| Copyright
© 2007, C’ann
Inman Reviews For TORRID TEASERS Volume 33 by C’ann Inman No reviews posted yet. Sample Chapter For TORRID TEASERS Volume 33 by C’ann Inman Moon Goddess Kyra glared at Celine, sparks shooting from her amber-colored eyes. “Oh really? You would do well to attract the keeper of the dogs. I’ve heard he has fleas. You should be so lucky.” Celine looked away, and her shoulders shook. When she turned back to her sister, she held up her hands. “You win. This time.” She snickered. “Fleas. Honestly.” Kyra grinned. “I thought you would like that. Spur of the moment it was.” She pulled her flaxen locks back into a simple braid and wound it around her head like a sunlit crown. Her skin glowed, and her golden eyes gleamed. “Do you really think Mother and Father speak of us like that?” Celine shrugged. “There really is no telling what our parents discuss when we are not about. And I, for one, don’t care.” She tucked her glorious black locks under a circlet and growled at the loose tendrils that always escaped. Her pale skin accented the deep blue eyes that now studied her sister. “I have no wish to marry. Our parents know this.” “Nor I.” Kyra tossed her head. “We are goddesses. Why do we need some man grasping after us and clinging to our clothes?” “Why indeed?” Celine shot a glance to her younger sister. “Though you seem to like Kane trailing after you.” “Jealous?” Kyra arched an eyebrow, and Celine snorted. “Never. Simply an observation.” She glanced at the sky. “We only have a few hours before our parents call us in for the evening. Let us make the most of it.” Celine closed her hand and opened it slowly. Six metal discs with a crescent moon emblazoned on them shone brightly in her palm. “We play for honor, sister. Do you accept?” Kyra closed her hand and opened it to reveal six metal discs with a blazing sun on each one. “I do.” The sisters disappeared. * * * * “They will be the death of me.” King Thane sighed and looked to his wife for sympathy. He found none. “I suppose you want biddable daughters. Ones who do as you say and never question anything?” She arched a delicate eyebrow, and her golden eyes bore into him. “And why would I want a biddable woman in my life?” The king snorted. “I would die of shock, my love.” Queen Ara eyed her husband and fought the laughter. “What grieves you the most? The fact that our daughters are the two most precious beings in this universe or that they have bested every man who approaches them?” “Both?” Ara tilted her head to the side. “Maybe it’s not time for our daughters to find mates.” “Oh, it’s time all right.”
The king stood and paced in front of his dais. “It’s past
time. Thane stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I realize the girls are still learning their roles in the kingdom. Assimilating their duties. Meeting all facets of people. But how are they to rule this land without a partner to lean on? Such as I have you, my love.” Ara chuckled. “Flatterer. And as for children to bounce on your knee…do not look at me, husband. I’m past my time for childbearing. But maybe we can think of a way to show our children the light.” She looked at her husband slyly. “I believe that Celine will find a mate before Kyra.” “Bah.” Thane rolled his eyes. “Just because Celine is your favorite does not mean Kyra is without talent.” The king stroked his dark beard again. “Yes. I believe Kyra will find a mate before Celine.” “Do you now?” Ara’s voice was silky. “A wager then?” “Aye.” Thane looked at his beautiful wife with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “We might be able to work something out.” “There must be rules.” Ara plucked a parchment and quill out of thin air. “The wager begins tonight at midnight and ends when Celine marries.” “Kyra,” the king growled. “We shall see.” She began writing. Sun Goddess
Her flaxen hair flew about her head as she walked hurriedly to her chambers. If she could just make it… “Ah, Kyra.” She stiffened her backbone at the voice and reluctantly turned. “Yes, Father?” King Thane smiled benevolently at his younger daughter. “How are you, child?” “Well, Father.” His blue eyes took in her shining yellow dress stitched with sunbeams that radiated from her chest. The matching slippers left a small trail of light as she walked. But it was her normally cheerful face that gave him pause. “This Celine situation isn’t bothering you?” Kyra quirked an eyebrow. “The one where she and Kane screw constantly and refuse to marry? That one?” “Kyra!” Thane grimaced. “There are some things I choose not to think of.” “Then you shouldn’t bring them up,” she snapped. The startled look on her father’s face made her sigh. Kyra moved forward. “I’m sorry, Father. I’ve had a long day, and my tongue seems to have a mind of its own.” She hugged him tightly. “This will all work out.” She stepped back and tried to smile. “You’ll see.” She bid her father goodnight and shut her door tightly behind her. Kyra lay her head against the solid wood and sighed lustily. It all seemed so right when they started this charade. Celine and Kane would wait a couple of weeks before letting the royal parents off the hook. Unfortunately, it hadn’t worked that way at all. Four days in, and Kyra was ready to throw in the towel. Her nerves were raw and painful. She was happy for Celine. She had known
for a long time that Celine and Kane were inevitable. Kyra snickered.
It had been about time they figured it out themselves. But now she felt
as though she were paying for being the sister “without a man.” There was nothing wrong with her. Not a damn thing. She chose not to have a mate. Kyra stripped her clothes off and tossed them on her gilded bed. She plucked two sais out of the air and proceeded to work out her fury with the dangerous weapons. * * * * Kyra refused to go down to breakfast the next morning. She dressed quickly in mustard-colored pants and a lightweight short-sleeve chemise and snuck out of her room. She wound her golden hair around her head and pinned it in a loose bun. The whole castle could quite simply go to hell. She growled and walked toward the animal compound a mile away from the castle. She needed the company of those who chose not to continually shove males in her path and question her about her sister’s love life. The rocky road forced her to calm a bit and walk slower. Kyra inhaled deeply at the scent of the trees blooming with great, white flowers. Her shoulders loosened, and she sighed. The next time she had a brilliant idea, she would certainly not take it at face value. The trees thinned out as several rock buildings came into view. Massive stables dotted the land and housed the royal family’s horses. Grooms scurried to and fro. There were six pastures filled with livestock. The cattle grazed contentedly on sapphire grass while sheep lay in an amethyst meadow. The sun beat down on the land, and Kyra inhaled deeply. The earthy smell of animals combined with that of the land delighted her. There was no place she would rather be. Canines and felines lounged about the
yard, and Kyra chuckled. No ambition from the furry souls. And they
didn’t look as if they cared if she wed or not. Kyra strode purposefully to the nearest canine house and stopped in the wooden doorway. A silvery female shepard struggled to push out her pups while a half-naked man on his knees hovered over her petting her and murmuring. His bare back was slick with sweat, and his tan britches were smeared with mud and blood. There were two pale, slick balls of fur that nosed around at their struggling mother, and Kyra bent quickly to try and help. “What can I do?” |