(Previously on Immortal Wars.)
Disclaimer: Immortal Wars was the book I came up with and wrote in high school. I hadn’t even hit college by the time I wrote the first two books. That means I hadn’t developed my style yet, wasn’t good at self-editing, and the story was fairly basic. So, you’ve been warned that this is the ultimate author throwback segment for my blog and will show my author origins. FYI- I put the first book (The Summoning) through a Print-on-Demand publisher and the second one (Light, Blood, & Tears) never saw the light of day. Enjoy!
“I hope they aren’t fighting again,” says Kelly while she peacefully rests her head on Ed’s shoulder. They had stopped walking and decided to sit on a wooden bench, which overlooked a calm lake. The sun was slowly going down and the sky was filled with the evening’s vibrant pinks and purples. The lake looked just like a natural mirror that reflected the sun’s romantic departure behind the horizon. This place was their favorite place to be at this particular time of day.
“Probably not. They don’t fight with each other that much. Delila usually saves her energy in order to argue with one of us,” replies Ed.
“Don’t remind me. She just makes me want to tear her loud and empty head off her scrawny neck. And that’s when I’m not pissed off at her.”
“That’s just the way she is, Kelly. The only one that can change Delila’s personality is Delila. We just have to wait for her attitude to change.”
“I’ll wait. But I don’t have to like her before that happens. Or after it happens.”
“Fine. Now, can you please think of something else? There has to be something else that you want to talk about. You’re starting to get obsessive about Delila’s personality.”
“Do you know what day it is today, Eddie? It’s an important day for the two of us. Do you remember?” She gives him a cunning grin before she lies down on the bench.
Ed’s face suddenly turns a little pale when Kelly asks him the question he has never liked to hear from anybody. Especially from his girlfriend. His nervous mind races to think of the answer and a way to get out of trouble.
“Her birthday. No. That’s in April. Valentines Day. Nope. This is March. Damn it, I don’t remember,” he thinks as thin beads of sweat start to form on his brow.
“Well, Ed. What is so special about today?” A small amount of disappointment is in her voice, but her eyes give no sign of what is going on in her head.
“Well. It’s . . . ”
“I don’t have all year. Just say something or admit that you don’t know what today is. I promise that I won’t be angry if you don’t remember. I’ll simply remove certain parts of your anatomy that most men don’t want to part with.”
“It’s been one year since we’ve been going out with each other.”
“You do remember. What did you get me? Wait a second. I want to give you the present that I got for you first.”
Kelly takes out a simple, golden ring with a red jewel on it. The jewel has a small, but very clear, picture of Kelly’s smiling face in it. She slips it onto Ed’s finger and stares at him expectantly.
“Now, where is my present?” Kelly asks.
“Your present? It’s right hear in my jacket somewhere. Give me a minute to find it in all these pockets,” says Ed.
“You only have two pockets on that thing.”
Ed shoves his hand into his jacket pocket and finds a small, velvet box that he doesn’t remember ever having before. He takes it out and silently hands it to Kelly. When she opens the box, her mouth gapes at what she sees inside. The first thought that goes through Ed’s mind is that he should start apologizing as fast as he can.
“I’m sorry that it isn’t as nice as your present. But I honestly didn’t know what you would really want. And you know that I couldn’t afford that bracelet that you really wanted, so I’m sorry if it isn’t that good,” Ed says.
“Nice joke. I can’t believe you got me this bracelet. How could possibly afford it on minimum wage at the ice cream store? Is this the one with the real gems on it?” gasps Kelly as she pulls out a thin gold bracelet. There are several colorful jewels going around the slender piece of jewelry. As Kelly puts it on her wrist, she gives Ed a long, intense kiss on the lips.
“I must be the luckiest person in the world,” whispers Ed as the kiss finishes.
“Of course you are. You have me. Let’s go show these little presents to Steve and Delila. I would just love to see that annoying brat’s face when she sees all the beautiful gems on this thing!” exclaims the emerald-eyed girl while admiring the bracelet that is twinkling in the dimming sunlight.
“Nothing like bragging about presents to people that you don’t like. Maybe Steve is still there, so I can talk with him. We should start walking right now if we want to make it there before it gets very dark. Where did you get this ring?” says Ed.
“My mom picked it up for me somewhere. It was originally a birthday gift for my dad, but his finger was too fat for it. Mom didn’t bother telling me the name of the store she bought the ring at. How did you afford the bracelet?”
“That is one of my little secrets.”
“Did you steal it?”
“I love you too.”
“I know. Race you to the mansion.” Kelly sprints off before Ed can say anything else and he quickly runs to catch up to her. Neither of them look up to see a small flash of light come from the grounds of the Mandervale house.
Someone has invited you to speak about your book or a topic related to your book. Presentations require the most preparation, because—let’s face it—it’s all about you speaking to an audience. Your presentation might be short (ten to fifteen minutes) or much longer, depending on your material.
