Time Travel Romances Boxed Set
Page 1
Claire Delacroix
Time Travel Romance Boxed Set
Table of Contents
This boxed set includes four complete time travel romances:
ONCE UPON A KISS
THE LAST HIGHLANDER
THE MOONSTONE
&
LOVE POTION #9
Contests
About the Author
Connect Online
More Books by the Author
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Dear Reader;
Once upon a time, I wrote four fantasy romances for Berkley – two for the Time Passages imprint and two for the Magical Love imprint. The books were Once Upon a Kiss, The Last Highlander, The Moonstone and Love Potion #9. Although technically they are not all time travel romances, I’ve chosen to bundle them together that way because they each feature heroes and heroines from different times. I’ve also chosen to republish them as Claire Delacroix books, even though they were originally published under my pseudonym Claire Cross.
Each of these books was a milestone for me. Once Upon a Kiss was the first romance I sold with a contemporary setting, for example. Now it’s clear to me that the writing of these four books was a creative journey. They gave me the opportunity to play with humor more, and to work on balancing comedy and tragedy in my books. In many ways, they made my later Coxwell series of contemporary romances possible. (The Coxwells, by the way, will be republished this summer in new print and digital editions.)
All four of these fantasy romances - or romantic comedies, or time travel romances - are available once again, not just in this boxed set but individually, in new digital editions and print editions. As with all of my re-releases, I’ve chosen not to revise these books, but to republish them pretty much the way they were published in the first place.
In other news, I’ve returned to medieval Scotland in my books and am happily back at Kinfairlie again. The Renegade’s Heart, the first book in a new four-book series called The True Love Brides, will be published in May 2012. This new series continues the story from my Jewels of Kinfairlie series, following four more of the siblings at Kinfairlie as they meet their romantic matches and find their happily-ever-afters. The Renegade’s Heart is Isabella’s story and I’m very excited to have the chance to finally tell her tale. Visit my website for more information about this series and other upcoming releases.
Until next time, I hope you are well and have plenty of good books to read.
All my best, Claire
www.delacroix.net
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Once Upon a Kiss
For over a thousand years – so legend has it – the brambles have grown wild over the ruins of Dunhelm Castle. Many believed that the thorns were a sign that the castle was cursed, so no one dared to trespass, and the secrets that they protected and concealed have remained hidden – until now.
Armed with a pair of gardening shears, Baird Beauforte is determined to clear away the brambles that hinder the development of his resort, and he won’t let local superstition deter him. Dunhelm Castle is supposed to be the latest jewel in the Beauforte Resort chain, but the renovations can’t be finished if the workmen are frightened of a so-called curse. To dispel any lingering fears, Baird decides to vanquish the briars himself. What he never expects is to find a mysterious slumbering beauty…
Aurelia is like no one he has ever met before. Upon awakening, she demands to know his identity and why he is in her father’s castle! Bemused by her claime of being a king’s daughter, he is certain he had never met this “princess” before, although something about her rouses a haunting sense of familiarity. Soon, dreams plague this by-the-book businessman…dreams that feel more like memories. And Baird begins to wonder if he can claim his heart’s princess – now and forever – with a kiss.
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Praise for Once Upon a Kiss
“This expertly crafted, beautifully touching “Sleeping Beauty” tale is absolutely wonderful reading. Ms. Cross has provided everything I require in a romance – excellent character development, well-plotted storyline with a touch of mystery, just enough conflict to be interesting and exciting, yet not overpowering, plus a unique paranormal element. This book is simply marvelous!”
Tanzey Cutter for Old Book Barn Gazette
“Claire Cross demonstrates that she is one of the most talented writers of time travel romances with Once Upon A Kiss, a wonderful tale that fans of the sub-genre will devour.”
Harriet Klausner for Painted Rock and Affaire de Coeur
“Like a sorceror, Claire Cross spellbinds her readers and carries them on a magical journey through the pages of Once Upon A Kiss. Although the plot is familiar, it’s farm from predictable. It’s fresh and exciting, passionate and sensual. As the story reaches its climax, even the most skeptical reader may believe that true love can transcend time. Once Upon A Kiss is at the top of my recommended book list.”
MT for Rendezvous
“Claire Cross turns humor, love, murder and reincarnation into a work of art. Take a bow, Claire, this is stunning!”
Donita Lawrence for Bell, Book & Candle
“A whirlwind of romantic adventure!”
Kathee S. Card for Under the Covers Reviews
“A beautifully romantic time travel!”
Sarah Anderson for Romance Communications
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Winner of the Colorado Romance Writers’
Award of Excellence
for
Best Paranormal, Time Travel, Fantasy,
or Futuristic Romance of 1998.
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Once Upon a Kiss
by Claire Delacroix
This book was originally published under the pseudonym Claire Cross. This re-released edition has only minor corrections from the original text.
Copyright 1998, 2011 Claire Delacroix, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Cover by Kim Killion.
Smashwords Edition
Without limiting the rights under copyright preserved above, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright holder and the publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
*
Once Upon a Kiss
by
Claire Delacroix
* * *
Prologue
Dunhelm Castle, Scotland
March A.D. 800
“Ships!” The sentry’s hoarse cry carried over the heavy walls and made every inhabitant look up with alarm. “Ships on the horizon!”
Aurelia crouched lower as her father darted up a ladder with the agility of a man much younger than his own fifty summers. Hekod’s long golden hair, now lined with silver, lifted in the stiff sea breeze as he reached the summit, his feet braced against the stone.
Aurelia pulled her hood further over her face. The last thing she needed was for her father to guess of her disobedience after they had argued so long over her role. She watched her father’s expression avidly from below, her mou
th so dry that she could barely swallow.
Was it Bard, son of Erc, who came to take his avowed revenge?
Or had her father’s Viking relations arrived with aid?
Hekod’s expression turned grim as he scanned the seas. He swore with rare eloquence and Aurelia’s heart sank, the truth clear before he even spoke.
Hekod’s eyes blazed like sapphires as he pivoted to address his men. “That can be no Viking sail!” he roared. “Bard, son of Erc, dares to attack Dunhelm! To arms! To arms!”
With those words, chaos erupted.
The ladders leaning against the defensive wall creaked with the warriors’ haste to climb to the summit. Swords caught the sunlight as they were unsheathed, the freshly honed blades of battle axes gleamed dangerously. Prayers were muttered and amulets kissed. Helmets were donned and leather jerkins laced among the Viking warriors, while the Picts boldly bared their tattooed flesh.
“The murderous swine dares to tempt a father’s wrath!” Hekod raged above the confusion, waving his own sword high in the air. The men stamped their feet in support. “Let him taste the bite of my blade!” The warriors bellowed. “Like father, like son, say I. Let Bard meet the Nairns by my hand as did his sire before him!”
The fighting men shouted their approval of this sentiment. The war horns were blown in a cacophony of sound and all attention turned to the sea.
Aurelia took advantage of the moment to dive out of her hiding place and hastily retrieve her bow. Her heart was pounding with the threat of discovery as she discarded the cloak that had hidden her garb this morning. The tunic beneath was purposefully short, the leggings and boots practical garb that Aurelia had worn little since her sire determined her to be of marriageable age.
Evidently, in her father’s mind, even marriageable Viking women did not wear short tunics or shoot crossbows. But Aurelia knew the defense of her home was more important than mere modesty and protocol, whatever Hekod’s views to the contrary.
She tossed her long fair braid over her shoulder as she turned, standing as tall as a woman of tiny stature could. Aurelia was ready to face opposition, yet found none aware of what she had done.
Perfect. There was no time to waste on such nonsense, at any rate.
Aurelia simply could not sit by when all she held dear hung in the balance. Even her sire could not dispute that she was the best archer in Dunhelm - and Aurelia’s duty could be nowhere else but in the defense of her home.
Hekod was not the only one who thirsted for vengeance, after all. It was no small thing for Aurelia to carry the proud legacy of Viking blood and, to her mind, Hekod - the Viking responsible for that mingled blood - should have understood.
Aurelia scrambled up the ladder and posted herself a goodly distance away from her perceptive sire. The men on either side of her did not even warrant her arrival worth a questioning glance. Aurelia lifted her face to the sea, triumphant at her success thus far, but her heart trembled at what she saw.
A trio of ships crested the brilliant blue of the seas, their prows cutting through the waves with a purpose that could not be denied. Not one, but three ships came to battle!
These certainly were not the graceful Viking ships that all had hoped would arrive at Dunhelm first. These vessels were all of diverse and humble origins, their rigging cobbled and patched, their paint chipped and their hulls devoid of ornamentation.
Such sorry craft befitted a thieving vagrant like Bard, son of Erc. A dark hatred filled Aurelia’s heart and a tear blurred her vision as she recalled how this loathsome man had deceived her sole brother.
If Aurelia had anything to say about the matter, Bard, son of Erc, would not survive this day. She looked to her sire and saw the same grim determination harden his weathered visage.
The waves pounded on the wooden hulls of the ships as they drew near, the wind snapped the sails. Two men leapt from the lead ship and hauled it in toward shore, the waves coming above their waists. The individual men aboard the ships become distinguishable as the craft were drawn closer.
Aurelia was dismayed to see how numerous they truly were. The deck of each ship fairly bristled with weaponry.
There was a strange interval of silence on the walls in this moment, as though all looked into their hearts in the face of such odds and understood that this day would change their very lives. Many would not survive this battle, Aurelia knew, for Bard brought greater forces than anticipated. And without the Vikings to swell their ranks, Hekod’s forces would be hard-pressed to hold Dunhelm.
Aurelia knew she was not the only one to wonder at their chances.
“Bard, son of Erc, is mine alone,” Hekod declared coldly. The silence was such that his voice carried along the entire wall, the dark menace of his tone sending a shiver down every spine.
Aurelia had the sudden thought that the first strike could be telling. A quick gain for Hekod’s side could lift the spirits of Dunhelm’s troops. Aurelia knew enough of war to understand that that alone could send them surging to victory.
Without questioning her impulse, Aurelia loaded an arrow into her crossbow, silently beseeched the Goddess for favor, aimed and fired.
The arrow whistled through the air and was quickly lost in the sun. It buried itself with a barely audible thump as Aurelia strained to discern its landing point.
A heartbeat later, one of the men hauling the lead ship faltered, then fell into the blue of the sea.
He did not stand again. The end of the rope he had held trailed away into the waves, his alarmed partner missed a step before boldly surging forward again.
The men on the walls of Dunhelm cheered boisterously. Bard’s forces launched a volley of arrows that fell far short of the stone walls. Aurelia felt a surge of victory before her sire’s voice boomed across the ramparts.
“Aurelia!”
Too late Aurelia realized that the accuracy of the shot betrayed her hand.
All eyes pivoted to Aurelia when Hekod spotted her and glared dangerously. Aurelia stubbornly held her ground. Hekod muttered a curse, then pushed aside warrior and mercenary as he carved a path along the wall to his errant daughter.
And Aurelia knew she would not have another chance to fire a shot. She had to make this fleeting moment count! The men around her murmured in dismay, but Aurelia quickly fitted another arrow and lifted her crossbow to aim once more.
She squinted and adjusted her sight on the second man in the sea. He had taken an uneven gait, presumably to foil her efforts. Precious moments passed before Aurelia was satisfied with her aim.
Just as she was about to let the shot fly, heavy hands landed on her shoulders. Aurelia jumped and lost her sight, her fingers fumbled with the arrow.
Pain burned in her left thumb. The sensation was hot enough to bring tears to her eyes.
“Aurelia!” Hekod cried out in dismay.
In that instant, a curious glow swirled around Aurelia. Everything around her seemed enveloped in shimmering silver, distant and unworldly. Aurelia herself felt buoyed by nothingness in a most unnatural way. It was as though she had been surrounded by a glittering fog.
Gods and goddesses! What was happening to her?
Aurelia glanced to her father, only to find him as ethereal as all else around her. His anger was gone, dissipated as quickly as it burned bright, and now his features were lined with concern.
“The prophecy!” he murmured hoarsely and his grip tightened on her shoulders. “It was true, after all!”
Aurelia tried to laugh at such foolishness but failed. The swirling gossamer haze had eclipsed the pain so thoroughly that Aurelia felt as unsubstantial as a morning mist. In fact, she tingled lightly all over. Aurelia had the strange sense that if her father let go of her shoulders, she would swept away to forever in the blink of an eye.
“It is only the loss of the blood that ails me,” she managed to say. Aurelia frowned, feeling as though the cloud had numbed her reason as well. Had she felt so odd when wounded before?
Hekod lifted
his daughter’s wounded hand, his great paw gently cradling Aurelia’s much smaller fingers. “But, Aurelia, there is no blood.”
No blood? There must be!
But when Aurelia looked at her hand, she saw that Hekod was right. The arrow had fallen away, leaving behind no more than a gaping hole in Aurelia’s left thumb.
Right in the middle of the whorl, just as the prophecy made so long ago had clearly declared. And her very fingers sparkled against her father’s lined palm, as though she was wrought of something other than flesh and blood.
Aurelia blinked, unable to accept the evidence before her own eyes. The prophecy was a lie, after all!
But before Aurelia could argue, the whirling iridescent cocoon surrounded her and caressed her, lifted her so high that she could not even feel the weight of her father’s hands, let alone see the troubled blue of his eyes.
She could not leave him! She would not leave him!
But Aurelia was to have no choice. She faintly heard the clash of steel on steel, she struggled to join the fight to defend Dunhelm, but felt herself swept away. She could see nothing but thousands of shimmering lights dancing all around her.