Daughter of Hauk (The Raven Chronicles Book 1) (35 page)

Epilogue

            
 
T
he wedding feast was subdued by Weasel standards, but their numbers were smaller. Hauk had relented somewhat and allowed Arwenna to bring back some of the fallen warriors, but not all.               She glanced often at D’Mitta, still recovering from the curse and the lingering effects of Joss removing it. She was not the warrior she once was. There had been talk that Y’Dürkie should be given the task of rebuilding the clan.

              Barek had left already, muttering his goodbyes right after the ceremony. Not much had changed between him and Joss, but he had remained for the wedding at her request. “If you need me again, Arwenna, you know where to find me. I’ll come if you call me,” was all he had said in parting.

              Lexi and Hauk had performed the ceremony for them, though Arwenna had to put her foot down several times about some of the things the fairies had wanted to do. Mialee had been quiet for the longest time. She hadn’t told them what had happened to her while she was with Senyan, and none of them had pushed her on it. There was a haunted look in her eyes that made Arwenna shudder at some of the things her friend might have seen.

              “You shouldn’t be so melancholy today, my lovely bride. Aren’t you supposed to be blushing or something?”  Joss’ teasing voice broke into her reverie.

              Laughing, Arwenna sipped some water before replying. “When you are as obviously with child as I am, my dear groom, it’s a bit late to be blushing.”

              A grin lit up his face at her response as he gently touched his goblet to hers, “Touché, my love. Very well put.”

              Arwenna rested her head on his shoulder, watching the guests enjoying themselves. Joss had liked the cottage idea, enough so that he’d visited it once or twice since the events at Tanisal. From his last report, no one had returned. A message had arrived for them that very morning, letting them know that the Duke in Almair had agreed to let them have the place. Once the baby was born, Joss was making plans to travel back to do some work on it before she and the baby made the move.

              For the first time in a very long time, Arwenna was completely content. Perhaps all this was her reward. To her, it no longer mattered.

* * * * *

Senyan climbed up the steps to the tower cautiously. Johannes had just come to him and said Lord Corse wanted to see him. Perhaps now, at last, he would be able to see his true form. Up until now, Corse had only spoken through the raven or from the shadows. To actually meet him, even here in this private hell Arwenna had banished them to, was something he had long given up on experiencing.

The climb up the tower was long, but he reached the top eventually. Corse liked his solitude, that much he knew. Straightening his stance, Senyan rapped on the door. It opened without a sound at his knock.

              “You sent for me?” Senyan called out into the room.

              “Yes, Lu’Thare. We have much planning to do, you and I.”  The figure of Mialee came around a corner. The red glow in her eyes was unmistakable.

              The door shut quietly behind Senyan, leaving him and Corse to discuss the future.

About the Author

Born in the late 60's, KateMarie has lived most of her life in the Pacific Northwest. While she's always been creative, she didn't turn towards writing until 2008. She found a love for the craft. With the encouragement of her husband and two daughters, she started submitting her work to publishers. When she's not taking care of her family, KateMarie enjoys attending events for the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA has allowed her to combine both a creative nature and love of history. She currently resides with her family and two cats in what she likes to refer to as "Seattle Suburbia".

You can connect with KateMarie here:

Twitter: @DaughterHauk

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Other Solstice Titles

By

KateMarie Collins

Son of Corse

Book Two of The Raven Chronicles

              It’s been almost two years since Arwenna banished the Demon Corse from her world. Life has been good. Idyllic, almost.

              The illusion is shattered in a heartbeat during her sister’s wedding. Not only are once-dead enemies back, but they’ve stolen Arwenna’s only child, Sera.

              The price Arwenna will have to pay to save her daughter is high. Can she muster the strength to make a pact that jeopardizes not just her own soul, but that of an entire world?

Kick The Can

              Dave Smith and his wife, Jocelyn, had waited a long time to have children. And then they were blessed with twins! 
             
The man in the suit that greeted Dave as he saw his children for the first time gave him chills. Dave needed to spend the next twelve years preparing to play a game that would change their lives forever.
             
Because playing this game could kill you.

Mark of the Successor

              Dominated and controlled by an abusive mother, Lily does what she can to enjoy fleeting moments of normality. When a break from school only provides the opportunity for more abuse at home, the sudden appearance of a stranger turns her world even bleaker.  Disappearing without a trace, he has left a lingering fear in Lily. His parting words to her mother, “Have her ready to travel tomorrow,” is something her mind refuses to accept.

              Running away is the only answer. But before Lily can execute her plan, a shimmering portal appears in her room. Along with two strangers who promise to help keep her safe. With time running out, she accepts their offer for escape and accompanies them into a brand new world. A world in which she is the kidnapped daughter of a Queen, and the heir to the throne of Tiadar.

              Can she find her own strength to overcome both an abusive past and avoid those who would use her as a means to power?

Arine’s Sanctuary

The Moreja Sisterhood exists to rescue boys from abuse and arranged marriages. Arine’s on assignment, bringing Cavon back to her home in Sanctuary, when she discovers something terrifying. 

He can do magic. 
           When the chance comes up for her to go back out and rescue her own brother, sold off by her mother ten years earlier, Arine eagerly takes the chance. But can she talk him into coming home to Sanctuary with her? And can they get there before the Domine’s army, bent on controlling the magic?