#Katie MacAlister

[brothersandtragedies]

"I am, in general, an easygoing person. I try to take a reed-bending-with-the-wind attitude toward life, rather than fight everything. But these constant 'out of the frying pan, into the fire, into a worse fire, into a worse fire than the worse fire before it' situations that had been riddling my life of late were beginning to wear me down." Katie MacAlister, Light My Fire

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Passenger Railway Services Bill (Public Ownership) Bill: Second Reading

Ayes: 351 (96.6% Lab, 2.3% Ind, 0.8% Green, 0.3% SDLP) Noes: 84 (100.0% Con) Absent: ~215

Day's business papers: 2024-7-29

Likely Referenced Bill: Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision for passenger railway services to be provided by public sector companies instead of by means of franchises.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: Committee of the whole House

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Labour (341 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Afzal Khan Al Carns Alan Campbell Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alex Sobel Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alison Taylor Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Hack Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Gwynne Andrew Lewin Andrew Pakes Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy McDonald Angela Eagle Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anneliese Dodds Anneliese Midgley Baggy Shanker Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Bell Ribeiro-Addy Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Bridget Phillipson Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Eccles Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chris Bloore Chris Curtis Chris Elmore Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Lewis Connor Naismith Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Jarvis Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Danny Beales Darren Jones Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Baines David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Taylor David Williams Dawn Butler Debbie Abrahams Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Ed Miliband Elaine Stewart Emily Darlington Emma Foody Emma Hardy Emma Lewell-Buck Emma Reynolds Euan Stainbank Feryal Clark Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Fred Thomas Gen Kitchen Georgia Gould Gerald Jones Gill German Gordon McKee Graeme Downie Graham Stringer Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Josan Hamish Falconer Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Hilary Benn Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Murray James Naish Janet Daby Jas Athwal Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Asato Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Joani Reid Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Healey John Slinger John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Davies Jonathan Hinder Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Josh Simons Julia Buckley Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Kanishka Narayan Kate Dearden Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Keir Mather Kenneth Stevenson Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kevin McKenna Kim Johnson Kim Leadbeater Kirith Entwistle Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Edwards Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Lillian Jones Linsey Farnsworth Lisa Nandy Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lizzi Collinge Lloyd Hatton Lorraine Beavers Louise Haigh Louise Jones Lucy Powell Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Myer Luke Pollard Margaret Mullane Maria Eagle Mark Ferguson Mark Hendrick Mark Sewards Mark Tami Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin Rhodes Mary Creagh Mary Glindon Matt Bishop Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matt Western Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Maya Ellis Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Amesbury Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Nadia Whittome Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Naushabah Khan Neil Coyle Neil Duncan-Jordan Nia Griffith Nicholas Dakin Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Prinsley Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosena Allin-Khan Rosie Wrighting Rupa Huq Ruth Cadbury Ruth Jones Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett

Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Owen Sarah Russell Sarah Sackman Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Shabana Mahmood Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Lightwood Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stella Creasy Stephen Doughty Stephen Timms Steve Race Steve Reed Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Tahir Ali Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Tony Vaughan Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Tulip Siddiq Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Warinder Juss Will Stone Yasmin Qureshi Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (8 votes)

Adnan Hussain Apsana Begum Ian Byrne Imran Hussain John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Zarah Sultana

Green Party (3 votes)

Adrian Ramsay Ellie Chowns Siân Berry

Social Democratic & Labour Party (1 vote)

Colum Eastwood

Noes

Conservative (84 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alec Shelbrooke Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Griffith Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Claire Coutinho Danny Kruger David Davis David Mundell David Reed David Simmonds Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Gagan Mohindra Gareth Bacon Gareth Davies Geoffrey Clifton-Brown George Freeman Graham Stuart Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Grant Helen Whately Jack Rankin James Cleverly Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont John Whittingdale Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Katie Lam Kemi Badenoch Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Mark Francois Mark Garnier Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mims Davies Neil Hudson Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Patrick Spencer Paul Holmes Peter Bedford Peter Fortune Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Holden Robbie Moore Robert Jenrick Roger Gale Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Shivani Raja Steve Barclay Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Tom Tugendhat Victoria Atkins Wendy Morton

[the-book-queen]

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[justinewt]

Our Souls Bleeding Tears of Anguish - THE 100 REWRITE Chapter Twenty-Three

[THE 100 MASTERLIST]

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Summary: The days following her arrest and imprisonment had been a roller coaster of emotion for Michelle, with far more downs than ups. The mix of fear, frustration, anger and sadness that stirred her insides almost made her sink into despair, and not being sure as to where Bellamy stood in all this made it even harder. She wanted him to show her he was back on their side.

Words: 6.4k

arnings: The 100 season 3 spoilers (episode 8 “Terms and Conditions”; episode 9 "Stealing Fire"; episode 10 "Fallen"), title adapted from quote from Katie MacAlister, execution, lots of blood

Pike suspended access to the prisoners, reinforcing security in front of and in the corridor leading to the cell where all the Grounders in the camp were still locked up, or interned as the new Chancellor preferred to put it, including Michelle herself. She woke up for the second time, curled up on the cold floor and sat up against the wall, crossing her legs. Her arms were bare since she had left her jacket in her room and although they were indoors, being dressed only in a tank top at the end of winter was rather unpleasant. She hadn’t been allowed to see or talk to her father in almost two days and she wondered what was going to happen to her. Pike said they weren’t on the Ark anymore, implying that back then, she would have been floated but not down here, but now she wasn’t so sure about the fact that she wouldn’t walk out of this cell only to be executed.

She was arrested by Bellamy before she could even tell her father that Pike knew there was a mole, and that his suspicions had befallen him. She only hoped it would be all right for him. She dreaded seeing the only parent she had left die before her eyes. Staring into the void, she kept rehashing the same thoughts until she heard movement in the hallway, and she turned her head. Sinclair, the chief engineer back on the Ark and here, was pushed into the cell, just like she was, except he didn’t collapse to the ground. He noticed Michelle and seemed chocked to see her there. This immidietaly told her that her father had no idea where she had gone and it pained her, knowing he was probably doing anything he could to find her and at the same time, find a way to stop Pike.

“This cell will soon be filled with both my people and yours.” Lincoln walked up to Sinclair and Michelle stood up, approaching them. “What’d you do to get here?”

“Whatever it took. I have a message for you from Kane. Get ready. You too, Michelle. Tonight’s a go.” He stepped away and the Grounder and the young woman exchanged a look before she went back to sitting against the wall, her legs stretched out in front of her. Whatever this plan of theirs was, she might have a chance to get out of here that very night. A few hours later, Sinclair called for a guard, telling him he was ready to speak, and they sent for Bellamy who arrived shortly after. He came up to the fenced cell door, facing Sinclair. Michelle stayed put, a hand on the ground, on the go. Both her and Lincoln were watching.

“You have something to say?”

“What do you wanna know?”

“Everything.” Sinclair nodded.

“I want immunity. I’m the Chief Engineer and this camp needs me.”

“That’s up to Pike, but it shouldn’t be a problem. What have you got?”

“So…” As he was beginning to speak, or really pretend to give information, Lincoln walked towards them.

“The cowards make their deals to save their own skin.” Bellamy told him to be quiet, but the Grounder kept going at it, adding fuel to the fire. “Can’t defeat the army at the gate? So, you turn on your own? Make you feel strong?”

“I said, “be quiet”.” He repeated.

“I’m not the one who needs to be silenced. He’ll tell them nothing.” When Lincoln grabbed Sinclair by the shoulders and threw him on the ground and began to throw punches at him, Michelle stood up, a hand on the wall. Bellamy shouted and a guard unlocked the door so he could come in and put an end to the assault. Sinclair was groaning loudly at each blow, but what Bellamy wasn’t aware of was that they had been faking it all along. Sinclair was shielding himself with his arms. He realized the deception when it was already too late, Lincoln called all the other prisoners to attack, and they ran forward. Commotion ensued and Bellamy was slammed against the wall, falling to the ground with a thud. The guards outside the cell all cramed against the door to keep the prisoners inside while the Grounders pushed against them with their full strengths, eventually gaining the upper hand. Michelle was frozen in place, wanting to check on Bellamy but also wanting to just make a run for it and leave but when an alarm sounded in the building, calling for reinforcement, she chose her first option and knelt next to Bellamy who groaned in pain. When he came back to his senses, he looked at her as if she had betrayed him, when it was the other way around and he got up hastily. With all the fight going on, she stood back up and watched, almost catching a stray here and there. She then saw Bellamy run through the cell and she was tempted to follow him but knowing how much of a mess this whole operation was, she was going to get caught anyway because there wasn’t anywhere else for her to go.

The riot was quickly put down by the dozens of guards who stunned the prisoners with they weapon and put them back in the cell. The alarm eventually stopped as well, and a heavy atmosphere took over the place. This religious silence lasted all afternoon and as she watched night fall through the small portholes in the corridor, she was alerted by the sounds of footsteps approaching the cell. She got up and saw her father's silhouette through the door. He had a defeated look on his face as his glance went from Lincoln to Sinclair and stopped on his daughter. She stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around him. They tried to get back at Pike and Kane had been on the front line. Now he had been arrested, and Pike had probably passed sentence already. She couldn't bring herself to think that her father could be condemned to death. If he died, she would die as well. If that was what awaited him, Bellamy better be aware of this. He would lose someone he loved, again, and all because of his choices.

They sat down on one of the benches and Michelle rested her head on his shoulder, eventually falling asleep against him.

A while later, she was woken up from her nap by a loud clinging sound of metal against metal. She straightened up, squinting her eyes and put her hand in front of her mouth as she yawned. It was Pike who was hitting against the mesh wall, and she gave him a death stare. Her father stood up.

“I’m not here for you, Kane. Each of you is guilty of the same crimes and as such, you will suffer the same fate. Death.” Michelle's face fell as she heard the news, but she would rather die alongside her father than having to watch the latter get executed. A grounder woman stood up, speaking her native tongue to Lincoln who stretched his hand towards her before approaching Pike who was standing on the other side.

“My people are innocent. They know nothing.” He whispered.

“Sir, Lincoln’s right.” Michelle approached in turn, standing next to her father, who had thought it was his time. “All the others did was run through an open door. Same thing we would do if we were in there. And Michelle—”

“Michelle did protect a traitor, but…” He cut him off and his focus went back to Lincoln. Bellamy looked at her through the holes and she could see his loyalty to Pike was beginning to crumble but she was disappointed things had had to go this far for him to doubt Pike. It had to come to the point where she was sentenced to death. “I believe that’s true. Kane, Lincoln, Sinclair… as the leaders of this coup, you will pay for your crimes with your lives. Execution is set for dawn.”

Michelle’s face lost all its colors and she turned as white as a sheet, as if she had seen a ghost or was on the verge of death. She was exempted from being killed, but her father was not, and just thinking about having to watch him die made her feel sick to her stomach and drained her of all her life force. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Bellamy turn around and she almost threw herself against the grid, her fingers gripping through the mesh. She saw the young man stop in his tracks and look behind him.

“You can’t let him do this.” As she repeated herself two and then three times, she hit the grid each time, she gritted her teeth as she held back from crying, both out of frustration and sadness. His eyes showed that all this disturbed and upset him and he turned his back to her before walking away. She took a step back and her father gently took her shoulder and pulled her back against him. At some point in the night, he was quickly taken out of the cell, chained of course, to go see Abby but he was back barely a couple minutes later. Michelle had never been this clingy in her whole life but all she could do now was to sit next to her father, clinging to his arm, her head resting on his shoulder. Michelle was unable to get any more sleep out of this night and awaiting her father’s death filled her heart with despair. He wasn't even on the scaffold yet and she was ready to give up on life. His sleeve was rolled up to the elbow and he detailed the coalition mark with his fingertip, thinking.

“It could’ve worked.” Lincoln said, sat on the bench a few feet away.

“Death can be an act of unity, too. We don’t break.” He turned his face to Sinclair, quickly glancing to Michelle after placing a kiss on her hair. “We don’t show fear. The people will remember.”

“Chancellor on deck.” A guard then announced. A second later it was Pike’s voice which came to irritate Michelle's ears, and which also made her heart drop. A few Grounders stood up, not knowing what this was about but Lincoln spoke to them. Michelle and Kane got up and he held her face, first looking into her eyes then he pressed his forehead against hers and placed a second kiss there.

“May we meet again.” Pike ordered for everyone to stand against the wall. She was pushed away from her father by a guard and had to watch them tie him, Sinclair, and Lincoln up. Also noticing the absence of Bellamy among the guards and wondered where he had gone now but she quickly put this question at the back of her head. She didn’t care where he was right now, she only cared that she was about to become an orphan. A guard came towards her, and she got her hands tied. Seeing this, Kane got alarmed. “What are you doing?”

“She will be released right after your execution.” The Chancellor then said to Kane. She was already upset over her father’s upcoming death, but she became even more terrified of having to watch. Maybe Pike would keep her somewhere else while it happened, or he would force her to witness it, to break her and ensure she wouldn’t try to fight him in the future. If it was the latter, he would succeed. She would be broken.

“Charles, she doesn’t need to see this.” His plead was ignored and the four of them were walked out of the cell.

“Make way.” Pike commanded as they crossed paths with Harper. She exchanged a prolonged glance with Kane. Once they were further away from her, Michelle saw her peer bring her radio up to her mouth, mumbling something. She figured the latter was in contact with Octavia and as usual, she would get them out of this situation. It somewhat relaxed her because if Octavia was coming, then none of them would be executed and she wouldn’t have to watch. A minute later, Hannah’s voice sounded from Pike’s radio.

“Sir, you were right. Octavia Blake is here, and she’s not alone.” He turned around, cocking his gun at them.

“On their knees!” They were pushed to the ground. He grabbed his walkie-talkie. “Can you confirm a location?”

“Negative, sir.”

“We can assume her friends have told her where we’re taking them. We shouldn’t go further till the route’s secure.” A young guard advised. Michelle recognized Nate’s boyfriend, though she had no idea what his name was.

“Put them in there. Let’s go, move!” They were pushed into an empty dormitory and the door was locked behind them, telling two of his men to stand stand watch. From inside the room, they heard him shouting orders before leaving. They all exchanged a look when, a moment later, the door burst open, revealing Octavia. Michelle glanced out the doorway, the two guards were lying on the floor. Knowing Pike would be back soon, she picked up one of the square floorboards and they slipped in the crawlspace underneath. They heard the guards and the Chancellor walk right above their heads.

“The guys are alive, sir. They must have drugged them.” One spoke.

“We did what they wanted us to do. That won’t happen again.” He declared as he walked out. The guards jogged after him. They waited a little longer and Octavia pushed the floorboard, taking a look.

“All clear.” She grabbed the guns and put them on the floor before jumping out of the crawlspace.

“A little tight in there.”

“Try doing it for 16 years.” Kane was second to climb out and she cut his restraints. She walked towards Lincoln after freeing Michelle while Sinclair pushed the floorboard back into place. Abby entered the room going straight to Kane and Michelle.

“I told you not to do this.”

“Why would I start listening to you now?” She undid their restraints and Michelle sketched an amused smile. That was something she could have said to her father. The radio at Octavia’s belt beeped and Kane looked up at her.

“What is it?”

“This wasn’t the plan. We used their frequencies so they could hear us.”

“Stay where you are.” Harper’s voice came through in a whisper. “Repeat. Stay where you are. The exit is not clear.”

“How many guards?”

“Too many. I said stay put.” Then, suddenly, someone made an announcement sounded throughout the ring, calling all the guards at the main gate claiming the prisoners were headed there. This was obviously a false report to cover for them and allow them to flee.

“That was Monty.”

“Guess he’s with us after all.” Nate said, looking at Octavia.

“Pike will find out.” Kane added.

“We don’t know that. What we do know is we have to move.” Abby quietly urged them. They slipped away into the corridor and headed towards the entrance to the crawlspace to allow them to exit the camp without being seen. A woman’s voice came over PA, warning the citizens of Arkadia that an emergency lockdown was going into effect. Michelle stood by with Abby while Kane had everyone get through the opening. He turned to the two women and motioned for Michelle to move forward. She stepped in and was about to go through the tunnel but when she didn’t hear Abby reply to Kane when he told her it was her turn, she wondered what was going on and looked back.

“I’m not going. They need someone to show them the way out of the dark.” Michelle's eyes widened in shock when she saw her father step forward and take Abby's face in his hands to kiss her passionately. She wasn't expecting it at all and was quite taken aback but she turned out to be pleasantly surprised. If she wanted to see her father with anyone, it would for sure be Abby. She was already like a second mother to her. A sweet smile sketched her lips and she let them have a moment before Abby walked away. Michelle stuck her head through the opening.

“I already saw Clarke as my sister so that's fine with me.” She giggled and her father glanced at her, letting out a quiet laugh until Pike’s voice came over Octavia’s radio and the situation took on a more serious tone again. They were hanging on his threatening words.

“I have a message for the traitors in this camp. There will be an execution today. Either turn yourselves in, or the other Grounder prisoners will die in your place.” Lincoln looked at Octavia, his face impassive and pushed her out of the way. She grabbed his arm to stop him. Kane turned to his daughter and motioned for her to go with the others, telling her he would join them shortly and she nodded before crouching her way to the exit, dropping her right outside the camp. She waited for her father alongside Nate and Bryan and he eventually arrived, carrying an unconscious Octavia in his arms. Lincoln was nowhere to be seen, and for a very simple reason. He stayed behind to turn himself in and save his people from getting killed because of them. He put Octavia on the back of a horse and gave Michelle his jacket when he realized that she was still in just a tank top. She tried to refuse, not wanting her father to be cold but he insisted and placed the garment on her shoulders. She slipped her arms in the sleeves and the group started walking. Octavia came to her senses as it started raining and she clumsily jumped off the horse, mumbling Lincoln’s name. From where they were, they could see the camp in the distance. She stumbled through the bushes to get closer. Her face twisted with anguish. Lincoln fell to his knees in the mud, Pike facing him. Michelle got startled when he shot the Grounder in the head, his body collapsing to the ground and disappearing from their field of vision. She looked at Octavia and the sorrow on her face was gone. She looked cold and emotionless, but hatred pierced through her eyes as she stared at Pike's silhouette.

At the speed they were walking, it took them a minute to get to the cave where Octavia had left Indra earlier in the day. Their walk was in the most heavy and morose silence. Michelle and Kane entered the place after Sinclair, Nate and Harper and the young woman was surprised to see Bellamy there, chained to a rock. This gave her an answer to the question of where he had gone. Octavia walked past them, looking down at her sword in its sheath. He looked nervously at the entrance to the cave.

“Where’s Lincoln?”

“Pike put a bullet in his brain.” She said, her back to him. He couldn’t hide his shock, and guilt, regarding the Grounder’s death.

“O… O, I’m so sorry.” She snapped, suddenly turning around and punched him in the face with all her force. He stood back up, looking at her without saying anything and she kept hitting him, blood staining his lips and cheek. Michelle gritted her teeth, wanting to say something but not daring. She understood how much anger and resentment Octavia must have felt towards her brother, blaming him for what happened.

“Octavia, that’s enough.”

“Kane, stay out of this.” His eyes were wide open. He obviously felt responsible and let his sister lash out at him. She started hitting him repeatedly and everyone without exception looked away. Michelle closed her eyes, wincing at the gruntings. Kane took her by the shoulders, and they moved away from the scene. Octavia was sobbing and pushed Nate away when he tried to stop her. Again, Bellamy said to stay out of this and back off. Michelle put her hands on her ears when Octavia screamed and finished her brother off, his body falling with a thud.

“You’re dead to me.” Michelle heard silence return as Octavia's footsteps walked away towards the back of the cave. She let her hands fall and dared to turn her head, breathing heavily. She tried not to let her jaw drop at the dreadful sight of Bellamy's face covered in blood. She finally got up and approached one of the big bags they had brought. It was mostly weapons, but she found a cloth and some water while the others began to set up a fire on the other side of the cave. Bellamy avoided her gaze and turned his face away when she knelt beside him and tried to bring the folded cloth closer. With a trembling hand, she took his face and proceeded to gently wipe away the blood. He winced from the pain, tightening his lips. His eyes were no longer so wide open but still shocked and flooded with shame as he stared into the void.

“I deserve this.”

“Never said you didn’t.” He rolled his head against the rock and looked at her. She crossed his gaze. His eyes were asking her why she was even tending to him since she agreed he deserved this punishment. “I just— I don’t like seeing you like this. But I'm still angry with you.”

“I’m so sorry.” His voice was soft, almost sounding like a silent request to forgive him and he plunged his eyes into hers. Her hand still against his face, he wrapped hs fingers around her wrist.

“I know. But I can't forgive you just yet, especially out of respect for Octavia.” He briefly looked away, nodding. She let her hand slide off his face and bringing it on her lap, she held his wrist. “I’m sorry too.”

“For what?” His gaze swiftly came back to hers. At first, he didn’t understand what she was even apologizing for.

“Pushing you away.” She said under her breath, glancing at the blood-soaked cloth in her other hand before and then over her shoulder. Behind her, the others had lit a fire and were all sitting around it, talking about their next move, Pike, and the ongoing blockade around Arkadia. That was the reason they couldn’t go very far and turned this cave into their hideout. She looked back at Bellamy’s scarred face. He was staring at her, knowing she was referencing the romance that had blossomed between them before she ended it without a word. She never explained herself to him and subsequently he got together with Gina and their relationship became even more distant and awkward.

“You don’t need to apologize for that.”

“Yes, I do. We hurt each other because I didn’t handle things very well. Had too much on my plate…” Looking away, she parted her lips, wanting to tell him she liked him, but the words wouldn’t come out. Thinking about saying it out loud to him awakened the resentment that was sleeping deep inside her and she concluded briefly, shrugging. She let go of her hand and sat on the wet rocky ground of the cavern. She sighed, raising her head towards skylight above the cave. The thick foliage of the trees let in an openwork light inside. “By the way, did you leave my jacket in my room?”

“I took it after I arrested you. It's in my room.”

“I want it back when we return to Arkadia.” After a look from her father, as he sat down at the fire, she stood up and went next to him. She didn't want to give all her empathy and kindness to Bellamy for the simple reason that she had seen him get beaten up by Octavia. She knew he was sorry for what happened but there was a part of her that wanted to wait and see if he had truly joined their side for good, or if Pike's influence had still a hold of his mind. Giving out everything without knowing if she would get anything, other than a betrayal, from him wasn’t something she was ready to do. From where she was, she had Octavia facing her, sitting with her back to her brother and the latter a few dozen feet away. They stared at each other from the corner of their eyes.

“I say, we run two-man patrols, round the clock, starting now.” Bryan said.

“We’ll do that, but we should be safe here. The Grounder’s blockade is too close for Pike to risk looking for us.” Kane spoke.

“Yeah, but are we safe from the blockade?”

“As long as we stay this side of the line, we should be.”

“They’re Grounders, you really think they’re gonna play by the rules.” Octavia glared at him, and his remark made Michelle roll her eyes, breaking eye contact with Bellamy for a moment.

“Hey, Pike will want you dead now, too. We take him him out, we can go home.”

“We take him out, then the Grounders lift the blockade.” Harper chimed in, adding to Nate’s statement to his boyfriend.

“That’s right. We become the 13th clan, again.” Michelle glanced back at Bellamy, seeing him quietly disagree with what her father was saying. He rose his eyebrows and shook his head in disbelief. Feeling her eyes on him, he peeked at her before looking away. “Those were the terms.”

“Lexa’s terms.” Sinclair corrected. “If what Bellamy says is true and she’s dead, how do we know the next commander will honor them?”

“One problem at a time.”

“What about Clarke?” Michelle turned her head to Nate at the mention of her friend. “With Lexa gone, she’s not safe at Polis."

“Clarke made her choice.” Octavia thrusted the tip of her blade into the ground. “The only thing that matters now is killing Pike.”

“Octavia’s right.” While her father agreed, Michelle saw Bellamy looking up at them and gulped. There was guilt all over his face. “Once we resume our place in the Commander’s coalition, Clarke will be safe. So, how do we do it?”

“Bellamy, come in.” Monty’s voice rising from the radio interrupted their conversation, catching their attention. “It’s Monty, I’m in trouble. Please say you still have your radio.”

“If we respond and Pike’s listening—” Sinclair picked up the radio, hesitant.

“We go to Channel 7.” Bellamy stated. “Please say you still have your radio. That’s seven words after the word “trouble”. It’s code, go to seven.”

After a few seconds of silence, Sinclair and Kane looking at each other, the Chief engineer switched the channels on the radio and hande it to the former councilman. Monty’s voice came up again, asking for Bellamy again. “Monty, it’s Kane. What’s wrong?”

“Pike knows that I helped you get out.”

“Can you get to the dropship?”

“I think so.”

“Good. Go there, I’ll bring you in.” He looked at Bellamy and ended the communication with Monty.

“Hold on, what if it’s a trap and Pike’s waiting?” Harper wondered.

“That’s why I’m going alone.” Kane declared as he stood up. Obviously, Octavia imitated him, who was quickly joined by Nate.

“Monty saved our lives. I’m going too.”

“No, you’re not.” He disapproved. Everyone got up on their feet, including Michelle. “If it is a trap, I’m not marching our entire insurgency into it.”

“To stop me, you’re gonna have to kill me.” Octavia said, coldly.

“She hopes it’s a trap.” She turned her head, looking over her shoulder.

“He’s coming too. We’ll need a hostage to trade for Monty.” Michelle’s gaze went from Octavia to Bellamy in the background. Kane admitted this was a good plan and the so-called hostage was gagged on top of remaining chained. When Nate tried to plead for him, he cut him off, reminding them that he was the enemy and repeated his order.

Advancing cautiously, with Octavia and Kane at the head of the line, the latter pushing a chained and gagged Bellamy in front of him, the group walked on the dropship ground. Fearing that Octavia was right and that it turned out to be a trap, Michelle had insisted to tag along, promising to her father that she would listen to him if something happened. Much like Octavia, but for different reasons, he was quick to realize it would be better for him to accept to let her come rather than argue with her over this. If it was a trap and they got caught, she wanted to be with her father. She refused to be pacing around a humid cave wondering if she was going to hear that her father was dead or see him come back to them. Nate had given her a gun and off she went. They stopped in their tracks. Kane called for Monty, breaking the suspicious calm and silence hanging over the place. He assumed they had gotten there first when after a few seconds there was still no answer and they took a step forward, staring at the curtain that obscured the interior of the ship. Octavia suddenly pulled out her sword, grabbing her brother’s shoulder and putting her blade up to his throat.

“Get outside! Now!” She yelled. Monty appeared and there was a moment where they thought he was alone but when they saw his hands brought together in front of him, tied up, it was clear something was wrong. And behind him, a gun appeared, held up to the young man’s head and the person who held the weapon was no other than Pike himself. The number one target on Octavia’s kill list. Monty apologized for getting them into a trap but none of them were mad at him. The fault lied with Pike, as usual.

“Let him go, Pike.” Kane’s request was obviously denied while he and Michelle aimed their guns at him. They got startled when a shot was fired at their foot and Michelle closed one of her eyes, looking through the sight on top of her gun. She noticed that in his other hand, there was a radio. She frowned, thinking she should have been more observant, at least now they knew he wasn't alone.

“It’s over. Put down your weapons.”

“Shoot him.” Octavia urged, glancing at Kane and Michelle. The latter looked at her father. If he wasn’t going to do anything, she would stand by. He couldn’t shoot though; Monty’s was in his way.

“If he keeps Monty there, I got a clear shot.” While Pike urged the former councilmate to do something, the latter told his daughter to hold her fire. If she missed and hit his gun, Monty would most definitely get a bullet in his head. Another shot was fired at their feet, unsettling them.

“I promised Monty’s mother that I’d bring him home alive. Don’t make me a liar.”

“He’s already a liar.” Michelle uttered, tighetening her grip of her automatic rifle. She was surprised when she saw her father lower his, much to Octavia’s disappointment. He took the strap of the weapon off around his chest and raised his hands in the air, sending a look prompting his daughter to do the same. She gritted her teeth and reluctantly did so, hands in the air, showing the large scar that ran across the palm of her empty hand. She watched her father throw the gun away and rolling her eyes, she imitated him.

“Now, you.” He addressed Octavia, who was still holding her blade to the side of Bellamy’s neck. Her only reaction was to pull her brother closer and put the edge of the sword at the front of his throat. Before another shot could be fired at them, Bellamy suddenly grabbed her arm, twisting it around. She fell to her knees with a grunt. As Michelle thought, not just one man came out of hiding, about half a dozen people appeared.  The three of them were held at gun point while Pike picked up Octavia’s sword. Michelle was staring at Bellamy. She couldn’t tell if their conversation at the cave had had any effect or had been pointless and she fooled herself thinking he had switched sides. There was a part of her that was afraid he would just go back with Pike. That part of her believed he would.

“Now, you don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine.”

“You got about five seconds to make me believe you’re still with me.”

“All the others are in a cave not far from here.” Michelle’s face fell from the disappointment that overwhelmed her. Octavia jumped at him, swearing and she was struck with an electric baton, collapsing to the ground with a grunt.

“Give me the coordinates.”

“I don’t have the coordinates. But I can take you there.” Pike had their new prisoners gagged and tied up while he freed Bellamy from his restraints and they pushed the three of them, along with Monty, in the forest. Walking beside her father, with Octavia in front of her and Pike and Bellamy at the lead, Michelle glared at the later, looking around as they advanced, she wondered where he was taking them. This wasn't exactly the route they took to get to the dropship site in the first place. She was on guard and didn't want to get her hopes up if he turned out to be betraying them again. She would be less disappointed if she expected the worst.

“Sure about the route?” Pike eventually asked. “We’re getting close to the blockade line.”

“That’s why Kane set up out here. He didn’t think we’d risk it.”

“Well, he was wrong.”

“What’s gonna happen to my sister?” I know she has to answer for her crimes, but—”

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll make you the same promise I made to Monty’s mother. Immunity from all past actions, but if she screws up again—”

“Oh, she won’t. I’ll make sure of it. My sister, my responsibility.” Michelle glanced at the girl. She couldn't see her face, but she knew that hearing him talk like this made her terribly angry. After what she had said and done to him in the cave, if she ever managed to forgive him, it wasn't going to be any time soon. A moment later, Pike had them come to a halt. Bellamy ensured the cave was right on the other side and they resumed. A horn echoed through the forest. Pike's soldiers raised their weapons, aiming at the treetops but no one could see anything. He urged them to go back to higher grounds and the moment he turned his back to Bellamy, the latter snatched the gun at his belt and held him at gunpoint, yelling at him to drop his weapon. One of the Ark’s guards took a step forward and Octavia hit him in the abdomen with her tied hands and the man fell to the ground.

“We bring you Chancellor Pike of the Sky People. O, translate. Take him. Lift this blockade.” She pulled down her gag and spoke to the Grounders. Michelle jumped, taking a step back as arrows flew from the trees, taking down each of the guards. The Grounders then appeared, running towards them, and circling them, shouting. Crouched down after being startled, Octavia took a knife from one of the bodies and tried to attack Pike but Kane blocked her to stop her. The Grounders wanted him alive, and they wouldn’t get away with it if something like what happened with Finn happened again. Clarke had taken from them their right to revenge after he had shot innocent people in a village. They couldn't take this one away from them.

“In that case…” Pike took a step towards Bellamy, and an arrow lodged itself in his left shoulder. Blood sprayed as he fell to the ground and a Grounder came to deliver another blow. He was knocked out after another kicked him in the face. They picked him up. Meanwhile, Michelle had lowered her gag and Bellamy came in front of her, cutting her bonds with his knife.

“Where are you taking him?” Kane enquired after getting his ties cut.

“To the new Commander.”

“May I join you?” He pulled up his sleeve, revealing the Coallition mark on his arm. “We’re the 13th clan.”

“Don’t slow us down.” The Grounder turned around.

“Are you sure?” Michelle asked, worried.

“We know nothing about the new commander.” Monty added.

“I’m sure. Go home. Tell our people what happened here.” Monty nodded, walking away, leaving Kane with Bellamy and Michelle. He placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder and stroked her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Tell Abby I’ll look out for Clarke.” She nodded. He looked at Bellamy. “Did you do this for your sister? Or because it was the right thing to do?”

“You’re welcome.” He tried to dodge the question and leave but Kane grabbed his arm.

“It matters. Until you see that, you’ll still be lost.” Michelle watched her father catch up with the Grounder further away. When she looked at Bellamy, he avoided her gaze at first.

“I still don't know what to think of you.” She was still angry at him, but she really wanted to give him a second chance. Turning Pike in was a first step in the right direction. He was lost after everything that happened. They both had their issues and broken trust was a big one between them. Perhaps he was still afraid that she would push him away again, but now knowing he wouldn't betray them again, Michelle was ready to make efforts this time and she would help him get back on the right path.

“I’m sorry.” He repeated quietly, nodding.

“I’m sorry too.” After looking at each other in silence for a moment, they finally approached Monty who was standing alone not far away.

“My mom turned me in.”

“You’re family. We’ll work it out.” Bellamy put a hand on Monty’s shoulder and taking a peep at Michelle, he did the same, slightly squeezing hers. When she met the enraged gaze of Octavia who was kneeling near one of the bodies, she looked away. One of the men on the ground lifted his head, showing he wasn’t dead, and she jumped, stabbing him in the chest before staring at her brother, speaking trigedasleng. This time, Michelle clearly understood what she said, though the underlying threat wasn’t directed at her.

“Blood must have blood.”

[To be continued…]  

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Published (01/19/2023) by Andrea

Taglist: @cathrin2405​ @kika64 @mirellef2001

[truebloodrandazzo]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Katie MacAlister Sex and the Single Vampire (Dark Ones Series, 2) Paperback Book.

[dreamdifferentitem]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: The Truth about Leo by MacAlister, Katie.

[azazel-dreams]

The Truth about Leo by Katie MacAlister

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤

Noble Series in reading order:

Noble Intentions

Noble Destiny

The Trouble with Harry

The Truth about Leo

[ravens-cove]

The Noble Series by Katie MacAlister - The Trouble with Harry, Noble Destiny, Noble Intentions, The Truth About Leo

Fun books to pass an hour or two when you want to read but want something completely silly, not to be taken seriously.

[weirdesplinder]

Libri romance con coppie mature

Molto spesso le protagoniste dei romanzi sono: giovani e belle, (diciassette-diciotto  anni), piene di vita  e accalappiano l'eroe bello e tenebroso (spesso molto più grande di loro) senza fatica apparente. Bene, è ora di finirla. Anche chi ha superato i trenta o quaranta ha il diritto di essere protagonista e di mettere in ginocchio un belloccio da sposare. I quattro romanzi che vi vorrei consigliare, oltre ad essere scritti bene, ad avere trame intriganti e divertenti, hanno delle protagoniste finalmente DIVERSE dal solito. Non più nel fiore degli anni, hanno ormai, trenta, quaranta anni, non sempre sono bellissime, ma trovano comunque l'amore in modi inaspettati.

Il velo della notte di Lydia Joyce

https://amzn.to/31KPJhn

Trama: 1800. Inghilterra. Un conte misterioso vive quasi recluso nel suo maniero. Una nobildonna va a trovarlo per salvare dai debiti il fratello. Il conte le propone un patto. Lei acetta e così due vite segnate dal dolore e dalla solitudine si incontrano. Entrambi non più giovanissimi, entrambi pieni di ricordi dolorosi e di rimpianti. Riusciranno a guarirsi a vicenda?

La mia opinione: Un bellissimo romanzo, con due protagonisti di primo piano. Entrambi segnati dal loro passato hanno dei caratteri forti e fragili allo stesso tempo. Lui segnato da una misteriosa malattia che non gli permette di uscire alla luce del sole, lei piena di rimpianti per le sue stesse scelte che le hanno rubato la giovinezza. Insieme troveranno conforto e amore.

E infine la baciò di Laura Lee Guhrke

https://amzn.to/2Pv51V8

Trama: Inghilterra. Fine 1800. Emmaline è la segretaria di un famoso editore. Seria, pacata e controllata, vive secondo le ferree regole dell'etichetta. Il suo datoro di lavoro, invece, scandalosamente divorziato se ne infischia delle regole della società. Emma si accorge che la sua vita non è quella che vorrebbe solo dopo l'ennesimo rifiuto a far pubblicare il suo libro, proprio il giorno del suo compleanno. Ormai trentenne ha passato la giovinezza sprecandola, così decide di dare una svolta alla sua vita. Si licenzia, trova un nuvo editore e pubblica il suo libro. Il suo ex datore di lavoro però non intende lasciarla andare, senza di lei il suo ufficio sembra crollare. Quello che non si aspetta però è di essere attratto dalla nuova Emma. Per la prima volta la vede veramente...

La mia opinione: Molto bello. I due protagonisti non sono preda di equivoci o spinti l'uno verso l'altro da elementi esterno o da altri personaggi, è semplicemente un lavoro interiore che li avvicina. Emma per la prima volta agisce impulsivamente e da quel momento cambia agli occhi del suo ex datore datore di lavoro Lord Marlowe. Egli crede, dopo un divorzio disastroso e doloroso, di essere immune all'amore e nemmeno riconosce ciò che prova per Emma, sa solo che deve aiutarla a liberarsi dalla prigione di regole che la soffoca. Un libro stupendo, romantico, ma con una vena di tristezza e gioia che ammalia il lettore. Da leggere assolutamente.

Il duca di ghiaccio di Mary Balogh

https://amzn.to/3cMkBV3

Trama: Il glaciale e solitario Wulfric Bedwyn, duca di Bewcastle, ha visto i suoi fratelli e sorelle trovare l’amore e sistemarsi. Tuttavia non ha alcuna intenzione di emularli. Alla morte della sua amante si sente però improvvisamente solo e accetta un invito a un ricevimento, incontrando una schiera di dame che fanno di tutto per attirare la sua attenzione. Tranne una: Christine Derrick. Non più giovanissima e vedova, Christine ha comunque una vivacità e una carica sensuale che Wulf non riesce a ignorare. Eppure, nonostante l’inevitabile e corrisposta attrazione, lei rifiuta di diventare sua amante, e sedurla sarà per il “duca di ghiaccio” una sfida da vincere a ogni costo. Al punto di rendersi conto di non poter più fare a meno dell’amore…

La mia opinione: ve ne ho già parlato ampliamente in diversi post precedenti, romanzo bellissimo da leggere assolutamente, indipendentemente dall’età dei protagonisti che essendo più maturi sono comunque più interessanti. Tutta la serie Bedwyn sarebbe da leggere.

Mio unico amore di Mary Balogh

https://amzn.to/2QSbPwf

Per la prima volta dalla morte del figlio e della moglie, George Crabbe, duca di Stanbrook, prende in considerazione l’idea di risposarsi. Riaffiora così nella sua mente l’immagine di una donna conosciuta un anno prima e mai più rivista: Dora Debbins. Dora, da parte sua, ha perso ogni speranza di contrarre matrimonio dopo lo scandalo che aveva investito la sua famiglia e i lunghi anni in cui si era dovuta occupare della sorella minore. Ora vive da sola nel Gloucestershire, dove insegna musica per guadagnarsi da vivere. Ma la visita del duca penetra nella sua vita come un raggio di sole…

La mia opinione: Questo appartiane a una delle serie più recenti della Balogh (serie Survivor) secondo me meno belle delle precedenti, ma la Balogh è sempre la Balogh e merita. Tengo comunque a dire che questo libro ha veramente poca trama, perciò se cercate letture che vi coinvolgano in modo particolare o vi regalino soprese cercate altrove. Qui è tutto corteggiamento e approfondimento psicologico e basta.

Semplicemente perfetto, di Mary Balogh

https://amzn.to/3sM7VlX

Claudia Martin, colta e dai modi semplici, dirige con impegno una scuola per giovani signore poco abbienti. Genuino è il suo disprezzo per l’aristocrazia e per la superficialità dei rituali che la caratterizzano. Trovarsi quindi in viaggio da Bath a Londra in una splendida carrozza con Joseph Fawcitt, marchese di Attingsborough, è per lei un tormento. Che diventa autentico supplizio nel momento in cui scopre di essere attratta da lui. Per contro, Joseph si accorge al primo sguardo di quanto Claudia sia appassionata e gentile. Sarà possibile, per due mondi tanto diversi, trovare un punto d’incontro?

La mia opinione: Ultimo libro della serie Simply della Balogh, serie che vi consiglio di leggere tutta, e dopo aver letto la serie Bedwyn poichè le due serie hanno ersonaggi in comune. Libro bello quanto tutta la serie del resto, super consigliato e scritto benissimo, appartierne all’epoca d’oro della Balogh.

Qualcuno da desiderare di Mary Balogh

https://amzn.to/3cNzx5o

Trama: Dopo la morte del marito, il conte di Riverdale, con cui ha vissuto per vent’anni senza sapere che era già sposato, Viola Kingsley è irrequieta e infelice sebbene circondata dall’affetto dei figli e di tutta la famiglia. Superati, o quasi, il dispiacere e la vergogna per essere stata privata del titolo nobiliare e del patrimonio, sente tuttavia che la sua vita è vuota finché un giorno, per caso, si imbatte in un vecchio spasimante respinto quattordici anni prima: Marcel Lamarr, marchese di Dorchester. Nonostante una fuga d’amore lontani dal mondo, però, nel giro di un paio di settimane il loro senso del dovere sembra avere di nuovo il sopravvento quando…

La mia opinione: questo fa parte della serie Westcott della Balogh, la sue serie che amo di meno, per carità è carino come libro ma diverse scene mi hanno ricordato altri libri precedenti dell’autrice, sa molto di già letto e visto mille altre volte questo libro.

Gli amanti dello scandalo (Scandalous lovers), di Robin Schone

https://amzn.to/2Nqdc4a

Trama:  Londra. Primi del 1900. James ha quarantasette anni, è un avvocato  difensore, e la morte di sua moglie gli ha fatto capire non averla mai  conosciuta, di non avere mai cercato di conoscerla. Lui fa parte con  altri uomini e donne di un club, Il  Club degli uomini e delle donne che  era nato per discutere delle differenze fra i sessi, ma che in realtà  non ha mai affronìtato argomenti reali. Gli stessi membri si conoscono  appena fra di loro. Ma l'entrata di una sconosciuta durante una riunione  del Club, cambierà tutto La sconosciuta è Frances, ha quarantanove  anni, è vedova ed è nonna di ben dodici nipoti. Dalla campagna è venuta  in città per una breve vacanza. Non sa che la sua sincerità nel  rispondere alle domande di James cambierà le dodici vite dei membri del  club e soprattutto cambierà per sempre la sua vita.

La mia opinione: qui l’età dei protagonisti è centrale alla trama. Il libro è stupendo anche se estremamente sensuale, visto che la sessualità e la libertà sessuale sono al centro della trama.

Scandalo inglese (The Trouble with Harry) di Katie MacAlister

https://www.eharmony.it/Harmony/Libri/Historical/Grandi-Romanzi-Storici/Grandi-Romanzi-Storici-giugno-2008/SCANDALO-INGLESE

Trama: Per evitare la rovina finanziaria, Frederica Pelham, detta Plum, decide di rispondere all'inserzione matrimoniale di un vedovo, e poco tempo dopo lo sposa. Solo in seguito il consorte le rivela di non essere il segretario di un ricco marchese, bensì Lord Harry Rosse in persona, e di avere addirittura cinque figli! Per Plum è un duro colpo, anche se non può certo lamentarsi dell'inganno visto che nasconde a sua volta dei segreti imbarazzanti, come l'accusa infamante che macchia la sua reputazione, o la presenza di un ex marito che minaccia di rivelare a tutti il suo scandaloso passato. Insomma, Plum desiderava soltanto un po' di pace e di sicurezza, ma come riuscirà a ottenerla tra tanti equivoci e ricatti?

La mia opinione: Qui la trama è avvincente, ironica e piena di equivoci e inganni. Se vi piace quel genere di libri allora questo fa per voi.

Inediti in lingua italiana:

Something Shady

Pamela Morsi

Inedito in italiano

Trama: Primi anni del 1900. America. Per venti anni lei ha amato in segreto il suo vicino, e fantasticato su di lui. Ormai, vicina ai quaranta sa di aver sprecato i suoi anni migliori dietro un sogno impossibile, finchè l'incredibile accade. Un malinteso avvicinerà lei al suo vicino, ed entambi scopriranno di essersi sempre piaciuti.

La mia opinione: La trama sembra inconsistente ma in realtà gli equivoci si susseguono pieni di ironia e i due protagonisti ormai maturi, riscoprono dentro di loro, una giovinezza interiore che li ripagherà di tutti i dolori subiti. Avrebbero potuto amarsi venti anni prima se solo uno dei due avesse parlato, ma a che serve rimpiangere il passato se il presente diventa meraviglioso?

Someone to remember di Mary Balogh

Inedito in italiano

Trama: Matilda Westcott da ragzza ha rifiutato la proposta di matrimonio del suo primo amore su consiglio dei genitori, ma ora trent’anni dopo ha una seconda possibilità di rimediare a quell’errore.

La mia opinione: Racconto della serie Westcott che sarebbe molto carino se non riuscisse a risultare prolisso nonostante la sua brevità. Non lo consiglio, ma l’ho messo in lista perchè i due protagonisti hanno superato la cinquantina ed è raro trovare protagonisti di questa età nel genere romance.

Another dream, di Mary Balogh  (racconto contenuto nell’antologia: Once upon a dream)

Inedito in italiano

Trama: Eleonor, la sorella di Christine moglie del Duca di Ghiaccio Wulfric Bedwyn, da sempre convinta di non volersi sposare dopo aver perso il fidanzato in guerra, si rende conto dopo aver pasdsato i quaranta che insegnare non le basta più e fortunatamente per caso in una locnda durante un temporale incontra un bel Conte, vedono con due bambini adorabili...

La mia opinione: Questo al contrario di Someone to remember, appartiene all’epoca d’oro di Mary Balogh e farebbe parte della serie Simply ed è collegato anche al Duca di Ghiaccio, perciò è molto carino e superconsigliato.

[coollovebibliophilethings]

The Importance of Being Alice by Katie MacAlister

The Importance of Being Alice by Katie MacAlister

Title: The Importance of Being AliceAuthor: Katie MacAlisterSeries: Ainslie Brothers #1Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romancePace: SlowFormat: NovelYear: 2015 I wanted to like this novel a lot more than I actually did. Which seems to be a bit of a common occurrence lately. I mean, I loved the premise and the idea behind this…

[helia-is-reading]

Book 251 read in 2020

Date finished: sept 13th

[wankerwatch]

Commons Vote

On: Great British Energy Bill: Second Reading

Ayes: 348 (96.2% Lab, 2.3% Ind, 1.2% Green, 0.3% UUP) Noes: 95 (98.9% Con, 1.1% DUP) Absent: ~207

Day's business papers: 2024-9-5

Likely Referenced Bill: Great British Energy Bill

Description: A Bill to make provision about Great British Energy.

Originating house: Commons Current house: Commons Bill Stage: Money resolution

Individual Votes:

Ayes

Labour (329 votes)

Abena Oppong-Asare Abtisam Mohamed Adam Jogee Adam Thompson Afzal Khan Al Carns Alan Gemmell Alan Strickland Alex Baker Alex Ballinger Alex Barros-Curtis Alex Davies-Jones Alex Mayer Alex McIntyre Alex Norris Alice Macdonald Alison Hume Alison McGovern Alistair Strathern Allison Gardner Amanda Hack Amanda Martin Andrew Cooper Andrew Gwynne Andrew Lewin Andrew Ranger Andrew Western Andy MacNae Andy Slaughter Anna Dixon Anna Gelderd Anna McMorrin Anna Turley Anneliese Midgley Antonia Bance Ashley Dalton Bambos Charalambous Barry Gardiner Bayo Alaba Beccy Cooper Becky Gittins Ben Coleman Ben Goldsborough Bill Esterson Blair McDougall Brian Leishman Bridget Phillipson Callum Anderson Calvin Bailey Carolyn Harris Cat Smith Catherine Atkinson Catherine Fookes Catherine McKinnell Catherine West Charlotte Nichols Chi Onwurah Chris Bloore Chris Bryant Chris Curtis Chris Evans Chris Hinchliff Chris Kane Chris McDonald Chris Murray Chris Vince Chris Webb Christian Wakeford Claire Hazelgrove Claire Hughes Clive Betts Clive Efford Clive Lewis Connor Rand Damien Egan Dan Aldridge Dan Carden Dan Tomlinson Daniel Francis Daniel Zeichner Danny Beales Darren Jones Darren Paffey Dave Robertson David Baines David Burton-Sampson David Pinto-Duschinsky David Smith David Taylor Dawn Butler Debbie Abrahams Deirdre Costigan Derek Twigg Diana Johnson Douglas Alexander Douglas McAllister Ed Miliband Elaine Stewart Ellie Reeves Elsie Blundell Emma Foody Emma Hardy Emma Lewell-Buck Emma Reynolds Euan Stainbank Fabian Hamilton Feryal Clark Fleur Anderson Florence Eshalomi Frank McNally Fred Thomas Gill Furniss Gill German Gordon McKee Graham Stringer Grahame Morris Gregor Poynton Gurinder Singh Josan Hamish Falconer Harpreet Uppal Heidi Alexander Helen Hayes Helena Dollimore Henry Tufnell Ian Lavery Ian Murray Imogen Walker Irene Campbell Jack Abbott Jacob Collier Jade Botterill Jake Richards James Asser James Frith James Murray James Naish Janet Daby Jayne Kirkham Jeevun Sandher Jeff Smith Jen Craft Jenny Riddell-Carpenter Jess Asato Jess Phillips Jessica Morden Jessica Toale Jim Dickson Jim McMahon Jo Platt Jo Stevens Jo White Jodie Gosling Joe Morris Joe Powell Johanna Baxter John Grady John Whitby Jon Pearce Jon Trickett Jonathan Brash Jonathan Davies Jonathan Reynolds Josh Dean Josh Fenton-Glynn Josh MacAlister Josh Newbury Josh Simons Julia Buckley Julie Minns Juliet Campbell Justin Madders Kanishka Narayan Karl Turner Kate Dearden Kate Osamor Kate Osborne Katie White Katrina Murray Keir Mather Kerry McCarthy Kevin Bonavia Kevin McKenna Kim Leadbeater Kirsteen Sullivan Kirsty McNeill Laura Kyrke-Smith Lauren Sullivan Laurence Turner Lee Barron Lee Pitcher Leigh Ingham Lewis Atkinson Liam Byrne Liam Conlon Lilian Greenwood Lillian Jones Linsey Farnsworth Liz Kendall Liz Twist Lloyd Hatton Lola McEvoy Louise Jones Lucy Rigby Luke Akehurst Luke Charters Luke Murphy Luke Pollard Maria Eagle Marie Tidball Mark Ferguson Mark Hendrick Mark Sewards Markus Campbell-Savours Marsha De Cordova Martin McCluskey Martin Rhodes Mary Creagh Mary Glindon Matt Bishop Matt Rodda Matt Turmaine Matthew Patrick Matthew Pennycook Maureen Burke Maya Ellis Meg Hillier Melanie Onn Melanie Ward Miatta Fahnbulleh Michael Payne Michael Shanks Michael Wheeler Michelle Scrogham Michelle Welsh Mike Amesbury Mike Kane Mike Reader Mike Tapp Mohammad Yasin Nadia Whittome Natalie Fleet Natasha Irons Navendu Mishra Neil Duncan-Jordan Nesil Caliskan Nicholas Dakin Nick Thomas-Symonds Noah Law Oliver Ryan Olivia Bailey Olivia Blake Pam Cox Pamela Nash Pat McFadden Patricia Ferguson Patrick Hurley Paul Davies Paul Foster Paul Waugh Paula Barker Paulette Hamilton Perran Moon Peter Dowd Peter Kyle Peter Lamb Peter Prinsley Peter Swallow Phil Brickell Polly Billington Preet Kaur Gill Rachael Maskell Rachel Blake Rachel Hopkins Rachel Taylor Richard Baker Richard Quigley Rosie Duffield Rosie Wrighting Ruth Cadbury Sadik Al-Hassan Sally Jameson Sam Carling Sam Rushworth Samantha Dixon Samantha Niblett Sarah Champion Sarah Coombes Sarah Edwards Sarah Hall Sarah Jones Sarah Owen

Sarah Russell Satvir Kaur Scott Arthur Sean Woodcock Seema Malhotra Sharon Hodgson Shaun Davies Simon Opher Siobhain McDonagh Sojan Joseph Sonia Kumar Stella Creasy Stephen Kinnock Stephen Morgan Steve Race Steve Witherden Steve Yemm Sureena Brackenridge Taiwo Owatemi Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Tim Roca Toby Perkins Tom Collins Tom Hayes Tom Rutland Tonia Antoniazzi Torcuil Crichton Torsten Bell Tracy Gilbert Tristan Osborne Uma Kumaran Valerie Vaz Warinder Juss Wes Streeting Will Stone Yasmin Qureshi Yuan Yang Zubir Ahmed

Independent (8 votes)

Adnan Hussain Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Iqbal Mohamed John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey Richard Burgon Zarah Sultana

Green Party (4 votes)

Adrian Ramsay Carla Denyer Ellie Chowns Siân Berry

Ulster Unionist Party (1 vote)

Robin Swann

Noes

Conservative (94 votes)

Alan Mak Alberto Costa Alex Burghart Alicia Kearns Alison Griffiths Andrew Bowie Andrew Griffith Andrew Mitchell Andrew Murrison Andrew Rosindell Andrew Snowden Aphra Brandreth Ashley Fox Ben Obese-Jecty Ben Spencer Bernard Jenkin Blake Stephenson Bob Blackman Bradley Thomas Caroline Dinenage Caroline Johnson Charlie Dewhirst Chris Philp Claire Coutinho Damian Hinds David Davis David Mundell David Reed David Simmonds Desmond Swayne Edward Argar Edward Leigh Gagan Mohindra Gareth Davies Geoffrey Cox George Freeman Graham Stuart Greg Smith Gregory Stafford Harriet Cross Harriett Baldwin Helen Whately Iain Duncan Smith Jack Rankin James Cartlidge James Cleverly James Wild Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Wright Jesse Norman Joe Robertson John Cooper John Glen John Hayes John Lamont John Whittingdale Joy Morrissey Julia Lopez Julian Lewis Karen Bradley Katie Lam Kevin Hollinrake Kieran Mullan Kit Malthouse Lewis Cocking Lincoln Jopp Louie French Mark Francois Mark Garnier Mark Pritchard Martin Vickers Matt Vickers Mel Stride Mike Wood Mims Davies Neil O'Brien Neil Shastri-Hurst Nick Timothy Nigel Huddleston Oliver Dowden Patrick Spencer Peter Bedford Peter Fortune Priti Patel Rebecca Harris Rebecca Paul Rebecca Smith Richard Fuller Saqib Bhatti Sarah Bool Stuart Anderson Stuart Andrew Tom Tugendhat Victoria Atkins

Democratic Unionist Party (1 vote)

Sammy Wilson

[theperksofbeingabookworm93]

ᴍᴀʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟶

sʜᴀᴅᴏᴡ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴄᴇ: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟻/𝟻

ғʀᴏsᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ғʟᴀᴍᴇs: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟻/𝟻

ᴍᴇᴍᴏɪʀs ᴏғ ᴀ ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴ ʜᴜɴᴛᴇʀ: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺/𝟻

ᴅᴀʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅʀᴀɢᴏɴ: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟻/𝟻

ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴇʟғ: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟻/𝟻

ᴅᴀʀᴋ sʟᴀʏᴇʀ: ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟺/𝟻

[miduhadi]

The #silverdragonsseries by #katiemacalister remains a favorite over at #midureads for several reasons. One, Because #hotdiggity #dragons and Two, because of the #humor

#shifters #urbanfantasy #upinsmoke

[bookjunkiez]

REVIEW: Memoirs Of A Dragon Hunter by Katie MacAlister

REVIEW: Memoirs Of A Dragon Hunter by Katie MacAlister

From the New York Times bestselling author known for her “zany humor and spicy romance” (Publishers Weekly) comes an action-packed paranormal about a dragon hunter and the dangerous bad boy who steals her heart.   Dragon Hunter Wanted: Sword supplied. No experience necessary.One moment, I was a normal (if somewhat germaphobic) math teacher getting ready for summer vacation. Then my sister died…

[azazel-dreams]

The Trouble with Harry by Katie MacAlister

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤

Noble Series in reading order:

Noble Intentions

Noble Destiny

The Trouble with Harry

The Truth about Leo