Kingdoms of Fire and Ice
Book One
by Kyra Jacobs
Genre: PNR/Fantasy
Blurb:
Prince Zayne Godfrey, heir to Edana’s throne, is betrothed to the lone princess of rival kingdom Forath. While his heart is not in the arranged marriage, he will do his royal duty.
When he finds a beautiful stranger cornered by a pack of wolves, he doesn’t
hesitate to shift into his golden dragon form to save her. She thanks him by taking one look at him and fainting dead away.
Photographer Adelaide Miller is in England for a career-making shoot when a
bizarre jogging mishap lands her in a dangerous, medieval-like world of royals,
wizards and dragon-shifting men. Her first instinct is to find her way back, but the fire-breathing prince intent on protecting her threatens to melt her heart.
Zayne’s burning passion for Adelaide not only jeopardizes the fragile peace
between two kingdoms, it uncovers a ruthless plot to destroy his family.
Remaining together may change Adelaide’s very definition of home—and expose
one searing secret that could forever shift the balance of power in Zayne’s world.
EXCERPT
The wedding.Zayne shook the thought from his mind. He had come here to forget his impending doom,
not wallow in self-pity.
The prince drew an arrow from the quiver on his back, nocked it to his favorite bow, then
shifted away from the oak and lined up his shot on the buck. During battle, the action
would have taken him but a second—two, perhaps, if he were dodging an attack. Here in
the deep woods where any sudden movement would give his location away, it took
several minutes. Time well spent, he knew from experience, if it resulted in fresh venison
for dinner.
The deer raised its head and stared in the direction of his hunter with unseeing eyes, ears
twitching as he chewed. Zayne held his stance, praying his patience would pay off. After
a long moment, the great beast turned its rack in the opposite direction. A victorious
smile tugged at Zayne’s lips as he squared his shoulders, took a deep breath to steady his
aim—
A woman’s scream shattered the forest.
The arrow slipped from his fingers and sailed six feet over the startled buck’s head. In a
flash, he drew another, but the opportunity was already lost. The deer zigzagged over
brush and bramble, bounding away to seek refuge in the darkest depths of the forest, and
Zayne cursed his own arrogance. He’d taken too long, been too sure of himself. And
while his stomach rumbled painfully at the thought of foregoing his anticipated evening
meal, he knew better than to pursue the beast. Dangers far greater than the dark awaited
him in that direction, and no buck was worth the risk.
A second high-pitched scream sounded, closer this time, and commanded his attention.
Whoever joined him in the woods today sounded terrified, not hurt. Lord knew he’d been
through enough skirmishes to recognize the subtle differences.
Zayne slung his bow onto his back and charged forward, sacrificing stealth for speed to
try to reach the woman before one pitch bled into the other. Thick underbrush snagged at
his clothes and sliced his skin, but still he surged forward. It would have been easier for
him to transform, faster even, but then his whereabouts would be discovered, and he was
not yet ready to return and face his father. Or his betrothed.
The wall of vegetation around him thinned as he drew upon a small clearing. Zayne
slowed to quiet his footsteps, then stopped altogether as the scene before him came into
view. A pack of wolves milled around one side of the clearing, snapping and snarling as
they pawed at their muzzles. Across from them stood the clearing’s other inhabitant: a
lone peasant woman.
The source of the screams.
Her outer layers of clothing must have been ripped away during her attempted escape, as
she stood quaking in scraps of clothing the likes of which Zayne had never seen before.
The bizarre black-and-purple fabric failed to do much more than contain her supple
bosom, rounded hips, and slim thighs. Her long, golden hair was pinned up and back and,
though mussed, offered him a clear view of her delicate shoulders and creamy pale skin.
But what struck him the most was her eyes—startling blue, like brilliant sapphire ice.
A ray of sun broke through the clouds and washed over her, giving the girl an angelic
appearance. Never had he seen a woman more beautiful. The sight took his very breath
away.
A wolf stepped free from the pack, and the air around Zayne began to swirl. He gasped,
as helpless to resist the beast within as he was to draw his next breath. Never before had
the transformation begun without his prompting, nor surged forward with such haste. An
armor of golden scales replaced his skin, his fingers stretched into talons, and human
logic gave way to animal instinct. As the growing fire within his chest sought to consume
him, Zayne could comprehend but three things:
He must save her.
He must protect her.
He must have her.
About the Author
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. When this Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.
Be sure to stop by her website www.KyraJacobs.wordpress.com to learn more
about her novels and ways connect with her on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyraJacobsBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyraJacobsBooks
Website: http://www.KyraJacobs.wordpress.com
Blog: http://www.IndianaWonderer.wordpress.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Kyra_Jacobs
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Thanks so much for sharing in my release week, Inner Goddess!
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