Moon Borne (Halcyon Romance Series Book 1) (39 page)

Read Moon Borne (Halcyon Romance Series Book 1) Online

Authors: Rachael Slate

Tags: #paranormal romance, #Greek Mythology, #Romance, #Fantasy

That he was finally free to be loved.

With Kyme by his side, they would face the world together.

The Queen cleared her throat, causing the two of them to shift their attention to her. Arsenius took the opportunity to inform Hippolyta of the wager and the army Persephone and Hades were forming.

“My Queen, with your permission, I’d like to bring some of my sisters with me.” Kyme knelt once more before her godmother. “Will the Amazons join the fight they once began so long ago in Troy? When the world declares war, will you side again with your allies from eons ago?”

“Your allegiance would mean everything to us, Queen Hippolyta.” Arsenius bowed.

The Queen studied them and whispered a few words with the consultants at her side. They nodded in agreement. “Of course, Kyme. Our loyalty, once forged, cannot be swayed. The Amazons will fight with our allies as we always have. You have my permission to enlist as many as will go.” At the Queen’s declaration, shouting rose from the women.

Kyme grinned up at Arsenius.

Truly, who didn’t love going to war?

***

Later that evening, as they reclined beside a roaring fire, Kyme and Arsenius made their plans.

“What happens now?” She hoped he had an answer, for she hadn’t planned beyond venturing here.

“Well, after I’ve made love to you for several days…” His heated stare never failed to ignite her blood. “I’ll send word to Gaven for a ship to retrieve us in a few days, or a few weeks. I’m sure we can find some way to pass the time.” His hand shifted lower and she moaned, praying it would be a few weeks.

Teasing her, he drew back his hand. “We have much to do. I’ve been working with Nazrin and Thereus at Halcyon. Training soldiers, amassing new recruits, and creating a naval fleet. Your Amazon sisters must be trained as well.” He grinned at her, his warmth spreading to her very soul.

For nearly a century and a half, her life had been predictable, unchanging. Now, before her stretched a new path. One whose course would never be smooth or easy. That was also what made it so thrilling.

Only one sadness marred this happy time.

“What news of your sister?”

He tensed. “I’ve not heard back from my men. Nothing can be done yet. I suppose it’s time for more waiting.” As he shrugged, she wrapped her arms around him, and he sank into her embrace.

“At least she is safe. I trust Persephone. She wouldn’t abuse our loyalty. If she knew any ill had befallen Lena, she would have told us.” Though he nodded, she sensed a part of him would never be whole until he saw his sister safe with his own eyes. If Persephone was right, Lena would be restored to them in time.

For now, they had each other.

***

Kyme in his arms, Arsenius reclined beneath the Moonlight and the stars, staring into the flames of the fire. Like him, Kyme would never cease to search for Lena. The protective streak in her ran deep. Now she was his, and everything he had was hers as well.

She chatted away about her activities since he’d last seen her. He loved the lilt of her voice, the tinkling of her laughter. Other parts of him also stirred, eager to show her how much she was appreciated.

Mine
, the beast inside him declared.

Aye
, he calmly told it.
Mine forever.

Tightening his grip around her, Arsenius held Kyme, certain he’d never let go. He breathed in the scent of her hair, rubbing his cheek against her chestnut locks. She eased against him and for a while, they stared at the stars above.

At last, she broke the silence. “I still don’t understand one thing.” She twisted about and peered at him with those lovely, midnight blue eyes. “This place is a remote Amazon camp. How did you know to search for me here?”

He grinned back at her. The answer was simple.

“I told you, my love. I will always find you.”

*****

Glossary

Olympian
– the
lingua franca
(common tongue) of the gods and their descendants.

potamoi
– a river demon

raptio
– sexual slaves

Adrasteia
– Arsenius’s brigantine. Named after his half-sister, the goddess of revenge and balance.

morphos
– a shift in form, whether permanent or temporary. E.g. when a centaur changes form from a centaur to a human, he undergoes the
morpos
.

chalkos, argyros, and chrysos
– three passwords to the symposium, meaning copper, silver, and gold.

asphodelus, eros, aionios
– three passwords to Halcyon, meaning daffodil, love, and eternal.

Acknowledgments

This story is especially dear to me because it represents the first moment when I realized I could actually pursue my dream of writing. Moon Borne received such amazing feedback—from my lovely critique partners, to contest wins, and even agents and editors. I’m beyond thrilled to finally be sharing it with my readers, and I hope they will love this series as much as I do.

Moon Borne really embodies my writing journey as a whole, and as such, there’s an impossible number of people to thank—but I’ll try. I would never have gained my first boost of confidence without FTHRW and their amazing critique group. Thank you to all the ladies who read the earliest versions of this story and helped set me on this path. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my fabulous critique partners, Miguella, Renee, Samantha, Josie, and Jo. And Alison, this is the story that made you have to be my friend (haha), and for that I’m so grateful.

To my wonderful beta readers, Ashley, Nicola, Pat, Cassandra, Bonnie, April, and Gina, thank you so much for your insightful feedback.

I have an awesome street team, Rachael’s Rush Hour, whose support and enthusiasm reminds me every day of why I love to share my stories. Thank you, ladies!

Kelley Heckart, my fantastic copy editor, thank you for always doing such a great job at polishing my words. Thank you to Novel Art Designs for this beautiful cover!

Karie, my ninja PA, I can never thank you enough for always being there, day or night.

I’m so fortunate to have had my family stand by me, supporting and encouraging throughout the years it has taken to get here. It has been an amazing journey and I’m so glad to have you with me on it. Hugs and kisses.

Thank you all for taking this ride with me!

About the Author

Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, which she later nurtured with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.

As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can’t meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they’ll bring them to their knees.

No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.

Rachael holds an Honours BA in anthropology, as well as a CELTA. Her secret indulgence is her passion for baking, which she offsets with her addiction to running (she’s completed four marathons). She resides on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two children, cat, and dog.