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But back to the end of the year, right after our wedding. Killian and I were relaxing at home. The trees were still up, along with all the decorations. We were in our pajamas, in bed, watching as Scrooge slipped into his nephew’s parlor to beg forgiveness, and Tiny Tim’s future unfolded in front of him with a glimmer of hope.
“So,” Killian said, pausing the movie. “What’s going down with the Covenant of Chaos?” he asked, offering me another gingerbread cookie.
“More than you want to know. Marquette called Rowan yesterday. They’re meeting with the Order of the Moon next week to talk about the next move. The Covenant won’t quit, they don’t give a crap about their members. They’re after power.” I yawned, then curled up in Killian’s arms. “I have a feeling something big is coming, though. And this time, it’s not going to be as easy to deal with as Mills was. This time, I have the sense that it’s going to involve a lot of smoke and mirrors. But we’ll face that when it comes.”
We snuggled under the covers, and Killian kissed me, and then, in the glow of the television, we made love in the protected bosom of our home.
* * *
For more ofThe Moonshadow Bay Series:January Jaxson returns to the quirky town of Moonshadow Bay after her husband dumps her and steals their business, and within days she’s working for Conjure Ink, a paranormal investigations agency, and exploring the potential of her hot new neighbor. Ten books (including this one) are currently available. You can preorderDreamer’s Webnow! If you haven’t read the other books in this series, begin withStarlight Web.
And a new witch is in town! Meet Elphyra, the sultry witch of Starlight Hollow. Together with her red dragonette—Sho-Sho—she both protectsandheats up the town in every sense of the word. Preorder the first book,Starlight Hollow, now!
For all the rest of my current and finished series, check out myState of the Series page, and you can also check the Bibliography at the end of this book, or check out my website atGalenorn.comand be sure and sign up for mynewsletterto receive news about all my new releases. Also, you’re welcome to join myYouTube Channelcommunity.
QUALITY CONTROL:This work has been professionally edited and proofread. If you encounter any typos or formatting issues ONLY, please contact me through mywebsiteso they may be corrected. Otherwise, know that this book is in my style and voice and editorial suggestions will not be entertained. Thank you.
Read on for the novella Web of Danger!
WEB OF DANGER
Takes place in July, six months beforeSolstice Web…
“You have to be kidding me,” I said, horrified as I stared at myself in the mirror. “I look like an overstuffed cupcake. This dress is everything that could possibly go wrong in a wedding dress, all rolled into one.”
I wasn’t joking. The wedding dress was a vision in ugliness, from the puffy sleeves to the high-neck collar, to the ruched midriff down to the mermaid tail that was so tight I could barely walk in it. Add that it was covered with thousands of sequins and I looked like an overstuffed cupcake, adiscocupcake at that. It was as though someone had taken my worst nightmares of a dress and decided to give it life.
“What on earth could have possessed you to ask me to try this on?” I turned to Sally, the sales consultant, wondering if she’d temporarily lost her mind. I was trying to be polite, but seriously, if she thought that whatI asked forwas whatI was wearing, I needed to find another dress store.
But behind her, Ari snickered. My aunt Teran did a spit-take, almost spitting out her water.
I caught her gaze. “Oh, I owe youbigfor this one, woman!” I turned to Ari. “You’re going down, lady!”
She burst out laughing. “I couldn’t help it. I saw this and I knew I had to trick you into trying it on. Don’t take it out on Sally—it’s my fault. I convinced her to put you in it.”
“You’ll be lucky if she doesn’t take it out of your hide, girl,” Aunt Teran said, snickering.
Relieved that Sally hadn’t taken leave of her senses, I turned back to the consultant. “Okay, Ari had her fun. I’m so sorry I thought you were out of your mind.”
“Frankly, I’m not sure why that nightmare’s still on the hangers. I think the designer is a friend of the owner’s,” Sally said conspiratorially.
“Whatever the case, please get me out of this sardine can.”
As the consultant—now laughing—unzipped me, I shrugged my way out of the dress. “I’m surprised I didn’t have a reaction to the material, and I’m not allergic to much. That itches worse than wool.” I took a deep breath. “All right, what’s next?”
“You said you like vintage?” Sally asked.
“Ilovevintage—retro fifties, swing and rockabilly, especially. If I could find a low-cut wedding dress in a swing style, I’d be in heaven.” I smoothed my hair back into a ponytail and found a hair tie in my purse.
“I may have something, and I’m pretty sure it’s close to your size. I’ll be right back.” She ducked out of the fitting room.
I sat down next to Ari and my aunt. I’d asked them to come, grateful that the two women most important to me had agreed to be my entourage. I’d almost asked my grandmother Rowan, but she wasn’t keen on shopping and putting her through an hours-long ordeal seemed cruel. I asked her for propriety’s sake, but also made sure she knew I was okay if she said no. And she kindly, firmly gave me a big fatnope. However, she did promise to help me with the flowers and decorating for the wedding.
“I love to shop, but this is exhausting. I want a pretty wedding dress, but I’m so unconventional that I have no clue if I’ll find anything here.” I didn’t want to wear white, I didn’t want to wear lace or stiff satin or ruching.
“Have you thought of searching the vintage stores in Bellingham? There are wedding dresses there,” Ari said.
“I know, but most actual vintage doesn’t come in my size. I’m a 16, by modern standards. And what I find available in my size from that era is uglier than sin. Back in the day, the designers didn’t think anybody over a size 10 had a full life, a boyfriend, or even cared about their looks.”
