Welcome and Rest

Greetings, Updates, and an Exclusive Bonus Scene from Earthbound!

First of all, welcome to all of those who have joined here since the last quarter, whether through the Wonders of Scifi giveaway or the substack app—I’m so glad you are here! I want this space to be a quick touch base with fun news without being overwhelming.

This quarter I have included a (non-spoilery) bonus scene from Earthbound after the regular updates. I hope you enjoy!

Let’s get into it.

Writing Update

This last quarter has found me busy, under deadlines, and yet, breathing deep and working to be present. What a privilege to work at something I love from home, with all the flexibility that it allows. That said, I am shifting from the seven day/every spare moment style work week and taking evenings and at least one day each weekend off from my computer. My family and my frazzled brain are thanking me. lol

The first draft of Skysworn (Book 2 in the Of Earth and Sky Duology) wrapped up in October. It currently sits at 115,000 words and I will be moving through all the various rounds of self-edits, readers, and editor passes, all working towards a late spring 2025 release.

Skysworn follows the same characters you’ve come to love in Book 1, picking up right where we left off. The Mercurial is under threat and our heroes are regrouping and working to find their place after the events of Earthbound. It promises to be another emotionally charged, action packed story that hurtles towards the thrilling conclusion.

For those interested in being an early reader or joining the Skysworn release team, click the button to sign up!

Earthbound: Bonus Scene

** This is a flashback from Tehran’s perspective set in the Capital after he and Knox first became Overseers as young men. ** Enjoy!

Tehran pulled a small flask from inside his coat and pushed it towards Knox. “Drink up and stop moping.”

Knox took a swig and grimaced. “You couldn’t fill this with anything better than Solace’s tac? It tastes like diluted molasses.”

The capital streets still bustled with life despite the late hour. Moisture hung heavy in the air and the cobblestones glistened under the artificial light of the commercial tier. After months of final preparations they’d passed the trial and sworn their full oaths, finally Overseers.

Tehran shrugged, tipping it to his own mouth. “It does the trick. So where to? Sechtal’s?” 

His friend groaned. “Not dancing again. What about a quiet pub? Fergul’s?”

“There aren’t as many girls at Fergul’s. Come on, it’s our last week here. Let’s have some fun.”

“I’m too tired for fun, I just want to be back in Rikken.”

Tehran shook his head and laughed. “You sound like an old man.” He thumped Knox on the back with a good-natured jostle. “Come on, for me. I’ll meet some girls and you can sit and squirm under their unwanted attention. Double the entertainment.”

 “For you.” Knox glared. “I would love one evening where we don’t end up in a fight with some jealous lover and I can get to bed at a reasonable hour.”

“Ppht. You don’t want to sleep, you want to dream of Em.”

Knox slugged him in the arm hard enough to let him know he was getting close to the truth.

He held up his hands defensively. “Look, you have Emilia back home, but my time is now. The girls here love Overseers, I finally have the chance for some company and you want to be a stick in the mud?”

Knox rolled his eyes and Tehran whooped knowing he had just won the argument. He slung his arm around Knox and started down the road.

“An hour. I’ll join you for an hour.”

***

Sechtal’s was bustling with a young crowd and live music filled the small hall. A lovely dark-haired girl approached Tehran not long after they took a seat at the bar, taking him by the hand and pulling him to dance. Knox waved off her friend, determined to look bored.

Tehran left him behind and followed the girl to the crowded dance floor.

 “I’m Zarrah,” she said, leaning close and raising her voice to be heard. 

“Tehran.”

“Are you one of the Avowed?” Her dark eyes glittered against her warm skin.

A thrill rushed through him. No longer an Acolyte, he could claim the title without explanation or caveat. “I am.”

Her full mouth lifted into a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck, body moving to the music. The hours passed quickly in Zarrah’s company, Solace’s tac not solely responsible for his intoxicated, muddy thoughts. With a woman in his arms, returning to the Reaches suddenly seemed like a much bigger sacrifice than he’d originally considered.  

“It’s time to go,” Knox said, appearing at his side.

Zarrah didn’t give Tehran time to answer but rested a hand on his arm. “Not yet. Stay. I’ll grab us another drink.”

Reluctantly he let her go, hand lingering over the soft skin of her bare shoulder. “I have my own,” he waggled the flask, “but get what you want. I’m not going anywhere.” Zarrah smiled and left him with Knox.

Knox crossed his arms. “We need to leave.”

“Why would I leave with you?” He looked pointedly at Zarrah leaning against the bar waiting for her drink. “I’ll see myself home.”

“Something isn’t right,” Knox said. “How many times has she offered to get you a drink tonight?”

Tehran waved him off with a lazy hand. “You’re being paranoid.”

“And you’re being stupid,” Knox countered.

The two silently faced off as Zarrah returned with a drink in each hand. Knox raised a brow.

“I’m not arguing about this. Go.” Tehran said. He accepted the drink Zarrah held out and with a deliberate look  set it on the tray of a passing server. If declining the drink bothered her, she didn’t show it. Without another word he wrapped his arm around the woman and turned from his friend.

Knox seemed to forget there were other things to do with a beautiful woman than having a forbidden drink. Many other things. As if reading his thoughts, Zarrah pressed close and moved with the music in a way that was impossible to ignore. Every fibre of his being responded to her. Thoughts pleasantly numbed, he forgot the conflict, only aware of the woman before him.

Lights flickered for last call. Tehran cast a glance around. Knox was gone.

“Let’s get out of here,” Zarrah whispered before pulling him into a kiss that set his blood on fire.

He followed her from the boisterous building and into the cool dark of the street. A heavy fog settled over the mountain city, muting lights into glowing pools that cut through the shadows. Zarrah pulled him forward eagerly when a dark shape separated from the flat stucco wall of the pub. 

“Knox! Stones, man. What are you still doing here?”

“Taking you home.” His friend's grey eyes reflected the light under heavy brows. “Whether you want to come or not.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Tehran released Zarrah, directing her to the side and stepped up to Knox. He was a head taller than Knox and had a considerable weight advantage. 

“See sense, Tehran. She’s not interested in you. Let’s go.” Knox grabbed his wrist, but Tehran yanked it free.

“Are you thick? Leave me alone.” Fuelled by tac and frustration Tehran took a swing. Knox dipped away and Tehran spun on clumsy feet to track his friend's position just in time to block a fist flying towards his jaw. He let out a growl of frustration. “What is wrong with you? I wanted to get out and have a good time.”

Knox slipped his next punch and used the motion to catch his arm and neck in an arm triangle. He could have broken free but Knox was speaking in a rushed whisper. “I’ve never stopped you before, but I am telling you there is something wrong with this girl.”

Tehran forced his free hand into the triangle and broke Knox’s grip. They grappled a moment longer before shoving each other back.

Zarrah pulled at Tehran’s hand. “Let’s go.”

“Fine by me,” Tehran said, anger still burning hot. 

Knox’s expression dropped and then hardened. “Have it your way.” He shot Zarrah a dark look before he spun and strode away, disappearing into mist.  

“How do you even know that guy?”

Tehran stared after him, half expecting Knox to come stalking back for another round. “He’s my— brother.” 

“Ohhhh,” Zarrah tossed her hair over her shoulder, regaining her previous confidence. “A shame we can’t choose our family.” They started down the street, silence stretching between them with Tehran lost in thought. She reached into her purse and pulled out a flask offering it to him. “Want some?”

Tehran frowned down at her, annoyance building. “Why do you keep offering me a drink?” 

“It's more fun.” She gave him a coquettish smile and nuzzled her nose into his neck, leaving soft kisses as she worked her way up to his jaw line. “You can trust me. Don’t you want to have some fun together.”

Tehran’s mouth turned sour. He stepped back abruptly, and Zarrah squawked as he pulled away. “What are you trying to do?” he hissed. “I’m not risking my vows for a night with you.”

Her flirty demeanour dropped and she crossed her arms across her chest, suddenly cool and aloof. “About time.”

Stunned, he stared. “About time for what?” 

“For you to grow a brain. This was a test. Every Avowed is tested after taking their final vows. Apparently you have a reputation and they figured drink and women was the best way to trip you up.”

A war of shame and anger fought in his chest. Drawing on the Sky’s power he burned the tac from his system. “I would never break my vows. How dare they—” 

Zarrah reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her voice soft. “It wasn’t the Order that was flirting with disaster.”

He clamped his mouth shut and glared. 

“Your brother almost spoiled everything. You have to make the choice without interference.”

Tehran groaned, staring off into the dark. Knox had sensed something was off from the very beginning. In thanks, he had fought him at every turn. “I’m an idiot.”

Zarrah smirked. “Maybe, but I’ve seen far worse. You would have been my sixth Avowed to bring down had you taken the bait.”

Tehran’s blood ran cold. “You said it was a test. You would have gone through with it?”

She raised a perfectly shaped brow. “Of course. It may be a test, but it doesn’t mean it's not real. You break a vow—you suffer the consequences.”

Haven’t Read Earthbound yet? Intrigued?

Every oath holds power.

In a land where the Earth spawns terrible beasts capable of moving through all but stone, the Sky bestows power to those bound by Oaths.

As earthbound creatures invade, bringing with them chaos and whispers of a coming war, protector and Overseer Tehran fights to keep his people safe. After losing his best friend to the beasts and with the stability of the region deteriorating, Tehran heads to the Capital to plead for support from the Order of the Sky.

When his friend’s widow stows aboard the transport, determined to hold the Order accountable for the death of her husband, Tehran’s plans are derailed. Torn between upholding his responsibility as an Overseer or honouring his friend’s memory, Tehran must either choose the Oaths that have forged him or trust new bonds to guard the fate of the Mercurial.

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Thoughts for the Season

As we head into this holiday season, I hope there are quiet moments that feel like a harbour from the storm. That you take time to pause and drink in beauty where ever it can be found. And you find time to surround yourself with people who encourage you and give you strength to move forward.

Thank you for the gift you’ve been in my life. Happy Holidays.

Katee