The fruity fragrance of the potted
primrose tangled with the hints of sweat and fresh sex. The pillows and duvet
coiled into a heap on the bed. However,
the couple responsible for the disheveled state was no longer there.
The glow from the moon shone through
the large window, causing her ebony waves to shimmer, while he stroked his pale, slender fingers through her hair. He couldn’t recall another time in his life when
he had felt as content as he did at that moment. His whole world was in this oversized
chair.
Her plump body curved in just the
right places; her olive-toned, bare form lounged across his much paler lap. As
she flipped through the leather-bound
text, Rori leaned in, burying his nose in
her hair and inhaling deeply. He savored the raw scent of the woman who had
captured his formerly still heart. He couldn’t help but smile.
Turning the page of the old leather-bound book, she read while resting her
head against his chest. She was warmer than he was. She had far more life than
he did. Perhaps his desire to possess her was something other than infatuation.
Pressing his lips to the top of her
head, he didn’t care the cause; he only wished to have her.
How long had they sat there? How long
had it been since he’d been inside her? How long had it been since she screamed
his name?
Having lost the concept of time long
ago, he found it worse when with her. When she shifted her position even
slightly, the stimulus stirred his hunger for her again.
"I can't
believe this stuff is so hidden."
She broke through his thoughts.
He smiled. There was much about the
world he wanted to show Divina before reality set in.
"Humans would not be able to
handle such information." He stroked her arm with his fingertips. "Or
perhaps I should say, they didn't, so we had to take it away and hide. The
world would be a much more violent place if humans knew."
With a furrowed brow, she turned her
glacier-colored eyes that burned his soul, toward him. "You trust
me?"
"You're not fully human," he
reminded her, while playfully booping her
nose before giving her a soft kiss on the forehead.
Her innocence drew him in like ants
to sugar. He cherished her. These intimate moments with her were more valuable
to him than any jewel or treasure.
"So you keep saying," she
grumbled, and once more shifted her hips, eliciting a groan from him.
He wondered if she knew how those
full hips affected him.
Her smirk told him all he needed to
know about that.
"In all my years, I have yet to
be wrong," he whispered in her ear.
Rolling her eyes before turning them
back to the book, she sighed.
"I'm not sure I can handle the
responsibility," she admitted.
There: her vulnerability. Sure, she
was mortal, therefore vulnerable. That wasn't the vulnerability Rori liked. No,
the uninhibited honesty she offered him showed her trust in him. How she
offered him her true self without concern for self-preservation.
Naivety.
He loved her for it and hated himself
for what he had to do with it.
Closing his own eyes, he took in a
deep breath of her beautiful scent. Relishing the moment, he pushed the future
from his mind.
In the end, the right now, would be all he
had. There was no need to rush it. Right now could end at any moment, and he’d
only have the memory to comfort him.
"You are so much stronger than
you know, Divina. I will show you," he said.
Those wide, innocent blue eyes pinned
him once more. He hated the Ember Witches at that moment. He hated prophecies.
He hated the world for what it was making him do.
"You've shown me so much already,"
she said with wonder in her eyes.
He forced a smile on his face.
"There is so much more."
Three Years Later
Rori
awoke from his daytime slumber with longing in his heart. Sometimes memories were
the worst form of torture. When he let her go, he’d made peace with not having Divina.
Forced
to walk away from her, avoiding her for three years, had helped in achieving that
peace. With the prophecy set in motion, he no longer had that luxury. They sent
him back to her.
Character interview: Aric Braun
What’s your full name?
Aric Edward Braun
Do you have a nickname? (If so, who uses it?)
When I was in high school, Brawny. Like the paper towel guy.
What’s your birthday?
August 12
Where were you born & where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Kenner, LA. My parents weren’t a part of a pack, well, not really. My dad was an alpha in his own right but not a very motivated one. He just liked to stay with his family.
Where do you live now? What made you move there?
The outskirts of New Orleans, LA. On my pack’s territory. I mean, there comes a time when a guy has to leave the den, you know? I struck out on my own and fell into the New Orleans pack. They welcomed me and made me feel at home.
Do you have any siblings?
Yeah. I have an older brother named Cole and a younger sister, Brenna. Cole went to Colorado, I think. He wanted to get into snowboarding. It’s not something we have a lot of in Louisiana. Brenna’s in college. She’s going to Ole’ Miss.
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right-handed, but you have to watch out for those left-handed folks. They aren’t right in the head. There’s an old, I don’t know, rumor or myth, that they are evil or some shit. I wouldn’t have believed in such things if the prophecy hadn’t happened. Now, I’m sort of second-guessing all those urban legends and folklore things.
Do you have a motto? If so, what is it?
To quote the famous philosopher Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Here’s the fun stuff. Are you ready?
Let’s go for it.
Cat or dog?
:Stares: Is that even a question? Next.
Beach or pool?
Beach. I prefer natural things to man-made. Also, that daiquiri thing Divina said sounded really good. Sign me up for that.
Paperback or Hardcover?
Too much clutter to have actual books. I guess if I had to choose paperback. They take up less space.
eBook or Physical Book?
There we go. eBook.
Coffee or Tea?
I’m not much of a coffee drinker or a tea drinker. I guess I don’t really like caffeine. Can I choose neither? Okay, that’s my choice.
How do you take your coffee?
If I have to, like I am balls ass tired and my butt is dragging, lots of milk and sugar. You know, enough to take the coffee flavor away.
Do you have any secret skills? Like, do you sing or dance?
I can cook. I don’t get to do it much anymore. Divina is dynamite in the kitchen, but when I do, I surprise her. I sing off-key, but it doesn’t stop me. I dance okay, nothing spectacular.
Do you prefer talking on the phone or sending texts?
Texts are just easier.
Cake or pie?
Seriously, same wavelength with my woman. Cake.
Do you prefer boxers or briefs?
Nothing. Not a big fan of skivvies. I just like to let the boys breathe, you know?
High heels or flats?
Oh my Gods. When Divina wears heels, it’s all I can do not to throw her down and just… well, you know. They made her ass and her legs look fucking fantastic. It should be a sin. Oh, wait? For me? :Laughs: I’ll stick to flats. I don’t have that sort of balance.
What’s your favorite season?
I like the fall. Summer’s hot swamp ass heat is going away and everything is slowing down, cooling off. The leaves of the trees start changing and then there’s football.
Netflix or YouTube?
I mean, I guess whatever. I find a lot of funny stuff on YouTube.
Facebook or Twitter?
I’m not really into social media. The pack has a Facebook account, so I guess that.
Mobile Games or Console Games?
Console games all day long. You just can’t get the full picture on those tiny ass screens.
iOS or Andriod?
Android. I never got into Apple products.
Big Party or Small Gathering?
Pack life. We aren’t a small pack like growing up with my parents. I like the feeling of having so many who have my back.
Football or Basketball?
:Sings: “Forward Rebels, march to fame, Hit that line and win this game, We know that you'll fight it through, For your colors Red and Blue -- Fight, Fight, Fight. Rebels you're the Southland's pride, Take that ball and hit your stride, Don't stop 'till the victory's won, For your Ole Miss. Fight, fight for your Ole Miss.” Football.
What’s worse? Laundry or Dishes?
Dishes. Leave it long enough and the smell is way worse coming from a pile of dirty dishes than it does from a pile of dirty laundry.
Tablet or Computer?
Laptop. I like having a keyboard I can type on and not have to tap the screen when I’m searching.
At a movie, Candy or Popcorn?
Popcorn with all the extra butter I can get. I want to take a bath in it.
Pancake or Waffle?
Bacon.
The series centers around our three main characters and how they connect via a possible prophecy- I say possible because the greedy have twisted it to accomplish their desires and the innocent are fighting to create their own destinies
Divina is the witch of prophecy -
Rori the vampire -
And sweet Aric the werewolf
Each release in the trilogy somewhat highlights a particular character in our trio. I say somewhat because in book one we are given an idea of why Divina was chosen and why she makes some of the choices she does but I felt I understood better after Aric's story. IDK how to explain it better.
The author has crafted a wonderful universe for this story. A solid storyline that supports the multiple events that will have you holding your breath (sometimes with horror other times with hope).
The myriad of possibilities that each new road traveled brings.
The series is chocked full of suspense, mystery, some pretty serious WTH moments, and romance.
All portrayed by vivid characters that you are going to love or loathe.
I don't want to give spoilers -
I believe the excitement and suspense is different for every reader and the littlest of things can ruin it.
That being said I will share some thoughts
I admit in the beginning things felt a bit slow. I wasn't sure if it was me or the story but about halfway through book one things clicked and I was hooked. I couldn't help but want to intervene so many times - Bad form and all.
Things get pretty dicey but our trio works it out.
A definite recommend for those who enjoy fantasy with a bit of suspense and a whole lot of romance
Thank you for sharing! - Victoria Jayne
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