Snow Moon: A New World Series, #2

By Tonya Coffey

   Jessa, the queen of the Faeries, finds herself in the midst of disappearances. When she investigates those who have vanished, she discovers a rogue Sylph. He is ridding the realm of the ones he believes are diseased with the help of Trolls.

            Together, Micha and Jessa discover their bloodline is more than they thought. They are both descendants of Ancients and Sylphs making them the true Elementals. The very people the Sylph is wanting rid of.

            If it wasn't enough, trying to protect her people, and the one she loves, Jessa is forced to let Micha go. She pushes him to go to the Ancients where he will be safe from the Sylph's wrath.

            When Jessa is convicted of meddling in the Sylph's business, she is sentenced to death. Micha, accepting his new role as the Ancient king, wields their power and frees Jessa from the clutches of the Executioners.

            Will Micha and Jessa save the Elementals, and themselves, or will the Sylph take control of the realms?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
• Release date: Nov 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519161888

Tonya Coffey

Tonya Coffey lives in Stearns, Kentucky with her husband and two teen sons. Together, they inspire her to push her boundaries in whatever she faces. If she isn't reading a fantasy novel with lots of action, you will find her sitting in front of a canvas, painting the landscape ,which is so abundant around her home. Visit her website at http://coffeytonya.wix.com/tonya-coffey

Book preview

Prologue

Micha

I felt as if my heart would burst from my chest. It beat uncontrollably as I walked away from her. My body wanted to move toward her, to make my legs run to her. For my arms to pull her into the embrace, I had wanted to since the day she walked out of the cave.

I remembered the day as if it were yesterday. The heat of the sun. The smell drifting along with the breeze. I could tell you every detail of the day she came into my life.

The sun peeked through the clouds and long slender tree limbs. Shadows of foliage danced, along the ground, as the breeze gently ruffled the leaves. A beam of soft light highlighted the opening of the cave. Within seconds of Roderick’s calling Jessa’s name, a figure appeared.

Dark spiraling strands bounced in slow motion as she emerged from the darkness. Skin as pale as the alabaster, lying at my feet, radiated an energy I had not witnessed on another Faerie. The sight of her was more than what the Elders informed Roderick she would be. She was magnificent.

As I stood behind the others, lost in her beauty, a loveliness I had never seen. Her eyes met mine. Eyes as dark as the bark of a black oak peered into my soul. I felt as if my world came to a stop and there was only she and I.

All I knew, she took my heart with one glimpse of her dark brown eyes. With a glance, I was forever hooked.

For months, I watched her, as she grew closer to the king. My soul felt as if it died with each smile and touch they shared. I wanted to be supportive of Roderick and Jessa, but I was jealous.

I wanted her.

I needed her.

The day he was captured, I had a flash of relief that I would finally get to know what her touch was like. However, the instant I allowed the feeling to sink in, I regretted it. I had no right to feel the way I did. He was the one who watched her, as she became the woman she was. The Elders thought I was a soldier and I could never be the king he would become.

I had promised Roderick if something happened to him, I would take care of her. I fought the urge to smile and scream to the world. I did not want him to know I loved her, it would have been wrong of me as his friend.

When he died, I was sick. Did I cause his death, because each day I wished she was mine? I hated my heart and my thoughts for betraying my brother. The instant we joined hands and showed the kingdom our power, I knew what could never be. The Elder, John, would never allow us to be joined, even if it was written in the stars. The Sylphs, they were stricter than the Elders were. They would rather destroy the world as we knew it then allow me—a nobody—to take the throne.

Now, watching her as she stood on the small knoll, looking out over the orchard, the setting sun created a perfect silhouette, curls lightly bouncing in the breeze. The expression on her face was solemn causing my chest to pull in as if a giant hand gripped it and squeezed it at the sight of her.

This is ridiculous, I grunted and turned toward the main gate.

I let my feet take me where they thought I should go. My mind was not in the best state to lead, so I allowed fate to guide me. As I walked, I remembered the first day I had kept my promise to Roderick, the night the Faeries said goodbye to their king.

The morning, calm and peaceful, drifted around me, as I slipped through the vegetation after my queen. After watching her sit on the bank, next to the river, and guarding her sleeping form, I followed her, afraid the enemy would take her from me as they had taken Roderick.

She came upon a doe drinking from the stream. Her eyes watched as the deer went on as if she were a part of the forest. Then she stared at a small waterfall. Her eyes wide with wonder as she studied the white ripples flowing over black shiny rocks. With her blanket wrapped around her shoulders, she eased up the bank and out of my line of sight.

My heart sped, as I hurried across the stream and up the bank after her. My eyes darted from opening to opening, searching for her. Then I noticed the flowers. Large pink bulbs hung from tall thin stems and two spiraling leaves were attached to the opening reminding me of shoelaces.

The sight of the flowers eased my breathing, calming my racing heart. Stepping past them, I noticed a small opening in the greenery. As I pushed through the limbs, I saw Jessa sitting on her blanket in the center of the field.

What felt like hours, I stood on the blanket Jessa had left in the field. My fists went to my hips and I inhaled the scents around me—fresh and fruity. Jessa. She was everywhere I went and I knew, at that moment, I would never be free of her.

What do you want from me? My voice echoed across the grass and into the trees, alarming the animals from their hiding places.

A soft breeze blew across my face. I stood stock-still and allowed my eyes to search the field. An eeriness came over my skin. Something was wrong; I just couldn’t place what caused me to be on edge.

Follow your heart... A soft whisper interlaced with the breeze.

Who is there?

Follow your heart.

Is that all you can say to me?

It is all that matters.

In a low voice I said, It aches too much.

Then heal it.

How? I wondered. She is the only one who can.

Then take her into your arms.

I exhaled and laughed. It is not that simple.

The breeze whipped around, picking the blanket into the air, causing it to dance three feet above the ground. I grabbed it and sat on the grass next to where we had sat earlier that morning.

If she and I are meant to be then I will accept it but I will wait for her to come to me first. It will prove to the Faeries I did not initiate. It will be her choice.

I could have sworn a soft chuckle was laced with the breeze. Nonetheless, it did not matter how long it took; I would wait for her.

Chapter 1

Jessa

Three months and eight days had passed since I watched Micha walk away from me. It didn’t matter, I’d fallen into the role of the queen. I still counted each sunset, from that time to this day; we were apart. Hoping I would see him walk back through the gate, to me and to the life we were meant to have.

When I sat at my desk and jotted down a vision, in my book, the stars called to me. I stared up at the twinkling lights and remembered the night I spent with him.

Sitting next to the fire, my back pressed against Micha’s chest and his hands gently sliding up and down my arms, chasing the cold away, I stared up at the star-filled sky.

In the human world, I’d fall asleep every night, looking up at the stars. I pointed to them, outlining the constellations, I always imagined a different world. Laughing, I added, I never believed it’d be in my own backyard.

The sky is the same, my lady. These are the identical stars you fell asleep under each night.

I wondered if he remembered that night. If he thought of me the same way as I did him.

They were a constant reminder of the man I wanted and the man I waited for. It didn’t matter to me how long it took him to return. I would be waiting.

Even as I sat on my throne, listening to the chatter of Faeries business and of Trolls asking for immunity, I still thought of him. My mother’s picture hung to my right. I felt as if her eyes judged me for my actions, disapproving of the job I’d done since we fought the Ancients and for sending Micha away. Was it my fault? Am I to blame for his being gone so long?

Letting out a breath, I focused on the conversation growing louder before me.

Please, Elders, a tall man dressed in soft brown slacks and a white shirt said, my sister would not leave on her own. She has a child.

John stood. His belly pooched to meet his authority. We know of no child.

He is two. The man’s hazel eyes widened. She told me you knew.

John turned to his right, looking for information from an Elder who sat at the table. He began flipping through papers in front of him, constantly pushing his round silver glasses up the bridge of his nose. Sky Smalls is a single woman with no children, The tiny man read from the stack.

But, she was married, he thought, To a Liam Shank.

John shook his head. There is no one living in this village by that name. His eyes narrowed at the man, as if he dared him to question his authority.

I frowned, as I watched the Elders. Their glares and fidgeting told me something else was wrong. They were lying to the man. They knew who and where the woman was and they refused to tell the brother, because either I was there or they were just...evil. I huffed.

Excuse me, I interrupted the talk, causing the room to become quiet, all eyes turned toward me.

My queen. He bowed.

Tell me what’s wrong? Why do you think something has happened to your sister?

John huffed and began to speak but I raised my hand to him, warning him not to voice his opinion. With little resistance, he sat down.

I have not heard from her in days and when I went to her home, everything was gone.

You said she was married, maybe she moved. I tried to get him to think of positive things and not the worst.

He shook his head. Liam doesn’t live or work in this realm. His eyes shifted from the Elders to me.

I was confused. What does that have to do with her moving?

John spoke, A Faerie cannot move to another realm unless they ask permission from the queen or king.

And I haven’t given anyone permission, I stated.

Standing, I went to the man. Mr. Smalls, I will do what I can to find your sister and your nephew. I reassured him. You go home now and let me and the Elders talk, so we can figure out where she might be.

He nodded and bowed once more before he walked out the door.

I faced the Elders. Do you have any ideas?

They shook their heads.

Sighing, I walked to the end of the table to where John stood. Have there been other cases like this? He seemed to have forgotten how to speak.

Yes, ma’am, Sam replied, The homes in the outer realm are being abandoned but we don’t know why.

I was glad to have Sam on my side yet why was I just now hearing about it. How long has this been happening? I tried not to let the shock I felt show on my face.

A little more than a month, John said.

And you felt it wasn’t important for me to know that? I stared at John. If my people are disappearing then I should know, so that I can fix it. My shock grew quickly to anger.

My apologies, ma’am.

I stood flabbergasted. He was calm without a hint of worry. It puzzled me. Why didn’t he care about the others? Were they so beneath him, he didn’t care about what happened to them?

Get out, I told him then I looked down the table at the others. This meeting is adjourned. They all hurried out the door without a single objection.  

Groaning, I sat on the throne, leaning against the backrest. Can things get any worse? My eyes closed then my body began to float and I crossed the realm and entered a vision.

Chapter 2

Dark clouds encircled me, as I hovered over the ruins of an unfamiliar place—a realm of a different era in a different world from where I’d been. Dust particles began to twirl along the dirt, rising into the air, revealing a dark cloak covering an Ancient. Eyes black as chunks of coal stared rigid under his thick brows. Stepping up to a large door with carvings of ferocious animals covering every inch, he shoved the massive wooden door inward.

A growl escaped his lips, as he walked across the stone. His boots sounded as if thunder drifted over the rock with each step. Coming to a stop in the center of the room, he raised one hand. With a wave of his arm, shadows boiled from the darkest corners of the room, circling him.

She has found the true power, he announced.

Then you have failed, the Shadows spoke at once.

No, he groaned, They are not joined. I can persuade him to come to our side and join us in our fight against the Sylphs. He can stop them once and for all.

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room, creating an eeriness, which made me shiver. This is your last chance or we will solve the problem in our own way.

With a bow, the Ancient along with the Shadows disappeared into darkness.

My body felt weak as my spirit came back with a bound. I took a breath and wiped my dry eyes. All this time, I thought the Ancients were gone. I couldn’t believe there were more of them and they wanted to destroy the Sylphs. But why? Was it always about the Sylphs and never the Faeries?

I wanted to talk to someone about the vision and the only person I trusted with the information was Romulus. I hurried to his house, hoping he could help me figure out why the Ancients hated the Sylphs and why they thought they could turn Micha against us.

Romulus’ door was ajar when I walked up to the small cottage. Even though it was winter, dark green vines still hugged the dwelling, making it look as if spring was here.

I made my way to the entry and lightly tapped on the wood. As I stuck my head through the opening, my eyes swept over the stakes of books, searching the small figure of a man among them.

I stepped through the door into the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The two chairs that we spent many days talking in were empty. Pausing for a moment, remembering the days I spent learning about my mother, I continued on to the back of the