Page 43 of The Fae’s Treasure

The church is packed with halflings like banshee, pooka, morrigan, and even the Ghillie Dhu, all dressed in their finest robes and cloaks. Half of the members of Pine Ridge are playing along, either because they think it is truly a costumed wedding or because they know of the fae traditions and wish to embrace them for the day.

But it is Deanna I am aching to see.

Mrs. Fortum mans the organ for one autumn afternoon, the eve of the autumnal equinox, when the fae of the Autumn Court are also at their strongest. She plays music that all the mortals seem to know, for they rise at once.

I’m the one who almost falls to my knees.

I have had every chance for wealth and pleasure, to take my ease or delight in my work, but the greatest treasure I have ever worked for and won is now gliding towards me.

Her dress is white with gold edging. Autumn leaves form a crown around her head and make a living train behind her, held aloft by magical breezes that earn cries of awe from the congregation when they realize that her train is not made of fabric.

“My lady,” I whisper. “My Deanna.” I cannot help myself, and walk halfway down the aisle to take her from my father, who manages to move his lips an entire quarter inch to show a hint of a smile. That’s a world of mirth from him.

“Hi, Dair,” she whispers, placing her arm through mine.

“Hello, my treasure. My love.”

“Want to get married now?” she asks, eyes bright, lips trembling in a broad smile that melts my heart.

She does things so simply, so perfectly, and I fall more in love every second I’m with her. I’m glad I’m going to have the rest of a very, very long life with her by my side. “I am ready, indeed.”

With that, we face the pastor who smiles down on us from his little pulpit. “Dearly beloved,” he begins, beaming.

I look at Deanna and steal a glance over my shoulder at Rory.

Yes. Yes, they most certainly are.

We loved having you in Pine Ridge! If you’d like to read about another monster romance, keep reading for a sneak peek of Steel Wings, another monster romance that you can read as a standalone in the Pine Ridge Universe series!

If you would like to read a free monster romance from Pine Ridge, claim yours here!

Note: Growing up, I always loved reading a bonus chapter in the back of the thousands of books I read. (Baby-sitters Club and Nancy Drew, anyone? As I’ve grown up, I love finding the bonus chapters in my favorite books, now, too. (Thank you, Stuart Gibbs and Ami Wright, you rockstars.) So, I always include a bonus chapter or two.

If you don’t like bonus chapters, please don’t read them. I won’t mind. I will, however, continue to offer a little sneak peek at new or favorite releases for the large majority of readers that I surveyed who said they also enjoyed bonus chapters. Thank you!

Steel Wings

Marlow

My brother has always been the soft one, the sensitive one, the quiet one. I used to be mad at him for living his life in fear and hiding—and now he’s Mr. Suburbs, with a wife and a job, and a certified member of the gardening club. Maybe I envy him for that—even if I’m sure I don’t want it for myself. A cozy life in paranormal-friendly Pine Ridge isn’t for me.

Until Earl, a blind Vietnam Vet and my only friend, needs me to step up and take care of him in ways that a mothman living by his wits can’t manage. It looks like we’re Pine Ridge bound, and I resign myself to being stuck in plaid purgatory...until I see her.

Cathy

I fit the definition of “good girl.” I’ve always been the sweet, plump bookworm in my trio of besties. I like my flowy dresses and my pastel mug of tea while I grade papers and call my parents every day. If I grow into the caricature of the kindly old school marm with cats by her rocking chair, I guess that’s okay.

Until I see my bestie’s brother-in-law at the nursing home where my class is participating in an Adopt-A-Grandparent activity. Marlow is a cocky troublemaker who has given my friends grief for years—although he has been getting better. I see how he loves and protects his elderly friend, Earl, and Earl’s service dog, Tilly. I see the way he stares at me, too. I see all the fantasies I ever had about a bad boy in a leather jacket sweeping me off my feet suddenly coming true... If I let them.

Steel Wings

She’s too soft and pretty for someone like me. Too good for a literal monster with a sketchy past like me. So why does she make me so hard it hurts, and still turn my insides to mush? To survive in this world, I’ve always had to be the strong one, a beast with steel wings wrapped around Lennox and myself to shield us after our parents passed. Would Cathy ever be able to accept the armored appearance I show the world while keeping my secret about what a soft, gentle life I’d love to build for us?

Steel Wings is a steamy monster romance standalone set in the Pine Ridge Universe.

Marlow

November, 2025