She surveyed the carnage behind him. "Did you have fun?"He showed her his teeth. "Yes.

He had the prettiest hair she had ever seen on a man: dark brown, almost black, and soft like sable, it fell down to his shoulders. She wondered what he'd do if she threw some mud in it. Probably kill her.

A forest," William said, his expression distant. "Where the ground is dry soil and stone. Where tall trees grow and centuries of autumn carpet their roots. Where the wind smells of game and wildflowers.""Why, that was lovely, Lord Bill. Do you ever write poetry? Something for your blueblood lady?""No.""She doesn't like poetry?""Leave it."Hehe. "Oh, so you have a lady. How interes--

She put her hand on her hip. "Where are you going?""To the boat. You called me Lord Bill again. That means we're cool."Cerise slapped her forehead with the heel of her hand and followed him.

Failure happened. The trick was to accept the risk and try anyway.

I realized that I'm a child."William looked point-blank at her chest. "No.

Oh, Gods."His eyes shone with want and predatory satisfaction. "The name's William. It's a common mistake.