Exclusive Excerpt of Born of the Forbidden
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Born of the Forbidden by Missy Jane is the third book in the Gargoyle Masters series. This is a sexy fantasy romance with a forbidden love story that is sure to charm you and have you falling in love with a man made of stone!
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Excerpt of Born of the Forbidden
Brónach was under no illusion they were equally matched in strength, but they seemed to be close in skill. For over an hour, they sparred hand-to-hand, and soon they were both sweaty and breathing heavy. Finally, she stepped back to catch her breath.
“Swords next?” she asked.
Adalstan nodded and looked her over from head to toe. “I didn’t hurt you?”
That brought a smile to her face. “I’ll have a few bruises, but it’s nothing I haven’t had before. You’re a good sparring partner. I was afraid you’d stay defensive the entire time.”
“I considered it,” he said with a chuckle. “But I knew you wouldn’t like it.”
“You were right.”
She went to the weapon rack and grabbed two wooden broadswords. It wasn’t her preferred weapon, but this was a rare chance to have such a partner to spar with. She tossed one his way, and he snatched it from the air. After a few test swings, he faced her in a ready stance.
“All right, then,” she said. “Let’s get to it.”
She stepped forward and swung, starting another hour of torture at the hands of this strong, devastatingly handsome gargoyle.
By the time she realized she would have to be the one to call a halt to their fight, she almost couldn’t lift her arms. Adalstan stopped the second she yielded and took the sword gently from her cramping hands. He put them away and gathered both of their weapons and his cloak.
“You look ready to drop,” he said. “Lead the way to the bathhouse, darling, so I might clean your skin and massage your muscles.”
“That…sounds…like heaven.”
The stone bathhouse held a small pool that was fed by a natural river that ran all through Keva. They had created a system of canals to fill and drain the pools for each house so that fresh water continually flowed through them throughout the day. Two low wooden benches sat on either end of the pool and a single door stood at one end of the rectangular building.
Against the opposite wall rested a long stone fire pit. The thatched roof had wider spaces above the pit to allow smoke to escape, and above the pool itself to allow sunlight and moonlight to stream in. Each corner of the room held a torch that was replaced regularly so there would always be light for the bathers.
The pool itself was rectangular, with a stone trench surrounding three sides. The trench was filled with coal that remained lit to keep the water warm. A metal scoop with a long handle rested near the fire pit so hot ashes could be added as needed. One job of the House Sevenths was to keep the coals heated at all times.
Brónach lit a fire in the pit and stepped to one side of the pool to shed her clothes. Adalstan watched her a moment before placing their weapons on a bench and doing the same. Though she had seen him nude the night before, the sight still took her breath away. The wizards of Halstrid should be commended for creating such a stunning specimen of maleness. She ached to touch every inch of his chiseled, muscular form.
Some desires are too strong to be denied.
Master Steinn is loyal to his brothers, his King, and his people, but his desire for another man is leading him into unchartered territory. As a Master Gargoyle he protects the realm, but did he inadvertently bring on a threat from the Varish with his taboo encounter? Despite being made of stone, the strength of his feelings for Zephyr may be more than he can fight.
Brónach’s gift of foretelling is often a curse. The jumbled images she dreams aren’t usually helpful, but this time the danger is clear. Relaying the message is the easy part, the challenge comes in ridding herself of the one gargoyle who stops her heart. Adalstan has no clue she’s desired him for years. Now she finally has his attention at the worst possible time. Will he hate her once the full foretelling is revealed?
Twelve brothers turn to stone to protect the human realm, but they can’t protect their hearts once they find the mates who call to their souls. As they battle the unexpected feelings within, a battle wages in their city, a prophecy comes to light, and the fate of the entire continent is at stake.
