Antlered Crown Read online

  For all of my work, both published and upcoming releases, see the Bibliography at the end of this book, or check out my website at Galenorn.com and be sure and sign up for my newsletter to receive news about all my new releases. You’re welcome to join my YouTube Channel, and check out my Patreon, too.

  QUALITY CONTROL: This work has been professionally edited and proofread. If you encounter any typos or formatting issues ONLY, please contact me through my website so they may be corrected. Otherwise, know that this book is in my style and voice and editorial suggestions will not be entertained. Thank you.

  Cast of Characters

  The Wild Hunt & Family:

  Angel Jackson: Ember’s best friend, a human empath, Angel is a member of the Wild Hunt. A whiz in both the office and the kitchen, and loyal to the core, Angel is an integral part of Ember’s life, and a vital member of the team.

  Charlie Darren: A vampire who was turned at 19. Math major, baker, and all-around gofer.

  Ember Kearney: Caught between the world of Light and Dark Fae, and pledged to Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea, Ember Kearney was born with the mark of the Silver Stag. Rejected by both her bloodlines, she now works for the Wild Hunt as an investigator.

  Herne the Hunter: Herne is the son of the Lord of the Hunt, Cernunnos, and Morgana, goddess of the Fae and the Sea. A demigod—given his mother’s mortal beginnings—he’s a lusty, protective god and one hell of a good boss. Owner of the Wild Hunt Agency, he helps keep the squabbles between the world of Light and Dark Fae from spilling over into the mortal realms.

  Rafé Forrester: Brother to Ulstair, Raven’s late fiancé; Angel’s boyfriend. Was an actor/fast-food worker, then worked as a clerk for the Wild Hunt. Dark Fae. Deceased.

  Talia: A harpy who long ago lost her powers, Talia is a top-notch researcher for the agency, and a longtime friend of Herne’s.

  Viktor: Viktor is half-ogre, half-human. Rejected by his father’s people (the ogres), he came to work for Herne some decades back.

  Yutani: A coyote shifter who is dogged by the Great Coyote, Yutani was driven out of his village over two hundred years before. He walks in the shadow of the trickster, and is the IT specialist for the company.

  Ember’s Friends, Family, & Enemies:

  Aoife: A priestess of Morgana who guards the Seattle portal to the goddess’s realm.

  Celia: Yutani’s aunt.

  Danielle: Herne’s daughter, born to an Amazon named Myrna.

  DJ Jackson: Angel’s little half-brother, DJ is half Wulfine—wolf shifter. He now lives with a foster family for his own protection.

  Erica: A Dark Fae police officer, friend of Viktor’s.

  Elatha: Fomorian King; enemy of the Fae race.

  George Shipman: Puma shifter. Member of the White Peak Puma Pride.

  Ginty McClintlock: A dwarf. Owner of Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  Louhia: Witch of Pohjola.

  Marilee: A priestess of Morgana, Ember’s mentor. Possibly human—unknown.

  Meadow O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin sister of Trefoil.

  Myrna: An Amazon who had a fling with Herne many years back, which resulted in their daughter Danielle.

  Sheila: Viktor’s girlfriend. A kitchen witch; one of the magic-born. Geology teacher who volunteers at the Chapel Hill Homeless Shelter.

  Trefoil O’Ceallaigh: Member of the magic-born; member of LOCK. Twin brother of Meadow.

  Unkai: Leader of the Orhanakai clan in the forest of Y’Bain. Dark Fae—Autumn’s Bane.

  Raven & the Ante-Fae:

  The Ante-Fae are creatures predating the Fae. They are the wellspring from which all Fae descended, unique beings who rule their own realms. All Ante-Fae are dangerous, but some are more deadly than others.

  Apollo: The Golden Boy. Vixen’s boytoy. Weaver of Wings. Dancer.

  Arachana: The Spider Queen. She has almost transformed into one of the Luo’henkah.

  Blackthorn, the King of Thorns: Ruler of the blackthorn trees and all thorn-bearing plants. Cunning and wily, he feeds on pain and desire.

  Curikan, the Black Dog of Hanging Hills: Raven’s father, one of the infamous Black Dogs. The first time someone meets him, they find good fortune. If they should ever see him again, they meet tragedy.

  Phasmoria: Queen of the Bean Sidhe. Raven’s mother.

  Raven, the Daughter of Bones: (also: Raven BoneTalker) A bone witch, Raven is young, as far as the Ante-Fae go, and she works with the dead. She’s also a fortune-teller, and a necromancer.

  Straff: Blackthorn’s son, who suffers from a wasting disease requiring him to feed off others’ life energies and blood.

  Trinity: The Keeper of Keys. The Lord of Persuasion. One of the Ante-Fae, and part incubus. Mysterious and unknown agent of chaos. His mother was Deeantha, the Rainbow Runner, and his soul father was Maximus, a minor lord of the incubi.

  Vixen: The Mistress/Master of Mayhem. Gender-fluid Ante-Fae who owns the Burlesque A Go-Go nightclub.

  The Vulture Sisters: Triplet sisters, predatory.

  Raven’s Friends:

  Elise, Gordon, and Templeton: Raven’s ferret-bound spirit friends she rescued years ago and now protects until she can find out the secret to breaking the curse on them.

  Gunnar: One of Kipa’s SuVahta Elitvartijat—elite guards.

  Jordan Roberts: Tiger shifter. Llewellyn’s husband. Owns A Taste of Latte coffee shop.

  Llewellyn Roberts: One of the magic-born, owns the Sun & Moon Apothecary.

  Moira Ness: Human. One of Raven’s regular clients for readings.

  Neil Johansson: One of the magic-born. A priest of Thor.

  Raj: Gargoyle companion of Raven. Wing-clipped, he’s been with Raven for a number of years.

  Wager Chance: Half-Dark Fae, half-human PI. Owns a PI firm located in the Catacombs. Has connections with the vampires.

  Wendy Fierce-Womyn: An Amazon who works at Ginty’s Waystation Bar & Grill.

  The Gods, the Luo’henkah, the Elemental Spirits, & Their Courts:

  Arawn: Lord of the Dead. Lord of the Underworld.

  Arianrhod: The Goddess of the Silver Wheel; Lady of Reincarnation and the Stars

  Brighid: Goddess of Healing, Inspiration, and Smithery. The Lady of the Fiery Arrows, “Exalted One.”

  The Cailleach: One of the Luo’henkah, the heart and spirit of winter.

  Cerridwen: Goddess of the Cauldron of Rebirth. Dark harvest mother goddess.

  Cernunnos: Lord of the Hunt, god of the Forest and King Stag of the Woods. Together with Morgana, Cernunnos originated the Wild Hunt and negotiated the covenant treaty with both the Light and the Dark Fae. Herne’s father.

  Corra: Ancient Scottish serpent goddess. Oracle to the gods.

  Coyote, also: Great Coyote: Native American trickster spirit/god.

  Danu: Mother of the Pantheon. Leader of the Tuatha de Dannan.

  Ferosyn: Chief healer in Cernunnos’s Court.

  Herne: (see The Wild Hunt)

  Isella: One of the Luo’henkah. The Daughter of Ice (daughter of the Cailleach).

  Kuippana (also: Kipa): Lord of the Wolves. Elemental forest spirit; Herne’s distant cousin. Trickster. Leader of the SuVahta, a group of divine elemental wolf shifters.

  Lugh the Long Handed: Celtic Lord of the Sun.

  Mielikki: Lady of Tapiola. Finnish goddess of the Hunt and the Fae. Mother of the Bear, Mother of Bees, Queen of the Forest.

  Morgana: Goddess of the Fae and the Sea, she was originally human but Cernunnos lifted her to deityhood. She agreed to watch over the Fae who did not return across the Great Sea. Torn by her loyalty to her people and her loyalty to Cernunnos, she at times finds herself conflicted about the Wild Hunt. Herne’s mother.

  The Morrígan: Goddess of Death and Phantoms. Goddess of the battlefield.

  Pandora: Daughter of Zeus, Emissary of Typhon, the Father of Dragons.

  Sejun: A counselor in Cernunnos’s employ. Raven’s therapist. Elven.
/>   Tapio: Lord of Tapiola. Mielikki’s Consort. Lord of the Woodlands. Master of Game.

  The Fae Courts:

  Navane: The court of the Light Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the east side of Seattle, the latter ruled by Névé.

  TirNaNog: The court of the Dark Fae, both across the Great Sea and on the east side of Seattle, the latter ruled by Saílle.

  The Force Majeure:

  A group of legendary magicians, sorcerers, and witches. They are not human, but magic-born. There are twenty-one at any given time and the only way into the group is to be hand chosen, and the only exit from the group is death.

  Merlin, The: Morgana’s father. Magician of ancient Celtic fame.

  Taliesin: The first Celtic bard. Son of Cerridwen, originally a servant who underwent magical transformation and finally was reborn through Cerridwen as the first bard.

  Ranna: Powerful sorceress. Elatha’s mistress.

  Rasputin: The Russian sorcerer and mystic.

  Väinämöinen: The most famous Finnish bard.

  The Dragonni—the Dragon Shifters:

  The Celestial Wanders (Blue, Silver, and Gold Dragons)

  The Mountain Dreamers (Green and Black Dragons)

  The Luminous Warriors (White, Red, and Shadow Dragons)

  Ashera: A blue dragon.

  Aso: White dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Variance

  Echidna: The Mother of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus)

  Gyell: Shadow dragon, working with Aso and Variance to bring chaos to Seattle

  Typhon: The Father of Dragons (born of the Titans Gaia and Tartarus)

  Variance: White dragon, bound to Pandora, twin of Aso

  Timeline of Series

  Year 1:

  May/Beltane: The Silver Stag (Ember)

  June/Litha: Oak & Thorns (Ember)

  August/Lughnasadh: Iron Bones (Ember)

  September/Mabon: A Shadow of Crows (Ember)

  Mid-October: Witching Hour (Raven)

  Late October/Samhain: The Hallowed Hunt (Ember)

  December/Yule: The Silver Mist (Ember)

  Year 2:

  January: Witching Bones (Raven)

  Late January–February/Imbolc: A Sacred Magic (Ember)

  March/Ostara: The Eternal Return (Ember)

  May/Beltane: Sun Broken (Ember)

  June/Litha: Witching Moon (Raven)

  August/Lughnasadh: Autumn’s Bane (Ember)

  September/Mabon: Witching Time (Raven)

  November/Samhain: Hunter’s Moon (Ember)

  December/Yule: Witching Fire (Raven)

  February/Imbolc: Veil of Stars (Ember)

  October/Samhain: Antlered Crown (Ember)

  Playlist

  I often write to music, and ANTLERED CROWN was no exception. Here’s the playlist I used for this book.

  Air: Moon Fever; Playground Love; Napalm Love

  Airstream: Electra (Religion Cut)

  Alexandros: Milk (Bleach Version); Mosquito Bite

  Android Lust: Here & Now; Saint Over

  The Black Angels: Currency; Hunt Me Down; Death March; Indigo Meadow; Don’t Play With Guns; Always Maybe; Black Isn’t Black

  Black Mountain: Queens Will Play

  The Bravery: Believe

  Broken Bells: The Ghost Inside

  Crazy Town: Butterfly

  Danny Cudd: Double D; Remind; Once Again; Timelessly Free; To the Mirage

  DJ Shah: Mellomaniac

  Eastern Sun: Beautiful Being

  Eels: Love of the Loveless; Souljacker Part 1

  FC Kahuna: Hayling

  The Feeling: Sewn

  Fluke: Absurd

  Foster The People: Pumped Up Kicks

  Garbage: Queer; Only Happy When It Rains; #1Crush; Push It; I Think I’m Paranoid

  Gary Numan: Hybrid; Cars; Petals; Ghost Nation; My Name Is Ruin; Pray for the Pain You Serve; I Am Dust; Betrayed; The Gift; I Am Screaming; Intruder; Is This World Not Enough; A Black Sun; The Chosen; And It Breaks Me Again; Saints And Liars; Now And Forever; The End of Dragons; When You Fall

  Godsmack: Voodoo

  The Gospel Whisky Runners: Muddy Waters

  Hang Massive: Omat Odat; Released Upon Inception; Thingless Things; Boat Ride; Transition to Dreams; End of Sky; Warmth of the Sun’s Rays; Luminous Emptiness

  The Hu: The Gereg; Wolf Totem

  Imagine Dragons: Natural

  In Strict Confidence: Snow White; Tiefer; Silver Bullets; Forbidden Fruit

  J Rokka: Marine Migration

  Jethro Tull: Dun Ringill; Old Ghosts

  Lorde: Yellow Flicker Beat; Royals

  Loreena McKennitt: The Mummers’ Dance

  Low: Witches; Nightingale; Plastic Cup; Monkey; Half-Light

  M.I.A.: Bad Girls

  Many Rivers Ensemble: Blood Moon; Oasis; Upwelling; Emergence

  Marconi Union: First Light; Alone Together; Flying (In Crimson Skies); Always Numb; Time Lapse; On Reflection; Broken Colours; We Travel; Weightless

  Matt Corby: Breathe

  Pati Yang: All That Is Thirst

  Rue du Soleil: We Can Fly; Le Francaise; Wake Up Brother; Blues Du Soleil

  Screaming Trees: Where the Twain Shall Meet; All I Know

  Shriekback: Underwater Boys; Over the Wire; This Big Hush; Agony Box; Bollo Rex; Putting All The Lights Out; The Fire Has Brought Us Together; Shovelheads; And the Rain; Wiggle & Drone; Now These Days Are Gone; The King in the Tree

  Tamaryn: While You’re Sleeping, I’m Dreaming; Violet’s in a Pool

  Thomas Newman: Dead Already

  Tom Petty: Mary Jane’s Last Dance

  Trills: Speak Loud

  The Verve: Bitter Sweet Symphony

  Wendy Rule: Let the Wind Blow

  Biography

  New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over seventy-five books, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, the Indigo Court Series, and the Otherworld Series, among others. She’s also written 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 High Priestess. She 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. You can find all her links at her LinkTree.

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  Indie Releases Currently Available:

  * * *

  Moonshadow Bay Series:

  Starlight Web

  Midnight Web

  Conjure Web

  Harvest Web

  Shadow Web

  * * *

  Hedge Dragon Series:

  The Poisoned Forest

  The Tangled Sky

  * * *

  Nightqueen Series:

  Tattered Thorns

  * * *

  The Wild Hunt Series:

  The Silver Stag

  Oak & Thorns

  Iron Bones

  A Shadow of Crows

  The Hallowed Hunt

  The Silver Mist

  Witching Hour

  Witching Bones

  A Sacred Magic

  The Eternal Return

  Sun Broken

  Witching Moon

  Autumn’s Bane

  Witching Time

  Hunter’s Moon

  Witching Fire

  Veil of Stars

  Antlered Crown

  * * *

  Lily Bound Series

  Soul jacker

  * * *

  Chintz ‘n China Series:

  Ghost of a Chance

  Legend of the Jade Dragon

  Murder Under a Mystic Moon

  A Harvest of Bones

  One Hex of a Wedding

  Holiday Spirits

  Well of Secrets

  Chintz
‘n China Books, 1 – 3: Ghost of a Chance, Legend of the Jade Dragon, Murder Under A Mystic Moon

  Chintz ‘n China Books, 4-6: A Harvest of Bones, One Hex of a Wedding, Holiday Spirits

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  Whisper Hollow Series:

  Autumn Thorns

  Shadow Silence

  The Phantom Queen

  * * *

  Bewitching Bedlam Series:

  Bewitching Bedlam

  Maudlin’s Mayhem

  Siren’s Song

  Witches Wild

  Casting Curses

  Demon’s Delight

  Bedlam Calling: A Bewitching Bedlam Anthology

  The Wish Factor (a prequel short story)

  Blood Music (a prequel novella)

  Blood Vengeance (a Bewitching Bedlam novella)

  Tiger Tails (a Bewitching Bedlam novella)

  * * *

  Fury Unbound Series:

  Fury Rising

  Fury’s Magic

  Fury Awakened

  Fury Calling

  Fury’s Mantle

  * * *

  Indigo Court Series:

  Night Myst

  Night Veil

  Night Seeker

  Night Vision

  Night’s End

  Night Shivers

  Indigo Court Books, 1-3: Night Myst, Night Veil, Night Seeker (Boxed Set)

  Indigo Court Books, 4-6: Night Vision, Night’s End, Night Shivers (Boxed Set)

  * * *

  Otherworld Series:

  Moon Shimmers

  Harvest Song

  Blood Bonds

  Otherworld Tales: Volume 1

  Otherworld Tales: Volume 2

  For the rest of the Otherworld Series, see website at Galenorn.com.

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