After the Happily Ever After: Vol. 3: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy Short Story Collection

By Lisa Kessler

Thirteen 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 discovering why Eli from the Sentinels of Savannah hates mermaids?These stories and more are collected for the first time in this edition.
Stories from the Sentinels of Savannah SeriesSea Dog Serenade – Pirate’s PassionOnly the Good Die Young – Eli from the Sentinels of SavannahSailing into Eternity – Pirate’s Pleasure
Stories from the Muse ChroniclesThe Audition – Flashback story featuring Ted & Trinity from the Muse ChroniclesDancing Through Life – Dance of the HeartAn Inspired Halloween – Legend of Love
Stories from the Sedona PackOpening Night – Sedona ScandalFar From the Shallow – Sedona SurrenderWolf’s White Christmas – Sedona Salvation
Stories from the Moon SeriesBack Where We Started – MoonlightUnder the Supermoon – Ice MoonCouples Retreat – MoonlightA Father’s Love – New Moon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Kessler
• Release date: Jan 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215556016

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 Sentinels of Savannah Series

Sentinels of Savannah Series Logo

Sea Dog Serenade

featuring Keegan and Char from Pirate’s Passion

By Lisa Kessler

Keegan strummed his guitar as he stared up at the glowing Christmas lights winding their way up the main mast like a massive candy cane. The lights were wrapped around the rim of the crow’s nest and down the sails to the foremast and finally tied to the bow.

He had to admit, they did make the Sea Dog look festive. Never in a million years would he have imagined that their once feared pirate ship would be decorated in twinkling lights, but Skye and Char had convinced them that chartering for company Christmas parties would be a money maker.

They hadn’t been wrong.

But putting them up had been a royal pain in the arse, and next weekend, he’d be hauling his ass back up the rigging to help Duke and Greyson take them back down.

Am I late?

He looked over at the gangway as Char stepped down onto the deck. Her dark brown hair was already down, and her work clothes were replaced by jeans and a black sweater that hugged her breasts.

She was a fucking vision.

He set his guitar aside and got up to meet her, taking her in his arms as he kissed her. The chilly breeze bit his ears, but he barely noticed the cold. Her soft lips warmed him all over.

Mmmm. She smiled up at him. I missed you too. She looked around and met his eyes again. Where is everyone?

His mouth curved at the corners. Elsewhere.

Her brow arched as she kissed him again. We have the ship to ourselves?

Aye. And if she kept kissing him, he was going to forget the evening he had planned. He forced himself to step back and take her hand. Let’s get out of the cold.

He grabbed the neck of his guitar and headed for the mess hall. The temperature warmed substantially with the oven on. One-eyed Bob, their ship’s cook had brought him a dinner for two from his seafood restaurant. Keegan had put together the candlelit table for two with a bouquet of roses at Char’s place. He had asked her to marry him over a year ago, but they hadn’t set a date for the nuptials yet.

He was ready to change that. After centuries alone, he was looking forward to celebrating new traditions and anniversaries with Char.

She looked at him with a grin. What’s going on?

He shrugged. I wanted to start a tradition for each new year we mark together.

New Year’s was last week. She chuckled. You played at the El Rocko with the Scallywags for New Year’s, remember?

I know. He caressed her soft cheek.

She never missed one of his shows and seeing her there in the crowd still made his ancient heart race. She inspired him. And for the first time in centuries, he had something to show for it. He wrote a new song. But this isn’t about the band.

She turned her head, kissing his palm. You’re making me curious.

Good. He pulled out her chair for her and then picked up his Gibson. He brought a stool over and checked the tuning on his guitar before meeting her eyes. You know how much I love a crowd, but I wanted you to be the first one to hear this.

Her lips curved into a smile. Is it Roll the Old Chariot Along?

Her favorite of his encore Sea Chanty set list. He shook his head as he wet his lips. No. Suddenly that nervous energy bubbled in his gut like he might be performing in a stadium instead of on the deck of his beloved Sea Dog with the queen of his heart. "I wrote this one."

Her smile brightened. I didn’t know you wrote your own songs.

I don’t. Or…I haven’t. Not since I was a pirate on the original Sea Dog. He strummed a cord. I better get this out before I lose my nerve.

Truth be told, he knew Char would love his song even if was a piece of utter crap, but he wanted it to be amazing, to communicate how much she meant to him, and he wanted to commemorate every year of their immortal lives with a new song to celebrate the new adventures they’d share.

She deserved poetry set to music.

But he wasn’t a trained composer, he was a pirate.

He shoved the doubts away as his fingers plucked the strings and his other hand found each chord. He’d been working on the new tune for over a month, but he’d had to practice whenever he’d found time away from Char and the crew.

He crafted the song in the style of his old sea chanty tunes that she loved. But the words for this one came straight from his soul.

If time was a myth,

And love a simple song,

I would serenade you ’til the world was long gone.

If my heart was a melody,

And my body the tune,

My love would be a symphony written only for you.

The seas may roar,

The world may war,

And the end may be coming too soon.

But there’s nothing to fear, for my love, you are safe in my heart.

The seas may roar,

The world may war,

And the end may be coming too soon.

But with you at my side, my beautiful bride, eternity is just a start.

If time’s just a myth,

And love’s just a song,

Then I will sing this serenade ’til this world is long, long gone.

The final chord faded, and Char got up, wiping a tear from her cheek. He set his guitar aside and embraced her, breathing in the lavender scent of her hair as he closed his eyes.

Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, Thank you.

He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. You like it?

Love it. Her gaze wandered over his face. You’re really going to write a new song every year?

He nodded. That’s my intention. I’ll debut it with you, and if you think it’s good, I’ll record it.

That could be hundreds of love songs. Her eyes sparkled.

He turned on his piratical accent, knowing the effect it had on her. Thousands wouldn’t be enough to contain all these bloody emotions ye stir in my dusty old soul, lass.

The sound of her laughter made his pulse race. She kissed him. I love you, Keegan.

He caught her hand and pressed his lips to the jeweled engagement ring on her finger. Then let’s set a date.

Her eyes widened. For the wedding?

Aye. He tilted his head, confused by the surprise on her face. Did ye think I forgot?

No. She hesitated. But you never said anything, and we’ve been busy with cursed swords, and killer mermaids and Atlantis. She looked at the ring on her finger and back at his face. I guess I thought we were already together. That’s all that matters.

He stared into her eyes. I didn’t think I cared. We’ll have to fake our deaths eventually anyway. He shrugged, lacing his fingers with hers. But I’ve never been married before, and watching Colton and Drake tie the knot with their women made me think…I’d like to make a vow to you in front of the crew.

She glanced at his guitar. You played for the other weddings. She lifted her gaze. Will you do that for ours too?

The corner of his mouth quirked up. I’m damned sure not letting Bob do it.

She laughed, and gradually that shadow of uncertainty faded. When should we have the wedding?

He tucked her hair behind her ear. She was so damned beautiful. Let’s plan for summer. He walked her back out onto the main deck as a chilly gust of wind stung his cheeks. It’ll be warmer then. He gestured to the bow. We can take the ship out on the sea and do it right here.

She shook her head. "Actually…I’d love to have the