The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker

Author:Jennifer Ivy Walker [Walker, Jennifer Ivy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: medieval romance; paranormal fantasy; fairy tales; myths and legends; vikings; knights; friends to lovers; druid; Elves; dragons; celtic; sexy romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2022-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

The Island of Healing

Ronan’s crew anchored their sea-worthy ship at a wooden dock along a curved outcrop of craggy coast which jutted into the choppy sea. Issylte now sat in a small boat, headed towards an island enshrouded in mists. Her Avalonian escorts rowed toward the shore, where the princess glimpsed a sandy beach sheltered by the rocky coastline, with dense forests visible in the distance through the hazy sky. Sea gulls squawked amongst the clouds, the salty air was crisp and fresh, and the summer sun was warm upon her grief-ravaged face.

The flat bottom of their boat slid easily onto the sand, and as Ronan jumped out of the vessel to help Issylte onto land, they were met by a woman with long black hair streaked with silver, adorned in a white, gracefully flowing robe with gossamer sleeves. She wore an intricately scrolled silver necklace where three large white stones glimmered in the sunlight at the base of her throat. Beside her stood two other women, dressed in similar robes, but of a deep blue; they were flanked by four enormous men, armed with swords at their waists and bows and arrows strapped to their broad backs. The woman in white was smiling, as if to welcome Issylte to Avalon.

Ronan stood on the sandy beach before the woman in white. He removed his hat, inclined his silvery blond head, and placed his right arm across his stomach as he bowed in homage. “My lady, I have returned safely with the princess, at your request.”

Now that his head was bare, Issylte could see that Ronan’s ears were long and pointed, like the other members of her escort, who had also removed their hats in deference to the woman in white. All of the Elves who had escorted her from Ireland were broad as oaks and tall as pines. They exuded an aura of power that thrummed in Issylte’s veins. They are otherworldly, like the Little Folk. But, while the woodland creatures are small, the Elves of Avalon are enormous!

The Elven oarsmen carried the small boat up a path from the beach to a forested ledge where they stored it in a wooden cabin. Ronan turned to introduce Issylte to the woman in white. “Princess, may I present Viviane, the Lady of the Lake, High Priestess of Avalon.”

Viviane approached Issylte and said warmly, “Welcome, dear Princess.” She took Issylte’s two hands in her own and smiled sadly. “Our beloved Maiwenn would be most pleased to learn that you’d arrived safely to Avalon.”

At the mention of Tatie’s name, Issylte lowered her face in grief. Viviane murmured, “You will be safe here. Far from the reach of the wicked queen.”

She glanced up. Affection and concern shone in Viviane’s sparkling eyes, the same deep blue as the Narrow Sea which had brought Issylte to Avalon. She, too, is sheltering me from my cruel stepmother. Just as Tatie did in the Hazelwood Forest so many years ago. Issylte swallowed the enormous lump in her throat.

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