****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.

War, adventure, magic, legend, and challenges like no other await the heroes in the third installment of the Selvina Tales. Together once again, Selvina, Jack, Red, Captain Hook, Cindy, and the others sail their way to Rhiannon's Empire of Noyr. Sidetracked and forced to set land somewhere else, war catches up to the company and a new quest reveals itself. Meanwhile, war wages across Faeryum and legendary warriors from across the land are summoned to battle. In the shadows and on the hunt, an unstoppable enemy sets its blood-red eyes on Selvina. Danger and peril close the noose upon our group of friends and this time, there may be no happy ending. Highest rating: #339 in Fantasy (June 2, 2017)