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.
EXCERPT
England 1154
The woods
were dim with the day nearly at an end. They would not reach the next town
before dark. She picked up her heavy skirts and walked farther into the trees;
the quiet and solitude wrapped around her like a balm. Her horse followed,
snatching at a random leaf that still clung to a branch. Common sense told her
to turn around, but a noise—no, a song —floated over the stillness.
Without
thought, Melissa moved toward the sound. She approached the edge of the forest
and stopped just behind a large oak. A man stood on a hill, beckoning to
someone or something. His voice captured her, bound her to the spot, and her
eyes fixed on the scene.
Silhouetted
against the blood–orange sun sinking into the horizon, the dark, powerfully
built figure slowly raised his right arm toward the evening sky. The sides of
his mantle fluttered in the autumn breeze as a hawk screeched in answer. He
raised his left arm, and the howl of wolves echoed through the air in obedient
response.
A sudden gust
of air swirled the black, heavy cloak around the legs of the man, sending
leaves flying about his feet as if they were commanded to dance. Melissa
watched from behind the tree and held her breath, for fear of being discovered.
His resonant
voice rose in a chant that captivated, then soothed. It spoke to her, beckoned
her. She clutched at the rough tree bark to resist the physical pull. Then the
chant abruptly ceased.
His head
snapped around and golden eyes locked onto hers. His gaze seemed to pierce her
very soul, and her body pulsed with excitement as he pushed back the hood,
exposing raven hair and the chiseled features of an extraordinarily handsome
face. The rising moon glinted off his chain mail, his hand now resting on his
sword hilt. She gasped, her gaze transfixed on the most magnificent creature
she had ever seen.
Distant
voices threatened to encroach upon this moment of fate. She pushed the sound to
the back of her mind and focused only on the mysterious man in front of her.
The urge to move closer overwhelmed her, and she stepped away from the shelter
of the tree. Her feet moved of their own will, and her arms reached out to this
stranger who now filled her with an intense need.
The voices
behind her grew louder. Footsteps rustled dead leaves and brush, intruding on
the enchantment. Her mind, not yet ready to let him go, struggled to stay in
his world. But the mystical influence receded, and she knew he had released his
hold over her. An inexplicable emptiness took its place.
Melissa
reluctantly turned toward the commotion behind her, certain he would be gone
when she looked back over her shoulder. Would she see him again? Her father had
spoken of a wizard rumored to have the ear of the king. Her mind a tangle of
unexplained questions, she bowed her head and attempted a look of repentance as
her father approached.
“Daughter!
What were you thinking to wander off alone?” She heard more worry in his tone
than anger. “These are hard times. I fear too many thieves lurk near the main
roads.”
“Yea, my
lord.” The relief on his face caused her to regret the impulse for a moment of
privacy.
She cast one
last glance at the hill but spied only a single hawk, circling low. The bird
landed on a nearby branch, observing the group. As Melissa admired its beauty,
her heart raced. One hand covered her chest as her eyes locked onto a pair of
golden ones. It cannot be him. Unless...
The bird
seemed to read her thoughts. With one sharp cry, the winged creature took
flight and disappeared over the trees. She reached out to stop him, but he
vanished into the night.
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.
Thank you for featuring Rolf's Quest today! Brandy, Tasty Book tours
ReplyDelete