I love that poem.
“Are you Marcus Blackwell, son of the Earl of Thornhill?” The cardinal towered in the pulpit and glared down.
Behind the altar, a long faced Christ stared sadly, haloed in mosaic gold fleck.
Sir Blackwell, Lord of the Meadows, squinted his eyes and frowned up. “You know I am.”
“And are you here of your own free will to confess your sins.” The interrogator’s voice boomed and echoed in the huge church.
“God’s Bloo- oomph” He sucked in his breath when his wife’s elbow lodged deep into his side. She flashed him a honey-sweet smile.
He tried again, but only for his love of the raven-haired gypsy. “I meant to say, I am.”
His lady squeezed his hand, nodded, and gazed brown eyes forward as if nothing was amiss, but her eyes sparkled wickedly.
Marcus smirked.
Head bobbing with enormous cap slipping over his face, the cardinal read out the accusations in Latin. “Do you admit to these?”
What a lot of folderol. Marcus crossed arms over chest to prevent himself from grabbing sword’s hilt. “To being a Templar? That I do. ‘Tis no sin. ‘Tis a great honor.”
The cardinal sneered. “There’s no honor in leaving your priestly vows, without the Pope’s sanction.”
“Which pope? So many have perished as of late, I can’t keep track.”
“The king comes,” a guard shouted at the back of the church.
The door slammed open, people bowed and curtsied, and Edward stomped down the main aisle. He growled, adjusted his crown, and pointed at the cardinal. “Know that I have sent formal protest to His Holiness.”
The cardinal cleared his throat and his fat face reddened. “Marcus Blackwell, Lord of the Meadows, you are charged with leaving your Templar orders, a fate punishable by dismemberment.”
“Oh for the love of all the saints. I was nay truly a Templar.” Marcus gave his renowned scowl, the ignoramus paled, and a woman in the back of the church fainted.
“So you posed as one of God’s chosen but were not? Then we are done here. Guards!” The twit flayed his arms.
“Damnation! You twist my words.” Marcus started forward, but his wife held him back.
She whispered into his ear, “Calm yourself, dear husband, or I shall needs follow you to an early grave.”
“The man is a holy arse-hole of a boar’s behind. I will not stand for it.”
She hid a snicker behind a flowing sleeve. If not for her belly rounded with child, he would travel south with the arse in shackles, and get the blasted proof he needed.
Marcus looked to his friend, Edward. “With your permission, Sire?”
The king nodded, and the crowd parted as Marcus strode to the back of the church. He climbed the back ladder to a small balcony, knowing the acoustics would carry out into the courtyard.
“It was 1272, Edward’s father still reigned. We had less than a thousand men against hoards, and yet we proceeded to Jerusalem, to give aide. The Normans, our allies, never arrived in time.
The enemy, demon-spawn, had no honor. Late at night, they sent an assassin to kill Edward. Being a light sleeper, I heard the commotion. I killed the coward, but not before he managed to put a poisonous knife into Edward’s arm.”
Marcus paused and toned his voice low. “The night was one of the blackest I ever recall. Our future king, in the fever of poison, hacked away at a hundred men. My man and I came to his aide, swords in hand, naked from sleep. The enemy surrounded us. I made my peace with God. I would die brave, buried in the blood of the infidels-”
The door to the church swung open. “Si vous plait? May I take the tale from here?”
“I was just getting to the good parts,” he growled at the familiar French accent.
Edward grinned as Julien, dressed in Templar’s finest mail and armor, clunked down the aisle.
Halfway to the altar, Julien turned, and pointed to the church floor. “Come down from there, mon ami. ‘Tis a truly ridiculous stance, even for you.”
He knelt to the king when he reached the altar, then grinned up the Cardinal, whose mouth had dropped open.
“Allons. Incroyable. No? So. Let me continue. That was where I found them, nigh onto death. Me and my men took pity upon them, and saved their miserable English souls for another day. However, my leader, a man not to be argued with, insisted, on compensation for our hard work. Thus, The Beast of Thornhill joined our holy order, as any sensible man would do, in the same circumstances. Oui?”
He waited for the Cardinal to nod.
“When the war was over, we stopped to see Pope Gregory, who released Sir Marcus from his vows.” Julien shrugged. “C’est fini. That is all.”
“What you say has no proof.” The Cardinal’s face turned a deep shade of violet, matching his miter cap and gown.
Julien winked at Marcus and unrolled a huge parchment with the pope’s seal. “I took it upon myself to keep this.”
“I thought it still in Italy.” Marcus shook his head and grinned.
“Are you daft? Leave such an important document with the Italians?” Julien grinned, kissed Lady Ann’s hand, and raised his purse. “A joust!”Thank you, Clay, for the lovely pictures!
you are most welcome lady Stella.
your center looks amazing.
it keeps growing over time. I cant wait to see you with 1 million views here one day.
Camelot above average on search engines so people are starting to notice us.
we are still in infancy so this is good progress on our part. made possible by the wonderful Camelot family.
Thank you, Clay, for the lovely pictures!
Prolog – at Meredith’s and Thomas’ his pov
The year is 1283
Christmastide near Carlisle
Wounded more by her hateful look than the hole in his chest, Nicholas Bruce raced his mount across the moat and into the great hall. With arrow protruding, he fell, spreading an ever-widening stain on the rush mat. When he closed his eyes, the devil grinned.
A slap brought him back. “Hell’s balls, Nicholas. Just what’ve you gotten yourself into this time?” Thomas D’Agostine cut away the sodden tunic with sharp eyes focused. He shouted over his shoulder into the great room. “Anon. Awake all. We need more torches! Merry, to me.”
Nicholas’ sister fell to her knees, put a cool hand to his cheek, and paled. Her voice shook as she turned to an onlooker. “Wake Lady Ann and have her bring medicines and flesh needles.”
Sleepy gawkers approached with lit torches, candles and lamps. Nicholas moaned and shut his eyes. The devil danced with glee.
His face stung again when Merry slapped a mite too hard. “Don’t you dare die. Not on Christmastide. I won’t have it.”
Heavy eyelids refused to open and to his surprise, clouds, instead of flames, greeted him. He prayed his grin would stick to his dead face. It would prove that a merciful God had forgiven his many sins.
Chapter One – his pov
Three Months prior- September //or late August 1283??
“I won’t kidnap her. God’s blood, she’s a queen.” Nicholas gritted his teeth, clenched fists behind his back, and paced.
Three generations of de Bruces gathered in the upstairs chambers of Castle Carlisle. It rankled how all shared the same red hair, same hazel eyes, and same perfected glower. In an effort to look less like them, Nicholas tied his hair back and shaved frequently.
His elders wore red plaid, as did wall pennants, and a rug in front of the hearth. Even King Edward’s bed, hanging with solid iron chains from the rafters, was covered in bright red with green stripes.
Dear God, if you have any fondness for me, and for England, let the old maggot drop dead. Taking a deep breath, he wandered toward a new wool hanging on the south wall. In it, King Edward battled the Welsh, surrounded by red lions and God’s holy light. A Bruce battled with helm down with an angel guiding his sword. Nicholas grunted. As he remembered, there’d been no holiness on that day, only foul smells of the dying and dead.
His grandsire’s booming voice forced him back to the issue at hand. “If it disturbs your chivalrous nature, woo her as you see fit. What’s so difficult? An overthrown queen’s no queen a ’tall. Steal her away, and put your seed in her.”
Nicholas narrowed his gaze, a perfect mock of their scowl, knowing it would infuriate them. “Just what are you two plotting?”
A knurled index finger shot forth, poking Nicholas in the chest repeatedly. “You should be gladdened by my offer. In the isles, they don’t care so much about low-born bastards.”
“God’s- umph.” Nicholas sucked in air when his father’s fist hit his gut. He gave his father a quick nod of thanks.
The two elder’s faced each other so close that their eyebrows met. His father growled, “We’ll not be discussing my son’s birthright. Not here. Not ever.”
Jowls reddened on both men until they matched the room’s decor. While they were so engaged, Nicholas slipped toward the door, **** it open, and peered. Freedom. He jumped back when swinging wood nearly caught his nose. It closed with a bang.
His grandsire pushed him back into the room. “You will obey.”
“King Alexander intends for Lady Fay to marry a Scot, nay English.”
It took all Nicholas’ will not to take arms against the old maggot as he opened his palms to heaven. He raised his eyes, and smiled as if saying mass for God Almighty.
“We’re but pawns in the game of kings.”
Nicholas scoffed. Even the fishwife knew that his grandsire, the fifth Earl of Annandale, plotted only for himself. “Let’s say I were to agree. ’Tis well known that Lady Fay arrowed the last two suitors straight through the heart. ‘Twould be easier to bed a rabid boar.”
“I thought you loved a quest.” His grandfather’s eyes glowed red from the fire and his grin exposed yellowed teeth.
Shuddering, Nicholas shook off the devilish image. “Heed me. She lives on an island, surrounded by loyal guards. None will allow an English knight onto of the Isle of Man. I know. I met some of them in Scarborough.”
“If you’d married her there, as I asked, none of this would be necessary. If you’re worried you’re not handsome enough, I’ll send you with a dowry.” He chuckled and tugged his balls.
Biting his tongue, so as not to land back in the dungeon, Nicholas toned his voice with care, “Very well, but when I return with her, I expect to be knighted.”
His father put a hand to his shoulder. “Do this one more deed for Edward and for England, and I will see to it.”
His grandsire snorted.
Nicholas shook off his father’s fondness and seethed. “Should you not, this time I will see to it that we all hang.”
He turned on his heel and slammed the door behind him.
(https://www.camelotfantasies.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fojk1E6h.jpg&hash=63243b729a8fb32efb262708254f2488b4a5f4a3)
Power coiled through him. Roughly, he hauled her to the bed. Her back met the mattress and he positioned himself above her. He spread her thighs wider with his knees. She curled her hands over his broad shoulders, feeling the muscles clench and tighten under her palms.
He stilled above her. The thick head of his **** nudged the swollen folds.
Amidst the addictive hunger, there was something more. Something Zoe didn’t want to speculate on. For a moment, apprehension edged at her arousal.
“Say it, Zoe. Say you’re mine.”
It was a claiming.
He was claiming her.
And she desperately wanted to belong.
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
He thrust into her, working himself deeper, his gaze locked with hers. She gasped and gripped his shoulders tighter. He eased back, then pushed inside her again, slowly, deeply. He filled her perfectly.
“Mine,” he growled. “My mate.”
“Yes.” She was fighting to breathe. Fighting to make sense of the sensations tearing through her.
His hips jerked hard, burying himself inside of her.
“You need to say it back to me, angel.”
“My mate,” she whimpered, feeling a new surge of energy pulsating through her body. A brilliant array of color, pleasure, sensations vibrated through her. For a brief, intense moment, she felt as if her body and soul merged with his, and her senses exploded with the pleasure of it.
His **** throbbed inside her, thick and hard, stretching the sensitive tissue. Electric pulses began to race through her body. Jack’s jaw clenched, fighting for control. He pulled back, then slammed in, harder, deeper. Impaling her with swift, hard strokes.
She dug her nails into his shoulders and gasped. Her vision darkened as she cried out with her release. The pleasure broke her. Every neuron in her body seemed to explode in ecstasy.
The vortex burst sending violent waves of energy ricocheting off the walls. She heard Jack’s shout, felt the overpowering pleasure of his release pulsating inside her.
Closing her eyes, Zoe held onto him and knew nothing would ever be the same again.
She was lost to him.
Here is a list of all the wonderful bloggers who are BOOK BLASTING this week!
- Boom Baby Reviews http://boombabyreviews.miadarien.com
Wicked Readings by Tawania http://wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com
Indie Author How-to http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com
CelticLady's Reviews http://www.celticladysreviews.blogspot.com
Jessica Larsen's Blog jessicalarsenblog.blogspot.com
Charline's Blog and More... www.charlineratcliffblog.com
Indy Book Fairy http://paranormalbookfairy.blogspot.com/
BB's Book Reviews http://bbsbookreviews.com/
Teatime and Books http://www.facebook.com/teatimeandbooks
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin' http://stormynightbloginandreviwing.blogspot.com/
Foofy * Not Foofy http://www.foofynotfoofy.com/
Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog http://ogitchidabookblog.blogspot.com
Book Reviews And Giveaways BookReviewsAndGiveaways.org
Lynn's Love of Books http://lynnsloveofbooks.blogspot.com
Girl of 1000 Wonders http://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com/
Books Direct http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com
Hope. Dreams. Life... Love http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
A http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com
Indie Author How-to http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com
underneath the covers http://underneaththecoversblog.com/
Author B. L. Blair http://blblair100.blogspot.com/
Always Write Club http://alwayswrite.club
Paranormal Romance and Beyond http://www.ashlynnelaynne.blogspot.com/
Laura's interests http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/
DJ's Book Corner http://www.djsbookcorner.com
Masquerade Crew http://www.masqueradecrew.com
eBook Builders http://www.e-bookbuilders.com
Boom Baby Reviews http://www.boombabyreviews.com January 25th
Books Direct http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com January 28th
Hope. Dreams. Life... Love http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com January 25th
A http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com January 25th
Teatime and Books http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com January 29th
Indie Author How-to http://indieauthor-howto.blogspot.com January 25th
underneath the covers http://underneaththecoversblog.com/ January 26th
Author B. L. Blair http://blblair100.blogspot.com/ January 27th
charline's blog and more... www.CharlineRatcliffBlog.com January 25th
Always Write Club http://alwayswrite.club January 26th
Paranormal Romance and Beyond http://www.ashlynnelaynne.blogspot.com/ January 27th
Laura's interests http://dogsmomvisits.blogspot.com/ January 26th
Girl of 1000 Wonders https://girlof1000wonders.wordpress.com January 27th
ahhhh.... chew! Yup. I caught a cold.
My nose is red and my head is clogged
My throat a bit sore, my brain is fogged.
I never get sick, I said yesterday, I knocked on wood
Obviously it was too late...
I’m Steellllllaaaaa.
I would love to connect with you in other social medias...
Fun facts? I am an actual descendant of the Mayflower (first couple .. John Alden and Priscilla Mullins)
I grew up in New England.
Favorite Dessert? Creme Brulee
I’m allergic to Tomatoes and Red Food Dye #40.
I eat like a cavewoman… Paleo Diet.. except when I cheat…
Some Links:
Website: http://www.stellamariealden.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellaMarieAlden
Twitter: @stellamariealde
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13495789.Stella_Marie_Alden
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stella-Marie-Alden/e/B00X08ZD7E
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/StellaAlden/
Favorite Things....
Mani-s and pedi-s and looking like 40,
Oil of Olay and a car that’s quite sporty.
Got my guitar with a set of new strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cold shoulder sweaters with hot handsome hubby,
Dancing till midnight, a bottle of bubbly,
Wild riffs that fly and a guy that can sing,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Boys in tight t-shirts with jeans that are holey,
Bars that are hoppin’, and shots of Patron-ey, (oh well)
Wild times of winter that promise of spring
These are a few of my favorite things
When the trolls bite,
And my screen pings,
When I’m feeling sad...
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feeeel ssoooooo bad.
thank you very much. heee heee