TEMPTED

Total-E-Bound
Release Date: November 24, 2008
ISBN: TBA
Genre: Historical/Dark Fantasy
Length: Novella

**Connected to Ties That Bind**

An indomitable, devoted handmaiden who feels no emotions finds her body awakened to desire and pleasure in the arms of a man she can never have.

Aldora is on a mission for her queen. She must win the favour of King Borlad of Shadowhall so that an alliance can be formed between the two kingdoms. Yet, in order for her to get to Shadowhall, she must navigate the dangerous Kellian jungle.

Prince and heir to Shadowhall's throne, Marak spends his days deep in the Kellian jungle trying to save unsuspecting travelers from the perilous jungle. It’s on just such a day that he finds a beautiful woman in need of rescue from a group of Kellian warriors. Marak is stunned to learn that Aldora is on her way to his kingdom to win his father's favour. There's no way Marak is going to allow anyone to have Aldora, not after he's tasted her pleasure for himself.

Aldora finds herself in an awkward position of desiring Marak. She doesn't experience emotion, so is unsettled and leery of him. But when she's recaptured and being prepared to wed the Kellian king, she knows that the passion she has experienced with Marak is a once in a lifetime emotion.

REVIEWS

EXCERPT

Aldora had thought it would be difficult to leave Hesione, but other than the private exchange with Jarina that had brought a lump to her throat, it was easy. Surprisingly so.

Her father, her friends and the only home she had ever known were fading behind her, and she didn’t even care. What kind of person was she that she couldn’t feel anything?

Empty.

Aye, she was most assuredly empty.

“We’re almost there, my lady,” one of the guards said.

She nodded and kept her gaze scanning the horizon. They had left Hesione castle at dawn. Just as she predicted, no one had looked twice at her leaving the castle, or the gates to the city.

The long ride across the kingdom of Hesione had been hot and anxious. Though she didn’t expect anything to happen, it was her nature to expect the worst.

It was nearing dusk when they saw the tree line that divided Hesione from Kellian. The tree line began the greatest jungle in all the provinces, a jungle that few dared to venture into because of the ferocious animals. And the Kellian’s themselves.

“There they are, my lady,” the guard said as he pointed to a mounted soldier.

“I see them.”

In Aldora’s mind, her journey would not truly begin until she stepped foot inside the jungle. Her mare pranced beneath her feeling Aldora’s agitation and excitement.

“Easy, girl,” she whispered as she patted the mare’s sleek black neck.

When they finally approached the small camp and the soldiers, Aldora was more than surprised to find twenty men awaiting her.

“My lady,” a tall, barrel-chested man with sandy blonde hair said as he approached her. “I’m Nueth, and captain to your guards.”

“Good evening,” Aldora said as she swung her leg over the mare and slid to the ground. “Is everything in order?”

“Aye, my lady.”

“Good. I wish to leave at dawn.”

Nueth nodded. “I’d already anticipated that. We’ve set up a tent for you.”

Aldora reached for the small bag she had taken with her and walked into the camp. There were seven tents all arranged in a semi-circle, with hers in the middle. She didn’t particularly like that there would be men on either side of her, but she knew it was for her protection and nothing else.

She stepped into the tent and sighed. Her stomach rumbled and she longed for a bath to remove the grim she had accumulated during her ride.

A candle was the only light she had in the tent, but it was enough to show her the pallet they had made for her. To her left sat a small table and one chair, and to her right stood a large bowl with a ewer next to it.

It was more luxury than she had expected since they were supposed to be traveling light and quick, but she was thankful for it nonetheless.

Without preamble, she tossed her bag onto her pallet and hastily kicked off her shoes. One tug sent the silk corded belt around her waist to the ground, and with just a small movement of her shoulders, the pale pink gown slid off her shoulders.

Aldora smiled to herself as she recalled overhearing how much Kyros loved the gowns the women of Hesione wore. They were simple gowns. Most had sleeves that capped the shoulders with a neck line that hung gracefully down a woman’s chest, giving just the slightest glimpse of her breasts, while the gown itself draped straight to the ground. The only adornment was the belts worn around the waist. The belts came in any color and style a woman could possibly desire.

After she had washed herself and combed her hair, Aldora moved to her pallet and her bag. She opened the bag and pulled out her sleeping gown.

She grimaced at the garment. At the castle, she slept nude, but on this journey that wasn’t possible. So, she had borrowed one of Jarina’s sleeping gowns made of soft cream. It was just as simple as the day gowns she wore, but it was made it fit more snugly against a body, with a deep V down the front and back of the gown.

No sooner had she pulled the sleeping gown into place than Nueth called out her name from outside her tent.

“Enter,” she said.

The flap to her tent opened as the captain stepped inside. “Food will be brought to you in just a few moments.”

“Thank you.” She sat on her pallet and reached for her comb inside her bag. “You look as though you are trying to figure out a way to tell me something, Captain.”

His thin lips disappeared as he pressed them together. “Indeed, my lady. I’m not sure how much King Kyros told you of our journey.”

“Let me put your fears to rest, Captain. I know just how tenuous the journey is, and you won’t hear me complaining about it.”

“The king said as much, my lady.”

Aldora folded her hands in her lap. “Then what it is, Captain?”

“The horses, my lady. We cannot proceed with them.”

She smiled then. “I knew that, Captain. Though I haven’t ventured into the jungle myself, I knew enough to know that we would be going on foot. I’ve also come prepared in the way of clothing as well. No Hesione gowns will be hampering us.”

Relief filled the Captain’s plain features. “Aye, my lady, I was a little worried over your attire.”

“Captain,” Aldora said as she stood. “I am given the honor of representing Hesione and Pereth at Shadowhall. It is imperative that I reach Shadowhall as soon as possible. The only thing you and your men have to worry about is keeping up with me.”

“Aye, my lady,” the captain said as he inclined his head.

Aldora nodded and watched the captain leave. She only hoped the Shadowhall’s king was as easy to conquer.