“Do you ever feel disappointed that we haven’t found anyone yet?” I asked Rivelin as we fell into step beside each other.
He looked at me, surprised. “Do you?”
“I was lost and desperate when the Elding attacked my ship,” I said. “But we were miles from Hearthaven. Thuri and everyone else ended up back in Fafnir, but I washed up here on this beach. Sometimes, I think the magic of the island somehow brought me here on purpose. It heard my desperation and it saved me.” I sighed and continued. “There will be other lost souls out there who are just as desperate as I was. I hope the magic sweeps them up in the tide so they can have a chance at a different kind of life, like I do now.”
Rivelin slowed on the path and palmed my face. In a murmur, he said, “You, Daella the Blacksmith, are a lot softer than you want everyone to believe.”
I smiled at the memory of all those weeks ago when I’d said the very same thing to him. “Blacksmith, eh?”
“Well, you’re certainly not a murk.”
“Hmm.” I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through his silken strands. “Does that mean I’m your official partner? Perhaps we should add my name to the sign.”
“You can add your name to anything of mine you’d like.” He tugged me closer, then slid a familiar bracelet around my wrist—the one we’d made together all those months ago. “Because I want you, Daella Sigursdottir, to become my wife. I don’t care that we’ve known each other for little more than four months. I know the heart of you, the fact you are kind and strong and fearless in the face of adversity. You see the good in things, even when life has gifted you with nothing but cruelty. My love for you is endless, so all-consuming I cannot truly breathe when you’re not near. And all I want is to spend the rest of my life trying to make you smile.”
“You’re pretty poetic, for a blacksmith.” Heart pounding, I whispered, “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“With every fiber of my being.”
I gazed up at him, at this man who had changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. To be happy and free and in love, it had always been a dream. Someone else’s fate, but never mine.
“Yes, Rivelin,” I said with tears of joy filling my eyes. “I’m all yours.”
My smile felt as bright as the stars.
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Next in Falling for Fables…
Brewed in Magic
Available for Preorder Now
Glossary
DRAUGR - those who bond with dragons and channel their power
FENRIR - wolf-like creatures who can form powerful bonds with folk
FILDUR - the elemental magic of fire
FOLK - beings in tune with the Galdur; includes elves, orcs, pixies, trolls, fenrir, demons, giants, kraken, and dwarves
FREYA - the ancient goddess of the elements
GALDUR - the elemental magic that runs through the bones of the earth; can be controlled by rare sand
JORDUR - the elemental magic of earth
MIDSUMMER GAMES - a yearly celebration that takes place in Wyndale, complete with a tournament; the winner may ask for one gift from the island
THE OLD GODS - ancient beings who crafted the world and gifted the folk with Galdur
VATNOR - the elemental magic of water
VINDUR - the elemental magic of air
Acknowledgments
First, and foremost, to my husband for encouraging me to write this book, for listening to me ramble, and for making dinner when I spent long days at the keyboard.
To the incredible group of artists I commissioned for this book. First, to my amazing illustrator, Deandra, for bringing Daella and Rivelin to life for this cover. To Sylvia at The Book Brander for the perfect typography and branding. To Zayeos for the beautiful forge and hammer illustrations. To Lily for the perfect dragon logo. And to Cartography Bird for the gorgeous map of the Isles.
To my editor, Noah, for catching my errors and making sure all the details of the world make sense!
To Rachel at NerdFam, for helping me get the word out about this book and helping me reach readers who might like this odd little story.
Finally, to every single one of you who took a chance on this book. Thank you for reading!