Soon we forgot about the council, Dusk, the Lady in Gold, and the war. We were finally a family again. One day after picking our son up from school I ...sked him if he was excited to go home and finish his training. Both fell silent, and naturally I worried. He spoke first telling me, ‘Daddy wants me to be normal.’ I have never slammed on the brakes so hard in my life. Isaiah began to explain to me that it was unfair that we’d been put in danger because of his background. He then told me that. She was telling me that it wasnot over. For the next couple of years I would take quick trips to the Midwest to spend a few hours with her and then dash back home to my family, my job and my life. It was difficult … very difficult. One of the strange things that stood out in my mind after some of the visits was the fact that she knew where to go to find private, out of the way parking places and meeting places. It was like she’d already scoped things out and was all prepared for whatever. Many may question our story." Lady Lott nodded, and took from her pocket a silver garnet ring and placed it in Bartand's hands quickly."Put it on Bartand, I have mine on already." She explained.Bartand observed she had a matching ring on her finger to his, to persuade those who saw them as being husband and wife. Now Bartand felt butterflies in his own stomach at the thought.He took the ring and slid it onto his finger, and looked at it vividly.This may be a decoy to deceive people, but I feel. She was like fresh fruit, ripe and readyto be plucked from the branch by yours truly.Melanie came by again later, and regarded me disapprovingly."It seems that Ashley is no more immune to your bad boy charm than anyother woman with a pulse," she said, "and she's asked that you be the oneto show her around." What can I say?" I grinned. "When you've got it you've got it." Yes, but what you won't be 'getting' is Ashley herself. She's signed oneof those nauseating 'purity' pledges they're big on in.