The Samhain Soldier by Siobhan Muir

Author:Siobhan Muir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, fantasy, paranormal, magic, witches, fae, sidhe, cloudburst colorado
Publisher: Siobhan Muir

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When Kendra woke up, she found Phinn’s side of the bed empty and the sun high in the sky. She stretched and sat up, recognizing her body and mind in small ways. Good ways. She hadn’t been this relaxed in years, content with taking her time, and moving slowly through morning awareness. Usually she was up the moment she opened her eyes, her mind full of what needed to be done for the day. Same while she was in the Winter Palace.

But even though Phinn was gone again like he’d done in Winter, she didn’t feel the pressing need to get up and get going.

Probably Colleen’s energy.

The forest witch had carved out a small oasis where things happened in their own time and nothing had to get done. Kendra appreciated the respite from her ongoing stresses, knowing she’d have to pick them back up eventually, but for now she could rest.

She rose and dressed in clothes left for her on the ottomans—a long, loose tunic of soft cloth and drawstring pants in warm grays. Not her personal color scheme but could be easily accented with a colorful belt or scarf. She found one scarf marbled in autumn colors and wrapped it around her throat before heading into the main portions of the house.

She hadn’t had time to explore Colleen’s home when they arrived and though her stomach suggested she might find the kitchen first, her curiosity made her take her time. She discovered other rooms along the hallway where they’d slept, full of wonders and comforts.

One doorway led to a parlor and the sounds of someone plinking on a piano filtered into her awareness.

Is Phinn playing something?

She paused at the doorway and glanced inside, but it wasn’t either Phinn or his mother playing the instrument. A small barn owl tested the keys, listening to the notes played until they faded into the silence. Charmed, she watched for a few moments until the owl turned its head and met her gaze.

“Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt. Please continue.”

The owl didn’t resume playing and she realized it could be Colleen’s familiar. Kendra hadn’t ever had a familiar in the past, but she knew they were wiser than ordinary animals and were treated as valued members of the household.

Like Marbles will be in mine. Is mine.

She blinked at the thought. Would she be keeping the tracker demon as her familiar? She frowned. Surely people would notice a panther-sized critter following her around if they saw Marbles. Still, after all they’d been through, she couldn’t imagine her life continuing without the morgira demon in her home.

“I guess I have a familiar now.”

The owl tilted its head then slowly winked one eye before returning to the piano and resuming tapping the keys.

Having been dismissed, Kendra continued down the hallway toward the kitchen. She found it empty except for Marbles, who sprawled near the hearth like an indolent cat. She found fruit and tea sitting on the table, and some sort of muffins cooling on the kitchen counter.

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