I planned to post more chapters today, but failed again. I still haven't managed to break the bad habit of posting fewer chapters one day and more the next.
"His Majesty still hasn't returned," a slender man said softly, leaning against a tree that gave off a delicate fragrance and a faint, sacred glow.
"Lor'themar, you've said that at least a hundred times. Stop saying it. It's getting annoying," came a voice as melodious as an oriole's song. A woman sitting on the trunk swung her long legs, looking thoroughly displeased.
"It's been years since we last met, Vereesa, and you're still the same. Still not the least bit ladylike." Lor'themar Thalassian gently smoothed the hair over his forehead and shifted into a more comfortable position against the tree, whose trunk would have taken several people to encircle. His lips curled slightly as he continued, "Married life hasn't changed you at all. It seems a Mage really is no match for a Ranger."
"Lor'themar Thalassian!" The shout came from the tree. With a sharp whoosh, a branch sliced through the air.
"Be ladylike. You're not a young girl anymore, but a married woman." Lor'themar raised his right hand, turned his palm, and caught the branch squarely before casually tossing it to the ground, his tone still teasing.
"Lor'themar, you've broken through!" Vereesa's voice rang with disbelief and surprise. Looking down at the man who had so easily caught her attack, she realized her attempt to teach him a lesson had undoubtedly failed. But that no longer mattered to her.
"No, you haven't fully broken through yet." Vereesa quickly noticed something amiss. If a Heroic Powerhouse stood before her, there was no way she would fail to recognize him. The soul of a Heroic Powerhouse was far too distinctive.
"Not quite.