Forged in Dreams and Magick (Highland Legends, Book 1) (37 page)

EPILOGUE

From A Dark Corner of the Room—A Few Seconds Later

It took an obscene effort to mute my innate powers, hiding my presence from the couple so brilliantly in love with one another, a mere mortal would have to wear three pairs of sunglasses.
Cue the eye roll.

I stepped from the shadows the moment the blissful pair disappeared, raising both hands as I gestured high into the air my masterful orchestration. “
Aaand . . . they lived happily ever after.
”

My heavy military boots thudded with every footfall as I crossed before the mirror, perfect peripheral vision telling me what I already knew as a black reflection blurred over the flat glass. Darkness existed, ironically epitomized in the flesh and blood of a beautiful, yet feared, creature. An abomination. A savior. A world saver.

Okay, the last moniker stretched the truth beyond even my sardonic belief. All the glory rightly went to Isobel. A facilitator, perhaps, would be a more accurate title for my unique services.

Isobel had done such a beautiful job in handwriting the heartfelt note to her professor about her experiences. The restraint she showed in keeping only to the most pertinent details—striving to keep history from unraveling again by the accidental slip of her pen—was truly commendable.

Fortunately for Isobel, I saw my mission through to the end. Lucky for the world, she had the Guardian of Time to peer over her shoulder and make certain she had a little push at the exact moment she needed it.

I lifted the perfect, ribbon-wrapped parcel in one hand and the box with the other, tucking the latter under my arm, mentally adding “cleaner” to the endless list of hats I wore without complaint.

With a single nod, I paid respect to a place in time Isobel would never see again—a world she’d left behind the moment she truly accepted her role. Priorities had a way of reordering themselves when circumstances changed. She’d almost made me believe in the human race again.

It had been a long haul. So many things had been arranged to achieve the near impossible. My deep rumbled laugh echoed into the room as I vanished, reflecting on my favorites.

Sheep across a road . . .

A push into a stream .
 . .

Stealing away a box .
 . .

. . . or a beloved, seven-foot-tall Highlander Viking . . .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I’ve been blessed to have numerous people provide me with insight and guidance during my journey as a writer. To all those who offered support, in gestures big and small, I thank you. A diverse team of people were directly involved in the making of this novel and are mentioned below; however, any errors within the published novel, whether existing there intentionally or not, are my errors alone.

On a hot, muggy night at RWA Nationals in 2010, in an overcrowded restaurant with three of us huddled around a tiny table as we practiced pitching our manuscripts, a new friend asked what other story ideas I had. When I shared the rough synopsis of
Forged in Dreams and Magick
, she looked at me wide-eyed and said, “That’s the story you need to write.”

I am indebted to that now-dear friend and critique partner Heather, aka “City Beta,” for all the advice, support, tough critiques, laughter, and commiserating every step of the way.

Appreciation goes to my dear friend Misty, aka “Swamp Beta,” for the endless support and love, for trying out a Highlander time travel romance for the very first time, and for texting me while reading with every OMG!, sigh, and character-rooting shout.

I am profoundly grateful to my “Alpha Beta” who is my most fervent supporter, my best friend, my advisor, my counselor .
 . . my beloved husband. Words will never be able to adequately describe how important you are to me, but know that you make me the vibrant person that I am. It is because of your immeasurable love, patience, and support that this book exists.

Enormous thanks go to Kristi Yanta, my editor, who helped me polish the story into a diamond. Thank you for every feisty comment, every smiley, and every OMG! I cherish them all.

Gratitude also goes to my proofreader and formatter, Claire Ashgrove, for straightening out not only my grammar errors, but also for going above and beyond to offer valued comments and suggestions.

I am thankful to the contest judges and coordinators who read early versions of
Forged in Dreams and Magick
and challenged me to hone my craft, especially those who granted my writing awards as a finalist or winner in their paranormal categories: Gateway to the Best; Hold Me, Thrill Me; The Catherine; Unpublished Beacon; and Lone Star Contest. Your encouragement and belief in my writing was instrumental in motivating me to finish the story.

An immense thank you goes to all my friends and family for your encouragement through this three-year adventure. Your love and support have meant the world to me.

KAT
BASTION BOOKS

Highland Legends Series

Forged in Dreams and Magick

Bound by Wish and Mistletoe

(November 2013)

Born of Mist and Legend

(Releasing in 2014)

Found in Flame and Moonlight

(Releasing in 2015)

Romantic Poetry for Charity

Utterly Loved

(Foreword by Sylvain Reynar
d
)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.

On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love.

Her first published work,
Utterly Loved
, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from
Utterly Loved
, and a portion of the proceeds from all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world.

Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Visit her blog at www.talktotheshoe.com, her website at www.katbastion.com, and her Twitter account at https://twitter.com/KatBastion for more information.

Look For Kat Bastion’s Holiday Novella

Bound by

Wis
h
an
d
Mistletoe

Winter, 2013