Maeve stood near the hearth, stirring a pot. She grinned happily.
Epilogue
Kade knelt opposite Lia. He stared down into a hole he had dug. “I thought it appropriate to bury it here.” It was where Sir de Rolleston died. The trees arched over their heads, blowing gently in the wind.
Lia nodded. “His spirit can watch over it.”
Kade lifted the lid of the stone box he brought.
“Are you certain?” Lia asked. “I know how much that box means to you. It was your mother’s.”
Kade nodded. The stone box was etched with elaborate scrolling and painted with rich red and blue colors. “I’m certain.” For him, it was a burial he had not been there for.
Lia dropped the parchment into the box without another word.
Kade replaced the lid and carefully set it into the small hole. He stared down for a long moment. That parchment had caused him a lot of trouble, but in the end, it had caused much more joy. He looked up at Lia. She was staring at him with those clear, clear blue eyes. He grinned at her, and together they pushed the dirt into the hole, covering the stone box.
When they were done, Kade stood and held a hand out to Lia. She nodded once and took his hand, rising to her feet.
“Oh!” she cried and pushed some leaves and twigs over the freshly dug dirt to further hide it from unwanted detection.
She was smart. That was one of the reasons he loved her so. Kade took her hand and pulled her against him. He stared down at her smooth skin, her large eyes, and those full lips. She had healed his wounded and tortured spirit; she had given him a reason to fight his father and to win. He was so grateful he had found her. He lowered his lips to hers, brushing his against her softness.
She truly was his treasure.
About Laurel O'Donnell
Critically acclaimed novelist Laurel O’Donnell sold her first book, The Angel and the Prince, to Kensington after being a Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart finalist. She has gone on to win many more awards including the Holt Medallion Award for A Knight of Honor and the International Digital Award for Angel’s Assassin.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Laurel began writing in junior high school when she carried a pen and paper around wherever she went. In college, she took fiction writing classes to further her skill. Her love of the medieval time period led her to work at King Richard’s Faire in Wisconsin where she learned stage combat and sword fighting. The Faire fed her insatiable appetite for the medieval era.
Laurel has many books yet to write and hopes you will join her on her journey to bring the medieval era to life!
Please visit her at her website www.laurel-odonnell.com for the latest information about upcoming releases, contests, and to contact her.
More Books by Laurel O'Donnell
Medieval Romance Boxed Sets!
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance on Amazon
Heroic Tales of Medieval Romance contains four full-length medieval romance novels! My Noble Knight, Midnight Shadow, The Lady and the Falconer, and A Knight of Honor.
Legends of Medieval Romance - The Complete Angel Assassin's Trilogy
Legends of Medieval Romance contains the complete Angel's Assassin collection, including Angel's Assassin, Cherished Protector of Her Heart, and Beloved in His Eyes.
Legends of Medieval Romance on Amazon
Medieval Romance Novels
My Noble Knight
My Noble Knight on Amazon
A #1 Best-Seller in Medieval Romance!
Layne Fletcher desires to joust in a real tournament, using the skills she has been taught by her brothers. Griffin Wolfe, an honorable knight discovers her facade and demands restitution. Will he be able to teach her how to behave like a lady and hide his attraction to her while keeping his focus on the jousting tournament?
A Knight With Grace
A Knight With Grace on Amazon
Book One in the Assassin Knights series!
Lady Grace Willoughby defies her father’s orders to marry Sir William de Tracy and escapes with a friend. She has no intention of wedding a cursed man, a man ostracized from the church, a man who would only doom any future children they might have to the fires of Hell. She prays for a knight to rescue her.
Angel's Assassin
Angel's Assassin on Amazon
Winner of the International Digital Award!
Damien is an assassin, a man with no home and a tortured past. Sold into slavery as a young boy, he is trained to kill with cold calculation, without remorse. Lady Aurora of Acquitaine is the epitome of purity and goodness, beloved by all her people. When Damien enters Aurora’s life, tempting her with promises of dark passion and forbidden lust, he threatens to tear her peaceful world apart.
The Angel and the Prince
The Angel and the Prince on Amazon
Nominated for the Golden Heart Award
In this exciting medieval romance, the French lady knight known as the Angel of Death wages a battle of wills and desires against her dreaded enemy -- the English warrior known as the Prince of Darkness.
The Lady and the Falconer
The Lady and the Falconer on Amazon
“Medieval readers will find The Lady and the Falconer a highly satisfying, well crafted story that fills their craving for a tale of medieval intrigue and passion.” - Romantic Times Magazine
A mysterious Falconer. A ravishing green-eyed Lady. A castle under siege. A killer hiding among them. Traitors are revealed. Family loyalties are betrayed. Can hated enemies find common ground in each other's arms? The Lady and the Falconer is an exciting medieval romance filled with action, intrigue, suspense and a desire that defies every sinister obstacle put in its path.
A Knight of Honor
A Knight of Honor on Amazon
Winner of the Holt Medallion Award for Best Medieval Novel!
Taylor Sullivan is a raven-haired hellion fleeing the flames that destroyed her family. She arms herself with a quick sword and a sharp tongue, hiring herself out as a mercenary, willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Slane Donovan is a knight of honor, sworn to uphold his oath and his word. He seeks the woman who wears the Sullivan ring, determined to bring her back to Castle Donovan.
Midnight Shadow
Midnight Shadow on Amazon
When the unjust rules of a neighboring lord terrorize her friends, a Lady dons the mask and cloak of her childhood hero to right the wrongs and save them from oppression. Torn between the woman he longs to trust and the outlaw he has vowed to hang, a Lord vows to find the truth. Will a legendary hero find love in the arms of her enemy?
Beloved in His Eyes
As captain of the guard, Gawyn serves his brother, Lord Damien, faithfully and loyally; there is nothing he would not do for him. Justina Auber must protect her younger brother from the assassin who murdered her father. Will Gawyn betray his brother to save the woman he is falling in love with? Book 3 in the Angel's Assassin series!
Beloved in His Eyes on Amazon
Champion of the Heart
Champion of the Heart is an exciting medieval romance filled with dark secrets and haunted castles, villainous betrayal and heartbreaking tragedy, honor and family loyalty—and a love that conquers all.
“Captivating from the very first page, readers will have a hard time putting CHAMPION OF THE HEART down. The characters emotional turmoil coupled with the sensuality and delightful cast of characters adds a special, unique depth… and elevated this to another level.”
- RT Book Reviews
Champion of the Heart on Amazon
Medieval Romance Novellas
A Knight Amid Thorns
A Knight Amid Thorns on Amazon
When the murderer of her brother is welcomed into her castle as a friend, Lady Ella Rames vows to make his life as miserable as hers and to avenge her brother. Struggling to fulfill an oath and find the elusive blue rose, Sir Graden Dumount’s final hope rests with a woman w
ho despises him. Can Ella and Graden overcome their animosity and let the power of the blue rose heal them and turn enemies into lovers?
The Bravest of Them All
The Bravest of Them All on Amazon
All her life, Nessa has idolized her older sister, Melwyn, following in her footsteps, doing what she did. When Nessa falls in love with her sister’s betrothed, she is willing to sacrifice her own feelings to ensure Melwyn’s happiness. Luke of Brackley has vowed to protect the innocent, including his lord’s daughters. Betrothed to Melwyn, Luke always believed his future lay in her arms. When he discovers Nessa has been kidnapped by an enemy, he risks everything to save her. Will Nessa be able to keep her love for Luke a secret even as her heart breaks?
Mistletoe Magic
Mistletoe Magic on Amazon
A confident knight arrives home to find his childhood friend grown into much more than he remembered. The lady of the castle keeps a dangerous secret that threatens all she holds dear. Will Mistletoe Magic save them? Mistletoe Magic is a medieval romance novella.
Cherished Protector of Her Heart
Cherished Protector of Her Heart on Amazon
Aurora, the honored lady of Acquitaine prepares for her upcoming marriage. Damien, her betrothed, battles the unwanted visitors that have come for more than just celebration. Will his past catch up to him and ruin all he has fought so hard to protect? This novella features characters from Angel's Assassin! Part 2 of the Angel's Assassin Trilogy.
The Bride and the Brute
FREE - The Bride and the Brute Novella on Amazon
Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband’s past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes. This medieval romance novella is available for FREE for a limited time!
Paranormal Romance
Immortal Death on Amazon
Jade Smith's supernaturally fast ability to heal has made her a freak. After years of fearful reactions from others, she stays hidden in the shadows of life. The one thing that keeps her sane is her writing--and her wonderful Demetrius, an imaginary character she created in her online stories. But when Demetrius suddenly appears in her apartment, her life changes forever.
Demetrius Mercer is a fighter vampire for the de Nouviant family who spends his days hunting a rival vampire family for killing his beloved Rosaline. When he learns Jade Smith knows his life story and is publishing it on the Internet for all to see, he must uncover who she is and how she knows so much about his past--before she exposes him and endangers his entire family.
Will Jade's abilities be enough to heal Demetrius's scarred soul, or will he spend eternity alone in anguish?
Urban Fantasy
Lost Souls: Resurrection - Episode 1 on Amazon
Christian Thompson is killed but refuses to pass into the afterlife because of his need to shelter his daughter from her cruel mother. He soon discovers there are others like him, other spirits trapped between the world of the living and the dead. He joins the Lost Souls in their struggle against a dark evil that threatens them all.
Lost Souls: Imperfection – Episode 2 on Amazon
Sam and her brother Ben, along with their new friend Christian, have just defied the leader of the Lost Souls. Outcast from their former group, the three of them battle the dark forces of the Changed on their own. With the help of their old friend, Eugene, they investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of their Lost Soul brethren. As the investigation deepens, they come to the chilling realization that their nemesis, Scala, has escaped his centuries-old prison with revenge on his twisted mind. A demonic possession leads to grave consequences and the Lost Souls must make a difficult choice between life and death for an innocent victim.
Lost Souls: Deception - Episode 3 on Amazon
Sam, Ben and Christian continue to battle the dark forces of the Changed, the inhuman monsters who feed on the energy of their Lost Soul brethren. After receiving surprising news about the whereabouts of Sam and Ben’s sister Cora, they arrive at a friend’s to investigate. As their search deepens, Ben becomes consumed with trying to save Cora, taking a very dangerous path that puts himself and everyone around him in jeopardy. Treachery and deception threaten their group as they discover nothing is as it seems…
Lost Souls: Altercation - Episode 4 on Amazon
Sam and Christian have mysteriously disappeared. An unlikely group of allies is formed as Damien, Ben and Eugene search for their missing friends. With the calming presence of Sam gone from his life, the urge to make the Jump into a human grows dangerously strong inside of Damien. To add to their anguish, a powerful new menace threatens destruction for both Souls and humans alike. Can they find Sam in time to stop Damien from making the Jump? Can they stop this new foe from gaining strength and building a deadly following? Read Lost Souls – Altercation to find out!
Lost Souls: Suspicion - Episode 5 on Amazon
As the Souls try to discover who their nemesis, Scala, has possessed, Sam fights inner doubts and demons. The Souls look to Sam to lead them, but can she find the courage to save her brother and her friends from their most challenging enemy or will her suspicions doom them all?
Get Lost Souls Episodes 1-4 in a convenient boxed set on Amazon!
Lost Souls Boxed Set on Amazon
For more information on any of these books or other novels by Laurel O'Donnell, please visit her website at www.laurel-odonnell.com, or follow her Amazon author page.
Forbidden: Claude
By
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 by Elizabeth Rose Krejcik
This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual organizations or persons living or deceased is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the author’s written permission.
RoseScribe Media Inc.
Cover created by Elizabeth Rose Krejcik
Edited by Scott Moreland
To my readers:
This book is the story of the son of my hero and heroine, John Montague and Celestine de Bar from The Baron’s Destiny – Book 3 of my Barons of the Cinque Ports Series.
It is a standalone book, but it is better to read The Baron’s Destiny first so no surprises will be ruined.
I had an overwhelming request for Claude’s story from my readers. If you’ve already read The Baron’s Destiny, you will realize Claude is in love with a girl named Rose – daughter of one of the other barons, but she is in love with someone else. So now, Claude will finally get his chance at happily-ever-after, as long as he can stop carrying the torch for Rose.
In this story, you will be introduced to the other Barons of the Cinque Ports from the rest of the series:
Lord Nicholas Vaughn & wife Muriel – The Baron’s Quest – Book 1
Lord Conlin de Braose & wife Isobel – The Baron’s Bounty – Book 2
Lord John Montague & wife Celestine (Claude’s parents) - The Baron’s Destiny – Book 3
At the end of the book you will find a list of not only the barons and their wives but also their children that they had after their stories ended.
Thank you, and enjoy,
Elizabeth Rose
Chapter 1
Port of Sandwich, England 1294
Claude Jean Montague returned to England only to have his heart broken once again.
Love hurt. Claude learned this at the young age of five and ten years when he had his heart broken the first time by Lady Rose of Sandwich. Daughter of Baron Conlin de Braose of the Cinque Ports, Rose had shown kindness to Claude when he and
his mother first arrived in Hastings from France, eight years ago. It had been during a trying time in Claude’s life because that was when he first met his father. He had hoped to one day marry the girl, but she had eyes for her father’s squire, Toft, instead.
Had Claude known he was about to walk right back into the hardships of the past and that it would bring all those old feelings rising to the surface again, he never would have agreed to make the trip to England to celebrate his younger sister’s birthday.
Having sailed to Sandwich from France where he’d been living for the past six years, Claude had plenty of time to think about the girl he once loved. But Rose was married to someone else now, he reminded himself. She wouldn’t feel the same way about him that he felt for her. This fact was hard to accept.
“Mon Seigneur, nous approchons les quais de Sandwich,” Claude’s squire so generously pointed out they had approached the docks. Claude didn’t speak his native language much anymore. Even though he’d returned to his homeland of France when he inherited his late grandfather’s castle and demesne, he felt like more of an Englishman than French after finding out that Baron John Montague of Hastings was his father.
“Oui,” Claude answered. “Felix, it would be better if we spoke in English while we are on English soil,” he pointed out. “My father is not fond of the French language.”
“Aye, my lord,” said Felix.
Claude’s eyes fixated on Briarbeck Castle in the distance as the ship sailed into the harbor. Rose would be there with her husband, Toft. His heart sped up. He longed to see her but dreaded it at the same time. Confusion welled within him. The flame of love still burned in his heart for Lady Rose, inhibiting him to take a wife even though he was already three and twenty years of age. Rose didn’t see him in the same light. She considered them naught but friends. Her love was only for her husband, Toft.
Super Summer Set of Historical Shorts Page 59
