It’s #BookQW and everyone is ‘family, but not ‘familiar’ with each other’s traditions.
More from the excerpt:
“The Yule lighting symbolizes the turning of the Solstice and the return of additional daylight. We don’t mind waiting to do the tree lighting as part of it. You have your starter?”
The way Willow phrased it didn’t sound like she meant matches.
Raven lifted a ladder. “Dad has taken care of that.”
“So has Lady Lark,” Beri said with a laugh. “I’m nae sure their little woodstove will hold it all.” He hefted the second ladder onto his shoulder and followed Raven.
Fern grabbed up the basket. She and Willow fell into step. “What are you talking about?”
“We save a piece of burnt wood from the prior year’s Yule fire to start the next year’s log. The tradition connects the years like the renewal of life.”
“We don’t do that—well, we haven’t before, but we could start.”
Willow wrinkled her nose. “It does nae sound too superstitious to you?”
Fern laughed and linked arms with her. “It’s just tradition, right? Not, um—hold on a second.” They entered the house and closed the door, but still Fern dropped her voice to ask, “No spells involved?”
Willow stiffened, her brow furrowed. “In our family, someone is given the honor of lighting the Yule with…” She tapped her pointer finger with her thumb. “Magic. But no spells lie in the Yule wood.”
They took off their jackets and hung them in the quiet hallway. The CD had ended. Dad’s deep voice drifted from the kitchen. The cabin smelled spicy—like gingerbread—so Gran must have come over with Dad’s cake. Fern’s mouth began to water. Now that most everything was ready and Raven’s grumpiness was put away, she could think about setting out the supper things in the living rom.
But Willow was still frowning. “Is something wrong?” Fern asked. “Around here, this is supposed to be a happy time.”
She wrung her hands.“I really hadn’t considered that you and Lady Heather kept human traditions in this world when we created your gifts. But if I change things, the boys will be upset.”
“Then…our gifts are magicked?”
***
Solstice Gifts is out in time for Winter Solstice!
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Paperback too! Read more about the book here.
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