Tame the Spark

By Jessica Lynch

It all begins with Hera & Zeus...

Before Noelle ever falls into the Other, before Cassandra becomes the witch in the woods, a young Manhattan socialite meets a stubborn silver-haired stranger and discovers that the Fates won't be denied —

Elisabeth
“The old ways are dying.”

That’s how the man who’s been following me around the city finally breaks his silence. The old ways are dying, and it’s up to me to save them.

Well, to be fair, it’s up to the two of us. Because, thousands of years ago, we were both gods—and we were married. He introduces himself as Zeus, king of the gods, and tells me that I’m not really Elisabeth Morgan. I’m Hera, and throughout countless lifetimes over the course of millennia, I’ve been his queen.

Of course, I don’t believe him. I’m convinced he’s broken loose from an asylum. The first time he approaches, my betrothed warns the silver-haired man to keep away from me. With a smirk, he disappears, as if he knows we’ll meet again.

And we do because, after seeing him once, I can’t stop myself from searching him out again. It’s an addiction, a compulsion, a need that turns into a rage so fiery, I nearly burn up the world around me when I discover him with another woman.

Because Hera is the jealous sort.

Because I’m Hera.

And he is Zeus, my wild, uncontrollable, philandering consort. He says the old ways are dying, and we have to return to the Other side. Will I go?

I don’t know. Can I tame him? Make him mine and mine alone like he never was? He says we’re meant to be, but I’m not sure.

Can I leave him?

No. I can’t.

So I go. And I discover that there’s a whole other world out there, I’m a whole other person, and, with his help, it’s up to Zeus and Hera to save both the worlds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica Lynch
• Release date: Aug 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463968260

Jessica Lynch

Jessica Lynch loves to write! She's been writing ever since she was a child, and spent years writing fan fiction before deciding at the end of 2017 to begin focusing on her original works of fiction. A 14-time winner of NaNoWriMo, Jessica has tons of manuscripts waiting to be formed and shaped and introduced to the world -- plus countless more milling around in her brain. She just wishes she could type fast enough to get them all out!When she's not writing or working, she's either reading, playing with her family of cats in Central New Jersey, rooting for her beloved Mets, or working on her graphic arts skills to bring her characters and cover art to life.Interested in learning more about Jessica and her writing?Join Jessica's mailing list for two free books: bit.ly/JLWrites

Book preview

TAME THE SPARK

A MIRRORSIDE PREQUEL

JESSICA LYNCH

Jessica Lynch Writes Jessica Lynch Writes

Copyright © 2019 by Jessica Lynch

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Cover by Jessica Lynch/ Typography by MiblArt

CONTENTS

Foreword

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Stalk the Moon

Noelle

Hunter

Noelle

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About the Author

FOREWORD

This novella (approximately 14k words) is an introduction to the Mirrorside series, my Greek mythology retellings that take ancient myths and give them both a romantic and fantastical twist.

In the first full-length novel, we learn all about the Other from the perspective of Noelle, the reincarnation of the Greek goddess Artemis. Her story starts when she meets a strange silver-haired man at a flea market and makes a deal that will change her life forever.

When Stalk the Moon begins, Zeus and Hera are already pulling at strings behind the scenes. They also make a prominent appearance in the third Mirrorside book, The Witch in the Woods. In this story, we learn about the two of them and why they’re so insistent on meddling in the lives of the other reborn gods and goddesses. Plus, you also get a sneak peek at the first book in case you haven’t read it yet :)

Enjoy!

xoxo,

Jessica

CHAPTER 1

lightning bolt

lightning bolt

PRESENT DAY

I’ve learned over the many years that, when I’m in search of my husband, all I must do is follow the sound of feminine laughter. He’ll inevitably be the cause behind it.

Whether it’s coy, enticing, amused, thrilled, or—on the rare occasion—a touch uncomfortable, most women eventually laugh, giggle, and chuckle whenever he turns his attention their way. It’s either that or invite him to bed because, honestly, some of these modern women have no shame.

When did the age of modesty disappear? Where a lady let her gentleman know she was interested with a coquettish look before hoping she could slip away from her chaperone?

In the case of my too-charming-for-his-own-good husband, I suppose I am the chaperone.

Should I have left him alone at the stall? Probably not. But despite the fact that this is another one of his brilliant schemes, another way to make sure the balance is maintained and chaos doesn’t overwhelm the poor mortals mirrorside, someone needed to check in with the market organizers. That was my job.

He was supposed to be unpacking the useless trinkets, setting up another one of his godsforsaken mirrors. He’s not supposed to be wasting time flirting.

Which he obviously is.

Hmm.

Our stall is nearly ready. I can see the boxes stacked to the side, the mirror standing toward the back with the fleece covering the glass. Knickknacks are scattered on the tables we bought for this affair, but there’s more empty space than trinkets out for sale. I know they’re a prop, that we need them to complete our act. Even so, why are they missing?

Because my husband is too busy flirting with the woman in the next stall.

She’s pretty, too, which is bothersome. It’s easier for me to stomach it when they’re homely, but the woman with the red hair and the slender frame is lovely. She’s older than I appear, so that’s something, but Zeus is a stately gentleman. He attracts young and old and, from the way she’s beaming up at him as she laughs, he’s got this woman on the hook.

I march toward them, sparing a snooty look at the woman before boring my gaze into my husband’s profile.

I signed in like you asked me to.

His pale eyes light up as they always do when they see me. Affable as ever, he doesn’t seem to care—or notice—that I snapped at him.

Thank you, he says absently before gesturing at the redhead watching him with absolute interest in her gaze. We’re right on schedule, so that was a big help. And look! I’ve already made acquaintances with our lovely neighbor for the weekend. This is Marianne. She’s offered to watch our stall for us if we want to go sightseeing on our own later.

Hello, sweetheart. She’s a matronly sort, with a warm smile. I immediately dislike her, and though that’s cruel of me, I can’t help it, especially when she coos at me like I’m a child. Clicking her tongue, she adds, Oh, honey, do you need to borrow a coat? New Jersey winters can be brutal sometimes, and the way they sneak up on you? Pays to be prepared. Now, I’m sure I’ve got an extra around here somewhere. Let me look.

The friendly Marianne starts looting around her boxes. For the first time, I notice the snow on the ground. It’s melting, but it’s there, and all the mortals milling about this morning are bundled up.

I glance down at my dark jeans, my thin peasant blouse, my bare hands. I should be cold.

I’m not.

My eyes dart over to my husband. He’s wearing less than I am, though I’m willing to bet this woman never offered to cover up his muscular forearms, his wide chest, his solid waist. Why would she? He’s a god reborn and, so help me, he looks it.

I forgot it was winter here. With our constant travels through the portals, I lose track of time. The cold doesn’t bother me, neither does the heat, but I know it’s essential that we pass among the mortals. I should have brought a coat.

Don’t worry about me. I have my own. With a pointed glare, I nod at Zeus. Husband. I’ll see if I can fetch a coat for you as well. Please finish setting up the stall. I’ll return before the market opens. Then, before he can answer me—before I can give in to my urge to shove the redhead away from him—I turn my back on them both.

The smallest of smiles curves my lips as I storm away. On the early morning wind, I hear the woman echo, Husband? and I know that I made my point.

Zeus is my husband. And if I have to ward off every female who looks at him twice, that’s exactly what I’ll do.

* * *

Hera. There you are.

With a sigh, I look up from my nails and throw a wary glance over at my husband.

He found me.

Of course, he did.

I could run halfway around the world and there would never be enough space between us. He always finds me. It doesn’t matter that this open tract of land behind a