Juniper

commission for @scarlet-gryphon!

I'm so glad to announce the publication of my novelette!

Picus is a Latian prince and the only mortal son of an overbearing god. Despite his fear, he keeps his relationship with the nymph Canens a secret from his father’s meddling eyes. But when his father gathers a group of suitors for him to choose from, he has a choice: does he protect his safety, or does he protect his love? A novelette retelling Ovid in the tragic tradition.

AO3 Link

Sheriff Kenobi ground his teeth and stared into the sunrise. He fiddled with the letter he found at the station, feeling the rough paper scrape the dust from his fingertips. According to the neatly-written message, Skywalker had run off in the middle of the night to track a band of separatist merchants through the wild country. According to the message, the deputy would likely be back before the sheriff even knew he was gone. Under no circumstances did Kenobi need to worry. But there was a reason Kenobi was sheriff rather than Skywalker: his worries were usually right.

This wasn’t the first time his deputy had gone rogue. Kenobi had—several times—reminded Skywalker to control his temper and impatience, and Skywalker had—several times—promised to be better. At least this time Skywalker had taken his saber rather than his revolver; the civilized choice perhaps reflected a maturation of the youth’s mind. Or it might reflect an absence of organization the prior evening.

The sheriff knew he should stay in town. The war was getting worse, and the townsfolk weren’t able to protect themselves. Even if nothing happened, his departure could be seen as a lapse in duty. It could make people nervous. The army couldn’t take the burden, what with the raids and all. Though, as the thought crossed his mind, Kenobi wasn’t sure they should. A sheriff was a symbol of safety, but a soldier was a symbol of war.

All these reasons flew through Kenobi’s mind. All of them were very good. Duty and wisdom instructed that he stay, but—he realized reluctantly—his attachment to the kid demanded that he go.

DON’T GO!!