by Lisa Kumar
College student Cal Weston spends a good portion of her time trying to keep people from thinking she's crazy, including herself. And with good reason. But her carefully constructed reality is turned upside down when she discovers that Relian, the seductive elvin prince who has been starring in her sensuous fantasies, isn’t merely a myth and his magical kingdom really exists. Now she’s bound to an elf and stuck in a land where no one, least of all Relian, is willing to spill any answers about the truth of her arrival.
Even as love grows between them, can they lay aside their differences to embrace a life together?
Excerpt
Pinching her cheek, she winced. Nope, she was awake, though she couldn’t be too sure of anything else. Cal dropped her hand back to her side, while she looked around. Her brain felt fuzzy. Where was she? There had to be a door out of here. She couldn’t miss her theory class, because she really needed a good grade.
The disjointed thoughts rushed through her head, almost startling her out of her stupor. She stifled a hysterical giggle. None of this was very logical, but it was all she could manage.
All too soon, reality crashed down, hard. Panic followed behind like a close friend. If there had been walls, they would’ve been closing in on her, crushing and suffocating her. Oh, god. Oh, god.
“My lady, who are you, and what are we doing here?”An elegant sounding voice icily cut into Cal’s thoughts, disrupting her comforting mantra and returning her to the mist.
The voice, it was...it sounded... She froze before she jerked around. In spite of the mist, she instantly recognized that noble face and bearing. That hair, there was no mistaking it. Arctic air infiltrated her veins, and she felt her features go slack. Thinking to clear her eyes, she rubbed them. The reason for all her therapy still stood in front of her, the very same one from her dreams, from the glen. Her throat strangled any words that tried to form. But he’d demanded an answer from her, along with her name. Even though old tales concerning the power of names blared in her head, she couldn’t resist his pull.
“I...Cal Warner.” She hesitated and floundered for something else to add until she decided he could offer up the same information. After all, if his knowing her name put her at a disadvantage, she would do her best to level the playing field. “And you, your name, I mean?”
“I am Relian, of the Erian Elves.”
That was undeniably the voice from her dreams. There’d always been a definite accent to the voice, but she’d never the wherewithal to place its origin.
“Elves?” She laughed nervously, placing a startled hand over her heart. Though she suspected this, to actually hear it...
“Yes.” His eyes bored into her. “I am the Erian prince.” His smooth tenor voice stated the title with only the barest hint of emotion and pride.
“Prince?” Her heart pounded against her ribcage, and light-headedness swept over her. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed she would wake from this fucked-up fairytale. Not only an elf but also a prince. Just her luck. Speaking wouldn’t be wise. What if she said the wrong thing and got her head lopped off? She forced her eyes open, only to wish she hadn’t.
He had a quality about him that made her leery. Even given the intimacy of her dreams, she couldn’t say if he were a danger or not. Best not to test the theory. Diplomacy. Yes, diplomacy was the key.
Tamping down on the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her, she let her gaze settle around the general area of his face. That was the first step, looking him in the eye. But she soon forgot this goal after she engrossed herself in her task. His eyes, slightly almond-shaped and set above high cheekbones, were the same gray she remembered in her dreams. She didn’t know if his lightly tanned skin was natural or if he had a suntan. His black hair flowed free over his shoulders, reaching to his waist. He was handsome but in an otherworldly way that she couldn’t accurately describe.
Her gaze slid over his clothing. A brown leather tunic, along with a tan undertunic worn beneath, stretched over wide shoulders and hugged a muscular chest. Leggings of a darker brown hue rounded out his apparel and encased long, lean legs. He wore vambraces on his arms, and boots of soft leather that looked remarkably clean. An inner-eye roll met that thought. The cleanliness of his attire was not important at a time like this, damn it.
Though she just chided herself, she took another peek at his boots and vambraces. Both were elaborately tooled in silver with impossibly flowing patterns etched on them, reminding her of Celtic designs. Fancy clothes for a warrior, but on an elvin warrior, they seemed appropriate.
A warrior and prince...a warrior elf-prince? The words sounded cliché, like some shiny, remade fairytale. She almost giggled at the absurdness of the situation until another thought intruded. “We understand each other. You shouldn’t even exist.”
“I could say the same thing about you.”
Goodreads
Bound to the Elvin King (Mists of Eria)
After countless millennia as the King of Eria, Talion thought he’d experienced all life had to offer. That is, until Maggie entered his land. The beautiful human whirlwind refreshes his spirit, while all too often trying his patience. Though he desires nothing more than to claim her as his bondmate and queen, his secrets could drive them apart or even end their lives.
Stranded in the elvin land of Eria, Maggie D’Anglio spends her days trying to figure out a way home while attempting to avoid the sexy and provoking Talion. Unfortunately, she’s living in his palace. His world. His rules. And he can watch her squirm under his penetrating gaze anytime he wants. The mysterious king intrigues and infuriates her as no one ever has, a lethal combination to her commitment-phobic heart. But when she parties too hard and wakes up magically bound to him, there’s no escaping the irresistible irritant—or her new role in a land on the brink of war with the darkindred.
His past, along with her pride, will threaten their relationship and their very lives. If they can’t place their differences aside, a kingdom will be lost to bloodshed. Will they have the courage to admit their love for each other, or will their fears bind them together in death?
Excerpt
“What is it, my sweet?”
She forced a smile to her face and turned to Avrin, who sat across from her. “Nothing. Just saw something unpalatable.”
The king’s advisor raised a brown brow. “The servants haven’t brought the food yet.” Shit. “The smell of the food? Yeah, that’s it.” He took a deliberate sniff of air. “I don’t smell anything unpleasant.” “Trust me, I do.”
He shook his head. “I’ll never understand you. But it only makes you more alluring.”
Her saucy reply died upon her lips when Talion’s dreaded velvet voice interrupted from behind her. “Are you flirting with the human again, Avrin?”
She growled under her breath. The King of Asses butted in once again. Unfortunately, the head table was his table. If it weren’t for her friends, she’d sit elsewhere, but she didn’t want to be separated from Avrin, Kenhel, Cal, and Relian. The happy newly-weds had yet to show, though. Damn them. And Kenhel must still be tied up by his commander duties.
Avrin sent her a wicked glance before turning his gaze to the Erian king. “Of course. I find human women very fascinating.”
Talion snorted. “What other one is there to flirt with, my friend?”
She stiffened at his implication that no one would give her any notice if there were any other single humans around. He could take the insult and shove it up his elvin— His taunting voice cut into her thoughts.
“Nothing to say?”
“Oh, I have a lot to say. But none of it’s appropriate to say in public, especially to a person of your esteemed station.”
He chuckled and leaned down. His breath fanned against the sensitive skin behind her ear. “How about you take me to task in a more private locale?”
She froze as a shiver swept across her shoulders and down her back. Ignoring the funny feeling, she concentrated on the suspicion blooming in her
mind. What fricking game was he playing now? Taking a deep breath, she turned to catch a glimpse of his face. Bad idea. His eyes glowed with a mocking light that highlighted the attractive laugh lines branching from them. All in all, he looked delicious. Oh hell, no. She wasn’t going there. “Not on your life, King Tut.”
Goodreads
The Fae Lord’s Mistress
The New Earth Chronicles Book One
LINA...
Ever since the day a fae raid stole away my parents, poverty and scavenging have been two constants in my life. Home is the slums of Chimra. Though once known as the great city of Chicago, all its glory has faded, at least on the human side. Now, the fae rule over New Earth and humanity with a neglectful and ruthless fist. I’d long resigned myself to the fact that all my days—and those of my ailing grandparents—would be spent on survival.
Everything changes when Gabreon, the fae lord who led that raid six years ago, finds me in the forbidden dumping grounds. With cold calculation, he manipulates me into being his mistress. Though I loathe him, I also burn for him. Tied to him by a means I barely understand, I soon learn that not everything is as it seems.
Gabreon...
Lina. The human he couldn’t forget. When he sees her in the dumping grounds, he no longer can ignore the pull between them. Though claiming her goes against everything he was brought up to believe, he takes her as his companion. During the day, she holds herself away from him, but at night, she sparks to life in his arms.
As a human revolution ferments and his growing relationship with Lina becomes even more perilous, he discovers that he and his society have much to make amends for. Earning her forgiveness will be hard, but keeping both of them alive in the meantime might prove impossible.
Excerpt
As I listened carefully, only the beating of my heart sounded in my ears. Beads of sweat wove trails down my back, and the cool air suddenly stifled me. I couldn’t remain here, yet going elsewhere didn’t seem any wiser. Indecision gnawed at my insides. Every choice felt wrong and potentially deadly. But if I stayed in one place, they’d catch my scent all that much faster. Maybe if I moved around, that would confuse them? Something, though, told me that they probably could differentiate between a fresh trail and an older one. Damn, what should I do?
I couldn’t search for Rachel or the others that were here, either. To do so might cause more harm than good. In a situation like this, we all understood that it was a race for our own survival.
Taking in a shuddering breath, I scrubbed a hand over my face. What a horrific mess. What could I—
The pounding of feet—no, paws—sliced into my consciousness. Growling and baying followed. This time, pure instinct propelled me from my hiding place. Though I kept as low as possible, my steps rang out like a blaring alarm. I didn’t know which way to look. The sounds came at me from every direction, disorienting and confusing my panicked mind. The once familiar dumping grounds turned into a foreign landscape of blurred color. My feet carried me blindly through mazes of garbage until I found myself hemmed in by a towering mountain of broken furniture.
I spun around, my heart threatening to implode as I looked for an escape route. The baying and growling had become deafening, which could only mean one thing. Suddenly, my frantic gaze alighted on a narrow corridor between the heaps. I raced toward the exit and turned sideways to squeeze through it.
“Halt, human!” a clear, accented voice rang out.
As I skidded to a stop before the corridor, something leaped onto my back and sent me crashing to the ground. Air whooshed out of my lungs, and pain ricocheted through my ribs. A growl came from above me, and two huge paws pushed into my back. Hot, wet air blasted next my ear before the snapping of teeth caused me to flinch.
Terror exploded through my veins like a searing shot of alcohol. Oh, God. Let me faint before I’m mauled. I closed my eyes, awaiting the slash of claws and teeth.
“ARCHEN, ENOUGH,” A smooth voice commanded.
Something about that voice tugged at me, but my mind was too scrambled to process it. The heavy weight on my back pressed me hard into the ground. I still feared the snap of hound teeth at any second and barely dared to breathe.
Then, suddenly, the beast above me disappeared. I didn’t move for a second, afraid this was some kind of cruel joke. When I suffered no bites and not even one growl sounded, I raised my head and blinked blearily at the ground. Though an initial wave of relief poured over me like a monsoon, it quickly died away. Now that the Sidhe had found me, who knew what my punishment would be?
I drew my gaze upward, first coming to finely crafted leather boots that hugged muscular yet slim calves displayed in tight leggings. A blue cloak billowed around the person’s legs and danced in the slight wind. My mouth went dry. This was all seeming terribly familiar now. I’d always found the way the Sidhe dressed to be funny and quaint, but I no longer found it so. Up I looked until I came to sinewy arms crossed over a well-formed chest that was spanned by a blue jerkin over a darker tunic. By the time I reached the person’s face, I was dreading whom I’d find.
With a gulp, I swallowed the orange-sized lump in my throat. Lucifer stood before me in the flesh, looking just like the fallen angel I’d read about. His impassive expression hiked my worries higher. To make matters worse, one of those sleek but huge demon hounds sat on its haunches a few feet from him. The predatory look in the black beast’s crimson eyes made me shudder because the only thing standing between me and sure death was Lucifer.
“Well, human, it looks like we meet again.” Lucifer shook his head and tsked. “And after my warning, no less.”
I licked my dry lips, not sure how to answer or if I even should, and nearly spat at the grass and other detritus I found there. A random and slightly hysterical thought floated across my consciousness. Would he kill me while I was covered in dirt and God knew what else? A fitting punishment for a thieving human.
He drummed his fingers against one arm. “Please do get up. I’m getting a crick in my neck from looking at you.”
The testiness in his voice got me moving. On numb hands and knees, I somehow managed to get to my feet. I cast a wary glance at the fae beast as it panted and stared me down.
Lucifer snorted, which drew my attention back to him. “You need not worry about him. He doesn’t much care for the taste of human meat.”
Amazon
Goodreads
The Fae Lord’s Companion
The New Earth Chronicles Book 2
Gabreon has now given me the freedom and respect that I’ve thirsted for, but can we survive the society around us? His grandfather, the King of Sidheen, is on New Earth, doing heaven knows what, and Gabreon’s enemies are gearing up with plans of their own.
A fae lord of New Earth, Gabreon knows he has a long journey of earning Lina’s complete trust. Sometimes, it seems that will only be possible when—if—humans are treated as equals to the fae. But any attempts at that outcome will come at a steep price, one that may rip away more than their lives.
Excerpt
He drifted to the window, half turned from her and hoping to hide the shakiness of his hands. The damnable moisture that wanted to coat his eyes. Though his mouth felt as if it’d never tasted water before, he forced himself to acknowledge the truth of her words. “Much has happened in that time.”
He splayed a hand over his cheek and mouth as if that simple motion could keep him from breaking, splintering into a thousand pieces.
From the corner of his eye, he saw her nod grimly. “A lifetime of events compressed into a month. I’m exhausted and dizzy from it all.”
So was he. All his orchestrations had been for naught, not that it mattered now. He found he didn’t care what direction the future took if it didn’t have Lina in it. Anyway, he wouldn’t be long for life. In fact, death had never sounded better. It wasn’t the frightening prospect he thought it would have been.
Part of him was tempted to marvel at their seemingly normal conversati
on after what had come before. However, numbness was setting in, making it hard to feel anything but a vague agony that seemed infused into his very bone.
After untold seconds, he spoke. “And my insistence on bringing you into my life is responsible for causing it all.”
“Ah,” she said softly. “You’re finally grasping what has been troubling me so deeply. When you take a person’s free will away, you’re essentially responsible for what happens to that person, good or bad. Everything you do affects that person’s life and any choices she or he makes.”
He pressed his hand over his eyes and leaned against the frame of the window. “When you phrase it that way, it’s clearer than ever how dire my transgressions against you are. Can my death even erase them?”
MY CHEST TIGHTENED at the pain that coated Gabreon’s voice. Damn it, I shouldn’t feel sorry for him. He’d earned everything he was getting. Yet, in spite of his trespasses against me, I couldn’t pretend this talk was easy for him. In some ways, it was probably harder since so much could be laid at his feet—and only his. He was a proud male, and his apology, his offer of freedom and his resulting death, would be a steep recompense to most anyone.
His guilt seemed so deep. Somehow, I didn’t think he’d feel that way for anyone else. I shied away from examining what that meant. My composure was already a fragile thing. I finally spoke. “Not erase your misdeeds but start to mend something that you broke.”