Alanna wasn't expecting to be abducted when she went to the old lake side house she inherited from a distant relative. And she sure wasn't expecting to be despised on sight by the older brother of the young winged male she'd befriended, and who'd included her in his rescue attempt. And thanks to High Commander Grouchy Bird Diah's behavior, they were nearly mated! But wait... there's more! Now all the Aeries of the Luvian people just HAVE to be the ones with bragging rights to the lone 'wingless female'... so now Alanna has the dubious honor of being fought over in a damn tourney! And winner gets to tote her home like a freaking football tucked under their arm... Como say what the hell?! If those flip-flapping-flyers think for one minute that she'll just LET some stranger HAVE her... JUST cuz they won some stupid archaic tournament? They will be in for a rude awakening when they end up maimed or worse the first time they try to 'claim' their prize... Lana ain't no Shrinking Violet... no means no biches! Not even those dark-mojo-having fools of the Lagos Isles with their 'Please Master may I have another?' aura, are going to change Lana's mind... well, maybe the Grouchy Bird might have a chance(he is awfully smexy)... if he were to ever get that stick surgically removed that is...

In the kingdom of Vanderdash, there is no more feared warriors than that of the Scarlet Guard. Protectors of the royal family, skilled assassins trained since childhood, They follow the crown, they enforce the crown. To many, the group cloaked in red is a greater symbol of the royal family's power than the kings crown itself. Citizens respect and fear the scarlet guard, the power they hold. But within the guard there is only one who installed that very same feeling into the rest. Head of the prince's royal guard, ruthless and cunning, rarely seen by the citizens themselves. They call her Red. An expert in poisons and deception, the small girl has brought armies to their knees without once lifting a blade. A vermillion haired monster hidden behind the face of a doll. ~~ I smiled up at the men, "Would you like a cookie?" They peered into the basket I held out, spotting the heart shaped treats. "They're cinnamon with apple Jam. I do promise they are to die for." The taller mans eyes narrowed, "did you give the poor fool dead on the road a cookie?" My lips parted, "a dead man? Oh my..do you think it is safe?" "..depends on who you are miss, why did you say you were in the woods again?" I smiled gently, "I didn't." He rose a brow. "I'm delivering these," I shook the basket a bit, "to my dearest grandmama." He hesitated for only a slight second, "oh. well. be careful then. These woods can be dangerous." I nodded once still holding out the basket, "so would you?" "Would we what?" I giggle a bit, "like a cookie silly." "Ah.." he scratched the back of his head, "sorry, I'm not too fond of apples." Damn it. I sighed softly, "strawberry next time then." "Right..." As I turned to go I looked up at the two tall men, "you be careful now too gentleman. There are wolves in these woods." They nodded rigidly as I spun and began to skip off, giggling to myself. He asked the wrong question. I didn't give the dead fool a cookie. I gave him two.