Searching for Home

By Kiera Elieson

In a world full of dragons, fairies, and selkies, six people struggle to find a place that's truly a home. Warren is running away, from a place no longer his home. Emile has been driven away, and just wants to get back home. And Jordan is trying to figure out what makes a home. They’ve found people that care for them, but will they ever really find home?

Follow Warren as he finds a fairy (gets caught by a fairy), and discovers that not everyone is as terrible as he thinks. Jordan is just trying to live a happy life with his Dad, but selkie hunters keep chasing after him. Emile and Drayce are managing to live a decent life until an attack on Emile sends Drayce into an anger-fueled revenge.

It will take a lot of effort, a lot of love, and all of them coming together to truly create a home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kiera Elieson
• Release date: Aug 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005837358

Kiera Elieson

I'm an avid lover of Fantasy, but wanted some softer stories. So I wrote my own! When you read my books, you can expect many of the problems the characters face to be emotional or relational, rather than solely magic or politics. You'll also find plenty of queer characters and lots of found family.

Book preview

Searching For Home

The First Book of the Stories of Sowarrelm

To all those that have supported me along the way.

And special thanks to my beta-readers and friends that let me ramble on about my story.

Copyright [2022] [Kiera Elieson]

All rights reserved. For permissions, questions, or comments contact: [[e-mail]]

Published by Kiera Elieson at Smashwords.

Chapter One

••^*^••

Warren stumbled out of the house, trying to run, but only barely fast enough to avoid the flying kick coming in his direction. 

If I see you again, you’ll wish you died out in those woods! yelled a far too familiar voice.

Warren finally got his footing and bolted into the woods, only trying not to run into a tree. Everything already hurt, but the adrenaline took care of both tiredness and pain as he ran. 

The sounds of the woods were driven out of his ears by the sound of his blood pumping and harsh breaths. Time was meaningless in the face of his fear; he just had to get as far away as he could.

He only registered he’d fallen when the breath was driven out of his lungs. 

••^*^••

Dee was a quiet fairy, as far as fairies went. He’d made himself a nice circle, but instead of hoping he’d catch a human, he was hoping to keep them away. It was deep in the forest, in a nice, dark place, and the circle was made of tree roots, rather than flowers, as Dee had thought it would be a little harder to enter that way. His home was also down in the roots, snug and dark and perfect all by himself. 

Well, until he was woken by a crashing through the forest loud enough that it had to be a human. Though he hadn’t the faintest idea of what a human could be doing at this time of night. The crashing got closer, and suddenly the ground shook as the human tripped over the edge of his circle and fell into it. 

There was a short sound of pain, then nothing. The human wasn’t even moving. 

Dee slowly peeked out. The human seemed completely unconscious. 

He walked out of his house. From what he could see, the human was covered in scratches, some deep enough to be concerning. But beneath the scratches was a patchwork of bruises, some old, many new, and all painful-looking. Dee grew more and more concerned for the human the more he saw. 

Well… the human was in his circle. Dee considered for a bit. Having the human be small would be easier than making himself large, and he really hated being large, anyway. But to make a human small, he would need help. Living alone didn’t always mean that you would practice your magic regularly. 

Dee started off for the capital. At least he was still good at traveling quickly and could get there in an hour or less if he tried.

••^*^••

Rowan’s eyes brightened considerably the instant he saw Dee. Dee was one of the few fairies who seemed to prefer him to his brother. 

Dee!

Rowan-- Dee gasped, quite winded. 

Rowan scanned him up and down; he wasn’t wearing anything near the formal clothes he usually did when visiting, he had mud on him, and--was that blood?! Dee! What happened? Are you alright?

Fine-- Dee said, still trying to get his breath back and waving him off. I tried to get here quickly.

What happened?

I… I caught a human.

You what? Rowan’s face was perfectly dumbfounded. But you hate humans.

Hate is a… strong word… help me?

Of course, I’ll help you! But what with? Has the human hurt you?!

No, let me just… breathe a minute.

Rowan darted off to get some water while Dee sat down. Several minutes later, he seemed much better. 

A human fell into my circle. He’s hurt, and I want to help him. I was hoping someone with powerful magic would be able to help me.

Rowan nodded solemnly. I can ask around--

Dee put a finger to his mouth. I meant you, Rowan.

That stopped Rowan in his tracks. After a delayed moment, he burst into action again. Of course! I’ll help! Let’s go!

Dee gave him a tired smile. Only if you plan on carrying me.

Rowan gave it very solid consideration before nodding and settling back. I’ll gather supplies then. What might you need? Anything, I’ll get it for you.

Dee smiled softly. Thank you. Anything to heal him, and whatever you’d need to help me make him small.

Rowan nodded, rushing off to gather supplies.

••^*^••

Warren drifted half awake, fears assuaged by the darkness. If it wasn’t dawn yet, he was safe. Safer. Not in danger, at least. 

And then he registered that he was in a bed, covered by a blanket. He’d been caught! Warren bolted upright, heart racing so fast it made his chest hurt. He couldn’t see anything in the dark and nearly screamed when a hand touched his shoulder.

Shh, shh, it’s ok. You’re safe.

He didn’t believe the voice, but he also didn’t recognize it, and that sapped most of the fear right out of him. He sagged, suddenly aware that he ached all over, some parts more than others, and also that those parts were covered by bandages.

Wh-wha--

Shh, lay down.

A gentle hand pushed on one of the few places on his chest that wasn’t bruised, and Warren laid back down. 

Go back to sleep.

Warren closed his eyes but didn’t intend to go to sleep. Unfortunately for him, sleep was waiting to ambush him as soon as possible, and it wasn’t long before he gave in.

••^*^••

Dee went out in the circle to get breakfast. This late in the year, his gorgeous yellow roses were all gone, but the rose hips were ready to be eaten. He brought two inside in case the human was quite hungry. 

A slight touch to the human’s shoulder startled him awake, making Dee wince. He should have just let him sleep. 

Wh-where am I?!

It’s alright. You’re safe. Eat something, and you’ll feel better.

The human just stared at the rose hip with wide eyes. "What is that?"

It’s a rose hip.

It’s as big as your head!

Dee narrowed his eyes slightly, and the human immediately backed down. 

Sorry. I-I’ll eat it. 

Dee handed him the rose hip and sat down to eat his own. The human watched him out of the corner of his eyes, matching the way he ate precisely and monitoring for… something. 

The breakfast was awkward, if not tense. Dee was reminded strongly of why he chose to live alone. 

When— um… the human set aside the remainder of his food. Are you going to send me back? 

I hadn’t intended to. You fell into my circle after all, but—

Your circle? The human asked. Then he started really looking at the room and the rose hip. His breathing quickened. Y-you’re a fairy. I-I’ve been taken by fairies.

It’s not that bad, Dee said. I can give you ba—

No! The human burst out. No, no, I’m sorry. I don’t know why you took me, but I’ll do it. M-my name is Warren. Don’t send me back, please!

Dee was entirely confused, but he set aside the outburst. He’d think on that later. For now, he had to calm down th- Warren. 

He pushed him gently down to lay back. Shh, I’m not sending you back right now. Just rest. We’ll talk later.

But—!

The power came to him faster and more naturally than Dee had expected. Warren, sleep. 

Warren’s eyes started drooping immediately, and his body relaxed against the bed. Dee stayed beside him until he was sure he’d fallen entirely asleep. 

But then the questions crowded in on his mind, the foremost being why would he just give away his name like that? What was home for him that being kidnapped by a fairy actually seemed better to him? Perhaps he hadn’t heard what happened to people who were captured by fairies. 

Chapter Two

••^*^••

Dad! Dad, Dad, Dad!

Alfred groaned, but the voice was soon joined by a small hand patting his face. A small, wet hand. 

That got him up pretty quickly. Wha—his question was interrupted by a yawn. What have you been doing?

Jordan bounced up and down, water droplets falling off him to join the giant puddle on the floor. I wanna swim!

Looks like you already have been, Alfred remarked, smiling slightly and rubbing his hand over his face, trying to wake up fully. 

Jordan pouted. No! Really swim! Please! 

Alfred looked out the window at the slowly rising sun. No, it’s too late now. 

Jordan’s pout grew downright sad, and tears filled his eyes. But you were sleeping…. 

Alfred reached out to cup Jordan’s face and pressed his forehead down to his, hoping that this would meet his need for affection without getting him wet. I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry. We can go tonight.

Jordan sniffed, rubbing his face with his wet sleeve. But you said that yesterday, and you forgotted.

Alfred ignored the mistake in grammar for the moment. "I did, didn’t I? I’m so sorry, Jordan. We’ll swim tonight, and