Hallowed Promise: Wyrd Love

By Cynthia Diamond

When she lights the jack-o-lantern, he will come.

Tyr was once a part of the dreaded mercenaries, the Duada. Now freshly free from that Hell, he returns to the only place he knew happiness, in the arms of a human female, Mia. Only one problem. Mia has no idea Tyr is a troll.

After a decade of waiting Mia is ready to forget about Tyr. Yet every Halloween she lights a jack-o-lantern in the window, just in case he keeps his promise to return. Then it happens. Tyr returns. Only with a very surprising secret to spill.

Enjoy this Wyrd Love short story that explores more of the trolls and their world!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cynthia Diamond
• Release date: Jul 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223235798

Cynthia Diamond

Since she was a child, Cynthia craved anything that featured heroines with strong personalities. Now she writes books for sassy nerds with a sharp sense of humor. Starting her adult life in theater, she earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Costume Design, but her first love was telling stories. After some encouragement, she dove down the rabbit hole and created the Wyrd Love series.  When not telling tales about hot dragons and werewolves with tight behinds, Cynthia is an SCA geek and an amateur artist. She resides in sunny San Diego, California with her husband Max, two cats of varying intelligence, and a ton of goldfish.

Book preview

Enjoy this side story in the Wyrd!

Thank you for reading!

-Cynthia

Halloween

Pain. It seared through Tyr’s insides, knotting every muscle with intense heat. At least his ribs weren’t broken. His healing runes managed to mend those, but that enchanted blade was stronger than the wards carved into his flesh. Scarlet seeped between his fingers, leaving a clear trail for Gunnar to find, no doubt. Not even the scent of the forest he was stumbling through would hide the trail. And after their last row, the bastard would be determined to find him and finish the job. 

Keep moving. Get to shelter. You must find her again. You promised you’d return on All Hollow’s Eve and you’re twenty years late.

His vision blurred, blood loss turning his mind dull. The light of the full moon dimmed as a swath of clouds blanketed the sky, shrouding him in darkness. Soon, the crunch of his boots over dried autumn leaves was his only companion. But he marched on, forcing his eyes open. There would be a Jack-o-lantern in the window of her cabin. It would be lit for him. It’s what she had promised.

Mia. His Mia.

Memories of a raven-haired girl with golden skin and eyes as dark as night curled Tyr’s lips. She had a mind as sharp as a blade and laughter that rivaled the most beautiful of birdsong. The first kindness he had ever experienced, his first love, his first passion, had been with Mia. The best days of his life were during that crisp autumn, taking sanctuary in that small cabin with her and her father. That had all crumbled when his master, Haakon, had found him again.

Tyr rubbed his arms, flesh turning to ice. Black edged his sight, his knees shaking. If he died before he could keep his vow to Mia, he’d give the Lord of the Dead one hell of a beating when he arrived in the afterlife. 

Grant me this one boon, Gods, he grumbled. Find me shelter. For fuck’s sake, you owe me that much.

The clouds parted and silvery moonlight shone down upon a small cabin’s roof. His heart slammed against his ribcage as a faint glow winked from the window. A candle. A Jack-o-lantern.  He had found her. After all this time, he had-

The light vanished after a blink, nothing but dark curtains hanging in the window. No candle. No pumpkin. Dammit, a trick of his addled mind. He glared skyward. You’re having a good laugh, I see. Is it because I didn’t offer a sacrifice? Fuck you, Gods.

Even if it wasn’t the cabin he wanted, it was shelter. He had to tend to his wounds out of the open air, away from Gunnar’s tracking skills. Tyr rounded the structure, finding a basement window close to the ground. It was small but he could squeeze through if he tried... and was careful not to rouse anyone inside.