Paty Jager-day 4

Spirit of the Mountain is my first attempt at a paranormal. I originally sent this story to my editor in the western line at The Wild Rose Press, thinking it was a historical and not really thinking of the spirit element as being paranormal. To me spirits and Native Americans go hand-in-hand. But she said it had to go to the paranormal line. So I sent the manuscript and now it's being published. This is the first in a trilogy. Siblings Himiin, Wewukiye, and Sa-qan were taken from the earth and made spirits by the creator when their foolish father put them in danger. They are all shapeshifters. Himiin prefers watching over the mountain and its creatures as a white wolf. His name means wolf. Wewukiye is the horned beast of Nimiipuu lore that lives in Wallowa Lake. He is a bull elk- His name means bull elk. And Sa-qan their younger sister is the spirit of the sky. She is a regal bald eagle, yes, you guessed it, Sa-qan means bald eagle. These three are close, and when Himiin starts having human feelings for the Nimiipuu chief's daughter, Wren, Wewukiye and Sa-qan become worried.


I was lucky to have connected with two Nez Perce who helped me make sure the day to day living and other elements I put in this story were factual and in the case of Red Wolf, he gave me a little bit of the lore and gave my spirits the element of truth. It seems there were a group of Nez Perce farther north and in stories who had blonde hair and blue eyes. I used this information to make my spirits this coloring, and he said their eyes were known to turn red when their emotions flared. Again, great fodder for my spirits.

Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain.

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.

Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Excerpt:

Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.

Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.

He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.

Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

Honey.

She tasted of sweet honey straight from the bosom of a bee tree.

One taste was not enough. He pulled her closer, moving his lips across hers, tasting and savoring the feel of them.

Her mouth opened and she sighed.

His body came to life. The sensations transcended anything he’d experienced before. How could one woman make him feel powerful and vulnerable at the same time? Why did he wish to crush her to him and never let go and yet feel compelled to treat her with the tenderness

one would give the tiniest of creatures? He couldn’t continue this way.

To hold her, to touch her soft skin. He would never be able to let her go.

He must.

He released Wren and stepped back, avoiding her eyes. How could he show her the sensations she brought to him then turn around and tell her they couldn’t see one another any more?

“Himiin? Did I do something wrong?” The pain in her voice drew his gaze to her face.

The anguish and fear in her eyes cut through him like a knife.

“You did nothing wrong. It is I. I should not touch you so. It is wrong.” He took one step forward, before remembering he could not touch her and remain sane. “You are spoken for. We should not be together.”

She moved quickly, grasping his hand before he could pull away. “I could not bear to not have you to speak with these last days.” She stroked his hand. “Or to touch.” She placed his hand on her cheek. “I may never feel this touch from the Blackleg.” She kissed his palm. “I wish to have this to remember.”

He growled and pulled her into his arms. “I wish I were the one to touch you so, but I cannot. It is wrong.”

“Why?” She leaned back, studying his face. “I should be the one to say if it is wrong or not. It is my heart, my body. My life.”

“You belong to another. He has spoken.” Himiin released her and took a step back. He should not have shown himself to her as a man. Wewukiye was right.

It complicated things.

To learn more about me you can go to my website: http://www.patyjager.net/  or see what's up weekly on my blog: http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com/  or to purchase this book in print go to The Wild Rose Press http://www.thewildrosepress.com/spirit-of-the-mountain-paperback-p-4175.html

Tomorrow an interview with Himiin