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    Rowan & Oak: Hawthorn & Ash
    Rowan & Oak: Hawthorn & Ash
    Rowan & Oak: Hawthorn & Ash
    Ebook123 pages1 hour

    Rowan & Oak: Hawthorn & Ash

    By Stacey Jaine McIntosh

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Rowan & Oak is a compilation of fantasy, horror and speculative fiction drabbles and flash fiction from authors worldwide. Within its pages you will find stories set to enchant or scare. Dive into the magic and macabre of these 50+ tales in Volume Two.
    Featuring: Beth W. Patterson, Charlotte Langtree, Chisto Healy, Natasha Sinclair, Kimberly Rei, Stacey Jaine McIntosh, Zoey Xolton and 25 other authors!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStacey Jaine McIntosh
    Release dateJan 7, 2021
    ISBN9781393886723
    Rowan & Oak: Hawthorn & Ash
    Author

    Stacey Jaine McIntosh

    Stacey Jaine McIntosh is the author of ten short stories. "Freya" and "Blood Sacrifice" were published late 2011 and "Fallen Angel" published in 2012. "Life or Death", "Exiles of Eden" and "Morrighan" published in 2013. "Red" and "The Summer Girl" were published in June 2015 and "The Hunter Million" and "Shadows of Annwn" are due to be published later in 2015. She lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband and four young children.

    Read more from Stacey Jaine Mc Intosh

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      Book preview

      Rowan & Oak - Stacey Jaine McIntosh

      And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

      Roald Dahl

      Lightning Love

      AMBER M. SIMPSON

      ––––––––

      The sky rumbles as heavy rain lashes the roof and I run to the window, praying he comes. Pressing my palms and forehead to the cool glass, I peer out into the darkness, searching for him. When he came for me last time, I wasn’t ready—this time, nothing will hold me back.

      When lightning splits the sky in two, my breath catches in my throat. Time is frozen as the world outside my window remains bathed in a bright light—each raindrop halted, suspended mid-air, sparkling like floating diamonds. And there he is, my lightning love, back for me just like he promised. His palms press the glass against mine.

      Legs shaking, I run outside, instantly soaked, and into his waiting arms. Our mouths crash in a shock of electricity, the crackle a loud buzz in my head. It shoots through my body, and rushes through my veins—no longer made of blood, but white-hot light.

      As time resumes, our bodies unite in a single flash of lightning—and full of light, we beam up in the sky, to disappear amongst the rain clouds.

      Grace Notes

      BETH W. PATTERSON

      ––––––––

      I had hoped that Benten would bestow her blessings on me, gaijin that I was.

      The goddess of eloquence and music seemed to smile upon me for my final performance. The shamisen player spoke almost no English and my own Japanese was halting. But the music we played transcended language. Benten’s smile was the applause.

      The last expat to leave the venue was a friendly Scottish girl. We still didn’t have personal space quite figured out, so as we bowed to each other in farewell, we conked heads.

      Let it never be said that goddesses don’t have senses of humor.

      Damocles

      C. MARRY HULTMAN

      ––––––––

      Brian should have known better than to smother the old man and pull the ancient tome from his hands. Understood that with the casting of spells came something more sinister.

      Within the magic was an all-consuming evil. That every spell he spoke aged him. Broke him until he was no more than a shell.

      Brian should have known that others desired the force contained in the pages.

      I should have known better, when I tore the book from his cold fingers. Understood that for every conjuration performed a tooth fell out.

      Seen the darkness creeping up behind me.

      Sacrifice

      CHARLOTTE LANGTREE

      ––––––––

      Alessia approached the edge of the cliff with caution. A storm was coming, and she could not fall; not until the time was right. Far below, the writhing waves gleamed silver in the moonlight, illuminating the sharp rocks they crashed against. There was a wetness on her cheeks, and a heavy weight in her stomach. This was her only choice. Her father, the King, had offended the god of the sea, and now death plagued the land. Their people suffered greatly. Only a true sacrifice would appease the gods and save Jinoris.

      Accept my sacrifice, she whispered, praying they heard.

      In the distance the temple bells rang; it was time. Eyes closed, she leapt from the cliff and plummeted to the velvet water. She did not scream. She could not. Terror stole her breath, and then the icy waves enfolded her like a lover’s arms.

      Peace reached for her, and she felt her consciousness drifting toward the warm light. Her fear ebbed with the tide. Something stopped her; teal eyes, a swirling eddy of white foam, and the softness of salt-kissed lips.

      I do not accept this sacrifice, a muffled voice said. But I accept the gift of a sacrifice willingly made. It is not your time to die Alessia.

      Strong arms lifted her to the surface. Coughing and spluttering, she clung tightly to damp shoulders.

      My people cannot go on like this, she rasped.

      He nodded. They will not need to. Your selflessness has saved them, Alessia. I only meant that I will not accept your death.

      Why?

      His only answer was the arch of one brow. He guided her to land, becoming more solid as he stepped out of the water still carrying her in his arms. When he placed Alessia down on the sand she felt a great sense of loss. He turned to leave.

      Wait! she cried.

      His teal eyes bore into hers.

      Alessia reached for his hand. Thank you for saving me, and for sparing my people. Will I see you again?

      He smiled, and the storm in his eyes cleared to reveal azure pools so beautiful they struck her speechless. I would like that, Princess Alessia of Jinoris. Perhaps you would be interested to know that I enjoy greeting the dawn from this very spot; I am rarely interrupted by men.

      With a bow of his head, he sank back into the water like dripping rain falling into the sea. He was gone, but Alessia knew she would see him again. She felt the hands of fate tugging at the thread of her tapestry.

      Smiling, she headed back to the palace. She had gone in search of death, but there was new life in her step. She had always had a fondness for the sea.

      Storm the Castle

      STACEY JAINE MCINTOSH

      ––––––––

      Whispers spread like wildfire. Rumours of the virus having crossed into Faerie from the human world despite heavy wards were rife.

      The biggest rumour of all? That the Summer Queen was responsible for the transmission.

      So, when it was confirmed the Queen was indeed a carrier, anarchy broke out.

      Faeries came in droves to storm the castle, armed with sharp implements. Their goal? To bring down

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