Sometimes you want a bite-sized fantasy romance.
A bunch of authors teamed up to write just that in honor of FaRoFeb, an annual celebration of all things fantasy romance. Four stories, each under 2,000 words.
Like a delicious snack.
I wrote the opening to one of them, "Working with the Enemy," and I've been looking forward to getting to share it with you. Warring magical families and enemies-to-lovers: It was fun watching this story twist and turn as each author added their part.
Here it is:
The look on Henry Tarrant’s face told Zara that she’d thoroughly shocked him.
Warwicks did not ask Tarrants for help. Warwicks and Tarrants had nothing to do with each other—beyond competing with cutthroat vim for the largest slice of the country’s magics trade, of course.
“No,” he said flatly.
“You haven’t let me explain—”
“It doesn’t matter what the reason is, the answer is still no.” He glared at her, leaning against the closed door of his rowhouse as if she might otherwise rush in. “Leave, or you’ll be sorry. You and your whole family.”
“They’ve made something dangerous!” As the words burst out, Zara felt sick. It had come to this: Betraying her family. To a Tarrant. “They insist it’s fine, but it’s not, and if I can’t figure out how to stop them before they start selling it …”
He stared at her, green eyes narrowed. Listening. Wavering?
“If I can’t,” she said, “I think this new product will kill people. So slowly they’d never make the connection.”
“Tell the government, then.”
“I don’t have proof. It’s a hunch. And you know my family.”
His lips thinned. Both their families paid bribes, but the Warwicks were better at it.
“Please,” she whispered.
Henry Tarrant thunked his head against the door.
Then he turned and opened it for her.
“If you’re lying,” he said, “I will kill you slowly.”
Maybe she should have tried a different Tarrant.
“Well?” he snapped.
Heart rattling, she scuttled in.
(Oh, and you can find the other FaRoFeb micro stories right here.)
📚🌟📚🌟📚
A few more cool & bookish things
My latest fantasy romance read is Pyromancy for Beginners, Erin Vere's retelling of The Little Match Girl. With a much happier ending, naturally—and decidedly more adventure.
(Plus this killer opening line: "In Hana's opinion, matches as a business venture was the dog's bollocks.")
Orphaned and newly homeless, Hana faces a night in a snow-laden alley, with nothing but her ratty cloak to cover her. Until the casual strike of a match opens a door to the fae realm of lords and ladies.
Unfortunately, her annoyingly good-looking rival match seller caught a ride through the fire with her. And he doesn’t trust the fae one bit.
This story is free for subscribers of Erin Vere's newsletter. You can grab it here:
Looking for even more fantasy romance stories? You can find a whole variety of options here, from the first female Hades in centuries setting off to fix the Underworld's problems to a rebellious human and dark elf engaged against their will.
And if you're in the mood for some free fantasy romance reads? You'll find a bunch right here, from a witch whose attempt to set up a supernatural sanctuary goes awry to a grim reaper trying not to fall in love with the man she accidentally reaped.
You made it to the end! You're awesome. (Of course.) And oh hey, here are my latest books.
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