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  Seduced by the King

  Book One: The Valhalla Skies Saga © 2014 by Ana Lee Kennedy

  All Rights Reserved.

  This is a work of fiction.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  For more information contact:

  Riverdale Avenue Books

  5676 Riverdale Avenue

  Riverdale, NY 10471.

  www.riverdaleavebooks.com

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  Cover Design by Insatiable Designs

  Digital ISBN 978-1-62601-092-5

  First Edition May 2014

  An earlier version of this novel was published as The Moon Saga by Faith Bicknell Brown.

  PART ONE

  Innocence is such a fragile thing. Love even more so, but Mankind’s hate endures...

  Chapter One

  His emerald eyes mesmerized her, and the hunger within them both excited and frightened Honey. She knew she should not feel this way about a stranger, a man who could not possibly exist.

  He lowered his sinewy body onto hers. His scent, a curious blend of cloves, spices and sunbaked leaves, intoxicated Honey like the heady moonbeam wine her sister, Bella, made. He kneaded her breasts as he kissed from her neck to the valley between them, each touch of his lips fanning tiny flames upon her skin. She gasped as he seized the sensitive peak of one breast and parted her legs with a knee.

  Jerking awake, Honey glanced around. Between her legs, her hot, moist undergarment clung to her, and her pulse pounded in her ears. Her enigmatic lover’s touch remained fresh upon her body, and still smelled of his spicy aroma. Blinking sleepily, she recalled lying down in the grass next to her mother’s goldfish pond, thinking of her upcoming birthday, the late afternoon sun warming her bones.

  A shadow fell over her. Honey turned to find a pair of scuffed leather boots covered in green embers. More fell on the grass and the toes of the boots, winking out like dying fireflies. She swatted the boots, patting out the… Honey paused, frowning. What happened to the fiery green sparks?

  She rubbed her eyes and looked up, sighing nervously upon seeing her cousin. “Oh, Shandon! You frightened me. I was…uh…dreaming.” Her face grew warm as the details of her vivid dream rushed in on her. “I had no idea you had returned.”

  He favored her with a roguish grin that made the townswomen helpless against his charms, and his sisters vie for his attention. “You were dreaming that you were mashing my toes?”

  Honey giggled, feeling ridiculous. “I thought I saw green…” She shrugged. “Never mind. Forgive me. It was silly and childish.”

  “Your mother sent me to look for you,” Shandon said, an amused note in his voice. “Our evening meal is ready.”

  Honey couldn’t quite meet his eyes. Heat rose in her cheeks again.

  “Is something wrong?”

  She shook her head.

  Shandon reached down and stroked the top of her head. “I heard you murmuring in your sleep, li’l one. Was your dream a bad one?”

  Next to her, several large goldfish disturbed the water’s surface. Honey twiddled her fingers in the water, contemplating her dream—or dreams. For the past year, a lover came to her while she slept. The same mysterious man kissed and touched her until she awoke gasping and quivering. Sadly, she could never recall much about him except his riveting emerald eyes, his wondrous touch, and the exquisite sensation of his body upon hers.

  When she would awaken, his scent clung to her clothes and hair. Even the taste of him still lingeredupon her tongue.

  Looking up at her cousin, Honey replied, “It wasn’t a bad dream, but it was certainly—unnerving.” What did Shandon actually hear? Shame washed over her so intensely that her heart thudded loudly in her ears.

  Her cousin offered his hand. “Come, li’l one. Your mother will be wroth with us if we let our food grow cold.”

  She allowed him to help her to her feet. Reluctantly, she met his gaze. A knowing smile danced within Shandon’s eyes.

  “When did you get back?” she asked in hopes the change in discussion would distract him so he wouldn’t notice the intense fire gracing her cheeks. “The family assumed you would be gone for a few more days.”

  “I returned about an hour ago,” Shandon replied and tucked her arm into his.

  “Did you have any trouble in the Great Woods?”

  He chuckled. “The Fae folk do not bother me, Li’l One. I’m Shandon the Brave! Shandon the Conqueror!”

  Swatting his arm, Honey laughed softly. “I missed you, my handsome cousin. It is boring here when you are gone.”

  “I brought you material for a new dress,” he said, offering her a wide smile. “What color?”

  “A bright green like the fields outside the village.”

  “Oh, how wonderful! I hope it wasn’t too expensive.”

  “For you, Li’l One, it was worth it.”

  She smiled up at him as he led her through the garden. “But won’t giving me such a lovely gift make the rest of your lady cousins jealous?”

  “I brought them each something so that no one would feel neglected or favored above another.” He patted her hand snuggled in the crook of his arm. “You are so selfless, Li’l One. Perhaps that’s why I do love you so.”

  The hoof beats of approaching horses drifted into the gardens. Following the sound, Honey spotted a dark red cap upon one of the riders. She squinted, trying to see better, but as the riders entered the farm’s gate, and there was no doubt as to the identity of the visitors.

  Halting, Honey groaned and stomped her foot. “Oh, how I hate it when Mother invites that bore!”

  “Perhaps tonight we’ll get lucky and Kaedric will choke on a morsel of food.”

  Surprise swept over Honey. She looked up into her cousin’s eyes and saw anger and hate?

  “Do you truly wish such an ill fate upon another?” she asked.

  Growling in irritation, Shandon took a step forward with her. “I really do detest that man. His father, Jorgus, isn’t quite as bad, but it’s obvious he desires you to wed Kaedric.”

  “If Mother has her way, I’ll be Kaedric’s wife by the end of the year.”

  “Possibly sooner if negotiations go well with Jorgus.” The anger in his voice carried on the evening breeze.

  “Don’t say that!” Honey tried to avoid her distraught tone but failed miserably.

  As they turned up the footpath leading to the house, Honey saw her sister, Callan, run out of the barn to greet their dinner guests.

  “You will not marry that pompous ass,” Shandon practically snarled. A shiver raced through Honey at the menacing quality in her cousin’s voice. “It is my right as the man of the house to choose whom you shall marry.”

  “My father may be dead, but you will still have to fight my mother, and you know how she is when her mind is made up. Kaedric and his father are the wealthiest in the village. Mother sees Kaedric as the perfect man for me—and an easy way to pay our debts.” Fighting a wave of despair, Honey added, “Their wealth aside, everyone believes both men are pleasing to the eyes and very charming.”

  “So is a snake sunning itself upon a pretty rock.”

  ***

  In the meal room, Maybelle spooned brightly hued berries into small wooden bowls while Honey drizzled wine and cream into each one. Across from them, Amberon their mother, stooped, wrapping a coarse cloth around the handle of a steaming teakettle suspended from a hook above the hearth fire. Their mother turned with the teapot, flashed a triumphant smile at Honey, and walked into a small room used only to entertain guests. Passing through the doorway, her m
other’s skirts whispered against the frame like ghostly laughter.

  Honey sighed and made a face at her mother’s departing back.

  “Kaedric is pleasing to the eyes,” Maybelle said. “You should be happy that Mother is negotiating with Jorgus to wed you to his son.”

  “Kaedric thinks too much of himself,” Honey replied. “He is too pretty.”

  “A man cannot be pretty.” Maybelle shot Honey an amused glance. “He is quite handsome.”

  Shaking her head, Honey poured cream into the bowl Maybelle shoved toward her. “If Kaedric dressed like a woman, he could pass as a girl. His skin is too smooth, his lips too full, and he smells like the harlots when they pass you on the path, leaving a cloud of flowers and sweets in their wake.”

  Maybelle laughed. “Give him a chance, Honey.”

  “He’s a boring oaf.”

  “If Kaedric wasn’t so young, he would wed one of us older sisters, but he’s only eighteen seasons, so that leaves you, Li’l One. His money will help mother and the rest of us live in a better manner.” She shrugged as she filled the last bowl. “Otherwise, you would have been permitted to choose your own husband when you felt ready.”

  Honey wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I am well aware of the reasons behind Mother’s negotiations.” She set half the dessert bowls on a tray and half on another. “Let us serve the dessert so that Beautiful Boring Oaf can go home.”

  ***

  Later, Honey sat next to her mother and Shandon with Kaedric and Jorgus sitting across from them. She spooned the last two berries from her bowl into her mouth, their rich, sweet flavor bursting upon her tongue. Not even her favorite dessert could make her feel better. Kaedric kept making sheep eyes at her, watching her every move. Next to him, his father grinned like a buffoon, and her mother laughed at their feeble jokes.

  Her mother giggled like a young girl. “I do enjoy your amusing stories, Jorgus!”

  The man beamed at her and puffed out his chest. “It feels nice to enjoy the company of such a lovely host and her beautiful daughters.”

  Sourness settled in Honey’s stomach, and she clenched her spoon until her fingers ached.

  Zoirah, Honey’s oldest sister, shot her sympathetic looks from the end of the table. Honey smiled weakly at her, but returned her attention to the wine and cream pooled in the bottom of her bowl. If she had to meet Kaedric’s gaze one more time, she just might spew berries all over his pretty face.

  To her right, Shandon shifted in his chair. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Anger emanated from him like heat from a hearthstone. Honey snuck a glance at her cousin. Although he wore a stoic expression, his eyes blazed with hostility as he answered Jorgus about his many trips into the Great Wood.

  “How is it that you are the only one who has not been attacked by the more treacherous of the Fae within the Great Wood?” Jorgus asked, his deep, booming voice filling the small room.

  “Rumor has it that the Fae must favor you,” Kaedric added and laughed. “Of course we all know that’s untrue. I say that you have merely been lucky in your travels.”

  “You are quite right, young Kaedric,” Shandon replied, his tone even.

  “Surely you have a protection charm,” Jorgus insisted. He took the cloth placed by his bowl and wiped red juice from his bushy white mustache. “You must have something to ward off magic. Others are often attacked by Banshees, and sometimes Trolls who grow bold and venture to the outer reaches of the wood. Even the streams and ponds are home to the treacherous Jenny Greenteeth and Kelpie.”

  “I simply have not encountered any of the Fae who intend harm, Master Jorgus.” Shandon pushed his cup away a bit too forcefully, and moonbeam wine sloshed out onto the tabletop. “I am not a believer in treacherous Faeries. How can I be if I have never encountered any? And besides, any race treated with dignity and respect has no reason to be malicious.”

  Jorgus nodded and crammed the last spoonful of berries into his mouth. Juice, wine and cream dripped from the tips of his mustache, staining it. Honey tried not to grimace at his disgusting style of eating. For one so wealthy, he certainly lacked table manners.

  She caught Kaedric’s gaze, and he smiled, his eyes lighting up. She stared back coolly before rising to gather up dirty dishes.

  “Sit, daughter,” Amberon said. She stood and began picking up empty bowls, cups and spoons. “You served dessert, so I shall clean up. Enjoy the company of our guests.”

  Honey looked up at her mother, dismay settling in her stomach and turning her lovely meal of meadow hen and garden vegetables into a large wad of cold iron. She stared at the dribbles and crumbs on the tablecloth, feeling Kaedric’s triumphant gaze upon her bent head.

  Somehow, she had to find a way out of her marriage to Kaedric. The man she truly wanted only visited her in her dreams, leaving her panting and desiring a union which would never come to pass.

  If she didn’t figure out something quickly, she had no choice but to marry the Beautiful Boring Oaf.

  Chapter Two

  The evening drew to a close, and Honey let out a huge sigh of relief as Kaedric and his father stepped out onto the front stoop. If she could get through the next part of the betrothed custom, she would have the rest of the night to enjoy without Kaedric’s warm, suggestive glances and smiles.

  “Son, I will fetch the horses and wait for you by the gate,” Jorgus stated. “I leave you to your moment with your lovely bride-to-be.” He turned to Honey and bowed. “Daughter, I welcome you to my family and bid you goodnight.”

  Honey watched his wide frame amble down the footpath leading to the barn. The deepening twilight enveloped him as he stepped into the shadows surrounding the lower garden.

  “It is the couples’ moment to bond,” Amberon announced to Honey’s sisters, but her pointed gaze landed on Shandon. “Let us go inside and leave them in peace.”

  Giving Honey a helpless look, Shandon stalked off into the shadows behind the cottage while their siblings followed Mother into the cottage.

  Immediately, Kaedric grasped Honey’s hand and tugged her toward the path leading down to Amberon’s goldfish pond.

  “I fear your cousin does not like me much,” he said quietly. “Perhaps since he is a distant cousin, and therefore not immediate family, he desires to wed you instead?”

  Honey wanted so much to pull her hand from his, but instead gritted her teeth. A thought occurred to her. Maybe she could shake Kaedric’s faith in their betrothal. “I could marry Shandon, and maybe that is his plan. I have known him since Mother adopted him, and I would make him a good wife because we are long-time friends, thus we have a solid foundation for a union.”

  “You may not like me much either,” Kaedric continued and squeezed her hand, “but that will change.”

  “No, I do not like you and my feelings for you will never change.” It felt wonderful to be so honest with the Beautiful Boring Oaf, but she restrained herself from being cruel with her honesty. However, her boasting about Shandon had shaken her. Why should such a claim bother her? As Kaedric tugged her along, she shelved the thought for later contemplation.

  “That will change in time,” he replied with assurance as he helped her down a small set of stone steps. “When you start bearing my children, you will not have time to hate me, but soon come to realize that you have grown to love me.”

  Honey shook her head. “No, I won’t.”

  “You are young and will change your mind.”

  Laughter bubbled out of Honey. “You are an arrogant ass. You call me young when you are but six fortnights older than I!”

  A shadow passed over Kaedric’s smooth, handsome face. “Do not laugh so quickly, my betrothed. Father has already paid your mother in part silver and part gold for your hand in marriage to me.”

  “Coins can be returned.”

  “Not if it has been spent.”

  “She has not spent it for she only received the money tonight.”

  A sly smile stretched Kaedri
c’s full-lipped mouth. “There are several sisters under one roof who need and desire many things. The money will go quickly, and you will have no choice but stay true to our parent’s bargain.”

  “Did I mention that you are an arrogant ass?” Honey said sweetly, her distaste for Kaedric roiling in the depths of her belly.

  He grabbed her, pulling her roughly against his body. The perfume upon his tunic assailed Honey’s nose, leaving a peculiar taste in her mouth. A good head taller than she, Kaedric looked down at her with a smug, satisfied expression, his eyes full of triumph.

  “You are such a fair woman with your golden hair and captivating eyes, but your tongue leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps I shall buy you a nice muzzle until you learn to respect me?”

  “You will always be an arrogant ass. It is who you are. I see it in your eyes. The soul windows never lie, but my mother is too desperate for wealth to pay debts and buy necessities to pay attention and realize her mistake!” Pushing against his chest, Honey tried not to gag on his overwhelming odor of flowers and musk oil. “You might have nice tunics embroidered with bright silks and boots of the softest leather, but you smell like the fodder you are!”

  Rage flashed in Kaedric’s eyes. His mouth curled up in a vicious sneer and his hand flew back. Shutting her eyes, Honey winced as his one hand squeezed her upper arm and she awaited the stinging slap that would knock her backward. Instead, he jerked her against him once more, his mouth seizing hers in a wet, clumsy kiss.

  She struggled in his arms, shrieking in outrage against his lips. Stamping her foot in hopes of hurting one of his, her heel connected with a sharp stone that sent pain flying up into her ankle.

  Kaedric tugged on her skirts, hiking the material up, sliding his hand beneath it, his fingers seeking out her most intimate spot.

  Revulsion exploded within Honey. She broke the kiss, gasping for air. “No! Get your hands off of me, you swine!”