Book Two: The Bloody Diamond is Done!

Y'all it is official! Today I wrote the last page for Book Two: The Bloody Diamond. It's simply incredible to think that I have finished it! I mean, yeah, its still pretty rough and will probably change a bit in the future but it is still done! I have finished writing the epilogue and have no plans on adding any more chapters.

So, to the specifics. Book Two is shorter than Book One at 234 pages. I know, I know most books get longer. I think my book has some great quality though and to make it longer, would just be dragging the story out. Also, I believe I have gotten better at not writing as much fluff which leads to it being shorter. Either way, it may be shorter, but each page is high quality! Also, it has been about 2 1/2 years since I finished book one. I realize that is quite some time but hey, life is busy. I'm just super happy that I got this done! My summer internship really gave me the time I need to write :)

And I know you are all wondering if there will be another book. The answer is YES! There is going to be a book three! I have figured out most of its major plot points and will soon start a journal for it as well. (If you didn't know I have a journal for each of my current books that hold all of my ideas) I will post when I have started writing it! The title is also currently in work but I will post that as soon I have it finalized.

So this momentous day definitely deserves a snippet which I have down below! It is from book two and is a fun  little snippet and very cute. I'm sure you will enjoy it! <3 <3 <3

I led Elena to a small bench outside and sat beside her. I had seen her grimace slightly as we danced and I knew her feet must be aching by now. How women danced in heels for so long eluded me. I glanced at her, noticing the curve of her neck and how one strand of hair was left loose to hang down against it. I had to admit that I was very glad at the opportunity it gave us.

I had been extremely annoyed when that other young man had come up and taken Elena away. I knew though that it would be expected for Elena to dance with many men tonight and it had taken a lot of restraint to wait until now to ask for another dance. That wasn’t the only reason though why I asked for another dance. I hoped to perhaps find out more about where Elena and her friends were going. Now that I was no longer in the Tunnels I would once again have to track them if I wanted to discover anything about what was truly going on. Also, the General had revealed some interesting information and I wanted to see how much of it she knew.

I looked up into the sky, “May I ask when you are leaving town?”

She glanced down at her gloved hands which she held together on her lap, “We will leave in a few days for the Estilm Desert.”

I turned towards her, “And what reason could Lord Garlind have for going there?”

She glanced up at me, her eyes revealing nothing, “It is family business.”

I nodded, “I see.” And I wondered how much I should say in order to get her to reveal more. I put my hands together, “Be careful in the Estilm Desert, it is dangerous there.”

She smirked, “Have I not already told you that I can take care of myself? I can be quite a dangerous girl when I choose to be.”

I smiled sadly at her, struggling to decide what to say, “Have you heard of the Elmist Caves, Elena?”

Her eyes widened and I knew I had hit something. She played it off perfectly though, “In stories and such. Why?”

“The General told me today as we were preparing for the ball that strange sightings have been occurring in the Estilm Desert. Creatures that shouldn’t exist have been reported,” I glanced at her, “Much like your Quinkin.” I looked away, “And many brave and loyal men are suddenly turning tail and running like cowards.”

She shook her head, “I don’t see how this connects to the Elmist Caves.” But her eyes shown and I knew she was interested.

I licked my lips, “My father had been very interested in the Caves and in other things related to them and believed that if anything weird was occurring in the Desert, it was because of something that was trying to mess with the Caves and what they protected.”

Elena looked away, her mouth moving softly, “The Host.”

I looked at her, “What?”

She shook her head quickly, “Nothing, just thinking of other stories and such.”

I turned to her and I got the sudden urge to hold her, to protect her, to tell her not to put herself in danger. “Don’t risk your life for some silly quest.”

Her eyes flared with anger, “It is not some silly quest. We have to do it. No one else can.”

I took a hold of her shoulders, “The soldiers have been posted here to protect the City because no one knows what is causing all of the strange events. It’s dangerous. What do you not understand about this?” Why did she have to be so determined to find the Bloody Diamond? It would bring nothing but death as it had brought death to my father.

She stared into my eyes, “Your father is right and for that reason we must go.”

I stared back, loving the look of confidence that filled her eyes though at the same time it enraged me as it confirmed that they were the Awakeners and the Children were Awakening. I would continue to follow them.

I nodded, “Very well. Promise me you will stay safe though.”

 Her eyes softened and she smiled and I found myself staring at her lips as she spoke, “I promise.”

My mouth and body seemed to move on its own, “Let me give you something to remember me by.”

Questions filled her eyes but she smiled again and nodded, “Of course.”

And I placed my hand behind her neck, pulling her towards me. I heard her gasp softly as my lips touched hers, but then her eyes closed, and I deepened it. Her lips were soft and sweet and heavenly. With much difficulty, I broke the kiss, and her chocolate eyes stared into mine, filled with mixed emotions of surprise, embarrassment, and delight.

I stood, fighting the urge to kiss her again, and bowed. “Goodnight Elena. Safe travels to you and your friends.”

She nodded, “To you too, Jonathan.”

I cringed inside as she called me by my father’s name but I knew that it was my own fault she did not realize who I was. Perhaps at another time I would be able to reveal it. And with that I strolled back inside to take my place beside General Gray.