Lick of Frost
Publisher: Amira Press
Length: Novella
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Onyx “The Ice Princess” Blackthorn has yearned for the nearness of another for two centuries. Cursed after she shunned the advances of a lovelorn wizard, she ventures to New Orleans with his coven, desperate to put an end to the isolation that is slowly killing her.
One searing touch informs Lycae Luke Trevlian he has found his mate, a breathtaking creature that can only be adored from afar. For to touch Onyx’s skin is to touch the ice trapped within, ensuring she remains pure for the one that hexed her.
Halloween is a time of magic, and with the new moon, a time of new beginnings. When the wizard that cursed Onyx returns to flesh and blood, eager to claim her for his own, Luke will challenge him for the one woman he cannot live without.
Excerpt
The transition from Alpha to Beta had been a remarkably easy one thanks to Wolfe’s mate. Luke’s wolf wasn’t ready to lead a pack, and he knew it. He was the youngest of the Trevlian legacy at a mere quarter-of-a-millennium old and needed time to grow and mature. But things wouldn’t have occurred so smoothly if Trevor hadn’t helped them destroy the vampyren that threatened to destroy everything. In the aftermath, they had formed a tentative agreement with the Warlock. Trevor would lend a hand with Lycae dealings so long as Arden remained protected among the pack.
A server walked to the table with a tray laden with drinks. Bodies parted, shifting away. Hoods rippled as faces were revealed. The men all kept with the wizard fashion—super short hair trimmed neatly and faces cleanly shaven. The women kept their hair short as well, the pixie cuts markedly longer and shaggier.
People conversed among one another while he popped peanuts into his mouth and swigged the thick Smithwick’s Irish ale. In less than twenty-four hours, Halloween would come and go, and he could breathe easy. No more prowling the city, keeping the peace.
Movement from the left got his attention. Helen Tex, one of the longtime witches from the Quarter, decided to mosey on over with her Chimera escort. It wasn’t unusual to find Chimeras hired as servants to witches or wizards. The big bastards were as deadly as the Lycae and more than proficient when it came to killing. The male’s tight black leather pants and skin-hugging turtleneck revealed all of his brawn, which was generally enough to keep the undesirables away.
They stopped at the end of the table, the witch appearing impossibly tiny next to her bodyguard. Their voices remained too hushed to understand, and he realized they used magic to shade themselves.
“That can’t be good,” Greyson muttered as he came around the side and stood next to him.
“Nope,” Luke agreed.
The face of the wizard seated in the center became angry, a red stain creeping onto his cheeks. Although he was obviously yelling at Helen as his mouth widened and his throat strained, the sound was muted. He grasped the mug of ale before him and threw the contents at her, coating the front of her dress in dark amber. The Chimera lurched forward, his massive arm extending across the table.
“Fucking hell.” Greyson cursed, readying to move, but the Chimera’s hand never made it to his intended destination.
A female appeared, snagging the male by the very wrist hovering over the table. Her leathered hands flipped the arm over and then under, forcing the appendage into an awkward and painful position against his lower back. Though markedly smaller, she managed to bury his face into the table with a loud crash, sending glasses scattering. Long, dark hair hung to her lower back in thick, rounded curls, the strands emitting a blue-black shine in the dim lighting. Voices emerged from the group, and he knew the spell used to shield their voices was lifted.
“Are you going to behave,” the female demanded into the Chimera’s ear, her voice featherlight, “or am I going to have to carry you out of here?”
“Let me go, bitch,” the Chimera thundered. “Before I eat your sweet ass.”
A soft chuckle, then. “Wrong answer.”
She kept the arm locked at his back but snagged a handful of the Chimera’s long blond hair at the nape and forced him up and away. It should have been impossible. She was too small to have that much strength. She whipped them around, and Luke’s heart slammed into his throat.
Gorgeous didn’t even begin to describe her. Her large silver eyes were offset by long, dark lashes and black brushstroke eyebrows that arched ever so slightly. Her nose was small and slightly upturned, accentuating much fuller red-hued lips. She glanced at him only so long as it took to pass, forcing the Chimera to the door.
He found himself rushing ahead to block her path. “Let me help you.”
She cocked one of those dainty eyebrows and asked, “And why would you want to do that?”
“Because he’s a Chimera and will rip your head off when you let him loose,” he answered automatically.
“Ah,” she said and smiled lightly, plush lips curving at the corners.
He nearly groaned at the sight, his cock surging to life and pressing against his slacks. He inhaled deeply, scenting the air. Beneath the stench of amber and fire, he smelled fresh rose petal and a touch of lavender. He tried to replace the leathered hand locked onto the Chimera’s wrist with his own, eager to make some kind of contact with her, but was thwarted when she started forward, moving the asshole along without him.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need your help.”
Luke started to argue when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He frowned down at the wizard who caused the earlier disturbance and growled softly.
“Heed her, Lycae,” the wizard said quietly, releasing him and stepping back. “She needs no assistance from you or any other in this establishment. If the Chimera attacks her, she will end him.”
“She’s just a girl.”
“No, she isn’t.”
|
