Advanced Mythology (40 page)

“I love you more than anything in the world,” said the message. “Will you marry me?”

Diane stared at it, then smiled up at him. The light of the dying bonfire set the emerald of her eyes ablaze.

“Of course I will,” she said. Beaming, Keith took the ring out of the box and put it on Diane’s finger. It looked just right there. Perfect, in fact. She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners in the way he loved so much. “At last.” She brandished her fist at him, ring side out. “And don’t think I’ll ever give this back.”

“I hope you never will.” Feeling as though he was about to burst with happiness, Keith embraced her, touching his lips gently to hers. She snuggled into his arms, joining the kiss with all her heart. After an eternity they broke apart, looking at one another a little breathlessly.

Something
thlunked
to the ground at their feet. It was a small package wrapped in violet gauze.

Diane glanced down, surprised, as more parcels joined the first. “What on earth is that?” she asked.

Keith’s face was as red as his hair. “Wedding presents,” he said.

***

Author Biography

Jody Lynn Nye lists her main career activity as “spoiling cats.” When not engaged upon this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories.

Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, bookkeeper at a small publishing house, freelance journalist, and photographer, accounting assistant and costume maker. For four years, she was on the technical operations staff of a local Chicago television station, ending as Technical Operations Manager.

Since 1987 she has published 45 books and more than 110 short stories. Although she is best known as a collaborator with other notable authors such as Anne McCaffrey (the Ship Who series, the Dinosaur Planet series), Robert Asprin (Dragons and the Myth-Adventures), John Ringo (Clan of the Claw) and Piers Anthony, Jody has numerous solo books to her credit, mostly fantasy and science fiction with a humorous bent. Her newest book is
Fortunes of the Imperium
(Baen Books), the second of the Lord Thomas Kinago books, which she describes as “Jeeves and Wooster in space.” Over the last twenty-five years or so, Jody has taught in numerous writing workshops and speaks at schools and libraries, and teaches the two-day writers’ workshop at DragonCon in Atlanta. When not writing, she enjoys baking, calligraphy, travel, photography and, of course, reading.

Jody lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with her husband, Bill Fawcett, and Jeremy, their cat.

Her website is www.jodylynnnye.com.

***