A wizard, a curse, a fated love…
ROLF'S QUEST
A Medieval Encounter #1
Aubrey Wynne
Releasing Feb 1st, 2017
Plato Publishing
A wizard, a curse, a fated love…
When Rolf Finally discovers the woman who can end the curse that has plagued his family for centuries, she is already betrothed. Time is running out for the royal wizard of King Henry II. If he cannot find true love without the use of magic, his line will end.
Melissa is intrigued by the mystical, handsome man who haunts her by night and tempts her by day. His bizarre tale of Merlin, enchantments, and finding genuine love has her questioning his sanity and her heart.
From the moment Melissa stepped from his dreams and into his arms, Rolf knew she was his destiny. Now, he will not only battle against time and a powerful duke, but defy his king and the gods to save her.
England 1154
The
surrounding mist climbed Melissa’s boots and swirled in and around her legs
like an affectionate cat. Gentle but firm, it pushed her inside the magical
forest. The stillness of the place struck her. The kind of hush that fell over
a room when something significant was about to happen. Her heart raced in
anticipation. In front of her towered a massive Hawthorne tree with charred
branches that seemed to welcome her. Between the gnarled limbs was a large
blackened hole that filled the center of the trunk.
“I have been
waiting for you.” She jumped at the sound of an old man’s voice. She screamed
as a face appeared in the tree. “I do not mean to frighten you, child. I admire
your courage. It’s a quality essential to your future.”
“Why am I
here?” Melissa asked.
“To meet your
Fate,” answered the raspy voice. The distant sound of hoof beats distracted the
ghost–like image. “And he has arrived.”
Melissa
turned toward the forest opening in confusion. “The mist...”
“Yea, it
conceals our home from trespassers on the outside but does not impede our view
from within.” The elderly man chuckled. “Rolf did not exaggerate your beauty.”
“Rolf?”
The hammering
of hooves grew nearer.
“Ah.” The old
man shook his head, regret in his eyes. “I must go.”
Horse and
rider burst through the tree line. A presence enveloped her, an aura she
recognized… The man on the hill. The same man that entered her mind each night.
And his name was Rolf.
The great
black beast came to a stop before her; an agitated snort escaped his flared
nostrils. The stranger dismounted in a swirl of black cloak and raw strength.
His eyes—glittering like gilded gold—fastened upon her, stealing her breath. In
one fluid motion, he wrapped a powerful arm around her waist and pulled her
hard against his chest.
He spoke only
one word. “Melissa.”
Her body’s
response to him frightened her—already she gave in to his demands willingly.
The nearness of him sent Melissa’s blood pounding through her ears.
“Rolf?” she
whispered, clinging to him, afraid to raise her eyes.
His fingers
lightly stroked her cheek and sent a shudder through her body. He lifted her
chin, bent his head, and then paused. Uncertain, she found the courage to look
up, her mouth half–open in a silent question. The intensity and passion in
those hawk-like eyes told her he now claimed her as his own. Their breath
mingled for a moment before his lips brushed hers. Then she threw back her
head, surrendered to the sheer pleasure of his kiss, and her world shattered.
The soft
touch of his mouth sent a shiver through her soul that made her knees buckle.
His chest was hard beneath her palms. He buried his fingers in her hair and
forced her head back, demanding more. She clutched at his surcoat to keep
herself upright.
“I must have
you,” he murmured as his teeth nipped her earlobe. His breath tickled and
teased her neck. One hand roamed the length of her back, sending waves of heat
to her core. His manhood pushed against her skirt.
Melissa
struggled to free herself from this spell, this desire that brought with it a
hunger she’d never known. Her betrothed waited somewhere beyond the trees, and
she knew instinctively this meeting would cause them both grief. Even as her
mind told her to run, her heart kept her rooted in place. She stopped
resisting, leaned into him, and gave way to pure passion.
But as her
mouth opened to return the kiss, he slipped away. Her eyes flew open, and his
image wavered then faded into the darkness. “Come back to me. Do not leave me
like this,” she cried.
Melissa
awoke, the tears wet upon her cheeks. Emptiness burned in her stomach. She
wrapped her arms around herself and curled into a tight ball to shield her body
from the pain. She should not have hesitated.
Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule and barn cats. She is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. Obsessions include history, travel, trail riding and all things Christmas.
Her short stories Merry Christmas, Henry and Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies won the Preditors & Editors Reader’s Choice in 2013 and 2014. Dante’s Gift, the first in A Chicago Christmas series, received the 2016 Golden Quill, Aspen Gold and Heart of Excellence awards.
Her upcoming series “A Vintage Romance” was inspired by tales of her stepfather, who served for the British Air Force in WWII. Wynne’s medieval fantasy series “Medieval Encounters” will launch in 2017 with Rolf’s Quest.
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