A Nice Escape
An update and a short story snippet
If I’ve learned anything from the end of 2025, it’s that I have a habit of taking on too much. Way. Too. Much.
I just finished my January semester course, and have started my regular spring semester term this week, which means full speed ahead is my current setting. Often that means I forget to slow down. Which means I’m not taking care of myself, which, in turn, leads to disappearances like the one at the end of last year.
Starting next week (I’m aiming for Monday, but I’m out of town this weekend), I’ll be going back and featuring a story per week from my Spooky Stories Campfire that I missed out on finishing up. Keep an eye out for those cross-posts! Additionally, I plan on going back to a posting schedule. It will be less often, honestly, because I need to make sure I’m physically taking care of myself, but also mentally. I don’t want to burn out, but I also don’t want to overload myself and take on physical strain and more guilt.
I have drafted a schedule in my calendar, but I’m waiting to see what the homework load for my class looks like this week before I gauge how often I’ll be able to write and post. In the meantime, I hope everyone is enjoying the rest of their January!
As a treat, here is a brief snippet from a Valentine’s short story I’m writing. I hope you enjoy!
Penn walked into the room, finding Aria curled up on the couch with one of her books. He looked at the dubious male on the front cover, his missing wings giving away what she was reading again.
“Are you enjoying your romantasy book?” He asked, raising a brow.
A blush crept into her cheeks as she looked up, her eyes and nose crinkled in guilt.
“It is a good book. This one has a species in it called ‘humans’. They don’t have wings, so they invented funny things called ‘cars’ and ‘planes’ to get around on the ground and in the air. The world building is really good!” She gushed, placing a stray feather from her wings between the pages, marking her place.
“Why do you like those books so much?” The corner of his mouth quirked up. Penn folded a leg beneath him, lifting his wings to settle in the rest in the back of the couch.
“Why do you like flying?” Aria countered, smiling. “I love the feeling of exploring something new. It feels like living another life for a while.”
Reaching out, he snagged her hand, winding his fingers through hers. He smoothed his thumb over hers, rubbing soothing circles into her skin.
“That sounds like a nice escape. It wasn’t the answer I was expecting.”
“What do you mean?” She tilted her head, examining his expression.
“I thought you were going to say you like them for the sex,” he teased, laughter sneaking into his voice.
“Of course you did,” she rolled her eyes, smacking his arm playfully. “I swear males are the same in real life and books.”
“When I know what I want, I just go for it. I don’t need to dance around it with subtle hints and flirting.” He pulled her toward him, careful to avoid catching her wings on the groove in the couch. Aria collapsed in his lap with a giggle, and he ran a hand up her arm, trailing his touch over her shoulder to the spot where her wing muscles connected to her back.
“Mmm,” she let out a soft groan as Penn rubbed more small circles into the tense musculature there.
“Such a smooth talker,” he pressed a kiss to her lips, “how could I ever resist your charm?”
“You definitely didn’t marry me for my charm,” she grinned against his lips.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my Valentine’s story, and that you have a good weekend. I would love to hear your thoughts—where do you think this short story is going? Feel free to leave me a comment below, or hop in the subscriber chat and start a thread to share your thoughts.
As for me, I will be spending it alongside my best friend, celebrating her joy as she marries the love of her life. I couldn’t be more happy for her, and to be able to make it up here despite the snow. Until next update!
xoxo
Grace
