Hold Back The River Book Novels & Stories

I said sadly. River stopped the truck in our driveway. I had asked Helen to keep Lyle for the night, and Helen agreed. “Thank you,” River said. He grabbed my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. He stared intently into my eyes. “For what?” I asked, confused. “She wouldn't even be alive right now if it wasn't for you. Willow and I don’t have a clue what to do in that type of situation. You brought her back even if it's for a short time,” he said.

Realm answers her. “Um, it does feel good. But I don’t think, I’m ready for that yet. If we stay as we are, he can’t really do anything else? Right?” River wonders. “I won’t do anything that you don’t want me too, River” he assures her “I keep forgetting my head is now like an open book. Do we have a switch or something to keep him out? Or to stop broadcasting our thoughts?” River asks

When he pulled back, we were both panting. “Tell me to stop,” he breathed, his forehead resting against mine, his body trembling. “Tell me you hate me, and I’ll walk away.” I couldn’t. The words were ash in my mouth. Seeing my hesitation, River moved behind me. His hands slid up my bare thighs, pushing my torn dress up around my waist. “She’s not going to tell you to stop, brother,” he murmured, his lips against my shoulder blade. “Look at her. She’s dripping for us.”

“Still pretending he’s king when he’s nothing but a caged wolf now. No Moon, no crown, no pack.” Theron said nothing. Silence was its own blade, and he let it cut. The path twisted downward, roots tangling like black veins beneath their boots, until at last the river came into view. The River of Fernwood. It stretched wide and dark, its waters moving sluggishly under the moonlight. Mist curled above its surface, whispering with voices that seemed almost human, low, mournful, endless. The sound clawed at the mind, as though the river itself remembered every soul it had swallowed.

I could still feel the ghost of River’s fingers there, the heat of his closeness, the weight of his words. Too late for you to turn back? What did he mean by that? What did he think I’d already done? I thought about not going. About locking my door at ten and pretending I’d never heard him. But something in me, a reckless, curious part I didn’t like admitting existed was already leaning toward yes. Because if there was a truth to be told, I needed it. And if River thought I’d been looking for it… maybe I had. I gathered my books slowly, trying to silence the whirl of thoughts in my head.

“Thanks, Dad! I can’t wait to play. Maybe we can all play together later!” Antonio chuckled, giving River an approving nod. “Looks like we’ve got a future athlete on our hands.” After giving gifts to all the kids, Riley handed a neatly wrapped present to River. “This is for you,” she said, grinning mischievously. River took the gift from Riley, the weight and size already giving him a hint that it was a book. He eyed Riley curiously, noticing her mischievous grin, and slowly began to unwrap the neatly wrapped present. As the cover came into view, the title “A Book of Newborn Names” was boldly printed on the front. He blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless.

River moaned. But instead of letting go of her, Spencer dragged her up the stairs and quickly went to River's room and locked the door. Then leaned the maiden at the back door. River knows that Spencer is planning something so she forces herself to fight back and get out of his grips but no matter what she does she can't get out because Spencer's grips are getting tighter on him. So she gradually softened and lost her strength.

"I'll be back next week to take a look." I hung up the phone and looked at the wine glass in my hand. The red wine swirled gently in the glass, like liquid ruby. "To freedom." I said softly. Then I drank it all down. (End)

he said, spreading his hands. I stepped into his embrace, feeling the strength of his arms enveloping me in a comforting warmth. His arms tightened around me, as if seeking solace in the simple act of holding me close. As we stood there in a silent embrace, I couldn't help but wonder about the future that lay ahead of us. The doubts and uncertainties that had plagued my mind seemed to dissipate, if only for a fleeting moment, as I held onto River as if he were my anchor in the turbulent sea of emotions.

I paced the room for a few minutes, I couldn’t understand because of all this happened, why didn’t I have a memory of them? These were significant events so it didn’t make sense that I had no memory of it. I turned the page immediately. I needed to know what else Nan had to say. Joey, I didn’t want to use the river. I argued with myself for hours, pacing with Raven in my arms while the moon sank. But the books were clear—the bonds cannot be cut on dry land. They must be drowned. So I carried her into the old stone basin behind the house. The one fed by the underground spring. The water there is old. Older than names. It remembers things even when people forget.