I smiled at her, tears running down my face. “I’ll miss you all, I really will. But it’s not like you can’t come over to visit. And I’ll be back.” I turned to my father, who had remained silent all the time I was talking. “Do you see why I asked if you’d like to come with us to Kalevala?”
He nodded, looking grateful. “If you and Kipa will have me, I’ll come. I can help around the house and grow a garden and help with Raj and the ferrets. I might even write a book about my life.”
After that, everyone jumped into the conversation and we discussed the future, which was coming full throttle, and we discussed the changes we were all making. And the evening wore on, a kaleidoscope of friends, food, and fun, even as outside, the snow was falling, and the world was turning, and time would not stand still for anyone.
Chapter Twenty-One
On New Year’s Eve, Kipa and I stood at the edge of the portal. My father had gone ahead with the ferrets and was waiting for us on the other side, so he wouldn’t endanger Ember. I was holding Raj’s leash. We had moved all of the furniture and other goods we would need over during the past couple days and the cottage was set up and waiting for us. Now, all that remained was for us to take the final step.
Behind us, a few steps away, were Herne and Ember. They were holding hands, looking so much in love that my heart swelled for them. She was going to make an incredible goddess, I thought. And then another thought struck me—if Kipa and I ever broached the subject of marriage, I’d have to make the same choice Ember did—to embrace goddesshood, and a life forever changed till the end of time.
I took a deep breath. On the other side, the rolling fields of Kalevala awaited. Orla had programmed the portal directly for the Northland, rather than the portal in Finland.
“Are you ready, love?” Kipa asked.
Was I ready to give up everything I had ever known and dive into a future that was unsure, a future that I had no clue of where it was going? I took a deep breath.
“Yeah. I’m ready.” I turned back to Ember. “I’ll miss you, lady. You’ve become a friend of mine in ways I didn’t think possible.”
She had tears in her eyes when she hugged me. “And you, too. Herne and I will come visit, and we’ll bring Angel with us.”
I knew that the fight between Typhon and the gods was in the offing. “When you can, just let us know in advance so my father can be out of the house. And as I said, if you need me, call me. Kipa and I’ll be coming back next month, anyway, for Viktor and Sheila’s wedding.”
Viktor and Sheila had shifted their wedding date to mid-February to avoid a conflict with Imbolc celebrations and I was one of Sheila’s bridesmaids, along with Ember and Angel and Talia. Kipa had agreed to be one of the groomsmen.
I looked around. The snow had vanished, as per typical Seattle weather, but a silver rain sprinkled down and I could see my breath in front of my mouth. “I guess this is it.”
“We’d better go,” Kipa said gently.
I hugged Ember again, and then Herne. He slipped something into my hand. It looked like a silver dollar with a stag leaping on it. “What’s this?”
“If you need me and Kipa’s not there to help, hold this and send me a message. The coin will vanish but I’ll hear you and come as soon as I can.”
I stared up at him. So much had happened since I had first walked into his office to ask for help with my missing fiancé. So much water under the bridge. I turned back to Ember and held out my hand. She took it.
“This is it,” I said. “I’m scared.”
“I know,” she said. “So am I. But you can do this, and think about what you’ll be learning. So much about magic. I bet someday you’ll be invited to join the Force Majeure.”
“Oh, I doubt it, but…” But, I thought, you never know. I kissed her cheek. “Thank you, for everything. And I’ll see you next month, if not before.”
“Next month!” Ember knelt next to Raj. “Ember hopes Raj has fun.”
Raj snorted. “No TV,” he said sadly, but then he perked up. “But Kipa promised Raj many long walks.”
And so we turned back to the portal and, deciding I wasn’t going to look back because the future held so much promise I didn’t want to miss any of it by mourning the past, we crossed through the vortex into Kalevala, and into my new life.
If you enjoyed Witching Fire, then you might want to read the rest of The Wild Hunt Series. Begin with The Silver Stag, Oak & Thorns, and Iron Bones. Book 17: Veil of Stars, is available for preorder now. Heat level: steamy at times.
If you like ooo-spooky fiction with an older female lead, check out Starlight Web, Midnight Web and Conjure Web. January Jaxson returns to the quirky town of Moonshadow Bay after her husband dumps her and steals their business, and within days she’s working for Conjure Ink, a paranormal investigations agency, and exploring the potential of her hot new neighbor. You can also preorder the next book in the series: Harvest Web. There will be more to come of January’s adventures after that. Heat level: mildly steamy.
If you like paranormal mysteries/paranormal women’s fiction, try my Chintz ‘n China paranormal mysteries. The series is complete with five books and two novellas. Begin with: Ghost of a Chance. Heat level: mild.
Return with me to Whisper Hollow, where spirits walk among the living, and the lake never gives up her dead. I re-released Autumn Thorns, and Shadow Silence along with a new book—The Phantom Queen! Come join the darkly seductive world of Kerris Fellwater, spirit shaman for the small lakeside community of Whisper Hollow. Heat level: steamy.
If you prefer a lighter-hearted paranormal romance, meet the wild and magical residents of Bedlam in my Bewitching Bedlam Series. Fun-loving witch Maddy Gallowglass, her smoking-hot vampire lover Aegis, and their crazed cjinn Bubba (part djinn, all cat) rock it out in Bedlam, a magical town on a magical island. Start with Bewitching Bedlam. There are six books and several novellas in the series. Hot vampire nookie!
I invite you to visit Fury’s world. Bound to Hecate, Fury is a minor goddess, taking care of the Abominations who come off the World Tree. Books one through five are available now in the Fury Unbound Series. Start with Fury Rising. Heat level: steamy at times.
For a dark, gritty, steamy series, try my world of The Indigo Court, where the long winter has come, and the Vampiric Fae are on the rise. There are five books and one novella in this series and it is complete. Begin with Night Myst. Heat level: dark steamy.
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.
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Cast of Characters
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.