April A-Z Z is for...

 

Those who follow me and the Chronicles of Shilo Manor, have to know what Z will stand for today.  That’s right.  Z is for Zephyr.  The sweet Breath of Zephyr that all those from the gifted central plane, Meridian, possess.  It’s a scent unique to each individual.  Though all the men share the scent of licorice, and the women, almond, each have their own that they’re able to call on when they are with the one they love.

Cole’s Zephyr is licorice and cream.  James’s is licorice and cinnamon, Vincent’s is licorice and honey, and...should we mention Lord Dressen?  There does seem to be a bit of confusion with the fact that licorice and vanilla keeps coming up in regards to him.  Hmm.

For this post, I’m going to share an excerpt from Cornerstone Deep that I don’t usually post.  It’s during a particularly critical time in the story.  Cole is at a loss, frazzled, and clinging to any hope he can.  I hope you enjoy it.

~ * ~

Cole eased himself onto the bed.  “Don’t give up, Anna.”  The silence of the room swallowed his words.  “I’ll fix this and see to it nothing ever happens to you again.”

Brushing his fingertips over her hair, he solemnly whispered a plea.  “Don’t leave me.”  Her soft locks sent countless memories rushing through his mind:  Her smile, her cheeky comments, her blue eyes dancing as if life itself was a game.  The Arylinite spirit in her embraced every moment of love, able to see beneath façades that others deemed as truth.  He sighed, knowing that side of her may have been unique to that lifetime—a result of her specialized upbringing in the northern territory’s Arylin colony.

He tilted his head and gazed over her still face.  Her features were remarkably similar to Mianna’s.  The gentle slope of her nose, the way she chose to wear her dark hair long, and he couldn’t deny her blue eyes when she’d looked at him.

He cupped her cheek with his hand, gently stroking her lips with his thumb.  They curved from a bow-tie center into a natural smile.  So soft, inviting.  He leaned to her and lightly kissed them then leaned his cheek to hers.

“Talk to me, Anna.”  His breath was a plea.  As much as he knew no answer would come, his heart called to her with his deepest wish.

He brushed his fingers down her neck to her chest, tenderly caressing her pale skin at her gown’s neckline.  A strained pause caught his throat as he lightly followed her breast to her ribcage.

“What’s in your heart?”  The tiny circles he drew on the thin fabric fed his longing for her touch.  Supple creases followed his motion.  To have her arms around him, the love they brought, had given him unmitigated comfort in a past life.  It could be so again.

“My life was yours.”  He kissed the circles he created.  “Every moment, I found joy in you.”  He looked up to her closed eyes.  They were still, cold.  “Please, don’t leave me.  Please promise you’ll be mine again.”

No emotion showed upon the visage of his love, but distant echoes of vows lighted his soul.  “Open to me.”  He wondered if his whispered thought could possibly reach her unconscious mind.  “Speak to me with your soul.”

Her lips parted and a chill flew through him.  He waited, listened intently.  Weak sensations touched his emotions.

“Anna,” he said aloud, hope rising.  He cupped his palm to her cheek again.  “Fight for it.  Call to me.  We can’t end like this.”

Anna remained silent.

Cole’s heart ached.  Yet, that small reaction spurred his resolve.  He framed her face as he lowered to take her lips with his.  “I’ll help you.”

With final hope, he called upon the breath of Zephyr.  The scent of licorice and cream fell from his lips with the entreaty.  His soul’s voice owned his words.  “My life is a mirage of endless time.  But you in this moment, engulf me, rivet my mind, encompass my soul.”

She inhaled his sensual gift and gasped for deeper intake.  Yes.  Hope impossibly filled him.  His muscles tightened with expectation.  His heart pounded against his chest. “Call to me!”

~ * ~

Visit the other A-Z blogs!  You can find the entire list of participating blogs by clicking  HERE or you can click on the A to Z images to go to the official A to Z blog site. 

And now...

I’m running a contest through the A-Z blog hop! 

~ Giveaway ~

I have 14 fantastic books, all by talented authors.  Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Erotic Romance, and Contemporary are among the genres that can be won.  I created a special page to display them.  You can check them out here:

You can enter by using the Rafflecopter below.  The form not only allows you to enter the drawing, it gives you several ways to earn more than one entry.  Enter each day if you wish.

All entrants must be 18 years or older.  

Three winners will be chosen at random, using Random.com.  

• First place will receive 6 titles
• Second and Third places receive 4 titles   

**Note**  Some of the books contain graphic adult situations.  If you do NOT want to receive Erotic Romance books, please note so with your entry.   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once the winners are chosen, I will notify them and contact the respective authors.  Your email will only be shared with the authors to allow them to send you your prize.  Each author generously provided their work for you to enjoy.  I do not own these books.


On that note, I'd like to thank each of the authors that donated titles for this contest.  Without you, I couldn't have offered such a wonderful giveaway!

Until next time, may your dreams be magical.  
      Charlene




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