by Jasmine Walt
“Don’t look so sad,” Loren said. “I’m not dying. Again. I’ll just be here for a little while, to get properly trained as a knight. And then we’ll be Nia and Loren, saving the world one artifact at a time again. Only I’ll no longer be a sidekick. I’ll be a bona fide hero.”
I nodded, holding back tears for the second time in two nights. “You are a freakin’ heroine.”
“Besides, you’re leaving me with six hot knights in shining armor. This is heaven.”
I laughed. Then I cocked my head to the side, sensing an opportunity. “Listen, since you’re now a part of the family and all, they’ll probably allow you up on the higher floors.”
“Yeah...”
“So, if you happened to have access to the vault where they keep their trove of recovered items…”
“You want me to steal from my newfound family?”
“No, no. Not steal. Just take some pictures. Maybe put something aside for show and tell when I come back.”
“OMG, you are relentless.”
I stopped, feeling my throat choke up again. “You’re gonna be okay?”
Loren nodded. I saw her throat working as though she were trying to swallow a lump. “I’m gonna be okay.”
“You’re gonna behave?”
She snorted.
I laughed again. Then I pulled her into my arms. I wasn’t any gentler this time.
“Oh my god.” Loren sniffed. “You’re crying.”
“I’m not crying; you’re crying.”
“This isn’t forever. Just a small solo tour and then we’re getting the band back together.”
“Hey,” I said as I squeezed. “You’re totally gonna women’s liberate this place, aren’t you?”
“Hell yeah.”
“That’s my girl.”
I left Loren in the bed. Out in the hall, a window of the castle was open. I breathed deep. The salt water from the sea hit my nose as I descended the steps of Tintagel. The bite of the tangy mineral stung the insides of my nose as I inhaled, pulling it down into myself. I straightened my back as I walked the curve of the stairs, not making a misstep. I knew what I had to do.
I had to figure out if Igraine’s prophecy was real. If Yod’s last words about a sacrifice and a garden were true. There had to be a record, somewhere. And there was only one place I knew to look.
I stopped in a doorway that led into the weapons room and watched the two men as they charged each other. Honey-golden skin met sand-kissed skin as blade met blade. Tres and Gawain sparred in the armory of the castle. The two men were equally matched, and the friendly battle between them ended in a stalemate.
Neither man appeared daunted, their chests heaving and their muscles rippling as they clasped their empty hands together, their sword hands meeting at their chests. Then Tres caught my eye.
He sheathed his sword and made his way over to me. “That blonde tornado doing okay?”
I smiled. “She’ll live, so you’d better gird your fortune.”
Tres smirked. “What about you?”
“I’ll live, too.”
“No, I mean, are you doing okay?”
I tried to force a smile, but my lips wouldn’t lie. “I think we’re in danger.”
“From Merlin?”
“Maybe? I don’t know.”
Tres came closer. He reached out a hand and ran it down the side of my face. “What aren’t you telling me, Theta?”
“A lot. But I will tell you. I just need you to come with me.”
“Where are we headed?” he asked.
I took a deep breath, and then I said a word I’ve never said to another living soul. “Home. I need to go home. Will you come with me?”
To be continued…
The adventure continues! Nia will return in Serpent Mound, Book Four of the Nia Rivers Adventures. Get your copy on Amazon!
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About the Authors
JASMINE WALT is obsessed with books, chocolate, and sharp objects. Somehow, those three things melded together in her head and transformed into a desire to write, usually fantastical stuff with a healthy dose of action and romance. Her characters are a little (okay, a lot) on the snarky side, and they swear, but they mean well. Even the villains sometimes. When Jasmine isn’t chained to her keyboard, you can find her practicing her triangle choke on the jujitsu mat, spending time with her family, or binge-watching superhero shows on Netflix. You can connect with her on Instagram at @jasmine.walt, on Facebook, or at www.jasminewalt.com.
Aside from being a writer, professional reader, and teacher, INES JOHNSON is a very bad Buddhist. She sits in sangha each week, and while others are meditating and getting their zen on, she’s contemplating how to use the teachings to strengthen her plots and character motivations. Ines writes books for strong women who suck at love. If you rocked out to the twisted triangle of Jem, Jericha, and Rio as a girl; if you were slayed by vampires with souls alongside Buffy; if you need your scandalous fix from Olivia Pope each week, then you’ll love her books! You can reach Ines at her website www.ineswrites.com or on Facebook.
Also by Jasmine Walt
The Nia Rivers Adventures:
Dragon Bones
Demeter’s Tablet
Templar Scrolls
Serpent Mound—Coming Soon
The Baine Chronicles Series:
Burned by Magic
Bound by Magic
Hunted by Magic
Marked by Magic
Betrayed by Magic
Deceived by Magic
Scorched by Magic
Taken by Magic—Coming Soon!
Tested by Magic (Novella)
The Gatekeeper Chronicles
Marked by Sin
Hunted by Sin
Claimed by Sin
The Shadows of Salem Series:
Shadow Born
Shadow Marked
Shadow Hunted
Also by Ines Johnson
The Nia Rivers Adventures
Dragon Bones
Demeter’s Tablet
Templar Scrolls
Serpent Mound—Coming Soon!
The Bright Series (Paranormal Romance)
Bright
Blaze—Coming Soon!
The Moonkind Series (Paranormal Romance)
Moonkind
Moonrise
Moonfall
The Cindermama Series (Fairytale Retellings)
Pumpkin
Rumpeled
Beau
The Watchers Crew Series (Erotic Romance)
Test Drive
Cruise Control
Dangerous Curves Ahead
Slippery When Wet
The Pleasure Hound Series (Erotic Romance)
The Pleasure Hound
The Loyal Steed
The Clever Fox