Book Three of The Knight Shades Trilogy by chart-topping erotic romance author Toni Sands Gavin's destiny beckons as he fights for the Jupiter cause. Lady Amara has a baby son and pledges love to her husband, though she dreams of her lusty young knight. Gavin, still hungering for her, contemplates chastity but is tempted by an exotic dancer who rescues him from jail, so he can help quell the rebels before confronting the enchantress. After a freak accident kills their liege lord, Gavin and the others rally around Amara and the young prince. When she receives a marriage proposal, will the child's true father, his future set within the Jupiter stronghold, make his opinion clear?
Release date:
May 16, 2013
Publisher:
Accent Press
Print pages:
118
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On the morning of Gavin and Tev’s departure, Sarum pranced past Lady Amara’s mare, noble nostrils flaring, to display what Topaz would be missing in his absence.
‘Yeah, yeah,’ said Gavin as the knights clattered over the cobbles leading to the outside world. ‘You’re off to be a star again.’ He patted the stallion’s neck.
‘I feel the same,’ said Tev, saluting the soldier on duty. ‘Can’t wait to get to Catalina and show those rebels what we’re made of.’
‘Zebal says it’s three days’ ride if all goes well,’ said Gavin.
‘With precious few places where we can beg shelter,’ Tev pointed out.
‘I’d sooner camp in the forest than get entangled like I did last time I rode away from the castle,’ said Gavin.
‘I’m getting mixed messages. You told me your betrothed’s given you up for lost, so why be coy about getting your leg over if the chance arises? Hmm?’
Gavin snorted. ‘It’s the way I’m catapulted around that gets to me.’
‘You must be committed to Tiernan’s cause if you’re prepared to ride to battle for him. But you did the same for your liege lord on Ertha. Do you still hanker for home?’
Gavin sighed, looking around at the swaying, silky, silvery foliage and realised they were approaching the ford he’d first crossed with Amara after Tiernan requested he escort the First Lady on her afternoon ride. Images flashed through his mind. Quickened his heartbeat. The lady’s shapely rump, swaying while she rode Topaz, a mare spirited like her owner. The barn where Amara led him, her slender hand shooting the bolt across, shutting out a world bound to disapprove of their love.
The sight of her disappearing up that ladder to the hayloft had lit Gavin’s simmering desire. Unable to resist any longer, he’d climbed after her. Now he closed his eyes, anguished by the thought of never again caressing the curves and contours of her sweet, accepting body. Knowing she shared his feelings prevented him from sitting comfortable in his saddle. In his mind, his hands cupped Amara’s breasts, weighing their warm firmness.
In reality, his hands gripped his stallion’s reins. Such treacherous thoughts must be quelled. His emotions had caused him to betray his new liege lord and for that he’d always castigate himself. But this world possessed attributes that spoke to him. Yes, there were outlandish practices but many of the people were kind, friendly, and wise. Even though he could never claim Arcandos’ First Lady for his own, he’d miss the Jupiter brotherhood if he landed back on Ertha.
‘I owe Sir Tiernan my loyalty above all else. If I’m completely honest with you, not counting Sibilla’s crazy ways, I like this weird and wonderful realm of yours. But I envy you having Gilda to go back to. That must be a great feeling.’
‘Which tells me you didn’t have that feeling about your betrothed. You’ve never shown signs of a broken heart to me, anyway,’ said Tev.
‘You’re right,’ said Gavin, flashing a rueful smile. ‘She’s a lovely girl and I wish her well but I don’t think I’d have easily settled down after the shenanigans on Arcandos and Skalda.’ He spoke lightly, as if making light of his exploits. Amara had become his world, but no one save he and she could ever know that.
He turned, signalling to the other riders to slow their horses for the crossing of the ford.
‘But I think I’ve had my share of frolicking with foxy females for now, thank you,’ he continued. ‘Although that doesn’t mean I fancy moving into a monastery.’
‘Funny you should say that,’ said Tev as their horses splashed through the shallows.
Gavin shot him a curious look. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ll see. Come on, let’s give these two a chance to let off steam. Once we cross these fields, we’ll reach woodland again. Let’s crack on and show the men we mean business.’
Gavin urged Sarum to gallop after his companion. The buzz he felt resulted from having an important purpose but, for the life of him, he couldn’t imagine what Tev meant about the monastery.
‘We could pitch camp somewhere under these trees, don’t you think?’ Gavin pointed as the two men rode through woodland. His backside told him he needed out of the saddle but daylight still filtered through the leafy branches and the rushing sound of a waterfall grew in intensity as they progressed.
‘Good idea,’ said Tev. ‘We’ve covered a lot of ground today and if we camp here and happen to run out of wine, there’ll be plenty of water to drink.’
‘Too close and the noise will stop us sleeping!’
‘Mate, nothing’s going to stop me from sleeping. But I take your point.’ Tev pointed to their right. ‘Shall we head for that clearing?’
Both knights dismounted and led their steeds through the trees, the others following. Before long, Brom and Sarum were drinking and their masters lounging on the mossy ground beneath a huge tree, swigging from gourds of heady red wine made from the luscious grapes grown in the Arcandos Castle vineyard. The rest of Tiernan’s task force sat nearby in groups around the clearing, demolishing food and cider.
‘I never know which season it is here,’ said Gavin. ‘Do you ever get hard winters?’
‘Stick around and you’ll find out. You’ve survived Skalda so you’ll find winter here a doddle. In the east where we’re heading, it’s much hotter than we have it at home.’
‘So Zeb said,’ said Gavin. ‘Much colder at night, though?’
‘Yep. Unless you have a companion to snuggle up with.’
‘Gerroff! You’ve got your dreams to keep you warm. Gilda’s gorgeous, if you don’t mind me saying so.’
Tev’s face softened. ‘I can’t believe she’s agreed to marry me. Or that Tiernan considers me suitable husband material. Remember when I thought she fancied you?’
‘Think what a terrible fate she avoided!’ Gavin’s eyes twinkled. ‘Hey, aren’t we supposed to make this wine last another night?’
‘It’s going down well but so’s the food.’
Gavin tore into a hunk of roast ham. ‘We should get our heads down soon. Once we’ve seen to the horses.’
‘You don’t think the enchantress will have her evil way with us?’
‘No, I don’t. It suits her to have us go into battle. She doesn’t want Tiernan’s stronghold threatened. We’ll be focused on the immediate problem and if she doesn’t trouble us, we won’t trouble her.’
‘Let’s hope so. Do you know much about where we’re going?’
‘Only bits I’ve picked up. It’s hot. Desert mostly. But at the coast there’s black sand. Warm ocean. Palm trees. Friendly natives.’
‘And some not,’ said Tev. ‘So don’t go getting too friendly with the women. Careless pillow talk and all that.’ He shot a sideways glance at Gavin. ‘Just saying.’
‘I’m here to fight for the Jupiter cause. Giving women a miss for the time being, my friend.’ Gavin turned his head to hide his expression. He didn’t want to advertise the hurt he nursed, even to his best mate. The most important thing was to get the job done. Prove his worth and rejoice in victory. Redeem himself in the eyes of the First Knight.
‘You’re experienced in battle.’ Tevin sliced through the scarlet skin of a round, golden cheese and passed Gav a chunk. ‘Do you ever become used to killing another soldier?’
‘Phew, what a question … I’d hate to think killing could become second nature. But that’s what we have to do. Fight for our liege lord. Put our lives on the line. Forget sentiment.’ Gavin broke off a bread crust and gnawed at it.
‘I try not to look into their eyes,’ murmured Tev.
Gavin stopped chewing. ‘Yes. That’s something we all have to learn. It’s the only way to stop ourselves from becoming gibbering wrecks.’
‘War. Food. Booze. Women,’ said Tev. ‘Our lives revolve around these.’
‘But what do we believe in, really believe in? What keeps us going? I’m not including the enchantress here because I believe Sibilla will be out of our lives as soon as we do the business in Catalina.’
Tev rested his back against a tree trunk. ‘You seem very sure. Are you going all otherworldly on me again?’
‘I can’t help, coming from a different one. I didn’t ask to be sent here but I can’t sit around waiting for Sibilla to send me home when she’s done with me. There’s too much at stake. Tiernan doesn’t know the half. That poor bastard, Ethan, wants out. He’s living a lie.’ Gavin thought of Finn, but decided not to mention the quiet knight’s predicament.
‘Sibilla’s had her time,’ he said. ‘Arcandos has lots going for it. You need educators, pacifists, and physicians as well as warriors.’
‘Blimey,’ said Tev. ‘Are you up for Governor of the eastern territory, Gav?’
‘Sorry?’
‘The curr. . .
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