And he hoped so for Jessie’s.
“It’s hard to know,” he replied. “While I was initially under the impression that it wouldn’t happen until the prophecy was fulfilled, now I’m not so sure. I can only hope it’s sooner for both of their sakes...for all of ours.”
She nodded in agreement. Twin dragons with that kind of power would only be a boon with what they faced.
“It should be interesting,” she mused, offering levity. “Watching our Sigdir males with Sage’s sisters. Especially Shea.” She chuckled. “Just wait ‘til you meet her.” She shook her head. “She’s one of a kind.”
“Yes.” He grinned. “I imagine a cupid dragon would be.” He arched a brow. “You have to wonder...does she oversee her own matchmaking?”
“Gods only know.” She met his grin. “I would think that’d get hellishly confusing.”
He nodded in agreement and swept her up, of the mind it was time to stop talking and go celebrate in private. Everyone hooted and hollered as he carried her off to where it all began.
Well, to where it should have begun after that first kiss.
Like he’d done that day so long again, he had spread her favorite flowers all over his lodge and set her down in the midst of them. Like that day, he ran the back of his fingers along her jawline tenderly but said nothing. And just like that day, he knew her heart leapt into her throat, and her breathing stilled.
She was recalling her rush of anticipation.
Would he kiss her? At long last? Finally?
And he did, just like before, except this time she didn’t flee. No, this time she wrapped her arms around him and welcomed a bright future. It might not happen tomorrow with war on the horizon, but it would happen.
It was meant to be.
They were meant to be.
They may be navigating an ancient vendetta, but they would never be alone. They would rise up together just like they had all along. They would see their kin and people kept safe and their enemies defeated.
So said their unspoken vows to one another as he finally lay her down.
More than that, so said the shine of their rings long after they came together several times then drifted off to sleep. Magic had always been at work in their lives, bringing them ever closer but not like that evening. Something the rings well understood as did the gods.
After all, a whole new spark ignited that night.
A tiny heartbeat heard like a mighty crack of thunder in Múspellsheimr.
One that Bjorn Sigdir heard as a beacon.
A grandchild that gave hope where before there had been none.
“Now,” he said to Heidrek before the last of Midgard faded away for them. “Now we have half a chance.”
Coming Soon
DETERMINED TO ANNIHILATE Leif before he wreaks havoc, Håkon embraces his newfound bloodlust and sets out on a perilous journey that soon involves Sage. Together they struggle to stay one step ahead of a burgeoning prophecy that might steal her away before he has a chance to make her his. A vendetta that drags them into a cursed love triangle that infuriates and fuels his inner dragon to do something no one saw coming. Not even the Great Serpent at the heart of it all.
Join the Sigdirs and their modern day heroines as they continue navigating an age-old prophecy in Viking’s Valor (Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon, Book 2) coming November 1st, 2018. Available now for pre-order.
Just Curious?
First off, I’d like to thank all of you who have kept reading my books and followed my characters over the years. As I always say, without you they’d be voiceless, their stories forever untold. I’d also like to thank those of you who just found me. I hope you’ve enjoyed spending time with all my various characters. Enough so that you might share your experience.
To that point (and it’s taken me over a decade of writing to work up the nerve to ask this), if you enjoyed this story, would you consider leaving a review? Just a line or two. It would mean the world and make such a difference when it comes to reaching more readers and continuing the craft I so love. If you’re up for it, thank you in advance. I appreciate it more than you know as do my characters.
Fondest Regards,
Sky
Interested in turning back the clock a bit and following Jessie’s story in medieval Scotland? Curious about the curse that sparked the prophecy? If so be sure to check out The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning.
About the Series
The term 'a new beginning' brings to mind many things. Hope and opportunity. A fresh start. For the MacLomains and the rest of Scotland, the year twelve ninety-six meant anything but. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new and oppressed era fraught with two long wars with England. This particular series revolves around the First War of Scottish Independence that took place from twelve ninety-six to thirteen twenty-eight.
Heroes are often lost to time and folklore, especially if magic was involved. The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning shares those mystical tales. Stories about Scottish lairds that came to the aid of Sir William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce. Brave warriors and their lasses who single handedly changed the face of history...or so the story goes.
Available exclusively at Amazon. FREE in Kindle Unlimited.
Sold individually or in a boxed set.
Best Reading Order
Sworn to a Highland Laird- Book 1
Taken by a Highland Laird- Book 2
Promised to a Highland Laird- Book 3
Avenged by a Highland Laird- Book 4
The Seafaring Rogue- Spin off
The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors' Kin
Interested in rolling the clock back even further to when Sven and Emily first met? When Heidrek, Cybil, Bjorn, Samantha and their kin first came together? If so, be sure to check out The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors' Kin. Sold individually or in a boxed set.
The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors
Or maybe you’d like to start way back at the beginning when Viking King, Naðr Véurr first met Megan. If so, be sure to check out The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors. Sold individually or in a boxed set.
Pronunciation Glossary
Alfheimr (al-fhi-mm)
Aðísla (ah-ue-ee-slah)
Årud (a-row-oo-do)
Helheim (hel-hi-mm)
Hvergelmir (vur-gel-mur)
Jörmungandr (ja-oo-ro-må-oo-ting-a-nei-do-ro)
Jotunheim (yo-den-himm)
Midgard (mid-gard)
Múspellsheimr (moo-spell-shay-mm)
Mt. Galdhøpiggen (gall-ter-peegan)
Naðr Véurr (nahr vuu-ah)
Niflheim (nee-full-himm)
Níðhöggr (neathe-högr or neathe-herd)
Ragnarök (rag-nar-ock)
Shea (shay)
Svartalfheim (scare-t-ah-ul-fu-hi-mm)
Vanaheim (val-a-himm)
Midgard Locations Glossary
Ancient’s Lair– Ancient dragon lair
Cave Catacombs– Network of interconnected caves across Scandinavia
Cave Harbor– Harbor in Ancient’s Lair
Dragon Lair– Sigdir dragon lair
Forest of Memories– Powerful forest that captures traumatic events and replays them
Hvergelmir’s River– A river in Níðhöggr’s Realm that pours from the well that nourishes all life
Hvergelmir’s Spring– Spring that feeds Hvergelmir’s River
Kjar’s Cottage of Shields– Demi-god’s lodge of magical Viking shields
Maine Ash– Níðhöggr’s ash tree in modern-day Maine
Mt. Galdhøpiggen’s Peak– Home of the seers
Níðhöggr’s Ash– Great serpent’s ash tree in Scandinavia
Níðhöggr’s Realm– Safety point created by Níðhöggr for twenty-first century time-travelers
Place of Seers– Magical location only those with seer blood can go
Skáld’s Ash– Double-headed dragon’s ash tree in Scandinavia
Skáld’s Domain– Dou
ble-headed dragon’s domain in Scandinavia
Vanaheim Willow– A point of safety within Skáld’s Domain
Viking Fortress– Stronghold once ruled by King Heidrek
Viking Keep– Stronghold once ruled by King Bjorn
Nine Worlds
Please note that while these worlds do, in fact, reflect those from Norse Mythology, creative license was taken in the world building of this particular series.
Niflheim (Old Norse-Niðavellir) means “mist home” or “mist world”—The first of the Nine Worlds in Norse mythology, Niflheim is made of fog, mist, and ice. The darkest and coldest of the worlds, it possesses the eldest of three wells called Hvergelmir, a bubbling boiling spring protected by a dragon called Níðhöggr. It is said that all cold rivers come from this well and that Hvergelmir is not only the origin of all living but where all living will return. When the world tree Yggdrasill started to grow, it stretched one of its large roots far into Niflheim and drew water from the spring Hvergelmir.
Midgard (Old Norse: “Miðgarðr”) means “middle earth”—The home world of humanity, Midgard is connected to Asgard by Bifrost the Rainbow Bridge. Odin and his two brothers Vili and Ve created humans. From an ash log, man. From an elm log, woman.
Asgard (Old Norse: “Ásgarðr”) Home of Norse gods and goddesses—The male gods in Asgard, are called Aesir, and female gods Asynjur. Odin (All-Father) rules over this world and is chief of the Aesir. His wife Frigg is Queen of the Aesir. Within Asgard is Valhalla, a great hall where half the brave souls of Vikings who have died in battle are received to feast alongside Odin. The other half who died courageously in combat go to Fólkvangr, a meadow ruled over by the goddess Freyja.
Vanaheim (Old Norse: “Vanaheimr”) Home world of the Vanir (AKA–Seers)—An old branch of gods, the Vanir are masters of sorcery and magic. They’re also well known for their talent to predict the future. This world possesses healing rock.
Muspelheim (Old Norse: “Múspellsheimr”) Home world of dragons—Burning hot, filled with lava, flames, sparks, and soot, Muspelheim is home to not only massive dragons but fire giants, and fire demons. Ruled by Surtr, those on Muspelheim are forever warring and often threaten those on other worlds. Surtr swears vengeance on many worlds including Asgard, vowing he will turn it into a flaming inferno beneath his fiery sword.
Helheim (Old Norse: Hel) – Home of the dead—The final destination of anyone who did not die in battle. Families reunite in Helheim.
Jotunheim (Old Norse: “Jötunheimr or Útgarðr”) Home of the giants (Jotuns)—Jotunheim consists mostly of rock, wilderness, and dense forests, and lies in the snowy regions on the outermost shores of the ocean. Because of this, for lack of fertile land, the Jotuns live off fish from the rivers and the animals from the forest.
Alfheim (Old Norse: “Álfheimr or Ljósálfheimr”) Home of the light elves—Ruled by the god Freyr, Alfheim hosts beautiful creatures called light elves that are considered to be “guardian angels.” Known for delivering inspiration via art or music, light elves are minor gods of nature and fertility with the ability to help or hinder humans with their knowledge of magical powers.
Svartalfheim (Old Norse: “Niðavellir or Svartálfaheimr”) Home of the dwarves—Masters of craftsmanship and ruled by King Hreidmar, the dwarves of Svartalfheim live under the rocks, in caves and underground. The gods of Asgard have received many powerful gifts from the dwarves.
Previous Releases-Best Reading Order
~The MacLomain Series- Early Years~
Highland Defiance- Book One
Highland Persuasion- Book Two
Highland Mystic- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series~
The King’s Druidess- Prelude
Fate’s Monolith- Book One
Destiny’s Denial- Book Two
Sylvan Mist- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Next Generation~
Mark of the Highlander- Book One
Vow of the Highlander- Book Two
Wrath of the Highlander- Book Three
Faith of the Highlander- Book Four
Plight of the Highlander- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors~
Viking King- Book One
Viking Claim- Book Two
Viking Heart- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Later Years~
Quest of a Scottish Warrior- Book One
Yule’s Fallen Angel (spin-off novella)
Honor of a Scottish Warrior- Book Two
Oath of a Scottish Warrior- Book Three
Passion of a Scottish Warrior- Book Four
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors’ Kin~
Rise of a Viking- Book One
Vengeance of a Viking- Book Two
A Viking Holiday- Book 2.5
Soul of a Viking- Book Three
Fury of a Viking- Book Four
Destiny’s Dragon- Book 4.5
Pride of a Viking- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning~
Sworn to a Highland Laird- Book One
Taken by a Highland Laird- Book Two
Promised to a Highland Laird- Book Three
Avenged by a Highland Laird- Book Four
~Pirates of Britannia World~
The Seafaring Rogue
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Spin-off
~Viking Ancestors: Rise of the Dragon~
Viking King’s Vendetta- Book One
Viking’s Valor- Book Two
Viking’s Intent- Book Three
Viking’s Ransom- Book Four
Viking’s Conquest- Book Five
Viking’s Crusade- Book Six
~Calum’s Curse Series~
Sister series to The MacLomain Series. Can stand alone, but is best enjoyed after The MacLomain Series (Books 1-4) which includes The King’s Druidess.
The Victorian Lure- Book One
The Georgian Embrace- Book Two
The Tudor Revival- Book Three
~Holiday Tales~
Yule’s Fallen Angel
+ Bonus Novelette, Christmas Miracle
A Viking Holiday
~Forsaken Brethren Series~
This series has been completely rewritten with brand new scenes.
Look for its relaunch September 18th, 2018
Darkest Memory- Book One (available exclusively in .99 cent multi-author boxed set Wicked & Sexy Nights. All proceeds go to the Epilepsy Foundation)
Heart of Vesuvius- Book Two (sold separately)
Family Trees
Click HERE to view Family Trees.
About the Author
Sky Purington is the bestselling author of forty novels and novellas. A New Englander born and bred who recently moved to Virginia, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth, and legend. When combined with a love for history, romance, and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at [email protected]. Interested in keeping up with Sky’s latest news and releases? Either visit Sky’s website, www.SkyPurington.com, join her quarterly newsletter, or sign up for personalized text message alerts. Simply text ‘skypurington’ (no quotes, one word, all lowercase) to 74121 or visit Sky’s Sign-up Page. Texts will ONLY be sent when there is a new book release. Readers can easily opt out at any time.
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