A vision of blue light entered the room, and all I could see for a moment was a blinding blue flash. Then I was standing in the middle of the ocean atop a rock jutting out of the waves. The wind was bracing, blowing my hair every which way, and my brand-new tattoo stung as saltwater lashed against me, the spray washing up and across me in a long sweep.
I gasped, looking around for some anchor to hang on to, something to tell me I was still in the room, but there was nothing there. Feeling faint, I crouched on the rock, doing my best to hang on as the rolling waves around me made me dizzy. I felt like I might topple off, fall into the water and drown, drawn down below the dark surface.
Then in front of me, a ripple formed as a throne of shining crystal rose out of the waves. Steps led up to it, crafted from mother-of-pearl.
The throne was carved with seashells, and pearls dripped down off the top, and seaweed drifted in the waves around it. A woman sat on the throne, clad in a gown as indigo as the night sky, with shimmering stars dappling the surface.
Her hair was long and black, flowing past her shoulders, draping down to coil around her waist like some ancient serpent. I realized that night had fallen as the moon rose into the sky, the silver orb mirroring the light in her eyes. She wore a diamond tiara, only the diamonds were interspersed with sparkling black crystals.
I trembled, staring up at Morgana. Herne’s mother. The goddess my mother had followed.
“Approach me,” Morgana said, motioning for me to climb the stairs to her.
Trembling, I obeyed. When I was at her feet, I crouched, bowing my head, afraid to look into her eyes. “My Lady.”
“Ember Kearney, stand in my presence.”
I stood.
“Your mother served me before you, and her mother before her. My husband marked you at birth. You belong to him, as your father before you did. Now, you will serve me as well. You carry the blood of the Water Fae.”
I nodded, unsure of what to say. “My mother, she was one of the Water Fae.”
Morgana’s gaze seemed to pierce right through me. “Your mother refused to use her magic in her own defense. It frightened her. You, however, will learn to use my magic. You will conquer the fear that tripped her up.”
I could only return her gaze—I couldn’t look away.
“The magic of water, the magic of the tides, the magic of the moon. They are intricately bound together.” Her voice echoed over the water, sending waves crashing against the rocks below. I could barely breathe, her presence was so overwhelming, that for a moment I was afraid I would fall and she would let me drown.
I opened myself up to her, and found myself swept into the night where the magic of the hunt ruled. The magic of the moon and water and the dripping forest surrounded the world. The scent of ferns and trees washed over me as rain pounded against the ground. Water soaked deep, coiling up through the tendrils, feeding the plants, creating the life of the world. And all of this buoyed me up, welcoming me into its realm.
“You begin to understand,” she said. “Everything is connected, and everything in your life has played a part to bringing you to me, in bringing you to the Wild Hunt. Kneel now, and give yourself to me.”
I took a deep breath. There was no turning back. Seeing Morgana in front of me, my heart swelled with a passion that I didn’t yet understand, but it was my path—she was my path. I would not turn away.
“Will you be mine, in life and in death? Will you obey me?”
There was only one answer. There had only ever been one answer.
“I will. I give myself to you. I am yours, Lady. Command me.” And as quick as my words came, the bargain was sealed.
She reached out and lifted me up to my feet, placing in my hand a silver necklace. The pendant sparkled, and I realized it was a crow.
“Fasten this around your neck. Forever you will wear it as a sign that you belong to me.”
I lifted the chain and draped it around my neck, fastening the clasp. As I did, I realized that I had just made the biggest oath of my life.
“Listen for me in the water.” A veiled smile passed over her face. “And about my son…”
I blushed, hanging my head.
“Don’t fear your emotions. Don’t fear passion and love. No human can ever claim you. But love may yet come. Time will tell. Remember your oath to me. Your life depends on it.”
The next moment I opened my eyes and found myself back in the break room, alone. The necklace was firmly fastened around my throat, and I knew it would never again come off. I was bound for life.
HERNE AND I sat in his SUV, the silence thick between us. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“I’ve made arrangements for Angel to talk to DJ next weekend.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “She needs to.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. I stared up at my apartment building, thinking I should just get out of the SUV and go home, and sort everything out later.
As I reached for the door handle, Herne’s hand wrapped around my wrist.
“Ember, wait.”
I turned to look at him, holding my breath. We stared at each other, the air thick. I glanced down at his fingers that were wrapped around my arm. He had taken care not to grab the fresh tattoo, for which I was grateful.
“I’m not sure what this is, between us,” he said. “I’m not sure what you want it to be.”
“Do you know what you want it to be?” I waited, afraid to close my eyes.
“I never want to take advantage of my authority. I don’t ever want you to feel that I’m doing something like that.” He paused, the expression on his face so strained that it made me dizzy.
“I will never allow you to abuse your authority over me. I’m not that kind of person. I’m not the kind of woman who does what you want just because you say so. I’ve been on my own a long time, Herne. I’m not a sex goddess. I’m not very genteel. I don’t forgive easily and I’ve seen far too much in the short time that I’ve been alive. Do you think you can handle that?”
His eyes lit up and he smiled.
“I’d like to give it a try,” he said. “But you have to know that I’m protective. I’ll do my best to keep you safe, whether you want me to or not. But I’ll never stand in your way. You belong to my mother and my father now, but so do I. We answer to them. The question is, do we want to answer to each other?”
The world seemed to pause, waiting for my reply. Finally, after a long moment’s struggle with myself, I nodded.
“Let’s see where this takes us.”
As I spoke, he gathered me into his arms, kissing me deeply. Outside, the city passed by, gritty and dirty, and in its usual hurry. Yet Seattle was my home, and it was Herne’s home, and at the moment, I loved every single part of it.
If you enjoyed this book, never fear—there will be more Wild Hunt books out this year! The second will be titled OAK & THORNS, and the third, IRON BONES. And more to come after that.
Meanwhile, I invite you to visit Fury’s world. In a gritty, post-apocalyptic Seattle, Fury is a minor goddess, in charge of eliminating the Abominations who come off the World Tree. The first story arc of the Fury Unbound Series is complete with: FURY RISING, FURY’S MAGIC, FURY AWAKENED and FURY CALLING.
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. BLOOD MUSIC, BEWITCHING BEDLAM, MAUDLIN’S MAYHEM, SIREN’S SONG, WITCHES WILD, BLOOD VENGEANCE and TIGER TAILS are available. And more are on the way!
If you like cozies with an edge, try my Chintz ‘n China paranormal mysteries. The series is complete with: GHOST OF A CHANCE, LEGEND OF THE JADE DRAGON, MURDER UNDER A MYSTIC MOON, A HARVEST OF BONES, ONE HEX OF A WEDDING, and a wrap-up novella: HOLIDAY SPIRITS.
The newest Otherworld book—MOON SHIMMERS—is available now, and the next, HARVEST SONG, will be available in May 2018.
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.