The Bishop: A Tanglewood Novella
Page 1
The Bishop
A Tanglewood Novella
By Skye Warren
The Bishop
A Tanglewood Novella
By Skye Warren
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2020 Skye Warren
ISBN: 978-1-970077-62-9
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
The Bishop
A Tanglewood Novella
By Skye Warren
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Skye Warren comes the next installment in her Tanglewood series.
A million dollar chess piece goes missing hours before the auction.
Anders Sorenson will do anything to get it back. His family name and fortune rests on finding two inches of medieval ivory. Instead he finds an injured woman with terrible secrets.
He isn’t letting her go until she helps him find the piece. But there’s more at stake in this strategic game of lust and danger. When she confesses everything, he might lose more than his future. He might lose his heart.
**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**
About Skye Warren
Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.
For more information, visit https://www.skyewarren.com.
Also From Skye Warren
Click to purchase
Endgame trilogy
The Pawn
The Knight
The Castle
Masterpiece duet
The King
The Queen
Trust Fund duet
Survival of the Richest
The Evolution of Man
North Security trilogy
Overture
Concerto
Sonata
A Modern Fairy Tale duet
Beauty and the Professor
Falling for the Beast
STANDALONES
Audition
Escort
Anti Hero
For a complete listing of Skye Warren books, visit
www.skyewarren.com/books
Acknowledgments from the Author
Thank you so much to Liz, Jillian, and M.J. for inviting me to join the 1,001 family of authors. It feels warm and cozy here.
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Click here to explore
COLLECTION ONE
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
COLLECTION TWO
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION THREE
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FOUR
ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley
ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg
SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde
RAZR by Larissa Ione
ARRANGED by Lexi Blake
TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti
HOLD ME by J. Kenner
SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst
TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey
HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton
EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye
BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant
TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James
STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely
MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian
HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham
DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige
THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan
NIGHT GAMES by CD Reiss
NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby
DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
COLLECTION FIVE
BLAZE ERUPTING by Rebecca Zanetti
ROUGH RIDE by Kristen Ashley
HAWKYN by Larissa Ione
RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye
ROME’S CHANCE by Joanna Wylde
THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT by Jennifer Probst
SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton
INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan
ENVY by Rachel Van Dyken
PROTECTED by Lexi Blake
THE PRINCE by Jennifer L. Armentrout
PLEASE ME by J. Kenner
WOUND TIGHT by Lorelei James
STRONG by Kylie Scott
DRAGON NIGHT by Donna Grant
TEMPTING BROOKE by Kristen Proby
HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham
CONTROL by K. Bromberg
HUNKY HEARTBREAKER by Kendall Ryan
THE DARKEST CAPTIVE by Gena Showalter
COLLECTION SIX
DRAGON CLAIMED by Donna Grant
ASHES TO INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
ENSNARED by Elisabeth Naughton
VENGEANCE by Rebecca Zanetti
ELI’S TRIUMPH by Joanna Wylde
CIPHER by Larissa Ione
RESCUING MACIE by Susan Stoker
ENCHANTED by Lexi Blake
TAKE THE BRIDE by Carly Phillips
INDULGE ME by J. Kenner
THE KING by Jennifer L. Armentrout
QUIET MAN by Kristen Ashley
ABANDON by Rachel Van Dyken
THE OPEN DOOR by Laurelin Paige
CLOSER by Kylie Scott
SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS by Jennifer Probst
BLOOD NIGHT by Heather Graham
TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis
MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU by Shayla Black
WONDER WITH ME by Kristen Proby
THE DARKEST ASSASSIN by Gena Showalter
Discover Blue Box Press
TAME ME by J. Kenner
TEMPT ME by J. Kenner
DAMIEN by J. Kenner
TEASE ME by J. Kenner
REAPER by Larissa Ione
THE SURRENDER GATE by Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET by Cherise Sinclair
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Table of Contents
Book Description
About Skye Warren
Also from Skye Warren
Acknowledgments from the Author
Discover 1001 Dark Nights
Foreword
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Seven
An excerpt from The Pawn by Skye Warren
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Prologue
Death has a sound. There’s a rattle in her breathing that wasn’t there this morning. I move the knight over my pawns, which has been my opening move since forever. We can pretend like this is a regular day. Momma studies the board with a look of concentration, even though she makes the same move—her king-side pawn two spaces forward. It’s something I can count on, that move, and it doesn’t let me down. Her hand trembles as it falls back to the couch.
Death has a smell. There’s the cough medicine that’s dribbled some on her dress. The deep infection that wheezes out on every breath. We’ve been living in this world for days, weeks. Years, really. Momma gets sick a few times every winter, but it hit her harder this year. The same thing that made her think slow made her immune system weak.
I move my queen side pawn forward, mostly because I want her to react.
She captures my pawn.
It would almost be enough to convince me everything’s normal, if it weren’t for Poppa watching us from the kitchen. His eyes are rimmed red. There are a hundred orange bottles spread out across the table. None of the pills and ointments are working. Not anymore.
We move a few pieces, taking up strategic locations across the board. There was a time she could read and write. She knew what every medicine in those bottles does, but I was too young to remember. Mostly I know her this way—quiet and focused and simple. She needs help getting dressed and showering every day. Maybe the other kids in school would think that’s weird, but I don’t really care. Poppa’s out on calls most nights, so who else will do it?
Death has a face, and it’s not even my mother’s expression of concentration.
It’s Poppa, with his shoulders hunched over, his eyes leaking. It looks like failure.
I push my bishop forward, angle him so he’s facing her queen. I’ve never had to go easy on her. She needs help doing the buttons in order, but she never stopped being able to play chess.
As soon as my finger leaves the little knob on the wooden bishop I see my mistake. Her castle’s already in the middle of the board. I was so focused on the crack in her defenses that I missed it. I hold my breath, because the boys at school would be watching me. We don’t play chess. It’s strictly poker with lunch money as the bet while we’re on the bus.
Before I can react she’s reaching out to move the castle, to knock my bishop out of the way, to move my piece to the side—in that fast, efficient movement of someone ready to make their next move.
“Good one!” The words bubble out of me, and I’m laughing. It’s too loud.
Except her hand falls to the side. Her arm isn’t trembling anymore. It’s limp. The wooden piece rolls out of her hand and softly, softly onto the carpet.
My laugh stops. All of a sudden. Her eyes are closed, as if she’s sleeping. “Momma?”
“No, goddamn you. No.” Poppa’s never really angry, but he looks like a stranger. He lunges across the room and knocks over the chess board. The pieces spill into my lap, and I jump back. He grabs her in a tight hug, and he’s making this sound—it’s crying. He’s crying. Momma’s head wobbles on her neck like she’s one of those figures you put in a car.
My stomach cram
ps hard, and I bend over, unable to breathe.
Death has a feeling, and it’s cold. Cold enough that I start shivering.
Poppa shakes her, more rough than I’ve ever seen him. “You don’t get to take her.”
He’s wrong, though. It doesn’t matter how much medicine you have or how much you want something. Doesn’t matter how much you fight. Death always wins. It took her on a sunny afternoon, as quick and quiet as swiping a piece off the board.
Chapter One
Anders
Chaos. The painting looks like chaos. Is it still called a painting if there are nails sticking out? There’s also a button, a burnt match, an old house key. It reminds me of a picture where you’re supposed to spy certain items. A puzzle, though it probably means something deeper. The inconstancy of man or some shit. One particular inconstant man comes to stand beside me.
“What’s it supposed to mean?” I murmur without looking to the side.
“I don’t know and don’t care,” comes the cavalier response. “It should go for a pretty penny, which is the only thing that makes it interesting.”
“Not as pretty as the bishop.” Paintings. Jewels. There are even a few genuine Victorian gowns worn by some long-dead wealthy British people. We’re standing among millions of dollars—currently in the form of art. After the auction next week that art will be transformed into cash.
Damon Scott gives a quiet laugh. “Not nearly.”
“Nice turnout.”
Tanglewood high society came out in full force to be seen as a serious contender at the auction benefiting migrant children. Tinkling laughter shimmers in the air. Men and women mingle. It emphasizes how still the two of us stand, how serious.
“Are you sure you want to sell it?” Damon asks, thought the chess piece has already been appraised and announced. It’s already pictured in high-gloss photography in the auction program.