by Tara West
“Not forever,” Alec said. “You and Ura’s family can visit us during Adolan’s harsh winters.”
Dianna elbowed Simeon when he grumbled. “They’ll stay with Alec,” she whispered.
“And we will visit you during the summer,” Alec added, “so make sure the home you build is a big one.”
She would visit her brother in Adolan, even if Ryne lived with him. Simeon would have to put up with the blue broot for a few days every year.
Markus grinned. “Do you plan on having big families?”
Alec eagerly nodded. “Absolutely.”
Dianna and Simeon shared covert glances as heat crept into her cheeks. “I pray to the Elements we do.”
Epilogue
“MOMMY! MOMMY! LOOK what I grew.”
Kyana skipped into the hearth room, holding up a fresh bouquet of flowers, and Dianna took her daughter in her arms, kissing her smooth cheek.
“Beautiful, Kyana. It’s just what I needed.” She took the flowers and slipped a pink one behind her ear, then wove a vine of orange bells into Kyana’s thick hair. The flowers were a stunning compliment to her blonde curls, golden eyes, and olive skin. “Kyana, darling?” She tapped her daughter’s button nose. “Could you grow us some of those delicious green beans? Uncle Zier is coming for supper. Aunt Jae and Uncle Kerr will be joining us, too.”
Simeon strode into the room, carrying baby Rowlena while a gaggle of giggling little girls ran circles around his legs.
“Girls, go help your sister pick them,” he said. “Ask Uncle Des to help.”
“Yes, Daddy,” the girls said in unison, obediently obeying their father with cheery smiles. The warm Aloa-Shay sea breeze and the pungent smells of the ocean carried into the room when they flung open the door and ran out.
Even though when Simeon had used dark magic to tether their souls, it should’ve weakened his magical ability to charm, he still turned heads wherever he went, and he had sway with his five daughters. Had she been a jealous mother, Dianna would’ve been bothered by the way they doted on him, but having experienced her own mother’s vindictive jealousy, she wanted her daughters to know only love and compassion from her. And she did love her family so. They put so much happiness in her heart, washing away painful memories and creating joyful ones.
“How’s Mari?” Simeon asked, handing Rowlena to her.
“Fine.” She balanced Rowlena on her hip, not surprised when the baby reached for the flower in her hair. “She’s not in labor. The baby was just stretching.” She handed the flower to her daughter, then planted a gentle kiss on her forehead before digging two letters out of her vest pocket.
“What are those?” Simeon asked.
“Zier delivered them.” She held up the parchment with a smile. She was anxious to hear the latest news from Markus and Sindri.
Simeon arched a brow and bit into a piece of palma fruit. “Where is the trader?”
She leaned into her husband, wiping a trickle of juice off his chin. “He’s still visiting Alec’s family, but I invited him to stay the night when he’s finished.”
Simeon nodded to the letters. “Well, are you going to read them?”
“Of course!” She eagerly tore into Markus’s letter first. It wasn’t often her brother found the time to write, with the responsibility of teaching three young sons how to hunt and fish the wilds of Adolan while also preserving the forest creatures for future generations.
She scanned the letter, then frowned, a feeling of dread racing through her veins like liquid sludge. “Oh, no,” she groaned, slumping into a nearby chair while Rowlena tried to tear the parchment from her hands.
Simeon sat beside her. “What is it?”
“Markus’s family is coming for a visit next month.”
A quizzical smile tugged at his mouth. “But you enjoy his visits, and the girls love playing with their cousins.”
She eyed him with a smirk. “They’re also bringing Ryne.”
Simeon blinked hard, as if he was waiting for her to pinch his leg and tell him she was only jesting. “Good time for the girls and me to visit my family in the Shifting Sands.”
“Don’t you dare.” She waved the letter in his face. “Ryne’s got a new wife, and it’s your turn to break up their marital fights.”
He swore. “Wife number three?”
“Or four.” Dianna shifted Rowlena, gently rubbing the baby’s back when she rested a chubby cheek on her shoulder. “I can’t keep up. Hopefully this wife doesn’t run off with a sand dweller, too.”
He rolled his eyes. “Maybe if he was nicer.”
She couldn’t help laughing. “That’s like asking Tan’yi’na to breathe ice.”
He nodded at the other piece of parchment in her hand. “What does Sindri’ say?”
She popped the seal. “Kyan and her daughters will be visiting my sisters this fall.” She quickly read the news from The Shifting Sands. “Kyan’s garden is bigger than ever. Oh,” she squealed. “Little Amar is breathing blue fire.” She loved getting updates on Lydra and Tan’yi’na’s hatchling. When she got to the last line, she threw down the letter. “They want me to act as liaison when they visit Ice Mountain.” Even though Kyan and her daughters appeared to get along well with the Elementals, there was tension between them. Mayhap a lingering thread of animosity left behind by Madhea. Meetings between the Land and Sky Goddesses had always been awkward, and they relied on Dianna to bridge any gaps left behind by Madhea’s taint.
He shook his head. “One of these days, they will have to conduct their meetings without you.”
“I think this little mite is ready for a nap.” She smiled at her baby, who was struggling to keep her large green eyes open.
Simeon followed her as she carried the baby into the nursery. She stepped over wooden toy dragons Zier had whittled for the girls and pushed aside a golden-eyed, dark-skinned doll with her foot. Then she laid little Rowlena in her crib. She shut her eyes and snuggled with the quilt Mari had stitched for her.
He leaned over the crib, kissing his daughter on the cheek. “She’s been sleeping more soundly since the Mother’s Blessing.”
“It’s worked wonders for all our daughters.” She brushed her hip against his, winking at him. “Hopefully, it will work for the next one.”
He took her hand in his. “The next one?”
“Aye.” She smiled. “Another girl.” She still didn’t understand how her intuition worked, but she’d accurately guessed the sex, eye color, and magical gifts of each of her children. Elements save them all, daughter number six would be born with Simeon’s golden eyes and persuasive charms. She suspected this child would wrap mother, father, and the rest of the family around her little finger.
“Daughter number six.” He laughed, pulling her out of the room. “We’re creating our own family coven.”
“I know.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up on her tiptoes for a kiss. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
The End
For more books by Tara West visit www.tarawest.com
Books by Tara West
Eternally Yours
Divine and Dateless
Damned and Desirable
Damned and Desperate
Demonic and Deserted
Dead and Delicious
Something More Series
Say When
Say Yes
Say Forever
Say Please
Say You Want Me
Say You Love Me
Say You Need Me
Dawn of the Dragon Queen Saga
Dragon Song
Dragon Storm
Whispers Series
Sophie’s Secret
Don’t Tell Mother
Krysta’s Curse
Visions of the Witch
Sophie’s Secret Crush
Witch Blood
Witch Hunt
Keepers of the Stones
Witch Flame, Prelude
Curse of the Ice Dragon, Book One<
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Spirit of the Sea Witch, Book Two
Scorn of the Sky Goddess, Book Three
GLOSSARY
Adolan – A village below the glacier, and far below the peak of Ice Mountain.
Alec – Brother to Markus and Dianna.
Aletha – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone.
Aloa-Shay – A seaside village, several weeks’ journey from Adolan.
Ariette – An Elemental, she is Madhea’s daughter and Kia’s sister.
Aya-Shay – The dwarf village by the sea.
Bane Eryll – Oldest son of Elof Eryll. Outed for cowardice.
Borg – Adopted Giant son of King Hogbottom.
Brendle – Desryn’s little dog.
Broot – A large horned whale
Carnivus – Man-eating plants created by Eris that grow beneath the ocean.
Cotulla Blossoms – Common flowers to the region of Adolan and Werewood Forest.
Dafuar – Ancient prophet and son of the fallen Goddess, Kyan. He dwells in Adolan and his twin brother is Odu.
Dalia – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone.
The Danae – A stream beside Adolan. It branches off from The Danae River, which flows beneath the glacier.
Desryn (Des) – Younger brother to Dianna, the witch huntress.
Dianna – A young witch, secret daughter of Madhea and half-sister to Markus and Alec. Dianna is a foster sister to Desryn, whom she has cared for since their parents died.
Dragon’s Tooth – A large ‘spiked’ tower of ice.
The Elementals – Daughters of the Elements and of the goddesses. Six Elementals serve Madhea and six served Eris.
The Elements – The creators of Tehra, and the source of magic for the witches and Goddesses.
Eris – Goddess of the Sea. Also known as the Sea Witch, she was Madhea’s sister.
Feira – Granddaughter to Kyan and daughter of Odu. She ruled the Shifting Sands in her grandmother’s absence.
Gargoyles – Flying demon creatures as large as humans.
Gnull – Large predatory ice creatures (think prehistoric walrus) that are very dangerous and a threat to the Ice People. However, they are prized for their blubbery oil, which is used as candle tallow. Gnull fur is used for clothing, and their bones are used for weapons and crafting boats.
Gorpat – The dwarf Grim’s giant daughter.
Grimley (Grim) – Gorpat’s dwarf father.
Ice Kingdom – City within the glacier.
Ice Mites – Light bugs that dwell in frozen crystals, giving the ice formations a glowing appearance.
Ice Mountain – A towering column of ice that stretches beyond the Heavens, built by Madhea as a shrine to herself. She dwells at the top of Ice Mountain with her daughters, the Elementals.
Ice Shield – A thin layer of ice shielding Ice Kingdom from the outside world.
Ingred Johan – Council chieftain. Her son is Ven Jonan.
Jon Nordlund – Kind ice dweller, and father to Ura and Ryne.
Jae (Ghost) – Simeon’s non-magical twin.
Jae – The girl the Elementals had switched Dianna with at birth. She was killed by Madhea in book one.
Jon Nordlund – Kind ice dweller, and father to Ura and Ryne.
Khashka – Mari’s father who died in book two.
Kia – An Elemental, she is Madhea’s daughter and Ariette’s sister.
Kicelin – Village at the base of Ice Mountain.
King Furbald – The unpleasant dwarf king.
King Munluc – King of the giants.
Kraehn – Fanged fish that dwell beneath the icy river. They devour just about anything, even people, in a matter of moments.
Lazy Eyed Serpents – Ugly, long eel-like fish. Though their meat is soft and slimy, serpents are the main food source for the ice dwellers.
Liam – An ice dweller. Ryne’s friend.
Lydra – Madhea’s (now Dianna’s) dragon, which breathes impenetrable ice.
Lyme tree – A tree large enough for a gathering hall to be built within its branches. Found at the base of the mountain and surrounding the village of Adolan.
Madhea – The Ice Witch. An evil goddess sometimes referred to as the Sky Goddess.
Mari- The young spirit girl whose body was taken by Eris. Alec’s love interest.
Markus – The hunter who brought on The Hunter’s Curse. He is the son of Rowlen and brother of Alec and husband to Ura.
Matron Thisben – The baker from Adolan.
Metis – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone.
Neriphene – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone.
Odu – Ancient prophet and son of the fallen Goddess, Kyan. Twin brother to
Orhan (O-Ran) – Kyan’s mortal husband, and father to Odu, Dafuar, and their six daughters.
Palma fruit – Delicious fruit that grows in Aloa-Shay. Think of a cross between a mango and a coconut.
Pixies – Small, flying, fanged creatures with razor-sharp teeth, long claws and red eyes. With a penchant for creating mischief and an appetite for blood, they answer to the bidding of Madhea or her daughters.
Rení the Wise – An ancient and wise earth speaker who lives in the mines of the Shifting Sands.
Riverweed – A source of sustenance for the people of Aloa-Shay.
Rolf Leifson – The barkeep of Adolan.
Rowlen Jägerrson – Alec, Markus’s, and Dianna’s deceased father.
Ryne – Ice dweller who tries to convince his people that the ice is melting.
Jon’s son and Ura’s brother.
The Sacred Stones (Goddess Stones) – Seven stones, each one possessing the spirit of the fallen goddess, Kyan, and her six daughters.
Salamin – Fish that swim up river near Aloa-Shay.
Shadow Kingdom – Abandoned dwarf empire, razed by Madhea and Eris’s armies nearly a century ago.
The Shifting Sands – A land with a hostile, dry climate, which serves as a sanctuary from the goddesses.
Simeon – A handsome Shifting Sands witch who has the magical power of persuasion.
Sindrí – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone by Madhea.
Sirens – Man-eating mermaids.
Slog- A creature who eats mites. Think of a sloth.
Soaring Perch – Fat, winged fish that swim in The Danae River, beneath the glacier.
Sofla – One of the dwarf Zier’s grown twin daughters.
Sogred - One of the dwarf Zier’s grown twin daughters.
Snowbear – Similar to a Polar Bear. These bears can be found all along the glacier, Ice Mountain and, occasionally, south of Adolan.
Tan’yi’na – Magnificent golden dragon and guardian to the fallen Goddess Kyan.
Tar – Ryne’s loyal dog companion. Think of an Alaskan Husky.
Tehra – Their world.
Thesan – One of Kyan’s daughters turned to stone.
Trolls – Ugly, strong creatures that feast off human flesh.
Tryads – The three goddesses.
Tumi- Feira’s corpse-like husband.
Tung – Mari’s disabled cousin and Khashka’s nephew.
Ura – Ice dweller. Jon’s daughter and Ryne’s sister. Also, Markus’s wife.
Ven Johan – Ingred’s son who travels with Ryne.
Werewood Forest – An enchanted forest, halfway between Adolan and Aloa-Shay.
Zephyra – Head mage of The Seven.
Zelda – The dwarf trader’s wife and mother to Sofla and Sogred.
Zier – The dwarf trader and father to Sofla and Sogred.
For more books by Tara West visit www.tarawest.com
Books by Tara West
Eternally Yours
Divine and Dateless
Damned and Desirable
Damned and Desperate
Demonic and Deserted
Dead and Delicious
Something More Series
Say When
Say Yes
Say Forever
Say Please
Say You Want Me
Say You Love Me
Say You Need Me
Dawn of the Dragon Queen Saga
Dragon Song
Dragon Storm
Whispers Series
Sophie’s Secret
Don’t Tell Mother
Krysta’s Curse
Visions of the Witch
Sophie’s Secret Crush
Witch Blood
Witch Hunt
Keepers of the Stones
Witch Flame, Prelude
Curse of the Ice Dragon, Book One
Spirit of the Sea Witch, Book Two
Scorn of the Sky Goddess, Book Three
Visit Tara’s Amazon page here: http://amzn.to/2mCjR9T
ABOUT TARA WEST
TARA WEST WRITES BOOKS about dragons, witches, and handsome heroes while eating chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate. She's willing to share her dragons, witches, and heroes. Keep your hands off her chocolate. A former high school English teacher, Tara is now a full-time writer and graphic artist. She enjoys spending time with her family, interacting with her fans, and fishing the Texas coast.
Awards include: Dragon Song, Grave Ellis 2015 Readers Choice Award, Favorite Fantasy Romance
Divine and Dateless, 2015 eFestival of Words, Best Romance
Damned and Desirable, 2014 Coffee Time Romance Book of the Year
Sophie's Secret, selected by The Duff and Paranormal V Activity movies and Wattpad recommended reading lists
Curse of the Ice Dragon, Best Action/Adventure 2013 eFestival of Words
Hang out with her on her Facebook fan page at: https://www.facebook.com/tarawestauthor
Or check out her website: www.tarawest.com
She loves to hear from her readers at: [email protected]
