The Yule Contest: Medieval Holiday Novella by Laurel O'Donnell

Author:Laurel O'Donnell [O'Donnell, Laurel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval Romance, christmas romance
Publisher: ODONNELL BOOKS
Published: 2023-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

The next morning, a soft mist hung in the air as the first rays of dawn pierced through the dense canopy of trees. The air was cold and crisp, carrying the earthy scent of damp leaves and the distant song of waking birds. Finn sat below a mighty oak tree; in his hands, a carving knife danced with practiced precision over a piece of wood. He carved delicate lines and intricate patterns into the lumber. His eyes were focused intently on the figure emerging from the piece of wood.

As he worked, the forest around him seemed to come alive. The gentle rustling of bird’s wings and the distant murmur of a nearby brook provided a soothing backdrop. He had always found solace in the forest, away from the clangor of the bustling blacksmith shop.

“I didn’t know you did that.”

The singsong voice made him jump and whirl. Ari stood behind him, gazing over his shoulder at the figure he was working on. “Don’t sneak up on me like that! I almost sliced off my finger.”

Ari sat beside him, tucking her feet beneath her long green skirt.

“How did you manage to escape your suitors?” he asked, placing the carving knife into its sheath on his belt.

She shrugged. “I left before most were awake. I’ll be back to break my fast with them. But I wanted to see you.”

A sense of joy flooded his heart and mind. She wanted to see him over the other men.

“I heard about your father. I’m so sorry, Finn. I know how close you were.”

His father. The mention of him caught Finn off guard, and a rush of sadness stirred within him. He scratched his head and looked away. “Thank you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when he died?”

He had thought of her the entire time, wishing she had been there to comfort him. “I knew you were busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”

“I would have come if you had told me. It would have been no bother.”

He knew she would have been there for him if he had asked, but he had been hesitant to reach out for fear of burdening her with his troubles. “I know. Conrad and I leaned on each other.”

She tilted her head and regarded him sadly. “I wish I had been there. For you.”

She had been. Her memory had given him strength that day.

“What are you making?” she asked, staring at the carvings.

“It was going to be an angel,” he said, indicating the piece of wood he had started shaving.

“And this?” She picked up the rose he had finished earlier.

“A rose.”

Her eyes widened, and her lips parted as if in awe as she studied it. Her gaze was filled with admiration, longing, and intensity. “It’s so realistic. You are very talented.”

He grinned with pride and a little embarrassment. “Thank you.”

She lowered the rose and looked at him.

The beauty of the carved rose was nothing compared to her. Her soft features and delicate curves made his breath hitch, and a wave of longing washed over him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.