“How dare Arion sit there and tell her he cared for her more than she for him when she was in love with him! Was the man dense? Had he fallen from his horse too many times?”

“Hunter, you can’t seriously be the Goblin King. You’re not even sixteen yet! I had to give you a ride to the store after school in September when we were getting supplies for Homecoming decorations!”

“We stick to the magical places in the world,” Asahi clarified.“Places like the MBRC, the Redwood forest of California, the less populated parts of New Zealand and Japan, Disney World, and Atlantis,” Madeline listed, ticking the places off on her fingers.“Wait, Disney World?” I interrupted.“The most magical place on Earth.”

“Of course I would fall for Captain Emotionally Constipated. I could train a rock to hold more affection for me.”

“Darn kids! That’s it, no dessert after dinner! And if you eat my flowers again it will be an early bed time!”

“It would be an honor, and my greatest desire, if you would allow me to protect, love, and serve you for the rest of our lives.”

“And so she shuddered away from the threat of his enduring love. What did he mean? Had she not the power to daunt him? She would see. It was more daring than became a man to threaten her.”