Author Archives: Erin M. Klitzke

A girl of maybe fifteen or sixteen was the one to bring the bread and tea, a big, dark-skinned man holding the door open for her as she slipped in. They looked enough alike that Thom guessed that they might … Continue reading →

Phelan took a pair of slow, quiet breaths, trying to will his suddenly racing heart back into regular rhythm. Jacqueline’s fingers flexed around his again and his heart started to slow, settling back into something at least close to normal. … Continue reading →

A weight lifted from his heart, one he’d never noticed before but now, in its absence, he realized he’d been carrying for as long as he could remember. Phelan smiled, his bare fingers brushing against her cheek. She caught his … Continue reading →

They each kept their peace as they wandered from the heart of the settlement slowly turning to stronghold, toward the edges where Marin’s wards still sent shivers through his senses and sent electricity racing through his blood. Now, though, he … Continue reading →

Jacqueline wrapped her arms around one of his and let him lead her out of Thordin’s sickroom, down the hall tunnel and finally out into the afternoon sunshine. She took a few slow, deep breaths before she glanced at him … Continue reading →

“You should talk to her, then, Wanderer, before you lose the nerve to do it.” Sif’s voice was rough from behind them, and Phelan twisted, brows knitting. There were dark circles under the warrior-woman’s eyes, her face drawn and pale … Continue reading →

Jacqueline gave him a gentle, reassuring smile and seemed to suck some small measure of tension away. She leaned up, her lips brushing his briefly as her fingers stilled against his cheek. “I wish I could do more.” “Later,” he … Continue reading →

“You look like you’ve been through a wringer,” Jacqueline said softly as Phelan ducked into the small room where Thordin slept, pale and still as death. “I feel like I was,” Phelan murmured, staring at his friend before his gaze … Continue reading →

“But the war—that didn’t happen, right?” I smiled sadly, glancing sidelong at Carolyn. “It did,” I said softly. “Though not the way they wanted or expected.” Neve inclined her head. “She’s right. The war did come. It was a terrible, … Continue reading →