Twilight of a Queen (The Dark Queen Saga, Book 5)
Susan Carroll
Language: English
Pages: 254
ISBN: 0449221091
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
As war and treachery loom, an ambitious man�s mission threatens to topple two dazzling realms and their formidable rulers: Catherine de Medici, the Dark Queen, and Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle.
It is 1588, and as the Spanish Armada prepares to besiege England, Paris balances on the brink of revolution. To maintain her grip on the throne and on the dark magic that has become her obsession, Catherine de Medici turns to Louis Xavier, a ruthless corsair who was schooled in the dark arts and has mastered piracy along the Spanish main. But Louis�s basest instincts are held in check by the kindness of Lady Jane Danvers, a British exile whose innate sense of honor is but one facet of her complex and passionate nature.
On Faire Isle, Ariane Cheney, unaware of the escalating threat from the Dark Queen, struggles with the task of protecting the daughters of the earth and their vast store of ancient magical wisdom. Weak and desperate for an advantage, the ailing Catherine makes a devil�s bargain that will cast a shadow over all
In Search of Eden (Second Chances Collection, Book 2)
The Look of Love: The Art of the Romance Novel
never heed the word of some insignificant young girl. Perhaps she could find some other way to put the duke on his guard. But she had enough worries of her own. There was one more thing she needed to do before tomorrow. She had to see Xavier. XAVIER SAT UP ON HIS PALLET, BRACING HIS BACK AGAINST THE wall. The sips of Meg’s potion had helped to restore some of his strength, but he almost thought he had been better off when he was half-delirious. He had nothing to do but watch the progress of
stop to all such plans. It was wrong to take such savage satisfaction in anyone’s death, even Catherine’s. Had not the Dark Queen herself provided a tragic example of what could befall a daughter of the earth when she gave way to thoughts of bitterness, hatred, and vengeance? Ariane had more reason than most to rejoice at Catherine’s death, after all the harm and discord that the queen had wrought in Ariane’s own life. But she felt nothing but a pang of sadness and regret. No one could fault
uncomfortably aware of Ariane’s steady regard. A soft note crept into the woman’s voice as she said, “You are of great use, Jane. I could never have managed today without you. Whether Captain Xavier knows it or not, he is greatly in your debt.” “Me? What did I do that was of such importance?” “You soothed him, steadied him. I don’t think he would have allowed me to touch his arm but for your persuasion. You won his trust. But I have observed that you have a gift for that.” “Likely because I
hoping to shame him into retreat. But the man clearly had no shame, perhaps because he had nothing to be ashamed of. His calves and thighs were as lean and well-honed as his flat stomach and broad chest. The male member that nestled between his legs was in resting position, but Jane imagined it capable of rising to an impressive length. He struggled to his feet, only to sway dangerously. He would have fallen flat on his face if Jane had not rushed forward to catch him. She staggered beneath his
sold off an innocent girl to a woman as evil as Catherine. But Jane could not help recalling that Xavier had never regarded Meg as an innocent. He had called her Megaera, insisted that she had a darker side. He had not approved Ariane’s choice of her as the next lady of Faire Isle. If he believed Meg was a witch, perhaps he saw nothing wrong with claiming the reward Catherine offered. There was nothing that Xavier desired more than obtaining a ship, the chance to pursue his far horizons. And yet
