Sunday Snippet: Fiery Yule (a Holiday Spirit short)

Had a solid week ofgetting stuff done. This makes me happy. Got a garden planted. Okay, my husbandgot most of the planting done. I only did one thing, but I call that a winanyway.

On the work front,I did fairly well also. I'm hoping to launch a new venture in June, and Ifinally got back to setting that up. I also finished up a copy edit and starteda proofreading project.

Solid week ofviewing also. I'm in a bit of a groove and sticking with a cluster of shows. Istill have a weird urge to binge watch a marathon of something, but I'veresisted that urge. It's so easy to fall down a rabbit hole and not getanything done.

Ended up gettingtwo episodes of Death in Paradise watched. One featured a Day of theDead tie in, which is notable only because I'm watching a different show todaythat has a Day of the Dead tie in.

Also got twoepisodes of Elementary in. Started season two and got to meet Mycroft,which I enjoyed. Also got some additional Joan backstory and I'm glad to seesome of that.

Enjoyed twoepisodes of The Batman. Both were ones I remembered from my original runthrough the show. Season three is different as I don't feel as connected to thecharacters, but it's a pretty solid season so far.

Caught two episodesof Classic Rugrats. I've started season eight and I'd forgotten it's alead up to the Rugrats in Paris movie and all the episodes areinterconnected.

Watched two episodesof Suspects. I finished up season three and started season four. Thepremiere of four had a very twisty case and I really enjoyed that one.

Started season tenof Brokenwood Mysteries. I love this show so much. There's a terrific castof characters and I love that Frodo and Todd have found both bodies so far thisseason.

Also enjoyed thefinale of season twenty-six of Silent Witness. I'm finally one hundredpercent caught up with the series. Now I play a waiting game until seasontwenty-seven.

That's pretty muchit for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Fiery Yule, aholiday spirit sexy short.

Here's theminiblurb:

A holiday spirit, Spruce Lightfir, gives Enzo Escada, afire demon, the perfect place to lay low over the Yule holiday. Enzo cravessome time alone, away from the demanding overseer of Enzo's peerage. WhenQuinne Quailer, a mystic, arrives for a sabbatical from the human world, Enzois cranky about the intrusion … until Quinne's presence calms his fiery innersoul. Maybe the miracle of Yule can free Enzo from his life of servitude.

And a preview snippet…

Quinne Quailer completely lost hercool. "We're entering the most festive time of year, and the constantpetty arguments are beyond disappointing." If she had to mediate one more disagreementabout how to handle … anything … she'd go mad.I established a council to helpease my workload not heap more on.

So far, the group of twelve spentmore time fighting over hierarchy than actually resolving tribe issues.Quinne stared her group down."Why do you bring these minute issues to me?" She sighed. "Thisis stuff you should be working out amongst yourselves." Gathering hersacred items, she stowed them in her leather satchel. "I'm done for today.When you decide to stop being argumentative and start helping your fellowtribemates, let me know." With quiet dignity, she turned and walked out ofthe room.She exited the council house andmade the short walk to her home. Off balance, exhausted, and deeply wounded,she refused to let the tears gathering behind her eyelids escape. Trudging upthe half dozen steps to her porch she found a parchment envelope on herdoorstep.Wary, she opened the packet and readthe invitation.
The time has come for solitude atlast.Replenish your spirit and make itlast.Lay down your burden and embracesome cheer.Travel to Goodacre to end the year.
A set of instructions and availabledates were enclosed, along with a strong suggestion she take some time to enjoythe bed and breakfast over the yule holiday.Quinne discounted the idea. "Yeah,I don't have time." Shouldering her way into her house, she sighed."I really need to stay right here." But she longed for solitude.Why shouldn't she have somedowntime? If everything fell apart … well, maybe that would kick the councilinto gear. And possibly spur them to do what needed to be done.She closed her eyes when a knock soundedon her door. The oak slab barely cracked open before Harriet Hurst, one of thetribal council, pushed her way inside. Quinne blinked at the invasion.Harriet planted her hands on herhips. "What kind of drama-queen crap are you pulling?" She sucked ina deep breath. "I mean, what kind of example are you trying to set bystorming out of the meeting?" She arched a winged brow.Quinne's mouth dropped open.Harriet wanted to berate Quinne's behavior. When she and the other memberscouldn't get out of their own way long enough to do the job of governing andhelping the rest of the tribe?Quinne finally had enough."Why am I the leader?" If pulling rank and throwing some weightaround didn't nip this … nothing would.Harriet started to argue. "Well,because—" She stopped and snapped her mouth shut.Quinne pressed her lips together."Exactly, because no one else wants the burden of responsibility."Winding up, she pushed her point. "And why am I the mystic healer?"Pinning Harriet with a hard glare, she waited for the only response available.Harriet flushed and glanced away."No one else living has the gift." Her words were softly spokenbecause they were true.Quinne flung out a hand. "Andthere we go. I'm basically working two jobs with the welfare and well-being ofthe entire tribe in my hands. And you want to chastise me for taking thecouncil to task for not helping?" Quinne all but dared Harriet todeny the accusation.Harriet shook her head and backpedaled."No, I'm not. That's not what I'm doing…" Her voice trailed off and sheshrugged.Quinne made a garbled chokingsound. "Yes, it is." She considered the invitation again. "Youknow what? I'm going on a brief sabbatical. I obviously need one since you feelI'm not conducting myself as a proper leader should."Harriet held up her hands. "Inever said that."Quinne repeated Harriet's wordsback to her. "I'm pulling drama-queen crap and setting a questionableexample. That's what you opened with."Harriet scrambled with excuses."But … but … it's almost yule."Quinne rolled her eyes. "Don'tworry. I'll leave detailed notes for the council." She already had ahandbook filled out if any of the members had bothered to read the information.Harriet tried one final tactic."What if someone needs healing?" A smug twist had her lips curving.Quinne hardened her resolve. "That'swhat the infirmary is for, Harriet. And if there's an emergency, one of theother medical healers can contact me." She nudged Harriet toward the door."Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some packing to do." Closing thestunned look on Harriet's face behind the heavy wood, Quinne headed for herroom to gather some clothes.She really didn't want to go atfirst. Now she couldn't wait to leave. For some nice, quiet alone time.Zipping up her suitcase, shesettled at her desk and started a note for the healers. "Goodacre Bed andBreakfast, here I come…"

The holiday spiritstories are so much fun to write. I love coming up with quirky names for the spiritsand resolving the conflict between the two paranormal love interests.

 

That's it for thisweek.

 

Cheers!

 

Skye