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Tue, 10/18/2011 - 06:55

Emerald Fire

By Molly Diamond

Series Fire and Ice Saga: Book 1

Heat Rating 3

Released 2011-07-01

Word Count 30116

Keywords romance, erotica, fantasy, mystery, historical ancient, molly diamond, shape shifters, Fantasy erotic romance, high fantasy, legends myths, ancient historical, Norse history, magic, sword and sorcery, battles, Goddess Freya, faerie lore, action mystery

ISBN 978‐1‐926930‐54‐1

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Price :$3.99

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Also Available At : Amazon | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand | 1 Place for Romance

Caught between two worlds, Honey becomes Freya's pawn in a game of love and war.

Betrothed to the young and cruel Kaedric, Honey resigns herself to a life of unhappiness. On the night of her eighteenth birthday, she goes into the Great Woods where the goddess Freya appears to her.

Freya gives Honey a choice: marry Kaedric and pay off her family's debts, or wed the Green Man, a mighty Faerie king who has been haunting her fantasies for months. To escape Kaedric, Honey agrees to marry King Roahre. However, once their marriage is consummated, unexpected revelations stun Honey, and she realizes she's a pawn in Freya's sinister plot.

Can Honey and Roahre's love survive the ultimate test?

The evening drew to a close, and Honey let out a huge sigh of relief as Kaedric and his father stepped out onto the front stoop. If she could get through the next part of the betrothed custom, she would have the rest of the night to enjoy without Kaedric's warm, suggestive glances and smiles.

"Son, I will fetch the horses and wait for you by the gate," Jorgus stated. "I leave you to your moment with your lovely bride-to-be." He turned to Honey and bowed. "Daughter, I welcome you to my family and bid you goodnight."

Honey watched his wide frame amble down the footpath leading to the barn. The deepening twilight enveloped him as he stepped into the shadows surrounding the lower garden.

"It is the couples' moment to bond," Amberon announced to Honey's sisters, but her pointed gaze landed on Shandy. "Let us go inside and leave them in peace."

Giving Honey a helpless look, Shandy stalked off into the shadows behind the cottage while their siblings followed Mother into the cottage.

Immediately, Kaedric grasped Honey's hand and tugged her toward the path leading down to Amberon's goldfish pond.

"I fear your cousin does not like me much," he said quietly. "Perhaps since he is a distant cousin, and therefore not immediate family, he desires to wed you instead?"

Honey wanted so much to pull her hand from his, but instead gritted her teeth. A thought occurred to her.

Maybe she could shake Kaedric's faith in their betrothal. "I could marry Shandy, and mayhap that is his plan. I have known him since Mother adopted him, and I would make him a good wife because we are long-time friends, thus we have a solid foundation for a union."

"You may not like me much either," Kaedric continued and squeezed her hand, "but that will change."

"No, I do not like you and my feelings for you will never change." It felt wonderful to be so honest with the Beautiful Boring Oaf, but she restrained herself from being cruel with her honesty. However, her boasting about Shandy had shaken her. Why should such a claim bother her? As Kaedric tugged her along, she shelved the thought for later contemplation.

"That will change in time," he replied with assurance as he helped her down a small set of stone steps.

"When you start bearing my children, you will not have time to hate me, but soon come to realize that you have grown to love me."

Honey shook her head. "No, I won't."

"You are young and will change your mind."

Laughter bubbled out of Honey. "You are an arrogant ass. You call me young when you are but six fortnights older than I!"

A shadow passed over Kaedric's smooth, handsome face. "Do not laugh so quickly, my betrothed. Father has already paid your mother in part silver and part gold for your hand in marriage to me."

"Coins can be returned."

"Not if it has been spent."

"She has not spent it for she only received the money tonight."

A sly smile stretched Kaedric's full-lipped mouth. "There are several sisters under one roof who need and desire many things. The money will go quickly, and you will have no choice but stay true to our parent's bargain."

"Did I mention that you are an arrogant ass?" Honey said sweetly, her distaste for Kaedric roiling in the depths of her belly.

He grabbed her, pulling her roughly against his body. The perfume upon his tunic assailed Honey's nose, leaving a peculiar taste in her mouth. A good head taller than she, Kaedric looked down at her with a smug, satisfied expression, his eyes full of triumph.

"You are such a fair woman with your golden hair and captivating eyes, but your tongue leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps I shall buy you a nice muzzle until you learn to respect me?"

"You will always be an arrogant ass. It is who you are. I see it in your eyes. The soul windows never lie, but my mother is too desperate for wealth to pay debts and buy necessities to pay attention and realize her mistake!"

Pushing against his chest, Honey tried not to gag on his overwhelming odor of flowers and musk oil. "You might have nice tunics embroidered with bright silks and boots of the softest leather, but you smell like the fodder you are!"

Rage flashed in Kaedric's eyes. His mouth curled up in a vicious sneer and his hand flew back. Shutting her eyes, Honey winced as his one hand squeezed her upper arm and she awaited the stinging slap that would knock her backward. Instead, he jerked her against him once more, his mouth seizing hers in a wet, clumsy kiss.

She struggled in his arms, shrieking in outrage against his lips. Stamping her foot in hopes of hurting one of his, her heel connected with a sharp stone that sent pain flying up into her ankle.

Kaedric tugged on her skirts, hiking the material up, sliding his hand beneath it, his fingers seeking out her most intimate spot.

Revulsion exploded within Honey. She broke the kiss, gasping for air. "No! Get your hands off of me, you swine!"

Laughing, Kaedric's fingers tugged at the ties to her undergarment. "Your eighteenth birthday is tomorrow night. The following morning, we shall be husband and wife. It is my right to sample what is now rightfully mine."

"Let go of me!"

"I shall have much enjoyment taming you." He chuckled evilly.

"Let go of her or I shall enjoy choking the life from your body," Shandy said from the shadows. "My cousin is not yet your wife."

Kaedric stiffened his body rigid against her. Slowly, he released her and stepped aside.

"Your father waits at the gate with the horses," Shandy continued stepping out from the darkness shrouding a nearby apple tree. "I suggest you get on your horse and ride back to the village before I decide to hurl you there."

"Surely, you do not want to make an enemy out of your future kin?" Kaedric asked as he smoothed his tunic and backed away.

"Makes no mind to me." Shandy advanced toward Honey sliding a protective arm around her shoulder. "I think this marriage is a farce and I shall do what is needed to stop it. My only concern is Honey's happiness, and you do not make her happy."

Kaedric grinned, but to Honey, the expression looked more like a sneer. He turned and walked down a path. "You are making a grave mistake, Shandy. I promise you that," he called over his shoulder.