fight against the Raven-Eater’s blood. It wasn’t easy for her, and there were certainly moments when she failed, but Hunting Hawk was there nonetheless. He had suffered her wrath, faced the deception of a bloodline that craved destruction, and already had the scars to prove it. But Whisper’s souls were strong, and knew how to create a wall to separate the two halves of her own self.
And now she was all his, no matter the soul he would face for that moment. She had finally let down her guard and accepted the possibilities he had to offer. He was not there to take over the Land of the Dead; he was there to be the eternal companion for the only woman he’d ever met who was worthy of her own empire. Her strength, her mind, her ambitions, matched his own, if not surpassing them completely. Hunting Hawk had never married in his previous life because such a woman had never existed, and now he had his chance to start a family with the one he was proud to hold in his arms.
From her room high in the Fire Tower, Blue Feather watched her daughter open herself up to love. It had taken Hunting Hawk many moons to break through the barrier that cloaked her heart, but she had finally accepted him, and what he had to offer. Now, she enjoyed his company, as much as the half-breed could enjoy the company of another person. Hunting Hawk’s devotion to her was obvious, even when he went on long trips throughout the Land of the Dead to collect dead yet willing souls for Whisper’s guards, servants, and advisors. Blue Feather knew that her daughter would always be torn between the two sides that made up her soul, the good and the evil that she had been born with, but so far that dark part had been overcome.
If Whisper ever faltered in her steadfast determination to make her world a better place, Hunting Hawk would be there to lead her back to the right path. Knowing that, Blue Feather turned away when the fire faded and went back to her quilting. She was making a beautiful white blanket for the pair, which she would give to them at their union.
Not once had she regretted her decision to stay in the Land of the Dead. Giving up her child so long ago had been the hardest thing she’d ever done, and it tore her apart with each passing day to know that she couldn’t be there to watch her daughter grow. This was her second chance to be a mother, a friend, a guide. Her father understood, as Whisper had used her magic to create a connection between the two so she could inform him as to her decision. Never interested in learning the art of Speaking, Blue Feather needed her daughter to make that link and hold it while she explained her choice to the Elder. Smoke Speaker, though his life’s work had been dedicated to his daughter’s rescue, understood and supported her. He would meet them in the Land of the Dead when his time had come, but for now he still had important matters that needed tending to in the living world. People needed help, nature needed a voice of defense, and Howling Vines needed a powerful spell to ensure that the Raven-Eater’s soul could never be freed.
Back on the cliffs, Hunting Hawk took Whisper by the hand and led her to the edge of the Fire Mountains. The heat from the pyre warmed them as a light breeze carried the smoke towards the Western Sun, while villagers greeted them in the distance with waves and smiles. They welcomed their new leaders, the half-breed and the loyal guard, grateful for a second chance in death.
Together, Whisper and Hunting Hawk watched over their new kingdom, the land of death and new beginnings that existed in all its glory, just beyond the Western Sun.
Legends, Myths, & Lore
I would also like to take this time to share my sources for Beyond the Western Sun. Nearly all legends revealed in this book are part of Native American spirituality and history, though not all are Cherokee (and very few, such as the Raven-Eater and the Watchmen, are entirely fictional). Many stories and names shared were passed down from my great-uncle, Elder Anthony “Little Feather” White, though a few others were researched. Some legends came from the “Native Languages of the Americas” website and some animal references are from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak. For more information, I encourage you to explore my sources:
Andrews, Ted. Animal Speak: the Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small. Llewellyn Publications. St. Paul, Minnesota, 2005.
Cherokee Culture and History. 1998—2010. https://www.native-languages.org/cherokee_culture.htm
Stay Tuned for Book II in The Whisper Legacy:
WALK THE RED ROAD
Acknowledgments
Beyond the Western Sun would not have been possible without the encouragement of my family and friends. As always, my mother, Cindy, has been my support system from the first to last word. Without her as my constant cheerleader, editor, friend, and inspiration, this novel would never have been finished. I also must thank my husband, Seth, for not only reading and editing my novel but also believing in me from the very beginning. His love, including putting up with my long hours at the computer, listening to me talk about my characters for hours on end, and debating on the best cover art design, is what encourages and drives me. He is my best friend and unwavering shoulder of support.
I would also like to extend this message of thanks to my father, Rytch, and stepfather, Rodney, who both read early versions of Beyond the Western Sun and offered helpful tips on how to improve the story, as well as encouragement. Along with them, I must thank Mackenzy Dodds, my trusted and go-to young reader who read this story in its first draft and provided valuable feedback from the teen demographic point of view. My family members, from my amazing Mema and Papa to my supportive aunts and uncles, have always been my number one fans, and it is their unwavering faith and love that have allowed me to pursue my dreams in writing.
I also have to thank those who took the time to help make Beyond the Western Sun all that it could be. Much thanks to Molly Johnson and Chris Johnson for reading and editing my novel. Their insight and advice as readers contributed to the creation of Beyond the Western Sun, and I appreciate their commitment to editing my novel and helping me work out all the kinks. My Aunt Debbie is also amazing in her dedication to helping me market my novels, always believing in me and going above and beyond to show her love and support.
Finally, I would like to thank my generous and thoughtful grandparents, Tom and Betty, for helping me bring Beyond the Western Sun to light. Without their encouragement and steadfast conviction in my dreams, this novel would still be a mere story on the computer screen.
I thank everyone for their help, and look forward to working together in sharing my stories with eager readers everywhere.
P.S. A special and promised shout-out to my “uba” little brother, Lathan!
About the Author
Kristina Circelli is the author of several fiction novels, including The Helping Hands series and The Whisper Legacy.
Her latest series, The Whisper Legacy, features Beyond the Western Sun. This book is what all fantasy adventures must strive to be: a complex, intricate examination of human emotion set within the context of w
orlds known only in our imagination. Melding fantasy and legend in an epic quest, this series signals the arrival of Kristina Circelli as a master storyteller and an important voice in Native American literature.
A descendent of the Cherokee nation and niece of a Cherokee elder, Circelli holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from the University of North Florida, where she also teaches creative writing.
To find out more about Kristina and her books, visit:
Website
https://www.circelli.info
Blog
https://anawfullybigadventure-kc.blogspot.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Circelli-Books-novels-by-Kristina-Circelli/341115646710
Twitter
https://twitter.com/KCircelli
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