Highland Burn
Authors: Victoria Zak
Tags: #Dragon, #Dragon Shifter, #Dragon Shifters, #Dragons, #Highlander, #Historical Paranormal Romance, #Historical Romance, #Love Story, #Medieval Romance, #Medievel Romance, #Paranormal Romance, #Romace, #Scotland, #Scotland Highlands, #Scots, #Scottish Highland, #Scottish Medieval Romance, #Shifters, #Warrior, #Warriors, #Highland, #Highland Warriors, #Highlanders, #Highlands, #Romance, #Scotland Highland, #Scottish, #Scottish Highlander, #Scottish Highlands
| Highland Burn | |
| Number I of Guardians Of Scotland | |
| Victoria Zak | |
| Victoria Zak (2014) | |
| Rating: | **** |
| Tags: | Dragon, Dragon Shifter, Dragon Shifters, Dragons, Highlander, Historical Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, Love Story, Medieval Romance, Medievel Romance, Paranormal Romance, Romace, Scotland, Scotland Highlands, Scots, Scottish Highland, Scottish Medieval Romance, Shifters, Warrior, Warriors, Highland, Highland Warriors, Highlanders, Highlands, Romance, Scotland Highland, Scottish, Scottish Highlander, Scottish Highlands |
Will Love’s Flame Quench the Dragon’s Fire?…
The past never stays in the past, it rears its ugly head eventually. James the Black Douglas knows this all too well. With a past that has left him vengeful and his dragon blood thirsty, his reputation as a ruthless warrior haunts his enemies in their sleep. As his allegiance stands with Robert Bruce, the King of Scotland, he must now repay a debt to the king and agrees to marry his daughter, Abigale Bruce. The problem is he doesn’t want a wife.
When flames start to burn out of control between him and the auburn-haired lass, he must decide to either kindle the flames of passion or shelter her from the truth and set her free.
It’s What Shines in the Dark That Brings Forth Your True Light…
Determined to keep his daughter safe and out of the hands of the English, Robert hides Abigale behind the safe walls of a nunnery. After eight long years of living her life in seclusion, Abigale is finally set free. But her new found freedom comes to an abrupt halt when she learns of her betrothal to the infamous Bogeyman – James the Black Douglas. She soon finds herself falling in love with the uncontainable and haunted man.
Is her love enough to soften his hardened heart?
Highland Burn
Guardians of Scotland Book 1
By: Victoria Zak
Highland Burn: A Guardians of Scotland Novel
Copyright: 2014
Text Copyright by Victoria Zak
Cover Copyright by Victoria Zak
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system without prior written permission of the author and publisher.
All characters, events, and locations in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, dead or living, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Design by JAB Designs
Editing by Julie Roberts
Acknowledgments
When I set out to pursue writing my first novel, I knew it had to have a few key elements in order for me to stay focused and entertained. I wanted to write what I was passionate about… dragons. And the next element had to be romance. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write a romance novel, that was a given. And I knew what I didn’t want… a vanilla romance with no exciting toppings.
I wanted a Rocky Road romance covered in sweetness. A story line that had an interesting flavor leaving your taste buds wanting more. A hero and heroine who added that special secret ingredient… magic. And secondary characters who would sparkle, topping my story with sprinkles.
When the first scene hit me, of course I was mopping my floors at the time, and stopping to take notes seemed like a great excuse. Well, a man and woman at a loch came into view. They were destined to be together, but didn’t know it yet. Wait? What? A loch? Then mountains and mist began to appear and a man’s voice said, “Lass, what are ye waiting for? I have a story to tell ye.” A Highlander? Great, I have a Scottish romance novel to write. But what about my dragons? Being that my main character was a true Highlander, he wasn’t keen on the whole dragon shifting abilities and paranormal magic. But after a few bribes, and an extra sex scene, he agreed and off I went to write a Scottish medieval paranormal romance.
Along this roller coaster of a ride they call writing a novel, I couldn’t have conquered my dream without the love and support of a few angels. I’m honored to have each and every one of you in my life.
My husband – Thank you for your love and support and the countless times you stayed up late listening to my crazy ideas. I love you more then you could ever know.
My wonderful and beautiful kids – Thank you guys for being patient with mommy. You guys are my heart.
Suzan Tisdale – You’re truly my inspiration. Thank you for your support and friendship. And guess what? I wrote that damn story.
DL Roan – Thank you for your support and friendship. How many text messages did I send you?
Josette – Thank you for helping me with edits and smoothing out the rough edges. Hey, where’s my dragon drink?
Julie Roberts – You are amazing!! Thank you for all your hard work whipping Highland Burn into shape.
My Elite Alphas – You know who you are. I’m honored that you guys stuck around with me through this incredible journey. I’m forever indebted to you.
Prologue
Before Scotland was Scotland, two powerful societies ruled the region together. Two kingdoms, intertwined and complementary; one could not flourish without the other. One kingdom belonged to the Scots and the other to Dragonkine. The Kine were a powerful and ancient race, borne by the masters of old. They possessed both a dragon and human spirit and could take the form of each. As legend would have it, they were created to provide balance to the world and heal the wounds of the ‘pre-history’.
Throughout their rule, Dragonkine had proven their worth far more than any riches or coin. They were masters when it came to the lay of the land. Because of the magic their inner dragons held, they knew where to plant fields so that harvests would flourish. They knew where to build temples, and with their strength they could build sturdy, lasting villages. The Scots depended on the Kine greatly.
Fierce warriors, Dragonkine defended their realm with unstoppable power and merciless strength, yet they were not infallible. Without a mate, their inner dragons were unstable. Only a Dragonkine female possessed the power to calm the beast inside. Kine women were a rare race of their own. Though their bodies did not take possession of a dragon, their beauty was beyond exquisite, it was magical. Beautiful elegant Celtic knotwork patterns marked their flawless skin from the forefinger up beyond the shoulders, stopping just short of the breast. A mated female was even more alluring. Once mated, the markings on their skin would assume the color of their mate’s elemental power. The women were valued as Goddesses and were worshiped by all Dragonkine. If it weren’t for their female's grace and their ability to calm the beast inside, a warrior’s dragon would take over and unleash hell on Earth.
Together the Scots and Dragonkine fought off many Viking attacks and tribal conflicts, and maintained peace between the kingdoms. They ruled together for over a hundred peaceful years until a sacred bond was broken. Since the time before time, it was forbidden for a human to mate with Dragonkine.
Trouble began when both kings’ heirs became of age and were pressured into finding the proper mate.
King Drest, the Dragonkine king, had a beautiful daughter, Vayla Blue. Being that she was of marrying age, her beauty had attracted many strong and wealthy Kine suitors. Not only was the princess appealing, Vayla had the grace of a queen and a loving heart. She was adored by all of her people, but most of all, she was the sparkle in her father’s eye.
King Drest loved his daughter more than life itself. Being as she was his only heir to the throne and to carry on his lineage, he protected Vayla and kept her safe, mayhap a little too much. Five elite warriors, who seemed to never leave her side, followed her wherever she went. And when she wasn’t being followed, her mother relentlessly dictated to her as to how a proper princess should act and taught her well, for Kine women were the backbone of their society.
One summer morning King Drest called a royal meeting and by midday his great hall was filled with top ranked warriors from both realms including King MacAlpin, the king of the human realm. Urgent business regarding a neighboring tribe crossing borders and pillaging its villages was the discussion at hand.
“Mac, are we to wait for yer son to show up or do we start without him?” King Drest was starting to become impatient with the young lad. Mac should teach his son some manners when it came to being on time.
MacAlpin ran his hand repeatedly down his plaited beard as he stood by the window sternly eyeing his son hastily making his way through the bailey, winking an eye as he passed by a group of Dragonkine females. “He’ll be here,” he grumbled.
Constantine, King MacAlpin’s son and heir to the throne, charmed the ladies with his vivid green eyes, chiseled jaw, and long sandy blonde hair with war braids framing his boyish face. As beautiful as he was, the Gods had blessed him with brawn and brains, yet his maturity was still questionable.
MacAlpin glared at Constantine as he entered the great hall. He loved his son, but the boy needed discipline. Not that he wasn’t honorable or respectful, but trouble just seemed to find him. MacAlpin blamed his wife for allowing Constantine to run amuck, for he could do no wrong in her eyes.
Once everyone was seated, King Drest called the first order of business. Constantine became bored with the mundane arguing and found himself looking out of a window daydreaming, when a beautiful woman came into view. Her long tawny hair streamed down her back in parted waves enticing his eyes to feast upon her. A white gown outlined in gold hugged her body, revealing her slender figure and full round breasts. His head perked up when bright blue eyes caught his stare. Constantine was too busy admiring her curves to notice a small green dragon perched on her shoulder. She was feeding him some kind of fruit.
Constantine thought he would never take another breath when she flashed him an irresistible smile. He knew right then and there that this woman, nay this magnificent woman, had to be his wife. He wouldn’t settle for less.
The meeting took forever; at least for Constantine it did. He couldn’t wait to track his woman down and it didn’t help that he was as hard as a rock. He kept shifting in his seat trying to relieve the stiffness. He even tried thinking about their hag of a cook back home, naked, but nothing was going to satisfy his need until he claimed his obsession.
Once the meeting was over he found her. She playfully led him back behind a rowan tree where they tore off each other’s clothing, their hands exploring each other as he kissed her like no other, soft and slow, building up to an unquenchable rapture. Vayla surrendered to her own needs as Constantine backed her up against the tree and claimed her ever so sweetly.
As lust was finally sated, Constantine laid her down upon lush green grass and made love to her again, but this time he took his time discovering her luscious body. He couldn’t get enough of her soft skin, womanly curves, and her long lean legs.
After they had their fill of each other, Constantine fell asleep with his head on Vayla’s lap. As she watched Constantine sleep, she made a small cross out of twigs from the rowan tree and bound the sticks together with strands of her golden hair. This was forbidden. Dragonkine women were never to marry or bed a human. They both knew that, yet their hearts knew no boundaries.
Before Constantine left, she placed the cross in his hands. “May this protect ye until we meet again.” It was as though she knew what the outcome of this beautiful rebellion was going to be. He kissed her and headed back to his home. It would be the last time he saw her.