Lord of Legends
Page 36
And they found her acceptable.
Vivian rocked him as Ash read, as voraciously as always, and Mariah knitted Finnian a tiny little cap. Vivian was almost content. The old pain flared in her hands, and she did her best to ignore it.
But then Finnian reached out with his pudgy fingers and grasped Vivian’s. He smiled. The pain receded and then was gone.
The tears spilled from Vivian’s eyes.
“Mother?”
Mariah had come to stand over her chair, her hand on Vivian’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Vivian said. She lifted her hand and demonstrated the easy movement of her fingers. “Finnian is a remarkable child.”
“Yes. He is.” Mariah knelt beside the chair and ran her finger over Finnian’s downy cheek. “He takes after his father.”
Ash looked up and met Mariah’s gaze, such love in his eyes that Vivian trembled.
There was joy in the house again. Long after she had gone to her final rest, it would remain as it was now. A place of hope. Of magic. And of love.
Appendix: The Fane Series
Lord of Legends is the third book in my ongoing “Fane” series of paranormal romances. In order, the series consists of the following books:
The Forest Lord (Berkley Books)
Lord of the Beasts (HQN, 2006)
Lord of Legends (HQN, 2009)
Lord of Sin (HQN, 2009)
Each book can also be read independently.
The Fane are a race of “Fair Folk,” human-like beings of great power who live in the world of Tir-Na-Nog. (For more information about the Fane and Tir-na-Nog, see “The Fane and Other Fairies.”)
In The Forest Lord, set in Regency England, we are first introduced to the Fane through the hero of the story, Lord Hern. Born of a powerful Fane bloodline, he is the ruler of an ancient forest in the county of Westmorland in northern England…a forest which, like him, has remained nearly unchanged for two thousand years. He has been known as Cernunnos, the horned god, by the Romans, and as Hern by the country folk. He rules the beasts of the forest and guards its borders. In his true form he is a man with the horns of a stag, but can appear in any guise he chooses.
When the story begins, he has wearied of his time on the earthly plane, long abandoned by the majority of the Fane, and seeks to return to Tir-na-Nog. But there is a price: the queen of the Blessed Land, Titania, will only permit his return if he brings with him a half-human child of his own siring. When the Earl of Bradwell, lord of the adjoining estate, breaks his family’s vow never to enter the forest, Hern strikes a bargain with the mortal: he’ll allow the earl to leave the forest unharmed—if, in turn, the earl gives his daughter to Hern so that she may bear him a child. The earl demands that Hern must make Eden love him before the bargain can be complete.
Presenting himself as a mortal suitor, Hern wins Lady Eden’s love and elopes with her, but when she sees his true shape she flees and Hern disappears. Nine months later Eden gives birth to a stillborn son, and her father arranges her marriage to the impecunious son of a viscount. Only upon Spencer Winstowe’s death does Lady Eden Winstowe learn that her son was born alive and sent to live with a foster family in Ireland.
When Eden returns to Hartsmere, she’s not only reunited with her half-Fane son, Donal, but meets a strange, brooding and handsome man, a laborer who calls himself Hartley Shaw (a name derived, like Hartsmere, from the word “hart,” a male red deer). Shaw is really Hern in disguise, and his goal is to court Eden again and take from her their son, whom he had been told was dead. Of course, this isn’t as easy as he believed. Though Fane are supposed not to love as humans do, he finds himself prey to that very mortal emotion.
Nuala, heroine of Lord of Sin, is first introduced in The Forest Lord as the elderly Mrs. Byrne, housekeeper at Hartsmere, who helps Eden and Hern/Hartley negotiation the sometimes dangerous waters of love and magic.
Lord of the Beasts is Donal’s story, set in the Cotswolds in the mid 1800s. Donal has chosen to live in the mortal realm, under threat from Queen Titania, his grandmother, that he will lose his Fane powers should he ever fall in love.
Donal’s gift is the ability to speak to and understand the language of all the beasts of the earth. He maintains a veterinary practice and a farm in Yorkshire, and is content to live alone with his animal companions. But when the widowed Mrs. Cordelia Hardcastle arrives at Stenwater Farm asking him to take charge of her private menagerie, he is tempted for the first time in his life to leave his solitude behind. Having unofficially adopted an orphaned girl living in the rookeries of London, he finds himself able to give Ivy a real home and the chance of a future. But his path to love with Cordelia is strewn with obstacles, not least of them Béfind, Ivy’s Fane mother, who wishes to reclaim her at any price.
Lord of Legends takes place in the 1880s, in the countryside of Cambridgeshire. While it is not a direct sequel to The Forest Lord and Lord of the Beasts, it involves the Fane, Tir-na-Nog, and the fabled unicorns who once roamed the earth but were driven away by hunters mad to claim their magical horns.
Lord of Sin sees the return of Nuala, who has spent over two hundred years atoning for a fatal misuse of her witch’s powers. The story is one of white witchcraft, family curses, and ghosts as well as the tumultuous romance between Nuala, twice a widow, and the “Lord of Sin,” St. John Wade.
Appendix: The Fane and Other Fairies
In nearly every culture of the world there are tales of fairies, magic-wielding creatures of varying powers, long-lived and mysterious, who share the earth with Man but always remain apart. In some countries, fairy-like beings are associated with ancient gods, in others with forces of nature. They might be wholly benevolent or hostile to mankind. Nearly all possess a separate world of their own, occasionally visited by mortal men…always at some cost to the mortal involved. Some had souls, others not. Many had kings and princes who held court in woods and palaces. Sometimes they mated with mortals, or stole mortal children to raise as their own. Always they fascinated the people who told the tales and listened to them.
In my Fane novels, I’ve taken elements of fairy, or Faerie, legends from the British Isles and adapted them in a way that interested me. Thus I’ve used the name “Fane” from the Scottish Lowlands and also the Irish word “Sidhe” to describe my “Fair Folk.” My Fane are not tiny creatures or little men; they are more like ancient demigods with some of the characteristics of Faerie folklore. They are dark, capricious, and selfish creatures by and large, arrogant and certain of their power, but those of part-human blood—such as Donal in Lord of the Beasts, or Mariah in Lord of Legends—often hold some Faerie powers while also being capable of mortal compassion, love, and loyalty.
There are different theories about the origin of the world “Faerie,” but many believe that it is derived from the Latin word “Fatum,” meaning “enchanted.” It may also come from the Persian “peri,” magical, humanlike beings who fed on the scent of perfume and were beautiful beyond measure.
In ancient Greece and Rome, the woods and wild places possessed their own demigods—the nymphs, fauns, satyrs, Dryads and Naiads. The Arabic Jinn were said to have been created before Adam and were made of fire. Like humankind, they were capable of eating, drinking and being killed by the right weapons, and sometimes mated with mortal men and women. They could appear as animals and could affect the elements. The story of the genie in the lamp is derived from the legends of the Jinn.
The earliest versions of European Faeries were often human-sized, noble beings who are sometimes benevolent, frequently capricious and occasionally cruel. In the British Isles, Faeries were often said to live in hills or burial mounds, under which they built marvelous palaces filled with gold and jewels. They could range in size from human-high to no more than a few inches. They enjoyed dancing by moonlight and were visible only to a chosen few mortals. Some kinds of Faeries would work for mortals in exchange for food or various gifts, while others were mischievous and caused no end o
f trouble. They were said not to possess souls as Men do.
In Ireland, fairies were known as the “Fair Folk,” the Daoine Sidhe, the Tuatha dé Danann, and the Gentry. The fairy world was called Tir-na-Nog, the Land of the Young, the Blessed Land. Here there was no want, hunger or death. Tradition held that it was situated on an island far to the west, but in my story I consider it to be another plane of existence, reachable through gates of ancient standing stones scattered throughout Great Britain. Time is different in the fairy realm, and a man may find the world greatly changed if he visits Tir-na-Nog and then returns to earth.
In early Irish legend, the Tuatha dé Danann, the People of Danu, ruled Ireland as heroic warriors. In time they were conquered by the human Gaels and retreated beneath hollow hills, or fled into the West. Still, for hundreds of years, they continued to have regular dealings with Men. Similar to the Sidhe were the Seelie Court of Scotland, the aristocrats of the Faerie realm. In Wales, this realm was called Annwyn, and its king Arawn, who took the shape of a handsome man.
The earliest legends often speak of love between Men and Faeries, sometimes producing children. In my Fane stories, I’ve established that the Fane are fading, even in their own world, and must obtain strong Mortal blood to revitalize them. Half-breed children are much prized, and some Fane will go to any lengths to obtain them.
Oberon and Titania were the Faerie king and queen in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I have used these names for my rulers of Tir-na-Nog. Oberon is found in earlier legends, though he’s usually described as three feet tall.
The elves, or Alfar, were the Fairies of Scandinavia. The Liosálfar, or Light Elves, were noble, benevolent creatures. In contrast, the Svartálfar were hostile to Man and were often aligned with the Trolde, or Trolls. The Liosálfar lived in the air and trees, while the evil elves were said to dwell underground. In some stories they are like humans in size, in others small. In Danish folklore, Elf-maidens often lured young mortal men into their dances. But Elf-kings were also said to defend the country in time of war.
The richness of Fairy legends provided me with the inspiration to write my Fane books, and I hope to continue to explore these worlds in future novels.
Appendix: A Short Bibliography
Dubois, Pierre; The Great Encyclopedia of Faeries. Simon & Schuster, New York, 1999
Silver, Carole G.; Strange and Secret People: Fairies and Victorian Consciousness. Oxford University Press, New York, 1999
Thomas Keightley; The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves, and other Little People. Gramercy Books, New York, 1978
Time-Life Books; The Enchanted World: Fairies and Elves.
Turn the page for a
preview of
LORD OF SIN,
Sinjin’s story,
coming in September 2009
only from
New York Times bestselling author
Susan Krinard
and
HQN Books
THE ROYAL ACADEMY was hot and crowded, even though the Season had scarcely begun. This was supposed to be the private viewing, open only to the best and brightest of Society, but that seemed to include half of London.
St. John Ware, the Earl of Donnington, yawned behind his hand and glanced at the paintings with only the mildest interest. He was far more intrigued by Lady Mandeville’s backside. Unfortunately, she was very happily married, unlike a great many of the peerage, and her husband was a rather large man.
Sinjin strolled the hall, seeking more amenable prey. There was Mrs. Laidlaw, whose husband was known to be involved with Lady Winthrop. She was quite acceptable in every way but her hair. It was blond, and that was anathema to him.
Lady Andrew, on the other hand, was dark haired, and her gown was very tight in the bodice, the impressive curve of her bosom all the more accentuated by the severity of her garments. Her husband was a known philanderer, making her ripe for the plucking.
As if she felt his stare, Lady Andrew turned. Her eyes widened as she saw him, and he predicted what was going through her pretty head as she stared at him.
The Earl of Donnington. Wealthy, handsome, possessed of every grace a peer ought to display. Impeccable clothing. The bearing of an Indian prince.
Sinjin laughed to himself. Ah, yes. The very pinnacle of perfection.
And London’s most notorious bachelor rake.
He smiled at Lady Andrew. Her lips curved tentatively, and then she turned back to the painting. It was enough. She was interested, and when it wasn’t so damned hot, he might pursue the opportunity that had so readily presented itself.
Out of habit, he continued his hunting. And there, across the room…
A mass of curling ginger hair that couldn’t quite be contained in the tightly wrapped style of the day, a height neither petite nor tall, a figure neat and fine, a dress so unobtrusive that it made her fiery head all the more striking.
Ginger hair was not fashionable, but it drew Sinjin like a roaring hearth in winter. It collected all the heat in the room and crackled with light.
“Ah. You noticed her, too.”
Mr. Leopold Erskine joined Sinjin. He was one of Sinjin’s best friends, though not a member of the confirmed-bachelor set of which Sinjin was undisputed leader. “Quite a beauty, isn’t she?” Leo commented.
Sinjin chuckled. “How can you tell? All I see is the back of her. And you’ve left off your spectacles.”
Leo began to speak again, but Sinjin’s attention had already wandered back to the fire maiden. She had turned slightly, but though her face was still not visible, there was an appealing lightness and grace about her movements as she bent to listen to one of the women standing beside her…a tall, dark-haired woman Sinjin was certain he recognized.
“Is the lady one of those widows I’ve been hearing about?” Sinjin asked. “The untouchables.”
“Ah, yes. I believe they call themselves the ‘Widows’ Club.’”
“The Witches’ Club,” or so some apparently liked to call them, Sinjin thought. A half-dozen wealthy, well-bred and eccentric ladies who had vowed never to marry again. He felt a flicker of disappointment.
You may have vowed not to marry again, my dear, he thought, his eyes still on the fire maiden. But that does not preclude a little entertainment on the side.
“What do you know of her, Leo?”
Erskine guessed immediately to whom Sinjin referred. “She is Lady Charles, wife of the late Lord Charles Parkhill. She was completely devoted to him and never left his side during his illness. Even after she was widowed, she remained in the country until this Season.”
“She is newly come to London?”
“Yes. The duchess and Lady Oxenham have been introducing her around town, but I understand that she has remained somewhat reclusive.” Erskine frowned. “Are you thinking of pursuing her?”
“Have you an interest, Erskine?”
“I need not be a member of your Set to decline the pleasure of marriage,” Erskine said.
“And you would consider nothing less.”
“I am hopelessly old-fashioned, as you have so often reminded me.”
Sinjin snorted. “Someday your virtue will take a tumble, my friend.”
“And one of these days, old chap, you may find a woman who is your equal.”
“If such a creature existed, I would marry her on the spot.”
“May I take you at your word, Sin? Shall we make a friendly wager of it?”
“You aren’t a gambling man.”
“I am merely curious. The study of human nature is one of my favorite occupations.”
“I don’t know that I wish to be an object of study.”
Leo produced his wallet and counted out twenty pounds. “Surely you can afford this much. But if you are afraid…”
“Afraid of a woman?” Sinjin thrust out his hand. “Done.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3091-4
LORD OF LEGENDS
Copyright © 2009 by Susan Krinard
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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