"Morrigan Blade of Grace"
Here is a small teaser from the book. I hope you will enjoy it. From Chapter 2 of Morrigan Blade of Grace. If your interested in pre ordering this book please email me directly at daughtersoflilithseries2014@gmail.com
Cain rode out at first light; he would go in solo kill the woman and then pull out. He had already decided that they had spent too much time in this land. Its soft green rolling hills had lulled him into lingering when they had already captured enough slaves for the distant markets and gold from the villages they had sacked.
He was growing weary of this type of work, yet he was cursed to wander the earth, the land would not grow for him. Not even when he had others do it for him. It was as if the earth knew that it was him trying to make it bear fruit from their labours. Heading down towards the village, he paused watching from a hilltop. The woman he had come to kill slipped out of her hut and headed towards the rocky cliff than down a path that lead to the beach far below.
H could not pass up the sweet opportunity, and new a better one would not comealong. Heading in the direction, she went he left his horse on the ridge grazing on the sweet grasses that grew here in this sacred land.
Pausing he watched as she headed down the beach away from her village towards a rocky outcropping. It was as if she were giving him the perfect opportunity to kill her without gaining the attention of her whole village. Foolish girl he thought. His long legs silent as he made his way following a distance behind her. Cain could not help but admire the way the rising sun made her hair glisten like spun gold when it hit the long strands that blew in the breeze. Even from this distance he could see she was perfection, her tiny waist and rounded hips gave her the perfect shape. She stood proudly looking out to sea as if searching for something.
It wouldn’t matter if she were pining for a dead lover she would soon join him. He thought; this idea made him uncomfortable. He didn’t want her to be pining for a lover. As the sun kissed her skin, he sped up moving to within several feet of her, so he was behind her. Turning she saw him, drawing her sword in the same motion.
“Who are you? She demanded, looking at his massive height as he towered over her. With a gasp, she took in his amber eyes and stepped back away from him. “Leave me be demon or I will do more than take your hand.” She said.
“I think not my lady. I am Cain of Eden here to kill you for taking my friends hand.” He said his own eyes were trapped and held by her stormy green ones. What a shame to snuff out such a beautiful creature. She was by far the most exquisite woman he had ever seen. Her golden hair curled and cascaded down her back framing a mischievous face with dimples and sensuous lips that were lush and pink.
“What is your name girl?” He demanded, seeing if he could intimidate her. Instead, she laughed, a musical tinkling laugh that almost made him smile.
“I am Morrigan daughter of King Oberon, the Fierce. Demons do not make demands of me. If it is a fight, you want then it is a fight you shall have.” With a sudden graceful move she lunged at him thrusting her sword, she nicked his arm before dancing away. Her skirt that wrapped around and around her body and was pinned at her shoulder on a blouse. Her bare feet gave her the freedom of movement, not unlike a dancer.
The two fought each other jumping on rocks to try to gain an advantage; each was an expert with a sword.
Cain found himself fascinated, moved by her spirit and skill. Every move he made to put her on the defensive she countered instantly as if she knew what he would do.
“Not bad, fair Mora, but to win you have to anticipate what I will do before I do it. Not just react, to my sword.”
Morrigan looked at him impressed with his skill. She knew he could have ended this earlier. He had her beaten both with his size and strength. “You’re holding back demon. I thought you sought vengeance. Perhaps your need for vengeance isn’t as strong as you think.” She said as their blades clashed.
His handsome craggy face looked briefly annoyed. “I am not a demon. I am a man cursed.”
Morrigan dropped her sword and stepped back. “What do you mean cursed? I can see you are not like the other, yet you still have the same amber eyes and the same fangs, although yours do not show as much. Why have you stopped fighting me?” She asked, confused by the sudden change in his manner.
“You dropped your sword, not I. My story is an old one, let’s just say I made a mistake and was damned to wander the earth for it.” Cain stood before her no longer a threat. His thick dark wavy hair blew in the early morning breeze. He towered over her; she realized all muscle and strength. Aside from his eyes she would not have taken him for anything more than a raider. Even his manner seemed different from the other demons.
“Then why do you raid our villages taking our women and children, killing our men? Or perhaps that too is a mistake,” she demanded.
“That is our way. The strong will always conquer the weak; my people have raided your lands for hundreds of years. Others like me will continue to do so for many more years to come. When we are not fighting wars, we raid for profit.” He answered her without remorse.
“You are wrong Cain, as long as there is an ounce of courage my people will fight to the death to hold onto their freedom. It is our right as the gods have given it,” she said, disgusted with his narrow minded stance. “You are no more than a barbarian trying to bully your way into what is not yours to take.”
“I cannot deny that your people have a fierce fighting spirit; it is one of the things that make them desirable as slaves in my land. They are only humans, chattel to be bought and sold.”
Morrigan spat on the ground. “Damn you Cain of Eden you will regret those words someday. Your words speak ignorance, not truth.” Raising her sword she again lunged ready to end their conversation. In her head, she knew her odds of beating Cain were slim. That he hadn’t taken her sword already showed a level of restraint few had ever shown her. With a move like a cat, she slipped under his arm bringing her sword down across his bottom with a resounding thwack!
“Ow!” He yelled turning towards her. That she hadn’t given up yet pleased him on some level, nor had she grown tired of fighting him. He was amazed; it is no wonder she took Abaddon’s hand, he thought. The fool should have run when he had the chance instead of attacking.
He watched no longer interested in killing her but wanting to see if he could best her. She was very good, but he had been a student for centuries in combat. Lunging suddenly he grabbed her arm flipping her over his shoulder believing that would be the end of their duel.
Morrigan laughed as she somersaulted over his head landing on her feet in the sand, taking a dancers stance with her blade prepared to lung.
“You are good I will give you that Cain of Eden.” She sounded barely winded from their battle. In truth she knew she was beginning to grow weary, it was only determination that kept her going and would only be a matter of time before the demon won this battle.
Abruptly he did in fact lung pushing her back against the rocks knocking her sword from her hand. His body pressed against hers as his blade rested against her throat.
Looking into her deep blue eyes, he found himself drowning there his own amber eyes lost in the depth of her. He could spend a lifetime looking at her and never grow bored. Her face showed so much life and joy. Unable to crush such beauty, he instead bent his head; his lips hovered above hers, and he waited to see if she would attack. Her sweet breath touching his face giving him the scent of mint, he watched her lick her lips, her pupils dilated with what looked like desire. He softened allowing himself a moment to taste her plump lips, shocked when she responded to his touch.
Their lips tasted, touched, tongues tentatively dancing. Cain sunk his fingers into her golden hair as she moaned. He pulled her closer, wanting more of the sweet magic of her lips. He could feel the raging fire inside his body, wanting to claim her for himself. With a curse, he pulled his head away breathing heavily looking at her face. Her kiss swollen lips were open as if to speak, her breathing heavy. His decision made he stepped back holding her at arm’s length.
“Today you live my lovely Morrigan, my men and I will leave your shores and never return. I swear this before your gods.” Before she could speak, he disappeared as if he had never been there. Only their footprints stood as a reminder of their dance with swords. Tired, shocked, and shaken she placed her hands on her knees to catch her breath and figure out what had just happened Cain’s image freshly stuck in her head. Why had he stopped?
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