I don’t want to blend,” Talon whispered. “I want to belong.

— A.G. Howard

I grin, and he beams with

— A.G. Howard

I hold on to the nape of Morpheus’s neck, burying my face in his jacket. Nikki and Chassis burrow into my hair. I inhale Morpheus’s scent. It’s the only thing I recognize, the only thing that’s safe. He carries me back to the well-lit room and sets me gently on the table. I can’t stop trembling. My throat aches from holding back sobs.

— A.G. Howard

I know how to emulate crazy.

— A.G. Howard

I’m about to berate his tactics, to deny any feelings for him, when he cups the nape of my neck and presses his lips to mine, velvety soft. It’s nothing but a peck, yet the flavor of the tart he sampled lingers like a warm, savory bruise—an irresistible torment to the nether ling within. He draws back, and my skin glistens, radiant prisms reflected off his face and the cushions. I’m gripping his jacket lapels, yet I don’t even remember reaching for

— A.G. Howard

I need to know why I’m so broken, so I can fix myself. One way or another. Maybe this place can help me do that, and then I can finally look forward to my future. Because I’m starting to realize there’s something worse than stepping up and facing your fears – and that’s living as if you’re already dead.

— A.G. Howard

I pretend to reach for them, but before he can guess my intentions, I catch one of his wings instead. He flutters, trying to break loose, his one free wing batting my hand. I draw out the decanter and stuff him into it, careful to fold his wings. I don’t want to hurt him. Furthermore, I just want to better him. Once he’s settled inside, I shove a paper towel into the bottle’s neck. No need to worry that he’ll smother. After all, he spent that night in a bug trap last year and SUR

— A.G. Howard

Ironically, the first time he played it, he experienced his first dream vision with his own ‘flame jumble’, Rune – and saved her from drowning. Thereafter, he decided that must be the magic the instrument held: the ability to bring two souls together when they needed each other the most.

— A.G. Howard

It's great to have him watching my back without standing in my way.

— A.G. Howard

It's me I'm losing control of. Hundreds of sketches, and still can't get enough of your face." He traces the dimple in my chin with his thumb. "Your neck." His palm moves along my throat. "Your..." both hands find my waist and drag me off the table so we're standing toe tote. "I'm not wasting another second drawing you," he whispers against my lips, "when I can touch you instead." He presses his mouth to mine. A spark, hot and electric, jumps between us. Shock and sensation shimmer through me, aglow with his heat ad flavor. Six year of secret desire. Six years of denying that he's the orbit of my world. To think, he's been running from me, too.

— A.G. Howard