Page 1 of Dancing Moonbeam

Chapter One

Raidh Shadowlace convinced himself that he totally wasn’t running away from his problems, that he really wasn’t sneaking out of the Unseelie realm to escape his arrogant, traditional extremist family.

Why would he want to leave when his own father called him a disappointing half-wit, a useless and pathetic excuse for a son?

His adoring mother and sister completely agreed with his father, all because Raidh refused to embrace the dark magic he hadn’t wanted to learn in the first place.

He’d earned a short “vacation” in the human realm. He wasn’t totally running away and striking out on his own, and he didn’t feel the hurt at the way his mom and sister had treated him most of his life, either.

Nor was he the least bit worried his spectacularly loving and supportive father would track him down and force him home, covering up the fact that his lawbreaking son had left. His father, Galamir, wouldn’t care about the Shadowlace name suffering humiliation among the Unseelie because he couldn’t control his rebellious son.

The most amazing part of all? Their annual family gathering was a little over two weeks away, an event where all the Shadowlaces competed to see who could conjure the darkest spells and incantations. It was a braggart-filled gagfest Raidh wanted no part of, especially since he would be forced to participate.

And if he refused…

Well, that was why he was going on an extended vacation. He’d been to the human realm plenty of times, even though dark fairies were forbidden to leave their realm.

Even though Galamir accused him of being rebellious, he hadn’t the first clue about Raidh’s little trips. No one did, except his best friend, Elvine Sparklenest.

But not even Elvine knew Raidh was taking a vacation. The less she knew, the safer she would be.

Though Raidh did feel bad about leaving her behind. They’d been best friends since they were knee-high to an oversized toadstool. The two had practically been inseparable.

Until Raidh had revolted against using dark magic. As punishment, his mother, Farawyn, had forbidden Raidh from ever seeing Elvine again. Since that day, the two had to sneak around to spend time together.

What a great family he belonged to.

When Raidh reached the secret spot of the enchanted forest where the veil between worlds was thinnest, he whispered an incantation that would open a passageway leading to the heart of Brazil. He had been there a few times before and loved the rich culture, the warm and friendly people, and the delicious food.

The food always gave him heartburn but was well worth the discomfort.

A glimmer of light appeared in the grass and twisted upward like a serpent, forming a luminous golden line that stretched six feet into the air.

Raidh cast a cautious glance over his shoulder to make sure he hadn’t been followed before turning back around, watching as the swaying passageway opened up enough for him to slip through.

Before taking a step, he glided his fingers through his long wavy hair, changing its natural black color to the striking hues of a Tuscany sunset.

It really wasn’t much of a disguise, but Unseelie were known for their black hair. Besides, Raidh loved changing his hair color, because it made him feel like a different person. Which he sometimes wished he was.

The moment he stepped through the passageway, it disappeared. Only, where he emerged wasn’t the familiar streets of Brazil. He found himself in a quaint town, surrounded by a vibrant green forest. Majestic mountains loomed in the distance beyond the trees.

The air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of fresh flowers and earth.

What the fizzle sticks? That should not have happened. Raidh had performed that spell many times in the past and had always come out where he’d intended to.

Confused, he walked around the side of the building, searching for anything that would tell him where in the crackers he was. Cars moved past him on the street, one or two honking, as pedestrians strolled by.

The aromas of brewing coffee and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, tempting Raidh’s nostrils with delicious smells.

He touched his hair to confirm it was covering his pointy ears, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

Duh. He could use his phone to find out where he was. He’d bought the handy-dandy device on his last visit but always kept it turned off and tucked away when he was in his realm.

Good luck explaining why he had the phone if he was forbidden to leave the realm.

Pulling the device from his back pocket, Raidh turned it on and waited for the prompt to enter his passcode. When nothing happened, he hit the power button and tapped the blank screen several times trying to make it turn on.

“Peanut brittle,” he murmured when he realized the device needed charging.

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