Release Day Blitz Dragons of Fate by CR Robertson #PNR #ParanormalRomance

Dragons of Fate
The Gaian Otherworld
Book Two
CR Robertson

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: CR Robertson

Date of Publication: 31st January 2019

ASIN: B07MKX32HP

Number of pages: 303

Word Count: 84347

Cover Artist: Maria Spader

Tagline: Sometimes love is the most powerful and dangerous magic...

Book Description:

The underrealm was in turmoil with revelations of the evil that had taken root there.

It was no longer a safe haven for the Gaians.

Darius was a golden warrior dragon from an ancient clan. Evanora descended from the purple dragons of healing. They were destined to become fated mates four hundred years ago before Evanora was stolen from the heartland of the dragons.

Her dream of escape became the nightmare of reality.

Even in the light the past haunted her present.

Evanora’s soul was broken by her long years in captivity, until Darius started to fit the pieces back together again. Some fragments no long fit, some slotted into a different position, but the woman who emerged was stronger and more powerful than anyone ever imagined – the Gaian enchantress.

Was it too late for their love?

Or would Fate intervene to light their way to the future?

Sometimes love was the most powerful and dangerous magic...

***WARNING*** Includes a deadly hero willing to fight the monsters of this world to claim his fated mate, and a heroine who powerful enough to bring the world to its knees.

Dragons of Destiny is the second in The Gaian Otherworld. It can be read as a stand-alone paranormal romance.

Amazon     AmazonUK     AmazonAU     AmazonCA

Excerpt 1:

I sauntered out of the room in search of Darius. If he thought he could avoid me, he would need to rethink his strategy. He was in his bedroom with his hip braced against the window frame, staring out at the ocean.

“I thought we agreed you would break the bond and leave,” he snapped without looking around.

“No, I didn’t agree to either of those things, Darius. Just because you are my mate doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.” I sat on the end of the bed.

His back stiffened at the word mate.

“You can’t stay here.”

“I can stay anywhere you are. We share a blood link.”

That got his attention because he spun around. “I could block access to all my homes...”

I sighed and stood up, letting some of my power loose. His arms were pinned against the wall beside his head, and his feet stuck to the floor. “The problem is, Darius, that you belong to me just as I am yours. I have no intention of going anywhere.”

I stepped against him and watched as he swallowed and glanced away. He could neutralise every feature, but his body betrayed him. I ran my fingers over his chest to his waist, deliberately moving closer to sniff his mating mark on his neck.

“Definitely no nymphs or succubus scents, Darius. You’ll need to try harder if you want to make me jealous.” My breath mingled with his. “We are made from the same energy. If I am unable to stomach the thought of another lover, the same applies to you.”

I pressed myself against him, and felt his automatic reaction to my presence. I nipped his mating mark with my teeth, and his quick inhale of breath made me smile. Tracing the outline of it with my tongue, I held onto his waist as an anchor. My lips kissed a path up his neck, even as he held his head away from me. The tips of my fangs dragged against the artery that pulsed in his neck.

Sexual tension pulsed off him in waves, and my dragoness purred in contentment.

“You belong to me, Darius. Make no mistake, I will annihilate any female you try to take as a lover.” His head spun towards me, and my lips connected with his. I grabbed his head in my hands and poured every emotion that vibrated through my body into my lips.

He had always initiated our previous kisses. I needed to show him that I’d made a choice and he was the winner. I refused to let my past paralyse me anymore. Hecate wanted me to be a worthy heir to her magic. I would not allow anyone to hold me back from my fate.

Darius tried to resist me, but his dragon had other ideas. I felt him shimmer to the surface as his heat increased, gold flecks flashing across his skin. My tongue demanded entry to his mouth, because every breath of his belonged to me and vice versa.

The rest of the world faded into insignificance, my only focus the man in front of me. He struggled against the invisible restraints that held him, his dragon trying to get closer to his mate. I dropped my hands from his face and pressed one last kiss on his lips.

“You are mine, Darius. That is as true now as it was four hundred years ago. You can ignore me and leave a room when I enter it, but it will not change the fact that we belong together.”

I turned and walked towards the door, releasing his restraints.

My lips spread into a smile when I heard him screaming FUCK into the empty room.

Darius had spent his whole life being in charge, but I was the Gaian Enchantress, and I would no longer let my life be stolen away from me. The time had arrived for me to take what was mine.

About the Author:

CR Robertson is a paranormal romance writer who lives in Ireland, the most magical country in the world. From an early age, she loved faerytales and mythological stories. She delved into the pages to go on an adventure with the characters, sparking a lifelong love of the literary world and story craft.

The Otherworld Chronicles started when the characters evolved in her head, constantly jumping in to tell their story until one day that nagging voice said, “Why not write their faerytale?” The rest resides in the pages of the Otherworld. Her in-depth knowledge of mythology and faerylore weaves the background for the characters in each of her manuscripts.

It may be cliché, but she has a cottage by the sea on the east coast of Ireland. Gardening is one of her favourite pastimes and is evident in her garden that is overflowing with crystals and seasonal flowers for the birds, butterflies, and her favourite bumblebees. Her dogs enjoy the sleepy seaside town and spend their time playing in the sea.

Website: www.crrobertson.com

Mailing List: https://www.subscribepage.com/b8c4v8

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRRobertsonauthor/

Otherworld fb group for freebies and teasers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/313624995775336/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crrobertsonauthor/

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The Vampire’s Temptation by Cecelia Mecca

The Vampire’s Temptation
Bloodwite
Book One
Cecelia Mecca

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Altiora Press

Date of Publication: 1/24/19

ISBN: 978-1-946510-23-5

Number of pages: 278

Word Count: 60, 274

Cover Artist: Kim Killion

Tagline: Even cursed blood can fall prey to love’s bite.

Book Description:

Kenton Morley and Lawrence Derrickson have hated each other since they were feuding border lords in medieval England and Scotland…seven hundred years ago.

When their bloodlines were cursed, birthing the world’s first vampires.

Their feud has carried through the centuries based on an old argument: Kenton seeks to destroy the Cheld—the only line of humans capable of killing their kind—while Lawrence seeks to save them.

It’s said that men can forget, but never forgive. It’s also said that true love knows no bounds.

When the vampires move to Stone Haven, Pennsylvania, Alessandra Fiore will find out firsthand which of those old adages is true.

It doesn’t matter whether she believes in vampires or not…

Because they believe in her. And she’s on the very cusp of discovering her dormant powers as a Cheld—a potential vampire hunter.

With both of these strangely wealthy newcomers’ storming into her sleepy, peaceful town, warning her to stay away from the other, what is a girl to do?

Especially when Kenton—the one that supposedly wants to kill her—has a devilish twinkle in his eyes that she just can’t say no to?

No matter how dangerous she instinctively knows both men to be, strengths and powers of her own are beginning to bubble to the surface, encouraging her that she can take care of herself, thank you very much.

Love and Hate—two sides of the same coin. Literally.

The only thing left to do is flip that coin and hope for the best…to see which old saying is true. And how many innocents bet the wrong way.

Amazon

Excerpt:

Lawrence was here.

Taking a sip of a gin and tonic, Kenton stared out into the distance from the second-floor balcony of his new home. A train’s whistle broke the blessed silence, though “silence” wasn’t truly silent for him, and hadn’t been for some time. In still moments, he could hear shop owners in town putting out their trash and preparing to close for the evening.

Even so, the view was relaxing—the line of trees across from him was broken by only one discernible building, the courthouse that stood guard on Main Street. The downtown area of Stone Haven was lined with brightly colored Victorian homes and townhouses. He’d considered purchasing one of the latter, only to dismiss the idea.

Too confining.

Now, it would seem, the decision had been a good one. If his senses were accurate, and they always were, his temporary lodgings were located just next door to his nemesis. Purchasing the mansion had attracted attention, but no matter. He would be long gone as soon as the deed was done.

He sat, making a mental note to request that his maidservant purchase cushions. Apparently the previous owner had not found wrought iron as uncomfortable as he did.

Kenton took another sip of his drink as darkness fell. The maid he’d hired from the previous staff—the mansion had been a bed and breakfast when he purchased it—appeared around the balcony to his right. She’d not spoken yet, but Kenton could hear her breathing.

“Send him up,” he said without turning toward her. “But from the outside entrance,” he added. “He may not go inside. Ever.”

Whether the woman was startled by his knowledge of her presence—because he already knew a guest waited below—or because of the vehemence of his request, Kenton wasn’t sure. Nor did it matter. What did matter was the man who even now made his way up the winding outside staircase.

As Lawrence entered the room connected to the balcony, it struck Kenton that he’d made a critical error. He should have killed the girl—woman, more precisely—before Lawrence had arrived. Now his purpose in Stone Haven would be more difficult to fulfill.

“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Lawrence asked, walking around to stand just next to him. He didn’t need to ask who. The man wasn’t talking about his elderly maid.

“I’d offer you a drink, but regrettably, you’re not staying.”

“How long have you known about her?” Lawrence Derrickson had the sole honor of being the only person to almost make him lose his temper in over seven hundred years, and it would seem he still had the ability to get a rise out of him.

“Longer than you, apparently.”

He knew the barb would hit its mark, and it did.

“Yet you haven’t killed her?” “Regrettably not.”

“Why?”

Knowing it would anger Lawrence, Kenton took a slow sip of his drink and looked down at the town below them.

“A quaint little place. Didn’t expect as much, although I must admit, the only other time I’ve been to Pennsylvania, when—”

“I don’t give a shit when you were here last or what you think of the town that you plan to terrorize, Kenton.”

“Terrorize? A bit harsh, don’t you think?”

He didn’t give Lawrence a chance to answer. “Nice of you to move so close to me, though I wouldn’t have expected you to splurge on such a luxury.”

Two mansions sitting side by side in a town of this size. The irony wasn’t lost on him. “I won’t let you kill her,” Lawrence insisted.

He laughed, not to taunt the other man, but it did have that added benefit. “I will enjoy watching you attempt to stop me.”

“She may not pose a threat. Will you for once listen to reason?”

Kenton shot to his feet in an instant, so close to Lawrence he could stun him into silence if he so chose. Centuries of fighting this very same man had taught him not to attempt to kill the Scot. It couldn’t be done. But he certainly enjoyed trying.

“She is a Cheld,” Kenton said.

For Lawrence, that wasn’t enough. For him, it always would be. “She is,” the Scot agreed. “But you don’t know—”

He rolled his eyes, annoyed by the tedious predictability of the argument. “Nor do I care.” Lawrence narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists, telegraphing his intentions as clearly as if he’d punched him. “Are you alone?”

He could lie, but Lawrence would learn the truth soon enough—that his siblings were far away from this quaint little Pennsylvania town. Their kind could sense one another, an ability Kenton had more than most, so he did not need to ask the same question about Lawrence’s kin.

Clan Karyn consisted only of one man, for now. Odd, since Lawrence usually traveled with at least one member of his precious clan, although a four-person family could hardly be called a clan, truth be told.

Nothing like the hundred men Lawrence once led.

“I am,” he said. “And so it seems we will have a bit of fun here in”—he waved his arms around him—“Stone Haven.”

Lawrence ground his teeth. “Fun? If you call the murder of an innocent woman—”

“Innocent?” Kenton lifted his chin. “She is a Cheld,” he repeated. “And for that, she cannot be allowed to live.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to our little secret. And to Alessandra Fiore’s last days on earth, poor thing.”

He downed the remainder of his drink in one gulp, then set the empty glass on the table. Droplets of red remained. Mary was none the wiser about the real contents of his favorite bottle of sloe gin. Stepping around Lawrence, he gripped the railing of the balcony and looked down below. “Have fun attempting to save her,” he said over his shoulder.

Just as Lawrence turned to walk away, muttering a curse under his breath, Kenton added, “I hope you have better luck than you did in Caltabellotta.”

He wasn’t surprised when Lawrence pushed him from the balcony. Indeed, he allowed it. And laughed the whole way down to the ground despite the risk of discovery.

Taunting him had been worth it.

About the Author:

Cecelia Mecca is the author of steamy historical and paranormal romance that transports readers to another world.

Every heroine, from Lady Sara in the Border Series to Alessandra Fiore in Bloodwite, is your best friend– the one who kicks ass and takes names. When these ladies meet alpha-males who try to take control, sparks fly until the very last page.

Cecelia writes the Amazon bestselling Border Series which takes readers to an admittedly romanticized time of knights and castles in 13th century Northumbria along the Anglo-Scottish border. Next, she’s jumping into a new world which tests the patience of even the most steadfast romance heroine. After all, dealing with the ultimate bad boys– sexy, wealthy and swoon-worthy vampires– is not for the faint of heart. In other words, she’s releasing her first contemporary paranormal series in January 2019.

Our Highlander-loving, vampire-writing author can be found in Northeast, Pennsylvania, chai in hand, thinking up new ways to tame both medieval and paranormal playboys. She is firmly House Stark and Gryffindor.

http://www.ceceliamecca.com  

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Strange Omens by Jim Stein

Strange Omens
Legends Walk
Book Two
Jim Stein

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Jagged Sky Books

Date of Publication: 1/11/19

Digital ISBN: 978-1-7335629-0-4

Print ISBN:    978-1-7335629-1-1

ASIN: B07M72B1W2

Number of pages: 331

Word Count: 105,200

Cover Artist: Kris Norris

Tagline: Who wins when gods interfere?

Book Description:

Recent months in New Philadelphia have been pleasantly monster-free, allowing Edan Johnson to focus on launching the band’s new album. Music brought hope, something the world’s dwindling population desperately needed. But when a mysterious promotion company sends the A-Chords on tour and the audience splits into opposing factions, it’s clear that gods and dark forces are once again meddling.

Ed’s command of music and magic grows strong, but an arrogant goddess decrees he must not interfere. Even his own sister scolds him for casting spells. But Ed connects with the band’s free-spirited groupies and vows to keep them safe from the more sinister patrons flocking to “The Company’s” backstage events.

More hangs in the balance than the simple corruption of a few fans. These happy, bright people could be the salvation of the human race, yet are being drawn in like sheep. Someone or something stalks the tour, and evil lurks in the heart of Old Milwaukee.

Magic, monsters, and kindred spirits keep Ed and his friends scrambling to discover what’s going on behind the scenes, but an improbable friendship just might be the key to their survival.

Amazon

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/Wzb45mo6KSM

Excerpt:

“What now, Ed?” Trinity asked from my left.

We crouched behind a rotting car covered in vines and watched the Grims. Bald Jim looked to be in charge. Shawn sat on the ground at Dan’s feet, head hung low. The bruise around his eye and dried blood on his lip testified to the fact he had gone down fighting. Dan probably wore the Hawaiian shirt and posed as a victim.

Trinity had enough sense to tail them without trying a rescue. We caught up to her just before the Grims stopped at a massive bronze doorway totally at odds with the architecture of the ruined city. The thing was better suited for a medieval castle, though I had to admit it was effective. Jim and Dan argued over how best to get inside.

“Five of them and four of us,” I said.

“They’re bruisers,” Quinn whispered. “No offense, but we couldn’t take any of them, except maybe scraggly Dan.”

“Where’s it lead?” Trinity asked.

Good question. The out of place obstruction melded into the stone archway across a low entrance to what might be a basement level. The arguing continued as Jim tried an incantation. The door rebuffed his attempt. Oily bits of the magic passphrase dripped to the ground. Though a simple spell, the darkness of it differed from the elements Quinn and I used.

“You’re doing it wrong,” Dan complained to the men gathered at the door.

“He’s such a little shit.” Trinity’s lip curled.

“For once that’s working in our favor,” Quinn said.

Dan stalked over to the others, grabbed something small and metallic out of Jim’s hands, and examined the door. Magic formed around another incantation. Shawn sat unguarded at the entrance to the alcove. We scurried out from behind the car, circled the intersection, and crept along crumbling brickwork. The line of the alley kept us out of sight until I peeked around the corner. The Grims argued on, ignoring their dejected captive. Shawn stared at the pavement.

“Shawn.” No response. “Shawn! Time to go.”

Bleary eyes ringed with bruises met mine. He must have taken a good shot to the nose for double shiners to be rising so quickly. Recognition slowly dawned, followed by half a smile that dropped away. Shawn held up his hands. I’d missed the thin cord that bound wrists to ankles. It was silvery gray, looking more like yarn than rope.

“For crying out…” Quinn whipped out a knife and crept forward.

The moment her blade touched the cord, there was a flash. Quinn yelped and dropped her knife.

“Hey!” Dan looked up from the brass key in his hand.

“Just grab him!” I shouted.

Quinn hauled Shawn up by his armpits and pushed him forward. The cord forced him into an awkward half-crouch. I grabbed his arm to haul him down the street, but he stopped short and fell to the ground. Quinn and I pulled but couldn’t budge him. No one weighed that much. The cord flashed and flared, its strange power anchoring Shawn to the spot. More than that, a tether of power slowly dragged him back toward the doorway as the Grims advanced.

“Leave him. In fact, leave the girl. Two for the price of one!” Dan grinned his stupid parody of a Bright’s smile.

Each man carried a small club, undoubtedly weighted for maximum punch. Quinn worked at the bindings. Her strange watery power flowed along the cord looking for a way to loosen the knots. The Grims strode forward, in no hurry and—I like to think—wary. I could have taken Dan and the freak sporting a Mohawk. But I’d spent all year practicing my spells for a reason.

I reached for Earth to throw up a barrier and buy us time. Just as I was about to cast, flames leapt up between us and the men, effectively sealing them in the alcove. Trinity stood rigid, locked in concentration as she poured on more Fire and drove them back amid squawks of protest.

“Let me try.” I hunkered down to examine the cord.

Earth was ready at my fingertips, but when I tried to manipulate Shawn’s binding—as I would stone or metals—there was no purchase. The men tried end runs around Trinity’s flames, holding the woman’s concentration and forcing her to expend too much power. Another minute and we’d have to carry her out. Quinn saw it too.

“Help her!”

I dredged up a bit of old-school metal, Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy,” forging Fire to bolster Trinity’s spell. I split off a portion to attack the ropes. Fire was an enigma, representing the most restorative and destructive of the elements. I honed the lyrics down to a laser focus, emphasis on the destroy part of the tune to cut and burn. The cord swelled, resisting the heat, but frayed edges soon curled away from the core.

Shawn’s invisible bond contracted, yanking him toward the wall of fire. Quinn grabbed him around the waist but was dragged along. Even if Trinity and I cancelled our spells, they would be pulled across searing concrete into the midst of the waiting Grims.

About the Author:

Jim Stein’s hunger for stories transporting the reader to extraordinary realms began under one meager bulb, a towel stuffed beneath his door to avoid parental censure. He huddled with Tolkien, Asimov, and all the greats and unknowns plucked from the drugstore shelves to spin tales of the imagination.

After writing short stories in school, two degrees in computer science, and several decades as a Naval officer, Jim has returned to his first passion. He writes speculative fiction advocating the underdog and embracing protagonists with strong moral fiber, often overlaid with supernatural elements and a few dark twists. Jim lives in northwestern Pennsylvania with his wife, Claudia, and his muse, Marley the Great Dane.

Website/newsletter sign-up:   https://jimsteinbooks.com/

Blog: on website  https://jimsteinbooks.com/blog/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JimSteinBooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JimSteinBooks   

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17696579.Jim_Stein

Amazon author site: http://amazon.com/author/steinjim  

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Unbalanced by Courtney Shepard

Unbalanced

Unbalanced Series

Book 1

Courtney Shepard

Genre: Urban fantasy, light romance

Publisher: Champagne Books

Date of Publication: June 1st, 2015

ISBN: 9781771551502

ASIN: B00Y6A2RVU

Number of pages: 224

Word Count: 75,000

Cover Artist: Trisha FitzGerald

Tagline: Four sister, one destiny.

Book Description:

Every generation four sisters with power over earth, air, fire, and water are born to fight against a fanatical, secret faith. The Order exists only to sacrifice the sisters for their power. With each success their strength and control grows. They have never failed, for their rule depends on it.

The sisters, separated at birth, are unaware of what hunts them...but they are coming.

A handsome stranger discovers Asha in hiding, and swears allegiance to her cause. She falls for him; though he is not who he says he is. Betrayed and imprisoned inside the Order, Asha is without her power for the first time in her life.

As the war heats up haunting secrets and true motivations are revealed, but the sisters must unite and override their instincts and trust the untrustworthy if they are to fight their terrifying destiny.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/1YMFi48_zIA

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AmazonCA     Champagne Books     Chapters     BN

Excerpt:

With a crack and rumble, the ground surrounding the cabin broke apart and water burst from the earth. It sprayed as strong as any fire hose up and over the cabin. The pounding force was like a waterfall in reverse, and the flames sputtered and died.

She had never seen anything like it, an enormous water fountain extinguishing fire burning that hot. The cabin door, charred and still smoking, flew off its hinges and onto the flooded grass.

Three figures ran out into the early morning glare. Asha took off her helmet and slouchy hood, but her eyes weren’t playing tricks. She could see them clearly, even across the distance, and her stomach dropped. They stopped short, facing an army with guns raised. No.

“Fire!”

“Stop!” Her scream was too late; the soldiers fired. She didn’t have time to act; they were sitting ducks. She prepared for their thrashing bodies, but like a swarm of hovering locusts, the bullets stopped in mid-air and dropped.

What? She couldn’t get her mind around the scene unfolding before her. She’d lost control of her body. Her muscles wouldn’t move.

“Hold your fire,” Clay shouted, but the soldiers continued shooting.

His brothers were the only ones not attacking. They had to be as shocked by the falling bullets as she was. She couldn’t blame them. She was as still and as useless as a rock, unable to move or act, only watch in growing disbelief. Three young women stood against an army.

“Asha,” yelled one of the girls, her eyes were even brighter green than Clay’s. “We’re your sisters. We’ve been looking for you.”

Sisters?

About the Author:

Courtney Shepard is a freelance writer living on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. After initially studying for a career in journalism, she switched to fiction writing.

Unbalanced is the first book in the Unbalanced Series published by Champagne Books.

https://twitter.com/CAShepard76

https://www.facebook.com/unbalancedseries/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25602441-unbalanced

http://www.unbalancedseries.com/

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Viking’s Intent by Sky Purington

Viking’s Intent

Viking Ancestors:

Rise of the Dragon

Book 3

Sky Purington       

Genre:  Time Travel Fantasy/Shifter Romance

Date of Publication: January 22, 2019

ASIN: B07JNHG6D8

Number of pages:  285

Word Count:  84,000

Cover Artist:  Tara West

Book Description:

Part of a burgeoning ancient prophecy, Shea's sole focus is to protect her sisters.

Not become mated to a Viking of her dragon ancestor's choosing. If that happens, she might lose not just her independence but a matchmaking gift that brings people together. A gift at risk when she's kidnapped by a stubborn, frustratingly handsome barbarian who takes her on a whirlwind adventure through tenth century Scandinavia.

Though at odds with the twenty-first century beauty from the moment he meets her, Viking Davyn Sigdir steals Shea away to keep her safe from multiple enemies set on making her theirs. Unfortunately, he underestimates how alluring she can be when it suits her. How feisty and headstrong she is as she tries to outwit him at every turn. Yet the fiery strife between them only draws them closer, and soon their unwanted attraction becomes hard to resist.

Determined to control their own fate, they devise a bold plan to trick their adversaries. One that could keep Shea's matchmaking gift intact plus end the prophecy and ongoing war. All they have to do is get along and not give into temptation which should be simple for two people determined to remain apart. Or so they hope as a passionate high-stakes war of hearts ensues in Viking's Intent.

FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US      Amazon Universal

Excerpt 2 (Battle scene between hero & heroine)

“To heck with this,” she muttered, removing her fur cloak. She made a come-hither motion with her hands as she sauntered forward, soberer by the moment as she homed in on new prey.

“If you need to vent on someone,” she called out, “I’m right here, beast.”

The crowd parted into a circle and sparks seemed to spit higher into the air as Davyn’s fist froze before landing on Soren and he slowly turned his head her way. 

“You’re mad at me, right?” She shrugged and held her arms out in surrender as her vision hazed red and her dragon eyes flared. “Then take it out on me, beast!”

He pulled away from Soren and narrowed his eyes on her. “I will not hurt you.”

“But you already are,” she spat into his mind. “And you know it.”

He didn’t respond telepathically just kept his eyes narrowed as they circled one another. He wore a sleeveless jerkin, his arm muscles flexing as he shook his head. “I do not fight women.”

“You do now.” She fingered the hilt of the dagger at her side. “Your choice whether it’s hand to fist or all weapons on deck.”

“I do not fight,” he began but snapped his mouth shut and dodged when she whipped a dagger straight at his face.

“Weapons it is,” she announced, her adrenaline already racing. She had never battled a man his size with his skills and looked forward to it. Her eyes went to Halla. “Suggestions?”

Halla looked from Davyn to Shea, the grin on her face blossoming into a wide smile as she began tossing Shea her weapons. A few daggers, an axe and a small mace of all things.

“I like your style,” she said.

Halla beamed and nodded. “As I am sure I will like yours, Cousin.”

Shea winked as she sheathed the daggers, tucked the mace away and started with the axe as her eyes narrowed on Davyn again. “I’ve never used one of these, but I’m sure I can figure it out.”

“Thanks to your DNA,” he said, switching modes entirely as he realized they were doing this. He was becoming less the heroic protector and more resolved to show her what a man was capable of.

“Damn straight.” She offered a charming, yet tempered grin. “Just remember when I beat you, that I gave you a heads up. You know several of my tricks now.”

“Yes I do,” he growled as one of the women who had hung on him earlier boldly gave him an axe and an eyeful of her cleavage. “Rest assured, I will not fall for any of them.”

She purposefully dropped her eyes to his groin as she ran her finger along the blunt edge of her axe’s blade and her tongue slowly and suggestively along her lips. Her tone was reluctant but wholly confident when she said, “No, I can’t imagine you’ll let your cock…ee issues get in the way.”

A small smile curled his lips, his eyes still locked on hers as he caught a sword Eirik of all people tossed his way. Meanwhile, the bodran drums that had faded started up again, and the excitement of the crowd stirred as more people filtered in to watch the fight.

She grinned right back at him, welcoming the same adrenaline rush that had filled her in the fight clubs back home. Only now she was in human form. No biggie. She rolled her shoulders, confident she could hold her own thanks to her DNA and plain old I-need-to-smack-that-smug-ass-look-off-his-face feeling she felt toward Davyn right now.

As they continued circling each other, she felt his rage building again. Not at her but at the twins. At what they did to her. How they touched her. How it made him feel. But what about her? How it made her feel? That was the key, though, wasn’t it? The great divide between them still. One he should have already asked her about…should have been concerned about.

Using that as the fuel she needed, she roared and raced at him, swiping the axe at his calf as she slid by only for him to spin and swipe his blade at her. She ducked, spun on her knee, scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it in his face before she slammed the hilt of her axe into the back of his knee and ducked away.

When he grunted in pain and fell to his knee, she spun back, saw red and swung the axe at his neck with all the fury she felt. Seconds before he lost his head, he ducked then stayed low, spinning with a leg outstretched but she was ready and leapt over it.

The crowd roared with approval as they sprang apart and started circling again. His dragon eyes were out now, and she loved it. She loved this. Fighting him. Pushing him. Making him face the fact that she could easily kick his butt.

“Easily?” he finally muttered into her mind. “I don’t think so, little Cupid.”

What he did next surprised even her.

About the Author:

Sky Purington is the bestselling author of over forty novels and novellas. A New Englander born and bred who recently moved to Virginia, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth, and legend. When combined with a love for history, romance, and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.

Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington. Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com, subscribe to her quarterly newsletter or sign up for personalized text message alerts. Simply text 'skypurington' (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to 74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new book release. Readers can easily opt out at any time.

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