Well, hello, March. So far, I'm still battling the stupid respiratory crud I thought I was over last week. It was just a little reprieve. That said, I do feel way better than I did three days ago when I had a moment where I thought death might actually be a better option than being sick. LOL Then I remembered to not be a ninny and get over myself. In the grand scheme of things, a stupid recurring cold won't last forever.
I did have a decent week of television viewing. Started off with a weird episode of Lexx that I honestly don't remember if I finished or not. Cold meds make things a wee bit fuzzy.
Followed up with an episode of Strike Back and, man, did they cram a lot of stuff into a single episode. I love that about this show. So much goes down it's hard to keep up.
Started an episode of Midsomer Murders while doing laundry. One of the best things I've ever done is add a television to my laundry room. Makes the chore of sorting and folding much more enjoyable.
Watched the first episode of Iron Fist's new season. While the pace is a little slow, I loved catching up to where everyone is. Joy is the biggest surprise that isn't actually a surprise. It'll be interesting to see where she ends up by the end. And Ward just fascinates me. Looking forward to seeing him work through all of his issues. Or not. LOL Danny and Colleen are terrific and I'm curious about how the episode ended. Danny's got some internal drama to work through or so it seems.
Chicago Fire had a great episode. I'll be really pissed if anything happens to Cruz's Chloe. Here's hoping that works out okay. The way the episode ended though, with Matt's place in flames, doesn't bode well for him.
Gotham had such a great episode. The ending though? Holy crap. I did not see that coming. I'm actually loving this season so much.
Caught another Classic Roswell episode and it's one of my favorites where Liz's grandmother suffers a stroke and doesn't make it. Michael being sneaky is such a not-Michael thing and I loved it, too.
Watched another episode of Arrow and I'm slowly but surely getting caught up. A great theme about what being a hero entails. Also liked getting confirmation that Stanley's a weasel. Loved Oliver's face when that realization kicked in. Also watched another episode of Murdoch Mysteries. I loved seeing some of the secondary characters shine in this one.
Caught a few episodes of Classic Who while attempting to get through the huge stack of dishes I have waiting to be washed. Being down with the sickness doesn't mean those buggers wash themselves. Bleh.
That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Mister Mysterious, a novella that started with a concept prompt of writing a story about characters who get word someone they thought was dead ended up not being so.
Here's the mini-blurb:
Marlow Spence loses her sister to a sinister spellbinder who believes the siblings have the power to control dreams. When Tharn Oliver shows up on her doorstep, there can be only one reason—Leo Tolstoy is back and he wants Marlow.
And a preview snippet…
"Nooooooooo!" Marlow stumbled to a halt at the side of the crumpled figure.
She dropped to her knees, hauling the body of her sister close against her chest. Tears of rage and grief streamed from Marlow's eyes. Her sister's gaze, locked open in death, staring into an unknown void of darkness, no longer spoke to Marlow. You can't be gone, Charlotte. I should've done more to protect you.
Strong hands gripped her shoulders. "Marlow, I'm so sorry." Tharn spoke between heaving gasps, no doubt from giving chase to the man responsible for Charlotte's death.
Marlow looked up, blinking to clear her vision. "Did you get him? Where is he?" She carefully eased Charlotte back to the ground and got up, searching the area around Tharn.
Tharn shook his head. "He's gone. I hit him with a wave of fireballs. He burst into flames and disappeared." Something in his voice sent up a red flag.
And the crimson haze of rage nudged aside her grief. "Disappeared. Disappeared!" Her hands shoved at Tharn's chest. "How could you let him get away?" Her eyes welled up again and she swiped the moisture away.
Tharn held up his palms. "He might not have! There's no way to tell for sure." He grasped her biceps. "He exploded, Marlow. There's not much chance he escaped."
But not knowing… would haunt her. Maybe more than Charlotte's death.
Charlotte.
Marlow angled her head around to glimpse her sister's unmoving form.
Tharn hauled Marlow close, wrapping his arms around her. She welcomed the protective embrace, even if she didn't deserve the comfort. My fault. It's my fault she's dead.
Resting her forehead on Tharn's shoulder, she fought to stay upright. "We should have been here for her. She wouldn't be dead if we were." Guilt kicked her hard in the ass.
Tharn smoothed his hands down her back then brought them around to tip her chin up. "Look, we didn't know he'd gotten so close. We had no idea." His thumb brushed over her cheek.
The gentle, caring gesture broke something inside Marlow. "You're wrong. She knew. But we were too busy fucking to pay attention." Shoving away from Tharn, she spun around to avoid smashing her fists against him. "Charlotte told me he'd strike soon. And I let your dick distract me." She turned back to face him. "I let you distract me." And Charlotte paid the price.
Tharn flinched, his voice hoarse when he replied. "That's not fair. You and I—" He broke off, closed his mouth and swallowed hard. "We just—" He stopped again, sighed, and finished on a truth she didn't want to face. "Couldn't stop the inevitable from happening."
The inevitable. Such an innocuous word. It didn't begin to describe the all-consuming, highly addictive passion and attraction that sparked the moment they met. And still existed—even though, right now, she fought the bile rising in her throat.
She and Tharn… not happening. Ever again.
Clenching her hands into fists, because—dammit—she ached to touch him, she met his gaze square-on. "Tharn, get away from me. I don't want you here." The words snarled in her breath.
Because she did want him. Here. Now. Always.
He reached out, grasping her arm. "I won't let you go through this alone." His gaze went to Charlotte's prone form.
Another wave of bile threatened to rise. Marlow didn't need his help with Charlotte. She needed… time. To be alone. To grieve. To weigh her role in Charlotte's death.
Pulling away, Marlow fished in her pocket for her phone. "You don't have a choice, Tharn. I will shut you out." Of everything. "This is my burden to bear right now. Charlotte's my sister. To you, she's just a former protectee." She scrolled through her contacts but lifted her gaze. "One who no longer needs your nonexistent guardianship." She nearly choked on the words, harsh and brutal.
Tharn's normally open and expressive features faded into a granite-like mask. He inhaled sharply, the only outward sign her barb had reached its target. Good. She'd achieved the desired effect. Shrugging, she turned away to make the call to the proper authority.
With her eyes closed, she waited for the connection to go through. She sensed Tharn's retreat; didn't need her ability—the one that got Charlotte killed—to sever their link. Tharn would have a barrier in place now.
Which she simultaneously wanted and regretted. She needed it to process her grief, guilt, and pain. She regretted the separation because it marked the beginning of the end. She and Tharn were over… before they really had a chance to start.
I'm very excited about where this story is going. Marlow and Tharn have some obstacles to overcome but they'll have to work together if they want to avenge Charlotte's death.
That's it for this week.
Cheers!
Skye
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