'I was thinking that things were going well,' he said, every word a stab in his heart. 'I mean, going well as they are.
I enjoy your company, and you're more than handy, adventure-wise. Vital, even, when it comes to saving the country. Not that anyone would know because our exploits are secret. But there you have it.'
What have I done? he thought, but he knew. He'd made sure that any hopes he'd had were dashed.
'Babbling, Aubrey,' she said. This time she glanced at him. 'And babbling very kindly.' It was her time to clear her throat. Aubrey had enough perspicacity to look away when she touched the corner of her eyes with a knuckle.
'I won't be so ungrateful, so gauche as to contradict you, dear Aubrey. So I'll agree. Yes, I think things have been going well between us.'
'Perfectly manageable,' his traitor mouth said as they walked side by side, not looking at each other.
'Perfectly manageable,' she repeated softly.
AUBREY AND CAROLINE WANDERED BACK TO THE GALLERY through an evening that was warm and drowsy. Honeysuckle scented the air.
George dashed down the gallery stairs, towing Sophie and waving a newspaper. 'Look! I'm in Luna!'
He thrust it in front of Aubrey and Caroline. Submersibles. Stage magic. Underground tunnels. Traitors. Exploding thunderclouds.
'I don't remember any bronze giants,' Aubrey said.
'Nor armies of giant sloths,' Caroline added.
George beamed. 'I had to fiddle with the details a little.'
'A little? What's this about a hot air balloon in an underground chamber?'
'License, license.' George waved a hand. 'It's the sort of thing my readers love. Brave John Hope, useful Arthur St Clair and the lovely Charlotte Henderson. The Adventurers Three.'
Caroline raised an eyebrow. 'Lovely Charlotte Henderson?'
Aubrey opened and closed his mouth a few times. 'Useful Arthur St Clair?'
'Imagination is a wonderful tool, isn't it?'
'But it's not true.'
'Fiction isn't meant to be true.' George grinned at their expressions. 'Since all this is secret, I had to say it was all made up. They loved it.'
Aubrey, Caroline and Sophie laughed. George looked offended for a moment, but couldn't keep it up. He joined in, until people looked out of windows to see what all the jollity was about.
About the
Author
Michael Pryor has published more than a dozen fantasy books and over forty short stories, from literary fiction to science fiction to slapstick humour. Michael has been shortlisted six times for the Aurealis Awards, has been nominated for a Ditmar Award, and three of his books have been Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Books. Michael co-created (with Paul Collins) the highly successful Quentaris Chronicles. He is currently writing Time of Triaclass="underline" The Fourth Volume of The Laws of Magic, as well as further books in the Chronicles of Krangor series.
For more information about Michael and his books, visit www.michaelpryor.com.au.
And visit www.HouseofLegends.com.au for news about upcoming books, plus competitions, book trailers, and an exclusive Laws of Magic short story!