****Copyrighted**** 'Tell me you don't feel it.' He whispered against my lips, and the trembling that had ceased at the feel of his lips against mine began again with renewed vigor. 'Tell me it's not what you want, and I'll go. You'll never have to see me again.' Swallowing, I looked up at the eyes that had entranced me from the start. I took in his every feature, slowly and deliberately. I thrilled at the feeling of his arms enfolding me, and I inhaled his familiar scent with a trembling breath. And then, then I did the most foolish thing imaginable: I flung my arms about his neck and kissed him with all that I had, almost losing myself in the safety and security I felt. But more than that, I ran. I took his moment of shock, the slight loosing of his arms about me, and tore myself away from him, shoving out the door and into the rain. I suppose I'll never know why he didn't follow me. It was the thing I feared most. I knew that if he came for me a second time, I wouldn't be able to say 'no'. I wouldn't be able to run. But I had to. I had to go. I couldn't let him be hurt because of me. He would live on now, and I would marry another. I had leased my last bit of passion in that one moment in his arms, and as I made my way through the dark streets, I felt myself become dull and lost like the creatures bound in the menagerie. **Much of this was written when I was younger and then I came back later and finished it. There will likely be mistakes. Lots of them.

*completed NOW A PUBLISHED NOVEL!* An ancient Cursed bloodline, a world-crossed romance, tyrant kings, a princess with dragon wings, a forbidden love affair, and a sorcerer meant to reign in chaos... this is the Redemption Saga. Bride of Alvar What if your entire life your mother declared you're destined to wed a king from a magical world? Would you believe her? Probably not. I didn't believe her either, until a handsome, other-worldly king showed up to claim me as his bride. Despite my annoying attraction to him, I let the magical king know about a complication: I'm already engaged to somebody else. However, when monsters from Alvar's world kidnap my best friend, I find myself whisked away to his realm marrying him anyway. But marrying a man I barely know and adapting to a fantastical new world is nothing compared to learning just how many dark secrets my new husband hides and that the fates of both my world and Alvar's rest on MY shoulders. For the edited paperback of this book go to this link: https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Alvar-Redemption-Silver-Reins/dp/B08LNJL4LN Best ranking: #1 in Fantasy