Skarlet Kiss by Elise Whyles
The Forsaken Series, Book 5
Can one who served the enemy find love in the arms of a condemned man?
Una has spent her life serving Amuliana, the goddess of immortals. Now she stands on the brink of a change, one that can her give back the life she lost to Amuliana's meddling. But the change that comes will shatter the peaceful existence she knows and give her a new understanding of love and life. Unbeknownst to Una, her ancestors were the Forsaken, immortals who were cast out for the crime of a jealous vampire general.
Liam, an outcast among the dragon clans, has spent centuries seeking the one who condemned him for a crime he did not commit. When he comes face to face with Una, he must make a difficult choice—seek revenge or save a pure heart from the darkness threatening their worlds.
The dragon warrior and the human girl will unite to face enemies they've never experienced as a fallen vampire general's army stalks them. As Una gains strength, her immortal gifts are returned and she becomes a threat to the imprisoned general who's seeking power over the immortal world. He can't afford to let Una survive, because her life will ultimately cost him his.
Together, Liam and Una must fight their way back to the vampire world and the safety offered by her sister. Can love survive amid the treachery and danger, or has Liam finally found his mate only to lose her to the evil plaguing their worlds?
Content Warning: explicit sex, emotional torment, graphic violence
Excerpt:
Thick, rolling clouds kept the air moist as Liam paced the
confines of his home. Ice covered the stone walls, snow swirled and danced
along the floor of the cave. He shivered, the rattle of scales music to his
ears. After two hundred years, he was finally able to break out of the horrid
humanoid form.
Padding to the mouth of his cave, he stared out. White clouds
soared around the mountain's peak. Snow danced along the ledge, piling where it
was easiest. The air was cold, crisp, sweet, much as it had been when he'd
grown up in the Highlands.
He tapped his claws against the stone, his eyes searching through
the mist, for what he did not know. The need to search, to find an answer to
the elusive want had plagued him for days, disturbing his hunting, his rest. Nights
were filled with the image of a female, her hair flowing over her shoulders,
wide, trust filled eyes staring at him. Her hands outstretched, reaching toward
him. The visage tickled at his memory of another woman, one dressed as a slave,
following the footsteps of a vampire…one he'd feared.
Curling his tail around himself, he settled on his haunches,
shoulders hunched against the chill as he stared out over the human realm.
Faint, his hunger stirred. Soon he'd need to hunt, both for food and for the one
who had done him ill. The sharp point of his tail beat a slow, steady rhythm
against the floor as he tilted his head, listening to the howling winds, the
bitter screams of the winter weather, and the elusive sound of a beating heart.
* * * *
"Do not dawdle, Una, our time grows short." Harsh,
bitter, Anagor's voice scraped along her nerves as she hurried through the
stone corridor. Stale air and dust sat in her throat, gagging her as she
scurried among the debris. The sound of claws on stone sent shivers up her
spine as some unseen vermin darted from her path. The heavy cloak she wore hid
the shimmering fabric of her priestess robes but did little to battle the cold
soaking through to her flesh.
"'Tis cold, this place we are being sent." Una shivered
and ducked beneath a heavy beam. Her hand pressed against the icy stone as she
struggled to maintain her balance on the uneven ground.
"You may think so."
Anagor's sneer pricked at the ready temper she'd struggled to
control. Biting her lip, she kept the sharp retort to herself. She glanced up,
her gaze falling on the thick wooden door Anagor stood before. He grinned as he
gripped the handle and pulled. Dust and pebbles rained down as it creaked and
groaned in protest before scraping along the ground to open. Shock ripped
through Una as the pale streak of light spread along the frozen ground,
wrapping around her with its icy chill.
Snow slapped at the ground, swirling in a maelstrom of white. It
blew through the portal into the opening, piling around her sandal clad feet.
Teeth chattering, she rubbed at her arms as Anagor stepped back, reaching for
her cloak, all but shoving her into the freezing air.
"Duty does not wait for one who whines," he snapped, his
grip tightening around her arm.
Bitter winds lashed at her dress, whipping the fabric around her
legs. Her cheeks and toes burned, and fog formed in front of her with every
breath. Her skin tightened, prickles of heat dancing along the surface.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she fought to ward off the chill even as she
felt it sinking deeper into her skin.
"My lord, I would hurry, but this wind…it is so cold, I fear
I'll freeze."
"Nonsense. Amuliana would not send you forth to freeze. You
have served her well."
Una stumbled, her hand catching at Anagor. Pain ripped through
her, shredding her heart as she wavered, yet it wasn't her pain. Rather, it was
his. His pale eyes stared at her, hate stirring in them, along with something
else. Something terrifying.
Backing away from him, Una trembled. Her fingers clutched at her
clothes, wrapping them tighter around her. Each step back she took, he advanced
two, his eyes fastened on her throat. He grinned, a merciless expression which
revealed blackened nubs for teeth and puss filled gums.
"What is this?" Una swallowed, the rising fear pushing
any thought but escape from her mind.
"My penance has waited too long, Una. I will have what I seek
this night." Anagor licked his lips, his eyes darkening with hunger.
About the Author:
Born in a small community, Elise Whyles lives in Canada with her
son and husband. She’s currently working on the next book in the Canadian Heros
Trilogy as well as the next book in the paranormal romance series Forsaken.
Elise writes in multiple genres, paranormal, contemporary, erotic, m/m. To
learn more about her or to drop her a note please stop by her website.
~Giveaway~
Elise is giving away to one lucky winner an E-book copy of Books 1- 5 of The Forsaken Series.
For a chance to win fill out the Rafflecopter below.
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