After the Happily Ever After Vol. 2

By Lisa Kessler

Eleven Short Stories previously only available on Patreon featuring new fiction from the Muse Chronicles, Sedona Pack, Sentinels of Savannah and more...Ready to check in with the Muses and the werewolves in Sedona? And how about checking in with One-Eyed Bob from the Sentinels of Savannah?These stories and more are collected for the first time in this edition.
Stories from the Muse ChroniclesAn Inspired Christmas – Song of the SoulGoing Home – Devoted to DestinyDoctor Hanover – Light of the SpiritThe Devil’s Bridge – Legend of Love
Sentinels of Savannah Series ShortsRecipe for a New Year – One-Eyed Bob from the Sentinels of Savannah SeriesAll Hallows’ Eve – Pirate’s Promise
Sedona Pack ShortHigh School Reunion – The Lone Wolf’s WishThe Firm – Sedona Sanctuary
Night Series ShortsThe Moment of Truth – Night AngelRaising a God – Night Demon
Beg Me to Slay ShortsBloodlines

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Kessler
• Release date: Mar 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215207765

Lisa Kessler

Stay up-to-date on new releases and giveaways by subscribing to Lisa's newsletter here: https://goo.gl/56lDla Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Book preview

Stories from the Muse Chronicles Series

Muse Chronicles Logo

An Inspired Christmas

Mikolas & Trinity from Song of the Soul

By Lisa Kessler

Mikolas propped little Alexander on his hip in the wings. Hard to believe their baby boy was three years old now. Trinity was center stage, bathed in the warmth of the spotlight. She glowed on her perch on the piano bench as she played Both Sides Now and sang into the microphone.

She usually performed with her guitar, but Alexander was about to be a big brother, and Trin’s belly made playing the guitar uncomfortable right now.

Alex pressed his hand next to Mikolas’s ear and whispered, Papa, when is Mama gonna sing my song?

Mikolas rubbed the three-year old’s back. Soon.

Their son had inherited his mother’s passion for music, and this year she’d worked with him to perform with her at the end of the annual Holiday Pageant at the Les Neuf Soeurs theater.

Mel stopped beside him, holding hands with her five-year-old son, Noah. I feel like we’re forgetting something.

I don’t think so. Mikolas chuckled, shaking his head as he scanned the prop table. The small snare drums with shoulder straps for the boys were on top with two sets of drumsticks. Mel carried the spirit of Melpomene, the Muse of Tragic Poetry, inside of her and was often playing out worse case scenarios in her head.

Maggie, Mel’s daughter, came up on Mikolas’s other side. She’d grown three or four inches this year, and with her strawberry blond curls pulled up into a bun, she was no longer the pudgy cheeked little girl he’d met three years ago when the theater opened.

She smiled up at him. I hope I can sing like Trinity someday.

He focused on Trin again, and her eyes suddenly locked on his as she sang the final chorus. His heart raced in answer. He’d always assumed that the fire and passion of love must cool and soften as time passed, losing intensity and urgency as their family grew and more obligations came into their lives.

He’d been wrong.

The connection with his muse seemed to keep growing. Just when he thought he couldn’t love her anymore, the next day he did. Nine months ago, he’d been surprised when she told him they were going to be parents again. They hadn’t been trying for another child yet, but the second the words were out of her mouth, he loved that baby and his wife even more.

Hearing her in the bathroom humming melodies to her belly, seeing her dance and sing with Alex, pushed Mikolas’s heart to the edge of bursting.

And one heated glance like the one she just gave him from the piano made the rest of the world fade away. She was his inspiration in every moment of every day.

The final chord faded, and the audience erupted in applause. Alex clapped his hands and started to wriggle like a fish. He knew this was his cue.

Mikolas set him down and put the drum strap over his shoulder, then handed him the drumsticks. Ready?

Alex nodded and looked over at Noah. The two boys walked out on stage with Maggie right in between them. Trin leaned into the mic. This next song is for the new generation of muses out there.

The boys looked over at Trin. She gave a nod and they started on their drums, Trin joined in on the piano and Maggie picked up the handheld microphone and started singing The Little Drummer Boy.

Mikolas blinked back tears as Trin harmonized with Maggie and the boys kept time with their drumming. Seeing the kids together brought back all the memories of how hard they’d all fought to get to this moment.

He scanned the audience and found Zeus in the back row with his parents, Kronos and Rhea. All three of them were disguised as senior citizens. No one would ever guess that the Greek gods were among them. Mikolas hadn’t been sure they would come.

The gods didn’t usually attend holiday concerts that celebrated other spiritual beings, but this wasn’t like any other holiday pageant. The women who performed on this stage were the reborn daughters of Zeus. Granddaughters of Kronos and Rhea.

At the end of the song, the crowd was on their feet. Trin’s sisters all joined her and the kids on stage and led the audience in a sing along of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Mikolas sang from the wings, clapping as the music came to an end.

Trinity stood from the piano bench and held hands with her sisters and the kids for a group bow. When she straightened, her head suddenly snapped over toward Mikolas.

He frowned and mouthed, What’s wrong?

Her eyes dipped to her swollen belly and back to his face. Oh shit. He rushed out of the wings, struggling to keep his head. They’d planned for this, just in case, but suddenly he couldn’t think straight. He needed to get her to the hospital.

Callie frowned as he strode into the lights. Mikolas? What’s going on?

Trin needs me.

Callie’s eyes widened. The baby?

He walked past her, until he got to Trinity. He slid his arm around her waist. Are you having contractions?

She nodded and blew out a slow breath. Since we came back from intermission.

What? His eyebrows shot up. Why didn’t you say something?

She shrugged with a sheepish smile. The show must go on, remember?

It would have been some show if you delivered our daughter center stage. He guided her around the others and into the wings.

Please. She winced as they walked. I was in labor with Alex for twelve hours. I had plenty of time.

Callie rushed backstage. Mel and Nate are going to take Alex home to spend the night with Noah and Maggie. She looked at Trin. Do you need anything from home?

No. We stashed my go bag in the car just in case. She squeezed her hand. Thanks for helping with Alex.

Anytime. Callie looked up at Mikolas. Keep me posted. We’ll finish up here and head to the hospital.

See you soon. Mikolas called over his shoulder as he hurried Trin out the backstage door. He helped her into the passenger seat of his Mercedes and jogged around to the other side. He made record time to the hospital while coaching Trin through her contractions.

Her labor with Alex had been scarier because he hadn’t known what to expect. This time the excitement blotted out the fear. He couldn’t wait to meet his little girl.

Once they were settled in the labor and delivery room, he stroked Trin’s hair back from her forehead. You’re incredible. A sold-out show and a new baby all in one day?

She caressed his cheek. I couldn’t do it without you.

He kissed her hand. My beautiful muse.

Your muse is a house. I’m ready for this baby. Her laughter faded as another contraction hit. She breathed through the pain, when it passed, he blotted the sweat from her brow.

Then another came on. Mikolas frowned as she gripped his hand tighter. Breathe, baby.

She clenched her jaw and shook her head. I need to push.

His eyes widened. It’s too soon, just breathe. I’ll find the doctor.

She’s coming.

Mikolas slid his hand free from hers and pressed the call button fifty times. Trinity groaned, her face lined with effort.