Sui Writes

Tag: Suilan Lee

  • The Reluctant Consort

    The Reluctant Consort

    Prologue

    A sharp sword rested on his shoulder, the sharp blade pressed against his neck.  His clothes soaked from the rush of rain that had slowed down to a drizzle.  Strange, but the worst moments in his life always seemed to coordinate with the rain.

    How did the heavens know to match with his tears?

    His knees hurt from kneeling on the stones in the courtyard at Kamran Estate.  He shifted to ease the ache and the sword at his neck nicked his skin.  He hissed at the sharp sting.  The sword’s blade was sharp.

    Jihan imagined it could ten pigs with one sweep in the hands of its skilled master.  The blade shifted away from his neck and he closed his eyes at the small relief.  The man holding the sword to his neck had no softness in him.  It wouldn’t matter how much Jihan pleaded, he would follow orders and kill Jihan if it came to it.

    A scream cut through the night and Jihan forgot his discomfort.  Heart in his throat, he watched two more men drag his older sister and her husband into the courtyard.

    How had they found them?

    A strangled cry escaped his lips when the man holding his sister pushed her to the ground next to him.

    Jihan reached for her to steady her.

    “Can’t you be kinder?” Jihan asked, his eyes filling with tears.

    Andiya kept her hands over her stomach to protect her unborn child.  She leaned into Jihan, her tears clear on her cheeks, her gaze on her husband, Ishan.

    Ishan knelt on the ground, maneuvering so that he was protecting Andiya with his body, when one of the men reached for her again.

    “Leave her alone,” Jihan said, angry with their captors and their brutish ways.  “She is pregnant.  Tell me, how will you take responsibility if anything happens to the baby?”

    The men stopped reaching for Andiya, and Ishan moved closer to his wife, holding her with care.  Ishan glared at their captors too, his arm around Andiya, giving her the warmth he could.

    “Why are you doing this?” Jihan asked, when his sister gripped his left arm, her fingers trembling with fear.  “How dare you invade Kamran Estate?”

    “Don’t blame us,” a gruff voice said above Jihan.  “You brought this on yourself.”

    Jihan wished he could refute the accusation, but in the end, all he could lament was that his plan had not worked.  If it had, his sister and her husband would have already left and found refuge in Iron Land with his friend, Swallow.  He had been willing to face the consequences of his actions alone.

    How had things gone so wrong?

    “You dared—,”

    The gruff man above him growled out, not finishing his sentence.

    The anger rolling off him made Jihan hope that their deaths would be swift, and not slow torture.  He couldn’t bear the thought of Andiya and her child suffering.

    Jihan felt Andiya’s grip on his arm tighten, and he looked up, his heart dropping when he saw the tall, forbidding man entering the courtyard.  His silver armor shone in the moonlight, a heavy blood red cape flowing behind him.  The stories Jihan had heard were true.  In his armor, Duke Silver was enough to stop a weak man’s heart with fright.

    Jihan found he couldn’t take his gaze away from the long sword Duke Silver held.  That blood thirsty blade that had cut down thousands of lives during the West Nation Rebellion.

    Jihan gulped, thinking his life sure had fallen to the depths now.  He could never have imagined facing death at the tip of Duke Silver’s blade.  Still…, maybe this was their fate after all.

    Duke Silver came to a stop before him, dripping with murderous intent, his face dark with anger.

    “Duke Silver, we caught the woman and her husband on the road heading into Iron Land.  Master Jihan was waiting here.  We haven’t found his shadow guard,” the gruff one next to Jihan said.

    “He sent him away,” Duke Silver said, his hard gaze speculative as he studied Jihan.

    Andiya moved closer to him, her eyes filled with fear.  Seeing it, helped Jihan with his decision.

    Jihan pushed his sister into Ishan’s arms, and crawled forward, making sure they were both behind him.  Still on his knees, he straightened his back and faced Duke Silver.

    He would be no cowering fool.  He was the master of Kamran Estate after all: he had made all decisions in this place since he turned ten.  Protected his sister, grown the family business, played just as hard, and even dared to love, twice, he had missed out on nothing.

    So now, he would take responsibility for his decisions.

    The rain started again, and Jihan was glad for it, as it would hide the tears he couldn’t hold back anymore.

    “Punish me alone,” Jihan said, his fingers clenched to keep from shaking with the fear sinking in his heart.

    Duke Silver’s dark gaze left him with no doubt that the Duke was angry enough to kill him and everyone in the Kamran Estate.  They had dared to ignore a royal edict and fooled a prince.

    “No matter how I look at it, Kamran Estate has indeed done you wrong,” Jihan said, keeping his tone light.  “Please know that my sister and her husband did not know about the royal edict.”

    Jihan ignored his sister’s cry of protest, and was grateful when Ishan held her tighter, muffling her words.

    “I hid the truth from them.  I planned their wedding even knowing that she was promised to marry into the royal family.  I paid for their trip to the Iron Lands.  All these decisions were made by me,” Jihan continued.  “They are not at fault.  Please spare their lives and let it end with me.  I’ll take responsibility for daring to disregard a royal edict.”

    Duke Silver pointed his sword at Jihan’s face, the tip an inch away from his left eye.  Jihan clenched his fists, fear racing through him, he felt close to falling from it, but he needed to do this, for the sake of his sister, her unborn child and her husband.

    He couldn’t bear the thought of the alternative, which would be watching his sister forced into an unwanted marriage, her child murdered…he shuddered.  Worse yet, they might decide to send both Andiya and her husband Ishan to their deaths.  Jihan couldn’t imagine bearing the burden of burying his sister and her child.  It would be too much to ask of him.

    No, this was better.  He was alone after all, unmarried with no ties to anything.  His life mattered less here.

    Kamran Estate would go on without him, taken care of by his sister.  Andiya might even get a son in the future and name that boy after him.  She would smile looking at that child and think of him.  It was enough.  The thought gave him some strength.

    Jihan locked his muscles in place, and stared at the tip of Duke Silver’s blade.  He couldn’t help admiring how it shone in the moonlight.  The stories were true.  How fierce he looked, so handsome and fierce.

    “Agreed, we’ll do it the way you want.  You take responsibility,” Duke Silver gritted out, after a short period of silence, keeping his sword steady as he spoke.  “Jihan, how dare you look down on the royal family?  You shall indeed pay the price for their lives with yours.”

    Jihan closed his eyes, unwilling to watch Duke Silver swing a sword at him.  Things between them had already reached this point.  His heart was already shattered.  Why make it worse?  He took in a deep breath, steadying himself, ready for death…

    The Reluctant Consort is period fiction set in a fantasy land known as the Akasha Empire. There is a royal family, as expected of the books in the Prince Series, that is, Crown Prince Yoshi and The Prince & His Royal Guard. The Reluctant Consort makes it the third and last. There are wars, men with swords and horses and wearing period costumes. I couldn’t help giving Duke Silver a red cloak for his armor. Jihan is a merchant, with a worldly view, nothing can tie him down and Duke Silver somehow finds a perfect method to do so. The fun is how these two stubborn people will end up loving each other.

    I had written a snippet of this story in an earlier post, and promised to change the title. Which I did. Development has been involved, but I’m finally happy with the direction it’s going and this is truly the start of The Reluctant Consort. Duke Silver and Jihan are on the way. I hope you’ll enjoy reading about them as much as I’m having a blast writing for them.

    If you don’t already know, I post most of my stories on GA first. Then, I slowly turn them into e-books for download. I’m currently working on turning the three last finished books into e-books. In between that, there will be Duke Silver & Jihan to entertain you. I’ll work out a posting schedule in the next few weeks.

  • Writing The Prince and His Royal Guard

    Writing The Prince and His Royal Guard

    Whoa! It’s July 2019. One blink and I’m sixty thousand words in to TP&HRG and looking for that crazy climax and a sweet ending, which could take me to ninety thousand words. I’m in deep.

    The writing process this week looks like this:

    It’s not pretty!

    Notes, and scenes coming to life, and getting axed in a search for the end. After dozens of rereads, and adjustments, I’m very close to the payload. This July I’m hoping to get into a different project so I’m eager to finish The Prince’s story. When the next chapter comes, I promise it will be worth it! I’ve enjoyed creating Leon and Logan. Current soundtrack is Naked by James Arthur. Hard at work.

    Meanwhile, yes, I write with pen and then pencil, when that doesn’t work, I type, and read out chapters I’ve posted. I’m a nutter is what I am. He says he gets that, so it’s only going to get worse. Hahaha. ^_^

  • New Fiction Snippets – Upcoming Stories

    A Prince & His Royal Guard
    This story is something I’m playing around with of late. It will be short, it will be sweet. I have had fun writing it!

    The thud of a bullet hitting a tree too close startled the black thoroughbred stallion into a run.  Leon swallowed bile and leaned over his horse, gripping his reins to keep control of Starburst as they raced through the wild forests surrounding his home.  A second shot sent birds flying from the branches.

    A harsh hiss left his lips when he felt the painful sting on his right upper arm.

    Leon leaned lower on his horse not daring a glance back.

    Starburst ran fast, scared and unsettled.  Leon needed all his wits to keep control of him.

    He thanked his luck as Starburst emerged from the forest and onto an open field a minute later.  The horse kept up his fast pace, heading to the stables.  When they were halfway there, Leon turned back hoping to see his assailant.  His heart thudded in his chest when he saw no one standing at the tree line aiming at him with a gun.  It was little relief.

    Starburst slowed down when they were closer to familiar territory.  Leon brought him to a stop outside the stable and jumped off the saddle with a wince.  Pain lanced up his upper arm, blood dripping down his sleeve.

    The groom who came to take Starburst gave a short gasp taking the reins from Leon.

    “Your Highness, you’re injured!”

    Leon glanced at his right upper arm with a grimace.  The bullet grazed his arm hard and left a deep furrow that dripped blood down his arm.  It stung.  He didn’t want to think about taking a shower with it.  The next few days would be uncomfortable.

    “Your Highness,” Dax, his royal guard and attendant, came running from inside the stable, horror clear in his eyes.  “Oh God, how did this happen?”

    “Don’t start with me,” Leon said, turning away from Dax, intent on running to his rooms.

    Dax grew up in the service of the royal family.  He knew the rules and regulations of running a palace front and back.  When he moved to Castle Arguro, those rules and regulations remained.  His unparalleled dedication to Leon often left him unsettled.

    Having grown up wild and unchecked, Leon often chafed under Dax’s constant attention.  The man took everything that happened to Leon too seriously.

    Ten years of Dax and Leon still had not found a middle ground with the thirty-one year old attendant.  Dax’s concern seemed to deepen with time.

    “Stop,” Dax ordered, running around Leon to stop his progress to the castle.

    Dax’s gentle hands took Leon’s right arm.  Leon winced when Dax ripped the holder on his sleeve wider, his gaze narrowed as he studied the angry bleeding gouge.  A soft hiss escaped Dax when he recognized what injured Leon.  Meeting Leon’s gaze, Dax let go of Leon’s arm and took a step back.

    “It’s time to report this,” Dax stated, his tone enough to tell Leon there was no arguing.  “This is no longer an accident.”

    Leon let a heavy sigh escape, unable to refute Dax, thinking back on the last three weeks.

    His yacht blowing up minutes before Leon boarded two weeks ago.  A week after, the tires on his favorite Ferrari had blown up on a particularly scary stretch of curved road.

    Leon could not avoid reality any longer. Three accidents in the space of weeks was no longer a coincidence

    “Someone is trying to kill you, Prince Leon,” Dax said, his eyes wide with worry.

    Leon’s gaze shifted to the castle beyond the stables, an uneasy feeling brewing deep inside him.

    Castle Arguro was home to the Kingdom’s royal second son.  Leon had called the castle home for twenty-five years.  Arguro was his parents’ home first.  When Leon turned twenty-one, his mother and father died in a tragic car accident in Monaco.

    Leon then became Castle Arguro’s master.

    Four years after their funeral, he now looked forward to living a quiet life in this place.  Content to focus his extensive resources on businesses and the charities his parents founded and supported.  He wanted no political power or official duties from the Kingdom’s Palace.

    Leon never ventured into the royal court, or involved himself in the constant running intrigues that ruled the Kingdom’s seat of power.  He was fourth in line to the throne, and hoped to become twentieth.  If only his cousins would marry and give birth, as expected, ensuring his freedom.

    With that in mind, Leon turned to Dax.

    “Do not go running to grandmother’s officials with this.  Use Castle Arguro’s resources first.  Reach out to private security firms.  Keep it discrete,” Leon warned, when Dax smiled.  “They can also handle security around the castle until we find the culprit.”

    “Okay.” Dax nodded, looking pleased now that Leon was placing importance to the incident.

    “Let’s get you inside and see to your arm.  It annoys me to see your blood staining the grass.”

    Leon chuckled and gave the wound on his right arm a wary glance.  He still couldn’t believe someone had gotten close enough to graze his arm with a bullet.

    ****

    The Unexpected Consort

    I’m on a roll with princes this season. Here is a look at a story I’ve been hatching for a while. The title may change. I ‘m not in love with the current one. It will be long, and gives me the vibes for Crown Prince Yoshi, which I enjoy and love so dearly. This one will be longer than the one above. I’ll post it as the year goes, after working on Seiryu Spirit.

    Chapter 1 – A Resounding Peace

    Kamran Estate, Wild Lands

    “Taste it.”

    Jihan stared at the pink fruit.  Its juices slid down a slender wrist, dripping to the ground.  The hand holding the juicy morsel moved to his lips once more and he gave in.  He opened his mouth and took in the fruit.

    Sweet and tangy taste exploded in his mouth and he smiled at the woman who had fed him the fruit.

    “Delicious,” Jihan said, his gaze returning to the ledger he was writing.

    “Delicious,” she mocked his tone, then laughed, jumping off the platform where he sat.  She ran down the stairs to the open space below. 

    “Ishan! Did you hear him?  The peach is clearly tastier than anything he has ever had.  Why does he sound like he is bored?  Tell me, Ishan, what am I to do with this little brother?”

    Jihan noted down the number of peaches they were getting from Ishan’s orchard and glanced up to see Ishan wrap an arm around Andiya’s waist.  His older sister laughed when Ishan twirled her around, holding her tight against him.  Jihan placed his pen on its holder and watched them tease each other.

    The courtyard was alive with activity.  Work men coming in from Ishan’s orchard, carrying crates of peaches to be taken by Jihan’s work men.  The women working in Ishan’s estate cooked in the corner, in anticipation of feeding the many workers visiting today.

    Ishan and Andiya moved between each group keeping up morale.  Or so it would seem to others, but Jihan knew how much Andiya loved Ishan.  How much Ishan wanted Andiya to become Mistress of the Gura Estate.  Jihan envied them their connection.

    “Jihan,” Andiya called to him, and he blinked watching her raise two huge peaches to her eyes.  She made a pout and he chuckled at the sight of her.  Ishan grinned and the courtyard erupted into laughter at Andiya’s continued antics to make him laugh.

    Jihan indulged her for a few minutes, until the next batch of crates came into the courtyard and he had to pick up his pen to note them down.  He worked steadily for the next hour, and right as lunch was ready, he looked up to see his shadow guard, Shen, walk into the courtyard.

    Jihan finished writing the number of fruits he was taking from Ishan, and the cost in his ledger.  He pushed it aside when Shen reached him and crouched beside him, the grip on his sword tight.

    “Master Jihan,” Shen greeted.  “News from the Kingdom’s Capital.”

    “The war?” Jihan asked, afraid the Second Prince had failed in his defense of the Wei Kingdom’s west border.  Second Prince, Feng Wei, commanded the Kingdom’s army on behalf of the king.  He was to drive out invaders from West Nation.  The war at the west border was three months old now.  The fear that Second Prince would lose was taking root in everyone’s heart.

    “Prince Feng Wei has suppressed the invaders,” Shen said, he produced a note from his pocket and handed it to Jihan.  “Our sources played an important role, your father has received a commendation from the palace.”

    “So, what’s the news from the Capital?” Jihan asked, unrolling the note to read later.

    “King Feng Jun has made a royal decree,” Shen said, his expression filled with urgency.  “He insists on a royal wedding between a Kamran child and Second Prince, Feng Wei.”

    Jihan sucked in air, his gaze on his sister who sat next to Lord Ishan adding grilled fish slices into his bowl.

    “Father?” Jihan asked.

    “He is delighted by the idea of his family tied to the royal family, even though it is a second marriage for Prince Feng Wei,” Shen said.  “Your father is making preparations for the wedding as we speak.  He will come to take Andiya to the capital personally.”

    Jihan looked away from his smiling sister and stared at the note he held.  Heart pounding with worry at the thought of Andiya forced to marry into the royal family.  His sister was happy.  She loved Lord Ishan.  Their father would never understand that love.  He would force her to give it up.

    “Should we tell Lady Andiya?” Shen asked.

    “Not yet,” Jihan said.  “Have them prepare the evening meal in my house.  I shall have no one else attending to this meal but you.  Do you understand?”

    “Yes, Master Jihan.”

    “Prepare everything, and contain this news.”  Jihan glanced at Ishan and Andiya, nodding when Andiya smiled at him.  “You and I will need to work hard to reduce the damage from this royal decree.  I’m afraid Kamran Estate might suffer a huge loss at the end of it. There can be no mistakes.”

    “Yes, Master.”

    Shen got up and hurried off, leaving Jihan to read the note from one of his trusted troop leaders supplying Second Prince’s army at the west border.

    Master Kamran,

    Beware of the gift given by the Dragon Seat.  This war has exposed Kamran, leaving your Wild Estate open to jealousy and envy from court officials.  Your network is powerful and The Dragon will seek to own it.  If you cannot escape the gift, then cultivate a friendship with the fierce commander at the west.  He is grateful to Kamran for the help and support you gave in secret.  He will look at you with kind eyes.

    As always, my hope is to grow our alliance and create a harmonious and prosperous atmosphere for our families.  I know your sister’s happiness is in danger if she reaches the Capital.  Your faithful friend,

    Swallow.

    Jihan reread the letter twice, and then reached for the bowl left by Andiya an hour ago for drinking water.  He sunk the letter into the bowl, soaking it with water.  His gaze on the ink fading from the paper, his thoughts on the difficult future ahead.

    Jihan could only hope his father was not too eager to be father in-law to a prince.

    ***

    They are both stories about love and adventure. I can’t wait to get them out to you!

  • New Year Plans

    Same path

    This 2019, I’m walking on the same path with my best friend, my partner in crime, my no.1 supporter. My Everything. I #gothitched in 2018 and now I’ve taken on a new last name. L says it’s important to gush and brag about these things, so here I am. I’ve spent a chunk of my life on a lone path. Some days were hard, others too easy. The best part about this new path together is that I’m no longer alone. It feels great to know that there is someone walking along with me. On good days, and on those very hard days. I can’t wait to see what this year brings for both of us.

    On Writing:

    The Morgan Lore – I’ve caught a werewolf bug these last few months. Rory Morgan has captured my interest and imagination, growing into this entity that I can’t put down. #TheMorganLore is primarily posted on GA Stories. If you love you some werewolves, are into adventure and mystery, then check it out at this link. I promise I’m doing my best to get to the end of this one.

    Seiryu spirit –(WIP) My dear Koji and Andre are still ongoing. If you caught a bit of their story on this site, or over at GA, then don’t worry. I’m still working on their story. My writing process is diversifying and I’m finding that I don’t want to post content until I have a large chunk of it available. Seems to be working out for The Morgan Lore. Once I’m confident enough for Seiryu Spirit, more will come up.

    A Forgiving Heart -(WIP) Rafa and Hyu are also on the list. Be patient with me with these two. Writing Rafa is always a fight. He’s very stubborn and I’ve found a huge trail of story that’s deviating from the original plan. I need to reconcile it first before I share it.

    To Compile – The Crown Prince Yoshi – 2018 was huge as I finished this story, which had lasted for years in the WIP list. I’m particularly proud of CPY because it was the first that didn’t follow the same pattern as all my other work. It’s given me the confidence to explore different formats. Moon promised a cover, hopefully, I’ll get one soon and we can compile it into a book for download soon.

    The Assassin – If you haven’t already, this ebook is already available for download. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.

    That’s my start of the year. Let’s go together and see what this year brings us all.

  • The Assassin – eBook – Now Available!

    The Assassin

    The Assassin

    Kian Raja grew up in a cold world where the only rule is to survive and be the strongest. He has learned to live with his choices, and keep it real no matter the situation he meets. Then he meets Daven Noland who makes him wish for a future.

    Dr. Daven Noland has lived a life saving souls in the harshest of places. On a quest to prosecute a vicious man who endangers the lives of an entire village, Daven gains the attention of a murderous organization. They send an Assassin after him, and he must now convince this assassin to help him fulfill his quest. Can he manage? Will they get to the end of this journey intact, or will he lose his life trying?

    I finally got this compiled and ready for download on Smashwords.  As soon as the process is ready there it will also be available at Barnes & Nobles.  If you haven’t read it yet, enjoy it!  Share it! Please support it! ^_^

    Here is the link for Download: The Assassin

    Five Favorites about The Assassin

  • The Morgan Lore – 4

    Chapter 4 – The White Wolf on the Edge of the Forest

    Milan rubbed his chest hoping to ease the feeling of itchiness deep inside him from coughing too much.  He hated coughing.  He hated that he couldn’t suppress it.  It was always so loud sometimes, enough to alert everyone in the house that he was sick.  The cold weather was hard on him.  His immune system was too weak to fight.  Leaving him open to pneumonia from the first night after landing in Portento.  He stayed sick for weeks.  It was taking him longer to adjust to the new climate.  It didn’t help that it had snowed through Christmas.  The white stuff was pretty outside, yet, it meant the cold was unrelenting.  Milan wished he could run outside without making his health worse.

    So, he stayed in his room, reading on his kindle, or drawing.  He was finishing uploading his latest artwork on DeviantArt when Ayu came into his bedroom.

    “Milan,” Ayu said, holding up a heavy blanket.  “Want to step outside for fresh air?  Mamma is not due back home for another hour.  I set up a heater in the gazebo at the back garden.  We can have hot chocolate.”

    “Have I told you I love you?”

    Milan pushed his blankets to the side, careful to make sure his laptop didn’t fall off.  He shifted to the side of the bed and smiled when Ayu hurried to his side.

    “Not today, you haven’t.  I know you hate being cooped up in here.  Mamma won’t let you out until you stop sounding like a drum when you cough,” Ayu said.

    Milan grinned, elated by this little gift from his brother.  Ayu helped him wear a heavy jacket over his thick sweater, and zip it up.  He wore a wool hat, and pulled on gloves warm enough to make a healthy man sweat. Gloves.  Milan adjusted the white surgical mask over his mouth and nose, adjusting the wool hat covering his head so that his ears were warm.

    Ayu crouched to help him with boots.  His feet already in the heaviest socks possible.  Their mother worked at making sure Milan’s clothing was the heaviest it could be in this weather.  Satisfied that every part of Milan was covered except for his eyes, Ayu looked up at him and grinned.

    “Ready?”

    “Yes,” Milan nodded, excited.

    Ayu wrapped the heavy blanket around Milan, then turned around and presented his back to Milan.  Milan wrapped his arms around Ayu’s neck, pressing his slight body against Ayu’s back for a piggy-back ride outside.  They used a side door to get outside, careful not to alert Marie, or else they would get a scolding.

    Milan felt the contrast of being in the house, and outside immediately.  The cold air felt good on his face, the fresh air flowed deep inside his lungs.  Ayu walked fast, over the salted path to the gazebo.  The snow covered grounds were beautiful, all the way to the evergreen forest surrounding their house.

    Milan smiled hard when Ayu deposited him on a comfy bench in the white gazebo.  There was a heater sitting right in the middle of the round floor space.  Ayu adjusted the blanket over Milan, and stepped back to inspect his handiwork.

    “Are you comfortable?”

    “Yes,” Milan said, happy to be outside for the first time since the day they landed in Portento.  He had fallen sick overnight, and been unable to get out of bed all the way through Christmas.

    “Mamma’s gonna freak out if she finds us out here, so we’ll head back when my phone beeps.  I set up a little alarm to tell me if the front gates open.”

    “You’re so handy with that stuff,” Milan noted, watching his brother turn on music on his Ipad.

    “Yeah, it sucks that we can’t tell Mamma and Papa.  I don’t like that they both want me to get into medicine.”

    Ayu shrugged, settling on the bench opposite Milan.

    “You can enroll into whatever class you want, Ayu.  Do what you want.  I want to be an architect, although I don’t know if it will happen,” Milan said, staring at the tree edge with a wistful glance.

    He wished he could explore the forest surrounding their home.  When he was feeling better, maybe he would try to sneak in there and discover what lay inside that forest.

    “Milan.”

    “Don’t say something to inspire me right now.  I don’t want to hear it,” Milan said, turning to Ayu.  “Dance for me.  Like you used to when we were hanging out with Christina in Turin.”

    “Milan.”

    “Come on, this space is awesome.  Move the heater closer to me, and do some B-boying, Ayu Takeda.  I bet you’ve lost it.”

    “Oh no, you didn’t.”

    Ayu placed his iPad on the bench.  He got up and moved the heater closer to Milan, then went to change the music to break beats.

    Milan adjusted the blanket so that he could remove his hands from under the heavy fabric to clap when his brother started dancing.  Ayu was a great b-boy, his style fun and entertaining.  Milan couldn’t help clapping in excitement when Ayu contorted into a back flip, and came up into a comical freeze that had Milan laughing with joy.

    After thirty minutes, Ayu decided he needed some water after working up a sweat.

    “I’ll get hot chocolate for you, Milan.  Don’t move.  I’ll be right back.”

    Ayu jumped out of the gazebo, running toward the kitchen.

    Milan watched him leave, and finally let out the cough he had been holding back for a while, not wanting to spoil the fun.  The cough was harsh, violent, left him scratchy inside his chest.  Taking off the surgical mask, he wiped his mouth with a handkerchief from his jacket pocket, and looked toward the trees on a coincidence.  Milan choked on his last cough when he saw a large white wolf standing right on the forest edge.

    Milan took in a labored breath, standing in a panic, his blanket sliding to the ground.  The cold air wrapped around him, making him shiver.  His gaze remained trained on the large white wolf.

    He took a step back and it seemed to move forward.

    He stopped.

    He had once watched a wolf feature on NatGeo.  Wolves loved the chase, they cornered their prey, and the moment the poor deer started running, the wolves attacked.  He closed his eyes, when he remembered the sight of those same wolves with their muzzles red from the deer’s blood.  If he moved now, he might end up like that animal.  He could try running, but to be honest, his muscles were weak, he could barely walk without tiring out.  The house was the same distance away as the gazebo was from the forest edge.

    Opening his eyes, he stood stock still, his gaze on the white wolf still watching him.  Heart racing, he weighed his options.  Would calling out help?  Marie wasn’t supposed to know about him being out here, but surely—

    The sound of the kitchen door opening and closing filled him with relief.  Ayu was coming back.  Milan saw the wolf start back into the forest.  He let out a soft relieved breath as the wolf blended into the forest edge, until Milan couldn’t see it anymore.

    “Milan!” Ayu exclaimed when he reached him.  “What are you doing?  You can’t expose yourself like this.  You’re still coughing up a storm.  Sit.”

    “Ayu,” Milan pointed to the forest edge, his teeth chattering, from the cold or fear, Milan couldn’t tell.  “I just saw a huge wolf over at the trees.  It was too huge, I couldn’t believe it, but it was definitely a wolf.”

    “Wolves in a residential area?” Ayu asked, disbelief heavy in his tone.  He pushed Milan to sit, and grabbed up the blanket on the floor.  Wrapping it around Milan, Ayu moved the heater closer.

    “I swear to God I’m not crazy.  There was a wolf right there.”

    Ayu straightened up and turned to look, his gaze searching the tree line and finding nothing.

    “Milan.”

    “There was a wolf, Ayu.”

    “Okay,” Ayu agreed, with a small frown.  “I’ll talk to Papa.  Ask him to check with the Biosense staff.  Meanwhile, why don’t we get this hot chocolate in you?  Hmm…”

    “I really saw a wolf, Ayu,” Milan insisted, holding the warm mug between his hands, his gaze on the forest edge.  He wished the wolf would appear again, if only to prove his words to his brother.

    Ayu patted the wool hat over Milan’s head and perched on the bench beside him.

    “I believe you.”

    Milan sipped his hot chocolate, his gaze returning to the spot where the wolf had disappeared.  He wondered if the wolf was living close by, was it alone, or did it have a pack?  Did it have kids?  Was it starving?

    “I miei bambini, what are you doing out here?” Ilaria’s voice startled them into turning around.  “Polpetto, mind explaining yourself?

    Ayu gave a nervous chuckle, standing up, as Ilaria walked into the gazebo.  She looked tired, dark shadows under her eyes.  Dressed in a silver-grey winter jacket, she removed her gloves and moved to press her palm on Milan’s forehead.

    “You’re lucky he’s not feverish.  He is not supposed to be outside.”

    “Mamma,” Ayu started, just as his ipad buzzed.  His alarm going off a tad too late.

    “It was my fault.” Milan cupped the mug of hot chocolate tight and took a sip to warm his insides.  “I pushed him until he had no choice but to bring me out here.  I’ve been cooped up in the house too long, Mamma.  I’m starting to look like a shriveled mushroom.”

    “This child,” Ilaria sighed and sat beside him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.  “Come, Ayu, sit.  The weather is letting up, I think.  It’s warmer than yesterday.”

    “January hasn’t come yet,” Ayu said, sitting on their mother’s right side.  “They call January and February deep winter here.”

    “Hmm…” Ilaria squeezed Milan’s shoulders.  “I know you wanted to go to school, but maybe a tutor will be better?  This way you don’t have to deal with the cold.”

    “Don’t take it back,” Milan said, leaning into her.  “I’ll be strong enough to go.”

    “I hope so.”  Ilaria pressed a kiss on his head, and turned to do the same to Ayu.  “Well, the music is on.  Was Ayu b-boying for you, cucciolo?”

    “He was, and he hasn’t lost it,” Milan grinned.

    “I can burst some moves too, you never ask to see them,” Ilaria complained.

    “I want to see,” Milan insisted.

    “Okay, but Ayu has to help me, my bones are getting old…”

    Ilaria stood making a show of having her back in pain, making them both laugh.

    Ayu jumped to his feet and changed the music to their mother’s favorite Italian singer.  She grinned wide and started dancing her own version of the saltarella, lifting her skirts so that they could see her steps.  She was good.  Mostly, she was hilarious, and then the music changed to Shakira’s Lobo and she grabbed Ayu so that they danced together.

    Milan was happy watching them, suppressing his coughs when he could, not wanting to spoil their fun.  His cheeks flushed with excitement.  This was the best day he had had since landing in Portento.

    ***

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  • The Morgan Lore – 2

    Chapter 2 – The Scent of Change, Strangers descend on Portento

    Shooting nails into the doorframe to secure it in place, Rory felt a sense of unease probe at him.  The shift was subtle, almost non-existent, but Rory knew trouble was coming.  Turning off the nail gun, he stored his tools in the carrier at his feet.  Rory snapped the tool box closed and stretched his arms above his head to ease the tension in his shoulders.

    “Rory!”

    Rory jerked into motion, rushing out of the section of the house they were extending.  Outside, the morning sun danced over the trees to light their large front yard.  Connor Morgan stood on the gravel drive, hands at his hips.

    “Dad?”

    “Go find a shirt, we have to get to town.  Chris was racing that Dolon kid on his motorcycle and they crashed.  They were raced to the hospital.”

    “Shit.”

    Rory went running to the main doors of their house.  He took the stairs two at a time until he reached his suite.  Going into the bathroom, he splashed water on his face at the sink, washed his pits and his arms.  Splashed water on his chest and grabbed a towel.  Wiping himself with negligent jerks, he rolled on some deodorant, and hurried out of the bathroom.  He grabbed a clean t-shirt from the closet, adjusting his jeans, he removed his work boots, jamming his feet into sneakers.  He was out of his room in three minutes, and racing downstairs to his father’s pickup truck.

    The car was already running.  Once in the cab, his father took off down the drive, speeding down the dirt road through the forest, heading to the main road.

    “I don’t understand why Chris has to constantly get himself in trouble.  This is the second time this month.  Do you know what’s going on with him, Rory?”

    Rory didn’t know.  About three months ago, Chris’s girlfriend walked out on him.  She got on a plane and flew out to L.A. saying she wanted to be in the movies.  Chris was devastated.  His grief so tangible, it was hard to be in the same room with him.

    “Do you think Lori was his mate?” Rory asked.  “I mean, she’s—

    “No.  If she was, and she walked away from him, Chris would be under anesthesia, and not running around like a mad man.”

    “Well, then I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” Rory said, shrugging his shoulders.

    His father drove too fast.  They got to town faster than was legal.  Luckily, Connor was the town sheriff, no one would bother ask him questions.  Finding a parking spot close to the entrance, Connor and Rory walked into the only hospital in their town.  The nurse on duty waved at Connor, and directed them to the second floor.

    They heard Chris’s laugh before they saw him.  A woman was talking to him, her words heavy with accent.  Italian?  Or maybe Spanish?  Rory couldn’t place it.  The scent of citrus and bay leaves mixed in with disinfectant, and Rory glanced at his Dad.

    “You’re very healthy,” the Italian woman was saying.  “You are lucky.  Surviving such a terrible accident is no easy feat.  I can only imagine how your parents would have taken the news if things went the other way.”

    “Not well,” Chris said.  “Luckily, I’m agile.”

    “Agile is an interesting way to put it.” She laughed, the sound musical.  “I would say you are blessed.  Many people would have broken arms, legs and head injuries.  Chris, you must stop racing through life so reckless.  I’m a great doctor, but even I cannot bring back the dead.  Promise to be careful?”

    “With that smile, I’d promise the world to you, Doctor Ilaria.”

    “Such a Casanova,” the doctor said, her tone amused.

    Connor pulled the curtain open, to find Chris lying back on the hospital bed, and the doctor applying ointment on the angry scrape on Chris’s left thigh and knee.

    “Yes, how may I help you?” the Doctor asked, when she saw them.

    “I’m Connor Morgan, his father.”

    “Oh, yes, good you have come.  I’m almost finished.  Chris has deep abrasions on his left knee, and thigh.  We have cleaned the wounds and treated them.  Your son was very lucky.”

    “He really is,” Connor said, glaring at Chris.  “Thank you so much Doctor…”

    “Ilaria.”

    She removed her gloves and held out her hand, her smile wide and beautiful.

    “Ilaria Takeda,” she said, shaking Connor’s hand.

    She turned to Rory, and when he took her hand, the scent of citrus filled his nose, coupled with soft tones of the most enticing scent in the world.  Holding her hand, Rory took a step closer, moving around the bed.

    What was it?  That maddening scent, so fresh, so….mandarins!  Fresh mandarin oranges, the kind that had you gulping up a whole mandarin in one second.  The scent disappeared and he leaned even closer, making Ilaria’s eyes widen.

    “Rory.”

    His father’s voice pulled him back from the precipice, and Rory let go of Ilaria’s hand.  A frown dancing on his forehead, he took a step back from Ilaria and gave her a sheepish smile.

    “Sorry, your perfume smells really good.”

    Ilaria’s brow lifted in surprise, and then she shook her head and took Chris’s records from the end of the bed.

    “Teenagers, sorry, about them,” Connor said with a sigh.

    “I have two at home, I know how it is,” Ilaria said.

    She returned the clipboard to the end of the bed and smiled at Chris.

    “I think you can go home.  If your father comes with me to the front desk, we can get you on your way.  Remember, no more accidents.”

    “But I like seeing you Doc,” Chris complained.

    She chuckled and started to walk away.

    Rory moved to stop her, curious about that scent.

    “Doctor Takeda—

    “Please, call me Dr. Ilaria,” she said.  “Dr. Takeda is my husband.”

    “Are you new in town?” Rory asked.

    “How did you know?”

    “Small town,” Connor said his tone full of assurance.  “Everyone knows everyone.”

    “I can’t wait to be the one that tells the next new person that,” Ilaria said with a laugh.

    Rory bit his lip.  He wondered if it would be all right to tell her that new people moving into Portento was a rarity.

    “Speaking of which,” Ilaria said, her brown gaze meeting Rory’s blue.  “Please tell me you go to Ashland High.”

    “I do,” Rory nodded.

    “He’s a senior,” Connor said.  “Chris graduated last year.  Why?”

    “I have a son going into eleventh grade.  He will be new and I was hoping…”

    “Rory will look out for him,” Chris interrupted her.  “Right, Rory?  Doc has been so good to me.  We should repay that favor.  What’s your son’s name?”

    “Milan,” Ilaria said with a wide proud smile.  “He’s fragile, but very stubborn.  It will be nice to know he has someone he can ask questions.”

    Milan, nice name.

    “Yeah, sure, no problem,” Rory agreed.

    “Thank you. Mr. Morgan, if you would come with me.  We can get Chris sorted out.”

    Rory watched his father walking beside the short doctor.  He looked animated, far from the gruff man he usually was.  Ilaria’s laugh was charming, and it had Connor smiling.  It was nice to see that.

    “If only she was single,” Chris said from the bed.

    Rory sighed, and turned to look at his older brother.

    “Why the hell were you racing Dolon?”

    “Don’t start lecturing me.”

    “Why not?” Rory scowled.  “It was your leg this time, who knows what will happen to you next time?  If you smash your brains out, no one can put them back in to that empty head.”

    “Dr. Ilaria looks capable,” Chris said with a sheepish grin.

    “Be serious, Christopher.”

    Rory sat on the edge of the bed, careful to choose the right side.  Chris’s thigh looked very angry, even as the skin knitted in the healing process.

    “Don’t wrinkle your nose at my leg.  It was much worse,” Chris said.  “The healing process kicked in before the paramedics showed up.  I don’t know how I ended up under the care of Dr. Ilaria.  It’s a good thing it wasn’t so deep when she was working on it.”

    “Scrapes are easy to deal, she won’t know the difference.  Best to keep out of her sights for the next month or so.  She’ll expect to see scabs if you meet her next week.”

    “You’re right.”  Chris looked toward the door.  “How do you think she moved into Portento?”

    “Who knows,” Rory shook his head.  “I’m sure Dad will get right on that mystery.  Meanwhile, he’s freaking out about you.  Is this about Lori?”

    “Fuck Lori.  Dolon said some shit I didn’t like, so I challenged him.  Don’t ask me the details, he got what he deserves.”

    “Chris.”

    “I’m a Morgan first.  Trust me, Rory.  If I challenge a bastard, it is for a good reason.  Don’t push it.”

    Rory sighed, knowing there was no way Chris was going to tell him.  He patted Chris’s right leg.

    “Alright, but maybe you should talk to Dad.  Before he starts thinking you are losing it.”

    “I’ll find the time,” Chris said.  “So, excited to meet this Milan kid?”

    “Why?”

    “I saw you leaning into the Doc.  You must have scented something good.  Must be from the Doctor’s family.  A lingering scent from someone close to her.”

    “Whatever.”

    Chris shook his head.

    “I can’t wait for you to find your one, Rory.  I really can’t.”

    “What is that supposed to mean?”

    “I’m just saying,” Chris said with a shrug.  He touched the edges of his bloody shorts.  “Help me up.  I need to piss, and my leg is killing me.”

    “You can always do it in the bottle.”

    Rory got up when Chris scowled at him.

    “Will you help me hold it?”

    “Fuck no you’d enjoy it too much.”

    Chris laughed, and shook his head.

    “Just help me up, will you?”

    ***

    ←Chapter 1

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  • Snippets – The Morgan Lore

    This is a new story in development.  I’m excited about it, hope you are too.

    Chapter 1 –Milan Takeda Moves to the Town of Portento

    Milan Takeda sat in the passenger seat as his brother drove the rental car from the airport to their new home.  His family seemed unable to settle in one city.  Moving was harder this time.  The Takeda family had managed to stay in Turin, Italy for the last three years.  Milan had loved every day of those three years.  Had loved becoming part of a community and getting friends.  The parents managed to lull Milan into thinking he could belong somewhere.

    Until one rainy afternoon, two weeks ago, when his father came home with the big family announcement.  The Takedas were moving to Portento, a small town in Colorado, USA.  Milan reclined his seat and folded his arms over his chest.

    Portento, the name sounded Italian.  The town’s founding fathers were Italian.  Choosing a name like Portento, they must have thought the town represented miracles.

    Their father, Kiyo Takeda, worked hard to excite his children into the move.  Kiyo was a research scientist working at Biosense, a company that developed drugs for various diseases.  Their mother was the Italian in the family.  Her name was Ilaria.  She was beautiful, full of energy and loved to laugh.  She was the reason this move happened without a fight.

    “Think of it as an adventure, Milan,” Ilaria told him when he started to protest the move.  “Your father is close to unlocking the key behind his research.  If he does, then you will be free too, my bambino.  Free to enjoy the world, as you want.  Meanwhile, your father is all about i miracoli della scienza.”

    “The wonders of science,” Milan murmured, tagging his jacket closed.  He shivered, drawing his brother’s gaze.

    “You’re cold.”

    It was a statement.  Ayu fiddled with the heat controls, and in seconds, Milan felt warmth start to sip into his body.  Ayu pulled over to the curb, slowing down to a stop.  Milan started to ask what he was doing, only to have Ayu reach in the backseat for a blanket.  He covered Milan with the heavy cashmere tucking the ends around Milan’s shoulders.

    “We’ll be home soon.  This place is cold in December.  I told Papa we should have waited to move in the summer.”

    Milan held Ayu’s dark gaze, and forced a smile.

    “It’s alright.  I’m fine, Ayu.”

    “No, you’re not,” Ayu said, pressing his palm on Milan’s forehead.  “You’re feverish, and you trying to hide it, doesn’t make it better, Milan.”

    Ayu shifted away, pressing a button to unlock the trunk, he opened his door and Milan closed his eyes as a wave of cold swept in.  He gritted his teeth, not wanting to shiver, but he couldn’t help it.  Ayu got out, closing the door fast, and hurried to the back of the car.

    He was back in minutes with a bottle of water, and a brown envelope of medicine.  Turning on the light above them, Ayu got two pills from the envelope and helped Milan take them.  Once Milan swallowed the antibiotics, Ayu placed the envelope in the console between them, and studied him.

    “I know moving is hard and you didn’t want to leave Turin,” Ayu said.

    Milan folded his arms under the blanket, his gaze holding Ayu’s dark one.

    “I wasn’t protesting for me.  I was worried about you.”  Milan dropped his gaze to his lap.  “I know you didn’t want to leave Christina.”

    “Milan.”

    “You love her.  I saw you two in the alcove before we had to leave.  She was crying and so were you, Ayu.  I don’t want to be the reason you left the girl you like.”

    “You’re important to me, too.  You are my little brother, Milan.  Moving here alone would be hard for you.  I’m taking a gap year, and will head to university as soon as you’re better.”

    “What if I don’t get better?” Milan asked, looking up to meet Ayu’s gaze.  “Mom and I, we talked to the doctor about my condition…this CVID immunodeficiency thing, I might have to manage it all my life.  You can’t stop doing what you want because you worry about me.  It’s not fair.”

    “Milan.”

    “Don’t take the gap year,” Milan insisted.  “Go back and enter Turin University with Christina.  Do it for me, Ayu.”

    Ayu shook his head.  “I can’t—”

    “Yes you can.”

    “But—

    “I’ll be upset if you don’t go.  You’ll be unhappy, and that will make me unhappy.  It will make me sick, and it will be because you didn’t listen to me.”

    “Your guilt tripping won’t work.”

    Ayu turned off the light overhead, and engaged the car into drive.

    “This move is not easy for any of us, Milan.  I need to be at home with you.  Dad’s always in his lab and Mom will be working now in the town’s hospital.  We can’t leave you in the care of the housekeeper and nurses.”

    “Why not?”

    “You’re sixteen—”

    “Turning seventeen in a month.”

    “Yeah, well endure my presence by your side until you’re eighteen,” Ayu teased.  “I don’t regret leaving Christina, Milan.  I love her yes, but she’s not the one.”

    Milan frowned.

    “As if you know what the one looks like.”

    “Do you know what the one looks like?” Ayu asked him, adjusting his seat belt, as he buckled in for their long drive home.

    “I’m sure I will know when he comes along,” Milan sighed.  “That is if I can live long enough.”

    “Milan, don’t say that.”

    Milan turned to stare out the window.  It was dark outside.  Their flight landed at seven in the evening.  The navigation system said the drive to Portento would take an hour and a half to two hours.  Milan sighed.

    “I’m sorry, Ayu.”

    “I’ll help you search,” Ayu said, after a while.  “When we find him, whoever your one is, they’ll love you, Milan, just as you are.”

    Milan closed his eyes and smiled.  He didn’t know about the one, but he did know that no one had a brother like Ayu, or a father like Kiyo and a mother like Ilaria.  He was content enough with their love.  Their unconditional dedication was enough for him, he decided as he drifted off to sleep.

    ***

    Their new home looked buried deep in a forest.  Milan had never seen so many trees in his life.  The town was at least thirty minutes away.  He had hoped they would be closer to it, this way he could walk in some days and explore.  Had Kiyo known his thoughts?

    Milan held the edges of the blanket over his shoulders, and stared up at the three-story house.  It was more modern than their home in Italy.  He instantly missed the warmness of Turin, and the ancient walls that had seen millennia of history.  This place was too modern, too new, too cold.  Light from the tall glass windows on the top floor poured down to the front yard.  Milan walked up the steps to the front door, pausing when the door opened and a short dark haired woman came running out.

    Milan chuckled when she pulled him into a tight hug, bubbling in Italian.

    “Cucciolo, I’ve been so worried about you.  I kept wondering why I didn’t just wait before flying here.  I should have been the one to come with you.  I should have stayed and flown here with you.  Are you okay?”

    Ilaria stepped back, pressing her warm hands to his forehead.  It was impossible to stop this tirade, especially when she referred to him as a little puppy.  The only way to end the worry in her tone was to agree to all her suggestions.

    “You are too warm for my liking.  Come inside, it’s a warm shower, and off to bed with you.  Ayu, polpetto, come here, let Mamma hug you.”

    Milan laughed at Ayu, when he had to lean down to hug their short mother.  Catching Ayu’s gaze, he mimed a meatball, and got a scowl for his efforts.  Ilaria’s meatball let go of her and opened the door, stepping into the house.

    “Cucciolo, you look pale.  Tomorrow, I will stay home with you,” Ilaria said, wrapping an arm around Milan’s shoulders.  “I’m worried the traveling will get you sick.  It’s almost the holidays.  I don’t want you to be sick then.”

    Milan wanted to tell her not to worry, but his chest felt congested.  He knew a bad cold was coming.

    His bedroom was fully furnished, and on the third floor, with the tall windows showing off the trees in the backyard.  The bathroom connected his room to Ayu’s bedroom.  Their mother had worked hard to make sure they were comfortable.

    Milan wanted to explore but he was too tired.  Traveling always left him so tired.  The cold was unwelcome, and he was insanely uncomfortable.  The discomfort eased after a hot shower, and he wore the warm pajamas his mother insisted he wear.  The potato soup she brought in with a slice of bread was delicious; it warmed him deep to the bones.  Sliding into bed, Milan sat, his back leaning on the headboard watching her arrange the things from his book bag on his reading desk by the windows.

    “I’ve been looking at schools,” Ilaria said.  “Ayu!”

    “Yes, Mamma,” Ayu called back from his bedroom.

    “Come in here, polpetto.  I have news.”

    Milan played with the covers, still watching his mother.  Ayu entered the bedroom a minute later, and came to join him on the bed, sitting on top of the covers, right next to Milan.

    “Are you serious about not going to university?” Ilaria asked him.

    “Yes.”

    “I don’t agree with this.”  Ilaria arranged a stack of Mario Llosa books on the shelf above Milan’s desk, and then turned to face them.  “No son of mine will live without higher education.  Yes, Ayu, there is a university close here.  I got your records from Turin, and they accepted them.  You only need to choose the courses you want, classes start in January.”

    “What about Milan?”

    “Milan has decision to make too,” Ilaria said.  “Two choices, we can get a tutore, continue your studies as before, but you seemed to like school in Turin.  I will do what you want.”

    “How far is the high school from here?” Ayu asked.

    “There is the public school.  It’s not far, though we would have to drop Milan off.  They offered a school bus, but I don’t think standing outside is good for your health.  You need a ride into school, and someone to pick you up.  I can drop you off in the morning.”

    “Then I will arrange my classes so that I’m able to pick him up,” Ayu said.

    “Marie is also with us,” Ilaria said, smiling when both boys grinned.  “She agreed to move here, with us.”

    “Oh, that’s awesome.  At least there is one person we know,” Milan said.

    “Cucciolo, you still have not told me if you will go to school.”

    “Is it very different from the one in Italy?” Milan shuddered.  “I’ve read stories, the bullying and the clicks—”

    “You can choose the international school.  This way everyone you find there will be different like you.  You’ve been to one in Turin.”

    “The international school will cost you,” Milan noted.  “You have to pay for Ayu’s university now—”

    “Your education is important, to your Papa, to me, Milan.  You don’t worry about cost.  It is our job.”

    “Yeah well,” Milan sighed.  “I didn’t like the international school and ended up moving to public school in Turin.  It was the only way to learn the language, and get to know the community.”

    Milan stared at his fingers.  Life was about experience.  The tutor would mean he would be safe indoors.  Not have to face people he didn’t want to.  The international school was a strain on his parent’s budget.  They had to worry about his health, and Ayu’s university…plus, the students tended to stick to their own little communities.

    “I’ll go to the public high school,” Milan said.

    “Are you sure?” Ayu asked beside him.

    “It will be a new experience,” Milan insisted.  “A new adventure.”

    “Si, it is,” Ilaria nodded.  “Well, that is good news.  I will drop by there end of this week.  If you’re feeling well, you can visit with me if you want.”

    Milan nodded, a wave of excitement and anxiety racing through him.

    “Where is Papa?” Milan asked.

    “Papa is busy working,” Ilaria said.  “His lab is now just beyond the trees.  This new investor is very keen on finishing Papa’s research.  So, Papa will be home when he decides to take a break.”

    Ilaria sighed.

    “He is working too much again.  I hope he can make it to breakfast tomorrow.  It will be nice to have us all at the table.”

    Milan yawned, feeling tired.  His yawn triggered Ayu and Ilaria into motion.  In minutes, he was horizontal on the bed tucked in tight like a hot pocket, and the lights turned down.

    Ayu kissed his forehead and left, leaving Ilaria sitting on the side of the bed.  She rubbed his chest, and reached out to push his dark curly hair out of his eyes.

    “You’re going to be okay,” Ilaria murmured, though her tone sounded as though she was convincing herself.  “Papa is close, and at least here we can find the best hospitals to take care of you if things get worse.  My cucciolo, mamma loves you very much, you know that, yes?”

    Milan nodded.

    “I love you too.”

    Ilaria leaned down, filling his nostrils with the scent of fresh citrus, his favorite scent.  She pressed a soft kiss on his forehead, and then stood.

    “Okay, goodnight.  Sweet dreams, my love.”

    “Goodnight, Mamma.”

    Milan drifted to sleep in this new strange place, feeling on the edge of a new dawn.

    ***

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    That’s the start.  Working on the rest, will let you know where to find this new story.  Enjoy, Sui.

  • Five Favorites about the Assassin

    May is swinging by to the end and I am delighted to discuss one of Sui’s upcoming e-books.  The Assassin is not yet available as an e-book, although if you search it out, you can find it to read on GA.  I’ve had the privilege of reading this story, so here is a list of my favorites about The Assassin.

    1. I’m in love with Kian Raja – He is dangerous, handsome, and makes my heart ache I'm Your Assassinas he does not believe he deserves anything good that happens to him.  He loves strawberry milkshake, coffee and a certain man with locks.  He is breathtaking.
    2. Daven Noland is a doctor who has gone to the darkest depths in strange corners of the world and come back braver.  One of Kian’s friends calls him a man with a bleeding heart.  I love how he loves, without any reservations and that’s the best thing you can hope for in life.
    3. The Assassin sweeps you across the globe, city to incredible city.  Daven and Kian’s time in Amsterdam remains my most favorite as it is both beautiful and heartbreaking, which is all I look for in a story.
    4. The Action! Kian is badass.  If I was in trouble, and needed a rescue, he would be the guy I would seek out.  Of course, you have to make him care about you first to get him to move a finger, but once you do, he will take a bullet for you.
    5. Diversity – Sui does an incredible job of mixing cultures in her stories, but with The Assassin, she’s gone ahead and created such a great cast of characters.  I love multi-culture stories, and the great melting pot they create.  It paints a world that is fundamentally about accepting who people love, and not where people are from, or what they are.  The Assassin does that without much thought.

    Sui is at hard work editing The Assassin.  It should be available to download on Smashwords in June.  Meanwhile, enjoy this cover, and a great Daven and Kian scene.

    The Assassinexcerpt from The Assassin

    Daven cleaned Kian’s wound, concentrating on removing dirt from the raw skin to prevent infection.  He used warm cotton balls, at times forced to scrub at stubborn bits.  Kian made no sound through the process: no groan, no wince, and no sense of discomfort.  Daven stared at the pile of dirty cotton balls on the napkin on the sink.  By now, any patient would have cursed him out, or cried out for him to end the torture.

    That level of control should have disturbed him.  Instead, it reminded him of Musimbi.  The young man he met in Dadaab.  Musimbi was fearless, immune to pain, his heart hardened by a lifetime of hardship and political wars.  Daven first met Musimbi on a field trip on the outskirts of the camp.  The first vehicle in the security convoy went up in a bomb explosion and despite protests from the security officers in his vehicle, Daven jumped out and rushed to help any survivors.

    Musimbi appeared out of nowhere, clutching a young woman with blood trailing down her face.  ‘Help her’, Musimbi told him, his voice bereft of emotion.  Daven remembered wondering who the woman was to Musimbi.  He should have seen through Musimbi in that moment.  Seen the cruelty behind those eyes, instead, Daven only saw the wounded woman.

    Daven sighed and applied ointment on Kian’s bruised skin.  Placing clean pads over the wound, he taped them into place with care.

    “We’ll need to keep checking on it,” Daven said.  “Taking a shower will sting, but you don’t have to worry about that for the next few hours.”

    Daven smoothed his palm over Kian’s shoulder.

    “Thank you,” Kian said, bending to pick up his t-shirt.  He wore it in one swift shrug and remained seated on the toilet seat.

    Daven washed his hands and disposed off the dirty cotton balls, wrapping them with napkins and throwing them in the trash.  He closed the first aid box, and stared at Kian’s bent head.  Kian’s silky straight black hair called to his fingers.

    Daven frowned.

    “I want to trust you,” Daven stated.

    Kian remained silent.

    “You confuse me,” Daven continued, leaning on the little sink.  “One minute you’re pointing guns at me, pulling the trigger, the next you save me.  You get hurt in the name of protecting my profession.  I can’t read you, Kian.”

    “You’re not meant to.  I’m well trained, that’s all you should care about.  Keeping you functional is a plus for me.  Any minute wasted worrying about your health, be they your hands or other injuries, delays us.  It makes handling you difficult.”

    “Handling me?” Daven frowned at the sting growing in his heart.  “I’m not a sack of potatoes—

    “You are a target, one I need to keep moving.”

    Kian got up from the toilet seat.

    The space between them disappeared, and Daven met startling brown eyes.

    “Trust is not easy,” Kian said.  “Still, I only tell you the truth.  There is nothing to read with me, Daven.  It will benefit you to think of me as walking armor to get you to your destination.”

    Kian opened the bathroom door.

    “Try and sleep,” Kian advised.  “Who knows what we’ll meet in Europe.”

    Daven stared at the open door.  Kian’s little tirade stinging more than he dared confess.  Here he was, trying to connect.

    What the hell?

    Handling, Daven scoffed.  As if!

    Enjoy your May!

    Keep Reading!

    love Moon

  • Book Cover Surprise

    Today is Sunday, and as always, most of Sunday mornings, you’ll find me at my desk.  So, today, I’m deep in the mind of Koji from Seiryu Spirit, and sudden inspiration strikes in the form of a book cover.

    I get excited every time my favorite person designs a cover and it matches the story.  So, I have this story we call Hitokiri (The Assassin).  I finished it sometime last year, and I’ve just been sitting on it, not really editing it.  Though I love those characters dearly.  L, who makes most of my covers attacked this morning with the cover for Hitokiri, and now, I feel I need to edit it, turn it into an ebook and that’s just a lot more work, but okay.  I’m for it.

    Hahaha…

    I’ve decided to attack you too with Hitokiri’s cover and hopefully the next little e-book I make. Okay, it’s a definite, I’ve been asked to stop saying hopefully and be definite, so here is the definite next e-book coming your way.

    The Assassin

    May you have an amazing Sunday!