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
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play
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EXCERPT:
GraysonBonk, scrrrrrratch.
Bonk, scrrrrrratch.
I awaken to the unmistakable noise of a forest harpy knocking at my window. Again.
That’s the third time this week.
And it’s the single best part of my day.
Yawning, I slide out of bed, cross the room, and open my curtains. Sure enough, a four-foot-tall creature hovers on the other side of the glass, her wings flapping in a steady rhythm.
She has the head of a woman and the body of a hawk. Classic forest harpy.
I wave. “Are you here about a wolf pup?” Harpies act tough, but they have a soft spot for a certain baby animal. So do I, for that matter.
She caws. “Yes, I seek a healer.”
“That would be me.” My pulse speeds. I love holding and healing new pups. “Meet you by the front door.”
The harpy frowns, a movement that shifts all the dainty feathers covering her face.
“You’re an elf healer?”
Here we go.
This happens all the time. Harpies are overprotective, especially when it concerns a baby version of their favorite animal.
And honestly, this chick should wonder about me.
Even in the Faerie Realm, I’m considered odd. At seventeen, I’m too young to be a healer.
Plus, I’m hella plain for an elf. That’s because I have a lanky frame, red hair, flat face, and loads of freckles. Also, my ears stick out more than point upward. Elves are supposed to dazzle. That’s not me.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m fine with my looks, but I get how the harpy would wonder. Fae love to trick and entrap. I could be the equivalent of the evil witch in Hansel and Gretel, only I offer wolf healing services instead of free candy.
“Look,” I explain. “There’s only one Bartlebee cottage in Faerie. I’m the elf girl who lives here and heals wolf pups.”
“But you don’t look like an elf.”
“I’m Osmos. We’re a mix of elf and troll.” A distant combination, but try telling anyone that. “And to head off your next question: yes, I’m only seventeen. Most healers are over a thousand.”
The harpy tilts her head, as if seeing me for the first time. “Osmos.” The disgust in her tone is normally saved for terms like anal plague.
Shame and rage churn through me. Elves are supposed to be perfect. Osmos aren’t. That alone makes my people a target. Plus, every elf clan has a special magic. Osmos don’t wield any supernatural power… unless you count mindless servitude.
For a second, I think the harpy’s done asking questions. Come on, pup time!
No such luck.
“What’s your fairy tale life template?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. How I hate answering this.
“Come on,” she urges. “Are you a sorcerer’s apprentice or a Rapunzel?”
All magical creatures are driven by a fairy tale life template. Osmos have a limited range of options: we can assist a witch or wizard (that’s the sorcerer’s apprentice story) or enslave ourselves to a chick with long hair (hello, Rapunzel).
“I’m the second thing.”
“A Rapunzel?” She cackle-laughs. “No, you’re not. Rapunzels are gorgeous.”
“I’m a Rapunzel life template. One day, I’ll serve a long-haired elf as her tower tithe. In the meantime, I’m trapped in this cottage.” I lower my voice. “And you’ve got a baby wolf that needs my help. Meet me at the front door.”
In reply, the harpy merely keeps hover-flying before my window. Not okay.
Author Bio:
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.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates
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