Melinda Salisbury

I've read all of the old stories now _ "Red Blood and Dirty Gold", "The Winter Witch", "The Scarlet Varulv" _ and I want more. Though I want fantasy _ made-up, impossible things _ I don't want stories that step out of the pages and into the world around me.

But I want you,_ he smiles at me. __ot just to make me a king. I__e always wanted you. Despite it all, you are still the bride I would choose. I do choose you.

We__e to be married. Does it matter if I permit it?___o me it does, yes,_ says Merek. __nd I imagine you, like me, appreciate the illusion of having a choice, even when illusion is all it is.

Forgive me again._ He lifts the carafe and refreshes his goblet. __hat happened to those two children who laughed at dandelion fuzz?_ he says softly. __re they gone forever, do you think?

What are you dreams, Twylla?___ _ I have none. I have all I want.___ don__ believe that. You must have some dreams _ everyone does._ __ want_I want to be happy,_ I say, realizing at once that it__ a stupid thing to say. But to my surprise he__ nodding, a smile tugging at his lips. __ want to be happy too.

I__e learned that being alone and being lonely are not the same thing. Once I was surrounded by people and lonely for it, but now I__ alone and I__e never been so content.