CAPA Nominee in Erotic Fantasy ~ A Magical Encounter

Hi Everyone! *waves* I hope you're having a lovely Valentine's Day!! Congrats to all the nominees and big thanks to everyone at TRS for hosting such a wonderful little party here. ~Meagan

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A Magical Encounter

by

Meagan Hatfield

Blurb:
Since his wife's murder Elfin warrior, Hanarom Avindaul's, life had been an endless quest for peace, one he felt became less likely of success each day. He'd been fighting for others for so long he'd all but forgotten he had needs of his own-until he rescued the maiden, Kaiya Galbraith.

Kaiya had always known her father, the duke, harbored no love for her. Still, until it happened, she would never have believed him capable of bartering her life away to a stranger in return for coin to pay off his debtors. All hope of finding love appeared lost to her forever...until she was rescued by a being she'd only ever seen in her dreams. When the Elfin warrior, Hanarom Avindaul, plucked her from imminent death into the safe shelter of his arms, though, she discovered she was all too eager to stay.


The Romance Studio Review: http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/magicalencounterhatfield.htm

EXCERPT:

“I am not hungry.” At the lie, her stomach roared in anger.

His lips twisted into a knowing grin as he bent down to pick up the untouched bread. “I do not know what fare you are accustomed to eating,” he said, taking a step closer. “But this is nigh as good as you will find whilst we are camped in the forest. Believe it or not, the bread will get even harder before it runs out completely.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, taking it from him. She took a small bite and stared at the ground, until he stepped forward. His broad chest filled her vision, blocking out anything other than it. Large, warm hands cupped her cheeks. Slowly, gently he tilted her head upward and began to study her wounds.

“How is your head this morning, then?”

She swallowed. “Fine,” she replied as he lifted her chin higher to better examine the bruise on her cheek.

“A bit dizzy and sore, I imagine.”

Kaiya couldn’t find her voice to answer. Standing so near to him, she could not deny that he was truly a sight to behold. High-arched blonde brows, a perfectly lined taut nose, and full, yet not too heavy lips--all encompassed within a square set jaw. Yet, whilst his face appeared to be chiseled by the most adept artist, it was his spectacular eyes that enchanted her most. Up close, she could see they were sky blue with specs of gold streaking through them like beams from the sun. He gazed so intently upon her, her knees weakened. She almost lost herself within them before she got her wits about her.

She blinked and tore her gaze away.

He must use magic, she thought to herself, strong magic. She could see it would be harder than she thought to arm herself against it.

“It looks like you’ll recover,” he said dryly. “How about your wrists?” he asked, taking her hands in his to inspect them. Kaiya narrowed her eyes and yanked her hands back.

“I told you, I am fine,” she said, daring to turn her focus back upon him, seeing none of the malice or deceit in those brilliant sapphire eyes she accused of being there.

“My lady, you’re guarded and that’s understandable. But do not worry. I will not hurt you. You asked me to help you last night,” he reminded her in a calm whisper. “’Tis all I’m trying to do.”
She could feel her face grow hot again and cursed herself for the ease with which he seemed to affect her.

“I-I most certainly did not ask for help. And if I had, I wouldn’t have asked you.”

His light brows inched upward, and an amused look splayed upon his handsome face. “Really?”

“Aye, really,” she said, crossing her arms about her chest.

“Well, I must say then, my lady, you are making it much easier for me to do this.”

“Do what?”

He held out the heavy chains she recognized had been around her wrists, and she swallowed down the sudden lump in her throat.

{END}

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