The memory of her conversation with Hawk danced in the back of Lilian’s mind.“He said his mother liked the idea.”She sighed, but the words felt more like they were for her own sake than Alex's.
Her friend burst into a fit of giggles.“Yeah, that sounds like Janelle.But if he didn’t want to give us a chance, he wouldn’t have.All right?”
Doubt seared in Lilian’s gut, but she dutifully nodded.She still wasn’t sure what to think of the show, but she refused to put any more thought into it.She focused back on the draft script staring up at her from the laptop.That was more important than whatever was going on in Hawk Carlisle’s head.
They worked until midnight, when the caffeine was no longer having an effect.But in the end, they had a script.A halfway decent one, according to Alex.
“This is going to be great,” she said, packing up her things.“Honestly, people are going to love this.”
Butterflies fluttered in Lilian’s gut at the mention of strangers watching her.“I hope so.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll run through it a couple times to make sure you're comfortable with it.But remember, if you mess up, the audience won’t know it.And if you still don’t feel comfortable, we’ll come up with another plan.”
Lilian nodded.“Thanks.I’m… going to make this work.”
Margo was right.She needed to try something different to get people to visit the shop.
They tiptoed over piles of books on the way to the main door.Halfway there, a familiar cover caught Lilian’s eye.The thick spine was creased, the paperback edges curled and worn, but there was no mistaking the looping letters and crow feathers peeking through the damage.She’d thought she’d moved every copy ofThe Raven Kingto the faire, but apparently, she’d missed one.
“Here,” she said, pulling it free and handing it to Alex.“It’s not much, but consider it a thank you for coming all the way out here to help me.”
“Thanks,” Alex said, turning the book in her hands.“What is it?”
How could she describeThe Raven Kingin a few sentences?
In the book, two sisters were taken by fae through the oak tree outside their family farm.The fae weren’t beautiful creatures like some stories promised.They were mice and squirrels, finches and barn swallows, ants and spiders.Their small size limited their magic, but inside the Great Oak, their magic knew no bounds.
The youngest sister, Penelope, worked to navigate the factions between the Talon, Claw, and the Stingers.And then there was the sex.Lots and lots of sex.It had been the perfect blend of fantasy and romance.A rarity for a novel published in the nineties, which was why it had accumulated a cult following that was still very much alive.
A book that bent genre to its whims and seemed to offer everything a woman would want in a fantasy novel.Magic.War.Love.Sex.It was impossible.“Without sounding too dramatic, it’s one of the greatest books ever written.I know you’re busy, but give it a try and let me know what you think.”
Alex didn’t look convinced, but Lilian wouldn’t push too hard.Not yet, at least.
She arrived at the faire grounds on Thursday for the first of two practices.It was strange to see the parking lot so empty.Only two other cars sat in the wide-open field alongside her own.For the first time, she had a clear view of the prop castle walls and the faire without any lingering actors or guests.Everything looked so much bigger.
Mid-September brought with it the first dip in morning temperatures.The sixty-degree breeze was the taste of fall Lilian had been craving.By afternoon, the heat would be back full force, but she’d come prepared, dressed in comfortable leggings, a tank top, and sneakers.
The loose papers of the script she and Alex had drafted sat in her purse, crinkled, coffee-stained and well worn from her constant handling.The one blessing of the fact that the bookstore wasn’t bustling with business was that it gave her time to memorize her lines and practice.
But as she approached the large gateway of the castle, she could feel her anxiety spiking.The feeling only intensified when she saw the two figures standing outside.She’d hoped one of the cars belonged to Alex, but instead, David and Hawk stood there.Both were dressed in comfortable clothes.Seeing Hawk and David in non-faire attire caught her off guard.David looked like a normal grad student, dressed in a pale purple shirt that saidManhattan Rodeo Teamin large letters.His blond hair fell in perfect waves against his face and a pair of thin-rimmed glasses.
For once, Hawk wasn’t wearing his trademark polo.Today, he sported a plain, black athletic shirt and gray joggers.He looked… good.Lilian dismissed the sentiment as quickly as it came up.
Nope.Those thoughts were not going to be directed at Hawk Carlisle.
At her approach, both men looked over.
David flashed a bright smile her way.“Well, if it isn’t our Ms.Bodice!”
“Morning.”She mustered up a small smile, but she knew it disappeared when she turned to Hawk.“What are youdoing here?”
His brows narrowed at the greeting.“The grounds are locked up on weekdays.Someone has to let your group in for practice.”He held his hand up, showing off a pair of shiny silver keys.
“Oh.”Lilian hadn’t realized he would be here for their practice.Would he be watching the entire time, judging if they were good enough to go forward on Sunday?Her stomach dropped at the thought.Luckily, Alex arrived, followed by Ian the Viking and Mr.Berscotta, their Scotsman.
Logan was the last to arrive.His crutches made his approach slow, but he still managed to look stylish with black Ray Bans covering his eyes and a trim five o’clock shadow across his jaw.Logan, despite his more modern attire of sweats and a black band shirt, still had a dangling silver earring in one lobe.
Alex’s face soured at his approach, but she pushed it aside when Hawk opened the gate.“Thanks again for coming,” she said to their small group.The greeting was definitely what Lilian imagined a director’s tone to be, authoritative but friendly.“I know it's extra time out of your week, but we want this to go well for everyone on Sunday.You all have your scripts?”
