The Sleeping Heart

By Emma Kathryn

• Language: English
• Publisher: Landovenna Press
• Release date: May 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780648232551

Emma Kathryn

Emma Kathryn (Nottinghamshire, UK) is a staff writer at Witch Way Magazine, The House of Twigs blog, Stone, Root, and Bone blog, the Spiral Nature blog, and Gods & Radicals. She hosts Wild Witch Podcast and has spoken at several UK Pagan events, including Magickal Women Conference in London. Visit her online at www.EmmaKathrynWildWitchcraft.com.

Book preview

THE SLEEPING HEART

Emma Kathryn

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Landovenna Press

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Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

About the Author

Copyright

Chapter One

It happened. Her crush. The mysterious man she had made eyes at, so many times.

This man with soft, neat silver hair. Sharp, photogenic features. Tender blue eyes, which had caressed her with their gaze.

Why had she not spoken to him?

Every so often, in the park, she had seen him. Caireen came out here for some time alone. She would just walk in her old t-shirt and jeans. And enjoy the morning dew, and the rosellas chirping, and the crystalline air.

He obviously came here for the same reasons.

Caireen would round a bend, her brow furrowed with concentration. She would be thinking about her personal problems. It always seemed so much easier to think of solutions to them here.

And then she would see the man. What was his name? She didn’t know.

He walked under the branches with his brow furrowed like hers. Looking as serious as her.

And then their eyes would meet. And they would smile.

Caireen meant, so much, to talk to him. But it seemed that they were both shy. She was surprised to think he was. After all, she imagined he was in his forties. She was thirty. So she thought he would make the first move.

But it had never happened. They just walked past each other every morning, giving each other that understanding gaze.

But now, everything was going to be different.

Caireen watched in horror.

She saw the man fall. Caireen watched, with amazement, as he tumbled over. He smacked, unceremoniously, onto his bottom.

He sat with his shoulders slumped. There was dead quiet about him. As if there was something he had absolutely given up.

Caireen walked up. As his face lifted, his gaze fixed on her. So, they were finally going to talk.

And Caireen was not sure what she thought.

Are you all right? she asked tentatively.

He gazed at her steadily.

I don’t think it will kill my dignity too much. Could you raise me to my feet?

Slowly, by degrees, she lifted him.

They were both embarrassed. He had to lean on her. He smelt very pleasant though. Of an all-pervasive aftershave. With something much more earthy, and manly, underneath.

Do you need to get home?

Just to my car. Will you come?

Caireen gazed at him, wondering.

It was not her usual practice to go with strange men to their cars. But he was clearly dreadfully unwell. She was not going to deprive him of a bit of support.

They made their way down the long path. This was an extensive reserve. She knew the path stretched right down to an immense lake.

The sky was hazy. A flood of sunlight was promised today. But mist hung over everything, now, in a delectable quiet.

He was taking quick, short breaths. She could see drops of sweat beading his forehead. Caireen cupped his elbow in her hand. She stroked his back, gently, as they walked along.

She was just getting to know him. This was just her luck, she thought.

She helped him to the car park. When they got there, he leaned against a powder-blue Holden. He turned to her.

What is your name?

Caireen.

Caireen what?

Winters.

And your address?

Caireen flushed.

She told