by Conn, Claudy
Contents
Through Time-Pursuit
All she knew was that she wanted the kiss to go on and on
Also by Claudy Conn
What reviewers are saying about Claudy’s books
Copyright Page
Dedication
~ Prologue ~
~ One ~
~ Two ~
~ Three ~
~ Four ~
~ Five ~
~ Six ~
~ Seven ~
~ Eight ~
~ Nine ~
~ Ten ~
~ Eleven ~
~ Twelve ~
~ Thirteen ~
~ Fourteen ~
~ Fifteen ~
~ Sixteen ~
~ Seventeen ~
~ Epilogue ~
Through Time-Whiplash
~ Prelude ~
~ Prologue ~
After the Storm
~ Prologue ~
~ One ~
Hungry Moon: Quicksilver
~ Prelude ~
~ Prologue ~
About Claudy Conn
Read more about Claudy Conn’s books
Through Time-Pursuit
All she knew was that she wanted the kiss to go on and on
Royce looked around and saw a huge, muscular, amazingly handsome male, naked to the waist but for a leather strap across his chest that held the Death Sword sheathed at his back. He wore leather pants—in fact, she thought with her mouth dropping, he wore them very well!
The next thing she knew she was picked up by the waist and brought up close to his body. She stared, stunned for the moment. His blond mass of thick waves blew around his face in the breeze, and his tattoos were intricate and spoke of a mixture of Dark and Light Magic. As his blue eyes scanned her own, her brain jumbled into freeze position and went blank—totally blank. She could think of nothing to say, certainly not ‘unhand me’. No, those words never came to mind.
He was virile, his voice was deep and intoxicating, and he was in command of himself in a way that gave off sensual vibes.
The princess tried to recover and cleared her throat. However, at that point in their meeting he picked her up cradle-like in his strong arms, and she had to hold onto his neck for balance. She freed one finger and pointed it at his nose as she told him, “Put. Me. Down.”
“Ye doona want me to do that, do ye, Seelie Fae?”
“I do and now—right now!”
He laughed, set her on her sneakered feet, looked her over, and laughed again.
She made a fist and punched him in his rock-hard stomach. Milesian strength was comparable to Fae strength, and he didn’t flinch. Frustrated she said, “How dare you!” Silently she marveled at her stupidity. How dare you? What was she—from a medieval time?
He ignored it and said, “Ye should be back in Faery. Ye should be doing … lovely things with yer lovely …” He took her fingers and put them to his lips, brushing them with his lips, and she felt her eyelids get lazy. He moved further down her hand to her wrist, placed a warm kiss there, whispered, “… with yer lovely hands. Ye should leave the battle to the warriors who know how to stay alive.”
“I … I …” She was trapped in sensation. His kiss on her fingers had sent shooting stars through her brain, frying all meaningful thought. She was momentarily stunned and refused to admit her overwhelming sexual attraction to this big, blond he-man.
She had to get it together, she told herself, and tried speaking once again. “Don’t speak to me like that. You have no idea what I am capable of doing. Perhaps you and Trevor will be pleasantly surprised.”
He grinned a superior grin, and she wanted to slap it off his handsome face. Before she could put thought into action, however, his mouth managed to find her lips, and that was the end of all logic for Princess Royce.
His tongue teased her bottom lip and then entered and tasted her waiting tongue while one hand went to the nape of her neck and drew her closer. She found herself meeting his thrusting, oh so delicious tongue with her own. She found herself bending to his touch, melting against his body.
What are you doing, Royce? A voice inside her head attempted to bring things back to order. Shut up, another voice answered. She didn’t know she had so many females in her brain!
His kiss lasted, or had he moved it into kiss two without her realizing? All she knew was that she wanted the kiss to go on and on. She wanted this feeling to continue to cover her and keep her, and she was damn sure she had never been kissed like this before.
When he released her, his hand moved from the back of her neck down her spine, sending tingles of wondrous shivers through her body. His hand went further, grabbed hold of her ass, and pulled her into him with a gruff, determined movement, and he whispered hungrily, “Now that, wee beauty, is what I want to do with ye. That is what ye be made for. So doona ask me to make ye a part of a team out to do one thing, kill … ye weren’t made for killing.”
Also by Claudy Conn
Through Time Series
Through Time-Whiplash
Through Time-Slamming (coming in June 2013)
~
Legend Series
Prince Prelude—Legend
Spellbound—Legend
Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)
Shee Willow—Legend
Prince in the Mist (Novella)
Trapped—Legend
Free Falling—Legend
Catch & Hold—Legend
~
Shadow Series
ShadowLove—Stalkers
ShadowHeart—Slayer
ShadowLife—Hybrid
~
Hungry Moon Series
Hungry Moon: Quicksilver
~
Risqué Regencies
Myriah Fire
Oh, Cherry Ripe
Rogues, Rakes & Jewels
Taffeta & Hotspur
Wildfire Kiss
Runaway Heart
Netherby Halls
After the Storm
DarkLove (published by Wild Rose Press)
What reviewers are saying
about Claudy’s books
ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT
ShadowLove—Stalkers is filled with steaming action and dramatic tension … Claudy delicately plants the seeds for future development and characters without distracting from the excitement and romance of Stalkers. The result is that she has a paranormal, vampire series, of romance novels, which carries her own unique and spicy aroma.
ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT … and yes, I am blushing.
~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey
Five Cups and a CTTR (Coffee Time Reviewer’s Recommend) Award
ShadowLove—Stalkers is a story that immediately hooks the reader. It reminds me of a roller coaster just beginning, only to plunge into speed, drawing the reader into non-stop action. Intense and spellbinding, this paranormal romance kept this reader engrossed until the conclusion. I loved the passion and chemistry between the main characters. With tremendous action and well thought out characters, this fantastic read sizzles and sparks like a firecracker.
~ Coffee Time Romance & More
Trapped Legend has my pulse skyrocketing!
A clever, fast paced, unpredictable blend of action, adventure, mystery, magic and steamy hot loving … I picked it up and couldn't tear myself away from it until I read the last page.
I highly recommend each book in Claudy's Legend series. You're seriously missing out on some wonderful adventures if you haven't read the previous stories. It's by far one of the most exceptionally crafted, enchanting Fae series I've ever read.
~ Candice Stauffer, author
Five Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer
&
nbsp; This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a standalone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This is another one I couldn’t put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.
~ Wild About Bones on GoodReads
One hot and thrilling book
I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound—Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.
~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed
5 out of 5 stars
Fanning the flames of Myriah Fire!
What was once an innocent, if rollicking, regency romance has exploded with passion as Claudy Conn revisits Myriah Fire to turn up the heat.
The addition of unbridled sexual passion to Myriah Fire’s strong story brings dimensions of maturity and depth to the struggles faced by Myriah and Kit, without diminishing any of the innocence, joy or charm found in the original story. This revised version of Myriah Fire allows Claudy’s regency followers to appreciate what her paranormal romance fans have discovered—mind-bending eroticism.
A truly captivating tale with a blast of added sizzle, Myriah Fire will kindle the flames of your heart and burn up the night.
~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey
Love, love, love Myriah Fire!
It’s a brilliant, fast-paced, and ‘true to its title’, ‘going to catch you on fire’ romance. Looking forward to more! Hoping Claudy Conn plans to share more of her historical treasures with us.
~ Candice Stauffer, author
Myriah has always been my favorite
This is a sweet, funny, charming romance. The characters are likeable and the story is well told. I loved all of the Claudette Williams (now Claudy Conn) books, but this one has always been my favorite. I hope she will put out more of her backlist.
~ lmjolicoeur on Smashwords
Through Time-Pursuit
By
Claudy Conn
Copyright Page
Through Time-Pursuit
By Claudy Conn
http://www.claudyconn.com
Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn
Edited by: Karen Babcock
Cover Artist: Kendra Egert
All rights reserved
Published in the United States of America
First edition, 2012
Second edition, March 2013
Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
Excerpt of Through Time-Whiplash
Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn
Excerpt of After the Storm
Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn
Excerpt from Hungry Moon: Quicksilver
Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn
Dedication
To my Street Team for everything they do!
Revenge is a fervor in our own blood,
to be cured only by letting the blood of another
—Charles Caleb Colton, Lacon
~ Prologue ~
Chancemont LeBlanc
Present day
ALL AT ONCE—he was on her! The Dark Prince Pestale had the Death Sword across her throat, and if her brother moved another step toward her, it would only end in getting her killed.
Chancemont LeBlanc stood rigid and filled with fear for his young sibling, Lana.
And then, right before his eyes, the Dark Prince, grinning all the while, slit young, sweet Lana’s throat, and she was forever lost to them.
Thunder rolled through his body then—rolled through it still. His sword vibrated in his hands, feeling his need.
He wanted blood, the Dark Prince’s blood, and he wanted it more than he had ever wanted anything else in his life.
Fury took over his despair and buried the pain of grief with the hope that he would soon have the Dark Prince in his grip and torture him before he put an end to the Dark Fae’s miserable existence. Sorrow—deep, haunting sorrow—filtered through to his heart and blinded him with the all-consuming need to avenge his young sister’s death. Guilt shouted out his faults and blamed him for her death—but guilt was a waste of time. He replaced that guilt with purpose and became centered in his goals.
Find Pestale, capture Pestale, and drag him to Dravo, where he and his father could inflict pain and punishment on him before putting him out for the buzzards to feed upon.
Thoughts of his father off alone and mourning in silence made him cringe. His father would never get over this loss. He was the Milesian leader, Morgan LeBlanc, a big man that his people on Dravo relied upon.
His da—who he could have passed as his brother, so young was he in appearance—was lost to drink and self-inflicted solitude. Who could blame him?
His da, who had always been a force in Chance’s life, was broken by this final loss. And rage filled Chance as he made his plans. Milesians were an immortal race—not born that way, but created by the dust from the Fae World of Danu when that world was destroyed. The dust had come through the portal that brought the Fae to the Human Realm.
Now, their joint loss of Lana would hurt them through eternity.
She was the only daughter, a reminder of the great love his father had for Chance’s mother, lost so long ago. Sweet Lana, his bright-eyed baby sister who had not yet reached maturity, with her entire immortal life ahead of her—until Pestale.
Revenge? Someone once told him revenge could be sweet. He wasn’t certain that was true, but he shouted to the winds, “Revenge canna bring back her laughing eyes, or her dear voice …” His own voice trailed off, because he needed revenge, for without it—without revenge—he could not attain justice. To Chance the two walked a straight and parallel line.
His father had stopped drinking when he realized what Chance was going to do. He had grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him. “Do ye think I can lose another? Doona go, Chance …”
“Da, he must not be allowed to live.”
“Chance, me own best hope … doona go …”
It had nearly stayed him, the distress on his father’s face, but the need to avenge his sister’s murder was greater. “I must, Da, ye know that.”
His father had sighed with acceptance and had talked to him for hours. He told him to be cool-headed in his pursuit. He said with tears in his eyes that revenge and justice were two different things.
Are they? Chance asked the sky, “Are they different? I doona have the answer to that, but I do have my immortal skills, m’magic, and my Death Sword. It will take all those things to find the devil, and to lay hands on him. He is a Dark Fae Prince, the eldest of his brothers—the most cunning of them all, and I will have his blood,” he vowed to the heavens and himself.
Two days had passed since they had lost Lana to Pestale’s death weapon. Two days since they fought beside the Seelie Fae to bring down Gaiscioch and the Dark monsters. Two days, and Pestale remained alive.
Chance’s thoughts were violent as he spoke to Pestale as though he were there. “There is nowhere ye can outrun me. I will track ye to the ends of the earth, and beyond if necessary. I have shouted it to the heavens, I am Chancemont LeBlanc, and I shall have yer filthy Dark Fae blood!”
Young Seelie Prince Trevor had joined him in this mission, and they would soon make tracks. He couldn’t deny the Seelie Fae his place with him, because of Lana’s memory. How he had objected to her little romance with the Fae prince, in no small part because Trevor was the younger brother of Prince Dante. Chance and Dante had fought on opposite sides of the war thousands of years ago, and though Fae and Milesians were no longer enemies and had in fact joined forces recently against the Dark Fae, Chance held no love for his former foe and no wish to see his sister falling for a member of the Royal House of Lugh, Dante’s brother no less! Now he wished she were with him … flirting up the lad once again. Och, but he could hear her laugh …
He berated himself. If only he had kept Lana on Dravo … in chains—it would have taken chains to keep her from the fight, for she had been too headstrong to listen. He should have foreseen this; he should have spelled her home.
The war with Gaiscioch was over. The Human Realm was safe for the time being. The two remaining Dark Princes had been returned to the Dark Realm, where they would forever remain imprisoned with Queen Morrigu.
Gaiscioch was dead—his evil but a recent memory—but Pestale had escaped and was somewhere in the Human Realm.
It rode him hard and drew blood that Pestale was free! Chancemont’s determination went beyond purpose, beyond thought, and took him to a place where all he knew was his need for justice.
So then, Chance had become a hunter.
