The Lightning-Struck Heart (Tales From Verania, #1)

by T.J. Klune

“Well, we are tied up,” Gary said. “And not in the fun way.” “I don’t want to know when you’ve been tied up in the fun way,” I told him.

“I wish I were anywhere else but where I am,” I said to no one in particular

It was important to him so it was important to me.

“Honey, you’re pouting. That’s not dangerous. It’s adorable.” “I’m not pouting,” I said as I pouted.

“Your angry face is awesome,” I said to him. He preened. “I’ve been practicing. Watch.” He glared at me, eyes narrowing, teeth bared. “See?” “I got chills,” I assured him.

“And I don’t need a boyfriend. I am an independent man with priorities.

“Flora Bora Slam!” Morgan said, “Flora Bora Slam?” It sounded like he was choking. “Abra Wham!” Morgan said, “What are you doing?” I squinted up at him. “Saying magic words until magic happens?”

Maybe a certain knight in particular?” And my mouth went dry and I’m pretty sure I had half a boner. “Sweet molasses,” I breathed. “Priorities,” Gary reminded me before glancing back at Pete. “Sam said he doesn’t have time for a boyfriend, much less Knight Delicious Face.”

I opened my eyes and things were slightly fuzzy around the edges. But then my world was filled with the most beautiful green eyes to have ever greened.

didn’t see Ryan, but I obviously wasn’t even looking for him at all, so it didn’t matter.

He was completely and truly beautiful. “He certainly fills out that uniform,” Gary whispered. “I’d like to fill him out,” I whispered back because my resolve to get over him had gone by way of fickle wind.

His hands curled at his sides. The tiniest stutter in his steps. He was nervous. And it was adorable. And for some reason, his eyes were on me.

you can stand tall and true and show all of those people in there that Sam of Wilds is not a man to be caught and tamed.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Ryan smile.” Which, odd. Because I’d seen it a few times. Earlier that night, even. And that morning.

“Is that his name?” “It is. He’s very nice.” “Is he?” “Yes.” “Because you like nice.” “Perhaps.” We danced on. “I’m not nice,” Ryan said suddenly. “Not all the time.”

“Why Sam loud?” Tiggy asked. “It’s his default setting,” Gary said.

“Just a minute,” I called. I used that minute to have a complete meltdown. It went well, as far as meltdowns go.

“Sorry,” he muttered as he pulled it away. “Sure,” I said faintly. “Sure.” I wondered how to go about asking him to poke me with his sword again.

Ryan whirled around, drawing his sword. Didn’t even question me. I liked that in a man.

“You’re nice,” I told Todd. “That’s totally ringing. I like your ears.” Todd blushed. Ryan said, “Everyone has ears, Sam. Gods.” He was all growly.

“I think Ryan might be my cornerstone.”

I wished because as a child, that’s what you’re supposed to do. You don’t know any better. I wished because as an adult, sometimes you don’t know what else to do. You know better, but you don’t care.

I wish I could find that one person made for me so that way I can show them why I was made for them.

“You screamed like a frightened little girl.” “I squawked like an indifferent tall man.”

And I knew he was my cornerstone then because I wanted nothing more than to blow something up with a few choice words, but was able to stop myself. Hurray for personal growth and damning realizations.

“Oh. For how long?” For as long as it takes to no longer hurt to have you this close.

To Mervin: Don’t worry. I’m a Sam Girl too. Our secret? Ryan Foxheart

Ryan stood at attention like a good knight. I slouched. I was okay with that.

and smiled at me. “I know you will. And when you come

I have half a mind to lock you up in a tower as it is to keep you safe.” “I’m not a princess.” He shrugged. “Close enough.” I loved my King very much.

“And why do you need me limber, Sam?” he asked, sounding almost amused. And of course my mouth went dry and I thought of sexy things like getting fucked up against a wall and telling him his smile would look even better if I was sitting on it.

“No, Gary,” Tiggy said sternly. “You no fairy queen. You Sam and Tiggy’s queen.” Ah gods, my heart. “I really want to hug you right now,” I told Tiggy. “Dimitri, drop the damn fairy rings. I need to hug Tiggy because of feelings.”

I was twenty when Ryan stood at my side and my magic said finally.

“You okay, Sam?” Ryan asked, and his voice was husky. So I blurted out, “I’ve got wood.”

And Ryan was smiling at me. Like I was amusing. “You’re so wet,” I told him unnecessarily.

He nodded as he stood on the riverbank. Then, never taking his eyes from me, he clasped his hands above his head and stretched his back. I immediately turned to Gary and whispered that I had a newfound fetish for armpits that I was just discovering and was quite unsure what to do with. Gary in turn said that they were obviously made for licking and I dropped the firewood again.

“I think the most unexpected thing of all is you, little one. Because no one could ever hope to fathom the wilds of your heart. You were sent out on a quest and returned with more than I could have ever believed. I will give you your name now. Because you’ve earned it.”

He chuckled. “You looked down at me and said, ‘Don’t be a jerk, dude. You don’t have the right to take away something that makes other people happy.’ And then you grinned at me and started running.”

“The King said you didn’t smile,” I blurted out. Ryan looked startled. “What?” “At your ceremony. He said he never sees you smile anymore. And I thought that was weird because I see you smile all the time.” “Do you?” “Well, yeah. Like right now.”

It was rage and base desires. It was anger and sadness and despair and desperation, but it was honest. It beat with a corrupted, diseased heart, but it wore it on its sleeve and made no excuses for what it was.

“What?” he asked, batting his eyelashes. My heart instantly melted because a unicorn batting his eyelashes is precious. “Gah,” I said, unable to help myself. “Your face. I love it.”

“That pretty much sums up how we all feel about Sam,” Gary said. “Fond with strong overtures of horror.”

“It’s not that hard. You cry at everything.” “I do not.” “Puppies in the slums with no one to give them food,” he said. “And they have really big eyes and all they want to do is go home with you but you can’t carry them because you lost your arms in a factory accident when you were fifteen.” My eyes burned as I said, “You monster.

“People pairing us up like that. I wonder what that was about?” “I don’t know,” I said. We belong together! “Must be something they see that we don’t.” Put your dick in me! “Absolutely no idea.”

“I feel like I’m in a waking fever dream,” Ryan said to no one in particular. “Like, these past weeks are the product of extraordinary illness and I’m actually in bed hallucinating all of this.” “Do you often hallucinate about Sam while you’re in bed?” Gary asked. Ryan blushed terribly.

“Sometimes we do things for the greater good, even if it causes our hearts to break.” “You bother me,” I said to him. “I’m not sure if I’m pleased that you exist.” “He watches you, you know,” Zal said and what?

“I think I understand why everyone adores you. You’re a conundrum wrapped in an enigma in a package built of twink.”

“I don’t think you have the capacity to do anything but have words fall out of your mouth right now,” he said, a small smile on his face. Like he was amused. Like I amused him.

“I have a shield. It’s made of metal.” “Fun.” “Yours is made of words.” “Oh. Oh. I see what you did there.”

“Why does no one else see this?” I asked without meaning to. “What?” “You. This. I don’t understand. The King said you don’t smile.” “So you’ve said.” “But here you are.” “Here I am.” “Smiling.” And he was. And it was wonderful.