You standing there next to me, heard me say once, that I wanted to be able to touch the earth in all its various forms and meanings, and to feel it under my feet as I hold it and be able to break its clods in my hands, and then to be able to sleep here with you upon this hard packed ground. As I feel myself lost in your warmth and the comfort of your arms.With pillows of bluebonnets under our heads, underneath a vast blan...

INTRODUCTIONThe Unseelie Court ruled the world a long time ago before my time. Once we owned the land and all who wandered on it. We were a strong race full of pride. We lived, loved and laughed. Now, we were hidden in the shadows fearing for our lives. Every year we became less and less. Soon, very soon we would disappear from the world.It is our own fault our days are numbered. Desiring to live forever as the masters of...

Loni questioned her motives a dozen more times as they walked across the parking lot to their parked cars. She was used to acting on impulse from her younger and carefree days, so this behavior was out of character for her. Was she not older and wiser than she was back then? So why was she acting like a love sick horny teenager?As she followed his dark SUV through the city and into the suburbs, the mature portion of her b...

Sitting here by the river under those heavy grey skies watching it flow to sea, as I see you standing there and it’s not very hard to do as I just close my eyes and see your face, and knowing you’ve had times when you feel so feel weak and tired with the days leaving you uninspired. Feeling like life goes on with the purpose for living having simply gone forward without you, and I know that you have always hoped for somet...

Feeling the wind blowing through my hair under these grey skies threatening rain, which is making me look to the mountains from where it’s coming from like that old Highway 61 when it calls. Knowing the time to head out on that last journey to the north where the wind hits heavy is drawing near, and I am heading to that one with her hair so long who lives there from that North Country fair, as I close my eyes and see her...

"These things suck!" I turned and looked at the girl who stood beside me and raised an eyebrow in question. She gestured at the garishly decorated gymnasium. "This! It sucks!" She pointed at Jessica Wheeler, the head of the junior varsity cheer squad. "These things are designed for girls like her to have a good time." She then gestured between the two of us. "And for girls like us to be reminded of what losers we are." Th...

Loni could not recall the last time she had enjoyed herself this much. She was able to be totally herself and not receive raised eyebrow looks from her fiancée or his parent because of her speech or mannerisms. She laughed loudly at the X rated jokes and told a few of her own. She joined in many conversations and people were surprised that she could talk on a variety of subjects. Due to her looks and poise, many believed...

When Loni arrived home the first thing she noticed was the red light on her answering machine blinking, it told her she had some missed calls. The small light was flashing with the speed of a strobe light, she didn't need to wonder who the calls were from.Without bothering to listen to the messages, she simply picked up the phone and dialed Brad's number."Hello? his voice said when he picked up."Hello yourself," she respo...

Twenty-four hours previouslyooOoo“Good day, sunshine,” Pete sang the Beatles song to Tara in a slight whisper, gently waking her up in the late hours of the morning. The marine layer kept the beach city overcast, and the breeze of the cool September air felt good on her tired body.“Hey beautiful,” he said softly, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Eggs, bacon, toast or yogurt?” he asked as he put the tray down on the...

Looking back is a bad habit, and the time has come for me to ride hard and fast, as I ask shall we dance? As I saddle up, and begin to ride through time and memories of the disagreeable past, in this Vale of tears, we all call life. As I pull away from nearly forgotten times, and faces that fade and dim in the fires of the mind. And find the only tears being shed now, are those of ... fear. The fear of losing you, along w...

Chapter 9: PreparationMy hands were bound, my mouth gagged, and my eyes shielded from view. They carried me like a sack of potatoes. I didn’t struggle, only because I knew I was no match. Why is this happening? What could they possibly need from me?"This newborn is actually of value to him?"A gruff voice reverberated through my body. This voice definitely belonged to whoever carried me."Yes, he is. No one is to harm him b...

"It's a fine, fine day!" sang the smiling American to himself in his rented convertible.Finally, Luke had untangled himself from the inner city London traffic and found the freedom of the more rural B road. For once, the weather was wonderfully warm in London, and he could feel the strength of the sun on his head and shoulders. The sunshine only enhanced his good mood. It was as though England was welcoming him back. He t...

It was his birthday, but not even the sunshine of a beautiful day could cheer Pete up. Thirty-three years old and still single, he was re-evaluating his life choices and mourning opportunities that he had sadly let slip by. Of all his failures, he knew that nothing was worse than losing his high school sweetheart. She was tall and slim, a delicate beauty with blue eyes, brown hair and a smile that would melt even the cold...

Loni glanced quickly at her watch and true to his promise only half an hour had passed since they parted company, but then he was always a man of his word. He stopped at the bar long enough to place his drink order before he slid into the booth from the opposite side. He then slid himself around until he was next to her.Then without warning, he placed one arm around her shoulder and pulled her in closer to him and kissed...

Looking back is a bad habit and though we try not to look back most do, and the hour is getting late and it looks like the time has come once again for me to ride hard and fast across the range, as I ask if you in a kind and clear voice shall we dance? Or will you come and join me as I make another midnight ride? Even if there seems to stand a form of unforgiving opposition that usually hides some form of destruction in p...