Towers And Tithes
Christina Bauer
(Fairy Tales of the Magicorum, #8)
Publication date: November 9th 2021
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
I’m a Tower Tithe with a Rapunzel problem. That’s not as weird as it sounds.
Ever wonder how Rapunzel survives without leaving her home? After all, someone must stock groceries, buy hair products and fix the plumbing. Witches don’t wield toilet brushes, so “Rapunzel care” becomes the job of Tower Tithes like me. Not that we choose this gig. We’re just unlucky elves who get magically chucked into servitude. Since our kind live for ages, being a Tower Tithe can drag on for thousands of years… and I’m eighteen. Yipes.
That said, it wouldn’t be too awful if I had a cool Rapunzel. No such luck.
I serve none other than Lady R, the social media sensation and sadist who lives in Manhattan’s famous Apex Towers. With the help of her manager—a witch named Jocasta—Lady R releases daily gossip videos while assigning me “torture chores.” Many tasks are designed to remind me how Lady R is the gorgeous variety of elf, while I’m beyond plain. I spend a lot of time scheming my escape.
My work pays off when an eccentric billionaire offers to magically set me free. The catch? I must move to Arizona and become his personal assistant. Needless to say, I rush for the door. Turns out, my new employer is none other than Lady R’s ex-boyfriend, Dex, a guy who was blinded in a strange accident and has since become a recluse.
In other words, I ran from my fairy tale life, but it found me again anyway.
At this point, I should head for the hills, yet I simply can’t leave Dex. For the first time, I truly feel comfortable around someone. In all honesty, it’s probably because I have self-esteem issues and Dex can’t see my bland face. Even so, it’s all good until Lady R discovers where I am. And that leads to my Rapunzel problem.
With Lady R back in the picture, can I still find my happily ever after? The truth will emerge soon enough.
Because my name is Grayson Eyre, and this is my story.
Ideal for readers who crave a mash-up between Rapunzel and Jane Eyre.
FAIRY TALES OF THE MAGICORUM
1. Wolves And Roses
2. Moonlight And Midtown
3. Slippers And Thieves
4. Shifters And Glyphs
5. Bandits And Ball Gowns
6. Fire And Cinder
7. Fairies And Frosting
8. Towers and Tithes
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Excerpt:
Dex
“Owoooooo!”
Baby wolf howls echo in through my bedroom door, along with the click-clack of tiny paws racing across the outer hallway. I wake up and smile.
The shifter pups are holding another ‘running of the wolves’ in my part of the palace. Fifth time this week.
If this were any other morning, I’d shift into my wolf form and join them. The palace complex is far too medieval, empty, and cold—I enjoy the pups’ lively company. Plus, you haven’t lived until you’ve seen little wolves race around hairpin turns while on a marble floor; the pile-ups are adorable. I dare anyone not to smile.
Sadly, running with my pack isn’t possible. No question why, either. Today, I must journey to the annual viewing, a party that’s held by the most vicious elf in all of Faerie.
The Prism Master.
As alpha of the Wulfhelm pack, my attendance is required. I’d rather chew glass.
Even so, I put on my formals—black pants, boots, jerkin and cape—and begin the day-long hike to Refraction, the Prism Master’s realm in Faerie. My pack knows how I loathe this annual viewing. They’re careful to stay out of my way as I hike through the woods.
That said, the walk itself is soothing. Leafy elm trees arch over me. Long beams of sunlight cut through the canopy of leaves. The air is fresh and crisp.
Ah, Wulfhelm. It holds its own special magic, and in more ways than one.
As alpha, I can cast a few spells. Protective magic, mostly. Once I’m well away from my pack, it’s time to cast the one I use most often—it tests Wulfhelm’s security.
Kneeling down, I set my palm against the forest floor while pulling on the energy and magic within me. I press my alpha power into the ground. The earth trembles. Leaves cascade from nearby trees. The wind dies down.
When I next speak, I press my alpha power into my voice. “Show me what happens when an enemy steps on Wulfhelm land.”
A line of fire erupts from the ground nearby. It doesn’t burn anything that’s considered Wulfhelm. However, if an enemy were standing at that spot? They’d be encircles in a pillar of flame that reached six feet tall.
The pain and fire wouldn’t relent until the intruder left our grounds.
I watch the green flame swirl into its characteristic pillar. Only Wulfhelm holds this particular magic. It’s specific to my fairy tale life temple, the story of Brutus and Vita. In this tale, a shift couple found Great Britain. Their fledgling society is made up of orphans and those in need. Green flame protects the helpless from invaders.
It used to be one of the most popular stores ever, both here in Faerie and away on earth. Now few know the tale.
The pillar of flame shrinks a few inches. My heart drops as well. Only a few months ago, this column of fire stood ten feet high. According to legend, the pillar used to stretch hundreds of feet into the air. The very clouds glowed with emerald power.
That was a long time ago. For the fire to stay strong, the Brutus of the story must find his Vita. Together, they rejuvenate the protective magic of Wulfhelm and raise another generation of lost shifters.
Or that’s how it’s supposed to go.
No Brutus has found his Vita for many generations. Time is running out.
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About the Author:
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
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Fun excerpt! I really like the sound of this as well as the cover😁
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