Sneak peek: a Thorn Manor Christmas scene

Hello lovelies! I'd like to give a warm welcome to my new supporters, and and extra thank you to those who've been on this Patreon journey with me for a while. I'm in the process of setting up some exciting new things, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek: a little scene from The Crone of Elders Blaze (releasing on April 30th) from Marjie's perspective as she lounges by the fire with Rosemary, Athena and Burk.

In terms of timing, this scene occurs just after the end of Unspeakable Magic: book 8 of the Myrtlewood Mysteries series, which overlaps with the Myrtlewood Crones (so if you're still reading the original series you might want to wait until after you've finished book 8). Enjoy! (And as always, let me know if you have any suggestions of feedback)

Blessed be,

Iris xx

A Thorn Manor Christmas Scene

Marjie rocked gently in her chair, the motion harmonizing with the crackling fire in the grand hearth of Thorn Manor. The livingroom was aglow with the warmth of Christmas, the air filled with the rich scent of spiced hot chocolate. The chaos of the past few days, particularly the harrowing events surrounding the winter solstice, seemed like a distant storm now calmed.

Rosemary Thorn’s, lounged on the sofa, her red hair catching the light of the flames. Her vampire boyfriend, Perseus Burk, sat protectively close. Athena, Rosemary's teen daughter, was curled up in an armchair, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames.

Marjie took a sip of her hot chocolate, the spices tingling on her tongue, and let out a contented sigh. The was a cocoon of safety and warmth.

"You know," Rosemary said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I never thought I'd see Thorn Manor standing again after what happened.”

Marjie nodded. “It's nothing short of a miracle." Her eyes glanced around at the restored grandeur of the manor.

"To Thorn Manor!" Burk raised his glass in toast. "Indeed, it was as if the very essence of the manor fought back against its destruction. It's more than just a house; it's a living part of magical history."

Marjie smiled at the thought. The manor, indeed, had become a character in its own right in the legends of the town. "It's more than just walls and floors; it's a guardian in its own way," she mused.

“The power that surged through here during the solstice was unlike anything I've ever felt." Athena added.

As the conversation lulled, Marjie's gaze lingered on the fire, watching the flames dance and flicker. The warmth on her face was a stark contrast to the chill that had settled outside. She could hear the wind howling faintly beyond the walls of Thorn Manor, echoing a reminder of the wild magic that had recently swept through their lives.

Burk, his eyes reflecting the deep wisdom of centuries, spoke softly, "It's remarkable how quickly things can change. One moment everything is on the brink of collapse, and the next, it's as if a new chapter has begun."

"Yes," Marjie agreed, feeling the weight of his words. "Life is all about change. The solstice was a reminder of that.”

Athena, tilted her head, her eyes thoughtful. "This manor, our lives, they're all part of a greater cycle. I can feel it.”

Marjie smiled, appreciating the wisdom in her words. She thought about the journeys they had all taken, the fears they had faced, and the courage they had found. "We've all been through so much," she said. "But here we are, together. That's what matters."

The fire crackled and Marjie felt a sense of peace settling over the room. The chaos of the past was behind them, and the future, though uncertain, seemed a little brighter with the hope of rekindling her own lost family ties. She looked at her companions, her friends, her chosen family, and felt a deep sense of gratitude. No matter what the future held, this was what mattered, She took another sip of her spiced hot chocolate, savouring it, along with the cheer of good company.

Athena, her eyes twinkling, looked at Perseus and said, "So, Burk, any ancient vampire secrets for surviving family gatherings? You've had, what, a few centuries of experience?"

Burk chuckled, a deep, melodious sound. "Ah, the secret is simple: always sit nearest to the exit and never, ever get into a debate over the best century for music."

Rosemary playfully nudged him. "And here I thought it was your charming personality that did the trick."

Marjie chuckled. "And let's not forget the most important rule: never run out of wine. Or in our case, hot chocolate."

"Speaking of which," Athena said, raising her empty mug with a grin, "I believe a refill is in order.” She stood up to fetch the hot chocolate pot and refill their drinks.

Marjie leaned back in her chair, a contemplative look crossing her face as she listened to the gentle banter around her. "You know," she began, her voice soft but clear in the warmth of the room, "as a witch, I never put much stock in celebrating Christmas in the traditional sense. It always seemed a bit... disconnected from my own practices."

She took a thoughtful sip of her hot chocolate, savouring the rich, spicy flavour. "But over time, I've come to appreciate the magic of this season, the way it builds on the old traditions of Yule and transforms them. Yes, there's a lot of... what's the word...”

“Consumerism?” Athena offered.

“Indeed,” Burk agreed.

“That’s the one!” said Marjie. “Sure there’s all the pressure for shopping and meaningless rubbish in how people think they’re supposed to celebrate it. But there's also something deeper, something that resonates with the old ways."

Marjie's gaze drifted to the fire, watching the flames dance and crackle. "It's about the gathering of energy, the communal spirit that sweeps across the country, and indeed, the world. There's a power in that, a kind of magic that might be different from what I practice, but magical all the same."

She looked around at the smiling faces of Rosemary, Athena, and Burk. "I might not follow the Christian traditions.”

“Or the corporate ones,” Rosemary added.

Marjie smiled at her. “No, but there's something undeniably special about family time, sharing good food, laughter, and the exchange of thoughtful gifts. It's a celebration I can wholeheartedly get behind."

Rosemary smiled warmly at Marjie's words, the flickering firelight reflecting in her eyes. "I think that's beautifully put, Marjie," she said. "Christmas, Yule, or whatever we choose to call it, it's a time when we can all find common ground. It's about the heart, not the labels we put on things."

Athena grinned. "It's like we're all tapping into the same story, but just telling it in our own ways. And it's cool how we can blend our traditions to create something unique."

Burk nodded in agreement, “Yes, the essence of these celebrations transcends time and belief. As someone who's seen many a winter, I can attest that the joy of togetherness is a constant, no matter the era or the culture."

"And let's not forget the food!" Rosemary chimed in with a laugh. "Good food is a universal language of its own. It's one tradition that everyone can agree on."

Athena grinned. "Totally! I’m stuffed. And I have to admit, the presents aren't too bad either, even if it's just little things. It's more about the thought and the fun of giving."

Rosemary looked around the cosy room, decked in literal boughs of holly and other gorgeously festive decorations, a soft smile on her lips. "I must say, Thorn Manor does Christmas quite well. It's like living in a Christmas card."

Marjie nodded in agreement. "Yes, except our card includes witches, a vampire, and a magical house. Not your typical festive fare."

Athena raised her refilled mug. "To an atypical but wonderful family," she toasted.

"To family," they all echoed, clinking their mugs together, the sound mingling with the laughter that filled the room.

As Marjie looked around at the smiling faces of those she now considered family, her thoughts drifted to other dear friends like Papa Jack who were safely ensconsed in their own houses, then her mind wandered further afield to her estranged brother in Yorkshire. The sense of closeness she felt here made her wonder about him. What was his life like now? Perhaps it really was time to reconnect, to bridge the gap that time and circumstances had widened.

She took another sip of her chocolate, the warmth spreading through her. "You know, I've been thinking about trying to call my brother again. It's been too long, and life's too short for regrets."

Rosemary reached out and gave Marjie's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I think that's a wonderful idea, Marjie. Family ties, no matter how strained, are worth mending – unless they’re toxic, of course."

Marjie nodded, feeling both apprehension and hope. The night was peaceful, a balm after the storm. In this moment, at least, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.