Dominic's Nemesis
Page 31
“Ahh, Kathleen. Forgive me, but I promised my sister-in-law she could have a go at me and I think she has decided to collect.” He smiled despite himself. “Cael, would you see Professor Greyson out?”
“Certainly. After you, Professor.”
“Ms. Prescott, Mrs. Raine.” Dom imagined the professor genuflected before following Cael out of the room. No Gideon, no Gabriel.
Once he heard the click of the door and Kathleen’s rustling skirts, he exhaled. “Who is here?”
“Just me and Kathleen. Dom, you can’t see, can you?”
“No, Cara. My vision is tied to my ability. Once I am fully recovered my sight will return. It is not a weakness that I wish exposed.”
“Then why tha devil admit as much in front of me?” Kathleen’s snappish reply amused him.
“I dare say that Ethan has figured it out by now and I doubt there is one secret between the two of you.”
“Aye, my Ethan tells me all.”
“Out. I want to be alone with my fiancee’…” He held up his hand, knowing the Scotswoman’s proclivities. “She is quite thoroughly compromised and a wedding is eminent so please spare me the matronly protests.”
“Impudent bastard, dat ya are…Procreating and such before tha banns-”
“OUT!”
Dom waited for the still-murmuring Kathleen to exit before he spoke again.
“Eden…Come, sit.” He patted the bed next to him, and smiled when he felt the bed depress to his left. “Are you…alright?”
“You mean, am I me again? Yes, Dom. The other one is gone. My hair is back to normal. Dr. Raine…eh, Ethan, says my wound signature looks good, whatever that means. And Atherton was all smiles after my last interview. Even without the ‘Dr.’ it sounds priggish, but I just cannot get used to calling him ‘Cael’. You were still out so….eh, Dom?”
“Hmm?” He sighed. He wasn’t so much listening to her words as he was soaking in her presence…the soft lilting voice, her delicate scent from the perfumed baths she took at night.
“The spectacles…do you mind?” He felt her nervous fingertips at his temple even as she spoke. “I have grown to prefer you without them.”
He nodded, closing his eyes to savor the gentle touch of her as she slid the wire-rims off. Unable to stop himself, he caught her in his arms and pulled her further onto the bed, half in his lap.
She yelped at the unexpected movement. “Dom…Kathleen–”
“–is not here to protest.” He cut off the rest of whatever she was going to say. “And I doubt she’ll be back, if Ethan has anything to do with it. I missed you. Lillian was a grotesque substitution.” He caught hold of a handful of fabric, and pulled her forward for a kiss…and he came up with all nose.
“Your aim is off.” She snickered against his cheek.
“Are you still going to marry me?” He murmured, nuzzling his nose against the soft skin of her cheek. “Now that you’ve seen the worse of us…the Ambrosi’…Oh Bloody hell, there is still Nonna in Italy.”
“Yes, Dom.”
He kissed her cheek briefly, the smile dying a little as he contemplated just what he was asking of her. “Even though, there is no guarantee that our children won’t be…like me.”
“What? An Italian Adonis with odd eyes and a massive inferiority complex?”
“I am serious, Eden.”
“I know, Dom. That is what makes this conversation so ridiculous.” She shifted back from him and he felt her hands on either side of his face. “Now you listen to me. I am no picnic either. I channel demons and dead people into the living world…and I clearly have no control over it. Because of this I have suicidal tendencies. Plus, I’m an only child and wretchedly spoiled. Can you live with that?”
“Yes.” He answered with no hesitation.
He felt her kiss his forehead. “Well, if you are willing to take a chance on me…then I am willing to take my chances with you.”
“I love you, Eden.”
“Good…Show me.”
A Reader’s Discussion Guide to Dominic’s Nemesis
1. Reaction to the book as a whole:
• Was reading the book a positive experience?
• Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to “get into the story?”
2. Is this a plot-driven book: a fast-paced page-turner? Or does the story unfold slowly with a focus on character development?
3. Were you surprised by the plot’s complications? Or did you find it predictable, even formulaic?
4. Do the flashbacks enhance or take away from the story? Why or why not?
5. In most traditional romance novels, the story is told almost exclusively from the female/heroine’s point of view. In Dominic’s Nemesis, the author spends a significant amount of time in the Hero’s voice. What did you think? How does this make you feel? Does it contribute to or take away from the romance?
6. Do you think Lillian was truly possessed by a demon spirit or just criminally insane?
7. Were the hero and heroine developed sufficiently? Were they likeable? Was their romance believable?
8. Who was your favorite secondary character and why?
9. What main ideas—themes—does the author explore?
10. Who/What do you think the “Nemesis” in the book’s title refers to? Give examples to support your theory.
11. Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not…and how would you change it?
12. What do you suppose is going on with Gabriel’s cat, Muse? Theories? Did the author leave it hanging on purpose? Will it be explored in a follow-up book?
13. The book is fairly genre-bending. If you have to force it into one romantic subcategory, which would it be? Paranormal? Gothic? Historical? Provide support for your answer.
14. If there were to be a sequel to Dominic’s Nemesis…who’s story would you want told next? Which character would you want to know more about? What loose end would you most want to see explained?
15. If you could ask the author of Dominic’s Nemesis a question, what would it be? Would you read another book by this author?
About the Author
D. Alyce Domain. Is a long-time lover of creative fiction. She learned to read with Dr. Seuss, grew up reading Sweet Valley High, James Howe, and Lois Duncan, and graduated to category romance with Harlequin and Silhouette in her teen years. Ms. Domain started out writing fan-fiction after her favorite fictional characters met with death and cancellation on network television. Inspired by the entertaining, multi-layered storylines created by so many female romance, young adult and television writers, she began to experiment with her own characters. Coupled with her own unique brand of genre-bending romantic fiction, Ms. Domain was able to create a whole new world within the pages of her books.
Ms. Domain was born and raised in Houston, Texas, the youngest daughter of Charles and Eunice Domain. She has one older sister. She earned a BS in Biochemistry from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a MS in Biomedical Sciences from The UT Graduate School for Biomedical Science in Houston. She worked in Patient-Based Biological Research before switching careers and opening her own fashion boutique, The Aesthetic Domain. In addition to fashion apparel and accessories, she sells her own original jewelry creations and runs the Boutique & Blog website, which is based in Houston, Texas. Ms. Domain also has avid interests in inspirational music, art/entertainment, and history.
Visit Author Website & Blog: A Writer’s Journal
The Aesthetic Domain Boutique & Blob: http://www.daestheticdomain.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAestheticDomain
About Me: https://about.me/d.alycedomain
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