Winter Solstice Wishes: A Rogues Shifter Series Short Story

By Gayle Parness

A short story featuring characters from the Rogues Shifter Series.

Elle, a fae female, has refused to return to the Faerie Court because of the treatment she endured under the former queen, Fionna. She's been a guest in Sasha's home for the last few months, and is finally beginning to feel comfortable in this new world—finding herself drawn to the gentle warrior, but not feeling worthy to stand at his side. When she sees how Sasha has decorated his home for Christmas, Elle invites him to celebrate the winter solstice with her.

Sasha, a vampire with a violent past, is completely smitten by this sweetly elegant female, but has many demons of his own to dispel. When Elle invites him to a magical celebration, he jumps at the chance to spend time with her. But can they heal each other on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gayle Parness
• Release date: Nov 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311934857

Gayle Parness

Gayle was surprised when she first discovered how much she enjoyed writing. She began eight years ago after reading a popular paranormal romance series and thinking, I’d like to do that too. Since then, she’s indie published fifteen books with many more on the way, writing paranormal fantasy/paranormal romance under Gayle Parness and spicy paranormal romance/urban fantasy and hot contemporary romance under her pen name Marie Booth.Besides writing books, Gayle’s a musical theatre geek, a Disney parks maniac, a lover of pasta, pizza, and pinot noir, and is owned by a black cat with big bones named Stealth. She’s raised two amazing daughters who bring her great joy every day and hopes to take some time off to travel really soon. As soon as she finishes that next book...She can’t write a word without music playing in the background so if you ever bump into her, she’ll probably have her earbuds in, listening either to music or an audiobook. You may have to shout to get her attention. :)Audiobook news: All nine Rogues Shifter Series books are currently available on Audible, ibooks, Amazon, and many other vendors: Narrated by Reba BuhrNext on my writing agenda: In Demand: Rogues Shifter Series: Book 10, releasing spring, 2022Thanks for reading!GayleSign up for my newsletter to get all the latest info on my new releases and to have the opportunity to win books, audiobooks, swag and other fun prizes.Newsletter Signup:Website: https://www.gayleparness.comFB: http://facebook.com/gayleparness-authorTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/gayleparnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayleparnessauthor/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5165431.Gayle_ParnessBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gayle-parnessPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/GayleParnessWattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/GayleParnessAuthorConnect to my evil twin, Marie Booth, for LGBTQ+ Paranormal Romance, M/F Contemporary Romance & M/F Urban Fantasy.https://www.mariebooth.com

Book preview

Winter Solstice Wishes

By Gayle Parness

A Rogues Shifter Series Short Story

Featuring Sasha and Elle

Copyright 2014 Gayle Parness

Dear Readers & Rogues,

This short story is about two of the characters from the Rogues Shifter Series: Sasha, who’s been with the series since Rebirth, and Elle, who we met in Cut Off. Because the heat level is much higher than in my original YA series, I consider this story to be an adult read. Sasha and Elle are way past young adulthood. In case you’re keeping track of the timeline, this is book 7.5 in the Rogues Shifter Series, but it can be read on its own.

Winter Solstice Wishes first appeared in the 2014 holiday anthology, Candy Cane Kisses and Magical Embraces—no longer available for purchase. Happy reading!

Elle, a fae female, has refused to return to the Faerie Court because of the treatment she endured under the former queen, Fionna. She's been a guest in Sasha's home for the last few months, and is finally beginning to feel comfortable in this new world—finding herself drawn to the gentle warrior, but not feeling worthy to stand at his side. When she sees how Sasha has decorated his home for Christmas, Elle invites him to celebrate the winter solstice with her. 

Sasha, a vampire with a violent past, is completely smitten by this sweetly elegant female, but he has many demons of his own to dispel. When Elle invites him to a magical celebration, he jumps at the chance to spend time with her. But can they heal each other on the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year?

Winter Solstice Wishes

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Acknowledgments

Other Books by Gayle

Connect to Gayle

Books by Marie Booth

Connect to Marie

Excerpt from Playing with Passion by Marie Booth

PROLOGUE: Faerie after the fall of Queen Fionna

Elle

When I heard the squeak of the bedroom door opening, I jumped to my feet and wiped the tears from my eyes. I must not seem weak. My dagger was already in hand, hidden in the folds of my skirt. This time I was certain I could muster the courage to die with honor. But it was a male I did not know who entered, one whose voice I did not recognize.

Do not be afraid, child, he said in rich tones. No one will hurt you now that I have returned. Garrett and his family have requested that you leave Faerie and accompany them to the Mortal Plain so that you may find peace away from court. I have agreed, although I am saddened that you may decide never to return.

He was standing in the shadows, so I could not see his face, yet my skin prickled with the effect of his power. Step into the light, I demanded, my blade shaking along with my hand.

The moment he did, I collapsed to the floor, the shock of seeing this male forcing the breath from my lungs. Finvarra, the former King of Faerie stood in my dank and barren room. He and Queen Aine had abandoned the people of Faerie centuries ago. His disappearance was the reason his daughter, Fionna, had taken the crown. My suffering under her rule had been as much this royal’s responsibility as Fionna’s, yet because of his unparalleled magic, I could not carry through with my plan to attack whomever next entered my room. I’d hoped to die in the attempt, which would have suited me well.

Now it appeared I would be forced to live outside of Faerie until I healed. I cast my eyes downward in deference and embarrassment. There would be no healing for me.

Stand, child. I did. What is your name? he asked.

Elle, sire.

Follow me, Elle. The king spoke with great gentleness, the tone a balm spreading warmth throughout my body. I will find you a suitable room where you may wash and eat. Then perhaps you will name the males or females who hurt you? I will see to them personally and they will not go unpunished.

Thank you, sire.

You will be leaving with Garrett and Jacqueline in a few hours, but only if you agree to go. No one will force you.

No one will force you. Could this be true? For so many months I’d wished to die. But I’d watched a vampire fight with all his strength to live, battling blood loss and the effects of torture, keeping alive to finally be rescued by his mate, his son and his friends. A shiver raised the hairs on my arms and legs as I remembered how I also had fought against my torturers at first. My hope had died quickly. I’d been weak.

I followed my king to the nicer room and sat down to eat when he asked me to, although I could taste nothing. Whether I was in the Mortal Plain or Faerie did not matter. No one could rescue me from my memories.

CHAPTER ONE: The week before Christmas in Crescent City, California

Sasha

Elle walked down the stairs, her blue gown brushing each step as she passed, her natural grace a gift to my senses. When she reached the bottom step, she frowned. "Sasha, why have