Minstrel's Solstice (4 page)

“I enjoy the quiet after a day of festivities,” Gryff said.

Kerryll returned his instruments to the chest. “It was a magical evening. Thank you for accepting my contract and letting me play this evening.”

“You made it magical.”

“I missed festivals like this so much. It’s been so long since I was welcomed and could play to those who love the music and don’t fear the minstrel.” Kerryll wrapped his arms around his waist and turned to face the taller Duke.

Gryff took Kerryll’s hands in one of his and lifted them. He revealed the matching bands. Using his other hand, he trailed his finger from his band to Kerryll’s band. “How long does this contract last?”

“I told you it’ll last for the Dark Solstice and it’ll disappear.”

“And you’ll travel on to another place.”

“When I’m able to leave, aye, I’ll leave.”

“I asked this before and I’ll repeat my question. Could you leave the traveling life? Could you create a permanent contract and bond with one city? We would love a minstrel to perform for all of the festivals, gatherings, births, deaths, and even a simple evening of music. I believe you would be the perfect fit.”

“Is this the only reason?”

Gryff shook his head. “I would like the chance to know the heart behind the minstrel.”

“I would like to learn about the soul behind the Duke.”

“Tell me you’ll stay here. With us. With me. Become our chosen minstrel.”

“I’ll have a home here? Forever?”

“I wish you’d stay with me here in this castle and my chambers. Please, Kerryll, tell me you’ll give me a chance. Your gentle strength intrigued me, drawing me in the night you appeared, frozen and barely able to stay on your feet. Awakening next to you was another twist to my interest. It finished when I saw you appear, playing the music I haven’t heard since I was a boy, and….” Gryff shook his head with a slow smile.

“What?”

“I’m yours.”

“We don’t….”

“We will learn one another if you stay.” Gryff brushed his lips against Kerryll’s mouth with a soft, light touch. He pulled back, clasped his face between his hands, and pressed their mouths together in a deeper kiss full of passion and growing love.

Kerryll hummed in pleasure and gave back everything this proud, powerful Duke gave him. When they stripped the clothes from one another and fell onto the bed, he pulled back and met those indigo eyes.

“Aye, I’ll stay with you. I’m your minstrel, your song, and your melody.”

When he spoke, the bands sparkled and altered into a different pattern.

“Blessed be, sweet Dark Goddess, for answering my prayers and granting me a chance to bring the song into my life this Dark Solstice,” Gryff said as he captured Kerryll’s lips in another long, lingering kiss.

Wrapping his arms around Gryff, Kerryll slid into the passion and drifted away. He was home.

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N
ICOLE
D
ENNIS
is a shy, quiet office assistant in Central Florida by day. By night, she slips into the fictional realm of whatever current story she’s writing. She can’t silence the voices in her head and answers the demanding characters wanting their stories told. All the time, she’s a devoted human guardian to a semi-demonic tortie calico—Fat Cat—who has full on “tortie-tude” to get her ways.

A romantic at heart, she remains single—ever on the search for the one who doesn’t mind sharing her with books, characters, hours of staring at the computer screen, and a cat that could care less as long as someone maintains the stock of kibble. You can find her lurking on social media.

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: http://nicoledennisauthor.com

Blog: http://nicoledennisauthor.blogspot.com

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A Solstice Journey

By Felicitas Ivey

Upon leaving his company’s Christmas party, Gunnar Dagviðurson decides to walk to the train and enjoy the snowfall, only to get caught in a winter storm that magically transports him to a mysterious foreign realm. That’s how Celyn finds him, stumbling blindly through the snow, and Celyn takes Gunnar home to a castle of faery. Gunnar wants to find his way home for Christmas, but suddenly he’s faced with a choice: does he go back to his adopted family in the human world or stay with the magical family he’s found?

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Published by

D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886  USA

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Minstrel’s Solstice

© 2014 Nicole Dennis.

Cover Art

© 2014 Paul Richmond.

http://www.paulrichmondstudio.com

Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/.

Digital ISBN: 978-1-63216-745-3

First Edition December 2014

Printed in the United States of America