Sorry for the short post – it’s the first week of the new schedule, and I’m adjusting! I’ll be catching up this weekend, I hope!

December 10

One of the things Molly loved about Crosswinds Books was the little alcoves and groupings that her aunt had scattered through both floors. Armchairs in twos and threes, some with small tables, but not all of them; cozy spots where one could sit and read, or write, or talk to friends. It was homey.

She was on one of her normal rounds of the store, checking to see if anyone needed another pot of tea, or a cranberry scone, when the first clear notes of music stopped her dead in her tracks. The voice soared above the quiet hum of the other customers, clear and achingly beautiful, in a wordless hymn that touched something deep inside Molly.

Once the song ended, Molly continued around the corner of the aisle and discovered Sharsha and Damien seated in a small conversation grouping. Sharsha had just sat back, but it was obvious that it had been her singing, and Molly realized that Father Christopher had been right. It would be criminal for her not to become a Minstrel.

“Molly! Come join us!” Damien’s voice, still rich despite his advancing years, never failed to wrap around her like a warm satin robe.

“I’d love to, especially if you’ll sing,” she said, dropping into the third chair. “Sharsha, that was lovely.”

The girl smiled shyly. “Thank you,” she said, turning slightly away. “I hope to get better.”

“Any better than that, and you’ll have the world eating at your feet,” Molly said, and Sharsha blushed, her eyes glowing with pleasure.

“She is a treasure,” Damien agreed, his long fingers running over the keys on the small keyboard on his lap. “And once we expand her repertoire, there will be kings begging her to perform.”

Molly had no doubt. Damien himself had performed for kings and presidents during his travels along the Roads, before retiring to the Cove. And even now, he could be lured out by the right person. Or the right price.

“I will not only perform for the rich, though,” Sharsha said. “Music is a gift that should be shared with the world. That is why I begged my father to let me sing in Father Christopher’s chorus. A holiday that is so saturated with music is one I must experience.”

“There are very few holidays that I enjoy as much as Christmas,” Damien said. “The music you Earth folk have come up with to celebrate this time of year is truly stupendous. Even in all my travels, I haven’t seen the like.”

“Really?” Molly said. “But your people…”

“Bah. We live too long,” Damien said, waving one hand in the air. “Immortality has a terrible price – boredom. And it sucks the passion out of us. You, on the other hand, your people have such vitality. It makes me feel young, and whole. I will never leave the Cove.” He smiled at Molly. “Which reminds me.”

She wasn’t surprised when he handed her a red envelope. “I don’t suppose it would do any good to ask you who gave this to you, would it?”

“I believe he said to call him SA,” Damien said, his deep eyes twinkling merrily.

“So you spoke to him?” Molly raised one eyebrow.

“I did.” The Minstrel leaned back and grinned. “And no, I won’t tell you who it is. You’ll figure it out, in due time.”

“Tease,” Molly grumbled, but there was no heat in her voice. “I’ve got it narrowed down, you know.”

“Good for you.” Damien gave her nothing more. “You’ll invite me to the wedding, yes?”

“I think you’re moving a bit fast, old man,” Molly laughed, opening the envelope. “Just because I have suspicions doesn’t mean I’ll marry him.”

“Oh, I think you will. You’re a good match, and I know good matches.”

“And now you’re a matchmaker?” Molly teased. “Meddling old man.”

Damien shrugged. “I must have something to do in my spare time.”

Sharsha was looking at them with confusion writ large on her beautiful face, and Molly hastened to explain the mysterious notes. Then the Mareesh laughed. “I have heard of these! He will tease you, taunt you with his identity, and then, once you have figured it out, will have you fall in love with him, yes?”

“Something like that,” Molly said, grinning. “We’ll see about the love part.”

“He has your heart already,” Damien said. “You just don’t know it yet.”

I think Sharsha sounds like this, and I love this carol. SA does too. I hope you do.