As release day approaches for the re-release of the first three books in the Realm of Honor series, I’m excited to bring you today’s teaser from the third book, A Knight to Remember. This book follows the romance between Queen Maeve and Henry, Maggie’s father.
Now through release day (July 25) you can get this book at half price ($2.99) at Smashwords. Use Coupon Code ZZ82B. Price will go back up to $4.99 after release day.
Pre-Order Buy Links:
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BLURB:
The Goddess of War is out for Queen Maeve’s blood to satisfy a thousand-year-old vendetta. And the only one that can save her is a human masquerading as a Fae knight.
Henry Chase is desperate to find his daughter lost in the Highlands. When he steps through a stone circle, he’s transported to the Otherworld. With his human form hidden by glamour, he masquerades as a Fae knight. He’s instantly besotted by Queen Maeve and determined to break down the walls she’s erected around her heart.
In the aftermath of war, Queen Maeve’s kingdom has been destroyed. She must close the portals to the human realm and restore her lost magic. But before she can set things straight, her archenemy, the Goddess of War, attacks, seeking revenge.
When the goddess captures the queen, Henry offers his life for Maeve’s in the hope his bravery will earn the queen’s love. Discovering Henry is human and knowing she must send him back to his world, Maeve tries to fight her feelings for him. Now she must choose—life at court or life with Henry—before she loses him forever.
EXCERPT:
Henry Chase knew someone kept a watchful gaze on him even while he feigned sleep. A chill ran through him, making all the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention and his scalp tingle. He scented the soft aroma of something decidedly feminine in the stale air of the hotel room. He heard the faint rustle of clothing. He shifted on the lumpy mattress and cracked open one eye to peer through the shadows at the tall, lithe, curvy body standing rigid on the other side of the room.
If he’d been in his own bed he would have reached for his baseball bat. One could never be too careful. Since he was in Dumfries, Scotland, he had no weapon. No way to defend himself from the intruder.
Her golden hair shimmered in the half light of the room and cascaded over her shoulders in silky waves. Who she was, he didn’t know. How did she get into his room? He’d locked the door. She couldn’t have climbed through the window because it didn’t open. A flicker of warning went through him.
“Who are you?” He sat up as he spoke, staring at the woman concealed by shadow.
She flinched, surprised by his sudden movement and outburst. She stepped into the faint moonlight slanting through the panes of glass. Her pale cheeks were flushed pink as she pressed a hand against her chest. Her features were as soft as her curves. She had a porcelain face with beautiful blue eyes and smooth-as-silk hair.
“You scared me half to death. Welcome to Scotland, by the way,” she said, her voice a symphony to his ears. She smiled with rose-red lips as she approached. “Took you long enough.”
“Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“I’m not sure that’s relevant.” She glanced around the room before her gaze landed back on him. “I know who you are. I know why you’re here.”
Henry didn’t like her cryptic nature. He didn’t like being spied on either. “How do you know me?”
“I know you’re searching for your daughter, Maggie.”
“What do you know about my daughter?” Fear trickled through him as he stared at the woman standing across the room. “Are you responsible for her disappearance?”
“Gods, no! Well, not really,” she added as an afterthought.
“Where is she? Do you know where she is? Is she hurt? Where can I find her?” The questions poured out of him. Questions he had needed answers to for days. “If you harmed her—”
“Calm down, Henry. I’ve come with a letter.” She took another step toward him as she reached into the pocket of her gown. Parchment rustled against the cloth as she pulled it out. “This should explain everything to you.”
He hesitated, staring at her.
The woman waved the parchment at him. “Go on. Take it. I promise it will hold the answers you seek.”
He slipped it from her fingers, turning it over in his hands. It looked old. It smelled old. It had been folded neatly and sealed with red wax. He didn’t recognize the seal.
“What is this? A ransom note? Are you going to ask for thousands of dollars?”
She sighed, irritated. “No. I told you it’s a letter from Maggie.”
“From Maggie?”
“Aye. Read it. And then I’ll be on my way, my promise fulfilled.”
Henry tore past the seal and unfolded the paper. He was stunned to see Maggie’s perfect handwriting flowing down the page.
Dear Dad,
I know you must be worried sick about me by now, not having heard from me for days. I can’t exactly explain where I am. It’s more of a when I am.
Remember when I was a little girl and I used tell you how awesome it would be if we could go back in time? And then when I got older I used to tell you if I could go anywhere in history, it would be to the Middle Ages? That I’d always wanted to see a live jousting tournament? Well, here I am. You probably don’t believe that. You probably also wouldn’t believe me if I told you Faeries really do exist. I had a hard time believing it myself at first. But it’s all true. I’m living in the Middle Ages as Lady Margaret. I’m in love with a Scottish knight. And whenever I am, I’m safe and sound.
I’ve entrusted Princess Elyne with the delivery of this letter. She’s a Fae. Be nice to her, all right? She’s been kind to me. I would have never met Finn if it hadn’t been for her. I love you and miss you, Dad.
Love, Mags
He glanced back at the woman standing in front of him. She casually looked over her cuticles as if she had all the time in the world.
“What is this? A joke?”
“No joke, Henry, I assure you.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you the princess?”
“The one and only.” She dipped a curtsy with a flourish. “I told you the letter would explain. Sorry it’s a little crumpled. I’ve been a bit preoccupied.”
“This can’t be true.” He fisted the paper and shook it at her. “You expect me to believe this? It has to be a hoax. Where is she?”
She shrugged one thin shoulder. “Believe what you will, Henry. But I saw Maggie write the letter. I promised her I’d deliver it to you. And deliver it I have. Now if you’ll excuse me—”
Henry shot to his feet. “Wait, please.” He couldn’t allow his one link to Maggie to escape. If the letter was real then this woman was his one connection to her.
She paused, giving him a curious glance.
He had grown up with tales of the fair folk. He’d heard the stories of the Otherworld from his Irish grandmother, knew they were a bit mischievous and caused problems. But they didn’t exist. Did they? And would one go to so much trouble as to write a letter faking Maggie’s handwriting and deliver it to him in Dumfries? He didn’t think so. Still, he had questions. Questions he wanted answered.
“Who is Finn? What have you done with Maggie?”
