I’m in the process of writing A Stolen Heart. I’m close to 80% finished, getting to that good part of the story where the baddies have begun to circle but the hero still thinks he’s got this thing handled. He’s about to get his butt handed to him. I both hate and love writing that part. This hero’s vows drive him, but he’ll be forced to decide whether to continue following those vows or turn his back and follow his heart.

Change of Vows: sneak peek at A Stolen Heart

This is a work in progress and will likely change somewhat between now and release.
Here’s a peek at the interaction between Luc and Senthys (Senth from At the Mercy of Her Pleasure). When Luc first met the three-year-old boy, Senthys was homeless. Luc stops the child from crying by using a sleight of hand trick. He tells him it’s magic. The boy has not forgotten that for a minute, as evidenced by this scene, which takes place later when Luc is feeding him lunch.
—

Once Senthys finished his apple, he pointed to a small bowl of plump brown raisins at his place. “What are those?”

“Oh, those are magic.” Luc picked up one and pressed it. “See how they squish?”

“Uh huh.”

“The squishy part is the magic coming out.”

“It is?” Senthys peered into the bowl.

“These are called raisins. Their magic gives you energy to run and hit a ball. It can help you play hide and seek.”

“Can they help you do magic coins in your hair?”

The sleight of hand had been Luc’s attempt to distract him from crying. “If you eat them long enough and study how to do it.”

“Can I have one?”

“I don’t know.” Luc pretended to consider it. “You’d have to eat the whole bowl to get enough magic. I don’t know if you can eat that many.”

“Oh, I can!” Senthys patted his hands. “I can eat them!”

“I squished this one, so I’ll eat it. Okay with you?” Luc held it up to his mouth.

Senthys opened his, and then frowned.

“You want it?” Luc offered it.

The boy nodded.

“Okay, open up.” Using slow motions, Luc reached toward him as Senthys leaned forward, mouth open. At the last second, Luc yanked it back and popped the raisin in his own. “Mine.” He opened his eyes wide, teasing the boy.

With a peal of laughter, Senthys grabbed a raisin and offered it to Luc, but yanked it back and made the same face.

Luc clacked his teeth together, pretending to bite the air.

Senthys stuck the raisin in his own mouth and threw out his arms toward Luc.

When Luc hugged him, the boy kissed his cheek and put his head on Luc’s shoulder. “I love you.”

How could vows be right if they forced him to say good-bye? His heart overflowed with love for this child.

Senthys lifted his head, his eyes half-closed. “Why are you sad?”

Luc brushed back the boy’s hair. “Because I never want you to grow up. I want you to stay little like you are right now, forever.”

Senthys wrinkled his nose. “That’s silly.”

He tapped Senthys on the nose. “It is indeed.”

Giveaway

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Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She’s a US Navy veteran and has been married so long she’s tenured.
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