After the War: Airships & Dragons, #3

By Caylen McQueen

Jackline Perry has a secret. Most elves lost their magic long ago, but the blood of a witch still runs in her family, and she uses her special powers to rescue her husband-to-be. To get Prince Ludo out of jail, she turns him into a... cricket.

 

Unfortunately, the prince is stuck in cricket form, and Jackline doesn't know how to undo it! To make herself feel better, she bosses around a former slave named Billy—who happens to be smitten with her. Little does he know, Jackline Perry is more than a handful.

 

After the War is the third and final book in the Airships & Dragons series, and will also conclude the stories of Stelia & Julian, as well as Ludo & Himiko.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caylen McQueen
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201257491

Book preview

Chapter One

Stelia pulled back on the pistol's hammer until she heard the click . She didn't know much about guns, but she had been practicing sporadically for eight months, ever since Julian left her. The war was over, her father was dead, and she was the last person who could defend Tercell Plantation against potential invaders.

Stelia had tracked the bandits all the way to the henhouse, where she could hear the unsettled clucking of twenty frantic chickens. She wore her soldier's uniform that day—even the hat. She didn't know why, in fact, she felt a bit silly when she donned those clothes. Maybe the uniform inspired her? Maybe it made her feel like she could actually take on a couple of bandits and live to tell the tale?

As she held up her pistol and reminded herself to breathe, Stelia realized she wasn't alone. Billy was standing beside her with a brandished pitchfork. Billy was the last slave to leave Tercell Plantation, even though he was a free man. He knew she couldn't keep the plantation running without any workers, so he offered his help for free.

"What are you doing?" Stelia hissed at him.

I want to help you, Billy whispered. I can't stand by and watch you take on a couple of thieves by yourself, can I?

Of course you can, Stelia said. This is foolish and reckless and... idiotic, frankly. Her nose puckered when she looked down at the pistol in her hand. "I don't really know how to use this, you know."

But I think you're brave, Billy commended her. If you don't stand up and defend your home, no one else will.

The henhouse door was cracked, so Stelia kicked it open. She was such a poor hero, it almost swung back and struck her in the face. Pushing the door open, she cried, Halt! I don't know what you're planning, but... I'm not going to let it happen! She aimed her gun at the 'bandits,' two teenage boys who were barely more than skin and bones. Billy stood behind her, raising his pitchfork, ready to attack if necessary.

I'm sorry. One of the boys, the older one, pushed back his hair to reveal a pair of pointed ears. He wanted her to know he was an elf, like she was. I'm really, really sorry, it's just... my brother and I are really hungry. We were orphaned by the war, and we've been on our own ever since. No one will hire me... they say I'm too young. I just thought I'd take a few eggs, and no one would notice.

Stelia lowered her pistol and frowned. For some reason, she believed him. The boy and his brother were very skinny, after all.

How about... Stelia spent a few seconds biting her tongue, wondering if she was stupid. How many people would be sympathetic enough to take pity on the boys? She asked, Why don't you come inside for a proper meal?

"Really? The older brother's mouth fell open. Do you mean that?"

I do. When the war ended, I had to let a lot of people go, but I still employ the kitchen staff. Also, a butler, a maid and a... In the middle of her speech, she glanced at Billy. As much as she wanted to provide him with a wage, she couldn't. Her father's fortune was dwindling fast, and without a way to make money on her own, she had to be cautious. Anyway, you can follow me inside, if you'd like. I'll have Cook make you a sandwich. How does that sound?

I like that idea, answered the older brother. My name's Stefen, by the way. My brother's name is Tye.

Stefen, Tye, it's lovely to meet you both, Stelia said as she holstered her pistol. It took her a few tries to stow her pistol properly. She could never make it look smooth.

Stefen and Tye followed her into the house, while Billy stayed outside. Even though the war was over, slaves were free, and Major Tercell's rules no longer applied, Billy didn't feel welcome in the house.

When they reached the kitchen, Stelia asked the cooks to prepare sandwiches for the boys. They inhaled their food, barely pausing to take a breath. As he chewed, Stefen said, We heard this used to be the home of Major Tercell. Is that true?

It is, and I was his daughter. I still am, I suppose, even though he's dead.

People say his death was the turning point, said Stefen. After the Major was killed and the prince went to prison, everything fell apart.

Stelia gave him an absentminded nod. Everything had fallen apart after her father's death, including the plantation. The royal family went bankrupt, and Stelia's mother decided to hide in her room all day. Stelia never had much love for her father, but she couldn't deny his impact on the war.

This sandwich is good, said Tye, dusting crumbs from his shirt as he spoke. You're a real nice lady.

"Me? Stelia laughed and shrugged off his compliment. Thank you, but I'm only doing what anyone else would have done."

I don't think so, Tye objected. We was robbin' you, Miss. I think most people would have driven us away and fired a few shots at us.

His brother nodded in agreement.

I wish there was more I could do for you, Stelia said. You can sleep in the slave quarters, if you'd like. That building is a bit rundown, but it would be better than having no roof over your head. It didn't sound like much of an offer, but she didn't want to give them free rein of the house. The last time she invited someone inside, she was captured. Her encounter with Julian had a happy end, but she had learned her lesson. She couldn't put too much trust in a stranger.

We'll take you up on that, if you don't mind, said Stefen.

I don't mind at all. That place is entirely empty right now, except for Billy. He's the last slave who hasn't...

Abandoned me? Left us? Refused to embrace his freedom? Stelia wasn't sure how to end her sentence, so she opted to say nothing. When the war ended, and the West abolished slavery, Stelia told Billy to free himself at least once every day. Even so, he stayed behind.

Stelia stood by the window and stared at the empty orchard, and the field of unpicked cotton. Everything had changed drastically in the last few months. She was glad the slaves had freedom, but the plantation felt like a ghost town.

You're real nice, Tye repeated. I didn't think Major Tercell's daughter would be nice. I heard your father was an arsehole.

The younger brother's observation earned him a jabbing elbow and an inaudible hiss from his brother.

"He most certainly could be an arsehole, Stelia agreed. I heard many terrible stories that were never confirmed. Now that he's dead, I guess they'll always be unconfirmed."

Did he really beat his slaves? Tye asked.

Stelia replied, That's what I've heard. I never had to witness it firsthand, thank goodness.

W-Well, we're going to head off now, the older brother stammered. Do we need a key to get into the slave quarters?

No, no key, Stelia said. The slaves never had the luxury of privacy.

With a hand on her holster, Stelia led them out out the house and watched from the door. The slave quarters were leaky and ramshackle, but it had to be better than having no shelter at all. A chill swept through her as the boys walked away, so she grabbed a shawl and wrapped it around her.

Stelia felt chills more frequently than ever. In her mind, she wondered if it was her father's ghost.

Silly Stelia, she chastised herself. There's no such thing as ghosts, and you know it.

When a second chill swept through her, she sprinted upstairs and returned to her room.

Chapter Two