Kindle Edition
Download to your Nook (eBook)
Download from Apple iTunes (eBook)
Download from Smashwords (eBook)
Amazon
Category:
Romance
ISBN-10: 1099663338
Type: Fiction
Copyright: Nov 14, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781099663338
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
A Pledge, A Claiming, and Valor lead these Highland warriors to love.
In a time when a pledge means everything, a Highland warrior seeks justice. But he must put his quest for vengeance aside when a lovely lass asks for his help. Colin MacKinnon promises to protect Julianna and escort her to her friend’s home in Scotland. As her secrets unravel, Colin comes to care for her. There’s only one thing standing in his way—her companion, a man who aspires to be a wizard. Colin must perform a bit of magic of his own or possibly risk losing her.
Julianna Bentley cannot reveal who she really is, lest it cause danger for all. Guarding her secrets and hiding in the Highlands is the only way to assure her safety. When a handsome laird offers his help, she takes him up on his offer. She must choose between them—the arrogant laird or the misguided wizard. But Julianna doesn’t believe in magic and her choice might change her life’s path forever.
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Dover Castle, Royal Residence
August 1200
A loud clap of thunder awoke Julianna. Her eyes flew open in time to see light flicker inside the bedchamber. Monsters.
Being in the castle was fearsome enough without having a raging storm to make the shadows in the corners even scarier. Another flash came and caused her to pull the covers over her head. She pressed herself against the wall beside the large bed and hoped to hide from the horrible sounds. Brightness illuminated the chamber, but what scared her was the sound of the monsters’ growls. Thunder came every few seconds. She looked across the chamber to her protector, Bleeth, who slept beneath a cocoon of covers.
In a panicked whisper, she called, “Bleeth, are you awake?”
He didn’t budge and kept his eyes closed. With as much courage as she could muster, she decided she would nudge him, but she changed her mind when a monster shook the walls with his wrath.
She jumped when Bleeth’s voice called out. “Julianna, ‘tis but a storm. Go back to sleep.”
“I’m scared. I want Mama.” Julianna hoped he’d get her. She didn’t want to find Mama herself. Mama would hold and soothe her, only she would make her feel safe.
Thunder rumbled again. Heavy rain pelted the window casement and made sounds like the angels in heaven clapped. At least that’s what Mama always said it resembled. Bleeth was no help, and Julianna decided if she wanted Mama, she’d have to get her herself. The floor trembled when her feet touched the stone. The rumble scared her into stillness. Another flash came. She stared through the window casement into the night. Monsters.
Mist hung betwixt the trees and the eerie sight fueled her imagination. A steam-misted cloud formed into a serpent, its wide mouth would swallow her whole. With wide eyes, she decided to be brave.
“Bleeth, I’m going to Mama. There are monsters afoot.”
“Go back to sleep, Julianna, you’re safe.” Bleeth leaned up from his pallet and reached for her hand. “I can send you to your mama.” He waved his hands in the air. “Be still.”
“Nay.” If there was one thing that frightened her more than monsters, it was Bleeth’s attempt at magic. Julianna ran to the door but took a quick glance at her bed. For a second, she almost changed her mind. She could hide beneath the covers and be safe, couldn’t she? Instead, she slunk through the door with determined steps.
“Come back here.” She heard Bleeth ramble. “She never listens.”
Having arrived the day before, Julianna wasn’t familiar with the castle. Down a long narrow corridor, the door to her mother’s rooms seemed far. She worried she wouldn’t reach the door before the monsters got her. Her little feet patted across the cold cobbles. Golden-framed portraits glared from the walls above. Their eyes seemed to follow her and propelled her to run faster. She reached the door and held the ornamental knob. To her relief, the massive door opened. She was safe now that Mama would hold her.
“Mama,” she whispered and crossed the solar to the archway which led to the bedchamber.
Something was wrong. Mama sobbed and held her cheek.
“I cannot believe you would make a cuckold of me. I should never have married you. Who is he, one of the king’s knights?” her father’s voice harsh.
Julianna couldn’t see him from where she stood. He sounded angry, but he always spoke harshly. She stole into a darkened recess beside the archway and watched in stunned silence. Cold tears trickled her cheeks when her father’s hands clutched Mama’s neck. Mama gasped for breath and struggled.
“Mama,” she wailed. “Cease hurting Mama.”
Her father’s angry face turned toward her. Julianna had to help Mama, but she didn’t know how to stop his attack. She flung herself at him and the back of her father’s hand knocked her away. Her head struck the cobbled floor. Tears flowed and the blurred vision of her father’s face waved before her. Monster. Blackness took hold and the monster receded into its depths.
|
