His eyes burned like embers. I screeched, scooting away from him, but he leaned over, and the cold fingers of his anger almost strangled me with fear.
“Salome. You have to come back now.”
“I don’t know the way. Please, Gareth, I’m scared. Colton’s here.”
“Remember the first place I found you? When we were in the woods?”
“Yes.”
“Go there and I’ll find you. I promise I won’t let you go.”
Colton rocked my boat when he tried to climb in. I struggled to shove him out, the sides swaying and pitching as he grabbed for me.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed the shore come close and I leaped from the boat. Colton’s fingers grazed my leg. Tall pines and spruces littered the banks, a well-worn path beckoning to me. Then a hand tugged me toward the river.
“No, let me go.”
“You can’t win, Salome.” Colton jerked me down.
“Fight, Salome. Get to the place in the woods. You’ve got to trust me—you’ve got to try.”
With all my strength, I kicked Colton in the chest. He flailed backward, landing in the river. Several figures drifted toward him. Most wore old-fashioned clothing, but there was one I recognized from pictures I’d seen. Grandma’s sister, Maude. My eyes welled.
They were helping me, my ancestors who’d died at Kassandra’s hand.
“Go, we’ll take care of him,” she said.
Colton gasped for air, but several hands reached up, tugging him down. Screams vibrated all around me. I clapped a hand over my mouth as he disappeared beneath the currents.
“Tell Doris, I love her,” my great aunt said, fading into the river.
Scooting back, I jumped to my feet and dashed into the woods. Death hot on my heels. Branches snagged at my clothing, holes and stumps tried to keep me from going on. But soon I came to familiar territory.
“Gareth?” I shouted.
“Here. Follow my voice. You’re almost there.”
At last, I stood beside the stream and Gareth stepped forward from the trees. He scooped me up into his arms.
“I’ve got you, we’re going back. Just hold on tight.”
“Salome.” Grandma and Nevin called my name.
Then a rush of air entered my lungs. I gulped it down like a fish on dry land.
“Gareth?” My eyelids fluttered open, and I was in Grandma’s backyard surrounded by the fae.
“I’m right here.” He held my hand on one side, while Nevin held the other.
Grandma wiped my hair from my face, bending down to kiss my forehead. “Oh, thank God. I thought we lost you.”
I was still alive. Winter hadn’t destroyed me. The sky somehow seemed brighter. The wind more musical and gentle.
“I owe you more than words can say, Salome Montgomery. You’ve done something no one has been able to do for centuries. We will no longer have to look upon winter or ice or feel the cold bite of snow,” Nevin said. “A life for a life. I pulled you from the pond as a child, and you’ve rescued me from my curse. We’re now even.” Nevin touched my face then stood. “Your friendship has meant a lot to me.” He smiled at me and turned to the others. “Now it is time we returned home,” he said to his people.
Some of the tiny elves, gnomes, and fauns came forward and bowed to me. Several said thank you before circling around Nevin.
“I wish you the best, Salome—you too, Doris,” Nevin said. “We will not forget your kindness or sacrifice through the years. For the sacrifice you were willing to make in order to save us.”
“You’re leaving me, too?” I turned toward Gareth, as I fought the rock-sized lump in my throat. I didn’t want Nevin to go, but I wasn’t sure I could survive without Gareth.
Nevin glanced at me then back to his troupe. “We all have to get back. I’ve spent too much time away from my kingdom. They need us to return. To restore our borders and protect our lands. I will never forget you.”
Grandma clutched me to her chest.
“Gareth? No!” I turned to stare at him. Please, oh please let him stay.
He nodded his head, but his eyes shone with sorrow. “I have to, I’m sorry. I told you that you might get hurt.”
“Yeah, you did.”
And so I watched the winter people disappear into the woods, heading for their kingdom of summer.
Grandma sat on the snowy ground and let me cry, until no more tears would come. I’d lost everything. Gareth. My love. My heart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
I sat around the campfire with Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, and her boyfriend Daryl as the downy white flakes came down harder. I checked my marshmallow at the end of my stick.
“I don’t think people know what they’re missing with these winter bonfires.” I grinned. “I mean where else can you get frostbitten while roasting marshmallows?”
Grandpa snorted. “That’s because summer campouts have more advertisements and media hype.”
Grandma moved her chair closer to mine and reached over to give my hand a squeeze. “Now that everything is behind you, have you decided what you want to do with your life?”
“I thought about pole dancing,” I said with a straight face. Mom and Grandma shrieked and I started laughing. “I’m kidding. But seriously, I don’t know. Maybe school next term.”
“Leave the girl alone, she’s got plenty of time to figure it out.” Grandpa caught my glance. “Besides, this here fire is for the roasting of food, not the determining of futures.”
I rolled my eyes, shifting in my chair. Just then a strong gust of wind blew through the trees and an envelope landed in my lap. My eyes scanned the surroundings, but I didn’t see anyone. I propped my stick up on the arm of my chair and ripped open the envelope.
You are cordially invited to the Summer Estate this evening for celebration.
My heart raced out of control. An invitation to join the world of the fair folk. I had read that these were possible, but I thought that was only in books. I looked at Grandma. She smiled and my mom stood and came to my side. I showed them the invitation.
“What are you going to do?” Mom rubbed my shoulder.
“I—I don’t know.”
“You’ve got to do what your heart tells you,” Grandma said.
My gaze moved from one person to the next. For so long I hadn’t been able to do anything without them. They protected me, counseled me, and coddled me. Yet, over the last year I’d learned what freedom was and I realized I needed a life outside of them.
“I love you all.” A lump formed in my throat.
Mom squeezed my hand. “And maybe they’ll let you come back so we can still see you.” She already knew my choice.
I smiled. “What am I going to wear?” I hopped up from the chair.
“Come with me. I’ve got just the thing.” Grandma and Mom ushered me into the house where we went into the faerie room and they scavenged the old dress-up closet.
“This should do.” Mom held up a long, light blue, silky gown with an empire waist. The sewn green and blue vines sparkled at the hem of the skirt. She also produced a garland of blue flowers and white slippers.
My heart beat out of control as they helped me change.
My hair hung down my back as they wove the flowers into it. After long minutes, I stood before them, like a bride on her wedding day. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. My chest ached, hoping I was making the right choice.
“I love you,” Mom whispered. “Remember that you are your own person—and you are strong.”
“Whatever choice you make, child, we will always be here.” Grandma hugged me tight.
Grandpa knocked on the door and came in holding a shawl. “Don’t want you catching your death out there. Just you be careful, you hear?”
“Thank you.”
With one last round of hugs, I raced outside and into the woods. All around me I heard whispers, but this time they didn’t scare me. Music tinkled in the air like wind chimes and flutes. I followed the
noise, knowing it would lead me where I needed and wanted to be. Bright light encompassed the forest. As I rounded the bend, there was a grand estate where the ruins had once stood.
My footfalls slowed. I gaped at the marble columns and running fountains. Roses grew up the side of the stone exterior, while great white oaks seemed to wall it in.
“She’s here,” a tiny voice said from beside me.
“She’s as beautiful as I remember.”
“Come in, we’re all waiting for you.” I looked down to see a small faerie fluttering by my waist. Her iridescent wings beat like a hummingbird. She reached up and tugged on some strands of my hair, urging me forward.
We stepped down a long corridor of knotted wood. Rose petals blew over the floor tiles. The scent of honey and pine gave me a heady sensation. I inhaled deeply. My palms grew sweaty and no matter how many times I tried to dry them on my gown, they still felt slimy.
At last, we came into the great hall where fantastic creatures lined both sides of the room. There were fauns, with their hairy goat legs and human faces; beautiful elves, with their pointed ears and woodsy appearances. The royal fae, with their blinding looks and statuesque features. And every one of them watched me walk up the path toward a dais, where Nevin sat upon a throne. A crown sat atop his head, made of wood, vines, jewels, and gold. His skin no longer held the winter pallor it once did. Instead, his skin looked as if it’d been dipped in bronze. His once glacial eyes bespoke more of sapphires than ice, his tall frame more filled out, more authoritative.
He smiled, waving me forward.
“Salome Montgomery, we welcome you to the Summer Estate,” he said. “We have called you here this night to not only give you thanks for breaking the curse, but to offer you a boon of your choosing.”
“A boon?”
Nevin nodded. “We want to gift you. But remember to choose wisely, for you only get one.”
Just breathe. I know what I want; it’s what I’ve wanted forever. My heart’s desire, the only thing that mattered in life. Love. It made me whole, it made me happy, and it called me back from death. And my love had a name.
Someone wise once told me to know what I was choosing.
My eyes flickered to Gareth, who stood beside Nevin. He looked like a bronzed warrior, his sword strapped at his waist. My friend.
“Go on, Salome. Make your choice,” he said.
“And what if I choose wrong?”
A smile tugged at his lips. “You won’t. You already know what you want and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.”
“Arrogant much?”
“You like it.”
“Have you made your decision, Salome?” Nevin asked, hands crossed at his chest.
“Yes. I choose love. I choose Gareth.” My voice quivered as I said his name, but I knew it was true. He’d been my friend first. He never once asked me to do anything other than be safe and know what I was choosing. He’d rescued me when the others would’ve let me die. He gave me the truth when everyone else around me had lied.
Gareth stepped forward while everyone behind me whispered amongst themselves. In seconds, he had me in his arms.
“Finally,” he whispered. He bent down to kiss me when Nevin interrupted.
“In choosing Gareth, Salome, you must realize you give up all rights to your human life and form. By joining with him, you will be like us. Immortal. Do you accept these terms?”
“Yes.”
“Then so be it,” his voice boomed. “From this day on, Salome will make her home here. She is bound to Gareth by blood and love. We welcome you into our family.” Nevin stood and embraced me. “I am happy for you both. And I’m indebted to you for all you have done. You should know that if you’d chosen me, I would have accepted. I owe you my life and my kingdom.”
I smiled, touching his cheek. “But I didn’t want you to care for me because of a debt.”
Nevin leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I know. I wish I could have loved you like you deserved.” He released me. “You will always have a place here.” He gestured to his home.
Next, he embraced Gareth, who smiled when he whispered in his ear. “Of course, milord,” Gareth answered.
“You are free to go now,” Nevin said.
Gareth took me by the hand and led me from the estate. Once outside, he clutched me to his chest and bent down. His lips captured mine.
“I love you.” His words enveloped my mind. “Your blood sings to my blood and always has.”
“Not death or life, or pain or love can ever keep us apart,” I said. “I’m yours—forever.”
When he pulled back, I noticed his motorcycle parked off the path.
“Ready to go home?” He brushed my hair from my face.
I laughed. “You knew I would choose you?”
He shook his head. “No, but I damn sure wanted to be prepared in case you did.”
“And here I thought you’d bring the Hummer.”
He kissed me again, until I was dizzy, then he scooped me in his arms, setting me on the back of the bike. “Nope, I know what you like. A bike under you, the wind in your hair, endless roads, and me in your arms.”
“Three out of four ain’t bad,” I teased, clinging tight to him.
The engine revved to life and we rode away.
“I hope you’re ready for forever,” he said.
“As long as you’re there.”
“Always.”
And my blood sang, humming a song only we could hear.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First of all I have to thank my editor, Liz Pelletier, for loving this story and the characters and helping bring my world to life. I promise I won’t write anymore love “quadrangles.” You had to read so many versions of this story and I thank you for pushing me to make it better. And I have to give you squishy hugs for keeping me caffeinated during my big deadline. Thank you for believing in me and in The Winter People. I also want to thank Robin Haseltine and Stacy Abrams for your editorial comments and insight. You are fabulous and brilliant. Huge thanks also goes out to Jaime Arnold and to Liz’s daughter, Madison, who both read this story in the slush pile and loved it enough to talk about it and help get it in the right hands.
And where would I be without my fabulous critique group YA Fiction Fanatics (YAFF)? You ladies see my stories at their worst and help me to mold them into something so much more. Thank you for being my cheerleaders, my character T-shirt wearing fans, and, above all else, my friends. So here’s to you Penny, Barb, Traci, Rachel, Min, Vanessa, Jen, Kelbian, Samantha, Amy, Kelley, Karen, and Carly. Seriously, we all have way too many book boyfriends.
To my day job besties who get to listen to me talk about my stories probably way more than they want to hear about them: Heather, Cholle, Tricia, and Danie. Work would not be nearly as much fun without you. And a big, ginormous shout-out to my day job boss Wendy, who lets me take days off work when deadlines come in, and who also shares in my love for all things vampires, werewolves, and love triangles (I swear we were separated at birth).
And where would I be without my lovely agent, Jenn Mishler, who undoubtedly answers more crazy emails from me than anyone else. Thank you for being there for me and for being the champion of all my stories. You truly do wield a lightsaber and are strong with the Force!
To Mom and Dad for nurturing my love for the written word by buying me books growing up.
To Rachel and Phil, the best siblings a girl could have. Love you. And to my hubby Tim for all your love and support over the years. Thank you for not letting me give up and for always encouraging me along the way.
And to my dear friend, Pam Powers, who believed in me enough to pay for the mailing of my first ever full manuscript request after my husband’s plant had closed down, and we were down to our last $10.00. That is something I will NEVER forget.
Finally, I want to thank my Lord and Savior for blessing me and giving me this amazing gift that I can share with others.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her family. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster! She admits to having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate… Rebekah currently resides in Michigan with her husband, kids, and gazillion pets.
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The Winter People Page 29
