The Christian & Brina Collection
Page 19
Finally, Ignisia's foot kicked out, hitting Regnia in the ribs. Bones cracked. It knocked the wind out of her, and she stumbled backward. Ignisia jabbed with the heel of her palm, connecting with Regnia's nose. Regnia's head jerked back. Then Ignisia whirled, sword in hand, and Regnia's head fell to the ground.
Brom stared. So did Christian. Someday, Christian would ask Ignisia to train him and his soldiers in that kind of combat, but not now. For now, Ignisia and Grifin were safe. That's all that mattered.
They all stood , unsure what to say, when Vorare came running toward them. He looked at Christian and frowned. "A dead spirit called to me. Here."
Brom motioned to Regnia's headless form, and Vorare stared. He bent close, sipped carefully, and so much black flooded into him, that inky veins stood out from his throat and forearms. He shook his head. "She doesn't deserve peace. Too many sins."
Ignisia looked down at her dead sister. "She died better than she deserved."
Brina came to wrap an arm around Ignisia's waist. "You never speak of your mother. What was she like?"
Voice bitter, Ignisia said, "She was known for her beauty, not her kindness. She poisoned the wrong person, and Father couldn't save her."
Christian looked at Grifin, held close in Brom's arms, and sighed with relief. "Grifon will be safe now, and hopefully, so will the young girl in the prison, along with her child."
Ignisia kicked her sister's head and sent it rolling. "I'll attach a scroll to Regnia's dragon and give instructions for the girl to be freed when I send him home."
"And free any man chained to Regnia's bed," Christian added.
Brom studied his wife. "You're not returning to your kingdom? You could rule it now, put it right."
"And desert our lands? I have no happy thoughts of my past, no desire to leave here. I have a cousin who's remained in hiding during Regnia's rule. A good thing, or he wouldn't have survived her. He'll be a good ruler. He's a good man."
Brom couldn't hide his relief, and Ignisia laughed at him. She reached for Grifin and nuzzled her son's cheek. "Our children will know only love, honesty, and honor."
When Brom nodded, she went to wedge herself under his arm, close to his body.
Christian pulled Brina to him. This new brood of children, in all three of their serfdoms, would be raised with less want, less violence, and more love. He swore it would make a difference. It would change all of their lands. And it would start with them.
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If you enjoyed the Christian and Brina stories, discover more novella collections from Judith Post!
THE BABET & PROSPER COLLECTION I
Babet grew up practicing magic in her mother's coven. She gets along with River City's Weres, succubi, and vampires. But when Babet starts working with the city's supernatural detectives to help solve crimes, she discovers there's lots more to her town than tourists and beignets. Detective Prosper--a werebear--is a force to be reckoned with. He's a hard man to keep at arm's length. And then there's the voodoo community near the bayou that she visits for the first time. And dead witches who start walking the streets. And exactly what is Hatchet--the law enforcement's liaison between mortals and supernaturals? She finds herself surrounded by all kinds of magicks, some of them friendly and some of them dangerous. ALL of them are complicated.
THE BABET & PROSPER COLLECTION II
Prosper isn't the type of man a girl can resist, and Babet doesn't try very hard. When he moves into her yellow bungalow, she thinks it's temporary. He's ready to bond, but they have lots of distractions before he can convince Babet to be his for the rest of their long, long lives. The supernaturals who roam River City's streets prove difficult for even a witch and a werebear, working together, to defeat.
GORGONS & GARGOYLES: THE ALLY & DANTE COLLECTION
Ally has a secret, one she's carried for centuries. She ran to Summit City to blend with its mortals. She does everything possible not to call attention to herself, until two supernaturals attack her in a restaurant parking lot. She defends herself, but her problems are far from over. Four gargoyles protect the city from rogue magic users, and their leader--Dante--swears to defend Ally. He has more in mind. Gargoyles can only bond with other supernaturals, and until now, the gargoyles have lived a life of duty and responsibility. Duty is fine, but it doesn't have to be lonely. As Ally and her gargoyle friends battle rogues of all sorts, each gargoyle wins his battle...and wins a female's heart.
THE DEATH & LORALEI COLLECTION
When Death comes to claim Loralei's mother, it's a blessing. Loralei's grateful her mom's suffering is over. Death is surprised--first, that Loralei can see him, and secondly, that she's not repelled and frightened. But in Loralei's presence, the Grim Reaper morphs into a tall, dark, sexy man; and Loralei has never wanted anyone as much as she wants Scythe Black--her nickname for him. Loralei has always been able to see dead spirits, and she's always tried to lead them to the Light. But with Scythe's help and a crystal ball, she can also help dead spirits return to Earth to comfort loved ones they left behind. Some spirits left too soon, their murders never solved. Others come to warn loved ones of danger. Scythe and Loralei help them all. They even adopt two stray ghost children who refuse to leave their familiar surroundings.