Ice Maiden

by Jewel Adams

  ICE MAIDEN

  by

  Jewel Adams

  One man’s greed sends Amy Bonner back in time and into the arms of a very determined 15th century lord. If a kiss is heaven then Amy just found paradise. The moment of bliss suddenly feels crushed by the memory of the stalking beast with death’s talons. She can’t help but wonder how long it will take before someone discovers she is an imposter?

  “Such sweet, wicked hopes…my Ice Maiden.” He stirs the lady’s passion and lights a blaze that a man can burn in eternal ecstasy within. Bern wants what he holds more than any spoils from battles fought and nothing will kill his desire to make the Lady Amelia…His!

  Together Bern and Amy fight time and man to keep the love they discover.

  Smashwords Edition

  Published by Jewel Adams

  Copyright 2010 Jewel Adams

  Smashwords Edition,

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Art: BJ Haynes

  Editor: Juilette Ashton

  PROLOGUE

  “How dare you claim this dig is yours? Peter, you barely lifted the sifter. Morgan castle is my find and I have every intention on letting the university know.” Amy grew furious the more she thought of what he did. She crushed the article about Peter Humbolt and his great find at the new site for Morgan castle and threw it at his gloating face.

  “Now Amy, I mentioned you in the article.”

  “As your assistant!”

  “You know that they respect a man over a woman in this field. I was only trying to help you get recognition for the find.”

  She stormed pass him, “I suppose you expect me to fall for that bullshit.”

  “You really should, it will only be a huge stink if you muddy the waters.”

  “I have every intention of muddying those waters, Peter.”

  She pulled off her gloves to climb the perimeter wall. The last rain left the trench in a foot of water and mud. The sump pump must have stopped working again. She glanced back over her shoulder, finding him staring at her. “You might want to get your nails dirty before the press arrives.”

  “You never did know when to quit, Amy.”

  She just shook her head at him in disgust. When she started to walk away he called out to her.

  “Can’t we talk this over?”

  Stopping in her tracks she took a deep breath to steady her nerves before speaking to him. That was all the time she had before the blade of the shovel hit her head. Amy stumbled back and sank to her knees. “Why?”

  “Glory and greed, Amy Bonner, why else?”

  The next blow sent her falling back into the muddy water at the bottom of the dig.

  Peter stepped to the edge and tossed the shovel in on top of her, watching as she sunk to the bottom and out of sight. “Such a shame.”

  ICE MAIDEN

  CHAPTER 1

  Ice maiden be damned!

  Bern pressed her back into the lush blanket of emerald grass. No woman could ignore a Randall’s advance once he chose to take it beyond polite dalliance. Bern suffered enough of the Lady’s righteous airs to crush all his good intentions.

  Staring down at the close-eyed beauty--lifeless wench, no wonder no man has laid siege to take the fair Amelia’s virtue. Deliberately, Bern raised his hand and let it settle possessively over the full lush breast, watching as the delicate lids fluttered as if the woman were awakening from a deep sleep.

  His dark eyes rolled at the truth that said little for his own charming appeal to arouse the lady. She practically threw the glove down by her indifference to his courting, daring him to pick up the challenge. Indeed, such an invitation she issued. He could not stop his eyes from traveling over the gentle features tinted by the heather’s own warmth. Night’s dark mystery against the white moon that is what her thick hair looked like framing her proud cheeks. Such loveliness must have life’s passion burning in its heart. I’ll wager that beneath that cold, bejeweled surface there lays a blaze that could blind a man.

  His brow creased, his conviction about her never cooled these last weeks, though heaven knew his thinking must be slightly off kilter. Lady Amelia did not play favorites in delivering her wintry blast to a man’s pride, if the rumors were true. More than a score of good knights and lords fled the crystal maiden’s hospitality.

  Drawn by what no man conquered, his lips found and tasted the delicate petals of her lips, devouring the nectar her lips guarded with an intensity that surprised even Bern. Her lack of response festered inside his pride like a thorn in his armor. Was he crazy or just prideful and stubborn, to believe this woman protected a caldron that could warm a lifetime of winters?

  “Such sweet, wicked hopes--my Ice Maiden.”

  The one question which Bern found no answers was why the lady deliberately hid her charms? And she did. Only a blind man would fail to notice the woman’s wiles. Was there more to the lady than anyone discovered? Had she fooled all away from her door?

  Bern knew his love of a challenge and adventure might be tinting his desire for this woman. Nay, he may be bored with his life, but he refused to believe he created a vision that didn’t exist.

  His thumb played over the hardening nipple beneath the silken covering. If the lady were acting, her body proved its own betrayer, for she swelled in his palm like a ripe plum. The tastes of her lips were spiced with the honeyed groan of submission for the man that could stroke her passionate nature. Bern deepened his discovery, reveling in the fires of victory in his arms where none before existed.

  * * * *

  If a kiss were heaven then Amy just found paradise.

  The sensual caress played over her scattered senses. The commanding call grew too volatile to ignore; bolder and more savage than the lethargic darkness she felt surrounding her. Its power refused to be vanquished and she rose to meet the demanding call, yearning to touch the promise filling her with life.

  But the storm of feelings she entered became a torrent. Amy felt the lash of unknown fears trying to pull her back into the darkness. The talons of a beast she dare not look back upon held horror in its hot breath.

  Caught between two flames of equal devastation, she fought against them with a fervor that left her breathless. Only one held the haven that spoke of protection and the strength. A force that could destroy the terror clawing at her soul and she pushed forward to reach the sunrise of its light.

  Bern lost his mind to the erotic dream that rose to surround him. If he wanted to stir the lady’s passion, he lit a blaze that a man could burn in eternal ecstasy within. Once awakened, the woman held out promises of untouched rapture to his male senses and Bern was shocked at the depth with which she could take hold of his life force.

  No gentle maiden did he now hold, but a vixen, a lass as wild as her hills and as boundless as the reflected beauty no man held claim to. The treasure he unearthed shined above all bounty of war. Bern wanted what he held more than any spoils of battles fought before and nothing would kill his desire to make the Lady Amelia...His!

  The air filled her starving lungs with the force of a gale. Ach...feeling, the bliss, yes, and the pain!

  The storm swirling inside Amy tossed her about in an assaulting maze of different sensations. One overrode all others and she gloried in the torrent firing her body. The moment in ecstasy suddenly felt crushed by the memory of the beast that stalked her with de
ath’s talons... “I can’t breathe! The weight, ach!”

  “What’s this? Does the Lady wish to deny me?” A fierce anger took hold of Bern over the woman’s sudden struggle to avoid his kiss. “There are no longer any lies between us, Lady Amelia!”

  Amy panicked under the lips crushing her own. Yes, the kiss and the man were no dream. The possessive hold he increased to restrain her proved real enough, but so was the fear taking hold of her. Scared beyond thought, passion’s fires cooled and fright’s heat engulfed her. Her only thought was to escape the oppressive hold and run!

  Without reflection, her fist started striking the solid wall of brawn surrounding her.

  She became a wild thing in his arms. Bern recovered from his shock quick enough to capture her tiny fists and pin them beside her head. He stared down at her flushed face waiting for her to open her eyes. The feel of her breast rising against his chest, proved too pleasant to ignore because of his ire with the lady.

  Instinctively, Amy knew he was watching her. She tried to regain her control. God, what was she thinking to strike out at him like that? And yet, she couldn’t make herself meet his waiting gaze. Combating the very real man still holding her and the lingering fears wasn’t an easy accomplishment.

  Taking a deep breath she fought back her panic, telling herself there had to be a logical explanation for what just happened. Though nothing she told herself explained why she was in a stranger’s embrace and for a moment, she knew, returning his ardent caresses with her own equally feverish ones!

  There was the fear; she didn’t want to look any deeper, horrified at what she might find.

  “Who exactly are you angry with, Lady Amelia?”

  When she heard no one answer his question, she knew he was addressing her. She turned her head away to strive for a reason why he would call her, Lady Amelia? Lying beneath his virile form wasn’t helping her thinking. Stars, but every coiled muscle burned into her feminine softness. He was no small man! “Please, let me up?”

  “Nay Lady, not until I see what scheme now shines in your lovely eyes.”

  His coy declaration sparked Amy’s temper.

  The gold flashed in brilliant lights, overpowering the tawny blue depths. “So righteous, my Lady?”

  “Who the hell are you?”

  “Ah, denial is it?”

  “God, would you get off me!”

  “I prefer this position.”

  “You are crushing me.”

  “Am I now. A moment ago, you thought differently. Pray tell, what has changed your lovely mind?”

  She stared at him as if he were raving mad. If Amy thought he would care, he vexed her. Trying to gather her wits about her, she watched him through half closed lids. If the large masculine body she’d yet to see was making its impression, the total man would probably rendered a staggering blow.

  Rich, tiger gold hair flowed about his shoulders, heedless to any kind of order. His face was broad and worn, filled with adventurous lines. Behind the projected devil make care look, Amy saw where he could turn predatory in a wink. Rugged, he was that, but breath stopping and a charmer no doubt, when it suited him. Right now, that powerful square jaw was relaxed, as were the smooth planes of his brow. Tiny arrows shot like lights from the corner of his eyes. The once straight nose held crocked evidence of prior breaks. It was easy to imagine he would be the fighting type, it must be the eyes, their rather fierce darkness. But they weren’t black, rather a deep indigo blue with stunning ebony flakes about the iris.

  “I have never known you to be so quiet, nor to show so bold an interest in...me.”

  “I am not.” Heat flooded her cheeks at being caught.

  “I too find the view very pleasing.”

  She couldn’t escape the finger that traced the slight jut of her chin. “So soft.” Her lips parted of their own volition as his finger trailed over her teeth.

  She should bite him...

  When he jerked his finger away, she couldn’t stop the laughter overtaking her. She really needed to learn some control in his presence. “Sorry.”

  “Nay, ye are not, but then neither am I.”

  He moved faster than she did. Amy found herself drifting back into the flames of passion under his ruling kiss. She tried to tell herself, she could break free of his power if she wanted to, he denied the lie. Every part of her body wanted to feel his exquisite form.

  When he finally pulled his lips back, his smile held male victory over her defeat. She couldn’t even escape his gloating snicker. “Like I said, dear Lady, no more lies.”

  Feeling him relax his guard over her, Amy grasped the opportunity. Shoving with all her might she succeeded in rolling him off her. Pushing herself in the opposite direction she glared at him as she lay on her stomach and he came to rest on his side. Before he could reach her she managed to struggle to her feet.

  Untangling her legs from the mass of unexpected material, “where in God’s name did all this come from?”

  “I have asked myself the same question many times.”

  “Ump!” He was lying on the ground, his massive arm pillowing his head as he stared up at her. The arrogance of the man was appalling. Amy didn’t have time to waste on him, though she would have loved to wipe that confident smile off those full lips. Finally free of him, she held no intention of losing her advantage. “It’s been nice.”

  Turning she meant to leave him there, but the sudden grip he took of her skirts halted her in motion. “Damn you, release me at once!”

  Amy staggered back as he sprung to his feet. His full height made her head tip back. She would have fallen back if not for his hold, off-setting her sway. “Nay Lady Amelia, I have only just discovered the true woman beneath the facade, letting you out of my sight would be a grave mistake.”

  She only half heard what he said; her full attention became focused on his--body. “My God....” He truly was marvelous!

  Clad in wool stockings and leather boots, beneath the blue velvet tunic, Amy never saw a finer example of a 15th century lord.

  The lady’s enlarging eyes moving over his frame filled Bern with a fierce drive to take her back in his arms. He marveled at the change in her now that she quit pretending indifference. So much spirit, by the saints how did she conceal it so long? Being a stubborn sort he stayed longer than any prior suitor. In three long weeks, she successfully shielded this vibrant woman from all male eyes. Everything about her looked new, changed somehow, she felt more alive.

  Her awareness of him left her open to discoveries. Amy’s hands moved slowly over the cloaked, damask bodice of the gown that she came to be wearing. Her gaze followed the length of material he still kept a firm hold upon. Only in museums had she ever seen it’s equal. However, the gown she wore was not a relic, there were no frayed or faded edges to mar its rich elegance.

  “I...I must go.” She pulled on the gown, not liking the thoughts coming over her, but he wouldn’t let go. “What is your problem? Let go!”

  The yank he gave the dress pulled her into his waiting arms. “I think not, you and I are inseparable from now on.”

  Though his voice was low and calm in delivery, Amy shrank back from the hostility she confronted in those volatile dark pools. There was no mirth in his meaning, he was serious, and he possessed the physical dominance to insure she complied. The prospects of being on the receiving end of his force made her sway under a cold wave of nausea. Amy felt the beast at her back again and closed her eyes to keep him away.

  He may be a fool, but Bern found no ruse in the woman’s sudden paling. If his arm had not been about her waist, she would have fallen to the ground. “My Lady?”

  Amy sucked in her breath as he scooped her up in his massive arms with no more effort than he would pick up a child.

  “Rest your head on my shoulder. I promise to behave, for the moment.”

  Too tired to argue she obeyed his softly spoken order. Her arm went about his neck unconsciously judging its width. He did feel good beneath her che
ek, so strong, a protector, “...but a rogue.”

  “Aye, I will not change, even for you.”

  In spite of the strangeness surrounding her, Amy found herself smiling over his adamant conviction. “To do so would be a crime against nature.”

  Bern’s brow shot up over the woman’s whispered conviction. Looking down at her, she appeared asleep, or was it peace that appeared to come over her.

  He lowered his face to her crown. Taking a deep breath, he drank in the scent of crushed wildflowers in her hair. The sun-kissed locks whipped across his lips, hiding his smile. She wasn’t protesting its freedom now. Strange, after the fuss she made when he had pulled the combs free.

  “I am feeling better.”

  Bern agreed, she was, in so many ways. “Aye, stay where you are.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “The castle, unless ye have another destiny in mind, though I would say your Captain might send out the guards if we don’t return soon.” He felt her stiffen. “You did not think he would forget to notice our absence?”

  Amy just shook her head and tried to bury herself further against him. Castle? Captain? Dear God, what was going on? Where was she? More importantly, who was she? Dare she open her eyes? Amy struggled with her dilemma in the silence that fell around them. Maybe it was best not to know where he was taking her.

  The strangest urge to run seized her. Then he would not allow her to get far; he made that clear enough. Moreover, who was he? She obviously could not ask him, again. There was no question as to who he thought her to be. Amy doubted he would see any humor in her ignorance over his identity, not after the way she reacted to his caresses.

  God, what a mess!

  Maybe he was the lady’s husband? Amy swallowed her groan over that possibility. Worse were the voices intruding on her confusing thoughts. She wished she could crawl into a hole.

  No! Not a hole! A wild terror filled her at the thought.

  “Amelia? What plagues thee?”