Elves Among Us - Click for more.

I’ve had that rather funny, light-hearted excerpt for a while now, and I think it’s time for something completely different. It might be considered to have spoilers.

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I looked around at the familiar furnishings. “We fought with Fellseth, in this very room. Remember?”

Galan kissed my temple gently, and I could hear the worry in his voice as he said, “Let’s make some new memories.”

I turned my face and fell into his kiss, my body welcoming him without question even as my mind chattered with uncertainty. When he finally pulled away, I followed him, seeking his mouth.

“That’s more like the Erin I know,” he chuckled, kissing my nose. “Shall we go out to dinner?”

“I’m not hungry,” I lied, feeling my hunger grow the longer he was with me. But I was tired of strangers and public places. “What if we got some food and drove up Left-Hand Canyon? We could park and look at the stars.”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” he said carefully.

“Why?” The anger I had tamped down flashed to life. “Because it’s not safe?” I pushed myself off the couch. Galan wasn’t to blame, but that didn’t keep me from being mad as hell that our lives felt threatened and uncertain.

He remained seated, his expression wary. “We have to be cautious for a while. We don’t have much of a choice.”

“Don’t we? Fellseth said I could break my bond with you if I wanted it more than anything else. That would take at least one person off his to-do list. You.” I could feel our bond at that moment, stretched taut and suddenly fragile between us, even as Galan’s face paled with hurt.

“Erin, don’t.” He stood and reached for me, but I stepped back. “Please. It won’t solve anything. Come and talk to Kutara.”

“Kutara says that if Fellseth is still alive, he’ll try to kill you first. I couldn’t stand that, Galan.” I stumbled past him and knelt on the couch, crossing my arms on the back and hiding my face as I sobbed. “I couldn’t.” I felt his weight settle next to me. His hand touched my shoulder, tentatively, and I turned and pressed my face against his chest.

“Sweetheart.” He wrapped his arms around me and stroked my hair again and again. “I know it’s hard. Don’t you think I know?”

I could barely talk through my tears. “Then we should break our bond and you should go away. I’m just putting you in danger!”

Galan rocked me back and forth. “I don’t care. I don’t want to be without you. I don’t think I can, anymore.”