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    Queer Windows: Volume 1 Spring: Queer Windows, #1
    Queer Windows: Volume 1 Spring: Queer Windows, #1
    Queer Windows: Volume 1 Spring: Queer Windows, #1
    Ebook89 pages1 hourQueer Windows

    Queer Windows: Volume 1 Spring: Queer Windows, #1

    By Cay Fletcher

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    About this ebook

    Love comes in all forms, from enduring friendships, the classic love at first sight, and misunderstandings that unfurl into blooming romance. Queer Windows gives a glance at four fantastical, queer love stories.

     

    The Wizard's Garden

    Sil, a plant lover and head clerk of a plant shop finds himself slowly befriending a quirky wizard, while also falling in love with his garden.

     

    Rosemary for Remembrance

    Vivian has always dreamed of being swept away from her ordinary life. A chance meeting with a mysterious stranger may just grant her wish.

     

    Kingdom Fall

    Imre had carefully calculated his every move to best serve his kingdom. But he could not foresee the past catching up to him and the choices of others.

     

    Lady of Spring

    Vinq is preparing to transition from a child into an adult. While she knows she can't avoid this right of passage, she also does not want to lose who she is.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFox Fern Books, LLC
    Release dateMay 3, 2022
    ISBN9781736401019
    Queer Windows: Volume 1 Spring: Queer Windows, #1
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    Author

    Cay Fletcher

    Cay Fletcher is a Queer author with a passion for fantasy and science fiction. Crafting rich landscapes and memorable characters in new and exciting worlds. Living in the Portland metro area, Cay spends her free time in the garden, cooking, or making a mess, aka crafting. She spent over fifteen years volunteering at fan conventions across the US, and still occasionally assists her home convention in Portland by moderating guest panels. As a writer, Cay strives to create relatable queer characters, giving them the titles of hero and protagonist. She lives with her wife Sam, their roommate and tuxedo cat Satsuki. You can connect with Cay on social media or Goodreads. Cay is a member of the Northwest Independent Writer’s Association.

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      Book preview

      Queer Windows - Cay Fletcher

      DEDICATION

      For my wife and those that dream of escaping to other worlds.

      ALSO BY CAY FLETCHER

      Adult Fantasy

      Queer Windows: Volume 2 Summer

      The Kingdom Asleep in Thorns

      Masked

      TTRPG Journals

      The Chronicle Diary

      The Chronicle Diary: Pocket-Sized

      The Ultimate Chronicle Diary

      The Storyteller’s Chronicle Diary

      ANTHOLOGIES

      Sir Rexington’s Bookshop, Illusion, Northwest Independent Writers Association

      AUTHOR’S NOTE

      Visit my website for my notes on the content of each short story.

      THE WIZARD’S GARDEN

      SIL & ANDERS

      Standing in front of the old stone shop, Sil sucked in a chest-full of the crisp morning air. He had already inspected the old wooden sign hanging above the door and made certain that the flower boxes hanging below the windows looked perfect.

      The opening of the garden shop was a signal that spring was close at hand.

      Beren, the easy-going owner, had taken over the shop, with its huge glass greenhouse, from her parents almost a decade ago and Sil had spent the last several years learning everything he could about the unique selection of plants they sold. He had been promoted to the senior clerk at the end of last season. Though, promoted might be a strong term, as the previous senior clerk had retired after a nasty tangle with an octopus bramble bush. But all the same, Sil was determined to prove that he was a valuable asset to the shop.

      All the usual herbs were out in pots, trimmed to be perfectly appealing to anyone looking to add a little spice to their potions. The flowers were slowly waking up, petals stretching out as the early morning sun rose higher in the sky, light streaming in through the greenhouse glass. Sil carefully inspected each pot, pressing a finger into the cool soil and watering the ones that felt dry. Everything needed to go perfectly. A good opening day would show Beren that he had everything under control.

      With the watering done, Sil straightened his apron and looked over the tables of plants. He leaned over a display of carnivorous plants and put on his bossiest tone, Today is very important. I don’t think any of you want to ruin it, so be on your best behavior.

      Magda, donning a sweatshirt with her university’s pixie mascot on the front, sipped loudly at her iced coffee, Are you going to berate them if they’re bad?

      Sil pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, What good would that do?

      With a shrug, Magda replied, You’re the ‘expert’. You tell me.

      I don’t have time to go over the theories for keeping plants happy and harmonious in a shop setting, Sil said dismissively and walked over to the snapdragons. A part of him preened at the title of ‘expert’, even if it was meant as a jab. Most of the brightly colored blooms were still snoozing, but a few were awake and nuzzling each other. The bell that signaled the door opening rang brightly, and he heard Magda mumble a greeting.

      You lot, no biting anyone today, Sil softly instructed the sleepy flowers.

      He could feel someone standing behind him. They leaned over and let the snapdragons nip at their fingers, You know, if you give them a little honey, they listen better.

      The man’s deep voice was warmly familiar. Standing stiff as a board, Sil slipped out of the man’s way, his optimistic mood suddenly darkened by the man’s appearance, We can’t spoil them in a shop setting. They might turn on a new owner if they don’t keep up with the care that we provided. You of all people should know that, Anders.

      Smiling at the snapdragons, Anders shook his head, Honey wouldn’t spoil you, would it?

      They nipped more at his fingers and rustled together in agreement.

      Is there something I can help you with, sir? Sil snapped at the wizard. Somehow the man always looked disheveled, his velvet cloak tattered and worn, the seams of his sleeves fraying and stained with ink.

      Sir? No need to be so formal, Sil. I’ve been shopping here for years, he said as he continued to tickle the snapdragons. But I suppose you might be able to assist me with finding something.

      Bristling, Sil readied himself for another of Anders’ outrageous requests. He was in the shop almost every week buying plant after plant. Surely the wizard had an entire graveyard full of the poor things. Sil could picture the stacks of pots, the soil dried out and hydrophobic, the withered remains of once lush, green foliage shivering in the breeze. Beren wouldn’t have kept selling to him if she knew that the wizard was in the business of killing plants, right? It was a truly horrid image, and he shook his head to banish it from his thoughts.

      He certainly hadn’t anticipated Anders being their first customer of the season, and he felt it would cast a bad omen over his new position. At least the man hadn’t gone to Magda for help, she hardly knew the difference between the uses of lemon balm and lavender and she was likely to let him buy whatever he wanted.

      What is it you’re looking for, Mr. Anders? Sil asked him.

      Just Anders is okay, Sil. Though I wish you’d tell me your full name, the wizard replied with a chuckle. Sil seems so... silly.

      Sil was certain that anyone nearby could sense his disdain at the pun, And let you cast all kinds of spells on me? No. I think not.

      Is it Sylvestre? There was a knowing twinkle in Anders’ eyes.

      It’s not short for anything, Sil replied firmly.

      I’ll figure it out eventually, he stroked his chin for a moment before pulling a small glass bottle out of a hidden pocket in his cloak. Holding it up to the light, Sil could see tiny specks of what looked like dirt flitting around, My garden has recently been infested with dust mites. I was hoping you might have something to repel them.

      Sil’s eyes widened a bit, And you brought them here?

      They’re quite contained, don’t worry. Anders shook the bottle gently, "Oh, and I need something new for the front herb garden. I have all the usual things, but I’m

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