by Stacy Reid
“Indeed she did, Bastien,” Ajali said.
“Will you still attempt to take her as your own?”
Ajali chuckled darkly. “I have studied what little I could find on Darkan laws; for taking their mate they would descend on us like the plague of death. The Darkans would incite the next Great War to retrieve their mates.”
Bastien strode to Ajali and clasped his shoulders. “How do we prevent the Serangite’s predictions without having control of the Borean Mountains, sire?”
“We plot and we watch, Bastien. We plot and watch.”
***
Tehdra perched high in a tree on the cliffs of the Fyran Mountains, cocooned in the darkness she summoned. Below her, a convoy flew with great speed; some flew astride massive wraiths while others travelled on the ground on massive four legged beasts. The wraiths flared their wings in powerful arches, their sleek predatory grace mesmerizing. She had never seen the creatures this close before. They only existed at the Nurians’ royal palace.
She had been spying on the nation for days now. She had sought to infiltrate deep, to hide herself amongst the Nurians, and stop all threats against her kingdom—the Darkage. She also had to protect the Nurian king from any Darkan that shadowed his kingdom intending to kill him.
Tehdra’s lips flattened. Let him fall under any other blade except that of a Darkan’s.
She clutched the dagger sheathed in her knee high boot and looked into the sky at the fiery redness of the sun, so powerful it suppressed the malevolence of the demon embedded deep inside her. Tehdra tried to find its essence and frowned. It could not be found.
It was utterly fascinating.
Until this mission she had never been exposed to the sun, always having access to her beast’s powers. It lay beneath her surface like an elusive glimmer of heat.
She peered into the convoy searching the shadows for the presence of Darkans, there were none. Only her eyes followed the convoy on the ground as their Kun crawled past on the narrow cobblestoned cliff ledge. Each rider was dressed in battle armor boasting the royal sigil with a hand comfortably resting on the hilt of their sword. The wraiths screeched, dipped and circled above the warriors, giving their protection from the air.
A snarl hummed low beneath her skin as her beast stretched. A beautifully savage smile curved her lips. A deep red splashed the sky as the sun sank. Rage uncurled inside her, and she shivered as the savagery of her darkness lifted its head.
As the last wraith flew by, her heart lurched. Raw power and magnetism rolled off the man in gentle waves. King Ajali Haddin. He rode the wraith he flew on with majestic grace, with an easy power that impressed her.
His warriors preceded him, confident in the knowledge that he did not need their protection. They returned from Boreas without the Princess. She had felt through their connection that her brother, Drac had somehow already claimed her as mate. Strangely, King Ajali did not seem perturbed at his loss after pursing the Princess so aggressively.
Tehdra flared out her darkness, sinking deeply into his essence, seeking and ferreting. No negativity leaked from him; mayhap they had misconstrued his interest in the Princess of Boreas.
Rage howled beneath the surface of her skin as the sky grew darker, effectively distracting her. She inhaled deeply, her breath hitching at a scent that teased her, making her demon beast stir hungrily. Tehdra held her breath when, with a flex of his thighs, the wraith stopped in midair. The King tipped his head and stared directly into the tree where she perched.
Tehdra held herself absolutely still. Shadows cloaked her form—it was her Shenkiri to wield, to control, it was impossible that he could see her. Heat rushed through her at the startling green of his eyes. The olive darkness of his skin against the color of his eyes was the most appealing combination. .
Her beast shifted and lunged. In the dark mire of shadows the most tantalizing fragrance rode the air to her and as simple as that Tehdra became enraptured. Her chakra pulsed, fangs punched out of her mouth as she looked at the King of Nuria, who could not possibly see her in the shadows, in sheer fascination.
Mine
Fear tightened in her gut. Impossible. She exhaled, sighing, when he whipped the wraith he rode, and they flew off towards his kingdom with exquisitely graceful power. Her demon roared and a long sibilant hiss scraped against her mind.
Mate.
Glossary of Terms
Ageni: The order of death placed on a person by the King of their nation if judged a traitor.
Aria: Kingdom of earth and sand. Citizens with good chakra control are able to control and manipulate all elements belonging to the earth.
Avindar: Kingdom of lightning.
Boreas: Kingdom of winds and mountains. Citizens with good chakra control are able to control and manipulate the wind.
Caelum: Kingdom of water. Citizens with good chakra control are able to control and manipulate water.
Cerja: A tattoo of a Demon beasts with which each Darkan is born. It is located on the right shoulder blade on non-bonded Darkans but covers the entire back and spills to the front in bonded Darkans.
Chakra: Life-force used to form mystical techniques by molding and releasing the physical and spiritual energy present in the body—gained from training and experience.
Consort: The lover of a member of the royal family. Held in high esteem by peers of the realm and it is considered a privilege to be chosen as a royal consort. A consort must be of equal rank before royal scion can wed him/her.
Darkage: Kingdom of darkness and shadow.
Demons: Powerful, malevolent spiritual beings composed of pure chakra. They come from the Demonage realm, and their spiritual essence can be found in Darkans.
Flash: The art of using one’s chakra to move with such speed it appears as if one blurs.
Keni: A powerful mystical technique unique to the head families within a kingdom. This technique can be gained only through inheritance from a particular bloodline; hence, the term “bloodline keni.”
Mevia: Kingdom of sound.
Nuria: Kingdom of eternal fire.
Ricarkri: Formal name/title for the leader of each kingdom. Not every king is the Ricarkri. In such cases the Ricarkri is the right hand of the king.
Senjis: Darkans that are taken over by their demon essence.
Serange: A parallel dimension to Earth and Amagarie. Their powers lie in the psychic plane (telekinetic, telepathy, bio-kinetic) and their method of warfare is with the mind. Citizens of Serange are referred to as Serangites.
Shenkiri: Mystical elements wielded by citizens of the seven kingdoms with powerful chakra control—elements such as shadow, water, wind, sound, fire, lightning, and earth.
Shiktre: A unique skill to the Darkan population. The ability to use the shadows to move faster than the eyes can track.
Taijiu: The body art of dismembering and killing without the use of weapons—hand to hand combat.
Witchia: In other dimensions they are called witches, powerful beings that conjure, incants and cast spells.
Acknowledgment
I thank God every day for allowing me to find my passion. This book and the Amagarians series would not have been possible without the amazing love and support of my incredible husband. In 2012 I graduated University with a business degree and a job offer. I was miserable with my career path and I was hungry to write. He encouraged me, working relentlessly to pay the bills so I could pursue my dreams. Each time I faltered he was there, my rock, my everything. He is also crazy and wonderful enough to read everything I write, and to allow me to infuse my heroes with a bit of himself.
There are some incredible ladies I must thank. Diedre McLeod was the first person to read my work outside of my hubby. She is a wonderful and insightful critique partner who pushed me many days when I wanted to throw in the towel. Woman you are wonderful.
Thank
you to Chaday Nelson for accidentally reading my first draft and calling me to say my book was golden. Your kind words killed the last kernel of doubt.
Thank you Cadian Drummond for taking the time to read my early drafts and being so supportive!
Gina Fiserova, you are one incredible writer and critique partner. Thank you for ripping my book to shreds and helping me to find the polished diamond in the rough. You have been patient and thoughtful, and always available when I am in need. You are a wonderful friend and your support and feedback has helped me grown as an author.
To Gwen Hayes. You are a ruthless and brilliant editor and I love you for it.
AuthorsDesigns, you guys are incredible! Thank you for the amazing cover art, and formatting my book.
Readers, thank you for giving me a chance and reading my book!
About Stacy
I am an avid reader of novels, with a deep passion for writing. I especially love romance and adore writing about people falling in love. I live a lot in the worlds I create, and I actively speak to my characters (out loud). I have a warrior way: “Never give up on my dream.” When I am not writing, I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime, and playing video games with my love, Dusean. I have a horrible weakness for ice cream.
I am always happy to hear from readers and would love to connect with you via my Website, Facebook, and Twitter. To be the first to hear about my new releases, get cover reveals, and excerpts you won’t find anywhere else, sign up for my newsletter, or join me in The Riot.
Happy reading!
Other books by Stacy
Scandalous house of Calydon series
The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding
Victorian Era England...
As far as rash decisions go, it was formidable. But Lady Jocelyn Rathbourne’s will remains strong. If the only way to save her family’s estate and reputation is by aiming a small pistol at the Duke of Calydon, then so be it. For Lady Jocelyn demands satisfaction—and she will have it at any cost. Even if it means demanding the hand of the intense and foreboding Duke himself...
But she’s made the first move against a very dangerous opponent...
For Sebastian Thornton is no stripling to be trifled with. The lady has played her hand. Now it’s his turn. For Sebastian is in need of a wife. And to find a wife with spirit and fire—even if she means to only marry for his money—would be a great prize indeed. And he intends to thoroughly take his pleasure with her... and demands his own satisfaction in return.
The Irresistible Miss Peppiwell
With a longing for adventure, the last thing Phillipa Peppiwell wants is to marry. After a painful betrayal by a man she trusted, she is wary when she unwittingly catches the attention of roguishly handsome—and sinfully tempting—Lord Anthony Thornton. Forbidden desires she secretly yearns for threaten to crumble her icy facade and reveal a past scandal best kept buried.
Dissatisfied with his empty life, Lord Anthony seeks a deep and lasting connection... and finds himself intrigued by the Ice Maiden of the haute monde. Undaunted by Phillipa’s aloof nature and her distaste for the idea of matrimony, he sets out to thaw the bewitching beauty by enticing her with adventures of the most sensual type. But he, too, hides a scandalous secret... and if it’s discovered it could rip them apart.
Sins of a Duke
She would be his perfect revenge...
All of the young ladies whispered about the Duke of Mondvale in hushed tones, their eyes following his tall, dark figure with barely disguised lust. For the newly-ostracized Lady Constance Thornton, he is magnetic and altogether desirable. Irresistibly so. Since her reputation is already ruined in London society, why shouldn’t she be impudent and dance with the scandalous “Lord of Sin”?
Little does she know of his plans.
The beautiful and innocent Lady Constance is no mere plaything for Lucan Wynwood. She will be his revenge. By ruining her, he will have his vengeance against her brother. Except that the Lady Constance is full of surprises... and now she could well be the ruin of him.
Letters to Emily
Two years have passed since Lady Emily’s beloved Maxwell went to fight in the war. With only letters and one hot night of loving to keep her warm on the coldest of nights, she tries to embrace the future after learning of his death at the Third battle of Picardy. One way to forge forward is to marry his twin brother, Marcellus Alexander Wynwood, The Marquis of Blackthorn, a man she does not love, but one who rouses dark needs in her.
Marcellus wanted Emily from the first moment he saw her two years ago, but had watched from a distance as his brother Max charmed her into falling hopelessly in love with him. In her state of grief over Max, Marcellus ensures her needs are met, breaking down her barriers, tormenting her with wicked erotic loving as he slowly binds her to him.
Despite this, he fears he will lose her once it is revealed that her beloved Maxwell lives. Marcellus prays Emily can surrender to his needs and soul deep desires.
Remembering Yesterday
Remembering Yesterday is part of the awesome Winter Rain collection of romantic stories where rain is a key element!
Ava Kane has lost twelve months of her life—her memory of that time stolen in a car crash. Then she has a chance encounter with Devlin Calhoun. Visions taunt her—of being his lover, of being happy with him. She’s left with questions only he can answer and fears only he can allay. Determined to unveil her past, she travels to his ranch and encounters a fiery passion that redefines everything she believed of herself.
