The man unbuttons his grey suit to sit down at the outdoor cafe table. He helps himself to tea while he awaits his nemesis to join him.

Another man in matching fashion, dark blue tie and jacket, appears at his table. He glares at the man who contently dips a biscuit into his tea. He continued to sip his tea, slurping as he looks up to him.

“You want me to pull out the seat for you princess?”

T...

Slowly inhaling I knock on the short wooden door. For a while there is no reply and I’m left to sit here uncomfortably.

_ I knew I shouldn’t have come._

The door suddenly flies open and my nostrils are attacked by the scent of vanilla and lavender.

Madam Lana is truly one for the theatrics. She looks me up and down, scrunching her nose in disgust. “Well come in darling. Outside smells awful and ...

‘Let’s skip the pleasantries shall we? Both you and I know we’re not here for small talk’

_tough cookie he is_

__

‘You and I both know what I am offering is far more than what you provide, a risk, another gamble’

_‘It is more valuable than you think. The potential rewards are great, it is something you have been searching for months.’_

__

__

‘I hold in my hands the literal currency running this ...

Rynn crossed her legs, her chin propped on her palm and her eyes drooping with boredom.

The bar was empty, not even a bartender stood behind the counter. Well, it was fair enough, considering the fact that she broke in to get free drinks. Thankfully she wasn’t one to get easily drunk. She was sat at a high table, a glass of mead in front of her, as well as a glass of red wine placed delicately in...

It began with whistling. They tore my trees down while doing so. The felling of ancient willows was not something I would easily forget—or forgive.

He knew that as well as I did.

The sigh that escaped his mouth was drawn out as he dipped his head to me. “Let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we? You and I both know we’re not here for small talk.” The war god jerked his head to the wolves prowling...

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime that sounded far too cheerful for a place like this. Floor 57 was not labeled on the directory in the lobby, and no one but high-clearance operatives ever spoke about what went on above Floor 50. Elise Marlowe stepped out, heels clicking on the matte black tile, coat fluttering behind her like a shadow she no longer tried to outrun.

At the end of the ha...

'My Queen?' A guard states as he enters the war room.

'Yes Captain Kora?' I question.

"The Lord of the North is here to see you' The guard responds. I groan under my breath and mutter

'That bastard' I sigh and wave my hand

'Let him in'. I use my hands to gently smooth my long dress and to brush imaginary dust to the floor.

I look up again when I hear the grand doors at the entrance of my war room...

"Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we? You and I both know we're not here for small talk." Darlington sets down his glass of wine and leans on the front of his desk.

I cross my arms and lean against his door. "You took my sister. Where is she?"

He smirks, "The tracker we put in her now tells us she's ours, not yours."

"She's not mine, she's her own person. Stop treating her like an object."

"...

You And I both know we are not here for small talk

We are here to be in love

We are here to share our pride

We are here to be free

Blind date

Set up to meet you

Came out to my friends

They were all excited

Set me up with you

Nervous but excited

Lets skip the small talk

Because I think I love you...

Ezra's eyes were frantic, darting from patron to patron in the loud, crowded coffee shop as he scanned their faces, noting each feature with sharp intensity.

"He's late," he muttered.

With a click of his tongue, Ezra lifted his cup to his lips and sipped his coffee---light, four sugars---as he waited for his companion.

The chatter of the other customers faded into mi...