Erotica Fantastica (8 page)

In an ancient, magical world Maerose of
Riversbend is a valuable prize. A young and gifted maiden, she
senses that the dark night of Samhain—five moons away—will bring
untold change. As that fateful night approaches she is first
kidnapped by a stranger, then rescued by a mysterious elder who
keeps her bound and tethered, as if she is his and his alone.

Locked in their battle for supremacy,
Maerose discovers that she is the physical key capable of undoing a
hundred-year-old curse that threatens their land. It is through her
dormant sensual power that they can drive back the evil spirits
about to rise from the dead. Seduction and magic surround her, and
she must mate with a man of faith on the dark night of Samhain at
the very gates of the underworld. Willing submission to her
destined lover will unleash her power, but who will be the one to
win her heart—Bron, or Veldor?

"THE STRANGELING is the sort of story that
haunts the reader long after the last page is turned. Saskia Walker
has a true gem with this superb fantasy novel coupled with all the
elements to make a great paranormal romance as well. This reviewer
will definitely be keeping an eye out for further fantasy novels
from this fabulous author!" Debbie, for CK2s Kwips and
Kritiques.

"Combining the romantic with the erotic,
Saskia Walker's thrilling fantasy romance, The Strangeling, is a
passionate, erotically-charged novel about destiny and its many
manifestations. Walker's world is one of magic, wonder, peril and
passion that will ensnare a reader with its dark enchantments."
Cheryl Jeffries, for Heartstrings reviews.

Excerpt
:

The atmosphere across the land was filled
with nervous anticipation. Bron sensed it the moment he made
contact with the outside world through the visior pool. The whole
of Edren was troubled, as if under a dark, foreboding cloud, and it
was growing all the time. News traveled from village to village
about Maerose's disappearance, about the movement and action within
the elders. They spoke in hushed tones about the ancient curse
coming to pass. More than that, the very land itself shivered in
anticipation, for the underworld stirred. He stood up and paced
back and forth silently, watching Maerose as she leaned over the
pool to view the images of her family and friends.

Her hair fell over her shoulders, tumbling
down her back. He stroked it with his gaze, longing to hold her
again. Her lips parted as she looked at her family, her eyes bright
with wonder and withheld tears. He wanted to kiss the tears away
and crush her mouth with his. Instead, he tore his gaze away,
drawing his resources together in order to move their lessons on.
At this time on the morrow, they would be at The Strangeling. There
was much to do and talk about. The sands of time slipped through
the hourglass; the moment of their departure would be upon them
soon.

He took a moment to cast a watchful presence
up and scent out the surrounding countryside, circling the enclave,
his vision far above them, taking in what movement there was beyond
the divide. The more predatory birds still circled, but the
foreboding in the atmosphere had driven most of the smaller
creatures to their burrows. A hungry wolf scouted for the pack that
followed his trail. Skirting the forest, the need that had driven
them out in daylight hours weighed heavy in the wolf's wake:
hunger, awareness of the changing atmosphere. Bron observed and
then beckoned the scout, drawing him closer with a scent trail. The
wolf paused, lifted his head, and turned in their direction.

A tremor ran across the skies as he turned
back to Maerose. She lifted her head, her expression changing. She
looked at him for explanation.

"You feel it?"

She nodded and stood, walking over to him,
her upturned face expressing resolve, a depth of acceptance that he
had not seen in her before.

He reached out to touch her face. "The demon
lords of the underworld stir, stretching their limbs. In the forest
the small creatures take shelter and hide. Others sense the danger
and hunt for food. They sense the darkness that comes."

She crept closer to him, her body against
his. What if she couldn't shelter with him? He needed to know. Her
instincts were true and pure, but was she strong enough to act
alone, if necessary? He lifted her chin and assessed the emotions
he found in her. "It isn't easy to be brave, in the face of
complete darkness and evil. Death..."

She returned his gaze, steadfast. "If you
are by my side, I am prepared to face it. I've thought about
everything you've said and I will be ready. I would give my own
life, for the sake of the village, for Edren. For those I love."
Her expression was earnest and she searched his eyes for his
acknowledgment of her vow.

"You would forsake your own safety to win
this battle, and trust me to lead you, no matter what?"

"You know it already." Her eyes shone, and
deep within her the spirit of summer was growing; the gift that she
carried made real by their passion. Maerose from Riversbend was a
woman now, a woman who carried a wealth of female power, as yet
untapped.

He nodded, for he felt her soul rise to join
his. In her heart he found the unspoken acknowledgement of their
union in fate. Energy flared between them as they joined in
purpose, in passion.

She reached to touch his lips with her
fingers. "You are my master, Bron. Show me the way."

He captured her wrists in his hands, his
will to have her growing fierce. Drawing her closer, he watched her
lips parting with anticipation. She was so soft in his arms, yet so
ripe and full of vital, life-giving elixir. He drew her hands
behind her back and reached for her lips, his mouth bruising hers.
She struggled against him, her body warm against his. Supple. As
darkness shifted in the land around them, his need to brand her as
his own took over.

"My master," she whispered again,
breathless. As he looked down at her she dropped to her knees
before him, her hands trailing over his body, her touch making his
blood roar. She was full of incandescent heat. She rested her face
against his breeches, moaning softly as she rubbed herself against
him. "The power to make magic and change things is yours, Bron."
She looked up at him, her face flushed with arousal. "I am your
handmaiden in this," she whispered.

"We are joined now," he breathed, barely
able to speak with her touching him so bravely. "We are as one now,
in this and in all things."

http://www.saskiawalker.co.uk/strangeling.html

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed
the stories.

Saskia