By the time the three potential magic tutors arrived, Kid was still tucked in his sofa nook but appeared to have regained most of his usual ebullience. His light-spirited debate with Nathan over the relative merits of two different ways of playing a game they'd each grown up with (and which again pointed to a …
Mellisande hurried ahead, opening the door to their suite and clearing a path to the wide, comfortable day bed tucked against the far wall of the sitting room. Alec threw her a grateful look as he went to put Kid down. Small hands clung desperately as the flailing turned to grabbing. "Please, I'll be good, …
That made her smile, "So considerate, is this the Duke at work, or my husband?" "It doesn't matter what identity I'm wearing, I have a wife I want to know, trust and be comfortable with me." A random thought occurred, "So you always keep as close to the truth as you can?" He eyed her …
Nora's jaw dropped, "You were the Duke of Northaven all this time? You sneaky so-and-so." She turned to Mellisande, "What was your reaction when he told you? When did he tell you?" Mellisande was forestalled by Kid, looking up at Alec with huge, shocked eyes. "You're the mean husband? Why?", his lower lip quivered and …
There were about twenty children of various sizes and ages, running, shouting, and playing complicated games involving skipping ropes, pebbles, sticks or padded leather balls. Kid stared. The group settled on an open bench with a good view of the action, Kid glued to Alec's side. The children were soon sending curious glances their way …
Alec was halfway through the locket explanation when there was a knock on the door. He stole another quick kiss and went to open it. Lady Aurelia stood on the other side, eyes twinkling, "All well then?" "I believe I'm temporarily forgiven." He stood back and she entered the room, moving to sit beside Mellisande. …
He knew his smile was not going to be well received but couldn't help its spread. She'd been wanting to kiss him. He was right. At the sight of the smile, her eyes opened wide, realising what she'd said, what she'd admitted. "No. Don't you dare be smug. You are not allowed to be smug." …
Alec gave an internal sigh of relief as the towers of Lilyfeld Hall came into view over the trees. In hindsight (always helpful), he should have had it out with Mellisande before they left her father's keep. The events of the past two days had made any sort of conversation impossible, let alone one likely …
The laughter was an unexpected relief. "An interesting assumption to make soldier, why do you think he's mine?" The flushed and mumbled answer was cut off by a furred fist punching through the ceiling, then hooking back to tear the hole larger. As with the one on the shutter, this creature added teeth to claws …
The two-night journey proved to be an exercise in tension and stretched nerves. Leaving Nora's cottage locked, bolted and barred, they moved through the forest as quickly as good sense would allow. Hampered by his bundle but unwilling to give it up to others, Alec reluctantly rode in the middle of the group, next to …
The DNA of Stories 