Dragon
in the Blood
Vale
of Stars, Book
Two
by Juliette
Cross
a Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
Book Description:When desire bites, there’s no patience for a slow burn.
While all seems quiet in Gladium
Province, the Morgon Guard—the global justice force for the dragon hybrid
race—knows their enemy is rebuilding its forces in the underground.
Valla Moonring, an assassin for the
Order of the Morgon Guard, is ordered on a mission into the Wastelands of
Aria—a formidable, icy wilderness fraught with all manner of dangers, including
outlaws, deadly weather, and big-game predators.
To her great distaste, she’s
partnered with a Nightwing Security operative, Conn Rowanflame, a Morgon with
the aggravating ability to get under her skin. While she takes her mission
seriously, Conn’s confident charm throws her off balance, a dangerous place to
be in conditions like these. Especially when cold nights require close contact.
Sensual attraction binds them ever
closer, igniting a passion of unexpected force—the soulfire. But when the
hunters become the hunted, their bond could prove perilous. Even fatal…
Releases July 26, Tuesday
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Excerpt:
Conn slowed his descent as treetops came into view beyond the fading mist, which had thinned to nearly nothing in the past hour. Whipping open my wings, I landed softly on the hard ground among a grove of evergolds. Even in this frozen tundra, the giants famous for their flora of fire-gold leaves grew tall and thick-branched in abundance. I lifted my visor to a brilliant burst of color that contrasted against the brown earth and snow-swept embankments.
Bowen landed quietly
behind me. “How about some lunch before we set out on foot?” He removed and
tucked away his visor and unpacked his crossbow from its sheath on his back for
the first time on this journey.
“Let’s get into
the cover of trees,” said Conn, moving along the natural path. “And lunch
sounds perfect.”
“Benta’s breakfast
wasn’t enough for you?” I asked, meeting his long stride.
“I always have an
appetite, sweetheart.”
“While you two
continue flirting, I’ll find some small game nearby. Set up the hotpad over near
that big evergold.”
Without a sound,
Bowen disappeared into the trees.
“Flirting?” I
scoffed. “I wasn’t flirting.”
“I was.” Conn
grinned.
“Stop it.”
“I haven’t even
gotten started yet.”
“You’re
infuriating.”
“So you’ve said
before.”
“Listen—” I put up
both gloved hands to stop his snarky banter for just one second. “I’m glad
we’re finally alone.”
“Me, too.” His
lopsided grin made my heart flutter.
Exhaling a
frustrated sigh, I stopped under a thick oak with ample coverage from above and
unhooked my chest pack before dropping it to the ground. “There’s something
I’ve been meaning to talk to you about…about last night.”
“Mmm. Last night.”
He removed his own
pack and gloves, then pulled out the small, electronic hotpad. After opening
the tripod that kept it off the ground, he turned it on. Gisa ordered us to use
the hotpad instead of fire when we were in the open to avoid alerting predators
or criminals to our presence.
Conn stood and
propped his hands low on his hips. “Would you like a second round?”
“No…no.” I cleared
my throat and shook my head, my ponytail sliding on the smooth leather of my
jacket. “Actually, that should never have happened. I shouldn’t have let that
happen. But I—”
“Couldn’t resist,”
he finished, a devilish smile brimming his beautiful face. “It’s okay. It
happens a lot.”
“You’re such an
ass.” I rolled my eyes. “I could’ve resisted.”
“Could you?”
He broke his rigid
stance and sauntered closer, a feral glimmer in his gaze. By instinct, I backed
up a step, my wings scraping the rough bark of the evergold behind me. He moved
into my personal space.
“What are you
doing?” I asked, heart hammering.
He flattened one
hand against the tree above my head, his finger grazing the arch of my wing. I
shivered.
“Are you sure you
could resist?”
I cleared my
throat. “Of course,” I said, trying to sound confident, but my voice betrayed
me and broke.
“Well…I couldn’t.”
He brushed the back of his knuckles along my jaw. I held still, caught.
“Actually, I want
to taste you again. Right now.”
Even stone-cold sober,
I felt drunk from a single touch, longing to fall back into his arms and let
him show me what his hazel-gold eyes promised without a word.
He leaned close,
his warm breath grazing my ear. “Let me
taste you again, Valla.”
I planted my hands
on his chest, wishing there weren’t the layers of thermal suit and leather
between my palms and his rock-hard chest.
He nuzzled the
shell of my ear with his nose, then his lips. “Let me.”
His darkened voice
pleaded and demanded at the same time, spreading warmth between my legs. What
had gotten into me? I pushed him out of my way and stormed toward a densely
wooded area.
“Where are you
going?” he laughed. “Running away?”
“I’ve gotta go to
the bathroom,” I yelled over my shoulder.
“Not by yourself,
you’re not.” His footsteps crunched across the thin blanket of snow and leaves
behind me.
I whirled, heat
burning up my neck, now from anger not lust. “Whoa, there, big boy.” I threw up
a hand, halting him several feet away. “Look. You’re not my keeper. And just
because we shared one kiss doesn’t mean anything. I’m going to relieve myself
by myself. Do you understand?”
His wings twitched
at his back. Agitated. Whatever.
“And stop scowling
at me,” I called back as I spun and trekked off the path into the brush.
About
the Author:
You can discover more of Juliette
and her books on her website.
Website: https://www.juliettecross.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Juliette__Cross
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/crossjuliette/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/XeKIn
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