Holly, Awakened: A Sprig of Holly, #4

By J. A. Clement

Unwelcome news. A shocking incident. And a terrible choice….

Holly's in trouble; her magic is growing faster than her control of it.

After an incident she flees the Ball in disarray.

But all is not well in the mountains.

A dryad lies near death and suspicion points at the humans.

Halfway through Holly's lessons, Leoflynn disappears.

And her father finally loses his tolerance for all things magical and decides they must leave the mountains for good.

Unable to persuade him otherwise, Holly must choose between her friends and her father.

But things are far from simple, and there are so many unanswered questions.

Who would hurt a dryad?

What has happened to Leoflynn?

And how can Holly move back to town, when she may be a danger to those around her?

Join Holly as her journey becomes darker and more exciting, culminating in the sequel, Holly Ablaze (due later in 2019).

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. A. Clement
• Release date: Feb 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781908212528

J. A. Clement

J.A. Clement lives near London with her partner and a lunatic lurcher pup. She writes her fantasy series whenever she can, mostly in her lunch hour (which probably explains the excessive number of bacon sandwiches that have to be edited out later). Her "To-Write" list is as big as your "To-Read" list. ***For a free ebook of short story "The Locket", as well as advanced warning of new releases, sign up to her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/WLfLH *** She's also happy to be contacted by readers via email at jaclement [dot] ondarkshores [at] gmail [dot] com and will answer any questions she can without spoilers. She does love a good gossip with fellow bookworms. You have been warned...

Book preview

1

The Ball

Holly fled from the Mayor’s residence and away down the road. Her feet jagged on the rough stones of the drive through her satin dancing shoes, but she did not care. She needed to be anywhere else in the world but here right now. What have I done? What have I done? I didn’t mean to hurt him!

The Ball had gone so wrong, and after such a promising start to the night…

---

Edmund, don’t you think Holly’s dress looks stunning? Carin demanded.

Holly blushed. She glanced away from the Mayor’s son and caught her reflection in the window: her hair was caught up into a pretty style, Hyaria’s chain of leaves and berries glinting amongst the dark curls. She felt like a princess, and her friends and even strangers had complimented her several times. She had worked painstakingly on the dress and everyone agreed it was lovely. The simplicity of the lines emphasised her figure and the richness of the green silk brought out the colour of her eyes.

But Edmund just inclined his head. Come, there is sparkling elderflower and tiny cakes with sugared violets. You are partial to a cake, aren’t you Holly? Edmund offered her his arm with a glint of a sideways glance at Jenna.

Holly suppressed a pang of disappointment. He doesn’t have to like my dress, I suppose.

Jenna followed. Oh, Holly eats like a horse. She’s always hungry, aren’t you, Holly?

Always. My mother brought me up to leave a clean plate.

Jenna tittered. In our house, we were told that a lady should have a modest appetite.

That makes no sense. If you’re hungry, you’re hungry. Holly shrugged it off as one of Jenna’s great declarations of etiquette.

Certainly you are.

Holly spared a glance at her friend. Jenna had been in a strange mood all night, alternately affectionate and a little barbed. Come to think of it, she’s been in a funny mood for days. I shan’t be sorry to get home. Holly set a couple of the tiny cakes on a plate. They were pretty but gone in two bites, and she had been too excited to eat lunch. She hoped the main buffet would be ready soon.

Skies above, Holly, have you gobbled them up already? Jenna took a tiny nibble from the frosting on hers.

They said there would be a buffet, so I didn’t eat such a large lunch as the rest of you did.

I did not! Jenna flushed. I took a scone so that Carin was not ill at ease.

Holly had seen the size of Jenna’s plateful, but for whatever reason her friend did not want to admit to it, so she let it drop.

Carin chuckled. Holly was busy getting ready. Not to mention putting the finishing touches to your dress, Jenna! She’s superb with a needle, Edmund. Did you know she made her own dress?

It looks very.... handmade, he replied.

Thank you. Holly stroked the green silk. It turned out well.

It’s so different from everyone else’s. Carin drew a finger down the sleeve. The material is lovely. The green stands out among all our pinks and blues and whites.

And not a frill to be seen. It’s a plain as a peasant’s smock, Jenna gibed.

Holly did not care. Whatever Jenna’s problem is, it has nothing to do with me. But it’s a pity. She’ll spoil the party.

The music stopped, and the dancers bowed and curtsied to each other.

Come, ladies. We’re at a ball! We should dance. Carin’s beau, a good-looking lad with dark hair, held out his hand and beaming with delight, Carin took it.

Would you like to dance? Edmund looked across at Jenna and Holly. For a moment she was not sure which of them he was asking. Then, as Jenna stirred, he added ….Holly?

From the look on her face, Jenna was furious.

Holly prevaricated. Thank you, but I’m still hungry. Perhaps Jenna would dance with you?

Holly meant it kindly, but from the icy hauteur with which Edmund extended his hand and Jenna took it, it did not go over at all well.

---

By the time Holly returned from the buffet the pair were talking with some animation. They processed through the measured styles of the dance until at the end, there was a degree of camaraderie between them that made Holly at once relieved and a little forlorn.

Carin joined her as the others went for drinks. So, Edmund’s finally danced with Jenna!

Finally?

Yes, she’s had a crush on him since forever.

Holly stared at her. But she’s always going on about how much attention he pays me!

Carin shrugged. Every glance burns her. You know how it is.

Oh no! I had no idea! Holly was mortified to be a cause of distress to her friend. Do you think he knows?

I’m sure. Have you seen the way he looks at her when he’s paying you a compliment? Carin glanced at Holly. I’m sorry, Holly, I assumed you’d know. I suppose you would have been at home when they were walking out together last summer.

What happened?

Carin shrugged. He got bored and dropped her. Jenna had been putting on airs and graces and talking about when she was the wife of the Mayor. They teased her about that for months at school.

Holly exhaled, oddly let down. That explains a few things.

Carin smiled awkwardly, but her beau returning then, she dropped the subject. Ah look, it is the great trampler of feminine toes!

Aww, Carin! I only stood on your foot once! He hung his head, grinning.

She giggled. If you’re going to trample my heart as thoroughly as my feet, I shall have to take more care!

The pair laughed and bantered, but it wasn’t long before Holly dropped out of the conversation. She felt slightly foolish. Glancing away, she caught sight of her reflection in the window again. Like a princess? Not so much…. A dryad, maybe. The thought tickled her, and she smiled at her reflection. Another few hours and then I can go home for good! It will be nice to get away from all the game-playing.

---

The Ball passed in increasing awkwardness. Edmund was paying her ever more particular attention, and Holly was acutely aware of Jenna’s angry gaze.

As the evening drew on, Edmund drew Holly out onto the dance floor. The first dance salved her pride as he had danced with Carin and Jenna but not with her yet. The second was a pleasant surprise, though it caused remark amongst the granddames and chaperones, but when it ended and he kept a hold of her hand, she paused.

One more before we go back, eh?

It would be better not to. It looks immodest on my part.

As she tried to draw her hand away, a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. Nonsense! I am the Mayor’s son! I can do what I want.

Perhaps so, but not being the Mayor’s daughter, I must look to myself. Holly dropped him a half-curtsey and walked away. The ballroom was hot and stuffy and she slipped through the crowd of onlookers to go out onto the terrace where it felt less breathless.

She wandered along in the moonlight, looking out over the gracious gardens. They were well-tended but her dryad side rebelled at the way the rosebushes were constrained to grow over trellises and arches, and the trees had been shaped into compact balls. It was pretty, but far from natural.

Ah, there you are. Edmund followed her out, and shut the windows behind him. There were one or two other groups on the terrace, and various people wandering round the gardens so it wasn’t exactly improper but his persistence irritated her. Let’s go see the rose-garden. You’ll love it.

I’d love to see the rose-garden in daylight, with the others, Edmund. It would be foolish to be seen wandering off with you in the dark.

We won’t be alone, don’t worry. Miss Barton will come with us, and Jenna. They are waiting for us, see? He gestured over the balcony where Holly saw her friend and the veiled figure of one of the chaperones.

Holly hesitated. Jenna waved at her to come. Might it be Jenna’s way of attempting to talk to Edmund? With the others there, surely no-one can object?

Jenna waved again, and called, Come on!

Very well. Holly followed him down the staircase to the garden, and from there he took her arm and made small talk as they walked. Jenna took Miss Barton’s arm and did the same. They wandered through the gardens to the beautiful bower of white roses next to the trickling pool.

It was a warm night, and the scent of roses hung in the air, sweet and heady and slightly cloying. Edmund stopped, took a step closer. Holly stepped away from him, and stumbled as her heel hit the little ornamental border around the pool. But as her arm came up for balance, instead of steadying her, Edmund shoved her over.

Holly tumbled back into the shallow water. The soft mud cushioned her fall but it was still a shock of cold, and for a moment she almost panicked as the water closed over her. But as fear rose, the water cocooned her as if she was born to it, and, she erupted out of the pool on the wings of fury, wiping mud from her face and throwing water-weeds from her hair.

Edmund and Jenna were crying with laughter, and the figure in the cloak threw back the veil to reveal not Miss Barton but one of Edmund’s friends, laughing as if it was the funniest thing he had ever seen.

Holly clambered out of the pool, hindered by the silken dress which clung to her legs. Her hair straggled down her face in wet strands. Edmund? I imagine there is some explanation for this?

Edmund’s laughter faded. I don’t need to explain myself to the likes of you!

The likes of me?

The others fell quiet.

I cannot believe anyone could be stupid enough to think I would be interested in such a nobody as you. My father is the Mayor! Your father makes carts. Of course I have no interest in you – except for entertainment value. Edmund sneered. And since you proved to be tiresomely proper, this is the only entertainment you provide.

Jenna’s face was alight with malicious glee.

What a fool I am, to have listened to her. A hot tide of rage and embarrassment surged through Holly. She set the seed, and I persuaded myself it was a truth. What a fool I am! She dragged the wet silk away from her legs to free them and strode up to him, mud and water dripping from her. What did I ever do that offended you so much?

You presumed to think that I would lower myself to your level. He spat on the ground at her feet. You, a peasant in every sense of the word! I am the son of the Mayor! I deserve more respect than that!

You deserve less respect than the smallest slug! Holly snarled, rage sparking an inferno inside her.

Edmund backed away until he found himself up against the fence.

Holly prodded her finger in his chest, hard. You will regret this! The intense flame of her rage flared at the contact, burning its way into him. He blurred and was gone. Where he had stood, there was a slug.

Jenna screamed. Shouts of alarm sounded from the house, and people hurried towards them.

For a moment, Holly was furious enough to consider crushing it under her foot: but then she was hit by the reality of what she had done. She stared at the creature, horror prickling her skin, barely able to breathe. Then she mustered what she knew about shape changing and returned Edmund to human form.

He fell to his knees, retching and weeping with terror. What did you do? What kind of creature are you? You freak!

Holly ran. She pelted through the gardens, terrified of what she had done, and of what she had nearly done. She tore at the gate, slamming it open with a clang. It rebounded and hit her but she did not even feel it; the need to get away gripped her.

She ran through the streets, ignoring the looks she was getting for the state of her dress, and let herself in the door of the lodgings.

Who’s that? Mrs McCready yelled, but Holly fled past her doorway without stopping to answer.

Once in her room, she shut the door and leaned against it while she waited for her breathing to return to normal. Muddy water dripped from the hem of her beautiful dress, and the silk was cold and clammy against her skin.

Slowly the chaos of her thoughts resolved into a heavy thread of dismay. There was no question that what she had done was magic. She had not intended to, but the consequences could have been terrible. Would I really have stamped on him? Killed him? It would have been so easy, and I so nearly did.

She could not answer, and it sent a thrill of fear through her. I’m not safe. No-one is safe around me. Locking the door, she looked in the mirror. The beautiful dress was ruined, stiff with mud and the ribbons draggled limply.

What kind of monster am I? Was he right? There would be repercussions. She did not dare to think what tomorrow might hold. But what if I