#between cases

[theladyjojogrant]

Pet.

PET.

[brisingirl]

Does anyone want some book seven Athelas whump? Because I wrote book seven Athelas whump.

Athelas's hands were badly burnt. So much so that he couldn't actually release his grip on the knives he held. Which also meant he couldn't heal until someone helped him to let go of the knives.

Someone, of course, was Zero. Since JinYeong and I had no medical training whatsoever. And also I suspected this was the kind of thing Athelas wouldn't accept from anyone other than Zero.

Pets were supposed to provide emotional support though so I stood behind Athelas's chair at the table and wrapped my arms around his shoulders while Zero sat across from him. Zero's eyes were very focussed and the furrow between his brows reached down to his nose.

"My dear, I assure you that I am not so delirious with pain that I need to be restrained for this procedure."

"It's not a restraint — it's a hug. For emotional support."

"I do not require that either."

Sure he said that, but I could feel the tension in his spine as Zero started to pry his fingers away from the hilt of the knife. He didn't really breath, as though he was afraid of the sounds that might slip out with the exhale.

Zero was very slow and methodical, but I don't think that method really worked because he was only halfway through the left hand when Athelas spoke, sounding only slightly strained.

"My lord, if you don't mind, I would prefer to have this ordeal over with as soon as possible."

Zero looked at him.

"Are you sure? It might make things worse."

"It will heal."

Zero worked more quickly after that. I felt Athelas's shoulders tighten with the effort of holding himself perfectly still and by the time we got to the last finger he let out a sound like a strangled whimper. The furrow between Zero brows was deeper than ever and I saw him weaving a faint shimmer of magic over the wounds. Since Athelas was perfectly capable of healing himself now, the magic probably wasn't necessary except for Zero's peace of mind.

He went out into the garden after bandaging Athelas's hands and I made a mental note to check on him later.

"Tea?" I asked Athelas.

"Not at present, my dear."

"Because you can't hold the teacup yourself?" I nudged him, "twisty old fae, you'll have to get used to us helping you. At least until that heals up."

"I should not like to be an inconvenience."

"Too late for that. Families are always a little inconvenient. Besides, I reckon you're more bothered about relying on others than you are about being a bother yourself."

"What decided notions you have!"

"Decided and correct."

I hugged him again before heading off to the kitchen to boil the jug. After feeding Athelas his tea, I wandered out into the garden to find Zero.

He wasn't swinging around his sword, but he was sweating slightly so he had been swinging it around recently. I plopped down on the porch next to him.

"You know, it's normal to have emotions about someone you love getting hurt."

Zero grunted, an acknowledgement rather than an agreement.

"You're allowed to feel stuff."

"It was my fault that he got hurt. He wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for me. And nothing I feel, or don't feel, can change that."

I rolled my eyes. Flaming fae and their flaming emotional repression.

"Athelas will be all right. He'll heal. And in the meantime we'll take care of him."

[theladyjojogrant]

I am. So convinced.

Definitely not falling in love :)

Not at all :)))

Totally and completely not in denial :))))))))

[theladyjojogrant]

JUST GOT TO THE END OF BETWEEN CASES AND AM INCOHERENT!! HELP!!

[brisingirl]

JinYeong: I am getting a good grade in boyfriend - something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve. 

[brisingirl]

Zero, I know you have trouble with feelings, but please for heaven’s sake, stop being stoic and talk to Pet. Specifically, about your mum and her great-grandmother. That seems like a conversation you need to have soon. Please, before something dramatic happens.

[cultivating-wildflowers]

Books of 2025 - February

Tried to get my mojo back this month with a variety of reading options to choose from; ended up finishing The City Between and reading some smaller books. (Hey, it's better than last February.) But February has been conquered! Hopefully in March I'll have a little more mental capacity so I can finally tackle a nonfic and the historical epic I've been staring at.

Total books: 8  |  New reads: 1   |  2025 TBR completed: 1 (0 DNF) / 1/18 total   |   Total books read this year: 16

January | March

#1, 2, & 3 - Between Walls, Between Cases, and Between Decisions by W.R. Gingell - 5/5 stars collectively (reread, audio)

Between Decisions remains my favorite of the series. Chills.

#4 - The Kestrel by Lloyd Alexander - 4/5 stars (reread)

I really had forgotten how sparse Alexander's writing is. And how many characters he juggles (and so well for such a slender volume). I got stuck on this one for a spell, but still loved it.

#5 - The Beggar Queen by Lloyd Alexander - 4/5 stars (reread)

And, as always, most of what I remember about this series happens in the final book. *weeps*

#6 & 8 - Between Family and Between Kings by W.R. Gingell - 5/5 stars collectively (reread, audio)

I am apparently still salty about this ending, lol. Definitely procrastinated on Between Kings. Funny how my opinion has changed from my original review of the finale.

While I have heard much praise for the sequel series, I'm still not sure I'm up for reading it myself.

#7 - Meet the Austins by Madeleine L'Engle - 5/5 stars ('25 TBR)

This is my first foray outside of the Murry family series of L'Engle stories (and I've only read the first four of those). It is also, somehow, only my second completed new read of the year....

Within ten pages I was Noticing the Themes in L'Engle's writing, and appreciating them immensely. And hhhhhhhh the way she writes grief.... Really hits home. Achingly beautiful.

Despite the grief, this was such a fun and cozy book. Parts of it were vaguely reminiscent of L.M. Montgomery (maybe Rainbow Valley) with it being a snapshot of an ordinary family and the adventures they get up to; but I don't think I've ever laughed so hard over a Montgomery story as I did with this. I was in tears at points.

As a side note: I appreciate that L'Engle always tells us specifically which books the kids are reading at any given time.

Currently Reading:

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, tr. Tiina Nunnally - I barely touched this in February. All of my grand plans of reading a bunch of tomes this year are slowly disintegrating. (I know, I know, it's only just March and it'll be ok.)

Keturah and Lord Death by Matine Leavitt - I just started this one and I'm not sure yet how I feel about it.

Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer - I got about 50% of the way through (via audio) in the last two days, so this will be a fun, quick read.

[allthingsdarkanddirty]

Annie Dyer ~ Between Cases ~ Release Blitz / Teasers

Title: Between Cases Series: The Callaghan Green Series Author: Annie Dyer Genre: Standalone Romance Release Date: October 12, 2018 He’s the plot twist she wasn’t planning on… Workaholic? Check. Po…