Happy Medieval Monday! Today I’m hosting Barbara Bettis. Sir
Stephen is ambushed. Thank goodness his horse has led the attackers on a merry
chase. But who would betray him? Who? Here is an excerpt from The Heart of the Phoenix.
Stephen is ambushed. Thank goodness his horse has led the attackers on a merry
chase. But who would betray him? Who? Here is an excerpt from The Heart of the Phoenix.
Excerpt from The Heart of the Phoenix:
So
far: Sir Stephen has just escaped attack as he returned from a secret meeting.
far: Sir Stephen has just escaped attack as he returned from a secret meeting.
This had been no random assault. The trap had sprung for
him alone. But only three people knew of his rendezvous this night. His mind
worked the trio of relationships. All friends—he’d thought. Which one had
betrayed him? Bitter regret burned his throat, and he forced a swallow. Hadn’t
he learned long ago not to trust anyone? Especially friends.
him alone. But only three people knew of his rendezvous this night. His mind
worked the trio of relationships. All friends—he’d thought. Which one had
betrayed him? Bitter regret burned his throat, and he forced a swallow. Hadn’t
he learned long ago not to trust anyone? Especially friends.
The ringing in his ears died, and he heard silence once
more. Not until the rustle of a hare whispered through the brittle dry grass
did he move. He settled back against a tree to gingerly unkink his leg, then
brush his knuckles across his aching thigh. The thick blood had clotted. A sigh
fought free of his clenched lips.
more. Not until the rustle of a hare whispered through the brittle dry grass
did he move. He settled back against a tree to gingerly unkink his leg, then
brush his knuckles across his aching thigh. The thick blood had clotted. A sigh
fought free of his clenched lips.
The bay was long gone, leading the others on a futile
chase to the river. It would find its way back later. Stephen was on his own
for now. And it was a damned long hobble back to St. Anselm. He’d best get
started if he wanted to make it before dawn.
chase to the river. It would find its way back later. Stephen was on his own
for now. And it was a damned long hobble back to St. Anselm. He’d best get
started if he wanted to make it before dawn.
The eastern horizon glittered pearl before he espied the
monastery’s roof outlined against the night sky’s fading pitch. He limped
toward the narrow opening obscured by a tangle of grape vines so ancient no one
recalled when they last produced. A muted grunt escaped his throat when he
tugged at the warped wood. The old door creaked, then gave a few precious
inches. He squeezed through sideways and hauled it shut.
monastery’s roof outlined against the night sky’s fading pitch. He limped
toward the narrow opening obscured by a tangle of grape vines so ancient no one
recalled when they last produced. A muted grunt escaped his throat when he
tugged at the warped wood. The old door creaked, then gave a few precious
inches. He squeezed through sideways and hauled it shut.
The scriptorium lay ahead on the right. He’d wait for
Brother Gerald there—if his double-cursed leg continued to move. He limped
forward, neck and jaw locked rigid in his struggle to remain erect.
Perspiration plastered shirt and aketon to his body, soaked through to the
plain tunic he wore over a finely wrought chain doublet. But in his chest, a
block of ice lodged where his heart belonged. During the long walk back to the
monastery, he’d worked out which of his three closest comrades bore the title
of traitor. Bile rose in his throat at the answer.
Brother Gerald there—if his double-cursed leg continued to move. He limped
forward, neck and jaw locked rigid in his struggle to remain erect.
Perspiration plastered shirt and aketon to his body, soaked through to the
plain tunic he wore over a finely wrought chain doublet. But in his chest, a
block of ice lodged where his heart belonged. During the long walk back to the
monastery, he’d worked out which of his three closest comrades bore the title
of traitor. Bile rose in his throat at the answer.
Inside the copy house, Stephen dropped to his knees, numb
to the explosion of pain in his thigh. He prayed. He prayed he was wrong. And
if his reasoning proved right, he prayed for the strength to act. Tomorrow he’d
confront Brother Michael. God help the monk if harm befell even one of the men
because of his treachery. Why had Michael turned, now of all times? The Phoenix
Brotherhood hadn’t been this close to uncovering the treacherous Dragon for
years.
to the explosion of pain in his thigh. He prayed. He prayed he was wrong. And
if his reasoning proved right, he prayed for the strength to act. Tomorrow he’d
confront Brother Michael. God help the monk if harm befell even one of the men
because of his treachery. Why had Michael turned, now of all times? The Phoenix
Brotherhood hadn’t been this close to uncovering the treacherous Dragon for
years.
Whatever happened must be quick. They must either find
the leader of the murdering mercenaries before the Dragon escaped Normandy, or
they must move operations to England. Stephen had promised to be home before
the conclave to support John’s claim as Richard’s successor. His father may
have recovered in the past months, but he needed Stephen’s help. And Stephen
had vowed to assume duties at Riverton Castle or die trying.
the leader of the murdering mercenaries before the Dragon escaped Normandy, or
they must move operations to England. Stephen had promised to be home before
the conclave to support John’s claim as Richard’s successor. His father may
have recovered in the past months, but he needed Stephen’s help. And Stephen
had vowed to assume duties at Riverton Castle or die trying.
Although that was a distinct possibility.
Back Cover Copy: The
Heart of the Phoenix:
Heart of the Phoenix:
Some call him a ruthless mercenary; she calls him the knight of her heart.
Memories
Lady Evelynn’s childhood hero is home—bitter,
hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers
friendship, but Sir Stephen’s cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to
forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love
isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another.
hard, tempting as sin. And haunted by secrets. A now-grown Evie offers
friendship, but Sir Stephen’s cruel rejection crushes her, and she resolves to
forget him. Yet when an unexpected war throws them together, she finds love
isn’t so easy to dismiss. If only the king hadn’t betrothed her to another.
Can be cruel
Sir Stephen lives a double life while he
seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he
thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly
challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he
knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite.
seeks the treacherous outlaws who murdered his friends. Driven by revenge, he
thinks his heart is closed to love. His childhood shadow, Lady Evie, unexpectedly
challenges that belief. He rebuffs her, but he can’t forget her, although he
knows she’s to wed the king’s favorite.
And deadly
When his drive for vengeance leads to Evie’s
kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied
too long. Surely King John will see reason. Convict the murderers; convince the
king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything.
kidnapping, Stephen must choose between retribution and the love he’s denied
too long. Surely King John will see reason. Convict the murderers; convince the
king. Simple. Until a startling revelation threatens everything.
Buy Link The
Heart of the Phoenix:
Heart of the Phoenix:
Thanks for hosting me today and the lovely link wording!!