Moon Swept: Otherworld Tales of First Love Read online

  As I studied the mishmash of necklaces, Camille snuck up behind me. I caught sight of her in the mirror, standing behind me. She laughed, hugging me as she peeked over my shoulder.

  “I came to see if you needed any help. Tonight…it’s a special night, isn’t it?” She didn’t say what we were both thinking, but I gave her a soft smile.

  “I think so…he has practically admitted…well, anyway. I don’t want to jinx it. I can’t find a necklace though, and this dress needs it.” I glanced in the mirror again. The dress was perfect, my hair was done up in a scattering of braids through the curls, with delicate white roses tucked in here and there.

  “I have the perfect pendant. Wait here.” Camille vanished out the door and when she returned, she handed me a small box. I recognized it immediately.

  “You’re sure? You don’t mind?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. Especially on the night when my little sister…I won’t jinx it either. But try on the necklace.”

  I opened the box. It was a silver, five-pointed star in a circle. A pentacle. And it had a faerie in the center—the Earthside view of faeries, that is. The faerie was holding an emerald. I traced the gleaming pendant with my finger. “Mother gave this to you for your third birthday. She brought it back with her when Father took her over Earthside for a visit. I wasn’t born, but…I know the story.”

  Camille reached out and stroked my face, gently cupping my chin. “I know…and the pendant is perfect. I want you to wear it tonight. It will be so pretty with the dress.” She took it and swung around behind me, fastening it around my neck. She was right. It was perfect.

  “Thank you…” The words had always been hard for me, but I knew how much the necklace meant to her. I pressed it against my chest, feeling the weight of it under my hand.

  “Just smile and be your beautiful self, and be happy.” Camille kissed me on the forehead. “He’ll be here in a few minutes. You should get your wrap.”

  As I bustled out the door, Keris’s hand on my elbow, I thought I saw her peeking around the corner, and for a moment, it felt like I actually had a mother watching over me.

  The air was chilly, autumn was coming around fast, and as I stepped into the boat—Keris holding my hand, even though I was perfectly steady on my own two feet—I couldn’t help but wonder what this winter would bring. Father was getting antsy, and he was talking about going out on a campaign. It would mean that he would be gone for months, but that might actually be a good thing. Next week, I started my new assignment with the YIA, and the butterflies were beating a rampage in my stomach.

  The boat was a touring boat that traveled around Lake Y’Leveshan. The night cruises lasted several hours, and used magical wind to power the sails. At first I thought it must cost a fortune to run, given how much spells were worth on the open market. But then, I saw a mage over in the corner, intent on his work, and I realized that he was hired to run the boat. What this had to do with dancing, I had no clue, but I decided to go with the flow and enjoy every moment.

  Keris motioned for me to follow him. I glanced around. “There’s nobody else on board for the cruise? How odd.”

  “Not so odd. I booked the entire boat for the evening. We’ll be dancing and dining under the stars, on the lake.” Keris smiled then, and held out his hand. At that moment, a quartet of musicians slipped out from the cabin of the boat and set up on the deck. They started with a delicate, floaty waltz and Keris swept me into his arms. We danced as the boat silently cut through the lake, with a million stars shining down onto the water—and onto us.

  One dance led into another, and yet another. By the time we broke for dinner, I was actually winded. As the waiters brought a small table and chairs up to the deck and we settled into our seats, I felt like I’d stepped into a romance novel. Mother had brought over so many books during the time she was alive, and she had taught Camille how to read English when Camille was barely able to print her own name. Father had learned, as well, for his job, and he made sure we all knew the language of our mother. While I wasn’t that interested in fairy-stories, I did love the tales of adventure and exploration.

  The waiter set our plates in front of us—marinated poul-folk, a local bird that was fat and juicy, spiced potatoes, and the last of the summer greens with pine nuts and cranberries in them. Keris had brought a bottle of golden apple wine with us and the heady scent of apples and grapes filled the air as he filled our goblets.

  We toasted the evening, then ate quietly for a while before he broke the silence. “What do you want out of life, Menolly?”

  I took a sip of my wine, letting the amber flavor linger on my tongue before swallowing. “I think…work. Marriage, of course. That’s expected. Children. I don’t want to stop working though—I like keeping busy. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a priestess of Mother Dream Walker. I wanted to record history and live in Tengmar Grove. But I was never chosen for service. The year before I passed through my Womanhood Rites…that was my last chance. During the Midwinter Festival, I waited—hoping…hoping so much to hear my name called. But it never happened. I cried a lot that night. Camille and Delilah both tried to comfort me, but I spent a good week mourning the loss.”

  I gave him a soft, melancholy smile. “I could have gone into teaching, I suppose—keeping history alive in the more common way. But my family…Father is a guardsman. We were expected to give service to the Court and Crown in some way. So my sisters and I joined the Y’Elestrial Intelligence Agency. And now, I take risks and chances I never thought I’d be up for. Any man or woman I marry…or love…will have to accept that as part of my life.”

  Keris laughed. “Menolly, you might mourn a chance long gone, but don’t. You’d never make it as a cloistered priestess. It’s not your nature, whether you realize that or not. You’re a scrapper—a fighter. In the six months we’ve been together, I’ve never known you to back down from a confrontation when it really mattered.” He motioned to the waiter, who removed our dishes. “Dessert’s on the way. Honeycake with raspberry sauce.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” I leaned back, inhaling deeply. The scent of the water, the crackle of approaching autumn—it filled the air and made my blood sing. “What about the first day we really met? You found me crying in the garden, wallowing in my emotions.”

  “We all have our breaking points. We all have those moments where we just can’t go on. But somehow, I think you are a lot stronger than you think. So…you want to work. I like that. Lazy women hold no fascination for me—you know, the ones who lounge around the Court and Crown, never lifting a finger for themselves. How many children do you want?”

  I considered the question. I really did want children. Camille wasn’t cut out for mothering—she had spent too long taking care of Delilah and me. And Kitten…well…Delilah would probably have a litter full some day—a passel of kids, but she was no where near ready yet. Not emotionally.

  “I think…two? Maybe three. And they will never be spoiled. My mother taught us to take on chores early and it never hurt us in the least. My children will grow up independent, knowing how to fend for themselves if need be.” I paused.

  The boat was near to shore by the time we finished dessert, and we were nearing midnight. On one hand, I’d had a lovely evening—a magical, romantic night. On the other, I was feeling strangely let down. I had been so certain that Keris was going to propose that I’d built up my hopes—as much as I kept telling myself to keep them in check. By the time we hit the dock and disembarked, it was all I could do to keep my game face on.

  I struggled to make conversation as we climbed in the carriage and headed back home. Keris seemed oblivious to my disappointment, and I had no intention of letting him know how let down I was feeling. I really had no right to feel the way I did—we had never talked of a future together. Not really. Oh, we’d discussed what we wanted out of life, and what we hoped to become, but I couldn’t honestly say we had an ‘understanding’ abou
t making a life together.

  When the carriage stopped outside my house, I made for the door—climbing over Keris’s knees.

  “I had a wonderful evening, thank you for inviting me. I’ll see you later—” The words spilled out in a rush. I was so afraid I might burst into tears of disappointment, that my mouth was running full tilt.

  But Keris hopped out behind me. “I’ll walk with you. I want to make certain you get inside all right.”

  “You don’t have to—I’m perfectly capable of making it to my door without help.”

  “Menolly, love…what’s wrong? Didn’t you like the boat ride?” He sounded genuinely hurt.

  I forced myself to stop and gulped down a lungful of air so that I wouldn’t start babbling. “I had a lovely time. It was a beautiful night and thank you for planning it.”

  “Come, let me escort you.” He held out his elbow and I had no choice but to take it. To ignore his offer would seem churlish and rude.

  But instead of heading to the front door, he swept me onto the side walk, and frowning, I followed as we skirted the house to the backyard, where the gardens were. We came to the bench where, six months earlier, I had met him.

  “Sit.” He let go of me and stood back.

  I stared at him. “What?”

  “Just sit down.” He was frowning, and—unsure of what was going on—I obeyed. I arranged my skirts and gingerly settled on the bench. Keris stood in front of me, then knelt down on one knee.

  “What…” I stopped, holding my breath.

  “Menolly. Six months ago, I found you here, crying. I told you then that those idiots could never measure up to you. But what I didn’t tell you is that—in that one moment—I fell in love with you. And now, here, where we first met…where I first realized I wanted to be part of your life…I ask you. Will you marry me?” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a little box. As he opened it, I gasped. Inside, was a platinum band, with a gleaming ruby set in the center.

  I stared at the ring. It was everything I’d hoped for. This…the proposal…was everything I wanted. And yet…and yet…now that it was here, I felt a shadow cross my path as a sudden gust blew past, chilling me to the core. I pulled my wrap tighter as I glanced up at the sky, but saw only the stars and the moon, and the endless night. With a shudder, I realized I wished the proposal had come during daylight.

  “Menolly? Did I make a mistake in asking?” Keris’s voice faltered.

  Shaking my head, I whispered, “No. Not at all. I love you and I will happily marry you. I’m sorry—something just spooked me.”

  “Whatever it was, let my happiness chase it away. You mean it? You will marry me?”

  I nodded. “My answer is most definitely yes. I will be your wife.”

  Keris slid the ring onto the fourth finger of my right hand. “Then be mine, Menolly. And we’ll have those children, and I can be happy being married to an agent of the YIA who wants to continue her work and will teach our children the manners they should know.”

  As I held out my hand, staring at the gleaming ring, the crimson within seemed to flare and, once again, I shivered. It was red as blood, red as pain. Red as life. But at that moment, the side window flew open and Camille popped her head out.

  “Did she say yes?”

  Keris laughed. “She said yes! We’re coming in. The night air is too chill.”

  And then, the door opened and my sisters—who had been lying in wait—bustled us in. The table was piled high with wine and pastries and cheese and fruit, and I had to show them the ring, and of course, tell them about the evening. Keris was beaming from ear to ear, and even the servants were up and about, bringing more wine and food as we partied through the night.

  But somewhere near morning, when Keris finally went home and Camille and Delilah walked me up the stairs to our bedrooms, once again I felt a sudden twinge that sang to me of sorrow and loss. I glanced around, thinking that it was probably the thought of leaving home. I would be married soon, and moving though it was really only next door. But, I’d miss my sisters. Of course, that has to be it, I thought. And so, I slipped out of the dress and returned Camille’s necklace to her. But sleep came hard, and my thoughts kept drifting back to the shadow I’d felt pass by. Finally, bolstered by the thought of my future opening up to me, I shook it away. As I drifted off to sleep, I thought I heard my mother’s voice calling me. She was smiling, with open arms.

  Biography:

  New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance for Berkley and Diversion Books. She is also dipping her toe into the hybrid-indie pond. She writes the Otherworld Series, and the Fly By Night Series, and the upcoming Whisper Hollow Series and Lily Bound Series. She’s also written the Indigo Court Series, the Chintz ‘n China Series, the Bath and Body Series (under the name India Ink), and eight nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine.

  Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch, and describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland WA with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her website at Galenorn.com.

  Books by Yasmine Galenorn:

  Lily Bound Series (in order)

  From Diversion Books

  Souljacker (September 13, 2016)

  Whisper Hollow Series (in order):

  Autumn Thorns

  Shadow Silence (Oct 2016)

  Fly By Night Series (in order):

  Flight from Death

  Flight from Mayhem (July 2016)

  Otherworld Series (in order):

  From Berkley and Berkley/Jove

  Witchling

  Changeling

  Darkling

  Dragon Wytch

  Night Huntress

  Demon Mistress

  Bone Magic

  Harvest Hunting

  Blood Wyne

  Courting Darkness

  Shaded Vision

  Shadow Rising

  Haunted Moon

  Autumn Whispers

  Crimson Veil

  Priestess Dreaming

  Panther Prowling

  Darkness Raging (Feb 2016)

  Otherworld: Upcoming (from Diversion Books):

  Queen of Dusk and Twilight

  Maiden of the Harvest

  Daughter of the Blood

  Otherworld: E-Novellas:

  The Shadow of Mist: Otherworld novella

  Etched in Silver: Otherworld novella

  Ice Shards: Otherworld novella

  Flight From Hell: Otherworld--Fly By Night crossover novella

  Indigo Court Series (in order):

  From Berkley and Berkley Jove

  Night Myst

  Night Veil

  Night Seeker

  Night Vision

  Night’s End

  E-Publications

  From Nightqueen Enterprises LLC

  Tales From Otherworld: Collection One

  Mist and Shadows: Short Tales From Dark Haunts

  Men of Otherworld: Collection One

  Men of Otherworld: Collection Two

  Night Shivers (an Indigo Court Novella)

  Moon Swept: Otherworld Tales of First Love

  Upcoming:

  Earthbound (an OW Novella): Jan 2016

  Tarot Journeys (re-release): 2016

  Chintz ‘n China Series (in order):

  From Berkley Prime Crime

  Ghost of a Chance

  Legend of the Jade Dragon

  Murder Under a Mystic Moon

  A Harvest of Bones

  One Hex of a Wedding

  Bath and Body Series (under the name India Ink) (in order):

  From Berkley Prime Crime

  Scent to Her Grave

  A Blush With Death

  Glossed and Found

 
Other Anthologies:

  From Simon & Schuster, Pocket Star, Smart Pop Books, Poisoned Pen Press, Nightqueen Enterprise LLC:

  Songs of Love & Death (short story: Man in the Mirror)

  Songs of Love and Darkness (short story: Man in the Mirror)

  Nyx in the House of Night (article: She is Goddess)

  A Second Helping of Murder (recipe: Clam Chowder)

  Magickal Nonfiction:

  From Llewellyn Publications and Ten Speed Press:

  Trancing the Witch’s Wheel

  Embracing the Moon

  Dancing with the Sun

  Tarot Journeys

  Crafting the Body Divine

  Sexual Ecstasy and the Divine

  Totem Magic

  Magical Meditations