Anaria woke to the sun shining into the room, and frowned. How much of what she remembered was real, and how much was fever dream? How could honest, caring, kind, humble Liam be the heir of Clearfall? That must have been her mind playing games. She sat up, then piled the pillows behind her to …
He was across the room in an instant, laying a careful hand on her head, as Sarah had done, checking for fever, as his worried eyes searched hers. “Ana.” She’d already flopped back onto the pillows piled up behind her, it was too hard to hold herself up, but she found the energy for a …
There was noise and commotion behind her, but she took no notice, she needed to get back to the forest, she needed to find Liam. Finally, an open door to the outside, she fled down the stairs and across the courtyard, dodging startled horses and coach drivers. Out of the huge front gates and down …
He led her to an open area of floor in the middle of the room, leaving her briefly to open the library doors wide. “So we can hear the music, it’s a bit difficult to dance without it.” “Where is the ballroom?” “There’s a back entrance to it just across the passage.” He returned just …
Weaving through the castle corridors, Anaria hoped she hadn’t misremembered the cook’s directions but, after what seemed like forever, she came a large set of doors, carved with books and scrolls. She caught her breath, pushed down the fizz of exuberance and carefully pulled on one of the doors. It swung open easily and she …
Anaria’s reaction to the news of her castle assignment was much as Sarah had predicted. After being reassured she wouldn’t be on view or required to do anything other than the simplest food preparation she sighed. “Martha’s going to love having yet another thing to be superior about.” “You might want to point out you’re …
About two weeks after the snows had started John and Liam were called out on a task more than a day away through the forest, and when John returned to the cottage two evenings later, he came alone. “The lad’s gone to his family home for a few days, the old man who taught him …
Their return to the village was greeted by knowing grins and nudges over their clothing change. Expressions changed rapidly when Liam described the logjam burst and its aftermath. A check was done of all the villagers; the only person not within the village bounds was John, and he came striding into the square just as …
Anaria forgot all about the stream the moment she stepped inside the cottage. It was a little dusty and forlorn but was clearly kept ready to shelter anyone in need, in the same way as the hut on the road all those weeks ago. That was where the similarities ended. This cottage was a glorious …
Liam froze for a second, then wrapped his arms around her and started kissing her back, hard. Eventually, he broke off and buried his face in her neck, much as she had with him a number of times. She stroked his back, gently kissed the top of his head, and gave him smooth, soothing words …
The DNA of Stories 