Author Bio:
Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic
who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs and the
best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous
bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don’t swim in the
pool after dark.
I love to hear from my readers and can be reached at http://www.trollriverpub.com/ or http://www.patriciaaknight.com . Or send me an email at patriciaknight190@gmail.com . Check out my latest “Hunk of the Day,” book releases, contests and other fun stuff on my face book page: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.knight.71619
Connect With Patricia Knight:
Genre
- Fantasy
Romance
Publisher
- Troll River Publishing
Release
Date – 7/15/2013
Book Description:
Mentally scarred from her years as
prisoner to the off-world invaders, Lady Sophillia Glorianna
DeLorion, doubts she can be a fit sexual partner for any man – even
one whose passionate green eyes make her remember what it is to
desire.Commander of the Queen’s Royal Guard, Eric DeStroia had grown up watching the corrosive, soul-killing effects of arranged, aristocratic marriage and vowed to remain alone. But under his hardened military exterior, Eric has a kind heart. When the second Tetriarch suggests he marry a noble woman rescued from the enemy, Eric reconsiders, consoling himself with visions of sheltering a wounded dove under his mighty arm. Instead, he discovers a fierce falcon that refuses to stoop to his lure.
In the aftermath of their resounding defeat, a survivor from the enemy camp plotted a return to Verdantia to exact retribution. His first objective is the recapture of Lady Sophillia DeLorion. She had been unreachable until she went to the Oshtesh. Now, only Eric DeStroia stands in his way.
Amazon
Excerpt Two:
At dusk the next day, Sophi’s flight filtered into Sh’r Un Kree from the surrounding hillsides.
As they gathered in the designated courtyard, she made a small adjustment to Brio’s bridle.
“Are these the legendary wasteland horses we lowlanders hear stories about?” Commander
DeStroia’s deep voice caught her attention. I didn’t hear his approach. Taught stealth by my
brother, no doubt.
“Yes.” She followed his gaze as he examined her flight’s small, hardy mounts and the equally
small, hardy women astride them. “Petrina—she has a fiery temper to match her red hair, but
she is my right hand. The brunette beside her is Adonia, our medica. Her knowledge of herbs
is indispensable and this is Rhea, our best tracker. Layna, Eudora and Maeve complete our
flight. Their precision in hitting their targets is uncanny. We don’t look like much, but we will
not burden you, Commander. We are quite self-sufficient.”
“I never imagined otherwise, Lady DeLorion.”
She stiffened. “I do not use my courtesy title. I am no longer that person. I prefer ‘Flight
Leader’.”
His eyes examined her but he nodded agreeably. “Flight Leader. We will leave upon the halfhour. Take position beside me at the front. Your flight can muster behind you.”
“No. It is not our way. We will ride the ridges and shadowed places in twos and threes. We
will be there but you will not see us.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t like it. I cannot protect you if I cannot see you.”
“I do not ask your permission, Commander. I am in far less danger with my flight than with
you who lack experience in the desert wilds. I knew you were coming hours before you
arrived. Sound carries great distances in the wastelands—and the dust! Your numbers hang a
sign in the desert air, ‘attention—riders approach’.”
She swirled her robes away from her legs and vaulted onto her gelding. A whistled birdcall
caught her archers’ attention. “We flank Commander DeStroia. Ride out.”
Sophi felt the Commander’s eyes on her as she and her flight faded into the desert night.
* * *
When Sophi and her women had faded from sight, Eric strode into the stable yard where
his four rides of the Queen’s Royal Guard assembled, preparing for the order to mount.
Frustration chewed on his temper. I was prepared for a shy, withdrawn woman, not this—
Valkyrie. It is difficult to “escort” a woman when you don’t know where she is, when she
doesn’t want or need an escort in the first place.
“Queen’s Guard! Prepare to mount! Mount!” he barked, swinging up onto his horse. “Rides!
By twos. Form up!” Cavalrymen paired off and formed orderly lines, broken every eight
riders by a colorful pennant bearing the insignia of their unit.
“Queen’s Guard! At the walk! March!” Eric ordered.
As his horse’s long stride swung through the arches of the village wall, his second-incommand rode up to him.
“Commander?”
“Captain.”
“Do we leave without Lady DeLorion?”
“No.” Eric fumed in silence.
“Commander?”
“What!”
The man cleared his throat nervously. “Where is Lady DeLorion?”
“Good question, Captain Biron. If you see her, let me know.”
At dusk the next day, Sophi’s flight filtered into Sh’r Un Kree from the surrounding hillsides.
As they gathered in the designated courtyard, she made a small adjustment to Brio’s bridle.
“Are these the legendary wasteland horses we lowlanders hear stories about?” Commander
DeStroia’s deep voice caught her attention. I didn’t hear his approach. Taught stealth by my
brother, no doubt.
“Yes.” She followed his gaze as he examined her flight’s small, hardy mounts and the equally
small, hardy women astride them. “Petrina—she has a fiery temper to match her red hair, but
she is my right hand. The brunette beside her is Adonia, our medica. Her knowledge of herbs
is indispensable and this is Rhea, our best tracker. Layna, Eudora and Maeve complete our
flight. Their precision in hitting their targets is uncanny. We don’t look like much, but we will
not burden you, Commander. We are quite self-sufficient.”
“I never imagined otherwise, Lady DeLorion.”
She stiffened. “I do not use my courtesy title. I am no longer that person. I prefer ‘Flight
Leader’.”
His eyes examined her but he nodded agreeably. “Flight Leader. We will leave upon the halfhour. Take position beside me at the front. Your flight can muster behind you.”
“No. It is not our way. We will ride the ridges and shadowed places in twos and threes. We
will be there but you will not see us.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t like it. I cannot protect you if I cannot see you.”
“I do not ask your permission, Commander. I am in far less danger with my flight than with
you who lack experience in the desert wilds. I knew you were coming hours before you
arrived. Sound carries great distances in the wastelands—and the dust! Your numbers hang a
sign in the desert air, ‘attention—riders approach’.”
She swirled her robes away from her legs and vaulted onto her gelding. A whistled birdcall
caught her archers’ attention. “We flank Commander DeStroia. Ride out.”
Sophi felt the Commander’s eyes on her as she and her flight faded into the desert night.
* * *
When Sophi and her women had faded from sight, Eric strode into the stable yard where
his four rides of the Queen’s Royal Guard assembled, preparing for the order to mount.
Frustration chewed on his temper. I was prepared for a shy, withdrawn woman, not this—
Valkyrie. It is difficult to “escort” a woman when you don’t know where she is, when she
doesn’t want or need an escort in the first place.
“Queen’s Guard! Prepare to mount! Mount!” he barked, swinging up onto his horse. “Rides!
By twos. Form up!” Cavalrymen paired off and formed orderly lines, broken every eight
riders by a colorful pennant bearing the insignia of their unit.
“Queen’s Guard! At the walk! March!” Eric ordered.
As his horse’s long stride swung through the arches of the village wall, his second-incommand rode up to him.
“Commander?”
“Captain.”
“Do we leave without Lady DeLorion?”
“No.” Eric fumed in silence.
“Commander?”
“What!”
The man cleared his throat nervously. “Where is Lady DeLorion?”
“Good question, Captain Biron. If you see her, let me know.”
Good morning and thank your for your hospitality. It is very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWarm Regards,
Patricia
Happy to help!
DeleteNo problem :)
ReplyDelete