Epilogue

How dare he. How dare they all?

The Summer Queen charged into her Great Hall, lightning crackling through the windows high above as her rage swept through her realm. Water streaked the stained glass portraits of fields bursting with crops and horsemen riding on hunts through the forest. Her footsteps echoed from the stone, grating on her already frayed nerves. She swung her cloak aside as she turned and sat on her throne, seething.

One of her servants approached cautiously, her head bent so low that the queen couldn’t see the woman’s face. She set a goblet of wine near at hand and quickly retreated. As if the Summer Queen could stand libations of any sort at the moment. She tapped her fingers on the arm of her throne, trying to develop a strategy to deal with this colossal change.

It had seemed an anomaly when the Winter Queen had taken up with a mortal—one that was fixed for a time when they had fallen out. But now they were together again and her Fairy Lords had found mortal mates of their own. Mortal mates that somehow granted them extraordinary levels of magical power.

The Oak King had taken a mortal queen, as had one of his Lords. The Summer Queen had felt his Court’s enhanced energy during their Beltane ceremony. No doubt, Lord Beast would soon follow suit, though she couldn’t imagine a mortal woman strong enough to tame him. That one ran wild.

He so reminds me of another…

Lightning flashed through the windows, casting strange shadows in the hall. A crack of thunder that shook the stone walls of her castle quickly followed.

Mortal mates. All mortal mates. Was that the only way to grow her power? To find some human man to take to her bed? Their mortal mates were part of the Fae now, no matter how they had begun their existence. Much as another that she had known…

With a growl that turned to a shout, the Summer Queen knocked the goblet from her throne. The burgundy liquid arced through the air, splattering the floor as the goblet clattered against the stone. She rubbed at her forehead, trying to ease the dull ache that was settling behind her eyes. Her ears were ringing. No, not ringing… Hissing.

She sat up straighter, staring at the spilled wine as wisps of vapor rose from it. Clutching the arms of her throne tightly, she drew on her magic. The wine began to bubble, then finally burst into flame. The fire danced in the air, suspended for a few moments as it took on different shapes. The rune Kenaz, then Mannaz, and finally Thurisaz.

Knowledge, memory, chaos.

The words popped into her mind, her magic interpreting the meaning of the runes as it consumed the wine. Wine that had been imbued with a powerful spell.

“Verdant,” she shouted. “Game.”

Both men appeared at the entrance to the Hall more quickly than she had expected. Almost as if they’d already been en route. A deep foreboding took root within her chest. It grew stronger as the men neared.

“The servant who was just here,” the Summer Queen said. “Where is she?”

“We ordered the servants not to disturb you,” Verdant said. “We thought you would want some time to collect your thoughts.”

“Well, someone was here,” she said. “Someone who meant me ill.”

“We know, my queen.” Verdant cast a glance at Game, who studiously avoided her gaze.

“What is it?” she demanded.

“My queen,” Verdant began, but his voice trailed off. He looked to Game again, this time, his eyes beseeching.

In a low, level voice, Game said, “It’s about your daughter…”

—

Thank you so much for reading The Oak King! Writing this trilogy as spring blooms around my home has helped bring me an even greater appreciation for the beauty of this season. It’s been so fun to imagine all the characters in Crystal Hollow enjoying their own spring. I’ve loved spending this time with them. So much that I’m not quite done! Read on for a sneak peek at a special bonus story for the Court of the Springtime Fae trilogy, Lord Beast! You didn’t think I would leave him out of the ‘Happy Ever Afters,’ did you?

Lord Beast

Court of the Springtime Fae

Interlude

Chapter One

“Cages secured, alarm on, bag on shoulder, door locked.” Ashley went through her nightly checklist as she slid her key into the lock of the door, visualizing each task to make sure she had actually remembered it. When she had moved to Crystal Hollow, she’d thought she would be less busy in the small town. Little did she know how many pets lived there—and that she would be the only veterinarian in town. She had already hired two assistants from the college to help, but was thinking of finding a third.

“That’s a tomorrow problem,” she murmured. “The more immediate problem is me standing here talking to myself as if I’m with my patients while my key won’t turn in the bleeping lock.”

She let her head fall back and sighed, glancing up past the red brick building to the starry sky above. Her frustration eased. The townsfolk made an effort to keep light pollution to a minimum, so the small lamp next to the back door wasn’t enough to wash out all the stars. It was barely enough to help her see her way to her car on most nights, but a huge full moon hung above her. Silverly light bathed the nearest dogwoods as she glanced around, making their white petals glow brightly.

It was absolutely lovely, but for some reason, a shiver passed over her as she stared at them, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end. Her heartbeat picked up suddenly, a cool spring breeze playing over her skin. Her clinic was in a newer building built on the outskirts of the small town, which meant it was right next to deep forest.

She was usually glad they had preserved so much of the lush woods that filled the area, but as she stared more intently at the trees a few yards away, she suddenly wished they weren’t quite so close. At least her car was nearby as well. She wished she knew what had set off the primal warning center of her brain, though.

Be careful what you wish for…

A shadow beneath one of the trees shifted closer. Her heart beat even faster. The door wasn’t locked yet. She could always dart back inside. For the moment, she held completely still. The shadow inched closer, becoming paler as it entered the light. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her brain struggling to make sense of what she was seeing.

This was not the proper ecosystem for capybaras and Crystal Hollow didn’t have a zoo for one to escape from. Besides, it’s ears were much too long, its fur softer and a lighter brown. Whatever this was, it was as big as a capybara. No, as big as a golden retriever, but its narrowed eyes and oddly intimidating stance made her think this guy wasn’t nearly as friendly. It hopped a bit closer. Hopped.

A rabbit. It had to be a rabbit.

How is it so big and… gnarly looking? And why do I feel like it’s stalking me?

“Flemish giant rabbit,” she said, even though this particular specimen was much bigger than anything she’d heard of on record. “The largest domesticated breed.” Something clicked in her mind. “Domesticated… You must be somebody’s pet.”

It rose on its haunches, its head nearly on the same level as hers, and sniffed the air. Granted, she was pretty short, but still. It held its right front paw close to its chest, as if protecting it.

“Oh no, are you hurt?”

It dropped to all fours and turned back to the forest. With a final glance at her over its shoulder, it slowly limped back into the shadows.

“Crap. Wait… Please wait!” She jiggled her key and it finally turned. As soon as the door was locked, she dropped her keys in her pocket, straightened her medical bag on her shoulder, and hurried after the beast of a rabbit.

The darkness in the forest would have been complete if it weren’t for the full moon above. Even that wouldn’t have helped if spring was much further along. The trees were covered in small leaves, their lime green faded to a silvery hue. The light that slipped between them illuminated the forest floor, deepening the shadows but also highlighting the twigs and stones littering the ground in a soft gray. She was careful not to twist her ankle as she followed the sound of the rabbit just ahead.

“Hey, bunny,” she called. “Maybe wait up a minute? I mean, you came to me for help. It would be a lot easier if you actually stopped and let me help you.” She stumbled a bit over a particularly rough section of ground. “Please? Pretty please?”

The ground beneath her gave way and she slid down a short hill. She barely managed to catch herself on the edge of a cliff, scrambling for purchase on its edge.

“Shit, shit shit!” she yelled, her voice getting higher and higher as the loose earth crumbled beneath her fingers.

She stabilized herself enough to glance around and saw that it wasn’t a cliff but a large hole that she’d fallen into. She heard a thumping sound approaching. The rabbit, charging toward her, its fur shimmering with silver from the moon and its eyes glowing with a bright green light that trailed behind it.

“I’m dreaming. I’m dreaming,” she chanted, as panic grew within her. “I have to be dreaming.”

The rabbit bounded up right next to her, skidding to a stop at the edge of the hole. It’s large feet dug into what was left of the soil, knocking it loose. With a scream, Ashley fell backward into darkness. The moon and stars quickly vanished, leaving her falling in an inky void. Her arms and legs flailed, her heart pounding as panic gripped her. If there wasn’t water at the bottom of this hole, she was going to die. Even then, without handholds, she would drown. She sucked in a huge breath, hoping for the best—that there was water below and she could swim to a safe area.

Too much time passed. She took another breath and held it. This time, she counted as she fell. She reached fifty before she dared to take another breath. How deep was this hole? She looked down between her feet and saw a speck of light the same green as the rabbit’s eyes.

Was this a dream? It felt much too real to be a dream. But it also seemed utterly impossible. The giant rabbit. The endless fall. It was like a fairytale.

The light grew larger, closer. She clenched her eyes shut as a final scream escaped her. This was it. Whatever was going to happen, it was now. Her scream cut off abruptly as she landed on something soft. Somewhere in her mind, she knew that she should lie still as she assessed herself for injuries, but adrenaline took over. She bolted upright, her eyes flying open.

She was in a bed. A huge bed, with pale green curtains tied to dark cherrywood bedposts. The footboard was carved with an ornate forest scene, complete with spring flowers and woodland creatures. She twisted around to see that the headboard had a similar design, dominated by a huge oak tree at its center, its branches stretching above the fluffy pillows behind her. She looked up, but didn’t see the long tunnel she expected. Instead, more of that pale green fabric stretched above her, providing a canopy for the bed.

“What the…”

A low growl rumbled out through the room, vibrating through her bones. Her hair stood on end once more, her heart speeding and her stomach tight. She gripped the strap to her medical bag and rose on her knees, staring around both to find the source of the noise and to try to figure out where she was. The walls beyond the curtains were made of an even darker wood, the paneling gleaming from the light of several lamps placed around the room—actual lamps, their wicks flickering within the glass surrounding them.

Her theory that this was a dream grew stronger. This room was like something out of a fantasy. She would probably wake up slumped over her desk with paperwork stuck to her face. Again.

Maybe she should pinch herself. But she wasn’t done exploring whatever this was. Even if it was a dream, she wanted to know more about what her subconscious was trying to tell her. That she needed to rest more? She already knew that. If she had a bed this nice, she might spend more time in it.

Maybe she needed to pamper herself more? She would rather spend any theoretical free time she could scrounge up to find a date than take a spa day. It had been way too long since she’d enjoyed the company of a significant other. Something about spring always made her restless in that regard—probably the cycles of nature. Her DNA wanted her to find a mate, and all that creative and fertile energy floating around always messed with her.

Movement in the shadows near an enormous wardrobe caught her attention. Something was there. Someone.

Her mouth went dry, her voice shaking as she said, “Who’s there?”

The growl grew louder and coalesced into a word.

“Beast.”

“Beast?” What kind of name was that? Oh right. It was a fantasy-dream name.

Her mind spun with stories she’d read as a little—and not-so-little girl. Princesses swept away by monstrous beings who were transformed by their love. Ashley had always been wary about the part where the woman changed the man. She was more a fan of two like souls finding each other or two people who truly understood each other bringing out the best in their partner. Still, as long as she was here, she might as well make the most of it.

“I can practically hear your mind working.” Beast’s gravely voice sent a shiver down her spine, a hint of laughter edging his words. “There is no sorting this out. You’ve fallen into a fairytale.”

“Does that mean you’re my Prince Charming?” she said, trying to keep her voice light.

He full-on growled. She caught two flashes of green light in the shadows where he stood. Were those his eyes? They glowed like the preternatural creature who had literally sent her down a rabbit hole.

“I am Beast,” he said. “Not Charming.”

“Well, I’ll try not to hold that against you.” She laughed, but he didn’t join. The glowing embers of his eyes narrowed. “Because see, charming is an adjective, and if you’re not charming, then some people would consider that unappealing. Hence me saying that I wouldn’t hold it against you. To not be charming.”

His eyes were the tiniest slits by the time she finished rambling. “Prince Charming is my counterpart,” he said. “I am Lord Beast.”

“Lord Beast. Okay then.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I didn’t realize I was in the presence of royalty. I’d bow, but I really… don’t know how.”

“It’s a useless skill.”

“Exactly,” she agreed a bit too enthusiastically. He didn’t say anything for long enough to make her uncomfortable. She fumbled for more to say. “So… are you going to do that whole ‘dramatic reveal’ thing where you slowly move forward so I can see your monstrous visage?”

He chuckled, the sound sending another frisson of pleasure through her. “If you wish.”

Her heart was in her throat, eyes wide, her entire body leaning forward as the anticipation built within her. For a dream, it had been really good so far. She only hoped seeing him wouldn’t twist everything into a nightmare.

He didn’t move slowly, but strode out of the shadows confidently. Ashley wished the room was more brightly lit so that she could see him better. Not because he was monstrous, but just the opposite. He was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

He stared at her with eyes that glowed bright green from beneath striking eyebrows that arched across his forehead like a robin’s wings. His dark hair was pulled up in a top knot that seemed out of place with the robust beard that did nothing to obscure his strong jaw. He was huge—at least six feet tall—with broad shoulders and a chest she probably couldn’t wrap her arms around. He wore dark leather pants, his feet bare and toes curling into the thick burgundy carpet.

A pale rose vest hugged his torso, showing off his perfect waist and thick hips. She snapped her eyes away from them as explicit images of what it might be like to wrap her legs around those hips assailed her. His shirt was a paler pink, unbuttoned at the top and with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows revealing corded forearms. She was rethinking all her associations with pink.

Even his collarbones are sexy.

That rumbling growl of his picked up again, resonating through her in a vibration that went straight to her core. Her belly flooded with heat, her skin prickling as she imagined his hands on her.

Maybe it was one of those kind of dreams. Staring at him, she wouldn’t mind at all.

—

What an adventure we’ve been on! Exploring Crystal Hollow has been such a delight, and I’m thrilled you’ve come along with me as these mortal women find their powerful Fae mates. The Wheel of the Year isn’t over. We still need to know how the Courts of the Summer and Autumn Fae are going to balance out the magic of their seasons. In the meantime, you can see how this all began with the Court of the Yuletide Fae trilogy!

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Thank you for reading The Oak King!

Cassandra Chandler