by Jana LaPelle
My hand on the bark of the Tree of Life, I say in a whisper, “I’m ready. What must I do?”
“You must merge with me. It must be a leap of faith.” Her voice is quiet as if she is slipping further away and I find that I’m desperate to save her. To save life as we know it for all those I love.
Every moment I delay She slips further and further away, under the influence of the curse, time is of the essence. I must have faith, faith that all will be as it should, my decision made, I stand and stroke my hands up the trunk of the tree, her bark is rough with deep grooves and in a way, beautiful in the intricacy the patterns make. I say aloud, “I’m ready.” I take a deep breath and take a leap of faith as I move forward to merge with the Tree of Life. I feel myself begin to sink into Her as I step forward. I gain a sense of understanding as her limbs sway in the breeze. First, my hands and arms and then more of me are pulled into Her. In the distance, I hear Alaric calling out to me.
“Ashlinn! Wait! Ash, no! Stop!”
I hear his plea, but I’m too far gone. I’m unable to stop what is taking place. Drayiel delivered him to the shore of the small island the Tree occupies. Turning my face toward my kindred, my love, I cannot stop the assimilation. I don’t even try as I’m pulled farther into the Tree. My heart weeps for my kindred, I was so very wrong to be jealous of Her that first time that I contacted Alaric, when I saw him emerge from under her canopy. I would much rather be there beside him because She can’t feel the suppleness of his skin or the scruff of his whiskers or the electric connection that we have. She only knows that he is there and I’m afraid. I’m so very afraid that I will never feel the touch of my kindred again, that I will never again lay by his side as I’m pulled deeper into the depths of the Tree of Life. Our connection is still there but muted. My last image of Alaric is the horrified look on his face as he realizes what I intend to sacrifice to save all The Realms.
To be continued:
Keeper Book 3 of the Realms of the Otherworld Series
Glossary of Irish Gaelic Terms
álainn = beautiful
ceann beag = little one
dathúil = handsome
iníon = daughter
Is breá liom tú = I love you
majic = magic (For purposes of this series, magic will be referred to as majic. The spelling is meant to be unique to the Realms of the Otherworld Book series.)
máthair = mother
mo chroí = my heart
mo dorchadas = my darkness
mo grá = my love
mo ghrá = my lover
mo neart = my strength
mo solas = my light
Glossary of Irish Mythology
Airmed = goddess of healing. Alaric’s mother.
Bridgid = daughter to The Dagda married to King Bres of the Southern Territories. Goddess of dawn and fertility.
Clíodhna = goddess of love and beauty.
Cú Chulainn = Son of the god Lugh, who in a fit of anger split the Stone of Fál with his sword when the coronation stone failed to sing for his protégé. Also known as a legendary Irish mythical hero and his terrifying battle frenzy or ríastrad.
Danu = Mother goddess to the Tuatha Dé Danann. Ashlinn’s mother.
Dagda or The Dagda = High King to Faerie as well as the good god, father figure, and protector of the tribe.
Fomorians = Traditional rivals of the Tuatha Dé Danann portrayed as monstrous beings.
Myrddin = Also known as the mythical Merlin, cambion born of a mortal woman and incubus father. Know sorcerer and advisor and good friend to King Arthur. Bewitched and imprisoned by Nimue.
The Lady of the Lake = Nimue, water deity/nymph, ruler of Avalon, and mistress of Excalibur.
The Morrígan = Queen of the Fomorians. A fate deity, foretelling doom and death in battle.
The Morrígna = A triad of sisters. For purposes of this series, the triad is made up of Badb, Macha, and The Morrígan.
Tuatha Dé Danann = A supernatural race in Irish Mythology thought to represent the main deities of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland.
Personal Note from Jana:
Dear Reader, Thank you for taking a chance on the Realms of the Otherworld series. I hope Chosen was all you thought it would be and more. Stay tuned to find out what’s in store for Ashlinn and Alaric in the next stage of their journey. For me, it has been a labor of love and Ashlinn, Alaric, and the gang has become a bit like family. I for one can’t wait to continue on this fantastic journey.
Reviews are Important! Please take a moment to leave a few words in the form of a review expressing your thoughts on Chosen. I would love to hear from you. How else will I grow as a writer? Your reviews are important to me and also help readers everywhere discover new and exciting books they may never have taken a chance on before without your input.
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Realms of the Otherworld Series
Kindred Book 1
Chosen Book 2
Keeper Book 3 (Coming Soon)
Sneak Peek into the unfinished manuscript of Keeper:
Chapter 1
(Alaric)
It feels as if Ashlinn and I have been separated more than we have been together in the last couple of months. Yes, I know that to be an exaggeration, but my protective instincts are set on overdrive. First, there was her time apart from me once the blood contract was put into play and now she has been taken away from me by a surly, ancient dragon. I can’t help feeling off kilter, I have a really bad feeling about what is about to take place. Whatever it is, it’s going to be huge and my need to get to my kindred, my mate is overwhelming me.
Just moments ago, I was in Avalon and Tarron, Tolin, and Declan were all trying to calm me down after realizing that Ashlinn had just jumped realms with a dragon. The very same dragon that kidnapped her from just outside of King Author’s final resting place and now, my kindred, after a not so long conversation with a quick to pass judgment dragon, has decided to that we need to trust this Drayiel. Her decision to race off in an attempt to save the Tree of Life did not come as a complete surprise. Ashlinn is always quick to act, but in this instance, she should have waited for me. I can’t protect her if I’m not even in the same realm. To say that I’m more than a little frustrated with my kindred is an understatement.
Drayiel appeared in the air above us in Avalon and in his huge booming voice said that I was to accompany him to Ashlinn. He stated that there was not much time for the Tree of Life and that we should hurry. Leaving the others behind, I quickly leaped to action placing the coronation crown into Nemus’ care and then quickly mounted the huge blue and green scaled dragon. As we gain altitude Drayiel’s speed increases, no wonder Jasmine could not keep up, one moment we were in Avalon and the next we are sucked into a rainbow colored vacuum before suddenly appearing in the air over the sacred meadow. Note to self, dragons can jump realms when in flight.
I switch my focus to Ashlinn and say, “We must hurry, I sense that Ashlinn is about to do something. Her emotions are turbulent and off the chart, but her decision is made, and she is resolute.” I say, urging the dragon on.
Drayiel’s wingspan is huge, he takes us down, gliding just above the surface of the lake. The tips of his wings disturbing the glassy tranquility of the mirror like surface, and it takes mere seconds for us to land on the shore of the Tree of Life. I leap down from my perch and race toward the tree. As I break through the canopy, I see Ashlinn. Her face is tear stained, and she looks at me in sad determination. That is when I notice that s
he is being pulled into the Tree of Life. How can that be? How is that even possible? Before I can even act, she slips away from me and is gone. I'm left just standing there, dumbfounded as I stare at the space where she just stood. An empty space.
What the hell just happened?!
