POST
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jenny Trout | Kayleigh Jones
Kellie St. James | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
Until next week!
Hugs,
~J
Author Archives: Jess
Your Lies – Chapter Two
Chapter Two
~Maddock~
Everything.
The whispered word dripped with disgust and pierced the excited, nearly euphoric, bubble that had surrounded me since the rally had begun. Christ, not two minutes ago, I’d been flying high—happy to be doing something meaningful and important and hoping to spend some time with the beautiful blonde with the big blue eyes.
I’d had some doubts earlier when I’d seen Delia throw away the flyer, but convinced myself it didn’t mean anything. So many handed flyers and pamphlets to anyone who crossed their paths out on the quad. I’d tossed more than I could count without even looking at them. I figured that was what had happened. Seeing her while I was addressing the crowd seemed to confirm that.
“What do you mean everything?” I asked.
She just shook her head.
“Why don’t we just head to the café?”
I didn’t know why I suggested it. I didn’t even know her well enough to push this. Seriously, I should be walking away right about now. It wasn’t as if campus was lacking options when it came to pretty girls. Walking away was definitely the way to go, but…fuck it. There was just something about her I didn’t want to walk away from.
“Come on,” I continued. “We’ll have coffee and talk and figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out,” she spat. “It may be hard for you to understand, but I don’t want to go anywhere with you. I don’t want to be around you. I don’t want to see you.”
My gut soured, and a cold sweat broke out all over my body. The vehemence in her tone, in her stance… I’d never been on the receiving end of something so harsh. It didn’t sit well with me, and I struggled to understand where the hell it was coming from.
“It’s not like I’m going to force you to spend time with me, but…” I frowned. “You seemed interested before. No, you were interested before. I didn’t just imagine that.”
“No, you didn’t,” she said slowly, gripping the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles whitened. “But that was before.”
“Before what?” I stepped forward, freezing when she flinched.
She recovered quickly and squared her shoulders, meeting my gaze fully. “Before I realized what you are.”
Anger flared at the contempt in her voice. “And what is that exactly?”
“A hate-mongering, prejudiced asshole.”
My jaw dropped; shock coursed through me frigidly. She was a Sympathizer, I realized, and had misunderstood what I’d said at the rally. She didn’t understand what I was trying to do.
“I’m not,” I protested. “I want to help magic users. I don’t hate them, Delia, and I’m not trying to make anyone hate them. I’m as much a Sympathizer as you are.”
Her shoulders shook as she laughed, a false and empty sound that grated. “Oh yes, you sympathize and care about the animals, the abominations. That much was very clear.”
“I never called them that!”
“Oh, you’re right. You didn’t,” she sneered. “You just compared them to rabid animals. Called their magic an abomination. Never mind that it’s a part of them.”
“You’re misunderstanding what I—”
“No, I’m not. You’re calling for magic users to be banned from campus, to be caged like animals, kept separate from the good normal folk. But it’s okay, because you sympathize and find it oh so sad, right? You arrogant prick. Stay the fuck away from me.”
She turned on her heel and jogged away as I stood in the middle of the pathway staring after her like an idiot. How had that gone so spectacularly wrong?
* * * *
“Fuck, what is going on with you?”
I looked over as Mark Greenley bumped shoulders with me. On my other side, Kevin Johns snorted. A bunch of us were hanging out in the quad between classes, enjoying what was sure to be one of the last warm days of the year. Books were out and open around us…and ignored.
I rolled my eyes. “Nothing’s going on with me.”
“Bullshit,” Mark said. “This is the first time in two weeks you’ve even hung out with us.”
“Yeah, you’ve been a moody fucker ever since the rally.” Wes Anders didn’t bother opening his eyes or shifting from his position stretched out on his back.
“Which is stupid, because it was awesome. A great turn out, tons of support,” Kevin chimed in.
I didn’t answer. My lack of good mood had nothing to do with the rally, and everything to do with a certain girl. Who happened to be sitting at one of the tables on the other side of the courtyard with a group of people. As much as I’d tried not to think about her the last couple weeks, Delia was never far from my thoughts—neither were the things she’d said. The way she’d said them. And if that weren’t bad enough, it seemed like she was everywhere. I saw her when I was walking to classes, when I swung by the café, when I was studying in the library or the commons. She was every-fucking-where.
“You’re pissed ‘cause the bleeding heart Sympathizers are doing their own rally now, aren’t you?” Mark nodded knowingly.
“What are you talking about?” I snapped.
There was a reason I’d never identified myself as Sympathizer to my friends, even though I’d told Delia the truth—I honestly saw myself as one. I didn’t want to see anyone hurt, and I wanted magic users to be free of the burden they carried.
“I thought you knew,” Mark said. “You keep looking over at them, frowning. I figured… The tiny brunette at the table you’re staring at is organizing a little event.”
I shifted my gaze from Delia to the girl sitting next to her. Their heads were bent together as they talked, and at that moment, Delia threw her head back and laughed before wrapping her arm around the other woman’s shoulders in a half-hug.
“Since we had a rally, the magic users and their supporters, their ‘Sympathizers’,” Kevin air quoted, “argued it was only fair they be able to hold one of their own on campus. And they were given approval. Can you believe that?”
“It’s their right,” I pointed out.
“It shouldn’t be,” Mark muttered. “They shouldn’t even be here.”
Everyone murmured their agreement, and the discussion took off about the dangers of magic users, not only on campus but anywhere. It was familiar and, as I watched Delia smile and talk with her friends, nauseating. My jaw ached from clenching it so tightly. I didn’t know what my problem was. Nothing was being said I hadn’t heard before—it wasn’t anything I hadn’t said before. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to join in the conversation. And I couldn’t stop looking at Delia.
When she stood and left the quad, I grabbed my books, shoved them in my bag and jumped up. Ignoring the calls of my friends, I took off in the direction Delia had gone. I hurried through the pathways between buildings, scanning until I saw her.
“Delia!” I called, sprinting to catch up.
She turned, and my chest tightened when her smile immediately morphed into a frown when her gaze landed on me. She sighed loudly as I came to stop in front of her.
“What do you want?”
I chuckled even though her resigned tone cut. “Just wanted to say hi since we seem to keep crossing paths.”
“Yeah, that’s unfortunate. You think on a campus this size we could avoid that altogether, wouldn’t you?” She patted me on the arm. “We’ll just have to try harder.”
I covered her hand before she could pull away, capturing against me. “Maybe I don’t want to avoid seeing you. I actually rather like it.”
Her fingers flexed, digging in, but she didn’t try to pull away. It might have been me being desperate, but I took it as a good sign.
“Maddock,” she whispered.
“Look, I hate that you think I’m a prejudiced ass. Hate it,” I admitted, trailing my fingers over her knuckles, dipping my head slightly to meet her insanely gorgeous blue eyes. “Can’t we just get that coffee?”
She pressed her lips together then slowly drew her hand away. “I…I don’t think so.”
“Delia, I—”
“No,” she interrupted. “We’re too different.”
“You don’t know that,” I argued. “Because you don’t know me. You saw me speaking to a group, that’s it. Give me a chance to explain, to clear up what you misunderstood.”
Her expression softened, and the corners of her mouth quirked up. “I didn’t misunderstand. You are a very effective public speaker, and were very clear in what you were saying.”
“I can’t stop thinking a lot about what you said.” I shoved my hand through my hair in frustration. “If you thought I meant those things…”
Delia took her phone out and looked at the display. “I have to go.” She stepped away but stopped to gaze at me, her smile small and sad. “Maybe there’s a reason you can’t stop thinking about it, Maddock. Maybe a part of you—even a tiny, tiny part—realizes what you’ve been saying and fighting for is wrong.”
Heart pounding, I called out after her. “Are you always going to be running away from me?”
She spun around, but kept moving, walking backwards. “As things stand now? Yes. But…”
“But what?”
“Show me you’re someone I want to be running to.”
Wednesday Randomness: I Spend Too Much Time…
POST
Go and see what the other ladies spend too much time doing!
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jenny Trout | Kayleigh Jones
Kellie St. James | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
Until next week!
Hugs,
~J
April Song Writing Prompt – “I Will Possess Your Heart”
story
Head on over and see what these awesome ladies have been inspired to write after listening to “I Will Possess Your Heart”…
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jessica De La Rosa | Kayleigh Jones
Kellie St. James | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
MERLIN CLUB: The Diamond of the Day, Parts 1 & 2
MERLIN CLUB: THE DIAMOND OF THE DAY, PARTS 1 & 2
THE END OF IT ALL
If I’d written this episode, I would have changed…
Thing(s) I loved about this episode—
Thing(s) I hated about this episode—
Something I never noticed about this episode before—
Proof of some head canon I’ve created—
Favorite costume—
What would Bron steal from Camelot in this episode?
What made Jen lose her shit (in a good or bad way) in this episode?
Bron’s Take on “The Diamond of the Day” | Jen’s Take on “The Diamond of the Day”
Wednesday Randomness: 5 Words or Less – My Blog, My Fiction, My Creative Process
My Blog – Challenging, fun, growing
My Fiction – Sexy, fun, entertaining, I hope.
My Creative Process – Maddening, Exciting, Always Evolving
Check out how the other ladies described these things!
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jenny Trout | Kayleigh Jones
Kellie St. James | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
Until next week!
Hugs,
~J
Your Lies – Chapter One
Chapter One
~Delia~
“It’s still secret, right? No one’s found out?”
I rolled my eyes, even though Mom couldn’t see me. Every single phone call either started or ended with these questions, and it was getting old.
“I’m not an idiot. I haven’t told anyone, and I won’t. You’ve adequately drilled that into my head.”
“Don’t take that tone with me, Delia. You’ve no idea how scared I—” Her voice cracked, and guilt swamped me.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “But nothing’s going to happen, okay? No one knows anything about me.”
“But if you let it slip to one of your friends or if you lose control… Honey, maybe you should just come back home. You wouldn’t have to worry here about anyone finding out about your—” She sighed heavily. “About you.”
I shook my head and ignored the tightening of my throat. She couldn’t even bring herself to say the word. That was nothing new, though. She hated this part of me. Not the way others hated it or feared it—nothing like that. She loved me more than anyone, of course, but having this inside me put me at risk, and what mother wouldn’t loathe that?
“Mom, I want to help people, people like me, and I can’t do that there.”
“But you’d be safe!”
I closed my eyes against the sudden burning. I didn’t like that she worried, that I was the cause of so much fear and stress and had been my entire life. Sometimes, I wished I could do what she wanted—go home, live on the farm, safe and sound—but coming here was the first step in fulfilling my dreams. The first step in doing what I’ve always wanted to do.
“I’m safe here,” I assured her. “You’re forgetting there are laws to protect me, that it’s illegal to discriminate against me just because I have—”
“You’re forgetting just how little those legal protections mean,” she shouted loudly enough I had to pull the phone from my ear. “They didn’t help your father; they don’t help anyone. If anyone finds out, you’ll be put on a watch list—the lists that aren’t even supposed to exist but do—and you will never have a moment’s peace. You’ll never be safe; always having to look over your shoulder.”
“No one knows,” I said in a rush, anxious to cut off the rant before it really began. “And no one will ever know. Dad taught me well, Mom. You know that. I’m just another student here, one of thousands. Nobody cares about me, and I’m not drawing attention to myself.”
A heavy sigh traveled through the phone. “Promise me you’ll be careful. Promise you’ll come home if there’s even a hint that someone knows or suspects.”
“Promise,” I said softly, as I always did.
I wished she’d ask me about my classes, about the people I was meeting, the things I was doing, but it was only the questions and the promises—every time. A part of me understood why—truly I did—but another part wanted her to be interested in my life. In me…beyond that one part. I glanced at my watch and stood from where I sat on my bed.
“I’ve got to go. I have class in a few minutes, and it’s across campus, so I need to hurry.” Grabbing my bag, I hoisted it over my shoulder. “I’ll call you over the weekend?”
“All right. Call sooner if you need anything.” She paused, and I could tell she wanted to say more, to keep warning me, but instead, she simply said, “I love you, Delia.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
I ended the call and shoved the phone in my pocket as I left my room. I hurried out of the building and started the trek across campus.
“Delia!” Peyton Harding—a girl from my dorm—jogged up and fell into step beside me. “Study group around four. You coming?”
“Yeah. Where?”
“John wants it to be out here.” Peyton rolled her eyes as she gestured around the quad. “Everyone’s pretty much agreed to it. Figured we might as well while it’s still nice enough to, because before too long, we’ll be stuck inside.”
“All right. My class goes until three-fifty, so I’ll meet you here. Who else is—oof.”
“Oh shit, sorry! Wasn’t looking were I was going. Are you okay?” A strong hand wrapped around my arm above my elbow, steadying me.
I looked up and found myself staring into the clearest, greenest eyes I’d ever seen. I’d call them pretty if it wasn’t for the whole picture they were a part of. Messy brown mop of curls, high cheekbones, full lips that were turned down into a frown. No, pretty wasn’t the word I was thinking. Hot, sexy, breathtaking—those all fit.
“You okay?” he repeated.
Great, I was gaping at him like an idiot. I nodded and smiled. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. No worries.”
His frown transformed into a wide, bright grin, and there was the breathtaking. Damn.
“I’m glad.” He tilted his head and ran his gaze over me. “I haven’t seen you around. First year?”
I nodded, acutely aware of the warm weight of his hand still on my arm. Everything in me responded to his touch, and I breathed through it—the trembling, the heat swirling through my body, threatening to radiate outward—desperate to keep that reaction concealed, hoping he’d see nothing more than a shy girl gobsmacked in the presence of a hot guy. Which I was, but it was only a fraction of the story.
His fingers flexed, and he continued to smile at me. “I’m Maddock.”
“Delia,” I forced through numb lips.
“That fits—beautiful girl, beautiful name.”
Some shouting had him glancing over his shoulder. Relief and sadness warred within me when he let me go to wave at whoever had been trying to get his attention. I inhaled deeply and felt myself calm slightly. Until he faced me again, eyes crinkling as he smiled. Damn, that was cute.
“I have to go.” He actually sounded as if he regretted it. “I’d like to see you again, Delia. Come to the rally this afternoon.” He pressed a piece of paper into my hand, holding it firmly against my palm a moment. “Look for me after? Maybe we can get some coffee and get to know each other better.”
“I-I’d like that.”
“Me, too.”
He released my hand then, after a quick nod in Peyton’s direction and another flashing smile in mine, he walked away. I watched him go—I was only human, and he wore those jeans oh so well—until I was jolted from my thoughts by a rough nudge on my arm.
“Wow,” Peyton drawled, linking arms with me. “Hot, majorly hunky Maddock Roberts just asked you out.”
I snorted, eyes still on where he now stood talking with a group of people. “Not exactly.”
“Meeting for coffee after his rally? That’s a date, my friend.”
No, it was— Oh God…was it? My stomach fluttered. I looked down at the paper in my trembling hand, and the flutters morphed into full on spasms, driving out the nervous excitement. Bile threatened to choke me as I read the bold print across the top—Protect Our Students. Ban Magic Users From Campus!
“Hey, something wrong?” Peyton asked.
I crumpled the flyer and chucked it into a nearby trashcan, ignoring the flare of prickling heat inside me.
“No,” I croaked. “Just don’t want to be late for class. The prof’s a real stickler about being on time and all that.”
I pulled away from her and set a quick pace towards my destination.
“Delia, wait! What’s the matter?”
“Nothing! Promise. See you at study group!”
When I turned to smile and wave at her—because I didn’t need anyone to be suspicious of anything; I needed to be normal—I saw Maddock Roberts a few feet from her, frowning fiercely at me.
* * * *
I was late for class, anyway. But it was all good, because I’d lied—the professor didn’t give a shit. I’d had to duck into one of the bathrooms, lock myself into a stall and calm down. Showing up to class with my magic going crazy, my hair practically standing on end and energy flowing off me in waves, wasn’t the way to stay unnoticed.
My mother would flip a nut if she knew I’d nearly lost control. In a very public place, no less. Over a boy. An absolutely gorgeous boy, yes, but a boy just the same. Stupid, stupid Delia.
I reined it in, though, and made it through class without blowing anything up, so win for me. Wouldn’t be so much of a win if anyone asked me what the actual lecture was about as my mind had been thoroughly occupied by a cute guy who apparently hated what I was and, if he knew the truth, would probably rather see me dead than date me.
Such was my life.
Now, as I entered the quad, the first thing I noticed was the huge crowd of people occupying the center of the large space. Shit, the rally. I stopped abruptly, got jostled as people pushed past me to join the group. And in the middle of it all was none other than Maddock Roberts, standing on the platform of one of the hideous abstract sculptures scattered throughout campus. He was speaking, loudly, but I was too far away to hear anything clearly. I couldn’t pull my gaze away from him. Those flocked around him were just as enthralled as I was with whatever he was saying, with his earnest expression, his animated gestures. Good-looking, charming, charismatic—didn’t it just figure he was the enemy? Someone to avoid at all costs?
Why hadn’t I read the freaking flyer before I tossed it? I could have made my excuses to Peyton and avoided the quad altogether. I glanced around. Besides the rather huge gathering, people were scattered through the courtyard, but no sign or Peyton or John or any of the others I’d studied with before. Relief filled me. I could just cut through, head to the dorm, and escape. Just tell Peyton later I couldn’t find them in the chaos.
That plan in mind, I started across the quad, skirting around the gathered masses. I tried not to listen as I hurried past, but try as I might, snippets of Maddock’s speech reached me.
“Safety should be our number one priority…”
“…don’t advocate any violence towards magic users, but…”
“Magic is a disease that should be eradicated to keep…”
“…wouldn’t allow rabid animals to wander about campus, why should we allow magic users the privilege?”
I nearly fell over stopping as quickly as I did. I struggled to control my breathing as I turned toward where Maddock spoke. I fought back tears as I saw those surrounding me nodding along with the poison he spewed. Over the pounding of my heart, which echoed in my skull, his words penetrated and filled me with a fear I’d never felt before in my life.
“They are just as dangerous. Do you want to be in the company of someone who could suck the life out of you with a look just because you said something they didn’t agree with or took offense to?”
“They should be put down!”
Maddock shook his head at the shouted statement. “No, that’s not the answer; that’s not fair. This isn’t something any magic user asked for—what’s inside them is a defect of birth. What they are is no fault of their own. Any violence against them is inexcusable.” His hand slashed through the air. “My father is part of a team of researchers who have been working for years to develop a cure for this…abomination. A way to rid these innocent people of the sickness that eats away at them, that corrupts them. And they are close, so close, but until that great day arrives, those with magic need to be contained. Where they can go and what they can do has to be limited. They need to be watched and monitored. As sad as that is, it’s essential, for everyone’s safety. Including theirs.”
He looked out over the crowd, and his gaze landed on me. Of course it did, because I was just that screwed. His bright grin stole my breath, again—but for very different reasons this time.
“There are people up here,” he gestured to his right, “who are waiting to take your signatures on our petition to ban magic users from campus. Rest assured, we aren’t asking to take away anyone’s right to an education. As part of our plea, we’ve offered suggestions, options for students who have magic—online courses, courses offered at locations set aside solely for their kind. Please sign, and be a part of this important movement. Thank you.”
He jumped off the platform and started making his way through the throng—straight toward me. Magic skittering just beneath my skin, I spun around and moved as quickly as I could in the direction of the dorm, away from the hate and prejudice, away from him.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I exited the quad and started down the far less crowded pathway between buildings.
“Delia! Hey, wait up.”
Short of running away and making a spectacle—which was the last thing I needed, and my mom would kill me—there was nothing I could do except listen to the slap of his shoes on the pavement as he caught up to me. My short-legged walk, no matter how hurried, was no match for his long, running stride.
“Thought we were going to grab coffee,” he said, slightly out of breath. “The rally ran a bit longer than I thought. Sorry about that, but it was a great crowd, don’t you think?”
Hysterical laughter bubbled up, and I was powerless to stop its escape. I kept telling myself to just agree with him, make an excuse to get out of coffee and get the hell away from him, but I couldn’t form any words. Couldn’t do anything but laugh.
He grabbed my elbow, pulling me to a stop beside him. I jerked away.
“Don’t—” I cringed at the volume of that one word, and drew on all my strength to lower my voice and control myself. “Don’t touch me.”
Maddock frowned and held his hands up, palms facing me. “Okay, okay! I’m sorry.”
“Whatever.” I shook my head and backed up a step. “Just stay away from me.”
My chest ached at the hurt, confused expression on his face, and I had to repeat his words in my head to stand firm. Disease. Rabid animals. Abomination. As charming as he was, as much as his feelings may be hurt, he thought of me as an abomination. That was what I needed to remember, right now.
“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “I thought earlier that we’d… What changed between then and now, Delia?”
“Everything.”
Wednesday Randomness: A Thank You Note
Despite the enormous distraction you are in my life, you are truly my happy place. What I turn to when I need some time away. I’ve so much to thank you for…
You make me laugh and make me think. You show me that I’m not alone in my thoughts, beliefs, and not even in my (apparently) strangely specific fetishes. 😉
And you don’t judge that Colin Morgan seems to embody all of these.
You are so much more than a distraction, though. You are an infinite source of inspiration when I’m writing and trying to picture a character – an expression or way of moving.
You never bring up the fact I look up more pretty men than anything else. You just get me.
And do I even need to bring up the enormous amounts of filthy fanfic you bring to me?
Yeah, I didn’t think so…
So, thank you, Tumblr. For brightening my days and being so awesome.
Loves & Smooches
Jess
Wonder what the others are saying thanks to…
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jessica De La Rosa
Kellie St. James | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
COMING SOON: Serial – Your Lies
I’m so excited about this. Really, so so excited.
This project started a while ago. I’ve been wanting to do a serialized story for a long time. After talking to the fabulous Kris Norris, we decided we were going to do it 🙂 We came up with a common theme – enemies to lovers – one of my favorites!
We’re going to be posting chapters twice a month – the 2nd and 4th Mondays. The first chapter will post next Monday 4/13.
Kris, who is not only a fabulous author but also a brilliantly talented artist, has designed the most gorgeous covers for these stories.
Keeping her magic secret keeps Delia Lancaster safe. That is the one truth among the lies that make up her life. Having left the safety of home for college, Delia clings to that truth. Trusting someone with her heart is difficult enough. Trusting someone with her secret? After everything she’s already lost? Next to impossible. And isn’t it just her luck that the first guy she feels any interest in just happens to be the charming and very attractive face of the anti-magic movement on campus?
His entire life, Maddock Roberts has watched his parents work to relieve magic users of the burden they carry, the disease that corrupts them. Popular and confident, Maddock finds himself a leader in the fight against magic. Eyes on the future, he’s more than ready to take up the mantle and continue the battle beyond the boundaries of campus. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by a pretty face. Particularly when everything about her—her actions, her words—makes him question everything he’s held as truth.
Working with the magic Sympathizers on campus brings Delia face-to-face with Maddock more than she wants. Physical attraction, Delia can handle, but getting to know the man behind it all…and liking what she finds? That’s a problem she doesn’t need. Despite her best efforts, she and Maddock grow closer, and keeping her secret becomes more difficult. But their fledging relationship isn’t the only thing that could be destroyed if the truth comes out. Her life is at risk, and it may already be too late to walk away.
Also, each month, I’ll be doing a giveaway – a $20 Amazon giftcard. Entering is easy peasy. All you need to do is comment on the posted chapters. At the end of the month, I’ll randomly choose a commenter as the winner. So comment on both chapters, and you’re entered twice. 🙂 Kris is doing the same, so there are lots of chances to win. 🙂
I have given a couple peeks into our heroine’s past in a couple of my flash fiction posts.
“The Lies Begin”
“Lying in Wait”
Kris’ story, Red Sky Dawning, promises to be amazing. i’ve gotten a sneak peak of the beginning…AND I WANT MORE. I know you will, too.
In a world where magic can destroy kingdoms, there’s no greater force than the bonds of love.
Rylan, son of Roan, and heir to the throne of Ravendale, has been fighting his father’s battles since he was old enough to hold a sword. His abilities as a fire mage gave his kingdom the ultimate weapon, until he seemingly vanished. Left vulnerable, his father erected a magical barrier that has provided Ravendale with a false illusion of peace—until now.
Shunned by her own people for being born with a power no realm has witnessed in over five hundred years, Aelwyn, Princess of Aldhaven, bears the mark of the gods, themselves. Both blessed and cursed, she’s devoted her life to protecting her brother, Aelrik, until he can take his rightful place as King—and finally end the war between her kingdom and Ravendale.
But his mysterious disappearance on the eve of his coronation brings a new scheme to light—one that’s designed to thrust Aldhaven into another millennium of bloody war. Left with no other option, Aelwyn has freed the only man capable of getting her brother back—a brutal, Ravendale warrior captured a century before she was born. But his cooperation comes with a price.
Enemies by heritage, Aelwyn has to put her faith in a man whose conquests are the horrifying legends of her past. Their mission is simple—rescue Aelrik and prevent a new battle from tearing both their worlds apart. There’s just one problem—circumstances of their agreement have put Aelwyn into her enemy’s arms, and she’s seeing a different side of the man history has labeled a murderer. Knowing firsthand that claims are often wrought from fear, she can’t help but strive to see the warrior beneath the lore. The man within the monster. But falling in love is a dangerous choice—one that might break far more than just her heart.
Click the banner to learn more about Red Sky Dawning and read a teaser!
I hope you’ll come back and read Your Lies as the story unfolds.
Hugs,
Jess
April Photo Writing Prompt – Lying in Wait
Totally late on this one… Got in super late from a weekend away last night and passed out. And I’d spent the 4 of the last 10 days in the car. Not particularly fun, even though the visits in between were lovely.
Anyhoo, I’m not wimping out. I have a flash peice for this picture. The upside to hours upon hours in the car by yourself? Lots of ideas pop up and there’re no distractions as they come to ilfe in your head.
This is another glimpse into Delia’s life. She’s the heroine from my NA serial that will begin next week. Squee! So excited about it. You can check out the last tidbit from Delia HERE before reading on…or just read on….
Lying in Wait
I leaned against the tree, scratching the growing number of bug bites on my exposed skin. And there was a fair amount of it. Should’ve changed out of the thin, short dress I’d thrown on that morning, but I hadn’t expected to be standing here long after night fell. And honestly, the air was heavy and thick with humidity, even now, and I’d be sweltering in anything else. The small amount of relief I felt as the stingy breeze coasted over my damp skin was worth it. I smacked my neck, grimacing at the smear of blood on my palm. Mostly worth it.
Where was he? I peered down the dark street. This was the way he’d come back, the way he always came back whenever he left for…whatever he was doing. He still wouldn’t tell me anything, saying I was too young, that Mom would have his ass if he involved me at all. Of course, Dad just talking to me about magic, in general, was enough to get her blood boiling something fierce. Which was why I’d waited for her to doze in the recliner before slipping out to meet Dad when he returned. I figured this was the only way I’d get him to share anything about his secret outings. Not that I’d been successful to this point, but at home? No chance there.
Oh, he’d be annoyed when he saw me. He’d get out of the car, all frowns and glares, but that would only last a moment before he’d shake his head and and nod for me to get in. And even if I couldn’t get him to spill about, we’d talk about magic. Freely and without worried looks. I swatted at another mosquito buzzing around my ear and sighed. I knew Mom didn’t mean anything by it. She really didn’t understand why we needed to talk, why I needed to learn about what was inside me. How could she? She wasn’t a magic user. She didn’t feel the power thrumming through her, pushing ever outward as she had to hide that part of herself from everyone out of fear. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to feel as if she were dying because something that was so essential to who she was was being smothered.
“Delia!”
I spun at the soft call, grabbing the tree truck for balance as I tripped over my own feet. Squinting into the night, I tried to find the source of the voice, and nearly fell on my ass when a tall figure stepped from the shadows across the way onto the asphalt.
“Kyle? What are you doing here?”
“Was…was…”
He braced his hands on his knees and bent forward, gulping air. I hurried closer to him, joining him on the road. and saw he was drippping with sweat. His jeans were torn at the knees, filthy, and when he straightened, my stomach roiled when the streetlight illuminated a nasty gash along his temple and the blood coating half his face.
I closed the distance between us and reached up. Before I could touch him, murmur one of the healing spell Dad had taught me, Kyle grabbed my wrists and shook his head, wincing as the movement obviously pained him. He glanced around nervously.
“Not here. Not now.”
“What’s going on? What happened to you?”
“There’s no time to explain. You have to get home. Now. And when they come, you know nothing.”
“When who comes?” I pulled free of his grasp but didn’t move back.
“I was with your dad and mine. They…they…” He pressed his lips together and swallowed audibly. “They were taken, and there are going to be people asking questions. About your dad, about…”
Kyle and his father were the only people other than my parents who knew what I was. Because they were magic users, too. What the hell had they been doing? Who had taken our fathers? Where were they? What was going to happen to them? The questions battered at my skull, and I clenched my hands into tight fists.
“Fuck, Dee!” Kyle grabbed my arm and hauled me to the side, off the road and into the cover of the surrounding forest. “You need to pull it in.”
I followed his gaze, looked down, and saw my hands glowing as my emotions spiraled out of control.
“Where are they?” I gasped.
“I don’t know. They told me to run, and I did. I ran. I didn’t even try to–”
His shame bore down on me, heavy and suffocating. I shoved through the worry and fear and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was just sixteen – a year older than me. If someone had managed to take down both his and my dads, Kyle wouldn’t have stood a chance.
“They said run, you run. That’s the rules,” I said softly.
“We have to go home now.” His voice was flat and dull as he held me tightly. “And when questions are asked – ”
“I know nothing,” I finished, pulling back and looking at him. Before he could see what I was doing, I whispered the spell and touched my fingers to the cut on his head. When he opened his mouth to protest, I spoke first. “They’ll ask more questions if you’re injured.”
He nodded reluctantly. “Yeah, they would. Come on.” He grabbed my hand and started pulling me through the trees toward our homes, rather than along the road.
“You tell me what happened, right? What you were doing?” I asked quietly as we stumbled along in the dark.
“Yeah, I’ll tell you everything I know,” he assured. “When it’s safe.”
It was quiet, except for the sound of our feet in the brush, for several minutes. Then, I could taken it anymore.
“They’re gone, aren’t they? Our dads, I mean. They’re not coming back.”
Kyle tripped slightly ahead of me, and he glanced back, face pale, still streaked with blood. And his blue eyes shining with tears. “I don’t know, Dee. I really don’t know.”
Be sure to check out the other peices inspired by this month’s photo!
Bronwyn Green | Gwendolyn Cease | Jessica De La Rosa
Kayleigh Jones | Kris Norris | Paige Prince
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