by Eva Brandt
Now, I could not imagine ever living as I had in the past. By the same token, I was sure my dragons could not imagine going back to their previous rivalry. Their magic was a testament of that, as was my own. I would never regain the full extent of my nymph abilities, but even being able to do this small thing meant a lot.
The light faded, and I gestured for my dragons to get up. They did, looking a little dazed, but happy and most importantly, healed. I half-expected my underlings to be taken aback by this. They weren't. Instead, they started to applaud, their raucous cheers echoing against the icy walls of the palace. Some were noisier than others, with the bellows of the yetis so loud they would've probably caused an avalanche had my magic not kept the snow of the Frozen Peaks stable. From the cacophony of sounds, a few sentences came through, predictable, but soothing.
"All hail Queen Cheimon!"
"May her reign be as eternal as the snow!"
My people's enthusiasm probably had a lot to do with the fact that my nymph abilities contrasted with everything the previous queen of Tou Cheimóna represented. I didn't mind. Surrounded by my loved ones, with my sister and my lovers by my side, I felt at peace. Yes, I still had an enemy to defeat and a lot of problems to deal with, but as long as I had my family with me, there was very little I could not handle.
Soulmates of Seasons Index
Chronikos (The Land of Time)
Tou Cheimóna, The Realm of Eternal Ice
Ruler: Cheimon (Cassia), Lady of Winter.
Preceded by: Snegurka – a character originated from Russian fairytales, depicted as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz; here, adapted as his daughter
Lieutenants:
First Lieutenant: December
Second Lieutenant: January
Third Lieutenant, Ambassador Winter-Spring: February
Other inhabitants:
Yeti – ape-like creature originating from the culture of Nepal
Ded Moroz - East Slavic figure very similar to Santa Claus. Literal translation of name is Grandfather Frost.
Nisse – in Scandinavian folklore, a type of friendly brownie that inhabits farmsteads
Barbegazi – a type of gnome heralding from French/Swiss mythology, resembling a small white-furred man with enormous feet
Yuki-Onna – a type of spirit from Japanese mythology that shows up during snow storms as an inhumanly beautiful woman and may prey on lost travelers
Amarok – in Inuit mythology, a gigantic wolf that stalks and devours anyone who hunts alone at night
Jack Frost – In several cultures, many of them Anglo-Saxon, the embodiment of winter, ice and snow
Wendigo – man-eating monster that originates from the consumption of human flesh during a harsh winter; originates from Algonquian folklore
Akhlut – a wolf-orca hybrid creature originating from Inuit mythology
Tis Ánoixis, The Realm of Eternal Youth
Ruler: Eiar (Eranthe), Lady of Spring
Preceded by King Jarylo – Slavic god of vegetation, fertility and springtime
Inhabitants:
Nymph – in Greek mythology, minor nature deities associated with particular locations or geographical formations; can be of different types
Meliae – a type of nymph identified with flowers
Unicorn – legendary equine creature with a single horn spiraling from its forehead
Leprechaun – in Irish folklore, a type of fairy depicted as little bearded men who partake in mischief. They are sometimes associated with Hungry Grass (or Fairy Grass), a type of cursed plant that induces a state of perpetual weakness and insatiable hunger.
The Vegetable Lamb of Tartary – a legendary zoophyte of Central Asia, believed to be both a true animal and a living plant. It was said to be able to grow sheep the way trees grow fruit. Depicted here as able to separate itself from the earth.
Tou Kalokairioú, The Realm of Eternal Sunlight
Ruler: Theros (Tarasia), Lady of Summer
Preceded by: Queen Bast, goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, depicted with the head of a cat/lioness. Mentioned here in her solar deity role.
Inhabitants:
Sphinx – a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a person. In Egyptian mythology, it was seen as a guardian against evil forces, whereas Greek lore depicted it mostly as a threatening being with the propensity to devour anyone who did not answer its riddles.
Cat Sìth – in Celtic mythology, a type of fairy that takes the form of a black cat with a white spot on its chest
Tou Fthinopórou, The Realm of Eternal Bounties
Ruler: Phthinoporon (Pandora), Lady of Autumn
Preceded by: King Fufluns – Etruscan god of plant life, happiness, wine, health, and growth
Inhabitants
Gnome – small humanoid being said to live underground; a type of earth elemental
Hydra – multi-headed serpentine monster originating from Greek mythology
Nymph
Satyr – in Greek mythology, a nature spirit depicted as either having horse-like tails and ears and an exaggerated erection or the lower half of a goat
Bigfoot – in North American tales, an ape-like creature that dwells in the wilderness
Tengu – in Japanese lore, a type of Shinto god or yōkai (supernatural being) with both human and avian characteristics. They are usually depicted with reddish skin and an inhumanly long nose.
Terra Dracones (The Land of Dragons)
Provinces
Talamh Na Dragain
Inhabitants: Wyvern – type of dragon with two legs and a barbed tail
Amphiptere – type of dragon described as a legless, feathered winged serpent; depending on species variation, their wings may be bat-like, moth-like or bird-like, and their feathers may cover their whole bodies, instead of just their wings
Land der Drachen
Inhabitants: Firedrake – a type of dragon originating mainly from Germanic mythology; depicted here as possessing four limbs and breathing fire
Ryū no Kuni
Inhabitants: Ryū – Japanese dragon; wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet, associated with bodies of water
Other: Hydra
Lóng – Chinese dragon; similar to the Japanese version, most commonly depicted with serpentine bodies and four legs
Basilisk – reptilian mythological creature with the ability to turn creatures into stone through its gaze; depicted here in their cockatrice form, as winged, two-legged dragons with a rooster's head
Wyrm – huge, wingless, limbless serpent; presented here as a simpler, inferior species. The term 'wyrmed' is used pejoratively for another type of dragon who was born with the ability to fly, but lost his limbs/wings to injury
Notable mentions: Fafnir – former dwarf turned into a wyrm through a curse
Other realms:
Ton Daímon (The Land of Demons)
Inhabitants: Gargoyles – mythological monster inspired by the architectural gargoyle element, usually made out of animated stone; depicted here as possessing the ability to turn living tissue into stone.
The Immortuos Voievodat (The Voivodeship of the Undead)
Terra Bestias (The Land of Animals)
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eva Brandt is a romance aficionado who likes to spice up her stories with an extra bit of something special. Dragons? Perfect. Vampires? You got it. Any other type of mythological creature you might not have heard of? Absolutely. Sexy, snarky heroines and heroes with a penchant for falling head over heels in love with them? Yes and double yes.
She also believes in a very simple motto. Be passionate about passion. Embrace temptation. Life is too short to deny yourselves the most beautiful things about it.
When
she's not weaving her latest sexy tale, she enjoys relaxing in bed with a nice mug of tea and her ebook reader. Because nothing is better than writing a book, excepting reading one.
Visit Eva at on her website or Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter. She is always happy to hear from her readers.
NOW AVAILABLE
Soulmates of Seasons 1. Winter's Dragons. Melting Ice
One exasperated snow queen who simply can’t find reliable help. Three dragons who really just want to claim their female. What could possibly go wrong?
Available free on Amazon through Kindle Unlimited.
Soulmates of Seasons 2. Winter's Dragons. Frozen Flames
A firedrake, a wyvern and a ryū walked into the life of a snow queen and melted the ice over her heart. But what happens when their bond brings about some unexpected consequences?
Available free on Amazon through Kindle Unlimited.
Soulmates of Seasons 3. Spring's Vampires. Withered Rose
One youthful queen of eternal spring who is far more than she seems. Three vampires who run the risk of forgetting all about their important mission, just because of her smile. Things are about to get steamy in The Land of Eternal Youth.
Available for pre-order on Amazon (expected release date 04/15/2019).
The Accursed Saga 1. Awakening Angel
Six men, one woman, a curse threatening to tear them all apart.
In the world of the Accursed, having a soulmate means facing off against shape-shifting assassins, insane vampires and immortal princes who claim they can’t feel. Finding love is a crime punishable by death, and being human can lead to watching the people you most love wither away. One woman will challenge those rules and dark secrets. Join Lucienne in her quest to break the enchantment on the Accursed and save her soulmates.
Available free on Amazon through Kindle Unlimited.
The Accursed Saga 2. Beloved Rebel
What would you do if the only person who can help you is your worst enemy? Would you turn him away out of pride and distrust, or would you betray everything you’ve ever believed in for your own self-interest?
Lucienne’s adventure continues! With several of her soulmates in trouble and more dark secrets being revealed, she will have to turn to the most unlikely person to protect what she holds dear. But will the price they will have to pay for it be too high?
Available free on pre-order on Amazon (expected release date 05/05/2019).
© 2019 Eva Brandt
