Ariadne and the Goat Mother: Magic and Mayhem Universe: My Dead Soulmate Series, #2

By Scarlet Le Clair

Ariadne, Rhodri and the gang are back at it again.

 

With Ariadne's soulmate and his mother trapped in between worlds, they embark on a new journey, visiting the Goat Mother in the paradise known as Tree Village.

 

But the obstacles they face this time are otherworldly, and they want nothing more than to drag everyone to the other side with them.

 

Help comes in an unlikely form, but will it be enough to save them? Can true love really overcome anything or is their love to remain doomed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scarlet Le Clair
• Release date: Oct 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215299036

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

W hat are they saying? Lucille whispered.

Goddess Seal. Ariadne placed her hand over her racing heart and looked across to her best friend, You frightened me.

Well, what are they saying? Lucille sat by the side of Ariadne and Rhodri who were hiding around the corner of Ariadne’s father's office.

Patrick was the headmaster of their school of magic. He, along with her mother, Rose, and Professor Morgan was having a meeting with Rhodri’s mother, Queen Safreen, and the great Baba Yaga. The meeting was all about bringing Rhodri and his mother back to life and Ariadne thought it was unfair that they had not been allowed to attend.

We can’t hear anything. Ariadne sighed in disappointment. She looked back to the office door; even though it was closed she could see shiny particles of glitter floating around the air and decorating the floor outside the office – proof that Baba Yaga had arrived.

I have to get to magical history. I’ll see you both later. Lucille put a hand on Ariadne’s shoulder and squeezed it before rushing off down the opposite corridor.

Ari my love, we can’t hear anything here. Why don’t we go up onto the astronomy tower roof? I know you love it up there.

Ariadne looked to the handsome man at her side. When he had first appeared on her eighteenth birthday claiming to be her soulmate she hadn’t wanted him or his claim.

Even when the claim had been proven she wasn’t sure she wanted a mate. She was still young and had only then come into her powers. But the more time she had spent with him the more she had come to have feelings for him. Now, more than anything, she wanted him to get his body back so they could be like a normal couple; to hold hands and go on dates.

Ariadne stood up, tapping the pocket where she kept Rhodri’s book just to make sure it was still there. Whilst he was incorporeal, he could only go where the book went. Let’s go.

The breeze feels so good up here. Ariadne tilted her head up to the sun feeling the warmth on her face.

They sat on deck chairs on the roof of the Astronomy building, looking out at the rolling hills that surrounded the school.

I wish I could feel it with you. Rhodri’s hand waved over her hair causing it to stand on end.

Disappointment flooded through her. They should be together right now, both in the flesh, able to hug and kiss. But instead, Rhodri was still incorporeal.

Their visit to the Cod Father had been interesting, but instead of Rhodri being brought to life his mother was brought back. She too was incorporeal but believed she could be brought back if she were to visit her son's remains currently still being held in the school's attic. It was where Ariadne had been led just a few weeks ago on her eighteenth birthday. She had come into her powers and found a soulmate. Her birthday wish to have someone who was all hers had come true, well sort of true.

Me too. she gave him a sad smile and held out her hand. Rhodri placed his just above hers and she could feel the static electricity.

There you two are. Queen Safreen, Rhodri’s mother came through the door to the roof slightly flustered.

Think of the devil and she will appear, Ariadne muttered.

What was that? Rhodri asked out loudly. But she could tell by the twinkle in his eye that he had heard her.

Yes, here we are. She ignored him and instead replied to his mother.

They had only been home a week and his mother was already driving Ariadne up the wall.

Every time they got a minute alone together she was there. It was like she had a radar that went off whenever they got close.

I just had the most wonderful visit from the Baba Yaga. What a delightful woman. I adore her sense of dress and have asked her to help me to dress for the end-of-year Yule Ball.

Ariadne snickered to herself, disguising it as a sneeze.

Baba Yaga dressed like a 1980’s throwback. All bright colours, beads and bangles as far as the eye could see.

That would be lovely, mother. Did you require us for something? Rhodri asked.

Yes. I wanted to talk to you about getting my body back and in turn, yours. She had stopped just in front of them blocking out the sun from Ariadne.

Oh? Rhodri sat up straighter.

Yes, we are going to try getting mine back today. We are to go to the attic immediately to meet with Ariadne’s parents and Jon… I mean Professor Morgan. The Queen finished quickly.

If the Queen hadn’t been see-through, Ariadne would have sworn that she had blushed.

Was there something going on between the Queen and Professor Morgan? Ariadne shuddered at the thought, Professor Morgan was a lovely man who Ariadne thought the world of, and the Queen? Well, Ariadne hadn’t liked what she had seen so far. The Queen seemed far more concerned with bringing herself back instead of focusing on her son.

As for your body, it will take a little time I’m afraid. Baba Yaga and her council are looking into the spell as we speak.

But I thought you knew the spell? Ariadne’s eyes narrowed at the older woman. There was just something about her that she didn’t trust.

Well yes, I did. I was the one who put him to sleep and kept his body safe all these years.

And you did say that you could bring him back once we brought his soul back to his body.

Well, it seems that the spell I put together all those years ago is no good, or at least, it needs…more. She said the last part so quietly, that Ariadne had to strain her ears to hear it.

You mean. You risked his life and now the spell doesn’t work? Ariadne could not believe the woman.

Well yes, but I didn’t know that then. Rhodri’s soul has been transported somewhere safe. we are just not sure where. His mother straightened her shoulders and looked down her nose at Ariadne.

Unbelievable. Ariadne turned to Rhodri who had drifted a little away from them, still sat down but no longer on his chair he just floated in mid-air.

His shoulders were slumped and he was looking unhappily out at the surrounding mountains.

Rhodri darling. It will be okay. Mother will sort it out for you I promise. Come now. It’s time to try to get me back. Then my darling boy, I will do everything in my power to get you back.

He looked to Ariadne whose heart ached for him.

He was such a good man and yet the one thing he wanted was just out of his reach.

She got up and moved closer to him as he stood.

She held up her hand and he did the same. The familiar feeling of static tingled on her hand.

We will sort it together. She hoped he could see the promise in her eyes.

He thought about her words for a moment, smiled sadly, and nodded For together we can do anything. He replied.

That’s it. Come on let’s go to the attic. She smiled back at him and followed his mother down the winding staircase to the ground floor listening to her moan all the way down about the ‘death trap stairs’.

They joined Ariadne’s parents, Professor Morgan, and the groundskeeper, Jonah in the attic. All of them gathered around Rhodri’s coffin.

Ariadne