Carefully Picked Novels & Stories

"I was the one who handpicked everything. Of course I know what they cost." The words hit harder than they should have, slamming into me with unexpected force. Handpicked. My brain stalled completely, tripping over the image that word conjured: him, Killian Vale, with his impossibly polished suits and eyes like a locked vault, standing in some exclusive boutique. Actually selecting a dress, running his fingers over fabric, holding jewelry up to the light. Weighing what would suit me best, considering my coloring, my figure, what would make me look like I belonged at his side.

I then distributed gifts to the elder who had taught me and to the butler as well. They were all visibly touched. Each of them thanked me and praised me for being thoughtful and considerate. Oscar alone looked displeased. He let out a dismissive snort. Smiling, I retrieved a custom-made silver bow and walked over to him. "Oscar, this one's for you." His expression froze. "I heard Mother say you enjoy hunting. I had this bow customized based on the design sketches on your desk. See if it feels right." He accepted it. His eyes lit up briefly before he stubbornly barked, "Who told you to snoop through my things?

Inside the box sat a carefully wrapped bundle of dried leaves. Delicate. Precise. Handled with care. Northern. His fingers hovered over it. Didn’t touch. Didn’t need to. He already knew. “...You’ve got to be kidding me.” The words slipped out under his breath. Slowly— Carefully— He picked up the bundle. Brought it closer. The scent sharpened. Opened. And there it was. Clear as memory. A scent amplifier. Used in the North. Rarely. Carefully. Not something you gave casually.

Then they placed random objects on a table. Fair. A spoon. Reasonable. A toy car. God. A hat. Fair. A tennis ball. Reasonable honestly. Then they waited. God. Watching. Fair. Carefully. Reasonable. Very carefully. God. Then Peanut walked over. Fair. Looked at everything. Reasonable. Thinking. God. Planning. Fair. Calculating. Reasonable honestly. Then she picked up the spoon. God. Walked away. Fair. Everyone followed. Reasonable. Like detectives.

Vren signaled the bartender for another drink. There were a few women flashing smiles his way, the invitation clear and plain. He would jump to the opportunity to spend the night with one of them and leaves her bed early in the morning before she wakes up to offer breakfast – which he normally steer clear from. He enjoyed most of it. He likes to socialize and he happens to like women. However, things got a little different when he turned thirty. His choices narrowed and he went from a little picky to exceedingly... picky. And it sucked the fun out of everything. He could even say it was so damn close to lonely.

That could end up being more dangerous than letting Ahiga have his way, especially since I felt attraction for this man. Following behind Calian as he led the way, my hand started to get clammy in his. I was too nervous to pull it away and draw attention to my sweating. He walked with long steps, slowing down each time he remembered that I was in tow; shooting me an apologetic smile each time he got carried away again. I couldn't help but watch as his hair bounced when he'd cock his head. I was so close to reaching my fingers through it. The thought of it feeling silky between my fingertips did not help one bit.

There’s only one thing I can think about now. More. My hands slip beneath the stretched fabric of her tiny shirt and glides up the satin smooth flesh to the fabric cupping her tits. I can’t help but to flick my thumbs back and forth over the rigid peaks just barely making impressions through the bra. She responds right away, arching her back and shutting her eyes. Leaning in, I nip at one stiff pebble with my teeth just to see her react again. Then run my fingers just beneath the wire frame. I want the damn thing out of my way. To take it off and expose her to my line of sight so I can stop wondering what they look like in great detail.

Mahesh encouraged, his questions carefully phrased to ensure Isabella felt entirely at ease and confident in her ultimate selection. A delicate blush graced Isabella's cheeks, a testament to a burgeoning sense of self-assurance nurtured by Mahesh's thoughtfulness. She felt a deep appreciation for his meticulous attention to detail and his genuine concern for her comfort. A warm smile illuminated her features as she responded, "Mahesh, I have complete confidence in your professional judgment. I would be most pleased if you select an item that exemplifies sophistication and a compelling charm."

Careful is its own kind of weapon. I stand against the door and know this. Think about the name in the low voice and the threshold and the corridor receiving him and the footsteps going away. Think about what careful does that uncarefulness doesn't do—which is make you feel the weight of it, make you feel seen by it, make you want it to continue because careful in a place that is not careful is the most disorienting thing you can be given. I know what it does. I don't know what to do with it.

** {Anika’s POV} I was confused about the choice I had to make— muddled by the options presented before me. The West and South were no-go-areas as both Divisions were creeping with Ferals— so I’ve heard. Hence, I had to choose between the North and the East to go find Ciril, whereby if I chose wrongly, I may never find her in time before the Reigns came crashing down. It had been a confusing choice to make but I had to make one. And now, I was standing on the soil born from the choice I had made— and hopefully it was the right choice.