Spell Weaver

By Megan Derr

Myka's dream was to someday own his shop, making and spelling suits that were prized throughout the world. Instead, he rejected an apprenticeship with a master who proved to be reprehensible—and untouchable—and lost everything. Now, he works in a derelict shop in the wrong part of town, and it's only a matter of time before he's caught spelling without a license or thrown out by his odious landlord.

The only bright part of his days are the occasional visits from his best client, Johan, a man who works in the palace and always brings the finest suits to have spelled. When he accidentally leaves behind an invitation to the royal ball, Myka takes it, determined to have one evening where he can enjoy himself—and perhaps even spend time with Johan as something other than a spell weaver.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Megan Derr
• Release date: Oct 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393538202

Megan Derr

Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.meganderr.compatreon.com/meganderrmeganderr.blogspot.comfacebook.com/[e-mail]@meganaderr

Book preview

Myka's dream was to someday own his shop, making and spelling suits that were prized throughout the world. Instead, he rejected an apprenticeship with a master who proved to be reprehensible—and untouchable—and lost everything. Now, he works in a derelict shop in the wrong part of town, and it's only a matter of time before he's caught spelling without a license or thrown out by his odious landlord.

The only bright part of his days are the occasional visits from his best client, Johan, a man who works in the palace and always brings the finest suits to have spelled. When he accidentally leaves behind an invitation to the royal ball, Myka takes it, determined to have one evening where he can enjoy himself—and perhaps even spend time with Johan as something other than a spell weaver.

Spell Weaver

By Megan Derr

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

Edited by Samantha M. Derr

Cover designed by Aisha Akeju

This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

Second Edition August 2019

Copyright © 2019 by Megan Derr

Printed in the United States of America

To everyone as obsessed with fairytales as me

Spell Weaver

Megan Derr

––––––––

The tea in the pot was cold and stale, but Myka refilled his cup and took a large swallow before setting it close to the nearest lamp. Picking up the waistcoat spread across his lap, he retrieved his needle and resumed his work. The waistcoat was a beautiful one, plum-colored velvet with gold and silver embroidery in a diamond pattern all across the front. He didn't need to see the discreet maker's mark on the inside, tucked at the bottom on the right-hand side, to know it was Norrington's work. He was the best tailor in the city and commanded a price commiserate with that status. His work went beyond perfect into truly breathtaking. Once upon a time, Myka had dreamed of working in such a renowned shop and becoming that skilled.

But Norrington also made a great deal more money in illegal spell weaving. There were strict regulations on magic, especially regarding enchantments, hexes, charms, and such that could be laid on objects or woven into clothes and other items.

Myka had been on the verge of accepting an apprenticeship with Norrington when he'd stumbled across Norrington and two of his workers discussing the difficulties of a love spell they were trying to embroider on a woman's suit. He'd fled immediately, refused the apprenticeship... and now he had nothing but a dying shop in the poor district, and was stuck as a journeyman because his master had died before giving Myka his final tests to become a master.

So far no one had noticed his master was no longer around, save for those who had known him and were too poor and struggling themselves to rat out Myka. No, they looked after their own on Ash Street.

He paused to push up his spectacles and rub at his sore eyes then righted the spectacles and resumed work. The waistcoat was for his favorite customer: Mr. Johan Pierson, handsome, elegant, kind, and the stuff of dreams. He'd never said what he did for a living, but it was something important and well-paid, given he brought Myka a new suit to spell at least once a month, sometimes more when it was for a special occasion, and that didn't include the suits that needed their spells renewed. Pierson had exquisite taste, the kinds of suits Myka would love to make, doing plain stitching and spell weaving all at once. Almost no one did everything at once, or if they did, it was men like Norrington, who did the spell weaving off the books.

Most people had their clothes made in one place, by a plain tailor, then took the clothes to a spell weaver. If only more of those people found their way to Myka's shop. He stifled a sigh, drank more cold tea, and pushed on with his work. Johan likely wouldn't be by until the next day, but Myka wanted to be done with everything that night just