Taken By Desire

by Valerie Twombly

Genres: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

Atlantis wasn't a myth. It didn't sink to the bottom of the sea. It was put there intentionally and now its people are ready to reclaim it.

Greydon has two important missions: Find his brothers and rescue his people. The fact that he is the surviving prince of an ancient civilization only adds to his burden. While chasing his enemy, a human woman becomes entangled in danger, forcing him to save her life.

Aimee always considered her bookstore a detour to bigger things. When leaving work late one night leads her into a world of danger, she never imagines her knight in shining armor would require rescuing as well.

When a demon prince and a mortal woman come together, a forbidden desire blooms. It will take the secrets of an ancient civilization and a shocking discovery for them to admit they belong together.

Release date: May 18, 2015

Publisher: Valerie Twombly

Print pages: 160

Sample

Greydon strolled the room, his muscles taut and every nerve on edge. It was his youngest brother’s birthday and his parents happily sipped wine at the head table, enjoying the entertainment; yet, all he could do was prowl the room. He was certain his unease was due to the conversation he and his father had earlier in the day. The Oracles had announced that Greydon was destined to fulfill the prophecy and kill the god Zolar. Something that needed to be done so his family and his people could finally be at peace. War had settled over the Valarian race since the marriage of their goddess Uuna to Zolar. Things had not ended well, and the two fought each other in a constant battle to better their armies.

His mother beckoned him, so he quickly moved across the expansive floor of the palace ballroom and slipped in behind her. He bent down and kissed her cheek.

“How are you, Mother?”

She smiled and reached up to touch him. “I am well, but you seem so preoccupied. Where is Zander? Does he not realize this celebration is for him?”

“Of course he does, Mother. I believe he stepped out for only a moment. He will return shortly.”

The woman gave a nod and Greydon straightened. He could not help but smile when she leaned over and kissed his father on the cheek. His parents had been madly in love for centuries. He hoped one day to be so lucky to have a relationship like theirs.

A female’s scream sliced through the air and shattered the festivities. Shots rang out and before Greydon knew what was happening, blood splattered his face. He looked down to see the front of his shirt soaked in red. Odd, he felt no pain, but it only took a moment for him to realize that the blood was not his. It came from the slumped bodies of his mother and father seated in front of him.

Several more screams erupted and he looked up to see Threydor, the Concosa demon leader, grinning at him with a pistol in his hand. His body tensed and his vision blurred into a murderous rage as he leapt over the table, pulling a throwing star from his waist and hurled it as he ran. Pandemonium broke out as women fled, and men took up arms. He unsheathed his own dagger with a vow to kill Threydor, but as he ran after the demon he was stopped in his tracks by Fang.

“My prince, I am so sorry, but you must flee.”

He scanned the room and bore witness to his brothers, Zander and Orien, as well as his friends fighting the enemy. Blood spilled everywhere.

“I am not leaving,” he spoke through clenched teeth.

“But you must. You are our only hope.” Fang gripped his arms and spun him around to face him. He looked deep into the pain-filled eyes of his father’s guard. “Grab what you need and run my prince. I swear I will avenge your family.”

He fisted his hands. “What you ask me to do is cowardice.”

Fang shook his head. “No. What I beg you to do is save your life. You are prophesied to end this.”

Energy filtered into him as his father’s powers found him and took root. Fang was right. With his father dead, he stood next in line to lead them. What a fucking mess.

Orien appeared next to him. “Why the hell are you still here? Flee and don’t forget the box.” He disappeared before Greydon could respond.

“Fine, I will go.” He teleported to his parents’ chamber, but his heart told him it would be the last time he would see his brothers.