by Lynn Landes
Serenity’s Song
Written by
Lynn Landes
Serenity’s Song
By:
Lynn Landes
Published by:
Lynn Landes
Edited by:
Shane Landes
Cover art by:
http://amdesignstudios.net/
Copyright © 2014 by Lynn Landes
[email protected]
http://followlynnsthread.wordpress.com/
All rights reserved.
Other titles by Lynn Landes:
The Covenant Series:
Book 1
The Angel's Covenant
Book 2
Covenant Breakers
The Fae Series:
Fae Queen
Shadow King
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
License Notes:
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, recommend them to the Kindle website where they can purchase a copy.
Thank you for respecting the author’s hard work, and please enjoy.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Author Bio
South of France
“Trompeur!” the Saint groans as he slumps forward in death. The moment he takes his last breathe a ribbon of light seeps from his body and she touches it with her dagger absorbing the power.
“Betrayer, he called you,” says one of the men standing behind her in a shaking voice.
“Well I guess that is true, isn’t it?” She asks herself as she watches the two men drag the body away into the night. Ayva wipes the blood from her dagger with an evil smile. “Guardians are supposed to watch over and protect the Saints, but no one can protect the Saints from me!”
Chapter 1
“Bailey, I got the audition! I can’t believe it!” Serenity exclaims into her cell phone.
“Of course you did. Tell me everything!” Bailey replies.
“The audition is tomorrow night for the role of The Winter Queen. If I get this gig, it means major exposure! You will come won’t you, Bailey?”
“Of course! I will record it and post it on all the social media pages. We won’t just rely on your agent to get you noticed!”
“Excellent. I knew there was a reason God gave me such a smart sister. It’s really not fair you know? Beauty and Brains. Now I have to go find a costume, I want to show up in full character. I will do my own makeup and hair,” she begins ticking off all the things she needs to do to get ready.
“Serenity, take a deep breath. I have a good feeling about this. I know of a shop that carries vintage pieces. I will forward the address to your cell. I can come early to help with your hair and makeup too.”
“That’s perfect. You could get some photos and post them to my portfolio page.” Bailey’s work as a photographer for the local newspaper gained her the recognition she needed. As a result, she had hosted her first successful exhibition last month in New York.
“Mom and Dad would kill me if I didn’t! I will call the costume shop and tell them you are on the way. Call me when you’re finished, and I can meet you with dinner.”
“Thanks Bailey, you’re a life saver, love you.” Serenity hangs up and takes a deep breath, just as her cell dings. Bailey is a woman of her word!
“Once Upon a Dream, Costume Shop. Let’s hope they have what I need, sis.” She grabs her keys and heads out.
Excitement builds as Serenity steps outside her apartment. A chilly November breeze blows her long blonde hair away from her face, causing her to pull her wool blazer tight. She wonders, not for the first time, how a Carolina girl ended up on the coast of Maine. When Bailey called with the news that she was sick, Serenity did not think twice. She packed up her tiny shared rental in Tennessee, and booked the first flight she could get. Her dream of becoming a singer, would have to wait. Serenity was with Bailey when the tumor was diagnosed, and she was holding her hand when the doctors told her it would require surgery. She stayed with her for the days it took to wait on the results and she cried with her in relief, when it came back benign.
Of course, recovery from any kind of surgery can be difficult but Bailey’s tumor was in her brain. The pressure to her eyes was intense, headaches, and light sensitivity remained even after surgery. Luckily there was no permanent tissue damage, resulting in memory loss, speech problems or motor control. Bailey was blessed. The doctors could not promise that her vision would not be damaged. Serenity was amazed at her sister’s determination to recover quickly. Bailey did not want to be a burden and she fought her way back. Now, four years later, she is an award winning photographer and dating the guy of her dreams. Serenity is sure wedding bells will be ringing soon. She smiles as she parks, thinking about how in love the two of them are.
Climbing out of her car she reads the sign and sighs. “Once Upon a Dream, hmm, looks more like a nightmare.” The sign is old and the paint is peeling off. Only one other car is in the parking lot, and Serenity wonders if she has the right address.
After a moment, she decides that it can’t hurt to check it out, but double checks her cell phone, just in case. Okay, right address she thinks and pushes open the door. A brass bell rings overhead, announcing her arrival.
“Be right with you,” a voice sings out from the back of the shop.
Serenity breathes deep and smells cinnamon, and a touch of something else… Looking around the small dated shop, she notices a small cutting table with a vintage chandelier hanging overhead. A crackling, wood burning fire adds ambience to the room. Bookcases flank the fireplace, lined with materials of every kind. Maybe there is more to this little shop than she first thought?
“That delightful scent is orange and cloves. It rings of the holidays, an old family recipe,” the woman tells her. Serenity turns and is greeted by a tall woman in her fifties with snow white hair and violet eyes. Her unlined beauty is remarkable, and she can’t help but smile in response.
“I’m Noel, welcome to my costume shop. What can I do for you?” she says smiling at the beautiful young woman.
“Hello Noel. I am Serenity. I believe my sister called earlier, about a winter queen costume?”
A curious look enters the woman’s eyes and she smiles slowly. “How about some tea by the fireplace. Then you can you tell me more about what you are looking for?” Noel leads the way around some mannequins, and Serenity finds a pair of chairs with a small ottoman set up with a tea service all ready to enjoy.
“Lovely! It is starting to get really cold outside.” Serenity is buzzing with excitement as she removes her coat and settles into the chair. She tells Noel about her audition.
“So you are an actress?” Noel asks sipping her tea.
“No, not really. I am a singer that fell into acting. My first love is music, my favorite gig is the Children’s Hospital. I love spending time with the children, this will be my fourth year. I am hoping to use this costume for the audition, but I will also be visiting the local hospitals. I work with a local radio station colle
cting gifts, and distributing them. Last year, I dressed as a candy cane elf. The children loved it,” she says laughing.
Noel leans in and listens, watching the light enter the young girls face as she talks about the children. Serenity’s light blue eyes are lined with dark blue, and for a moment Noel catches a glimpse of snowflakes dancing in them. Shocked, she blinks and the illusion disappears.
“I think I have just the costume for you.” Noel rests her tea cup on the plate, “It is a vintage piece. I can rent it to you for the month. I would love for it to be used to bring joy to the children, and who knows what kind of job you might land with it.”
She disappears into a back room and returns carrying a large box, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string. Serenity smiles in excitement and for a moment time holds its breath, as Noel places the box on the cutting table.
“May I?” Serenity asks gesturing at the box.
“Please, open it.” Noel encourages her.
She slips the lid off the top and finds tissue paper covering the gown. “It’s like Christmas morning!” As she parts the paper, a gasp escapes from her lips. Serenity steps back and looks at Noel, “I, I, I can’t afford this! It’s exquisite!”
“It is! Just wait till you try it on,” Noel says laughing at her.
Serenity can’t help but stare in awe as she lifts it from the protective layer. It is heavy, she thinks as she pulls out a ball gown, worthy of any queen. Snow white, the gown seems to sparkle with unseen tinsel. Layers of chiffon, fall from the waist creating an illusion of clouds. The sleeveless bodice is crusted in tiny diamonds and the shoulders have what look like white wings, illuminating the neck and face. Serenity can’t believe her eyes.
“Noel? You can’t be serious, this looks like it belongs on a runway in New York, or Paris!”
“Look inside the box and you will find the boots and crown at the bottom. It is not a normal crown, Serenity. This one was custom designed from baby’s breath and diamonds. It gives the illusion of snow floating around the head, simply gorgeous,” she says lifting out the boxes from the bottom. “You can try it on in the fitting room behind you.” Gently, she guides the young woman into the dressing room.
With the packages clutched to her chest, she knows she can’t afford this costume, but she can’t seem to stop her feet from moving to the dressing room. “I will try it on, just for a moment,” Serenity whispers as she steps into the large curtained room.
“That’s what I said too,” Noel replies softly as she pulls the curtain closed.
Serenity looks around in a daze and puts her purse down. Her hands are trembling as she steps into the gown. To her astonishment, the bodice is stretchy and fits perfectly, as though the costume was cut to fit her five foot six frame. When she opens the box that hold the boots, she laughs at the white cowgirl boots in a size seven! They are lined in the same diamonds the bodice has. She carries the box with the crown back out to Noel, afraid for some reason to open it
Noel’s eyes go wide when Serenity steps out. “Oh, it’s a perfect fit!” she says clasping her hands together in delight.
“Is this some kind of joke? Did my sister put you up to this?” Serenity asks as her southern drawl begins to grow more pronounced. That is a distinct side effect to her emotions, whether extremely upset or happy.
“No, if it’s not to your taste, I’m sure I can find you something else. I have a lovely red velvet dress with white fur…”
“It’s perfect!” Serenity says excitedly, afraid that she will have to take it off.
“Every Queen needs a crown, come with me...” gently Noel guides Serenity to chair and clips her hair up, then secures the crown in place with pins.
“Okay, now you can look,” she says and pulls back a curtain revealing a wall length mirror.
“Ohhh…It’s perfect, Noel. How much? Never mind, I’ll take it! The children are going to be so excited and I’m sure to get the job! Ring it up!” Serenity says spinning around.
The bell rings on the front door as a gust of cold wind blows the through the shop. A little four year old brown haired boy runs inside, yelling, “Nana! Nana!”
Noel laughs as she scoops him up answering, “There is my precious boy! I have been waiting all day for you. Where have you been?” she questions as he squeezes her in a hug and kisses her cheek.
“Nana you won’t believe it, but she lost me again,” he replies with a serious look on his adorable face.
“Oh no, not again.” She says dropping him to his feet. With a stern voice, she says “You know you are supposed to stay with her.”
“But Nana, she keeps losing me! She’s an ole Meany.” He turns his brown eyes to Serenity and his mouth drops open.
“Hello, my name is Serenity,” she says smiling at the shock on his face.
He moves closer to his Grandmother and grabs her hand. “Is she the good queen or the bad one?”
“Oh!” Noel gasps surprised by the question. “She’s the good one. Serenity, this is my grandson, Sincere Nicholas.”
Relief is visible in every bone of his little body at his grandmother’s words. Serenity bends over and states, “What a beautiful name, you have, Sincere. It is very nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, the other kids like to call me mean names, sometimes. My babysitter, Mrs. Brown, says I am a sin, and that’s why they named me that,” Sincere tells her.
“That is a terrible thing to say.” Serenity says shocked that an adult would tell a child such a horrible thing. “I would surely like to meet this sitter of yours, and give her a piece of my mind,” Serenity snaps in a strong southern drawl. His little face lights up at her words.
Noel moves quietly over to her grandson, just as the bell over the shop rings again. Sincere moves closer to Serenity, and grabs her hand, just as an older woman comes storming into the shop.
“I have had it with that child constantly running off. You can tell his father, I will be handing my notice in next week.” The grey haired woman glares at the little boy and before Noel can move, Serenity strikes.
“So tell me, do you always use intimidation, humiliation, and shame with children? Or is it just this child?” Serenity asks pulling Sincere close to her side.
“Excuse me? I don’t know who you think you are...”
Serenity advances on the older woman and she falls silent.
“Every child is a gift! It is an honor to guide them, both spiritually and physically. You should be ashamed of yourself!” Serenity snaps out.
Noel watches quietly, staring at Serenity’s eyes. The blue of her eyes have shifted and changed shape. They are now the distinct shape of a snowflake!
Mrs. Brown glances at Noel, waiting for her to defend her before finally storming out of the shop, yelling, “I quit!”
Noel is stunned into silence, Serenity is a Guardian!
“Noel, I’m so sorry.” Serenity drops down to look at Sincere. She ignores the shop bell when it rings this time, determined to comfort him.
“Sincere, every child is a unique creation, like a snowflake. No two are ever the same, you are God’s snowflake.” His chubby hand touches her face as she says, “You are special, never believe someone when they speak hate. Sometimes people try to hurt us because they have been hurt, and it is all they know. Do you understand?” He nods at her with tears in his beautiful eyes and she kisses his forehead.
“Good.” Serenity stands up preparing to leave and is stunned to see a man and child watching her. She looks at Sincere, then back at the handsome man and child. The resemblance is obvious, all three have beautiful dark eyes, dark hair and similar build. She is shaking from the strength of her emotions, embarrassed to be seen like this she whispers, “Excuse me,” and hurries to the dressing room to change back into her clothes. She packs away the beautiful dress and removes the crown and boots. Her hands are trembling as she returns the boots and crown to the box. She takes a deep breath, before she returns to the shop.
When she enters the
shop she is surprised to find it empty. In the back room she hears voices as she sets the boxes on the counter. Sincere comes running back out and stares up at her. “You look different now.”
“I know, these are my day clothes. It was lovely to meet you Sincere. I will be singing at the children’s hospital tomorrow at lunch time. I sing every Saturday, maybe you could come visit me sometime?”
“Okay. I will tell my Daddy.” Sincere follows her to the door and watches her leave.
His brother walks up behind him in time to hear him whisper, “I’m going to keep you.”
Chapter 2
“Sincere! You can’t keep her, she’s human,” his brother Nathan snaps. “Besides Dad’s mad, he has to work and Mrs. Brown quit. Why did you run away again?”
“Cause, Nate, she’s evil. I know you don’t believe me! But I know it, I can smell it on her. She pinches me, and pushes me, and …”
“And what, Son?” his father asks from behind.
Sincere takes a deep breath, remembering what Serenity said about him being special, “She says mean things to me, and sometimes when I am with her, I feel like I can’t breathe.” His chocolate eyes are full of tears, causing his father to pull him close in a hug.
“It’s okay now, son. She will never be near you again. Okay? I promise you,” he tells him. “Now Nana made her special cookies, why don’t you go get some.”
Michael watches the boys run to his Mother, laughing as they race to see who gets the largest one. He locks the front door, and watches as the blonde pulls away. He looks around realizing that she left her purchases. When Nathan found him and told him about Sincere running away again, he knew Sincere would find his Mom, she is his security blanket. They walked into the shop just in time to hear the young women heal his son’s broken heart. The boys have been through a lot since the death of their Mother, five years ago. Nathan barely speaks of her, and Sincere gets teased constantly about his name. They tried using his middle name but children can be cruel.
