Royal Bondage / Scorpion King
In print
In ebook
ROYAL BONDAGE
Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)
ISBN-13: 9781416577225 (trade paperback) [buy]
A lady's every rapturous wish is the king's command in three regal stories where sex rules the land.
SAMANTHA WINSTON
Llewellyn's Song
After Llewellyn, an elf on a mission from the king, rescues a member of an all-female tribe from a dangerous beast, she opens her heart -- and her voluptuous body -- to his forbidden passion...and a tantalizing surprise.
Arctic Dragon
Fleeing the mannerly courtship of the tiresome Prince of the Frost Faeries, Queen Larikke of Northland finds ecstasy in the embrace of a sexy barbarian with a seductive secret who shelters her from a winter storm.
MARIANNE LACROIX
Scorpion King
When the underwater city of Pacifica is in danger of crumbling, beautiful Queen Naiya Pisces meets a virile naval scientist whose special tattoo fulfills an ancient legend of her people and arouses her most erotic desires.
SCORPION KING
Ellora's Cave
ISBN: 9781419905377 (ebook) [buy]
Fantasy & Magic
Novella
Queen Naiya Pisces rules the oceanic city of Pacifica, but when the foundation begins to shake, Naiya must turn to unexpected allies for help — the Land-walkers.
Captain Drake "Scorpio" Scopillo leads a geological study of the ocean floor, investigating the possibility of an earthquake that could devastate Naiya's city. Determined and commanding, Drake is normally all business—but one look at the beautiful queen and he's thrust into an internal struggle to resist her powerful allure.
Naiya recognizes Drake as the man foretold by legend — the Scorpion King, the one man born to command her body and soul and rule at her side. But Drake is strong in his resistance, and seduction is her only hope. She prays her feminine charms, coupled with nights of heated sex, will melt his icy heart. For only with the Scorpion King by her side will her people find the hope and strength to survive what the future holds.
EXCERPT FROM SCORPION KING
Naiya stood at the docking bay where the Land-walkers were about to park their ship. The dock was a flat metal landing pad just inside the force field, and the ship would pass through an entry portal before actually entering the city. This was the way in and out of the force field, which was itself a credit to Aquatic technology—a wonder to behold, just as much as the beauty of the ocean it held at bay.
The entire surface of the docking bay shimmered with rippling currents that reflected the city lights within the force field, throwing them back into the water. Fish of all varieties—sea bass, hawkfish, snappers, angelfish—dotted the ocean with their brilliant colors of yellow, purple and blue. It was a living rainbow moving through the water, and Naiya sighed at the calm tranquility just beyond her city. It had been too long since she’d taken time for a leisurely swim just to enjoy the beauty of the ocean.
“You didn’t have to come and meet them. You could await them in the throne room and I can escort them to you.” Brendon arrived, obviously disliking the idea of the queen greeting newcomers at the docking bay.
“No, I want to make sure they feel welcome.”
Brendon’s response was a grunt.
“It would be wise to show your appreciation to them while they are here.”
“I’ll welcome them, but that doesn’t mean I have to like them being here,” he retorted. “Pacifica is already overrun with Land-walkers.”
Just then the ship emerged from one of the round portals that allowed vehicles to pass through the force field without disturbing the energy flow. The ship was tubular in shape, completely seamless on the surface. It appeared to be equally efficient in air or water, adapting to each with ease.
When it approached the landing pad, the underside of the ship’s smooth surface opened to allow the landing gear to lower. The ship settled down with a low groan of metal and steam, and within a moment, the gangway opened. More steam flew into the air as Naiya got her first glimpse at the research team.
Her breath caught at the sight of the man who led the way before four others. Tall and lightly tanned, the man leading the small party stepped from the gangway. His hair, black and straight, fell about his shoulders and down his back. He was dressed in a sleeveless, synthetic leather jumper. It allowed her a perfect view of his well-toned arms and the muscular expanse of his chest. At his wrists he wore leather bracers.
“Is this guy a scientist or some space cowboy?” Brendon whispered at her side.
Indeed, he looked the part of a warrior rather than a man of science.
“Your Majesty,” the hulk in leather said, approaching her with a bow. “I’m Captain Drake Scopillo. Honored to meet you.”
His voice washed over her, exciting her with its faint Australian accent.
“Welcome, Captain Scopillo. I’m Queen Naiya Pisces, and I welcome you and your team to Pacifica.” She offered her hand and the captain gently touched it, lifting it to his lips. A warm surge raced through her veins at the simple touch of his lips against the back of her hand. Electricity seemed to spark at the contact and it led straight to the apex of her thighs.
She smiled up into his face and recognized a glimmer of sexual interest in his eyes. Or was it just something she hoped to see? Unsure about her own reactions to the newcomer, she reluctantly pulled her hand away and stepped back.
Brendon stepped forward. “I’m Councilman Brendon Aquarius. If you should need anything during your stay in our city, please feel free to let me know.”
His message was subtle, but clear—Naiya was off-limits.
Drake bowed slightly. “Thank you, Councilman. If you would like to introduce us to your team, we can go ahead and begin setting up our ocean lab and get started.”
Brendon turned and waved to the awaiting science team behind Naiya. “These are our best Aquatic scientists. They’ve been studying the quakes extensively and I’m sure you will find they are experts, the best in the world,” he stated in an unmistakably arrogant tone.
Drake looked from Brendon to Naiya. He took a step toward the queen, closing the distance between them once again. “Your Majesty, both our worlds have much to lose if seismic activity is on the horizon. It could set off a chain reaction that would not only destroy your city, but hundreds of cities on land—killing millions of people. We’re here to help determine the danger, not get involved in some sort of political debate or a struggle of scientific knowledge.”
Angered by Brendon’s attempt to dishonor the captain, Naiya nodded and said, “Agreed, Captain. Your expertise is exactly why you are here and why we called for assistance from the UGN. A mutual cooperation between our people is the only way to be sure the best evaluation is made.” Noting Brendon’s irritation, Naiya added, “And you, Captain, may report directly to me your findings. I wish to know the progress of your team daily.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” His lips curled into a small smile.
Brendon huffed at her side.
“After you get your initial look at the site and set up your lab,” she continued, “I wish for you to join me here for dinner so we may discuss your first impressions.”
“With pleasure, Your Majesty.”
Humor edged his words as he glanced at Brendon, who obviously disliked the idea, and that made the captain’s eyes sparkle with mischief.
Her heart leapt in her chest. He was the most handsome man she’d ever encountered—a rogue. He seemed to ooze sexual appeal from every pore, and she was transfixed.
When the captain turned to introduce his team, she nodded greetings to the members. Drake bowed to her once more then strode back to his ship with an air of confidence and male arrogance.
“You’re out of his league, Naiya,” Brendon said, breaking the silence as they began to walk back inside.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she denied.
“You know very well what I mean. That invitation to dinner was much more than just a meal. I saw the way you looked at him—with lust in your eyes. And the dog knew it.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“Am I? I know an invitation for sex when I hear one.”
“Yes, you do. You’re well-versed in that field, Bren.”
“I’m just trying to—”
She turned on him. “Trying to manipulate me and my position as queen! Know this—no man will rule me. I refuse to give the throne to a man simply because he excites my body. We may have been lovers once, but don’t think that gives you the right to be jealous or tell me what to do. I will spend my time as I wish, with whom I wish.”
“I’m just saying I don’t like that…Captain Scopillo.”
“You can rest assured that whatever happens, Captain Scopillo will leave once his study is complete.”
