Prince of Desire (12 page)

Lucian gave them a wave before they walked into the great hall.
 
His gaze instantly found Isabelle. She and his mother sat in front of the massive hearth as they talked, their heads close together and smiles on both of their faces.

“Ah, it’s good to see your mother smile again,” his father said from beside him.
 
“You and Isabelle will help take her mind off the others.”

All of a sudden, Isabelle turned her eyes to Lucian and smiled.
 
She said something to his mother, then rose and walked toward him. He held out his arms as she drew close and pulled her against him.

“Do you like it here?”
 

She tilted her head up and grinned. “It’s amazing, unlike anything I could’ve imagined, but I would be happy anywhere as long as you were with me.”

It suddenly hit him then. He had done it. He had accomplished a quest, a quest where many had depended upon him. He should be proud of that, and he was, but it paled in comparison to what he held in his arms.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“And I you, my prince.”

Chapter Eight

Isabelle looked out over the people of Drahcir. In just a few moments time, the wedding would commence. She still didn't know how the seamstresses had finished her gown in time. It was a gown fit for a princess.

The gold thread glittered in the deep burgundy material of her gown. The bottom had the large border that held intricate designs that were similar to the ones on her arm. There were also gems sewn on the gown – pearls, diamonds, and the most expensive of gems – garnets.

She turned to look into the mirror again. Each time she looked at the expensively gowned woman with her hair in two long plaits and wrapped in the same deep burgundy as her gown, she couldn't believe it was her reflection.

“Anxious?” asked a voice behind her.

Isabelle turned to find Morag, Lucian's mother, in the doorway. “More than you know.”

“There's nothing to be worried about, dear. You and Lucian were meant for each other.”
 
Morag was tall and slender, her chestnut hair showing a few strands of silver.
 
She held something up to Isabelle.
 
“Now, you're going to need this.”

“What is it?” Isabelle asked as Morag walked up behind her.

“Every princess of this kingdom has worn this,” she said after it was placed on Isabelle's head.

Isabelle looked in the mirror and gasped as she spotted the small crown on her head.

“Wear it with pride, dear,” Morag said with a smile, her brown eyes holding a kindness that still surprised Isabelle. “Now, come. It’s time, and Lucian grows restless.”

Isabelle followed Morag from the chamber, down the long hall and stairs to the great hall where Lucian waited for her. She drank in the sight of him in his royal finery. He still wore black, but she noticed his tunic was trimmed to match her gown.
 
His black hair was left free to float in the breeze, and his black eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at her.

“A lovelier vision I’ve never beheld,” he said as she approached and took her hands. “Shall we?”

“I've been waiting for you my entire life.”

“Then you shall wait no more, my love,” he said and guided her from the great hall.

Lucian wanted to run to the tower. After the assault from the Tnarg, he had been more than a little nervous about another attack. If he had had his way, the wedding ceremony would take place in the great hall or chapel, not on the tower for the kingdom to see. Isabelle's life was more important than tradition, but he hadn't been able to talk his parents into it.

Much to the annoyance of his parents, he had worn his sword. There was no way he would allow himself to be unprepared if there was an attack. For whatever reason, that Tnarg wanted Isabelle dead, and Lucian had a feeling it would come back until the deed was done.
 
Whether or not the beast could get into their kingdom was left unanswered.

None of the books he’d poured over had mentioned that little – very important – fact.

By the time they reached the top of the tower he focused on his bride.
 
He was more than ready for the ceremony to be finished. His mother had refused to allow him to spend more than a few moments in Isabelle's company since their arrival. He wanted to kiss, touch, and taste his woman, and after today no one would be able to stop him again.

The priest stood patiently awaiting them as Lucian and Isabelle came to stand before him. Below them, the entire kingdom of Drahcir was there to witness the ceremony.

Lucian felt Isabelle's hand shake on his arm, and he quickly took hold of her hand and gave her a gentle squeeze. He listened to the priest's words with half an ear as his eyes looked for any signs of an attack.

“Do you, Isabelle Ferguson, agree to take Prince Lucian Sinclair as your husband? To love, cherish, and obey?” the priest asked.

Lucian looked down at Isabelle and watched as her mouth spread into a wide grin.

“I do,” she answered.

The priest then turned to Lucian. “Do you, Prince Lucian Sinclair, agree to take Isabelle Ferguson as your wife? To protect, cherish, and love?”

“I do.”

The priest gave them a smile and motioned someone to him. To Lucian's surprise, a Fae moved to stand before them. The Fae's unusual, mystical blue eyes swirled in the morning sun, and his white blond hair hung down his back and was held back from his face by many tiny intricate braids.

“Lucian. Isabelle,” he said. “Today is a magical day, a day that puts Drahcir one step closer to continuing. I am here as emissary from King Theron and Queen Rufina who send their approval and blessing for this union.”

He drew in a deep breath and gave them a smile as he raised his hand over them and said something in what could only be the Fae's language before he lowered his arm.
 
“Enjoy your life together,” he said with a wink.

The citizens of Drahcir erupted in cheers. Lucian wasted no time in taking Isabelle into his arms and tasting her sweet lips again.
 
“Princess Isabelle. I like it.”

She giggled and smiled up at him. “I do, too, my prince.”

While his mother came to congratulate them, his father moved to the edge of the tower and said, “Let the celebrating begin.”

They all laughed as the music and drinking began immediately all through the kingdom.
 

The Fae stepped in front of Lucian as he tugged Isabelle out of the tower. “I heard you were attacked.”

Lucian nodded and glanced to make sure his mother was occupied “We were.”

“Who was it?”

“A Tnarg.”

The Fae mumbled something that Lucian was sure was a curse of some sort. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. It tried to kill me, but it wanted Isabelle.
 
It seemed verra interested that we were friends of the Fae.”

Isabelle nodded as the Fae's gaze turned to her. “It didn't leave until I used Lucian's dagger on it.”

“A weapon of the Fae,” the Fae mumbled. “Interesting. And you say you stabbed it?”

Isabelle glanced at Lucian. “I did. It was about to kill Lucian. I had no other choice.”

“Nay, you didn't,” the Fae agreed. He looked from Isabelle to Lucian. “You two have no idea what you've done, do you?”

Lucian eyed the Fae. “And what exactly is it that we've done?”

“The Tnarg's only goal is to kill any, and all, men and women that the children of Sinclair claim as their own. Very few have escaped it when it has decided to venture from its lair.”

Lucian pulled Isabelle against him. “Nowhere in the texts of Drahcir's history does it state what the Tnargs are for.
 
Can you tell us?”

“I wish I could.
 
You were very lucky.”

“Aye, but will my brothers be as well?”

The Fae looked away, his swirling blue eyes troubled. “That I cannot tell you. I must go.”

The words had barely left his mouth before he vanished.

“I didn't even know his name,” Isabelle said.

Lucian hugged her and ran his hands down her back. He looked out of the kingdom to the gates and farther below, to the pass that led to the city. His thoughts turned to his brothers.
 

“They will come,” Isabelle said, as if she could read his thoughts.
 
“Your brothers will arrive soon.”

He looked down into her sweet face. Her smile chased away his melancholy. “Aye, they will, my love. We Sinclairs doona give up easily.”

“Thank God for that,” she said.

Lucian glanced once more to the gates of the city. He had found his mate. He just prayed his brothers did as well.

Look for more of the Royal Chronicles…

Up next
 

PRINCE OF SEDUCTION

coming February 25, 2013

Seduction has always come easy for Elric, one of four Drahcir princes. When he finds his mate he intends to convince her to return with him by using his famed seduction. His mate, however, isn’t like any woman he’s ever encountered, and its going to take Elric using his heart to win his mate.

Marin takes a trip to Scotland to heal her broken heart after being left at the alter.
 
The last thing she expects to find is a man who steals her breath with his kisses and makes her heart miss a beat with his smiles.
 
Even as she tries to keep her distance, Marin is no match for Elric’s seductive charms.
 
When a beast attacks, Marin must choose - Elric and his secret kingdom...or life without him.

PRINCE OF LOVE

March 4, 2013

The youngest of the four princes, Sorin, has waited for the time he could search out his mate.
 
Now it’s his time to due his duty, a duty he refuses to fail at. Not even the magical Tnarg’s who are trying to kill his mate will stand in his way. But the Tnarg is one step ahead of him. Sorin has little time to convince his mate of what he is and where he comes from. Will the unmistakable attraction they share be enough to convince her to leave all that she knows for a magical kingdom?

Katrina feared she’d never find a man who held her interest. Until she meets Sorin.
 
He’s charismatic, dangerous, and handsome as sin. She feels alive when she’s with him, as if she’s been waiting for him her entire life. Katrina knows they’re meant to be together, but can the love she feels growing in her heart be enough to leave her family behind forever?