“Yes, don’t gossip in the streets like a louse, Ruben.” Lilen grabs Emmie’s hand and gives the boy a disapproving look. Beside her, Saesa rolls her eyes and turns to me.
“You have a place to go?” she asks. I shake my head. “Come on, then.” She pulls me along with them, and I let her.
Ice. Ribbons fluttering. Red curls bouncing. Sweets. Running. Sliding. Laughter. Warmth.
“We’re home!” everyone calls out as we tumble through the door out of the cold. Inside is bright and grand. Rich. Like a palace. They all sit. Pull off their boots. Line them neatly on the side of the carpet. Fold their wrappings and stow them in the carved cupboard. I don’t. My boots are new. My gloves are new. I won’t lose them.
“Stay here.”
Yes, stay here. A woman with a baby on her hip appears at the top of the twisting staircase. She smiles and presses a finger to her lips.
“Garsi just went down,” she says in a hushed voice. “Into the sitting room with you. Luncheon soon.” Her feet are light on the polished stone stairs even holding the baby. Her dress is fine. It shimmers in the light from the high windows. “Oh, and you’ve brought a friend.” Her smile is bright. Kind. I look away from it.
“Yes, can he stay?” Saesa pleads. Lilen rolls her eyes. Raefe ushers the others to the sitting room. How strange, I think, to have a room just for sitting.
“Well, it isn’t my place to say, is it? You’ll have to ask Nessa. Go on, then. Take Errie with you.” She gives the wiggling baby to Saesa. Goes through another door, letting out the mouthwatering aroma of fresh baked bread and stew. Saesa adjusts the baby. Tugs my arm.
“Come on,” she says. “Meet Nessa.”
She doesn’t tell me to take off my boots, so I don’t. I walk on the thick carpet with them. I wonder what it would feel like on my toes. Soft. Like sand, maybe. The sitting room is fine. Elegant. Lots of fancy furniture and thick draperies and baubles. Expensive things. Sparkling things. Things that serve no purpose but to be looked at and not touched. The lady on the sofa fits right in. Her skirts are all ruffles that take up most of the seat and spill to the floor. Bright green, like the cloak. Enough fabric to clothe all of the girls. But they are dressed prettily enough on their own.
Emmie runs to the sofa and climbs up, trampling the gown. The lady beams. Hugs her. Kisses her face, still sticky with sweets. Sets her book on the side table as she lovingly takes the baby from Saesa. Her eyes twinkle as the rest swarm to hug and kiss and pile together onto her skirts.
“So, did you see the prince, then?” Her voice is filled with affection and amusement.
“Oh, yes, and the princess,” Emmie kneels on her lap, facing her. Reaches to Nessa’s perfectly done hair. Twirls a lock around her finger. It’s black, not red like Saesa’s or blonde like Lillen’s.
“And Azaeli.” Saesa says with excitement.
“All of His Majesty’s Elite were there. And a score of High Guard, just like you thought,” Raefe says as he leans against the grand hearth. I edge closer to its warmth, listening as the rest recount every detail of the procession. Details I didn’t notice, but that seem to interest Nessa very much. The crackling fire reminds me of the towers. The flames. The smoke as it rose into the night sky. My task accomplished. My new life begun.
Stay here.
Yes, I’ll stay here. Here, where they’ll never suspect me. Here, where I’ll be safe.
Call of Sunteri is coming to Amazon November 24, 2015. Be sure to sign up for my mailing list for updates on this and other upcoming titles! www.missysheldrake.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
When I began writing this book, I wanted to tell a story that would entice its readers and take them away to a place of beauty, wonder, and love. I wanted to create something that could be enjoyed by both the young and the young at heart. I’m so grateful to God for the inspiration that came to me while I was writing. I’m thankful to my husband James and my son Wesley, who were both so supportive and encouraging during the writing process.
I’m also very grateful to the following readers who were kind enough to take the time to explore Call of Kythshire before it was published: Emily Derrick, Mckayla Ford, Bonnie Hatch, Abby Venetsanos, Angie Venetsanos, and Debra White. Your encouragement in my writing ability and your advice has always been invaluable to me, and I will always be grateful to you.
To Stacy Marans and Karri Klawiter, I am indebted to you both for your expert advice on the design of my book cover. I am many things, but a graphic designer is definitely not one of them. I’m sure the look of my cover would have suffered greatly if not for your help. Thank you so much.
Finally to Ellisa Barr, who helped me with too many things to list here: Thank you for inspiring me to start, and for seeing me through to the end.
Thank you all, and I hope you enjoy Call of Kythshire!
About the Author
Missy Sheldrake lives in Northern Virginia with her amazingly supportive husband, brilliant son, and very energetic dog. Aside from filling the role of mom and wife, Missy is a mural painter, sculptor, and illustrator. She has always had a fascination with fairies and a great love of fairy tales and fantasy stories. Call of Kythshire is her first novel.
You can see more of her work on her website: www.missysheldrake.com
Call of Kythshire (Keepers of the Wellsprings Book 1) Page 40
