Beltaine’s Song, Book 2, Dark Goddess Trilogy
Enter Dark Age Scotland””a mysterious, dangerous & exciting place”¦
Buy links: http://kelleyheckart.com/BeltainesSong.html
Blurb: For each of them, spring’s song has a different meaning.
Aedan and Domelch must battle earthly foes””enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?
For their son, Gartnait, spring brings with it the promise of new love and the thrilling sound of the battle horn, putting those he cares about in danger.
Beltaine’s Song Excerpt:
King Galan and King Morcant, along with their advisors, listened intently as Aedan told them the news of King Conall’s death. Domelch sat next to him, feeling relaxed.
“I need to know for certain that both of ye will support me in fighting for the kingship of Dal Riata.” Aedan’s expression grew serious. He carefully watched each king, his gaze unyielding.
Galan met Aedan’s unwavering stare. “I am with you. I have waited for this moment to finally move against Bridei.”
Galan’s warrior marks flickered in the lamplight, marking his many battles and kills, a reminder to Domelch of his great experience as a Priteni warrior.
“As am I. I see many advantages to aligning myself with the king of Dal Riata.” Morcant smiled, his fox-like face looking keen in the lamplight.
“I must request that your advisors leave the room before we continue,” Domelch said, looking at the two monks who appeared stunned by her request.
“This is most unreasonable,” sputtered Talgorm, Galan’s advisor.
“I agree.” Morcant’s advisor glowered at her.
Galan held up his hand, putting a halt to their protests.
Morcant looked bemused by it all. “I have to say I am quite curious as to what must be so secretive that our advisors have to leave.”
“Is it necessary that they leave?” Galan looked at her with a questioning expression, a reddish brow arched.
“Yes.”
“If Galan has no protest to this, I will allow it.” Morcant turned his attention to Galan, folding his hands in front of him on the table.
“Talgorm, wait for me outside,” Galan requested.
The two monks left, grumbling and giving her dark looks.
“Well, please do not delay. I am most eager to hear this,” Morcant said, his face filled with curiosity.
“For this alliance to work, it will require an oath of fealty, a blood oath,” Domelch stated. “This is not Aedan’s doing. I am the one who requires it.”
“An oath of fealty I can well understand, but a blood oath? You do not trust your own brother?” Galan’s pale green eyes flashed with amusement.
“No.”
Galan looked taken aback. “Dear sister, have I ever given you cause to distrust me?”
“Dear brother, I know of your impulsive nature. Besides, a blood oath will also ensure that Aedan keeps his word. We all have much to gain here. If we are to become an invincible power, we need to work together and have absolute trust. The ancient blood oath will ensure that trust on all sides.”
Morcant looked on with a mixture of amusement and admiration. “An ancient blood oath. Most clever indeed.” He looked at her with admiring eyes, glancing at the other two kings, pondering his answer. “I will take the blood oath.”
Galan groaned, giving his sister a wounded look. “As will I.”
Galan’s wounded expression recalled memories within Domelch of when they were lovers back when she was Cardea and she rejected him for Aedan. Having those memories sometimes confused her as to who she was now. Only Galan could arouse the demon within her and now she would be seeing more of him.
The feeling unsettled her but she shook it off, producing a dagger and motioned for a servant to bring the cup of mead. One by one, the three kings held out their hands. Domelch sliced their palms with the whetted blade, dripping dark red droplets into the golden mead, swirling like a maelstrom of blood and fire. She spoke words in Latin, waving her hand over the cup. The scent of human blood, sweet and intoxicating, filled her senses. Like a haunting melody, it weaved its spell into her soul, filling her veins with a hunger. She stiffened, terrified by her dark thoughts, thinking that part of her long dead.
Solemn-faced, each king took a drink of the crimson-laced drink, saying, “I vow complete fealty to my blood brothers as long as I shall live.”
Quiet descended on the hall, the shadows retreating to the far corners. She thought she heard the ancients whispering, their presence filling the hall. A ripple of dark wings stirred the fire, sending a chill breeze against her cheek. Their cold talons stirred the fire, raising and lowering the flames as if in acknowledgement of the ancient blood oath. It was not an oath to be taken lightly. If broken, the penalty was death.
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Kimberly
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/beltainessongbykelleyheckart.html
This story is a remarkable one on so many levels. The theme spoke to my soul and touched my heart. The warrior women made this story sing for me”¦I adored the way Ms. Heckart tangled religion and politics into a tale that held my interest to the very end.
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Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating…Sensual…Otherworldly
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A Greek vampire, Celtic kings, vengeful goddesses, an ancient faery curse”¦
All three books of my Dark Goddess trilogy are available in Print and Ebook. Set in dark age Scotland, I mixed history with a Samhain/Beltaine myth that revolves around an Irish clan and the goddesses Brigit and Cailleach.
http://kelleyheckart.com/BookShelf.html
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