Page 5 of Starfall (Stand Alone Tales #20)

E mery stroked Snowball , and Orla was still staring. You are staring, Orla.

You look... pretty. Like something has softened.

I am stuck.

What?

I can t get into my other form. I think I am just tired from yesterday. I can t get the old me back.

Yinmar finished arranging flowers on the table and came up to them as Emery was speaking. You embraced your blood yesterday and killed your father. Your ogre is very close to the surface right now.

How do I put her back? she asked Orla s mother.

You don t. If it chooses to retreat, it will, but if not, you are stuck with her. Yinmar stood beside Orla. I am sorry.

Fudge. I have introduced myself as my own cousin Emma a few times. I am my own silent partner.

Orla paused. I think I can find a spell for it. It will make those who knew your other shape accept this one as the new one. It helps that you are the same person and that your personality doesn t change with your shape.

Emery blinked. Thank you. I am going to have to do a lot of shopping. I don t have much beyond jeans, sweat, and t-shirts for this one.

Yinmar smiled. I need to do some shopping of my own. Hunter helped me get back into the rolls of the living today. I should be an actual person again in a few weeks. She paused. I have also contacted my family. They are... shocked that I am back.

Orla snorted. You could say that. When I talked with them, they were still happy with the funds they received when you married into the ogre family.

Yes. I reminded them that those funds were mine, and the moment I could put a suit against them, I would have it if they had to sell the clothing on their backs. I am starting over, and living with my daughter and her fianc isn t appropriate.

Emery blinked. Fianc ?

It isn t official, but I can t see life without him. Orla smiled. He s... I dunno. He fits.

Emery nodded. Congratulations.

Orla smiled. Thank you.

Are you expecting a large crowd?

Orla shrugged. Locals and the seasonal avatars, of course. Their families will be here as well. It will be an all-night party until we make sure we have relit the sun.

Emery smiled. Are the other seasons coming?

Spring and Summer are on the way. I think they are curious about me, and that is why they agreed to stay today. Normally, they help start the fire and go.

Two cars pulled in next to Rowen s, and two more men approached.

They were handsome, and Emery began to suspect that the avatars were chosen for that reason. The funny thing was, she knew them. She knew both of them. They were regulars at the diner. Of course, they didn t recognize her in this form, but that was their issue.

Hunter swung by and borrowed Orla, walking with her to greet Spring and Summer.

Emery walked to Rowen as he wrestled more of the great log into position. Would you like a hand, Rowen?

He grinned. Please. Hunter has to be a host.

She lined up and shoved the log into the fireplace. It was sixteen feet long and two feet wide and would be fed into the fire at intervals so that the fire would be the same that was about to be lit.

A bonfire nearby would also be lit so that if anything went out, embers could start things again. It wasn t traditional, but if it was a good party, it might be necessary.

How strong are you? Rowen smiled and came over to brush bits of wood from her cloak.

I don t know. I can always do what I need to. That s all I know.

Have you looked up the characteristics of ogresses?

When I could. My adoptive family didn t encourage it as they thought it would draw my father s attention.

Ah. Well, Winter has a few books. Orla can show you.

Emery snorted. Orla can probably recite them by now. Books are her thing.

What do you mean?

She consumes books. Always had. Now, she can actually use some of the stellar magic that she possesses when she wants to.

Is that the same magic that you have?

No, mine is different. A bit more tangible.

What?

Accumulation is my paternal inheritance, and the magic makes that take a different form than any ogre would recognize. I collect businesses that have social benefits and staff them with people who need the workplace and will thrive there.

He paused. How many businesses do you actually have? Not the dozen or so you mentioned?

She coughed, Forty-five. Three more are in the acquisition phase. Some are in the city and in surrounding townships.

How much do you have in liquid assets?

She met his gaze, looked down, and mumbled, Three million or so.

Where did you learn that?

Uh, I had a mentor. She was great and helped to keep me focused.

She was magical?

Oh, yeah, and excellent at hiding it. She said she was waiting for someone but had to keep busy in the meantime, so we began our financial adventures. She smiled. She backed a lot of my investments at first, and we still get together every now and then for tea at one of her businesses. She tends to own popups. She said she never knew how long she would be here, so she wanted to put any and all funds into a trust to benefit the future.

He looked at her with a dawning bit of understanding. What is her name?

Avaknell.

He snorted. Avaknell Blue was a business consultant who found the building across from yours. She s the reason the gym is there.

Emery smirked. That tracks. She s sneaky and very good at getting the right people into the same place at the right time.

Yeah, she has that aura about her.

Where did you meet her?

A women-in-business conference put on by my college. She shrugged. She picked me out of the crowd, and we went for coffee afterward. I was her manager at her first and then HR and auditor all in a year. After that, we went looking for a business for me, and we found one.

The diner.

Yeah.

He chuckled and hugged her. If she shows up, I will have to thank her.

She s invited?

Certainly. She s heavily involved in the township. This night starts the year anew, so it is ideal for new starts. He hugged her. I have to go get things started with the others.

Okay. Go commit arson.

He smiled and touched her cheek before he walked off to join the other seasons around the Yule log. They didn t hold hands, but they ranged from spring to winter around the edge of the fireplace.

Orla walked back to her and smiled. As soon as the fire is lit, we can take the cloaks off. It s gonna get warm.

The seasons extended their arms, fingers inches apart, and then, as the sun turned red on the horizon, a red flame appeared in front of them. The log and the kindling began to glow, and a burst of flame curled around the first four feet of the two-foot-wide log. The sun had its carrier. Now, they had to keep it alive.

Hunter picked up a torch and lit it from the fire, walking over to the stacked bonfire and throwing the torch into it. The flare of the blaze shot skyward, and the air around the flames got warm.

Emery smiled as the seasons chatted. She had always thought they would be girls.

Orla grinned. And now the party starts. The sun has been continued, and we just have to make it until dawn. She unclasped her cloak and folded it over her arm. Come on. Let s get something to eat.

There was a bump on Emery s leg. Hey, Snowball.

The puppy was already knee-high and was wagging happily at her side. See? I told you. I wouldn t steer you wrong. Orla is going to be an excellent mommy, and it was my pleasure to be an auntie for a while.

Snowball yipped and leaned against her.

Well, puppy, did you want a snack?

Orla laughed. Can I take your cloak?

Oh, uh, sure. She worked the clasp and slid the fabric off her shoulders.

Orla stared. Damn!

Uh, too much? I can put the cloak on again. She fidgeted as she realized that all of the seasons were taking notice.

No, please. I just haven t seen you like this since we became adults. Orla grinned. And you are extremely adult.

Emery blushed. Thanks for that. You look sexy and elegant as well. I also like the ice silver and gold in your hair.

Yeah, it happened when I let my starlight out. I thought yours would have manifested by now.

I am keeping things locked down, including my starlight. I really don t need to look any more peculiar. She touched her hair. I let autumn come through on my hair a little.

Orla smiled and snickered. You know what that sounds like.

Oh, shut it. Emery blushed.

Spring and Summer approached them. Emery looked to Orla, but she swished away with the cloaks and the puppy. Traitor.

My lady, I know you are not with Winter. There is far too much warmth in you.

She held up a hand and stopped Summer from continuing. Ty, stow it. Robert, don t start.

They froze. Robert asked, Ma am, do we know you?

She wrinkled her nose. Sort of. Not in this form. You are two eggs over easy, four pieces of bacon extra crispy, and a glass of orange juice. She turned to Ty. Garden salad, six pieces of bacon, two cups of coffee, and a fruit salad.

Robert let out a strangled, Emery?

Just so.

But you look...

Like a dumpster in jeans? I believe that was your least flattering description of me. She smiled and fluttered her lashes at him.

Rowen walked up, and she edged toward him. Is something wrong? His voice washed over her.

Nope. Just two surprised customers and a change of heart.

Rowen smiled. You look lovely.

You have said that already. She felt her lips curve upward in a shy smile.

It bears repeating. Would you like to get something to drink? It is going to be a long night.

Sure. Is that what the pavilion thing is for?

It is. Winter always hires it. He offered her his arm, and she moved close to him, wrapping her hand partially around his forearm.

Entering the pavilion, she murmured, Thanks for the escape.

What was happening there?

Ty and Robert like to analyze women s figures at my diner. I was no exception.

Ah, and they only saw the other you.

Yup. And were exceptionally insulting to every woman more than two percent over the optimum.

Including you.

Yeah. I really wanted to snap them like the twigs they are, but I couldn t let them know I was listening from seventy-five feet away. She sighed, and they walked toward a table where he got them glasses of mulled cider.

He sighed. Were they really insulting?

Yeah. Really. You were never mean, but they were like teen girls bitching about everyone around them. She smiled. I am guessing that they don t have large families and certainly no sisters.

Rowen frowned. You are right. Robert is an only child, and Ty only has brothers.

Ah. Got it. Men trying to impress other men. Classy. Juvenile as well.

Rowen nodded. Nailed it.

She sipped at the cider and smiled. It looks like Winter likes to have all the seasons represented.

He does. This is going to be quite the party. Will you dance with me later? Rowen smiled hopefully.

Sure. She sipped. Enough of this cider and I will dance with the tent.

He chuckled and looked up. The guests are arriving, and shockingly enough, my family is all on time.

She inclined her head. Have fun greeting them.

Not necessary. They are coming to us.

The people who bore a startling resemblance to Rowen greeted Hunter and Orla before brushing past and heading for them. Emery stepped toward Rowen. There are a lot of them?

He slid an arm around her waist. Fourteen at a glance. More will come later.

Okay. She breathed slowly.

He chuckled. They aren t going to hurt you.

No, but I might get hugged. There were threats earlier.

Rowen pulled her a little closer. I ve got you.

She leaned against him as Gabi managed to lead the pack, cane and all. Gabi was grinning. Emery, you look amazing.

Thank you. Emery saw the hug coming and leaned into it. You clean up well yourself. Does that cane have sparkles? It s very dashing.

It does, and it s a sword cane.

Nice.

Rowen chuckled. Emery, these are my parents, Lenora and Davil. Mom, Dad, this is Emery. We have been friends for a while but have begun a relationship of sorts.

Emery snorted. Of sorts.

Emery started to extend her hand when Lenora hugged her. She smelled sweet and soft and comfortable like a mom should. The ripple of magic across Emery s skin wasn t her doing. She was being analyzed.

Lenora leaned back with her eyes wide. Why do I think there is so much more I can t see?

Because there is. Emery smiled.

Good answer.

The sisters and two brothers swarmed around her, introducing themselves and shaking her hands. They all looked at her face and then over at Rowen, who was talking with his parents.

The cousins came next, and Merwin walked up to her with a smile. Levelle did a good job on your makeup and hair, though I would have gone a bit more elaborate.

Good to know. The whole thing caught me by surprise, and I haven t had to dress this body up before.

Well, you did very well. Your waist is astonishingly tiny for someone your size.

Okay, I am not sure if that is a compliment.

It is. You are striking.

Well, that is normally my move. She smiled shyly and shrugged. Striking, I mean.

Why am I not surprised? Merwin nodded.

More people were arriving, and a few of them looked familiar. Rowen s family loosely formed a pod around Emery and Rowen, and he returned to her side and put his hand back on her waist.

She was tired. It had been a long day with only minimal sleep. A familiar face in the distance made her smile. Nori s here.

Rowen chuckled. Good. She s interesting.

She didn t bring the cat. She smirked.

Probably a good thing. He grinned.

Music started up in a corner, and Emery felt Rowen s fingers grip tighter. She looked up at him. Eager to get the dance off the agenda?

Eager to start. I plan on dancing with you until dawn.

Oh, I am going to fall asleep far before that.

Just nap near me so that I can keep an eye on you. He murmured, Or better yet, let me know, and I will just hold you while you sleep.

That sounds astonishingly intimate.

Rowen pulled her into his arms and put her left hand in his right, swaying with her to the music. You know I am going to court you persistently, right?

Emery looked up at him. I would be disappointed if you didn t at this point. You already know all of my secrets.

He smiled and continued swaying with her as they got closer to Orla and Hunter. Couples were joining them on the dance floor, and Emery felt delightfully lost in the crowd.

Rowen was warm. Everything about him was warm. He moved lightly on his feet and kept a careful hand on the middle of her back. You dance well.

Seven years of ballet.

In which form?

This one. When I needed to take on the other form, I was urged to stop. I do miss it, though, even if I had to solo.

Why?

Because teenage boys are smaller than teenage girls. Making them lift me would just have been mean. She looked up at him.

He grinned. I can say you definitely were out of my height class.

Well, you were sitting down a lot. I am surprised you didn t develop a breast fetish.

He looked down at her cleavage in the corset. Who says I didn t? The angle just changed.

Emery snorted as they continued to sway until the dance changed to something more energetic.

Rowen paused. Are you up for this?

I am not nearly drunk enough.

He laughed, and they left the dance floor, walking out into the strangely warm night. He held her hand as they walked around to watch the log crackle and slowly char.

So, you do this every year? she asked to break the silence.

Yes. The seasons get together to end the year and start it over. We don t know how long it s been going on, but here we are.

What happened to the avatar before you?

Autumn? He needed to pass the season on to someone so that he could die. He had loved, had children, and been loved in return, but they were all gone. He wanted to join his love.

That is so sad and sweet.

I am grateful for it. It let me stand and heal, and if not for it, I wouldn t have met you.

She nodded. True. I would have missed all the growling and bitching.

He chuckled. It was so much fun, and you never backed down or even flinched.

I will defend fried food unto death.

And I look forward to battling you again and again. He paused and said, Emery, may I kiss you?

She paused. Even knowing about the teeth and venom and stuff?

Even knowing that. I am not afraid of ending up bound to you. He turned to face her and took her hands.

It s your funeral... eventually.

He smiled. I will take that as a yes. He leaned in, and his lips were so close she could feel the heat when she heard the word that terrified her.

Ogre!