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Ch. 37: Prejudices (Part 2)
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Catalyst Ch. 38: Three Little Words
He wasn’t in any hurry, but eventually he broke the kiss, pulling her close and resting his cheek against hers. “Careful, dear. Why don’t we finish lunch before we move on toward dessert?” Maybe they wouldn’t, but it would be hard to avoid if she stayed on top and kissing him. She rolled off of him, thinking she could probably contain herself if she had food in her mouth. As long as her mouth was occupied, maybe she wouldn’t end up spewing out words she didn’t want to say. She grabbed what was left of her sandwich and munched on it, sitting back up. He did likewise, sitting up to finish his meal. Being upright was good; laying down just made things too easy. He smiled playfully at her as he finished his sandwich and grabbed an apple. “So... when are we expected back? Are we expected back?” he asked. He took an exaggerated bite of the apple, letting the juice run down his chin. “I mean, eventually they’d come looking for us.” she laughed. “But probably not until... dark...?” She shru
Catalyst Ch. 39: Less Talking, More-
“Is it supposed to happen this fast? I always assumed I’d just... grow to love someone. Maybe. At least tolerate them,” she shook her head. “I didn’t expect... this...” her bottom lip was quivering as she attempted to explain something she didn’t understand herself. “But I am falling hopelessly in love with you, and it’s the best worst thing ever.” Hayward hugged her warmly against his chest and kissed her on the forehead. “That sounds like an apt description of falling in love. I’ve done it before... once or twice. It’s wonderful and amazing and awful and terrible all at once. Which is why I decided to quit doing it years ago. Unfortunately...” he trailed off and kissed her again. “I met you. And you are... pretty damned exceptional. So I’ll take it. At least it’s not some stupid teenage infatuation again.”
Catalyst Ch. 40: Making Love
He paused there and suckled more firmly: lips, tongue, and teeth working in tandem, right along the sensitive muscle that ran from the inside of her knee to her groin. Of course, he had to hold her down to keep her from squirming and hitting him in the face, but he was happy to do so until there was a bright red hickey on the inside of her thigh. “There. That one shouldn’t be so hard to hide,” he declared triumphantly.She was trembling beneath him, biting her tongue, trying to keep herself from screaming at him. It felt amazing, but he was so close to where she wanted him to be that it was torturous. He’d been holding her down to keep her from fidgeting too much. He knew her too well. She couldn’t really give over complete control, even if she wanted to.“Great...” she groaned, glaring daggers at him. Gods, she wanted to just grab his head and force it into her crotch, but he was holding her arms down. So she couldn’t.Hayward couldn’t help teasing her. “What can I say? I’m a man. Th
Catalyst Ch. 41: Afterglow
“This was wonderful, Elissa,” he said simply. “I’m not sure how well I could handle winters here, but I’d certainly be willing to try.”She turned to look at him. “I’d really like that...” she was still smiling so wide. “We would get your warm clothes and good boots,” she laughed. “And if all else fails I can just cuddle up in bed with you and keep you warm.” she snuggled closer to him, sitting up enough to be able to look him in the face without him having to turn. “I’m scared shitless, but I’m also really excited to see what happens.”He smiled up at her. “Excited and scared... yeah, sounds about right. Maybe in the winter I could take you to see the desert... if I thought it was safe. So... probably not soon.” He folded his hands behind his head and simply smiled at the sun.And then his stomach growled at him. “Oh, for pity’s sake! I fed you!” It answered with another rumble. “Ugh, fine.” He looked apologetically at the princess. “I’m still healing. So I’m still hungry. We should
Catalyst CH. 42: Afterglow (part 2)
He sighed and shook his head. “We’ll figure it out. They’ll probably come back with me.” He took another handful of nuts and got up off the blanket to help her pack up. “Your mother may be a pain in the ass, and your father might be a little cold, but man, I’m still a little jealous. They don’t think of people as tools to be used. I mean, maybe a little—your mother wants you to marry me for the sake of peace—but not to the extent that they’ll kill friends and family for political gain.”She sighed. “It’s very sad that your family thinks that way, but I suppose it’s not altogether uncommon. My mom thought it would help peace, but I’m pretty sure after the whole trying to kill you bit she doesn’t think your safety and marriage as an alliance so much anymore. Which is both fortunate and unfortunate. I’d hate
Catalyst Ch. 43: Diplomacy (part one )
The king had been pouring over everything that had happened since Hayward had arrived in his study, the room to the side of his bedroom. No one entered it, not even his wife, unless it was an emergency. It was where he went to think and he alone. He’d asked for lunch to be brought up and placed outside so he could continue to think things over. It was necessary for him to have his thoughts in order before he spoke with the prince that afternoon. He knew he’d have awhile as Elissa had offered to take him to the mines, but he wondered if that had been such a good idea. She hadn’t looked like herself that morning. He thought perhaps that had something to do with the events of the day before. He knew she was grown and strong and could easily hold her own against anyone, but the fact that in the time since the prince had arrived she’d developed a liking to him (one of the first men she had ever done so), overslept for a hunt (which she had never done before), been in the line of fire for
Catalyst Ch. 44: Diplomacy (Part 2)
The king nodded. “Ranged soldiers are the one thing I have. Bows and arrows are very useful for hunting as well as for protection. When it comes to hand to hand blows, very few are skilled, but with a bow, most are quite proficient marksman.”“And we have small stations set along the borders for scouts to be based when not on patrol. We just haven’t needed them in years…” the last time he had sent someone to one had been the young soldier who tried to court his eldest daughter, but that had been spite, not necessity. “So sending soldiers out to them, especially along our southern border, is a good tactic?” They had enjoyed their years of peace, but he was foolish to think it would truly last. There would always be someone who chose greed over it. He would’ve given them whatever they asked for in return for peace, but instead, they would get nothing. And he would have to deal with the impending threat. “Is there... anything else?” He asked, looking into the young man’s eyes. Hayward
Catalyst Ch. 45: Cat Nap
She was lying on the floor snuggling with Sasha, who had been somewhat neglected since his arrival. “Come in! It’s open!” She called, lifting her head off the white fur to make sure the sound wasn’t completely drowned out. One of her arms was hooked around the neck of the gigantic creature, scratching her behind the ear, and she had Sasha’s muzzle in the crook of her neck. The giant cat was purring so loudly there was no way he couldn’t hear it through the door. She didn’t even look up as the door opened, expecting no one else but him. “How’d it go?” She asked casually, not even looking in his general direction. Hayward entered and quietly closed the door behind him. He looked briefly for Elissa before finding her on the floor with the cat and chuckling. “It went… well. Your father was more agreeable than I expected. I’m going to lie to the Aasleaghans about how difficult it would be to invade Treiaul, and he’s going to try to make those lies more believable.” He sighed. This was t
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