Each of the dozen stumpy creatures was covered in shimmering mail and easily carried weapons that looked far too big for their diminutive stature. At ...heir head strode the young elf sent to Mt. Gravenhaim and a dwarf standing nearly a hand taller and wider than his comrades, a thick sword taller than he was strapped to his back and a pair of throwing axes belted at each hip. Atop his head was a helm decorated with what looked like the horns of a demon and a gleaming gold crown.“Arathiel!” the. He hated their question nearly as much as the phrase that every masseuse he had ever had said to him after a massage: “How do you feel?” “Sir, do you prefer a man or woman?” the receptionist on the other end of the phone repeated. If he said he preferred a man, did that mean he was sexist? If he said he preferred a woman, did it imply he was a creep who found something sexually sensual in his deep-tissue massages? Did it mean he was a fool who expected a “happy ending”? “No preference,” is what. "Going on, he went into the details of why I was selected. Not my motheror any other of mother's living relatives. "Dr. Withers here, found inthe library archives, how a new heir was selected the last time theblood line ran out. During the month after the death of the Queen orKing, the next ruler will be selected from those who would be havingtheir sixteenth birthday. The selected Heir would show a sign. Jenniferturned sixteen during the said month and showed the sign of selection."I then waved. His lips met hers and at first she hesitated and then moved to him and her hand came up to the back of his head. The kiss started out as a light exploratory kiss and then as her reluctance lessened the kiss grew in passion and pressure. He reached around with the other arm and grasped her shoulder and pulled her to him. The kiss deepened and he parted his lips and pushed his tongue out. There was a little resistance but only a little and then her lipsparted and her tongue meet his and then the.