Excerpt PAGAN QUEEN - by Vijaya Schartz

CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE Book 2

PAGAN QUEEN

by Vijaya Schartz

May 2012 release from Books We Love Ltd

Find it with book one, Princessof Bretabhe, on Amazon  HERE

EXCERPT

"You almost died. And our son might have lived if you had not disobeyed." Elinas slapped Caliburn’s scabbard against his leather trews.

Pressine had not seen him so upset since the first day he’d barged into these very rooms, after she had cleaned and rearranged them, erasing all traces of his departed queen. Even the roaring fire in the hearth did not dispel the chill.

"I did not think the child would suffer. At the time, I had to save the villagers." Still, the guilt weighed heavily on Pressine’s chest, robbing her of the will to defend herself.

"Endangering your life and his, to confront a pack of hungry beasts... alone?" Jaw twitching, Elinas locked his hands behind the back of his purple coat and paced like a caged wolf, eyes ablaze with simmering fury.

"I had the power to stop the carnage. No one else could." Heart racing, Pressine smoothed her blue dress, trying to sound convincing. "In my vision the wolves slaughtered many women and children. It was my duty to help."

Elinas rolled his eyes toward the wide beams holding the ceiling. "Do not talk to me about sacred duty!"

Walking the length of the table, he ignored the untouched breakfast of pea flour bread, boiled duck eggs, and fresh goat cheese. If Elinas infuriated so easily, now would not be the time to tell him that Mattacks had tried to kill her. He would never believe it.

"Maybe you did as you pleased among the Ladies of the Lost Isle..." Elinas turned fiery eyes on Pressine. "But in my castle, I am responsible for your well being. You should never have endangered your life. No duty of yours is worth dying for."

Pressine’s chest tightened at the harsh tone. Where had all the love and tenderness gone? Was this the same man who had pleasured her all night on this very bed, whispering sweet words in her ear?

"You deliberately endangered your life!" A heavy fist slammed the table.

Pressine jumped along with the breakfast food, the pewter cups, and the ewer of mulled ale. Elinas’ anger hurt so much, she wanted to cry, but she steeled herself against the onslaught.

Although deeply shaken, she managed to keep her voice calm. "I am not just your wife, not just a queen. I am a Priestess of the Lost Isle. I belong to the Great Goddess. I thought you understood, since you have some Fae blood in you."

"So I am told, but it does not affect my judgement." Elinas glowered from across the table. His dark stubbled jaw tensed.

Pressine braced herself to weather the storm.

"After three years of marriage, you still remain a mystery to me. What are you really?" The feral eyes narrowed to slits. "How many deadly secrets are you hiding from me? Would you leave me if the Goddess demanded it?"

Pressine remained silent. Would she? Could she?

Elinas paused, as if stunned by the implications of her silence. He turned away and stared

at the rug, shoulders tense with raw emotions. "What else are you not telling me? Will all our children be deformed?"

THE CURSE OF THE LOST ISLE now has two books - by Vijaya Schartz

From history shrouded in myths, emerges a family of immortal Celtic Ladies, who roam the medieval world in search of salvation from a curse. For centuries, imbued with hereditary gifts, they hide their deadly secret... but if the Church ever suspects what they really are, they will be hunted, tortured, and burned at the stake.

PRINCESS OF BRETAGNE:

http://amzn.com/B007K1EGAM

806 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) -

As the Vikings raid the coast of Alba, Pressine of Bretagne sets out to seduce King Elinas of Dumfries, chosen by the Goddess to unite the tribes against the foreign invader. Elinas, still mourning his departed queen, has no intention to remarry. Head-strong and independent, Pressine does not expect to fall for the very attractive, wise and noble ruler... Furthermore, her Pagan nature clashes with the religious fanaticism of the king’s Christian heir, who suspects her unholy ancestry and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

PAGAN QUEEN:http://amzn.com/B007Z8F7IA

810 AD - Alba (Ancient Scotland) - Queen at last, Pressine brings victory to her beloved Elinas and prosperity to their growing kingdom. But she has to contend with the intrigues of Charlemagne's bishops, spurred by her Christian stepson. While Elinas, on the battlefield, remains unaware of his son’s machinations, Pressine fends off repeated assaults against her life. She also fears the curse that could bring her downfall. For the love of Elinas, she will tempt fate and become with child. But when her indomitable passion challenges the wrath of the Goddess Herself... can she win that battle?

Although each novel can be read separately, both novels feature the same hero and heroine a few years apart and should be read back to back. Originally they were supposed to be one very long book, but it was way too much for one volume, so it was decided to make it two separate novels. The next novels in this series will skip generations and involve different main characters.

Vijaya also writes medieval and romantic science fiction series, like The Chronicles of Kassouk and the Ancient Enemy series and the Archangel twin books, Crusader and Checkmate.

Find all Vijaya's other books in Amazon kindle HERE