Valkyrie's story, Alex's Legacy, was Monday's Signature Feature. Did you grab your copy of the signature banner so you can share your love for Valkyrie's story? If not, you can do that here! Today we're featuring her chosen excerpt.

Valkyrie says: This story started as my response to Prompt 305, although the characters existed before I wrote the prompt. Even though they were created as peripheral characters in another story, they captured my heart, and I wanted to learn their whole story. There's a tie-in to The Hollow Hills, and anyone who can find it earns a gold star. lol I picked this excerpt because it shows the connection between Sam and Alex. It also shows Alex's playful side and the romanticism that's a main feature of the story.

 

Saturday morning I waited on a bench outside the store with two cups of coffee and a bag of pastries. I wore jeans and work boots, as requested, along with a button-down flannel shirt and light jacket.

 

Alex pulled up in a navy blue Chevy pickup. He was out of the truck and opening the passenger side door before I had a chance to stand up. I walked over to the truck, and he brushed my hair out of my eyes and behind my ear as he looked at me softly. “Hi.”

 

“Hi.”

 

His hand lingered on my face and I thought I was going to die of frustration if he didn’t kiss me soon. I leaned forward as he took the coffee from my hands and held the door open.

 

“You’re going to be the death of me,” I grumbled as I hoisted myself into the truck.

 

Alex smirked as he handed me back our coffees. He whispered, “In the best way possible.” Then he closed the door and got in the driver’s side.

 

“So where are you taking me?” I asked, sipping my coffee.

 

“You’ll see.”

 

We chatted as we finished our coffee and pastries. I had no idea where we were headed. All I knew is that we were northbound. The colorful foliage and bright red vines creeping over low stone walls added to the ambiance of fall in New England. Alex held my hand. I hadn’t stopped smiling from the moment he pulled up in front of the store.

 

About an hour later he pulled into the parking lot of a remote nature preserve. He shut off the ignition and turned to me. “We can go somewhere more public if you prefer, but I promise I’m not a serial killer or anything.”

 

I laughed. “Well, if you are then my fate is pretty much sealed, isn’t it?”

 

“Pretty much.”

 

“I just have one request.”

 

“Name it.”

 

I leaned close to him. “Kiss me before you kill me.”

 

He smiled mischievously and leaned forward until our foreheads touched. He looked deep into my eyes and my breath hitched. He raised his hand to my face and cupped my cheek. His lips were almost touching mine; I could feel his hot breath and I closed my eyes in anticipation. “Will do,” he whispered. He kissed the tip of my nose and slid out of the truck. I groaned in frustration. I was starting to think he was never going to properly kiss me.

Want to read more? Check out the rest of the story here!