{"id":5400,"date":"2023-02-03T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/?p=5400"},"modified":"2023-02-03T16:48:21","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T06:18:21","slug":"february-2023-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/03\/february-2023-update\/","title":{"rendered":"February 2023 Update"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Feb\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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February 2023 Update<\/strong><\/h3>

February started with me writing my pen-off.\u00a0 Currently, there are fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and eleven words in the manuscript…i.e., fifteen chapters so far, which equates to sixty-three percent completion.<\/p>

For my beautiful readers, here is the Winter\u2019s Mother 2, Chapter 1:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Winter\u2019s Mother 2, Chapter 1<\/strong><\/h4>

Everything beyond the mystic perimeter was burning. Fire rained in apocalyptic torrents from the mouths of three gargantuan beasts in the sky. Liam crossed the garden toward the Mount Gambier Council Chambers. Jerking his head towards the sound of someone calling his name, he spotted Bailey Dougherty beside the pub across the carpark. Figures he\u2019d gravitate towards his natural habitat.<\/em> He started striding toward Bailey but stopped when the warlock punk shook his head and pointed down the street. Lava continued to flow from the Blue Lake although the recently erected wards kept the magma from reaching the Council Chambers and surrounding buildings.<\/p>

Bailey jogged up to him. \u2018On the horizon, look.\u2019 He gestured to the distant shadows flying directly for Mount Gambier. \u2018Looks like more of their friends are coming.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Shit! They must be from the southern seamounts.\u2019 Liam wished he could channel senses mana or get his hands on a pair of binoculars so he could get see the dragons clearly. \u2018We need to hurry evacuate the rest of this area before they get here. Have you cleared out your sector?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Yeah, Naracoorte\u2019s empty. Cara and I have been helping with this place.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Thanks, man. I better let the mayor know what\u2019s going on. Keep your eye on the sky and get me on the radio if you have any issues.\u2019<\/p>

With a nod, Bailey took off toward Cara Hughes, who also happened to be his girlfriend. Liam had paired them on purpose because their relationship gave them additional incentive to protect one another. A pang of jealousy tightened his chest as he watched them work together and for the umpteenth time that day, he wanted his wife by his side. Powerful as she was, Alannah would have more hope defeating the dragons than anyone else there. He also worried about Brendan worming his way back into her broken soul while they sought refuge at Cailleach Estate together. He disliked High Magus Kieran\u2019s decision to keep her in the reserves, supporting the war effort with her conjuration expertise, but he respected the need to protect her.<\/p>

He turned away from the devastation and went back inside The Council Chambers where he found Councillor Johnathan Ryan\u2014the town\u2019s mayor\u2014talking to a local mage.<\/p>

Councillor Ryan glanced at him with a furrowed brow. \u2018I\u2019m glad you found Danny\u2014err, Warlock Erling alive. It saddens me that the rest of Warlock Grant\u2019s team perished.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018What about Doran?\u2019 asked Liam.<\/p>

Ryan\u2019s eyes narrowed. \u2018Who?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Hugh Doran. The man who helped us get Warlock Erling back here. Tall blond guy with a British accent.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Hm. I have no idea who that man is. Might be worth asking the High Magus to do a background check on him. Internet is down across town so I can\u2019t exactly look up his file on my computer.\u2019<\/p>

Liam tensed. \u2018Will do. The last thing we need to worry about right now is a potential traitor in our midst.\u2019 He moved closer to Ryan and whispered, \u2018Can I speak to you in private?\u2019<\/p>

The mayor led him into a boardroom and shut the door. \u2018What\u2019s the situation out there?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Not good. Three dragons have taken to the skies above us and there\u2019s another thunder of them heading this way from the south. I\u2019m not sure how many\u2014they are too far away to count.\u2019<\/p>

Ryan heaved a mournful sigh. \u2018It\u2019s time to count our losses and hightail it outta here.\u2019<\/p>

He nodded. \u2018I\u2019ll talk to Dad about getting his patients to safety.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Thank you, Warlock Winters, for this and everything else you\u2019ve been doing to help us.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I wish I could do more.\u2019<\/p>

With heavy hearts, they left the Council Chambers and trudged across the lush garden.<\/p>

\u2018It will be sad to see such beauty perish,\u2019 Ryan mused while waving his hand toward the large sinkhole dominating the garden. \u2018I assume the Umpherston Cave down the road has collapsed beneath the magma by now.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018It is likely, Sir. There is only so much we can do and saving lives is our priority.\u2019<\/p>

Ryan huffed. \u2018But only certain lives, right? I can\u2019t pretend to like High Magus Lane\u2019s directive. Not when I have so many human friends in this town.\u2019<\/p>

He wanted to explain Kieran\u2019s reasoning: that protecting humans would only anger the dragons more. He bit his lip instead and fell silent for the rest of the walk.<\/p>

Entering the hall, they found Ross tending to Danny Erling\u2019s injuries. The burns were severe but healing fast. He observed the dark circles around his father\u2019s eyes. Dad looks as exhausted as I feel.<\/em><\/p>

\u2018We need to go.\u2019<\/p>

Raising his brows, Ross shot him a wide-eyed look. \u2018We can\u2019t. Half these people are out cold, and the others aren\u2019t fit to travel by ley line.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018We\u2019ll transport the unconscious in the truck and send each of the others with a warlock\/shaman pair,\u2019 Liam explained. \u2018Travel along the Coorong and take regular rest stops on your journey.\u2019<\/p>

Doran rose from his seat beside Erling\u2019s stretcher. \u2018I will help ward the truck.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Um….\u2019 He hesitated, concerned by what Councillor Ryan had mentioned earlier.<\/p>

\u2018It\u2019s okay, Liam,\u2019 Ross assured him. \u2018Kieran already vouched for Hugh.\u2019<\/p>

Liam exhaled his relief in a gust to rival a gale. \u2018Fine. Mr. Doran\u2014go with your friend and keep the others safe.\u2019<\/p>

Doran smiled. \u2018Of course. Oh, and please call me Hugh.\u2019<\/p>

Sensing something was off about Doran, Liam gave him a curt nod. The man was far too friendly given the circumstances.<\/p>

—–<\/p>

A tempest raged within Alannah\u2019s mind as she curled up on the sofa with her fluffy white cat. Thoughts and feelings for Brendan whirled about like a cyclone. She wanted to trust him again, but she did not know how. What the hell did he mean about protecting me? Does he want to shield me from his life of crime? Or is there something else?<\/em><\/p>

\u2018Hey, are you okay Alannah?\u2019<\/p>

She looked up at Amy\u2019s gruff voice and forced a smile. In the chaos of her morning spat with Brendan, Alannah had forgotten about the other house guests staying with her at Cailleach Estate. Amy and Jacob had arrived in the middle of the night, just as Liam was leaving with his parents. She sighed. \u2018No, not really.\u2019<\/p>

The butch dwarf sat beside her on the couch. \u2018Worried about Liam?\u2019<\/p>

A short, bitter laugh escaped her raspy throat. \u2018Not as much as I should be. I was thinking about Brendan.\u2019<\/p>

Amy perked up. \u2018Oh shit! Really? What happened with Brendo?\u2019<\/p>

Alannah briefly debated the wisdom of confiding in Amy. They had never been especially close, but that had more to do with circumstance than the woman herself. Yet she needed someone to talk to and Cara was away helping with the volcano situation.<\/p>

\u2018Promise to keep a secret?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Of course, dude! I\u2019m not a gossip queen, unlike some of your other friends.\u2019<\/p>

Ignoring the snide remark clearly aimed at Monique Lane and Jessica \u00d3 M\u00e1ille, Alannah took a deep breath and braced herself. \u2018I\u2019m still in love with Brendan.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Well dah. That much is obvious with the way your eyes glaze over every time his name comes up in conversation. I hear he is back in town, though. Has something happened between the two of you?\u2019 Tears trickled down her cheeks as she nodded.<\/p>

\u2018Oh hell. What did he do?\u2019 Amy clenched her fists in her lap. \u2018Want me to beat the crap out of him?\u2019<\/p>

Alannah snorted. \u2018No, but thanks for the offer. I\u2019m upset because of lost opportunities.\u2019<\/p>

Amy scrunched her brow. \u2018Whadda ya mean?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Brendan left me all those years ago because he thought I <\/em>betrayed him<\/em>.\u2019 She explained how Liam had kissed her on the night Brendan announced their soul link, the way Brendan had reacted to the scene, and the Bridey related aftermath that followed. \u2018He still wants me, Amy. Brendan never stopped loving me, but I don\u2019t know how to trust him anymore.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Fuck, that\u2019s heavy stuff,\u2019 Amy admitted.<\/p>

\u2018What should I do?\u2019 Alannah sniffled and grabbed a nearby tissue box.<\/p>

\u2018You should give him a second chance.\u2019 The voice to her left startled her. Jacob slouched in the doorway with his arms crossed. \u2018It\u2019s only fair after the number of times you welcomed Liam back after he<\/em> screwed up.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Jacob?\u2019 Alannah queried in a mumble. \u2018I didn\u2019t see you there.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018They don\u2019t call me a spymaster for nothing, sweets.\u2019<\/p>

Amy scowled at him. \u2018How long have you been eavesdropping, Bennett?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Long enough to know how Alannah truly feels about Brendo.\u2019 Jacob drew closer and sat in an armchair facing them. \u2018That man\u2019s heart bleeds for you, Alannah. His soul aches for its other half and I\u2019m sure yours does too. Am I right?\u2019<\/p>

She sucked in a lungful of air. \u2018But Bridey\u2014\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Can suck my cock! Seriously woman, you can\u2019t let that bitch keep him from you any longer.\u2019 The doorbell rang, putting an end to their conversation. She sprang to her feet and frowned at Jacob. \u2018You should hide. I\u2019m expecting Kieran today, so that might be him now. I can\u2019t afford to lose his favour. Offering asylum to unseelie is a sure way of doing so.\u2019<\/p>

Grinning wide enough to show his razor-sharp teeth, Jacob saluted her. \u2018Yes, ma\u2019am!\u2019 He marched out of the living room and hurried upstairs toward the secret attic hidden by powerful glamour.<\/p>

High Magus Kieran stood on the doorstep, flanked by two large trunks. \u2018Hi, Alannah. I have more armour for you to imbue.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Come in.\u2019 She unlocked the screen door and held it open for him as he wheeled the crates inside. \u2018I finished the last lot.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Already? How did you finish so quick?\u2019<\/p>

Leading him through to the family room, she shrugged. \u2018You said it yourself. I\u2019m a powerful mage.\u2019 No way in hell was she going to admit Brendan had helped her.<\/p>

Kieran chuckled. \u2018Modesty doesn\u2019t suit\u2014\u2019 Stopping dead in his tracks, he stared at Amy on the sofa. \u2018Miss Smith? What are you doing here?\u2019<\/p>

Leaping to her feet, Amy bowed before him. \u2018Greetings, Your Honour. Councillor Winters was kind enough to offer sanctuary, Sir.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Shouldn\u2019t you be helping your parents at the forge. We need all hands-on-deck right now.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Apologies Sir, but my folks and I don\u2019t exactly see eye-to-eye.\u2019<\/p>

Kieran harrumphed. \u2018With your lifestyle choices, I\u2019m not surprised.\u2019 The High Magus was nothing if not ultra conservative. He would never understand the kinkster scene; few pureblood mages did. \u2018That said, I\u2019d still appreciate your help in the war. The dragons have appeared now, so we need to double down on our preparations.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018What?<\/em>\u2019 Alannah and Amy screeched together.<\/p>

\u2018Did you just say the dragons are here?\u2019 Alannah\u2019s voice trembled, revealing the panic she felt thumping in her veins.<\/p>

\u2018Not in Gaeilge Shores, yet. They are still down in the Southeast, but it\u2019s only a matter of time before they descend upon the rest of the state,\u2019 he explained.<\/p>

\u2018I\u2019ll go get the first batch of armour and take these to the cellar.\u2019 She grabbed a trunk and dragged it toward the stairs.<\/p>

\u2018I\u2019ll give you a hand,\u2019 insisted Kieran as he took the other case.<\/p>

Once they reached the glamoured door hiding the ritual room from the rest of the basement, Kieran seized her wrist. \u2018Please tell me you aren\u2019t sheltering any other lost lambs here?\u2019<\/p>

Holding his gaze, she schooled her expression. \u2018No. Amy is the only one staying with me. My other friends are either helping with the war or they have their own safehouses.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018For your sake, I hope that\u2019s true. Spending time with Brendan is dangerous in ways you can\u2019t even begin to fathom.\u2019<\/p>

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Laughing it off nervously, she shook her head. \u2018I don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about, Your Honour. There\u2019s no way I\u2019d let a villain like him back into my bed, let alone my heart.\u2019<\/p>

He cocked a brow. \u2018Please be careful, Alannah.\u2019<\/p>

Gulping, she turned to unlock the cellar.<\/p>

—–<\/p>

Wrapping herself in a plush robe, Neve stepped out of the bathroom and crossed Erik and Elna\u2019s bedroom to look out the window. The house\u2014a massive log cabin structure\u2014sat nestled in the thick bushland canopy. Letting her mind drift, she spied a koala chomping on the leaves of a neighbouring gum tree. Her own stomach grumbled at the thought of food, but there was something else the koala had that she craved even more.<\/p>

\u2018You\u2019re dripping all over the floor, Neve,\u2019 Erik grumbled while glaring at her bare feet. Completely starkers, he stood tall, not the least bit self-conscious. Not that anyone would be ashamed of such a finely sculpted body and flawless golden skin.<\/p>

Lowering her gaze, she glimpsed a few trickles of water trailing down her legs and splattering on the timber floor. She shrugged. \u2018It\u2019ll dry.\u2019 Her attention returned to the sleepy marsupial outside. \u2018Am I a prisoner?\u2019<\/p>

With a huff, he closed the distance between them and hugged her from behind. \u2018Is it so terrible here? I thought you enjoyed my company, and Elna\u2019s.\u2019 He spun her around to face him and smirked. \u2018You weren\u2019t complaining this morning, or this afternoon. I lost track of how many times we made you come.\u2019<\/p>

Her cheeks flushed as recent memories flicked through like a movie reel in fast forward. \u2018I… Don\u2019t get me wrong. The sex is amazing… a great distraction, but I miss my other friends and family. I\u2019m not a fan of being cooped up inside too long either.\u2019<\/p>

Erik sighed and released her from his grip. \u2018You\u2019re not my captive, Neve. Feel free to come and go as you please.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018But your dad\u2014\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I know what my father said last night, but I won\u2019t stop you. I wouldn\u2019t advise it, however. The outside world is not safe and every time you step beyond the borders of this property, you risk a toasty fate.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018What if I hop the ley lines and only go to safehouses?\u2019<\/p>

Erik laughed drily. \u2018The only safehouses belong to the seelie. Your mage friends are fools to they think their wards will hold against dragon fire.\u2019<\/p>

She gasped and dashed to the wardrobe, throwing clothes on the bed in a rush to get dressed. \u2018Oh Gods! Mum and Caitlin! I can\u2019t let them burn\u2014\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Neve, wait! Don\u2019t go running off without a care for your own safety.\u2019 Erik tugged at the collar of her robe, pulling her back into his arms.<\/p>

Collapsing under the weight of frustration and worry, she twisted in his embrace and sobbed against his shoulder. \u2018I need to do something to save them.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Don\u2019t worry, my love. Dad intends to help your mother if she agrees to the terms of our betrothal.\u2019<\/p>

She peered up into his impassive green eyes. \u2018What terms?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018The legally binding conditions of our betrothal contract. Would you like to read it before or after your mother signs on the dotted line tomorrow?\u2019<\/p>

Realising she was gaping at him; she snapped her mouth shut and frowned. \u2018You make it sound like a financial transaction, as if I\u2019m a piece of property for sale.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018That\u2019s how marriage works in my world. From what I understand, it\u2019s not much different for most pureblood mages either. Love and happy endings are luxuries most of us can only dream of, which is why I feel so lucky to have your heart as you have mine.\u2019 He stroked the side of her face tenderly and leaned down to kiss her lips.<\/p>

Erik still hadn\u2019t bathed after their day of making love and she tasted her own tang on his lips. It sent tingles through her body and stirred her core.<\/p>

\u2018And here I thought we were getting ready for dinner,\u2019 Elna remarked as she opened the bathroom door. Plumes of steam billowed around her, and a skimpy scrap of terrycloth struggled to conceal her voluptuous curves. \u2018Looks like the pair of you are ready to go another round.\u2019<\/p>

Tucking Neve into his side, he grinned at Elna. \u2018I was just easing our girl\u2019s anxieties while you hogged all the hot water.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Pfft. Looks like you could use a cold shower anyway, Brother dearest.\u2019 Elna glanced at the situation below his waist and smiled smugly.<\/p>

He pressed his mouth against the shell of Neve\u2019s ear. \u2018Wake me up next time so I can shower with you, sweetheart.\u2019 His teeth nipped at her earlobe and she half-squealed, half-giggled as he strode toward the ensuite.<\/p>

\u2018Hm, I wonder,\u2019 Elna mused as the girls watched Erik disappear into the bathroom. \u2018Is it a puberty thing, or are you the reason for the increase in his sex drive?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Are you saying he wasn\u2019t this…?\u2019 Neve blushed.<\/p>

\u2018I think the word you are looking for is horny. And no\u2014before you, he was content with far less.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Oh.\u2019 She fell silent and shifted her attention to getting dressed.<\/p>

Dinner was another awkward affair of forced conversation and stiff formality. She wondered if things would remain this way, or if Alvar would eventually warm up to her. After placing her cutlery neatly on her plate, she cleared her throat. \u2018Excuse me, Your Highness. May I please read the betrothal contract?\u2019<\/p>

Alvar sipped his red wine and dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin. \u2018Certainly. It is wise to understand the rules, so you do not break them unknowingly.\u2019 He rang the brass bell beside his glass and asked the butler to fetch the document. \u2018I am confident your mother will agree to my terms. She stands to lose a great deal by refusing, so it is in her best interest.\u2019 He handed her the papers.<\/p>

She felt the blood drain from her face as she read through the extensive list of conditions and her heart skipped a beat when she reached the virginity clauses:<\/p>

During the period of betrothal, The Claimed will submit to a physical examination on an annual basis to confirm her hymen remains intact. This procedure will be performed by an independent party.<\/em><\/p>

If The Claimed loses her virginity at any point prior to matrimony, The Claimant will lose his claim and the parties responsible will be charged with treason, punishable by death.<\/em><\/p>

She didn\u2019t need a law degree to understand the severity of her situation. If Mum signs that contract, I\u2019m as good as dead when they check for my hymen. But if she doesn\u2019t sign it, her own life and those of everyone staying at Cailleach Estate will be in danger.<\/em><\/p>

—–<\/p>

Alannah awoke with a start beneath the solid mass of a man\u2019s body. She tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth, and she flicked her eyes open. Within the seconds it took her vision to adjust to the darkness, his familiar musky scent filtered through the panic and seeped into her senses. The tension eased from her muscles, and she stopped struggling. Another second passed before she realised Brendan had crept beneath the covers to straddle her and heat crept across her scantily clad skin. When she attempted to question him, he increased the pressure of his grip against her mouth.<\/p>

Bringing his chest flush with hers, he whispered in her ear, \u2018Shoosh gorgeous. Erect a sound ward first.\u2019<\/p>

She glared at him but did as he asked. \u2018Why couldn\u2019t you put up your own damn soundproofing?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Your wards are much stronger, and they even hold up if someone opens the door.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Oh.\u2019 The hint of a blush warmed her cheeks. \u2018So, what do you want to talk about?\u2019<\/p>

Brendan smirked. \u2018Why do you assume I want to talk? Maybe I just want to ravish you and spare our guests the embarrassment.\u2019<\/p>

She arched her brows and gave him a sidelong glance.<\/p>

\u2018Yeah okay, you got me there. I couldn\u2019t care less if they heard your cries of ecstasy, but I do owe you an explanation.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018And you had to wake me up in the middle of the night? I\u2019m exhausted after a full day of conjuration, and it wasn\u2019t easy to get to sleep.\u2019<\/p>

He gave her a sheepish simper. \u2018I\u2019m sorry, Lana. I couldn\u2019t wait any longer.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Okay fine. Let me sit up first because I won\u2019t be able to concentrate in this position. I can feel your dick straining against those flimsy track pants you\u2019re wearing.\u2019<\/p>

He gave her a sly grin. \u2018At least I\u2019m wearing pants,\u2019 Brendan\u2019s hand slid up her thigh as he spoke, \u2018unlike you. I\u2019d forgotten how you tend not to wear panties to bed.\u2019 He tugged gently at the hem of her black satin slip before lifting it above her hip.<\/p>

\u2018Brendan.\u2019 She intended to use a threatening tone, but her warning sounded more like a whimpering plea.<\/p>

\u2018Hm, maybe the talk can wait a little longer.\u2019 He brushed his lips across her cheek and thrust his erection against her.<\/p>

She moaned as her body shuddered and her core flooded. \u2018Brendan, please.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Please what, Lana?\u2019 He breathed the words against her lips.<\/p>

\u2018Please stop.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Who are you trying to convince?\u2019 His cock pressed hard against her clit.<\/p>

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and blurted out, \u2018Richard.\u2019<\/p>

He scrambled away from her and sat on the edge of the bed with wide eyes.<\/p>

She had never needed to safeword out with him before and it pained her to do so, but they had too many issues to resolve first. Sitting up, she leaned against the headboard. \u2018I\u2019m sorry, Brendan, but I\u2019m not ready. We really should talk first.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Don\u2019t ever feel you need to apologise for using your safeword, gorgeous. I\u2019m just surprised is all.\u2019 He was panting heavily and took several seconds to compose himself. \u2018Is it okay if I still hold you while we talk?\u2019<\/p>

She nodded and moved across to give him space. Sitting beside her, he pulled her into his arms. Slumping down, she placed her head against his chest and listened to the frantic thumping of his heart.<\/p>

A full minute elapsed before he spoke again. \u2018The reason I didn\u2019t return after gaining my freedom, my excuse for staying away from you all these years was fear. I\u2019m a coward when it comes to you, Lana, always have been. Yeah, I was scared you\u2019d reject me, but I was even more afraid of losing you to our enemy.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Enemy?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I still don\u2019t know who they are, but I\u2019m pretty sure their identity is part of Tara\u2019s big secret.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Wouldn\u2019t I be safer with you here to protect me?\u2019<\/p>

He squeezed her tight and pressed a chaste kiss against the crown of her head. \u2018I wish it were that simple. The enemy doesn\u2019t want us to be together. Bridey made that abundantly clear.\u2019<\/p>

She tensed at the sound of the bitch\u2019s name. \u2018Why? And what does the she-devil have to do with this?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I only just learned Bridey is working for the enemy by trying to keep us apart and even spying on me. I don\u2019t know the full extent of her involvement, which is why I can\u2019t cut ties with her yet. I used to think her dislike for you was personal. When I first gained my freedom, I struck a deal with her. I was still heartbroken over you at the time, so I agreed without question.\u2019<\/p>

Painful silence followed and she prompted him to continue with a soft voice, \u2018What did you agree to?\u2019<\/p>

He sucked in a breath. \u2018To stay away from you. In exchange for her support in the Syndicate and… continued access to Caleb.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Fuck.\u2019 The muttered curse slipped out before she could stop it.<\/p>

\u2018Yeah, I know. I didn\u2019t intend to keep my word for long. I dreamed of ways I could sneak away to visit you in secret. But then I started unravelling the doppelganger mystery with Tyler and that threw a massive spanner in the works.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I heard about that stuff from Tyler, but what does it have to do with us?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Tyler hasn\u2019t told you the full truth of the mater because he doesn\u2019t even know. I kept my theory to myself.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018What theory?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Then you went and proved it yesterday.\u2019<\/p>

Goosebumps prickled her exposed arms. \u2018What theory, Brendan?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018You\u2019re my doppelganger, Lana.\u2019<\/p>

She sat bolt upright and gaped at him. \u2018What? How? I\u2019m a woman, I can\u2019t be your doppelganger.\u2019<\/p>

He leered at her breasts and licked his lips. \u2018I\u2019m quite aware of your gender, gorgeous.\u2019<\/p>

She smacked his arm. \u2018Quit it.\u2019<\/p>

Mischief twinkled in his eyes when they returned to hers. \u2018From what I understand, doppelgangers don\u2019t have to be the same sex. We are mystic twins because of your DNA. Your bio dad, whoever he was, must descend from a God of magic, probably The Dagda if he was Irish, but who really knows? That power surge we felt during the ritual yesterday\u2014that was due to our mystical connection. I felt the same with Tyler, but it was much stronger with you, and I think that is why the enemy wants to keep us apart. Because us working together, on top of your Beltane blessing, turns us into a force to be reckoned with. Someone perceives us as a threat, and they\u2019ll stop at nothing to keep us from working together. We can\u2019t fight an unknown enemy, so until we know who they are, we must be extremely careful.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018If we are such a threat, why not take us out before we become unstoppable?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018I don\u2019t know. I\u2019ve wondered the same thing. Maybe they have plans for us? Like how the Obsidian Cult used Tyler and me. The value of our mystic connection might outweigh the risks, but this is all conjecture because I have no fucking idea who this dickhead is, let alone how their mind works.\u2019<\/p>

She inhaled deeply and breathed out through pursed lips. \u2018Thanks. I understand now. I hate it, but I get it.\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Yup. It sucks balls alright. Now that I know what really went down with Liam back then, and I know how you feel about me, I\u2019m willing to fight for us. I\u2019m sorry it took me this long to grow a pair.\u2019<\/p>

She sank back into the bed. \u2018Will you stay with me tonight?\u2019<\/p>

\u2018Of course.\u2019 He held her, stroking her until she fell asleep in his arms.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

February 2023 Update February started with me writing my pen-off.\u00a0 Currently, there are fifty-seven thousand, one hundred and eleven words in the manuscript…i.e., fifteen chapters so far, which equates to …<\/p>\n

February 2023 Update<\/span> Read More »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5400"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5400"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5400\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5452,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5400\/revisions\/5452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5400"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5400"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starlaarts.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5400"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}