Kyros' Secret (Greek Myth Series Book 1) (24 page)

Excerpt from
The Pandora Curse
:

(Greek Myth Fantasy Series)

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“Queen of the Underworld sounds admirable compared to queen of discord and deceit,” came a deep masculine voice from behind Vara.

She pulled on the reins and guided her horse around to find a man standing calmly in the midst of the chaotic courtyard. Tall and handsome, his long taupe hair fell loose around his shoulders. He wore a full length purple cape fringed with peacock feathers over a black tunic with flowing sleeves. Under the tunic he sported dark hose upon his legs. Her gaze latched onto something glittering in the sunlight dangling from a leather cord around his neck. A crystal orb. Excitement coursed through her. She wanted it.

“Are you insulting Vara the Conqueror?” she asked in challenge. “I could have you flayed and quartered for such an insolent tongue.” Her eyes remained on the crystal.

She motioned to two of her guards to seize him, but when they saw him, they stepped away.

“Queen Vara,” said one, “I don’t think you realize who this man is.”

“I don’t care who he is, I want him locked away.”

“But, he is very powerful,” stated the other. “I advise you not to try to harm him.”

“I don’t take advice from soldiers,” she retorted, then brought her attention back to the stranger.

He didn’t look regal nor powerful. But he did hold an air of mystery about him. Something in his gaze, his stance, his lack of fear and his calm confidence gained her interest. She lowered herself from her horse, never taking her eyes off him. With a nod, she dismissed her soldiers and returned her attention to the newcomer.

“My men may be frightened, but I fear no one. Not even the most powerful of kings.”

“I am not a king,” he told her. “And though you speak bravely, I see something conflicting within your eyes. I think you do fear someone. And I’d wager that person is yourself.”

Vara’s heart jumped in her chest at his proclamation, and with warrior reflexes, she drew the sword from the scabbard on her back and held it to his throat.

His eyes remained fastened upon her face, and he didn’t even flinch.

“Beg my forgiveness,” she demanded, “or I’ll be forced to slit your throat.”

“Forced?” A slow grin spread across his face. “You may act with force, but even the hatred in your heart would not let you kill me before you know who I am.”

Her hand trembled, and though slightly, she knew he had not missed her reaction. Who was this man? How could he know so much about her when she’d made sure to keep her personal life well guarded from all? The man intrigued her.

“I told you, I don’t care who you are,” she said, continuing the talk of a warrior. She would not let him see any signs of weakness. “If I want you dead, you’ll be dead in a matter of seconds.”

“Want,” he repeated, echoing her word. “I wonder if you really know what you want. Matter of fact, I’d be willing to say, you want everything, yet nothing suffices the greed that fills your heart.”

Vara’s throat tightened, and it was all she could do not to close her eyes, willing his words away so they would not stab at her heart. He spoke as if he could see clear through to her soul. The secrets, the pain, the passion. As if her eyes were windows to the past, present, and future all at once, and he could look right through them.

For the last five and twenty years Vara had lived a misleading life, wondering as to whom she really was. With the haunting voices of the demonic Furies invading her head, she no longer was sure of anything. After so long, she’d nearly forgotten her own identity. Being plagued by the curse had made her the warrior, the conqueror, the mad woman she’d become. This man spoke words of wisdom. He was correct in saying nothing ever fulfilled her. She kept her eyes fastened on him, wanting to hear more of what he had to say, even if his words were disrespectful.

He was so bold in the face of danger. How could he be so brash? She felt the power of her ancestors’ curiosity pumping furiously through her veins. Sometimes she wondered if her curiosity was a vice. She had to know more about him.

“No one speaks that way to Vara the Conqueror and lives to tell about it.”

He didn’t react to her words. The man was hard to frighten. No one had ever stood at the end of her blade as confident as he.

“You will not kill me,” he said as if he had no doubt. His words were an order rather than optimism.

Kill him for his insolence.

Make him suffer.

Show him you are queen.

To her dismay, the Furies had returned. She could do nothing but listen.

“Yes, I will kill you.” Her mouth spoke the words she was used to, but something inside begged her to spare his life.

“I can see the future,” he told her. “You will not kill me because your curiosity is so overwhelmed that you would do anything just to find out who I am.”

Excerpt from
The Sword and the Sylph
–
Book 3: Air:

(Elemental Series)

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Portia watched from the shadows of the great hall in her invisible form. She’d have much to report back to the Countess Odillia now. And if she was to make it back up the mountain in time to warn them of the attack, she had to leave anon.

She watched Sir Braden as he walked right past her, slowing down slightly, and if she wasn’t mistaken, sniffing the air and glancing from the corner of his eyes in her direction. Then he disappeared down the hall and was followed by Lord Solomon, the captain of the guard, and Lady Christabel as well.

She surveyed the lady of the castle as the woman glided past her down the corridor. She couldn’t stop thinking of the way Sir Braden had dropped to his knee and kissed her hand. He was so gallant and chivalrous and she would have welcomed the kind gesture. Instead, this woman all but shunned him. She didn’t deserve the likes of Sir Braden. She didn’t deserve anyone for that matter.

She hurried out to the courtyard and snuck through the gate, heading to where she’d left her horse tied to a tree hidden in the forest. When she was sure no one was looking, she materialized and put her foot in the stirrup to climb atop her steed. A strong arm on her shoulder and a low voice from behind her made her stop in mid-motion.

“I thought I’d find you here. Now tell me, Portia-Maer, just what is it you think you’re doing?”

She turned to look directly into the blue eyes of Sir Braden. But this time his eyes were not dancing with excitement. Now they were clouded over and disappointment shadowed them as well.

“I demand you release me at once.”

“I cannot do that, my little fae one. As a matter of fact, I’m going to have to take you back to Lord Solomon.”

“How do you know I’m of fae blood? And why would you do such a thing as to take me to a man who would not think twice of hanging me at the crossroads to die as an example to others?”

“Oh, so it seems someone has overheard our private conversation. And you have just confirmed my suspicions that you are the spy that’s been giving information to the Earl of Calila as well.”

“The earl in my father,” she told him. “I would do anything at all to help him, even if it meant my death.”

“Your father?” His hand loosened his grip on her shoulder and he slowly brought it back to his waist. “You mean to tell me you live at Castle Calila? ’Tis your family that is fighting Lord Solomon and his men?”

“’Tis not that way, not really. Now tell me, how did you know I was here if you could not see me?”

“Your scent of lilacs gives you away every time, sweetheart. And I’d venture to guess that one of your fae powers is turning invisible is it not?”

“You’ve already seen the proof of that, so why do you need to ask?”

“What else can you do? And are you called a dryad like your friend Rae-Nyst? She can command the vines and trees to do her bidding. Can you do that as well?” He looked around cautiously, hand on his sword, as if he thought the vines of the forest were about to attack him.

“I am not a dryad, you simpleton, I am a sylph! A dryad is an elemental of the earth. I am an elemental of the air and everything that goes with it.”

“I see. A sylph. Interesting title I must say.” He nodded his head and swept his eyes over her from head to toe. She felt suddenly very insecure and lowered her gaze to the ground under his wanton perusal.

Braden drank in the beauty of the girl who’d just called herself a sylph. Such an odd title for an odd girl. But naught about her was common. Her hair was like spun cornsilk, long and flowing, lifting around her in the breeze. It was such a light honeyed color that it almost seemed to him as if it were silver. Her lips were full and pink, her eyes dark blue like mountain bilberries. And her skin looked soft and smooth, and so pale that the noblewomen would envy her for the appearance that they strived so hard to attain.

She wore a thin silken gown of white and light blue with tight fitting sleeves and long flowing tippets hanging down from her elbows. And around her head was a woven wreath of small dainty flowers of yellow and white making her look like a Queen of the Fae people. She smelled liked the fresh air after a spring rain mixed with the scent of lilacs that clung to her wherever she went. She said she was an elemental of the air, and to him that described her well. She was light and airy, breezy and fresh. Her essence called out to him whether she knew it or not, making him feel more alive than he’d felt in years.

“Now, let me go,” she said. Her clear, deep blue eyes begged though her words were calculated and cool. How could anyone be frightened of such a gentle girl? She looked as if she needed a strong man to protect her, and he couldn’t believe she’d do anyone harm.

“I would make a deal with you,” he said instead. “You get me into Castle Calila without anyone knowing why I’m there, and I won’t expose you to Lord Solomon as the spy he’s been trying to hunt down and kill.”

“But you mean to be a part of attacking my father’s castle,” she protested.

“Same as you meaning to be a part of attacking Banesmoor. So the way I see it, we are even.”

“I cannot allow Banesmoor to attack Calila.”

“And I cannot allow you to give information that would seal the doomed fate of Lord Solomon and his people either.”

“I won’t do what you ask.”

“Then I have no choice but to bring you to before the lord of Banesmoor.”

He reached out for her but once again she disappeared from his sight. He groped at the air, but couldn’t find her. Then he saw her horse turn and ride off quickly, and he rushed to his own steed to follow.

“Sir Braden,” called out Sir Samuel, riding up to join him. “I saw you groping at mid-air in an odd fashion.” He cocked his head and studied him as if he thought he were addled. “What were you doing, if I may ask?”

“I am following someone,” he said, mounting his horse.

Sir Samuel looked in the distance at the lone horse riding away and then back to him. “You are chasing a horse without a rider?” he asked. “I hardly think Lord Solomon would find that courageous. Mayhap he was wrong in choosing you to marry his daughter after all. I am not sure you would be able to protect her as promised.”

Braden watched the horse disappear in the distance and knew he couldn’t follow without looking like a fool. He’d pledged his fealty to Lord Solomon now, as well as accepted the betrothal of his daughter. As a knight of his word, he would follow through with what he’d started.

“If you would be kind enough to tell Lord Solomon I would not be joining him back at the castle, I’d appreciate it.”

“Another horse to chase?” the man asked with a smile.

“Nay. A spy to catch,” he answered, taking off in the direction of Mount Calila to do the job that was now expected of him.

Excerpt from
Ian
– Book 3

(MadMan MacKeefe Series)

Kyla tried to get to her feet, but stopped when Ian’s body blocked the sun streaming in the door as he towered over her.

“Ye jest couldna mind yer own business could ye?” he spat.

“Nay, it’s no’ like thet,” she said, shaking her head. She wanted to say so much more, for starters that she was sorry, but the words just wouldn’t come. He stood above her with his hands on his hips. His chest was study and firm, and his dark, flat nipples were erect in the center, indicating to her that he was still aroused. He reached down a strong arm, and in one motion pulled her upward. From the force her body went crashing into his, and her hands went out to steady herself, landing on his chest. She gasped at the feel of his nakedness under her fingers.

She felt the hot, corded sinew beneath his skin, and she swore a muscle quivered beneath her hands. She slowly looked upward, drinking in his chiseled cheekbones and the dark stubble upon his face. His black hair was tousled and hung down nearly to his shoulders, and his eyebrows were just as dark and bushy. His eyes were the color of hazelnuts, his gaze straightforward and steady. And then she found herself staring at his mouth - his lush, lower lip, and she wondered how it would feel to be kissed by him. To be touched, or teased the way he’d been doing to Grizela.

“Mayhap since ye interrupted yet another o’ me affairs, ye’ll have te replace her now. After all, I’ll no’ be left waitin’ and wanton yet one more time becooz o’ ye, Kyla.”

“What?” she asked, not sure what he was saying. Her heart raced in anticipation. “What do ye mean by thet?”

“I mean, thet ye’ll have te do, as I feel a need fer release.”

Ian only toyed with the little chit, but he had to do something to scare her from following him around and ruining any chance he ever had of getting a proper bedding anymore. He felt frustrated and anxious, and very angry with her for the way she’d been acting lately.

There was only one thing he could think of that would send her running, and after he was through with her, she’d never bother him again. He reached out and grabbed her hand in his, and was surprised when he felt her trembling. She was a small girl, and he had no doubt if he squeezed her hand too hard he’d break a bone. Still, she was as tough as any of the laddies of the clan.

“Ye see how frustrated I am becooz o’ ye?” he asked, guiding her hand toward his groin and pressing her fingers against the plaid covering his bulge. He expected her to pull away and roll her eyes or do any one of those childish things she usually did. Or mayhap crinkle her nose in disgust and wipe off her hand and then punch him as hard as she could. But she did nothing. Instead, her eyes were fastened on his hand atop hers and he could feel the heat of her palm right through the wool to his manhood, and . . . he liked it.

He quickly pushed her hand away. He was very aroused by this and realized it must be because he still hadn’t recovered yet from fondling Grizela. He needed to get Kyla away from him already, and he could only think of one more thing to try that might work. It was the same thing he’d always done to her while she was growing up that made her so disgusted that she’d leave him alone for weeks afterwards. He’d just have to playfully kiss her on the lips. He knew how much she hated that, as she’d told him many times that she’d rather die than touch her mouth to his.

Of course he hadn’t done it in years now, but he could only hope it would still work as well as it used to.

He took her head in his hands and leaned forward and planted the biggest kiss on her lips that he’d ever given her. But she didn’t pull away in fright or disgust and dart out the door of the stable like he’d expected. Nay, she actually did something that surprised him so much that he didn’t know how to react.

When he tried to move away, she reached out and pulled his head back to her, and kissed him so passionately on the lips that he wondered for a moment if he had the wrong girl. Where the hell had she learned how to kiss like that?

Her lips were soft and sensuous. And he felt the tip of her tongue dart out briefly, and when it did, it about drove him from his mind. She smelled like wildflowers and fresh hay, and when he reached out to take her face in his hands again, he felt the softest skin he’d ever felt on a woman. And when she pressed up close to him he felt breasts under her clothes. Firm, rounded, and fully mature, right down to the little bumps darting out and touching his chest from her hardened nipples. This was something he never expected. And certainly not what he wanted to notice on his best friend’s sister when he was standing there still aroused and ready to burst.