Rusalka: A Supernatural Czech Fairy Tale

by Odelia Floris

‘Yes, dear father, a mortal!’ she cried, rising. ‘It was you who told they have souls which are immortal, which rise up to heaven when they die!’
The Vodník was sore troubled. ‘Stay in the waters’ embrace. Do not wish for a mortal soul! Mortal souls are full of wickedness!’
‘And love!’ Rusalka cried ardently, reaching her arms up as though calling it to the host of stars above too.
‘By the eternal waters!’ exclaimed the Vodník. ‘Do you mean to say you love a mortal?’

Based on Antonin Dvorak's opera Rusalka, which in turn was inspired by traditional Czech fairytales, this novelette tells of the water nymph Rusalka and her love for a human prince. A haunting supernatural love story suitable for readers of all ages.

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2017

About the author

I have always been captivated by stories that take us on haunting and extraordinary journeys deep into far-flung lands or hidden worlds, and that make new sense of the already-familiar or present magical new possibilities. Pair this with an imagination that is quick to turn a towering rock formation into a castle or people a forest path with a dreamed-up knight, and fiction writing was probably an inevitable occupation!

Growing up in rural New Zealand surrounded by beautiful nature (and taking full advantage of it by not spending much time indoors doing schoolwork) provided an abundance of inspiration, which I have been using to create stories and characters from a young age. My blog, The Muse, focuses on inspiration and creativity - check it out by visiting my website.

When I'm not writing, I love to spend time painting in watercolour, reading, horse riding, making or listening to music, gardening, and doing creative projects.

I live, with my family, my two horses and a much-loved cat, on a sixteen-acre rural property on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island.



For more about me and my writing, please visit my author website www.odeliafloris.com