Editor's Choice Volume I - Slow summer Kisses, Kilts & kraken, Negotiating point by Giordano Adrienne Spencer Pape Cindy Stacey Shannon

laird?”
    “Is it true that Magnus can’t leave this island?” Melody had somehow heard about that, it seemed. “He fights like a man possessed.”
    “I think he’s a berserker.” Geneva perched on the mattress next to her sister. She tapped the book on Norse mythology she’d been reading along with the one on marine invertebrates. “It’s a gift and a curse, inherited from his Viking ancestors. When he fights, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. His focus and intensity become something more than human.”
    Alice nodded. “I’ve heard the stories. That would explain much of what we’ve seen of Magnus, but not why the kraken are attacking his home.”
    “That’s the real question.” With that, Geneva told the others about everything that had happened since her father had sent her to Mull.
    Everything, that is, except the kiss. That was no one’s business but hers.

Chapter Six
    Magnus flung back the bedclothes, tired of tossing and turning. For the first time in weeks, it wasn’t even the kraken preying on his mind that kept him awake, it was thoughts of a red-haired temptress that refused to let his mind—or his body—rest. For about half a minute, he considered going to her, to see if she’d welcome another of those incendiary kisses like they’d shared on the ramparts. Since her room was surrounded by her friends’ and sister’s, that would not be a good idea. He’d put his male guests in the same hall as his own suite, along with Rannulf and Quentin, so trying to bring her here was even more out of the question, unless they wanted to end up married by summer’s end.
    While parts of him didn’t exactly oppose the idea, he had enough honor left to reject the notion. She’d made her preference for the city clear, and he wouldn’t risk bringing in another mainlander wife who’d hate him for it. What he needed to do was send to other islands, see if some farmer’s daughter or village girl was willing to make Torkholm her home, in exchange for all the comforts money and status had to offer. With a dirigible, she’d be able to visit her family all she liked, or for that matter, she could bring her family with her. There were plenty of rooms in the castle. Aye, that would be the wisest thing.
    He dragged on a shirt and his kilt, not bothering with shoes, socks or other niceties. With nothing better to do, he made his way up to the ramparts, hoping the night wind would cool his overheated skin. Looking out over his homeland had always been one of his favorite ways to put his life in perspective. Granted, he’d had no chance to ever live as others could, traveling the world, but this, his beautiful island, was the boon he’d been given in return.
    When he reached the castle wall, it took a moment before he realized he wasn’t alone. His first inclination was to panic, but he hadn’t even drawn in a breath when the fear eased. She wasn’t about to jump. Geneva was too level-headed for that. Instead, she leaned against the wall, her chin resting on her crossed arms, her pale face turned into the breeze. “What are you doing up here?”
    She smiled at him and Magnus’s body tightened. “The same as you, I imagine. I couldn’t sleep. I keep trying to piece together a reason for the attacks, and I keep coming back to the notion that it isn’t natural. Yes, giant squid exist, but their behavior is all wrong. Connor said he felt another magick, faint, but pushing against the spell he and Tom used to hold the creature back so the others could shoot it. Who could, or would, for that matter, have cast such a spell? What purpose for setting such things loose against harmless villagers?”
    Magnus crossed to her and took a position close by her side. In an effort not to draw her into his arms, he rested his own on the parapet beside her and laced his fingers together. He could feel the warmth of her there, clad only in a nightgown and wrapper, tantalizingly close. “I don’t know. My only thought is