Warlords, Witches and Wolves: A Fantasy Realms Anthology
Page 1
Warlords,Witches & Wolves
A Fantasy Realms Anthology
Michelle Diener
Lana Pecherczyk
Daniel De Lorne
Claire Leggett
Shona Husk
M.J. Scott
Leisl Leighton
T.J. Nichols
Cassie Laelyn
S.E. Welsh
Demelza Carlton
Contents
The Rising Wave
About The Rising Wave
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
More Rising Wave
Also by Michelle Diener
About the Author
Of Kisses & Wishes
About Of Kisses & Wishes
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Also by Lana Pecherczyk
About the Author
The Heart and Soul of Ragnar the Red
About The Heart and Soul of Ragnar the Red
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Also by Daniel de Lorne
About the Author
The Daughter’s Duty
About The Daughter’s Duty
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Connect with Claire Leggett
Also by Claire Leggett
About the Author
Wolf Blood
About Wolf Blood
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Also by Shona Husk
About the Author
Courting The Witch
About Courting the Witch
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Epilogue
Also by M.J. Scott
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Witch Bound
About Witch Bound
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Also by Leisl Leighton
About the Author
Acknowledgments
The Soldier’s Familiar
About The Soldier’s Familiar
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Also by TJ Nichols
About the Author
Salvation
About Salvation
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Connect with Cassie
Also by Cassie Laelyn
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Shadowed Moon
About Shadowed Moon
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Also by SE Welsh
About the Author
Curse: Rose Red Retold
About Curse: Rose Red Retold
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Also by Demelza Carlton
Love FREE books?
About the Author
More Fantasy Realms
The Rising Wave
A Rising Wave Novella by Michelle Diener
About The Rising Wave
A princess intent on escape . . .
Ava has everything ready for her last chance at escape from her years’ long imprisonment. She knows if she doesn't succeed this time, she will die. When an injured warlord is thrown into her
cell with her, upsetting her plans, she faces a dilemma . . . leave him to die or try to take him with her.
A warlord intent on rebellion . . .
Luc may lead a rebel army, but now he's at the mercy of his enemies, and they have no mercy to give. All except the woman imprisoned with him. She not only has mercy, she has a plan to escape. He just has to convince her to let him come along . . .
A partnership forged in adversity . . .
Unable to leave him behind, Ava includes Luc in her plans, but escaping the castle where her cousin has imprisoned her is only the first step. Hunted by their enemies, she and Luc will have to trust each other, no matter how many secrets they're keeping.
Chapter 1
Carila would be proud of her.
Ava put the last touches on her escape plan and then stood in the center of her stone-walled cell, hands on hips, taking a moment to enjoy the accomplishment of it.
True, she had yet to pull it off, and this wasn't her first try, but she'd learned from her mistakes.
This time she would succeed.
She would have to.
Time was running out.
They'd moved her to the dungeons three weeks ago.
It was supposedly temporary punishment for her last escape attempt from the tower, but she saw it clearly for what it was—the first step to her murder.
Out of sight, out of mind, in a way.
She wasn't already dead only because Herron had to be careful not to appear involved in her demise.
Especially if Ava's aunt was still alive—something Ava hadn't been able to find out from anyone.
Herron must be paying well for the guards' silence, even in the matter of whether the queen was still on the throne.
But she was well aware Herron intended her to die here.
It would be a terrible misunderstanding, of course.
She would sicken, and they would try to save her, but all for nought.
She had already been through one bout of vomiting through the night.
She knew she couldn't trust her food now, and she looked at the untouched stew in the bowl with regret.
Her stomach still felt tender from hanging over the bucket, even though it had been two days since she'd rid her system of whatever poison had been given to her.
She slid a finger under the edge of her tunic and rubbed the tiny stitches she'd put there after the first round of poisoning with regret. Theoretically, they would protect her, but she just wasn't sure enough of her workings. Not enough to gamble her life on them, anyway.
Which meant she had to move fast. The longer it took to escape, the weaker from hunger she would become.
The sound of voices, raised and angry, filtered through from beyond her cell and panic gripped her and squeezed.
She glanced up at her escape plan, heart thundering.
She had devised it to lure in and best Banyon, but it sounded as if there were at least three people coming, and the ring of hard leather boot soles on stone steps reverberated along with the threats and grunts that were clearer with every passing second.
She fought the hard, throat closing fear, forcing herself to step up to the bars of her cell door and stare at the arch out to the stairwell. Waiting for what was coming down toward her.
Juni staggered in, with Garmand beside him. Between them they were dragging a man at least head and shoulders taller than they were.
He hung between them, head bowed, feet dragging behind. He was shirtless and barefoot, and covered in bruises and bloody slashes.
Both Juni and Garmand were sweating, despite the chill in the dungeon, and Ava could see Juni looking at the ground as if he wanted to toss the prisoner onto the floor.
“No.” Garmand must have tightened his hold, because Ava saw the prisoner twitch a little. “Don't drop him. We'll dump him in the cell, or we'll only have to haul him up again.”
“Then open up, old man. Quickly!” Juni glanced back over his shoulder, his lips twisted in a snarl, and Ava saw Banyon nodding and simpering behind him, shoulders hunched as he darted around the two guards, keys rattling, and then came to a jerky stop at the sight of Ava, watching him from behind the bars.
He hesitated. “What about her? You taking her back up top now?”
Juni's gaze flicked over her with a sly, knowing look. “No. She'll have to share for a bit. Won't you, princess?”
Ava backed away as Banyon used both hands to insert the key in the lock and then twist it.
Juni and Garmand shouldered the door aside and tossed the giant onto the ground, face first.
The door wouldn't close because his body blocked the way and Garmand grunted with effort as he rolled the prisoner over onto his back.
Eventually they got the door shut and Ava stared down at the battered face of the man who had ruined her escape plans.
She realized the guards were talking together, so she hopped over her new companion and crouched just below the small window formed by the bars set in the door to listen.
“Isn't he dangerous? What if she comes to harm?” Banyon asked, his voice a low hiss.
Juni’s answer was low, and Ava had to strain to hear him. “That's on him.”
“But he could hurt her.” Banyon's voice was querulous. He didn't like looking after her down here. He wanted to go back up to the tower.
“Sure.” Garmand scoffed at the thought. “Like you aren't trying to do the same. I hear she was very sick after dinner a couple of days ago.”
“Very sick,” Juni said with a laugh.
There was an uncomfortable silence, and Ava wished she could lift up a little and see what was happening.
It was possible Banyon hadn't known the food was poisoned. But he knew now, and she bet he'd still give it to her, although maybe he was finally working out who would take the blame if she did actually die.
“She'll be fine. He's injured isn't he?” Juni's voice was full of patently false bonhomie. Banyon must look really spooked for him to even try to reassure, however insincere his tone.
“And the . . .” Banyon lowered his voice even more, and while she couldn't see him, Ava guessed he gave a quick glance toward the door of her cell.
“What are you miming, old man?” Garmand asked, impatient.
There was another silence, and Ava wondered if Banyon was asking them what he should do about her food. Now that he knew it was not just a bug she'd caught.
She glanced at the prisoner lying at her feet, and was suddenly ensnared in his bright blue gaze.
She froze, gaze locked with his, and then lifted a finger to her lips to keep him quiet.
He narrowed his eyes at her, but he stayed silent.
A clatter of boots told her Juni and Garmand at least were leaving, and annoyed she'd missed their last whispered sentences, she turned back to the door.
The shuffle of footsteps gave her just enough warning to slide down to the ground and scoot to the side, so she sat with her back against the wall as Banyon peered through the bars.
He gave a grunt at the sight of the prisoner, who had closed his eyes again and lay as if unconscious.