by Brindi Quinn
I stepped back from the pond and drew in a mouthful of autumn wood air. Refreshing. That was the only way I could describe it. Perfect. That would work too. Those were the sorts of feelings I was meant to feel on a day like today.
Two hands slipped themselves over my mouth. The touch made my veins dance just a little.
A gentle, male voice with a strong accent whispered, “I need to take you from this place. The safety of your village depends on it . . . or something.”
The sound of his mouth so close to my flesh made my stomach tumble. It twirled and skipped and flew to my chest.
My chest . . . The place where the small something still lived. But I’d get beyond that too, someday. Or at least I’d learn to live with it.
“Do not be sad, my Heart.”
“I’m not sad.” I let him continue to hold me against himself. “How can I be sad today?”
“You are being dishonest, but I will overlook this transgression. After all, is it not to be expected from someone who is evil-ish by nature?”
“True.” I smiled and it was genuine and easy. A step forward.
Without an invitation, Nyte picked me up and started to run.
“Rend sends her blessing,” he said.
“Blessing? Did she really say ‘blessing’?”
“Ah . . .” He bit his lip because he’d just been caught. “I paraphrased.”
“Hmph.” I raised an amused brow at him. “That’s what I thought. By the way, you’d better be careful. We’ll need your strength if we hope to get through the task ahead of us, and you know, your age has really been starting to show lately.”
“When will you believe that I am not an old man?” He grinned his grin that was so full of mischief. “As I explained before, would an old man do this?” He started to slide his hand down my neck.
“Nyte!”
He laughed and I glared, but then he frowned. “I do not like this. It is still my opinion that we should travel only at night.”
I rolled my eyes for the second time that day. “Oh brother. I think it’s about time you experience how the rest of us feel.”
Nyte set me down and took my hand instead. That was okay. I didn’t need to be carried like a damsel. I was content walking alongside him. With his hand in mine, I felt stronger. I didn’t feel fixed, but I felt better. I felt hopeful. Everything was better when we were touching.
“Are you ready, my captivating Aura?” he asked.
I took in another deep breath of autumn. “Yes, Nyte. I’m ready.”
I wasn’t ready. But I was. I wasn’t ready to give up the past. But I was ready to move forward. Today was the first step.
Nyte brought his forest eyes that I loved to the horizon where our next big task waited for us. “Then come,” he said, excitement building. “Let us go . . . to the Wood of Erow.”
Chapter 23: The Deal
“I do not usually allow that sort of thing,” said the smug witch. “I am surprised that you are even here.”
I’d wanted to kill her. I’d wanted to rip her to pieces for mess she’d gotten us into, but there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t kill something as powerful as her, especially not like this. At least I felt better now that that stupid heart was gone for good.
“Don’t you think you owe us?” I said. She did. The Creator-damned thing did!
“Perhaps. It is true that because of you, I am back in the Creator’s good graces.”
“Got that right.”
“Just where would you have me put you?”
“Hell if I care! All the little bastard’s been thinking about lately is some place called Philadelphia. Can you send us there?”
It was silent a moment and then, “So be it. However, there shall be a price.”
“We’ll pay a bigger price if you arrange it so that she-”
“I cannot. However, that soul might find you on its own.”
“Fuck. Fine. Let’s strike a deal then, witchy moon.”
The air was filled with the shaking sound of chimbree bells.
Thank You For Reading Heart Of Farellah!
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The Journey Continues!
Don’t miss The Atto’s Tale Miniseries, spinoff to Heart of Farellah!
Available in paperback and ebook now!
About the Author:
Heart of Farellah: Book 3 was MN author Brindi Quinn’s third published work.
Shortly after finishing college in 2010, Brindi began her mad dash into authordom. The Heart of Farellah Trilogy was first to hit shelves in 2011, and she hasn’t stopped since. In addition to her debut trilogy, Brindi’s publications include: Seconds: The Shared Soul Chronicles, a third person sci-fi romance; Sil in a Dark World: A Paranormal Love-Hate Story; The World Remains, a dystopian adventure; Atto’s Tale, the miniseries spinoff to Heart of Farellah; The Eternity Duet, a two-part fantasy romance; The Death and Romancing of Marley Craw, a sexy supernatural tale; and The Ongoing Pursuit of Zillow Stone, a post-apocalyptic series.
Brindi considers herself a nerd, indulging heavily (when she can) in video games, anime, manga, horror flicks and good sci-fi TV. Brindi recently set off on a grand adventure. After spending a time near the northern coast of California, she’s currently tucked away in a cozy hobbit hole near Seattle.
Follow Brindi on Twitter:
@Brindiful
AND connect with her on Facebook:
Facebook.com/Brindiful
About the Cover Artist:
Ene Karels is a young artist working from her home studio in Minnesota. She creates both digital and traditional art using watercolors, acrylics and pencils. Her works are in styles ranging from anime, to cartoon, to realistic. From people, to animals.
She has done several book covers and countless character portraits.
Follow Ene on Tumblr:
http://angeleneart.tumblr.com/
