Synopsis: Marcus, also known as Heva’s Bane, is the most feared and wanted trans anthro crocodile in Killbraugha. He is literally fearless except when it comes to professing his love for his second in command’s sister: Caroline. With his feelings growing harder and harder to hide each passing day, Marcus desperately desires to tell her how he feels, but how can he when she is still grieving her murdered husband?

This is a short story featuring rebel leader Marcus Galloway (he/him), his second-in-command Kerry McNair (they/he), and Kerry’s sister, Caroline McDermott (she/her). They are three sides characters from the book I’m currently prepping for publication: Kingsley (the one about queer anthro crocodiles giving the middle finger to colonial asshats).

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Mars 21^st 1825 – McDermott’s Cottage, Marston County, Killbraugha

Marcus knew this was a mistake but said nothing as Kerry led him down the winding road to Caroline’s cottage, the lush green hills of Killbraugha offering an eternal peace and quiet found nowhere else. Not even the invading Hevian forces nor Marcus’ and Kerry’s righteous cause could disturb the tranquility that emitted from their native soil. The grief and pain hovered at the edges, of course, slightly tainting the serenity he desperately craved, but Marcus found it easy to ignore when he focused his mind on unyielding, disciplined, and lovely Caroline. No need to bring his brooding thoughts to her doorstep, one who had already lost so much and would only lose more. Better to bask in her calming presence and indulge in the life she had built by herself, against all odds, but attributed to God’s love and mercy.

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