by Victoria Zak
“Was there anyone else in the room with the surgeon during the birth?” JewelAna asked.
“No…I was the first to arrive.”
“Dwyn,” Fáfnir seethed.
Thomas and JewelAna snapped their attention to the dragon.
“The old bastard is always meddling in my affairs,” Fáfnir growled.
“What do you mean?” Thomas asked.
“I have no doubt that my vision is correct.” He donned his eye-patch. “Tacey gave birth to twins and the old bastard stole the firstborn Welsh princess from right under your nose.”
Thomas put his arm around JewelAna and pulled her close. “But why?” she asked.
“Let’s just say our history goes way back and he’s been a thorn in my arse ever since.”
Turning to face Thomas, JewelAna panicked at the thought that her sister could be in grave danger. “Thomas, we must find her. To make certain she’s safe.”
“We’ll find her, on my honor.” Thomas wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
“Aye,” Fáfnir stood looking at the stone sculpture of his true princess, caressing her face. “I will find you and bring you home.”
JewelAna and Thomas began to quit the maze when Fáfnir called to her over his shoulder.
“Aye, my lord,” she replied.
“Thank you, princess, for showing me my visions.”
“Thank you, my lord, for helping me find my sister.”
Epilogue
“Thomas de Wolfe, what did you do?” JewelAna asked, stunned.
“I told you I couldn’t stop it.” Thomas pushed past her and saddled his warhorse for travel. JewelAna followed closely behind.
Indeed, Fáfnir was a reasonable man and had allowed JewelAna to go back home to Castle Questing. In the meantime he put forth every effort to find the firstborn princess of Wales by assigning Konr and Hákon to hunt down the old surgeon, Dwyn. The bastard would pay for meddling in his affairs.
“I’m astounded at your behavior. Why wouldn’t you discuss this with me?” She pushed her long blonde hair over one shoulder and pointed to her neck, where he had marked her.
There was no easy way to inform his little lamb about the mate marking on her neck. He had lost track of where the conversation was heading because JewelAna kept interrupting him every time he tried to explain his actions. Aye, it was a lot to take in, but he hadn’t expected this kind of reaction. Defeated and worn down from the discussion, Thomas rested his head against his horse and glared at the ground. “I thought you’d be happy.”
Retreating from her verbal assault, JewelAna placed her hand on his shoulder. “All these years you’ve pushed us apart, and for you to act in such a hasty manner—well, it’s out of character. I’m stunned and in awe at the same time. I’ve longed to be your woman.”
Thomas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a tight embrace. Capturing her lips, he kissed her thoroughly with passion. Right here in his arms he held his life, his future, the air he breathed. He loved her with every fiber of his being and he would never let her go.
Thomas broke their kiss. “Jewel, will you be my wife?”
Tears collected in her eyes and threatened to stream down her cheeks. “Oh Thomas.” She put her hand to her mouth, holding back the tears. “Aye, Thomas, aye.” She threw her arms around his neck, almost knocking the wolf off his feet.
Not wanting to stay in the dragon’s lair any longer than he had to, Thomas stepped out of their embrace. “Now that we have that settled, get your arse on the horse and let’s make haste out of this forsaken place.” He winked, then kissed her cheek.
Thomas lifted JewelAna onto his horse then quickly mounted. Grabbing the reins, he kicked the horse forward. She snuggled in between his thighs and rested her head on his broad chest. “Blaidd Drwg?”
“Aye,” he growled into her neck where he had marked her.
“Can we go back to the tower by the shore? We could stay there and wait to hear from Fáfnir of any news about my sister.”
“I don’t see that being a problem. I like the shore.” He smiled.
“Good.”
From the corner of her eye, JewelAna noticed a nearby bush on the path from the gatehouse shaking. When she looked closer she spotted a green tail sticking out from the bottom of the bush, giving away the creature’s identity. “Thomas, halt your horse.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sounding concerned about the sudden stop.
“Ollie?” JewelAna called out.
From deep within the bush two big green eyes peeked out.
“’Tis all right, no one will hurt you,” JewelAna reassured the dragon.
Slowly the dragon stepped out of the bush and revealed himself.
With wide eyes, Thomas tensed behind her and asked, “What in the devil is that?”
“That’s Ollie.” She giggled.
“Princess,” Ollie greeted her with big sad eyes.
JewelAna looked over her shoulder at Thomas and hit him with fluttering eyelashes and pouty lips.
“No dragons,” he warned.
“Thomas, Ollie is…a special kind of dragon. Please, can he stay with us?”
Thomas eyed the green creature sternly, watching it step from side to side with a gleam of hope in its eyes. Pitiful.
“You keep the strangest company.” Thomas shook his head.
“Come, Ollie. Do you like the ocean?” JewelAna reached out to the dragon and Ollie flew into her embrace with a beaming smile on his face.
“Ollie’s never seen the ocean.” He sat in front of JewelAna, eager for travel.
“You know, Thomas, if you give him a fig, he’ll be your friend forever.” She petted the dragon’s tiny wings.
“Haven’t you learned your lesson? Never feed wild animals,” he jested and kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, my Blaidd Drwg.”
About the Author
Victoria Zak is an internationally bestselling author in Historical Paranormal Romance. Her first book, Highland Burn, was a finalist for the 2015 RONE award for best paranormal romance.
Growing up in the sister city to Stirling, Scotland, Sottish flare was abundant throughout Dunedin. From her High School band to the annual Highland Games that took place right across the street from her childhood home, the bagpipes beckoned her toward her calling. It seemed only natural for Victoria Zak to want to write in the Scottish historical romance genre. Add to the fact, she was also a paranormal romance junkie, there was no doubt that her influences would be the driving force behind her stories.
Although, she never sought out a writing career, her desire for the written word grew the more she read. Her love for Scotland, curiosity of history, and passion for romance has inspired her to write the first two books of her Guardians of Scotland Series, Highland Burn and Highland Storm. The third book in the series, Highland Fate will be released in November 2015.
Now, Victoria Zak lives in the sunshine state with her husband, two beautiful children, and three furry friends. Living in paradise, being a stay at home mom, and to be able to share her stories has been a blessing.
Victoria loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her through the links below:
Website www.victoriazakromance.com
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Books by Victoria Zak
Guardians of Scotland Series:
Highland Burn
Highland Storm
Highland Fate
Collections
Highland Flames
Highland Charm: First Fantasies
Tantalizing Tidbits: 21 Short Stories to Make You Sigh, Shiver or Blush
