Rhoetus snorted. “Then I would be honored to have you at my side.” He cast a glance toward Cyane. “If you’ve earned her trust, you have mine as well. Take care of each other. We’ll meet again soon.” The male vanished in a starry haze.
“Heh, did you hear that?” Pride puffed Theron’s chest. “I have his trust. And you said they wouldn’t like me.”
“Well,” Cyane teased, “you haven’t met all of my brothers yet.”
“Saucy lass.” Swiftly, he scooped her over his shoulder.
She squealed and pounded his back. “What are you doing, Karkinos?”
“What does it look like?” He carted her across the meadow, through the tunnel, into his chamber, and kicked aside the stone. “I’m going to take care of my mate.” Growling, he planted her on her feet in front of him and lowered his head to hers. “Very good care.”
She flung her arms around his neck, tugging him closer. “Mmm, and does your plan involve shackling me? Talos claims that’s the only reason I agreed to mate you.” A laugh chimed on her lips.
“Indeed? The scoundrel. What did you tell him?”
“Hmm, well, I agreed that I wouldn’t have, if you hadn’t forced open my eyes, and my heart.” Humming, she nipped at his lips. “Although, I am a better thief than you.”
“Aye, nymph.” He pressed a sultry kiss to her neck. “On that we can definitely agree. I thought my shell was an impenetrable armor around my heart,” he drew back to gaze into her shining eyes, “but somehow, Soteira you stole inside and consumed me.”
Glossary
Olympian – the lingua franca (common tongue) of the gods and their descendants.
potamoi – a river demon
raptio – sexual slaves
Adrasteia – Arsenius’s brigantine. Named after his half-sister, the goddess of revenge and balance.
morphos – a shift in form, whether permanent or temporary. E.g. when a centaur changes form from a centaur to a human, he undergoes the morphos.
chalkos, argyros, and chrysos – three passwords to the symposium, meaning “copper, silver, and gold”
asphodelus, eros, aionios – three passwords to Halcyon, meaning “daffodil, love, and eternal”
lyssa – a madness affecting centaurs, especially related to an incomplete bonding
melita – term of endearment meaning “honey-sweet”
quarter – pyrate term for “mercy”
Old Centaurion – an ancient centaur language
Meliae – honey nymphs
hubris – excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods
Pythia – Oracle sacred to Apollo
Acknowledgments
I’m thrilled to be a part of the Zodiac Shifters collection, which features a fantastic array of talented authors and incredible stories. Be sure to collect them all! When I wrote the Lords of Thessaly series, well, those centaurs in Krete demanded I tell their story too, and here is the first one. It’s going to be epic!
Thank you to my lovely beta readers, Ashley, Gina, Stacy, Lyn, Robin, and Nicola, for your endless enthusiasm and witty commentary.
My review team and street team, you are amazing.
To Kelley, my keen copy editor, thank you for helping me to polish.
Karie Deegan, my robot ninja PA, you make all the good things happen. Love ya!
Hugs and kisses to my family. Love you forever!
For my readers, I hope you enjoy this new journey and don’t let those badass centaurs of Krete fool ya, their hearts are as big as they are.
Meet Rachael
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Rachael Slate resides on the West Coast of Canada with her husband, two children, cat, and dog. Plus hummingbirds, songbirds, mason bees, and the occasional butterfly in her garden. When not writing, she's probably thinking about food (cooking, baking, or watching cooking shows). She also adores the outdoors--running, hiking, canoeing, camping, swimming, etc--so that helps to offset her culinary obsession!
Rachael writes sizzling stories that blend the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you'll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the fierce, capable heroines who challenge them. And always, scorching hot romance.
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Thank you for reading!
Much love,
Rachael would love to hear from you! You can find her here:
www.rachaelslate.com
[email protected]
Free Reads!
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Subscribe to Rachael’s newsletter and receive her scorching hot novella, Rematch, for free. If you haven’t taken a bite of her Chinese Zodiac Romance Series yet, then this standalone novella is the perfect start.
You’ll also receive a free copy of her steamy centaur-shifter novella, Wicked Lord of Thessaly, book one in the swoon-worthy, complete Lords of Thessaly series. If you love Greek Mythology, this is one you don’t want to miss.
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Also by Rachael Slate
Look for these titles, available here.
CHINESE ZODIAC ROMANCE SERIES:
BOOK 1: TRANCING THE TIGER
BOOK 2: REMATCH
BOOK 3: BY THE HORNS
BOOK 4: MATCH ME LATER
BOOK 5: REINING HIM IN
BOOK 6: MATCHING DRAGONS
BOOK 7: NEVER MATCH A DRAGON
BOOK 8: IN WOLF’S CLOTHING
HALCYON ROMANCE BOOKS:
HALCYON ROMANCE SERIES:
BOOK 1: MOON BORNE
BOOK 2: EARTH BORNE
BOOK 3: WATER BORNE
LORDS OF THESSALY SERIES: (series now complete!)
BOOK 1: WICKED LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 2: BRUTISH LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 3: MASTERFUL LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 4: UNTAMED LORD OF THESSALY
BOOK 5: LOST LADY OF THESSALY
LORDS OF KRETE SERIES:
BOOK 1: WATER’S MARK (A ZODIAC SHIFTERS PARANORMAL ROMANCE: CANCER)
BOOK 2: EARTH’S MARK
BOOK 3: AIR’S MARK
BOOK 4: FIRE’S MARK
BOOK 5: AETHER’S MARK
CURSED IMMORTALS SERIES:
BOOK 1: SHADOW BORNE
Preview of Earth’s Mark
Want more Halcyon Romance? Read on for an exclusive sneak peek at the first chapter from Book 2 in the Lords of Krete series, Earth’s Mark, coming August 1, 2017!
She’s hiding within herself
Kleoptoleme of the Amazons will have no man. Despite being in charge of the annual mating season, she won’t ever surrender her body—or her heart—again. Not after a great loss left her hollow inside. But her encounter with a provocative bear shifter just might change all that.
He’ll scour the earth for his mark
Lord Arctus of Krete has spent months searching for the Amazons’ secret camp. Desperate for an army to overthrow the illegitimate King Minos, he’ll agree to any terms—even becoming the breeding male of the alluring Kleo. To prove his worth and secure her aid, he’ll have to challenge her—to a duel of hearts.
Together, they’ll thrive; apart, they’ll shrivel into nothingness
Love entwines about their hearts, but the darkness from Kleo’s past threatens to sever their bond. And it will take every ounce of their will to find a way to grow new roots together.
CHAPTER ONE
Caucasus Mountains, spring
Year 579 of the reign of Queen Hippo
lyta III
Kleoptoleme of the Amazons hunted alone. Always. She wound her arm and prepared to launch her spear at the deer crossing the meadow. Squinting, she aimed, but a flurry of silver brown flashed between her and the deer, scaring her prey away. Damn. She swung her weapon toward the intruder and inhaled a sharp breath. A bear.
Its enormous hide stormed past her view, into the woods. That hue, that rich velvety fur. How the others would envy her if she donned such a glorious hide.
With stealth she crept forward, switching the hunt to the bear instead. Those beasts were sacred to her goddess, Artemis, and surely one crossing her path was a good omen.
Mayhap, this mating season wouldn’t be as disastrous as her last.
Blending into the forest around her, Kleo stole toward the beast. It had paused by a stream. Sweet goddess, he was even more enormous and magnificent than upon her first glimpse. Determination flooding her veins, she aimed and flung her spear, a war cry on her lips.
A perfect kill shot.
Except, the beast swung a massive paw toward her spear and swiped it aside, then targeted its menacing brown glower upon her.
Swiftly, Kleo flamed her argent powers across her hand and the spear flew straight to her palm. What was this beast? Just as she was about to aim again, the creature’s body shuddered, his fur rippling and…dissolving? She gasped and seized a step backward. That was no ordinary bear.
A shimmer of light condensed around him, making her wince at the brightness, until it vanished and in the bear’s place rested a man. On his hands and knees, he rumbled a fierce growl at her, his eyes burning like burnished bronze.
The spear quivered in her hands, but she steadied herself and mirrored his glare. Right. He was trespassing on Amazon lands. If he shifted into a bear form, had Artemis granted him permission?
She bit her lip in indecision.
“Lass, if you’re going to shoot at me again, you’d better not miss.” The timbre of his voice was deep and darkly masculine, his accent unusual in its lilting burr. He must have come from far away.
Slowly, he rose, his calculating scrutiny not leaving hers. Those depths, they offered warmth like the glow of a cozy hearth, ensnaring her as he stalked ever closer. A dense clustering of curled lashes outlined them like charcoal. His heavy brows were drawn low, beckoning her into those scintillating pools.
Shaking herself, she raised her spear. “Oh, trust me, I won’t.” Sweeping her arm forward, she aimed the tip of her spear toward his throat. “Not another step. Explain what you’re doing on Amazon lands, or I’ll not hesitate.”
The corner of his sensuous lips quirked, luring her focus to the strong line of his jaw. Everything about this man dripped temptation and luxurious masculinity. Either that, or she’d gone far too long without a male’s company. His chiseled chest bare, he wore dark leather breeches molded to thick, robust thighs, and tall boots. His shoulders were impossibly broad, his arms brawny and powerful. Every hardened edge of him was sculpted to precise perfection, as though he were as much a bear in human form as in his animal state. Even his locks were clipped short and gleamed the same silver brown as his fur.
“Amazon lands?” He rocked back on his feet and smirked. “Are you their Queen then?”
“Of course not.” She scoffed. Why would he assume such?
“Ah, forgive me.” He nodded in assessment. “You seem so regal.”
Regal? Ha. Their true Queen, Hippolyta II, was devastating in her presence. Her stare alone mad men soil their breeches.
“Be thankful I am not. Who are you and why have you come here? Answer wisely,” she stepped forward and traced the spear’s tip along his throat, “for your intrusion alone is cause for your execution.”
Arctus grinned at the lovely female aiming a spear at his throat. Such fire sparked in her pale, hyacinth-hued depths. What luck, to have stumbled across her. “Ah, pray pardon. I am Lord Arctus of Krete.”
Her eyes narrowed even further. “Krete is under the rule of King Minos.”
His fist clenched at his side. “Aye. For the moment.” Relaxing his grasp, he bowed his head. “I have come to request the aid of the Amazons in overthrowing the tyrannical rule of King Minos and restoring our rightful King upon the centaur throne.”
“Centaur?” The beauty frowned at him, blinking densely curled lashes.
In answer, he flashed into his centaur form and stamped his front hoof. “Aye, Alala.” War cry. That terrifying shriek of hers could have struck any creature dead.
She was tall, but even so, the top of her head didn’t meet his nose. Tipping her burgundy locks to the side, she studied him. Her elbow-length hair was plaited in dozens of twisting braids. Pursing her wine-red lips, she planted her hands on her hips. Her high boots nearly met the hem of her ivory chiton, which grazed her toned legs mid-thigh and was pinned at one shoulder. The fabric fell in delicate folds across her lush curves, and his throat grew a little drier. Much time had passed since he’d contemplated anything other than revenge.
“No.” Her nose scrunched in dismissal and she veered from him, toward the woods whence she’d appeared.
“No?” he barked after her, but the maiden vanished into the forest. As swiftly as she’d arrived.
Damn Hades.
Arctus scraped a hand across his jaw. He’d anticipated a good many things, but not being declined outright. Not like that. Not after months of searching for this place. And certainly not with the goddess Artemis’s encouragement to venture here.
Well, he hadn’t ventured this far from his homeland to be turned away at the first rejection. After gathering his sack, he tracked the path she’d taken. She couldn’t have gone far. He sniffed the air and caught her scent. Warm, inviting, and sweet like the nectar of a new bloom.
A slash of metal against metal clanged through the air. Up ahead. Aye, this was good. He raced toward the sounds of sparring. Heavy breaths, scuffled footsteps, and steely clamor. Arctus passed through a low stone fence toward an open field surrounded by mountainous caves. No one stopped him, probably because a throng of females gathered in a circle around an arena, hollering toward a pair of combatants.
Not just any fighters. A male and a female—an Amazon. The adept female knocked her opponent to his knees, yet, instead of declaring his defeat, she stabbed him clean through with her broad sword. Blood dribbling from his mouth, he gurgled and swayed, before crashing to the earthen ground.
Sweet gods, what madness was this?
The Amazons around her walloped a fierce series of cries, offering their appreciation of her efforts. The warrior plucked her blade free and wiped it on the high grass surrounding the arena. Then she clucked dismissively at her victim. “You shouldn’t have come back for a third try. Warned you.”
Arctus froze in his advance. What in Hades did that mean?
As he was about to reassess his approach, the throng of warriors whirled toward him. Immediately, their cries died on their lips and they surrounded him, lethal spear tips poised at his throat. He raised his hands in placation, but the females hissed.
One stepped forward. “Why have you ventured to our lands during our sacred mating season, male?”
He stiffened. Mating season? “Ah…”
“Well, pick a female to challenge or find yourself relieved of your,” her scrutiny dipped to his groin, “more defining characteristics.”
Swallowing thickly, he assessed her words. “Pick a female?”
“The only males permitted here are the ones we breed with. If you’ve come for anything else, you won’t be leaving. Intact.”
Bloody hell. What had he walked into? Damned enchanting female had distracted him. Might as well choose her to suffer this fate along with him.
“I don’t know her name.” He regarded the leader. “She has lovely hyacinth eyes and dark burgundy hair, and,” he wove his hands in front of him, “delightful curves.”
“Kleo.” A few shocked murmurs arose around him, murmuring her name.
“You don’t truly mean her, do you?” The leader tsked. “You’re either the bravest male, or the most foolish. Probably the latter.”
He folded his arms and ignored her taunt. “Aye, that’s exactly who I mean.”
“Kleoptoleme!” the maiden called toward one of the caves. “You have a challenger.”
Kleo froze at the trill of Ainia’s voice. The female was in charge of the testing. Surely, Ainia had meant someone else.
No one had challenged Kleo in two dozen years. None had won since Sinon. Her hand dropped to her belly and a pang fluttered inside her heart.
She shoved her emotions aside and strode from her dwelling. Bracing an arm above her eyes, she squinted toward the arena. Damn, not him.
How had he followed her? Blasted centaur senses. She ought to have covered her trail better. By Artemis, why had he requested her? She stormed to the arena, through the parting in the crowd. “I’m not going to fight you, centaur. You may choose someone else.” She swept a dismissive hand toward the throng of chittering females. Of course, this would draw their gossip.
“I came here seeking you, Kleoptoleme.” Ah, so did he think knowing her name would grant him an audience?
“I said, choose another.” Huffing, she headed toward her cave.
“Nay.”
Irksome male. Surely, he knew he had to fight, right?
“If you don’t fight, you won’t leave alive,” Ainia droned.
“Then I guess this is my execution, heh.”
Damn him. Kleo fisted her hands at her side and contemplated strolling inside her cave. Her sisters would be swift. The male wouldn’t suffer.
Water's Mark - Cancer Page 10
