Sea's Sorceress by Brynna Curry

herself.
    Her mother stood just to her left, cloaked in black from head to toe. Molly supported her, while sobs wrenched from her throat as she mourned her lost love.
    Ryan and Liv stood behind them with their families.
    The priest prayed over the casket and she leaned into Skye, who stood behind her, arms encircling her waist, fingers twined in hers. His presence was a grounding force in the middle of hell, as always.
    Devin stood on her right and touched her lightly on the shoulder, a silent offer of comfort.
    She felt blessed to have them all standing with her. Family.
    After the priest finished a final prayer, she dropped the roses onto her father’s casket. Her mother did the same, and stood beside it to bid quick farewells to the other mourners. Words meant in sympathy, offered with comfort, were useless to a grieving heart.
    When the last one had gone, Molly said, “Come now, Maggie. There’s no use staying out in the damp. John would want you to take care of yourself now. Let me take you home.” Skye’s mother led hers to the car and helped her in. So, lost, but never alone. There could be no words to quiet the tears.
    For herself, for her mother, she had to let her father go. And she would in a moment. Just a few moments more with him.
    “A word, Rhiannon?” Devin looked askance at Skye, who nodded at her.
    “Go ahead, love. I’ll warm up the car.”
    He waited until Skye had left the gravesite and headed down the slope to the parking area. “It’s so hard. I knew it would be, but how do you hold in the pain?”
    “You can’t. You have to let it go. Laugh, cry, smile, but never hold it back,” Devin whispered to her. “He said your daughter was the most beautiful angel he had ever laid eyes on, except for you the day you were born.”
    Rhiannon burst into tears. “Oh, Da.”
    Devin patted her shoulder. “Your aura has pink rippling through the blue. John would want your tears to be happy when you tell Skye.”
    “I’m? Really? You’re sure?”
    “As a heartbeat, hers is strong and powerful. Like her mother. Take care of yourself, cousin.” And then he flashed out of sight.
    She laid one trembling hand to her belly, where new life grew safe and loved. The other rested on her father’s casket. She found the courage to let him go.
    “I love you, Da.” Standing, she brushed a curl out of her eyes, smiled and walked away from death, toward life and the future awaiting her.  

 
    Brynna Curry
     
    Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author Brynna Curry is a lifelong believer in the importance of reading. She enjoys the writing process, helping others hone their craft by lending her time to review books, critique manuscripts and serving as a writing contest judge. She loves hearing from her readers.  
    When she isn’t writing, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her son L.J. and daughters Anna and Kayla, or just spending an quiet evening at home with her husband Jackie watching old westerns on TV. She makes her home in North Alabama where the history is rich with music and culture, forests and lakes are abundant and beautiful, and every day is another adventure.
     
    Brynna’s Website:
    http://www.brynnacurry.com
    Reader eMail:
    [email protected]
     

 
    Also by Brynna Curry
     
    Elemental Magic Series
    Earth Enchanted
    To Take Up the Sword
    Wait For the Wind
    Sea’s Sorceress
    Fire’s Ice
     
    Triple Star Ranch Series
    Claiming Ana
     
     

 
    Lyrical Press books are published by
    Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
     
    Copyright © 2011 Brynna Curry
     
    All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
     
    Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
     
    First Electronic Edition: August 2011
     
    ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-260-7