Chapter 42 Strawberry Tarts
Strawberry Tarts Chapter 42 Evelyn sat up in bed, smiling as she nursed her tiny son, her white curls a mass around her shoulders, her gown pulled down to expose one heavy breast. The pup had been born a King Shepherd, golden fur with a black snout,...
Chapter 41 His Brother's Keeper
His Brother's Keeper Chapter 41 Dick set the glass down and waved for the nearby slave to pour the decanter. He'd been drinking all night. He knew Bastian had gone to the tower that evening and that he stayed there with Charles and Evelyn for...
Chpater 40 A King-Sized Lollipop
A King-sized Lollipop Chapter 40 Sitting stiff in the tower, Evelyn could hear the distant roll of drums. She closed her eyes and felt a hot tear escape. Lenard and Eldon were being marched to the headsman's block. With every beat, their feet were...
Chapter 39 Undone
Undone Chapter 39 "Evelyn is coming home safe?" Charles asked hopefully. "She will be my princess," the king confirmed. "As you desire. . . . as I desire." Charles sat back in his chair, relieved. He and the king were on the balcony of Charles'...
Chapter 38 The Howling
The Howling Chapter 38 Though it had pained her to do so at the time, Aina was very glad to know she had sent Nhlahla and Sampson far away. In the months that came, Ti'uu suddenly abandoned the tribe. No more did his silhouette pass over the moon....
Chapter 37 Blind Passion
Blind Passion Chapter 37 After dancing with Dick at the ball, Charles wanted desperately to retire with him to his quarters, but he knew such a thing would be foolhardy. One, he had already been invited by the queen to her bedchamber. And two, if he...
Chapter 36 I Don't Love You
I Don't Love You Chapter 36 As evening light fell across the sky, Aina noticed Nhlahla sitting alone on the edge of the camp, upon a fallen pillar that rose gargantuan from the earth like a precipice. Her legs dangled over the moss-covered edge,...
Chapter 35 Letting Go
Letting Go Chapter 35 "I want to know more," Evelyn said, "about your culture and your gods." She was wearing a deerskin dress, and a shawl made of fluffy brown bear fur was pulled tight around her shoulders. Aina had made Evelyn's clothing for her....
Chapter 34 A Rock and a Hard Place
A Rock and a Hard Place Chapter 34 "Richard," Charles said quietly. The room was so still, the only sound was the clock ticking on the wall. They were in the parlor. In the wake of Giselle's funeral, the house seemed still. Quiet. As if time had...
Chapter 33 The Garden
The Garden Chapter 33 _My Dearest Charles,_ _You are not going to believe it - in fact, you may just upset your tea, so if you are drinking it whilst reading this, put it down. Are you ready? Your baby sister has gotten married!_ _I know. Take a...
Chapter 32 Let's Get Married
Let's Get Married Chapter 32 After her meeting with Ti'uu, Aina's tribe seemed to prosper and thrive all the more. They asked her if they now had permission to begin digging burrows, and Aina kept the sorrow from her face as Ti'uu's words came back...
Chapter 31 Are You a Screamer?
Are You a Screamer? Chapter 31 Aina's clan was not happy to see her. They hurled stones and insults and wanted to punish her for running away from her duty as their princess. The only thing that restrained them was Nhlahla and the fact that they were...