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Psy-Changeling #13.2
Housewarming at the Orchard
A short story featuring Ivy Jane, Vasic and the Arrow Squad.
Timeline: Takes place some time after Shield of Winter and before Shards of Hope.
This story can be found on Nalini Singh's official website.
Timeline: Takes place some time after Shield of Winter and before Shards of Hope.
This story can be found on Nalini Singh's official website.
5 pages, ebook
First published December 29, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1030 people want to read
About the author
Nalini Singh
252 books26.8k followersI've been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There's no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated every month).
So far, I've worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer's mill.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 13, 2021
Nice getting a glimpse into the life of the Arrows.
Freebie.
Available from: https://nalinisingh.com/extras/psycha...
Freebie.
Available from: https://nalinisingh.com/extras/psycha...
February 12, 2020
Ivy and Vasic have a housewarming event and all Arrows are invited.
Favourite scene: Ivy and Vasic kissing
...halfway through, she realized he’d used his telekinetic abilities to lift her several inches off the floor. Laughing into the kiss, she telepathed, Tired of bending down to kiss me?
For your kiss, Ivy, I’d go anywhere… but this is more efficient.
Favourite scene: Ivy and Vasic kissing
...halfway through, she realized he’d used his telekinetic abilities to lift her several inches off the floor. Laughing into the kiss, she telepathed, Tired of bending down to kiss me?
For your kiss, Ivy, I’d go anywhere… but this is more efficient.
May 12, 2021
This story takes place soon after the end of Shield of Winter and before Shards of Hope.
We get a glimpse into Ivy and Vasic's orchard home and how Ivy has made it a home for them and the Arrows. It was a sweet party/get-together of the Arrows at Ivy and Vasic's home with Jaya popping in with her Arrow. Loved seeing how things are changing for the Arrows.
Can be read in Nalini Singh's 2015 Newsletter here.
We get a glimpse into Ivy and Vasic's orchard home and how Ivy has made it a home for them and the Arrows. It was a sweet party/get-together of the Arrows at Ivy and Vasic's home with Jaya popping in with her Arrow. Loved seeing how things are changing for the Arrows.
Can be read in Nalini Singh's 2015 Newsletter here.
March 2, 2016
Ahhh, Psy love. So beautiful.
Can I have one, please?! Maybe Kaleb has a hot cousin for me :D
September 12, 2021
1st read - December 2015
2nd read - October 2020
3rd read - September 2021
I already loved Ivy for the way she's bringing Vasic out of his shell and giving hope to the rest of the Arrow squad but I love her even more now. The changes that are slowly happening with the Arrows and the plans they have for the future are just brilliant.
This is such a lovely little story that put a huge smile on my face.
2nd read - October 2020
3rd read - September 2021
I already loved Ivy for the way she's bringing Vasic out of his shell and giving hope to the rest of the Arrow squad but I love her even more now. The changes that are slowly happening with the Arrows and the plans they have for the future are just brilliant.
This is such a lovely little story that put a huge smile on my face.
August 22, 2022
Finished Reading March 20, 2016
This short story from Nalini Singh's December newsletter was perfect. Just enough to show the growth of Ivy & Vasic's relationship and the slow change in the Arrows. I truly enjoyed it. These short stories that Nalini graces us with are just one reason its worth signing up for her newsletters.
Author's Newsletter February 27, 2016
This short story from Nalini Singh's December newsletter was perfect. Just enough to show the growth of Ivy & Vasic's relationship and the slow change in the Arrows. I truly enjoyed it. These short stories that Nalini graces us with are just one reason its worth signing up for her newsletters.
Author's Newsletter February 27, 2016
May 2, 2017
Loved it! This follow-up to Shield of Winter with a housewarming party Arrow-style. So neat seeing Ivy and Vasic host his fellow Arrows for their first party and seeing how they did.
September 21, 2021
Another lovely short story for the psy/changeling series.
December 30, 2015
This one had me smiling, it's what I've hoped for the Arrows. I like that Ivy is able to give this to them all!
November 2, 2019
5 stars
I loved this short story. This story gives a bit more insight into Vasic and Ivy's relationship, as well as a look into Ivy's efforts to give the Arrow squad some normalcy via a housewarming party. It was a great short. :D
I loved this short story. This story gives a bit more insight into Vasic and Ivy's relationship, as well as a look into Ivy's efforts to give the Arrow squad some normalcy via a housewarming party. It was a great short. :D
October 11, 2018
I loved this look into Vasic's and Ivy's life.
February 4, 2024
5/5
Forever re-reading this short excerpt whenever I need to feel some fuzzy, happy feelings 🩷
Forever re-reading this short excerpt whenever I need to feel some fuzzy, happy feelings 🩷
December 19, 2017
RATING: 4 Hearts!
January 28, 2016
Awww, that was a nice story. I needed to refresh my memory from Shards of Winter as I read it a long while ago. I'm glad this was included
December 4, 2019
A free short story from Nalini Singh's newsletter dated 29 December 2015, #13.2 in the Psy-Changeling paranormal romance series, revolving around the shapeshifters, Psy, and humans. The couple focus is on Vasic and Ivy Jane, an Arrow teleporter and a rebelling E-Psy whose story was told in
Shield of Winter
, 13.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Psy-Changeling books on my website.
My Take
I do love the E-Psy, and their need to anticipate the comfort of others. Listening to Singh's description of how Ivy renovated her home is so telling of her nature while the reasons for the renovation are interspersed through the story.
It's a great little story of small actions that tells so much about the Arrows' past and the road they need to tread to get past that childhood training and become real people.
What's big are the characters, of whom we learn through Singh using third person simple subjective point-of-view from Ivy's perspective. To truly grasp how big, you should read the series from the start, as the nuances will be so much more informative.
Singh uses an easy pace, as she provides some background on Ivy and Vasic, the town in which they live, and Ivy's worries about bringing the Arrows out into the light.
Ya can't help but love this series.
The Story
Looking around, Ivy Jane knew that Vasic would agree that their now-spacious kitchen and other extra spaces were what the Arrows needed. Now her hopes depended upon Vasic's fellow Arrows showing up for this first event for the soldiers, for them to start down the road to recovery and acceptance.
The Characters
Ivy Jane is an E-Psy, an empath who needs to help people, and a low-level telepath. Vasic Zen is s a Tk-V Arrow, a born teleporter who can heal. Rabbit is Ivy's small white dog.
Ivy's parents, Gwen Jane and Carter Hirsch, are now farmers who love her and disappeared to keep her safe.
The Arrows are...
...a squad of black-clad Psy assassins, soldiers. Aden is Vasic's best friend and the leader of the Arrows, a Tp with a gift for delicate healing. Abbot is with Jaya. Zaira is the Venetian commander. Axl, Amin, and Nerida are more senior Arrows. Tamar is a civilian specialist who worked with the squad.
Jaya is another E-Psy with her specialization helping people trapped in their minds, in comas — a Med-E and Ivy's best friend. Dr Samuel Rain is a human scientist whose expertise is in robotics, enthralled with pushing the envelope.
Psy are...
...an evolutionary branch of humans who have psychic powers, each of which are different and can incite psychic violence. Decades ago, the Psy chose to eliminate emotion from their lives, making E-Psy non-existent and leading to possible extinction of the Psy. Some Psy chose to flee that world to protect family that included an E-Psy.
The Title
The title is the tale's occasion, a "Housewarming at the Orchard", Ivy and Vasic's home.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of the Psy-Changeling books on my website.
My Take
I do love the E-Psy, and their need to anticipate the comfort of others. Listening to Singh's description of how Ivy renovated her home is so telling of her nature while the reasons for the renovation are interspersed through the story.
It's a great little story of small actions that tells so much about the Arrows' past and the road they need to tread to get past that childhood training and become real people.
What's big are the characters, of whom we learn through Singh using third person simple subjective point-of-view from Ivy's perspective. To truly grasp how big, you should read the series from the start, as the nuances will be so much more informative.
Singh uses an easy pace, as she provides some background on Ivy and Vasic, the town in which they live, and Ivy's worries about bringing the Arrows out into the light.
Ya can't help but love this series.
The Story
Looking around, Ivy Jane knew that Vasic would agree that their now-spacious kitchen and other extra spaces were what the Arrows needed. Now her hopes depended upon Vasic's fellow Arrows showing up for this first event for the soldiers, for them to start down the road to recovery and acceptance.
The Characters
Ivy Jane is an E-Psy, an empath who needs to help people, and a low-level telepath. Vasic Zen is s a Tk-V Arrow, a born teleporter who can heal. Rabbit is Ivy's small white dog.
Ivy's parents, Gwen Jane and Carter Hirsch, are now farmers who love her and disappeared to keep her safe.
The Arrows are...
...a squad of black-clad Psy assassins, soldiers. Aden is Vasic's best friend and the leader of the Arrows, a Tp with a gift for delicate healing. Abbot is with Jaya. Zaira is the Venetian commander. Axl, Amin, and Nerida are more senior Arrows. Tamar is a civilian specialist who worked with the squad.
Jaya is another E-Psy with her specialization helping people trapped in their minds, in comas — a Med-E and Ivy's best friend. Dr Samuel Rain is a human scientist whose expertise is in robotics, enthralled with pushing the envelope.
Psy are...
...an evolutionary branch of humans who have psychic powers, each of which are different and can incite psychic violence. Decades ago, the Psy chose to eliminate emotion from their lives, making E-Psy non-existent and leading to possible extinction of the Psy. Some Psy chose to flee that world to protect family that included an E-Psy.
The Title
The title is the tale's occasion, a "Housewarming at the Orchard", Ivy and Vasic's home.
December 30, 2017
I thought the wolf books would be the absolute high point for me in this series, and that the Arrow stories would be more of a “yeah I guess I’ll finish this series and read these too” kind of deal, but boy was I wrong. Not that this should have surprised me given that the Arrows are an extremely loyalty-bound group of cast outs that have been ~deleted from society and now only have each other to rely on, but still.
So anyway, that’s the kind of background you need to understand why this super short story still got to me. It’s post-Shield of Winter when Ivy is trying to build an actual home/refuge/safe space for the Arrows (think: what Tamsyn and Nate’s house is to DarkRiver) and invites them over for a housewarming. She doesn’t expect many to show up, but then almost all of them do because they’re now loyalty-bound to Ivy too and I wailed about it. Trust them to even research social gathering and social interaction manuals, before they feel ready to drop in though. And referring to pets as “domestic companion animals” lmao. I love them. This is also the story where I fell in love with Zaira Neve, officially part of my top 3 Psy-Changeling ladies. There were only a few lines implying it, but one of my favourite things about this series remains how adamant all the adults are about protecting children, letting children be children and trying to shield them from the responsibilities of adulthood for as long as they can (which is especially a thing for the Arrows), and wanting a better, more stable world for their children and actively working towards that goal. And, you know, the fact that Nalini Singh just went “you know what this squad of extremely emotionally repressed highly trained Black Ops soldiers needs? A dog.” gets me every time. Every. Time.
So anyway, that’s the kind of background you need to understand why this super short story still got to me. It’s post-Shield of Winter when Ivy is trying to build an actual home/refuge/safe space for the Arrows (think: what Tamsyn and Nate’s house is to DarkRiver) and invites them over for a housewarming. She doesn’t expect many to show up, but then almost all of them do because they’re now loyalty-bound to Ivy too and I wailed about it. Trust them to even research social gathering and social interaction manuals, before they feel ready to drop in though. And referring to pets as “domestic companion animals” lmao. I love them. This is also the story where I fell in love with Zaira Neve, officially part of my top 3 Psy-Changeling ladies. There were only a few lines implying it, but one of my favourite things about this series remains how adamant all the adults are about protecting children, letting children be children and trying to shield them from the responsibilities of adulthood for as long as they can (which is especially a thing for the Arrows), and wanting a better, more stable world for their children and actively working towards that goal. And, you know, the fact that Nalini Singh just went “you know what this squad of extremely emotionally repressed highly trained Black Ops soldiers needs? A dog.” gets me every time. Every. Time.
April 25, 2024
This was a fantastic scene that I really wished had been added in like an epilogue to Shield of Winter.
Ivy's cabin at the orchard, was updated and made into a large five bedroom house. That way they had plenty of room for the Arrows, to both come and visit and stay over.
This scene was just after the completion of the house renovations and Ivy had invited ten Arrows to come over for a house warming. Little did she know that, Vasic told Aden to spread the word to all the Arrows, that he and Ivy were throwing a party for the Arrows in their new home. He didn't tell Ivy because he he didn't want her to be disappointed if none of them showed. Turns out that worry was for nothing, since ALL the Arrows turned up! It was a beautiful and awesome scene, that was just perfect. I love the Arrows so much and want them all to be happy. I would totally open up my home to all of them as well.
The Empath and Ivy's best friend, Jaya came to the party as well, with her personal Arrow, Abbot, as well. Jaya and Abbot are currently the only other full romantic and happy relationship, other than Ivy and Vasic, in the Arrow squad. Both couple are awesome and I love reading about them.
Ivy's cabin at the orchard, was updated and made into a large five bedroom house. That way they had plenty of room for the Arrows, to both come and visit and stay over.
This scene was just after the completion of the house renovations and Ivy had invited ten Arrows to come over for a house warming. Little did she know that, Vasic told Aden to spread the word to all the Arrows, that he and Ivy were throwing a party for the Arrows in their new home. He didn't tell Ivy because he he didn't want her to be disappointed if none of them showed. Turns out that worry was for nothing, since ALL the Arrows turned up! It was a beautiful and awesome scene, that was just perfect. I love the Arrows so much and want them all to be happy. I would totally open up my home to all of them as well.
The Empath and Ivy's best friend, Jaya came to the party as well, with her personal Arrow, Abbot, as well. Jaya and Abbot are currently the only other full romantic and happy relationship, other than Ivy and Vasic, in the Arrow squad. Both couple are awesome and I love reading about them.
February 21, 2023
Ahhhh the Arrows attending Ivy and Vasic's housewarming for the renovated house in the Orchard is outrageously adorable and Zaira telling Rabbit she doesn't speak canine is a great introduction to her personality for Shards of Hope. I love her!
December 31, 2022
I love seeing the Arrows learning how to live a more normal life. They've all been through so much and the hints at something different that Ivy and Vasic are showing them always touch me. The idea of all of them showing up for Ivy and Vasic's housewarming is just lovely. It's not something they would have ever experienced, but all of them are trying new things after the fall of Silence. This was just sweet.
August 20, 2021
3.5☆
Si bien la historia anterior fue el colmo de ño innecesario, esta no pudo ser más perfecta. Ha sido la demostración de que las flechas están recobrando esa humanidad que les habían robado y poco a poco comienzan a perdonarse. Vasic y Aden no pueden ser más perfectos e Ivy no puede ser más afortunada por tenerlos en su vida♡
Si bien la historia anterior fue el colmo de ño innecesario, esta no pudo ser más perfecta. Ha sido la demostración de que las flechas están recobrando esa humanidad que les habían robado y poco a poco comienzan a perdonarse. Vasic y Aden no pueden ser más perfectos e Ivy no puede ser más afortunada por tenerlos en su vida♡
October 25, 2024
"Housewarming at the Orchard" is a short story ft Ivy, Vasic and the Arrows.
Laughing into the kiss, she telepathed, Tired of bending down to kiss me?
For your kiss, Ivy, I’d go anywhere… but this is more efficient.
Sweet with loads of love between the leads and support from the Arrows, bonus is a fluffy dog.
Safe
4.5/5
Laughing into the kiss, she telepathed, Tired of bending down to kiss me?
For your kiss, Ivy, I’d go anywhere… but this is more efficient.
Sweet with loads of love between the leads and support from the Arrows, bonus is a fluffy dog.
Safe
4.5/5
August 11, 2022
Short snippet on the author's website about the Arrows coming to visit Vasic and Ivy's newly expanded house at the orchard. I'm loving these Arrows. Singh writes about them so vividly that I want to be there and help them myself. I'm excited for Aden's book.
August 17, 2024
Housewarming at the Orchard (Psy-Changeling #13.2) by Nalini Singh – Ivy is nervous about convincing the Arrows to stop in for a housewarming party at the Orchard, but Vasic and Rabbit are pretty confident that the stoic soldiers won’t let their Empath down! Happy Reading!
December 31, 2024
This is just so cute and heartwarming. The arrows have a special place in my heart and I feel so much for them. I hope they all find happiness, even if we don't get to read about every single arrow doing so.
April 10, 2025
Thank you Nalini for all these free stories!
I love this one so much! Ivy has such a kind heart and to see her open her home (and her heart) to the entire Arrow squad is just amazing. Love the series so much!
I love this one so much! Ivy has such a kind heart and to see her open her home (and her heart) to the entire Arrow squad is just amazing. Love the series so much!
June 19, 2017
Sweet
September 16, 2017
Extra 1/4 star
Awww
Awww
October 27, 2017
me encanta esta serie!!! excelentes historias, excelentes personajes!!!
January 8, 2018
I loved this short story featuring the Arrows!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews