Ocean's Breath Plateau scarabs

the invitation was taken at once, smoothed with proverbial hand. "i agree that there is a pleasant ease in such things. i shall be pleased to be an attendant at your table, save that such a meal is truly shared."

he did not revel in submission.

a sweetened irony, then, to discover that sensibility had been no liar once more; little highness, a prince fallen to the place of a servant.

he had been taught correctly, directed back to a path suitable, and humbled, despite the artful shifting of limb and feature. wind played in the high, high branches of the sequoia forest.

"i was born a fellahin," senmut rejoined to the self-deprecation of machiavelli. "the everyday story, the formative moment that turned your mind into what it is now, such things have always intrigued me more than the prolific or the grandiose. the gods are known in these still moments of smallness."

the emerald eyes searched, a youthful shyness climbing the high scarlet cheekbones.