Blurb:
Nerita is tortured and put through more pain than she ever imagined
could happen. Ahlic has captured her and locked her in a room where
there’s no chance of escape on her own. He forces her to watch the
murder of a friend. She strikes a deal to try and save lives but Ahlic
is not the bargaining type.
After escaping, Ahlic forces her to endure a traumatic loss and haunts
her in her dreams. More powers emerge from her, shocking everyone and
leaving them slightly afraid. While on her own, a witch shows her the
future and tells her grave news. A battle rages in her heart; unsure
of how to handle the revelation.
She seeks Ahlic...but not to destroy him. Feelings she can’t control
drive her to insanity and lust. Will Nerita give in and fall for what
she’s been trying so hard to destroy?
Excerpt:
“Cari! Wait for me!” I called out after her as she flew towards the water.
“Well don’t be so slow! I want to swim!” She turned her head and
was looking into my eyes. The wind was blowing her red hair across her
face. She was so damn sexy. She did a small flip and landed in the
water.
I took my shirt off and threw it on the sand as I was running. When
I reached the water, I held my breath and went under. I opened my eyes
and looked around for her but couldn’t see where she had gone. From
behind, a pair of petite arms wrapped around my neck and I spun
around; crushing her to me in a kiss. When she pulled away, her hair
was floating around her and glowed from the sun illuminating it. We
swam to the top to get air.
She wrapped her legs around my waist and I supported us; feet
barely touching the sand beneath me. “I’ve missed you. You shouldn’t
go away for so long,” she smiled and ran a hand down the side of my
face.
“I’m sorry, Cari. I hate leaving, really, you know that.” I pushed
the wet tangled hair out of her face.
“I know,” She paused for a moment, “Take me with you next time.”
I was stunned. “You want to come with me? To Eurona?”
“Yes. I want to go wherever you are.” A serious, hard line replaced
her smile.
A lump formed in my throat, “I can’t take you.” I pulled her off
from my hips, set her down, and waded back to shore.
Hurt and devastation filled her voice. “Why not?! I’m tired of
waiting around here for you and never knowing when or if you’re ever
coming back!”
“Just drop it, Cari!” I yelled at her. I bent down and grabbed my
shirt quickly off the sand and headed into the forest.
“No! I will not just drop it!” Anger had now replaced the hurt. Her
voice raised a few octaves and was hard and cold. “Why, Ahlic! Why can
you not take me with you to your home!?”
I spun on my heels and grabbed her by the side of her arms.
“Because you are too pure! Eurona will corrupt you and strip you of
your purity. I can’t let that happen. I will lose you forever if you
go there. Don’t you understand that!?” I shook her violently.
“Let go! You’re hurting me, Ahlic!” She was crying.
I immediately released her. Oh bloody hell. What have I done? I
whispered, “Cari, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” I went to
caress her face.
She slapped my hand away from her. “Get the fuck away from me.” She
glared at me and clenched her fists. “Don’t ever touch me again. We’re
done. I’ve seen you take your anger out on others but never thought
you’d lay a hand on me.” She called her horse, Hauna, and jumped on
her back then looked down at me. “You’re a monster and not even I can
save you. I pray the Goddess soothes your spirit and forgives the sins
you’ve committed but I won’t...I can’t.” Her voice cracked as she held
back her tears. Hauna took off and disappeared through the trees. I
was left there alone.
With news of my parents’ deaths, I left Amaranth and returned to
Eurona for my coronation. I deadened my heart, blacked out the world.
My first kill out of anger was a chambermaid who had dropped and
broken a vase. I flew across the room and shoved a knife in her belly.
Her eyes went wide and blood spilled from her mouth. She laid on the
floor and shook as her soul departed her body. I stared down into her
empty eyes and for the first time since Cari left, I felt a weight
lift off my chest.
Months passed and more innocent blood was shed by me. The kingdom
feared me; feared what I had become. I truly became...a
monster.~Ahlic, Chapter 7
Author Bio:
Arielle Caldwell was raised in Pensacola, Florida. She grew up writing
poetry and eventually turned to books. She's an avid reader and lover
of all things book related. When she turned 18, she left Pensacola and
joined the Navy. After 4 years of active duty and aquiring a family,
she returned to her hometown to work on the naval base there as a
civilian where she is there currently. Writing has always been a
fascination and hobby of hers. A lover of tattoos and music, dancing
with her kids no matter how silly she looks, and singing until her
voice goes hoarse. She is married, has 2 wonderful little boys, 2
great danes, and a duck as her family. Life is fabulously crazy for
her and she wouldn't want it any other way.
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Hello!! Thank you for hosting Arielle on her blog tour. I love this!
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