Frost Kay's Blog, page 3

Exclusive Warlord Excerpt

So I asked my readers what points of view they'd like to see. The Warlord won by a landslide. So I slipped into his dark mind and wrote a chapter for y'all that occurs right after the river rips Sage from his arms in Enemy's Queen. I had an idea of what I thought would happen, but the Warlord had other ideas. No one controls him. I hope you enjoy this chapter! You can grab it here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sb9hznirtb

King's Warrior- Book Four of The Aermian Feuds

I have received so many emails about this book. I am happy to finally announce that the fourth book in the series -King's Warrior is now available for pre-order!Revolution and war come with a price in the fourth volume of USA Today Bestselling Author Frost Kay’s The Aermian Feuds Series. Returning to Aermia should’ve been easy, but nightmares and death haunt her, leaving Sage as an outsider, even in her own family. Nothing is ever as it seems, and that’s more apparent than ever as she plays a deadly game of cat and mouse with the one man who’s carved himself into her unwilling heart. As war looms on the horizon, she must decide who to trust and what sacrifices she’s willing to make for her kingdom. But with every decision, she feels the warlord’s dark web of secrets, deceit, and betrayal closing around her. One mistake may mean destruction not only for herself, but for those she loves. In this thrilling fourth book in this Internationally Bestselling Series, Sage and Tehl will raze the world to protect their people and each other from the one man that threatens to tear them apart.Happy reading,Frost

New Covers!

Let me tell you a little bit about stock photos. You pay to use them, you don't own them. So the majority of book covers use stock images that designers use their artist magic on to turn it into fantastic cover art. Here's the catch: in some genres there are tons of models, other's not so much.Epic fantasy is one of the those. Male models are few and far between. Because of this, the former model we used on Crown's Shield was used EVERYWHERE- book covers, trailers, posters, you name it. So it was inevitable that someone would use the same stock image and produce a cover that looked like mine. And it did. So how does one combat this?They purchase wonderful exclusive images from a photographer they trust. The wonderful Regina Wamba shot the photo for the new and improved Crown's Shield and I can't be happier. In my mind, he looks more like Tehl anyway. I hope you guys like itXoxo,Frost

New Sci-Fi Fantasy Series

I've been writing like a crazy woman on this series. I have to admit it's been a freaking blast writing about Allie Sai, a moonshine brewing southern girl caught up in alien mischief and mayhem. All five books will release in the next five months. The first one, Amber Vial, will release on July 31st, 2018AMAZONIBOOKSNOOKKOBOAND it will be available with kindle unlimited!Here's a little snippet: How did something that big fly?Allie Sai gaped at the immense silver alien airship in shock. She’d only ever seen them on the tube screen. The longer she stared, the harder her heart pounded. People pushed around her, some chattering excitedly about their trip, others staring wide-eyed at the colossal monstrosity in awe.Come on, Allie. You can do this. Just move forward.Nothing.She glared at her stubborn feet. The darn things wouldn’t budge. She sucked in a deep breath and lifted her hand to push her troublesome hair out of her face. She paused, holding her shaking hand out, and scowled at it. God, she hated flying. Just the thought of it gave her hives. It shouldn’t be possible for that much metal to soar through the sky. It was downright unnatural to be thousands of miles above the ground, let alone traveling through the stars at a speed the Human mind couldn’t fathom. Goosebumps erupted on her arms; her stomach clenched at the thought of being trapped in the metal death box. It might be massive, but it was still a steel coffin.Coffin.Death.Blinking, she snuck a glance at the metal airship, hoping it had disappeared.Nope, it was still there in all its horrendous glory.Never taking her eyes off the ship, she began to backpedal. Why did she have to go? Her eyes darted to the people flowing past, paying her no mind. If she was smart, she could disappear and no one would be the wiser. No one would miss a country girl who was afraid of flying.Time to go.Happy reading,Frost Kay

Siren's Lure - Aermian Feuds Book 2.5

I love Lilja and Hayjen. They are some of my favorite characters. After much deliberation, I've decided that there will be more stories about them. Siren's Lure started out as a little snippet of the past to give you a glimpse of Aermia's roots, but soon Lilja, Hayjen, and Blair captivated me. So what started out as a short story turned into a novella that's haunted me since I finished it. If you haven't had a chance to read it, you can read it here:AMAZONIBOOKSNOOKKOBOHappy reading,Frost Kay

How would you survive the end of the world?

This is something my friends and I've talked about since I was a teenager. There are so many movies that portray the end of the world as a bad thing, but what if it was a good thing? Ponder that for a little bit. Lol. Anywho, we've designed plans from the fictional zombie apocalypse to a more realistic EMP strike. So here's my question for you: It's the end of the world as you know it, what five items would you throw in your go bag?And if you don't have a darn go bag, shame on you! Crazy stuff happens everyday and you need to be prepared. The number of natural disasters every year have risen at an alarming rate. So do yourself a favor, and pack a go bag. *end of rant* So how would I survive the end of the world? Semi-serious/joking answer: Costco. Anyone who manages to secure a Costco, could survive anything. Think about it: non-perishables, medical supplies, antibiotics, tools, survival equipment, camping gear, food, clothing, and shelter. The only probable is that there'd be a million other people gunning for it too. So 1) you'd have to have a group of people to help you secure and protect it, or 2) you'd have to get in take everything you could, and get out. *deep breath*I could talk about this for hours, but let's move on to a lighter note. Since I'm a dystopian/post-apocalyptic enthusiast, naturally I'll be writing in this genre. My first book in this genre called THE TAINTED: DOMINION OF ASH will debut with the Empires of Shadow and Ash collection. Woot!The other authors and I collaborated and created a few fun games. Feel free to play!Happy reading,Frost

Remodel Update

So the last 8 months have been crazy. We were in Europe for three weeks. We sold a house, moved into another, and began EXTENSIVE remodels (we gutted the house). Then I've release four books in that time. *passes out* So I thought I'd share what we've been up to. My husband and myself have both worked in construction so we've done most of it, and the parts we couldn't, our wonderful friends stepped in and helped out. (I love you guys!)So we stripped everything down to the sub-floors. We've pulled walls out and all other sorts of craziness. Sheetrock dust and I are intimate associates now. Here are a few pictures of our progress. So first thing... the bathrooms had to be done.Next, I needed somewhere to write. So I redid my writing desk.Finally, we wanted to open up the kitchen/ living room area. It was kinda cave like. Little did we know that the prior owners had cut a chunk out of the main support beam for the upstairs... yeah... that's a big no no, not up to code at all. So we had to put a steel beam in so that our upstairs didn't become our downstairs. Lol. Our next project is to refinish the floor, cabinets, paint, and put in new back splash and counter tops... we'll get there... eventually.

Enemy's Queen Chapter 2

Okay! You guys hit 100 preorders! Here's you reward: Enemy's Queen Copyright: Frost Kay 2018Chapter TwoTehlTehl sighed as he snuggled deeper into the blankets, relishing the sunlight warming his back.Wait...Sunlight?Tehl squinted at the window. The sun was high. When was the last time he had slept in? He couldn’t remember. His stomach growled. It was most definitely past breakfast. He stretched out a hand to touch the empty spot beside him, a smile on his face. Sage had slept beside him last night of her own volition and that was truly a victory. Her words from the night before came back to him, and his smile widened further as he rolled over to stare at the ceiling.You have a loyal heart. That one statement changed everything. It meant she cared.Finally, after everything they had been through, she was warming up to him. Admittedly, he had thought for quite a time that she never would. And after last night’s misunderstanding, he’d expected her to cut him off completely, or possibly even stab him. But he was very surprised when, instead, she’d opened up to him and they’d been able to communicate freely and honestly for possibly the first time ever. At last, it seemed there was true hope for a friendship with his wife.He clutched his stomach when it, once more, rumbled its displeasure. It was well past the time he usually ate. Tehl glanced again to the windows and Sage’s empty spot. He had slept better last night than he had in a long time. Normally, Sage’s nightmares woke up both of them frequently. It gutted him each time he had to reassure her that no one was hurting her, or when he had to hold her so she wouldn’t hurt herself or him. What a cruel hand they’d been dealt.Tehl shook off the glum thoughts and rolled out of bed, stretching his arms above his head. No matter what had happened in the past, today would be a good day.He shuffled to the vanity and brushed his black hair, splashed water on his face, smoothed his rumpled shirt, and finally, pulled on his boots. It was well past time to get his day started, but first…breakfast.Pulling the door open, Tehl paused, looking between the guards. Addressing the redhead, he asked, “James, do you have any idea where the princess is?”“Garreth took her for a walk a while ago, but they’ve not returned.”“Probably training already,” he mused. After nodding to the two men, he moved down the corridor and to the stairs where his brother lounged carelessly against the banister. Moving past him, he began to descend the steps, slapping his brother’s shoulder good-naturedly as he passed.“How are you this morning?”Sam followed him. “Not as good as you, it seems. Why, you seem downright chipper this morning.”He raised a brow and smiled. “It’s going to be a good day.”“I take it things went well with your wife last night?”“She forgave me,” he said simply.A choking sound came from behind him. “She didn’t make you grovel or anything? Or attack you?”“She’s not that type of woman.”Sam sniggered. “Uh, yeah… she is. She would definitely stab you.”“That’s not what I meant. I meant she isn’t a petty woman.”“Then you’re a lucky man,” his brother said.Tehl stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to his brother with a smile. “I am. Last night resolved itself better than I ever expected. She can be so emotional at times, and yet, she can also be extremely rational. It’s remarkable and confusing.”Sam grinned. “You act like you’re surprised. Of course, Sage is remarkable.”Something in his brother’s tone gave him pause. There was an intimacy there that he hadn’t expected. His brows furrowed as he tried to work it out. When Sam caught his expression, he slapped the back of his head. Tehl rubbed it and glared. “What was that for?”“Don’t be stupid. You know I consider Sage my sister. I have no feelings for her, save the sort of love and admiration a brother usually has, so stop looking at me like I’m about to steal your wife.”“You’ve been known to steal women.” His brother’s lack of expression pulled a sheepish smile from him. “Sorry,” he offered, continuing to rub the back of his head.“Apology accepted. It happens to the best of us.”Now that made him snort. “Like you’ve ever been jealous. You don’t keep company with the same woman long enough to become envious.”It was Sam’s turn to furrow his brow as they began descending the arched, airy corridor. “Well… maybe one day, I’ll find the right woman.”Tehl stumbled, gaping at his brother.“What?” Sam shrugged. “I’m just saying one day it would probably be nice to have a family.”“Who are you and what have you done with my brother?”“Very funny,” his brother said, rolling his eyes. “I’m not saying right now, just… you know, in the future sometime.”“And what brought on this change of heart? You’ve always told me you’re not a one-woman man.”“Things change.”“Things?” he asked incredulously. “What sort of things?”Sam entered the private dining room and closed the door behind them before responding. “Sage,” he said, with a shrug.“Sage?” he repeated plopping into his chair.His brother paced back and forth with his hands behind his back before placing himself in the chair across from him. “Well… She’s interesting.”Tehl waited a beat before prompting, “And?”Sam tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling. “She’s strong, hardworking, loyal, funny, sweet, smart…” He paused. “She’s a good person. She’s even warm and empathetic, which is hard to find. Being her friend has brought me to the conclusion that, perhaps, marriage wouldn’t be so bad after all.”“Because of Sage…”“Yes, she’s helped me realize that all women aren’t the same.”Tehl plucked a grape from the table and tossed it into his mouth while studying his brother. He agreed that Sage certainly was unique. Like his mother. That thought stopped him mid-chew and a lump lodged in his throat. He forced himself to swallow. “Do you ever think about Mum?”Sam smiled softly and dropped his head to meet Tehl’s gaze. “From time to time. Sometimes, Sage snarks something at me and it reminds me of Mum. I think she would have liked Sage.”“Father said that, as well.”Both men fell silent, lost in their thoughts. His mum would have welcomed his wife with open arms, he was sure. She’d always wanted a girl in their family. Tehl pulled himself from his thoughts and asked, “Have you seen Sage this morning?”Sam blinked and shook his head. “Not this morning. She’s probably skulking around somewhere. I heard her ladies-in-waiting wanted to go to the market this morning, so I bet my horse she’ll hide out all day, just to escape the horrors of shopping.”The brothers exchanged a look and burst out laughing. “I’ve never known a woman to hate shopping more than Sage. I tried to have new dresses commissioned, but she about ripped my head off, spouting off about ‘ridiculous and unnecessary things.’”“Let me guess, she wanted you to use the money to fund some cause?”“She’s predictable in that way, isn’t she?”“Well, at least she isn’t a power-hungry money spender.”Tehl swallowed a bit of honey cake and nodded. “She’s special.” He blinked, surprised at his own admission.Sam grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”“What do you mean by that?”“You’re finally seeing her worth.”His brows wrinkled in confusion. “I’ve always seen her worth.”“No.” Sam shook his head. “Not her worth as a consort, her worth as a woman.”Tehl’s mind conjured up her sweet smile, the glint in her eye when she was about to do something crazy, and the curves she hid beneath linen and leather. “She’s beautiful,” he blurted. “My wife is beautiful.”“Inside and out,” Sam said.“Indeed,” he muttered, staring at the table. He definitely appreciated her appearance, but he had to admit it was the person she was on the inside that had finally won him over. Sage had done many things for his family, but she’d received very little in return which benefited her personally. Maybe he could change that. But what could he do for her? Despite living with her, he didn’t know her very well. All he knew was that she didn’t care for extravagant gifts and she liked weapons, but, as she was a blacksmith, she liked to make her own, so that was not an option. What did women like?“Sam…” He eyed his brother. “What do women like as gifts?”“Jewelry, flowers, romantic dinners, things from the heart. Sage is a little different from the typical woman, but she still appreciates things from the heart.”What was in Sage’s heart? Her friends and family. It was that thought which sparked an idea. He smiled. “I’ve a plan,” he declared. “I’ll set up a dinner with our families at her parents’ home.”Sam slapped a hand on the table, excited by the prospect. “That’d be a perfect gift.”Echoing his brother’s excitement, he expounded on the idea. “I want this to be a surprise. It can be Father, Gav, Isa, Lilja and Hayjen, her brothers, her parents, and the two of us. We can spend the evening together as one united family.”Sam leaned forward on steepled fingers. “Tehl, I must say, I think this is one of the best ideas you’ve had in a long time.”A moment of uncertainty plagued him. “You think she’ll like it?”“She’ll love it.”He stood up and pushed back from the table. “I need to go see her parents and Lilja.”“Right now?”Tehl felt like his smile couldn’t get any wider. “Yes, right now. I want to get this underway as soon as possible, before the summer ends.”“Well, best of luck. Give Gwen and Colm my love.”“Give it to them yourself. You’re coming with me.”Sam’s face dropped. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen them since we discovered Sage at the forge, and I’m not sure they’d welcome my presence.”“Then it’s about time to talk it out. Stop being a coward.”“Very mature.”“What can I say? Communication does wonders. Last night is proof of that.”Sam sidled up to him with a wolfish grin on his face. “What indeed did it accomplish, brother of mine?”He punched his brother on the arm, ignoring the question, and headed toward the doors to the training yard. “None of your business. What happens with my wife is private.”“Your wife? Not Sage?”He smiled. “Yes, my wife.”

1st Chapter of Enemy's Queen

Enemy’s QueenCopyright © 2017 by Frost Kay.First EditionChapter OneJasmine“Jade, we won’t catch a thing if you don’t tread more lightly. How can you make so much noise?” Stephen complained.“Shhhhh…,” Jade’s tiny voice admonished, her fawn-colored eyes narrowed. “You’ll scare the animals.”The young boy huffed. “Suuuurrree. I’m the reason we’ll go without meat.”Jasmine smiled as she glanced over her shoulder at the young boy helping her niece through the underbrush. Each day, Jasmine checked the traps, and each day, she’d bring along either Jade or Ethan, the three-year-old twins. In the meantime, the other would stay with the widows of her village. Today was Jade’s turn. Her niece was trying to walk quietly, but it seemed that the harder she tried, the louder she became. As Jade loudly snapped yet another twig under her feet, Stephen met Jasmine’s gaze, exasperation clear on his face.“At least the animals in our traps can’t run away,” she offered, grinning.Stephen rolled his eyes and shifted an overly-large bow onto his shoulder, looking dejected. “I know.”Pain lanced her heart. The poor thing. He wanted so badly to have a chance trying out his new bow. She sighed. It had been months, yet, in many ways, the Scythian attack still affected them as if it had happened only yesterday. Stephen was but one of the many children to lose his father. She frowned, some of the pain in her heart giving way to anger. None of them would be in this situation if the Scythians hadn’t been such monsters.Jasmine tried to do what she could for the village, and Stephen was one whom she happened to be in a position to assist. He needed archery lessons and she needed help caring for the twins, so their arrangement was a win-win.A small hand slipped into hers, jarring her from her thoughts. “Okay, Auntie?”Jasmine blinked several times, focusing on her niece’s round face as she forced a smile. She squeezed Jade’s hand three times, reminding the little girl that she loved her—one squeeze for each word. It was something her family had always done. A toothy grin split the small child’s face as she returned the three squeezes.She pulled her gaze from her niece to scan the forest. At the edge of a meadow, a small plant sporting small, bright green leaves caught her attention. Dropping to her haunches, she brushed Jade’s dark brown hair from her eyes and widened her own at the small girl. “Guess what I just spotted?”“What?”She leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, “I found strawberry plants!”Her niece squealed and bounced on her toes. “I love strawberries!”“Yes, I know.” Jasmine pointed to the strawberry patch on the left. “They’re right over there, so I need you to stay in the patch and do some picking while I help Stephen with his bow. Okay?”“Okay!”Jasmine released the child’s hand and Jade rushed over to the patch where she immediately flopped down, her hands already searching for the sweet, plump fruit.Jasmine shook her head and turned to her other charge. “You ready?”Stephen smiled and nodded as he yanked his bow from his back. “Where can I shoot?” He skipped over to a flat spot.She chuckled. “Slow down a second. You need to calm down, and be still.”“But I can’t,” he said, bouncing on his toes.Jasmine smiled and wandered over to the boy. “Just close your eyes and breathe. In through your nose, and out from your mouth. Try to calm your mind, still your limbs.”He slammed his eyes shut and breathed in rapid succession. She hid a smile at how excited he was and repeated, “Slowly, Stephen, slowly.”At her admonition his breathing slowed and, as she was hoping, his body relaxed.“Perfect. Now, open your eyes and take up your stance.”Stephen planted his feet shoulder-width apart, rotated into a closed stance, and straightened. Jasmine eyed his stance. “Good, very good. Beautiful form. But don't forget your sequence. You need to perfect this form as well as the movement, so you can effortlessly repeat it each time.” Adjusting his grip, she continued, “You must also remember to grip exactly here.”She stepped back, briefly glancing back to Jade. Her niece was happily munching on strawberries, oblivious to the rest of the world, with her face already stained crimson.Jasmine turned her attention back to Stephen. “Draw.”He wobbled only a little as he pulled back on the bowstring, though his form mostly held.“Excellent job.”The boy smiled at the praise and his cheeks pinked. She stepped forward to tap his hip where it stuck out a bit, and he quickly straightened into a smooth line, accepting the silent critique.“Lower your bow.”He did as she said and looked at her expectantly. “Now what? Can I try it with an arrow now?”“Yes.”He let out a joyful whoop and snatched an arrow from his quiver.“But,” she added, “you must first replicate that stance perfectly ten times.”His nose wrinkled, and he returned the arrow back to its quiver. “Okay.”Leaving the boy to his practice, Jasmine found a comfortable tree, leaned her back against it, and slowly closed her eyes. She took the moment to enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest. She’d always been drawn to the almost magical stillness it offered, and now, like a plant in the desert, she soaked it up. It was something she needed.After a while, she cracked an eyelid, checking on Jade. She was hardly surprised to note her niece hadn’t moved, but she couldn’t help checking on her all the same. Ever since the death of her brother, and the subsequent transfer of the twins to her care, she couldn’t help but be overprotective of them. They were her only family now.Her eyes had just closed again when a sound reached her ears, faint but familiar—thundering hooves. Her brows drew together as the sound grew closer. The hooves weren’t slowing down.Jasmine’s eyes snapped open. The only reason for a rider to be charging in such a reckless fashion through the forest was if they, firstly, were guilty of a crime or secondly, were being chased by something terrible. Neither scenario boded well for herself and the children.“Stephen,” she barked, “we’re leaving.” Rushing to Jade’s side, she urged, “Get up, sweet girl. We need to go.”“I’m still hungry.”“I know. You’re always hungry. But I promise to make some lunch when we get home.” Scooping up the little girl, she threw her on her back and instructed her, “Hold on.”As the sound of the rider drew even closer, Jasmine spun on her heel and swept toward the little boy, who was still struggling with his bow. “Let’s go,” she ordered, grabbing his hand as she passed him. It seemed like his feet were dragging behind her. “Hurry up!” Before they got anywhere her arm jerked, and he cried out.Jasmine released his hand and turned to him, finding his clothes caught on a branch.“I’m stuck,” he said, pulling at his clothes.Her heart picked up speed. The thundering hooves were much closer now. They were almost out of time. She frantically scanned the trees around them. She finally spotted a tree hollow behind a bush and sprinted toward it. She then pulled Jade from her back and pushed her through the bush and into the hollow. “Stay here. I’ll get Stephen, and then we’re going to play hide and seek.”“Okay.”She rushed back to Stephen and tugged on the bow. Somehow, he’d got it hooked in the limbs of a bush and it wouldn’t budge. “We don’t have time for this,” she growled. Pulling a small dagger from her sheath she cut the bowstring.“My papa made that,” he cried, appalled.“I know, and I’m sorry. I can fix it when we get home, but for now, we need to hide.”Desperation filled her voice. The rider was so close, she could hear the horse’s ragged breaths. She yanked Stephen to her and shoved him in the hollow as well—it was just big enough for the two children. Carefully, she sank down behind the bush, sheltering the hollow entrance. “I need you both to be silent. Can you do that for me?”Whispered yeses reached her ears as the horse and rider broke into their meadow. Sweat poured down the flanks of the horse, its chest heaving as the rider dug his heels into the poor creature’s sides. The tall rider held a struggling woman in his arms and Jasmine hissed. If the woman wasn’t careful, she’d fall. A fall like that could kill a person; she was surprised he could even ride like that. Almost as soon as the thought ran through her mind, the woman flung herself from the man’s arms, and narrowly missed the horse’s hooves as she crashed to the ground. Clutching one arm, she struggled to stand. Just as quickly, the man pulled the horse back and dismounted in one smooth motion, storming toward the woman. When he reached her, he yanked her up by the hair and Jasmine had to muffle her gasp of alarm.“How stupid are you? Did you really think you could get away? And now all you’ve done is hurt yourself.”The young woman slammed her head into his nose and spat blood in his direction. He dropped her hair and clutched at his face, cursing. The woman collapsed to the forest floor, heaved, her face pale, and began to crawl away.“Oh, no, you don’t,” he growled. “I think you need to be taught a few lessons.”Jasmine’s stomach dropped when he pinned her to the ground. Oh God, she couldn’t sit there and watch. She had to do something. She glanced back to Stephen and Jade, their small faces pale and frightened. “Don’t watch, loves.” She swallowed. “I need to help the woman, but you two do not leave this hollow unless I come and get you. Understand me?”“Yes,” Stephen whispered, voice shaking.“I need you to keep Jade calm and quiet, Stephen. Can you do that for me?”“Yes.”“Even if I get hurt or look like I’m not okay, do not come get me. You take Jade home and get help. You must not approach that man.” Turning to Jade, she whispered, “Auntie loves you so much, but I need you to be a good girl and listen to Stephen, okay? Once I’m done, we’ll go home and make lunch. Okay?”“Okay.”She kissed both the children’s faces and pulled in a breath before slipping quietly from her hiding place. The man had flipped the woman onto her back and was now holding her down with his weight and pinching her chin between his fingers. The rumble of his voice filled the air, and Jasmine could only guess at what disgusting things he was saying. Anger burned beneath her chest. It was men like this who made the world an awful place for innocents. She glided through the forest on silent feet, drawing closer to the man and woman.“You’ll learn your place,” the man threatened as he slapped the woman across the face, her eyes falling shut. She wanted so badly to charge across the meadow and teach him a swift lesson, but she knew better, so she did the opposite. Inhaling quietly, she continued her careful trek.When she’d almost reached them, the woman’s eyes popped open, revealing vibrant green eyes. The green eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to speak just as a hand clamped over Jasmine’s lips. While keeping her gaze on the woman, she raked her nails down the arm detaining her. Her captor cursed, and the huge dirty hand pressing against her face pressed harder, now covering her nose. When she tried to breathe, no air would come. She thought frantically, trying to recall any of the things her mama had taught her to do in such a situation. She needed to offset her attacker. Jasmine threw herself down, becoming dead weight, hoping to upset his balance. Her move did little to aid her, however, for all he did was grunt and heft her against his body. Dizziness overwhelmed her, but she refused to give up. As a last resort, she bit down with all her might. She gagged as a metallic taste filled her mouth, but she didn’t dare let go. When she felt a blow to her side, she was forced to release his hand as she gasped. Then, something knocked her in the head, and she found herself on the ground, staring at the raven-haired woman.“This wench drew blood,” a male growled.“Well,” a deep, smooth voice answered, “at least she has fight. That’s exactly what we need. Are the men here?”“They’re waiting at the border with Blair. He was getting antsy, because you were late, my lord.”Border? She thought, What border? The treetops swirled together above Jasmine. The only border close is … No! Jasmine tried to sit up, to escape, but the world lurched when she made the attempt and then she was right back on the ground.“There were a few complications,” the smooth-voiced male answered.“Like abusing the master’s woman, my lord?”“She needed to be taught a lesson.”“He’ll be displeased with what you’ve done, my lord.”“We’ll see. Let’s move. It won’t be long before the Crown figures out she’s missing.”Right before the world went black, the green-eyed woman mouthed something to her.Fight.She didn’t need to be told. That was something she would always do.

Audio Book Alert!

I've been waiting to share this with y'all! Rebel's Blade and Crown's Shield are now audio books brought to life by the fabulous Em Elderidge and produced by Tantor! She has narrated a few of Amanda Hocking's books that I love. So when she said yes, I fangirled a little bit!You can grab them here!AudibleAmazon