A Season For Romance: Summer Simmer: A Season For Romance, #2

Cassia Hall, Isla Ryder, R.L.Fuentes, Naito Diamond, Madeleine Miles, Erica Damon, M.K.Hall, Brook Bhagat, C Phillip, Rochelle Hampton, Rebecca Maeve Hartwell, Alora Pendrak

Summer Simmer

First published by Sand Kittens Press 2023

Copyright © 2023 by Cassia Hall, Isla Ryder, R.L.Fuentes, Naito Diamond, Madeleine Miles, Erica Damon, M.K.Hall, Brook Bhagat, C Phillip, Rochelle Hampton, Rebecca Maeve Hartwell, Alora Pendrak

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This anthology is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the authors’ imaginations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

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Contents

Introduction to the Anthology

I. HIGH FANTASY

R.L. Fuentes - The Art of Proposing

R.L. Fuentes - Feel Again

R.L. Fuentes - Return of the Stolen (MM)

R.L. Fuentes - Haven

R.L. Fuentes - Dance of the Scholara

Naito Diamond - Focus, Bernard (MM)

Cassia Hall - Between the Notes

Isla Ryder - Karl and Smithy (MM)

M.K. Hall - Dark Warrior (MM)

Cassia Hall - Love and War

Naito Diamond - Pledge on the Lake of Stars (FF)

Alora Pendrak - The Forest Blessing

Madeline Miles - Token

II. HISTORICAL FICTION

C Phillip - A Private Consultation

Rebecca Maeve Hartwell - Garden Hunt

III. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Brook Bhagat - Immaculate

Cassia Hall - What’s True

Isla Ryder - Running Circles

Rochelle Hampton - Heart’s Gamble

Naito Diamond - Undercover (Genderfluid)

IV. FUTURISTIC ROMANCE

Brook Bhagat - Blueshift

Cassia Hall - DragonFly

Erica Damon - Someday (FF)

V. ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Brook Bhagat

Erica Damon

Naito Diamond

R.L. Fuentes

Cassia Hall

M.K. Hall

Rochelle Hampton

Rebecca Maeve Hartwell

Madeleine Miles

Alora Pendrak

C Phillip

Isla Ryder

VI. BONUS SECTION (ART & MUSIC)

Cassia Hall - Between the Notes ♫

Cassia Hall - What’s True ♫

Cassia Hall - Fly, Dragonfly ♫

R.L. Fuentes - Emil (character art)

R.L. Fuentes - Remma (character art)

R.L. Fuentes - Cae (character art)

R.L. Fuentes - Haven (character art)

R.L. Fuentes - Zarjen (character art)

Erica Damon - Livida, Azazel and Chelsi (character art)

A Season for Romance, Spring Blossoms

Introduction to the Anthology

Balmy Summer Days, Magical Summer Nights

At Sand Kittens Press, our core team consists of two developmental editors (Daiva Paškauskaite and Erica Damon), a line-editor (Cassia Hall), and a beta reader and art director (R. L. Fuentes). This year, we’ve been fortunate to have extra help from M.K. Hall (beta reader and proofreader) and Madeleine Miles (alpha/beta reader).

Hoping to reveal all shades of romance, we have gathered together twelve authors from around the world, including Canada, India, Lithuania, and the United States for this diverse and inclusive sweet romance anthology.

In Summer Simmer, you will find true love in a variety of genres and styles, from first kisses to second chances, at pivotal junctures and in bittersweet moments. There is beauty, tenderness, angst, and even some humor and sizzle in these carefully crafted stories meant to transport you to magical worlds where love is just moments away.

From the mythical past to contemporary times and into the future, a diverse cast of memorable characters awaits you. Marvel at mystical customs and extraordinary worlds. Everything is new but strangely familiar, for love is love no matter the era or circumstances.

Come with us on this magical journey through time and space!

Editor-In-Chief

Developmental editor

Line editor

Art director, beta reader

I

High Fantasy

R.L. Fuentes - The Art of Proposing

R.L. Fuentes - Feel Again

R.L. Fuentes - Return of the Stolen (MM)

R.L. Fuentes - Haven

R.L. Fuentes - Dance of the Scholara

Naito Diamond - Focus, Bernard (MM)

Cassia Hall - Between the Notes

Isla Ryder - Karl and Smithy (MM)

M.K. Hall - Dark Warrior (MM)

Cassia Hall - Love and War

Naito Diamond - Pledge on the Lake of Stars (FF)

Alora Pendrak - The Forest Blessing

Madeline Miles - Token

R.L. Fuentes - The Art of Proposing

Cradling the inlaid wooden box in his hands, Tahir stopped to admire the carmine blossoms of a towering rhododendron. Familiar sounds drifted from Naima’s open-air workshop: the turning of the stone wheel, the rhythmic skipping of her foot powering it, that little tune she always hummed.

Today, he wanted to savor watching her work. This might be the last time.

As he edged around the rhododendron bush, the spinning of the wheel grew louder. Silent on the soft turf, he padded closer.

Naima bent over the diamond-tipped spindle on top of her wheel, carving a fine design into a bracelet. Her bronze complexion shone in the sun, her expression intent and serene. Every movement was precise as she carved delicate raised-relief flowers from the agate circle.

Wheel, spindle, and woman appeared to be suspended in a world of their own, creating something extraordinary and beautiful from plain rock. The first time he’d watched her work, it had seemed like magic.

Over a year ago, he’d brought a piece of white jade for carving, and insisted on staying to watch. She’d been insulted by his lack of faith in her abilities, and he’d repented at length, with more and more ridiculous apologies until he drew giggles from her. They had tumbled from laughter to banter to conversation while she worked.

When the jade cuff was finished, he’d found other reasons to visit. He spoke of the adventures he craved–dashing after bandits and hunting down sorcerers–and how he wanted to see the empire. Just as she coaxed flowers from stone, she’d opened his eyes to the beauty of his home, from the soaring granite peaks where they mined carnelian and silver to the people bustling in every corner, busy decorating for the upcoming coronation.

His restless heart had become tranquil here, with her.

The provincial king would arrive in Dar-Tor in a matter of days. Once Tahir was crowned prince, the palace walls would cut him off from the city. From her.

He’d gladly hand over the crown, the city, every title and advantage. But even if he could, what would he have to offer her as a poor foot soldier? She was content with her life.

The wheel skidded as she slowed it before checking her work. As if not entirely pleased with it, she pursed her lips.

Lush, perfect lips …

He’d never laid a finger on her. His rank, even as a younger son, would have made it improper. He wouldn’t risk it being mistaken for a command, and the upcoming coronation would make it worse, widening the chasm between them.

He traced the curve of her neck with his gaze, noting the little brown curls that escaped her turban. He’d like to kiss that spot, and below it, the smattering of darker freckles peeking over the edge of her tunic.

His mouth went dry and his heart hammered at the thought.

If he married before the king arrived, it could not be undone.

Tahir cleared his throat, and Naima’s attention snapped from the bracelet to him, her self-contained world shattered by his intrusion.

Prince Sinan. Naima slid from her perch and bowed.

Don’t. Not till the coronation.

She rose, eyes lowered, hidden by the thick fringe of her lashes. You’ve not come this past moon. Preparing for the ceremony?

Yes. Sorting out the aftermath of his brother’s sudden death had eaten away his time. The truth of it must remain a secret.

Tahir had come to Naima in those early days. This had been a safe place to grieve, but justice required his full attention.

The palace was safe again. Finding the guilty and securing the city before the king arrived had been imperative, but His Majesty’s approach forced Tahir’s hand. Every minute was a grain of sand falling in the hourglass, stealing his chance at happiness.

He searched her face, trying to catch her eye, to regain the camaraderie they’d built, but her gaze darted to the gardens behind him, to the hem of his tunic, to the box in his hands.

You have a commission for me? she said, voice faint. Her startling hazel-gray eyes caught his, and his planned speech fled.

Commission? Yes. The box. He shoved it forward, stumbling over words he’d practiced. Very special gems. You must see them right away. His heart thudded. How would she react? Surely, she’d understand the meaning. Must see them before–

Before the coronation. Her voice sounded crisp and distant, a far cry from her usual soft, warm tone. She put the bracelet aside, fingers trembling. For someone special. Her voice quavered.

He’d considered gifts of fine cotton, brightly dyed, or a hound of her own from the imperial kennels. What brought her joy and made her feel special? Her greatest pleasure was her craft; it showed in every piece.

Your work is the finest I’ve ever seen. You take rough stones and create beauty worthy of the empress. You took a restless boy and taught him to love his home.

Worthy of a princess, too? She crossed her arms, blinking rapidly. I’ve heard the rumors.

In a panic, Tahir fumbled, the box almost slipping from his grasp. He’d kept the truth of his brother’s death hidden. They’re talking about it?

"It’s all over the marketplace, Prince Sinan. She held out her hand, brows drawn. The box?"

He offered it, worry curling in his chest. Who could have leaked news about the assassination?

Later. This moment was his and Naima’s.

She placed the box on her workbench, and he moved to stand beside her. A mistake. It would only take a dip of his chin to kiss the freckles on the back of her neck, or a turn of her head to put her lips close to his. The smell of her skin, faintly tinged with the mineral scent of stones, surrounded them.

Naima drew a sudden breath before opening the box. A strangled sound escaped her throat. These are expensive stones. Her fingers danced over each one as she named them. Citrine, for happiness. Malachite, for wealth and beauty. Amber, for warmth and nurturing. She hunched her shoulders as she touched the final stone. Lapis Lazuli, for nobility.

Everything she meant to him and everything he hoped to have with her. He had not missed her wistful gaze down the hill when he spoke of distant cities, nor the way her smile softened around children.

She snatched her fingers away and twisted to meet his gaze. Prince Sinan …

He guided her hand back to the box. Please, Naima. Until the coronation, I’m still Tahir.

"You came to me with a commission?" Anger rang in her voice.

Why is she angry? All his words jumbled in his head, everything tumbling out of place. He’d come to her in his grief without confiding in her. Now she’d heard rumors and was rightfully angry. With the king coming, I had to secure the future of the city.

About to speak, she blinked, and he blundered on. He regretted not telling her everything.

My brother’s ambitions nearly caused a civil war. His allies had to be rooted out, or the king’s wrath would fall on my family. His life and his mother’s would have been forfeit.

She shook her head. What are you talking about? Her eyes flickered toward the box, tears brimming. Truly, I never thought you’d be so cruel. Fury blazed in her cheeks, and anguish swam in her eyes.

What had he done to cause her such pain? Naima …

She backed away from him. All we shared. All we spoke of, and you waited till the last moment to tell me that you are to be engaged? Her voice rose. "And you expect me to make the wedding jewelry?"

Yes! Wait. How did she know he was going to propose? Why was she so angry?

She stormed to the far end of her workshop before marching back to face him. I’m not good enough for a prince, but I’m a good enough artisana that you … you … Naima swiped at her eyes. I cannot make jewelry for your bride-to-be, Tahir. She slammed the lid of the box shut and shoved it back at him. I will not. She pointed