Page 47 of A Song of Saints and Swans
“Yes!” I shouted, knowing that—for all his big talk—Jar wouldn’t make a move until I gave him permission. “Please fuck me while Rena claims me as her consort.”
Both gods growled in approval, their holds on me growing more possessive as their primal natures took over.
Just how I like it.
Marena curved her ice to rhythmically tap against my g-spot, distracting me with bursts of pleasure while Jarilo began pushing his way inside me from behind. It wasn’t the first time he’d taken me this way, but never with Rena filling me up as well.
The goddess’ teeth sank into my shoulder the same instant her twin bottomed out. This was immediately followed by another sharp sting of pleasure-pain as Jarilo bit the back of my neck—where a shifter’s mark would traditionally be. The god of springtime had already claimed me, but I recalled him mentioning how one bite would never be enough.
I couldn’t agree more.
As before, a prism of radiant light filled me as the last missing piece of my soul snapped into place, telling me I’d finally been found.
And that I was never lost.
Tears were running down my face—so different from the ones I used to shed alone, when I allowed myself to feel anything. These were tears of pure bliss, of unadulterated love, of knowing I’d found my place in this world with mates who would treat me the way I deserved.
The Facility thought they could bend me until I broke—then burn the evidence until there was nothing—but I wasn’t born for defeat. I’d once vowed to Vasi that I would gladly dance in the rubble of everything Matthew had created, even if I was too scared at the time to take part in the destruction.
In the end, I had played a part in toppling his kingdom, and knowing the end date was coming soon lifted a weight off my shoulders.
I’d been carrying this burden for far too long, but the goddess of winter’s death and the god of springtime had given me a second chance. They had my back—which meant I would never have to carry anything alone again.
My seasonal gods knew death wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of a new cycle, and one that would continue until the stars where our fates were written had faded into dust.
I may have been born a swan, but now, I was reborn as something entirely new—from the ashes, and undefeatable.
A survivor. A warrior.
A phoenix.
A Witchy Word
Thank you for reading Anthia’s tale! You’ll find my author’s note & acknowledgments after the BONUS CONTENT.
If you found yourself lost in the woods (and somehow missed the various notes and warnings that this was a novella set after the events of The Yaga’s Riders trilogy), you can always go back andStart HERE with Rise of the Witch.
On the following pages, you’ll findFrom the Depths, a short piece originally written for the Into the Woods monster anthology. It introduces Margo and Konstantin, and takes place during Vasi & Nox’s rescue of Anthia from the Facility, so if you want more of their story - enjoy!
And just for fun, I also includedIt’s Just a Bunch of Va Ju-Ju Voodoo. This Yaga’s Halloween Special was originally shared with newsletter subscribers, but otherwise has never been available in print. It stars our grumpy witch, Vasi, and her three fated Riders - causing havoc in Salem, Massachusetts - and occurs after Anthia’s tale.
Blurb
(This tale was originally published in the Into the Woods monster anthology. Please review the Triggers section before reading)
Rusalka
There are many reasons men shouldn’t venture too deep into these woods, especially on a night when the air is already flavored with death.
One of those reasons is me.
Driven by an instinctual need, I haunt this forest, seeking prey to satisfy my hunger for blood and my lust for flesh.
Who shall fall victim to my beautiful trap tonight?
Konstantin
My world turned to dust years ago when I lost mylisichka,my little fox. Her death was the worst thing to happen to me, with every day since then clouded by grief.
