Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50389 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“It’s as good a place as any.” Maura lifts her chin and closes her eyes. “I think the threat of the Cŵn Annwn should be past. He has the stolen piece of eight, and we’re back in our own realm, beyond their territory in Threshold. But there’s no reason to be reckless. We’ll stay on the move.” She opens her eyes and smiles. “I have so much to show you. “
Hope sprouts wings in my chest and takes flight. I try for a smile, but I feel shaky around the edges. “Does that mean you’re not shoving me in the nearest carriage and sending me back to Ashye?”
Maura turns to me and cups my face in her hands. She’s shaking just a little, and I can’t tell if it’s emotion or the fact she just almost died. She presses a gentle kiss to my lips. “I’m yours, Jules. As long as you’ll have me, I’m yours. Nothing and no one will ever come between us again. I will have the future with you that we promised each other. “
My throat is hot and tight. She means it. She really, really means it. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” Maura turns to face the horizon, and we slowly move to the railing. “There’s a whole wide world out there, Jules. And it’s all ours.”
I can’t stop smiling. “Show me everything.”
Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed Maura and Juliette’s story, please consider leaving a review! Need more of them in your life? By signing up for my newsletter, you can get a spicy bonus epilogue!
Curious about the very tired, sorta villainous Bowen? Never fear! No side character left behind! His story is told in Hunt on Dark Waters! He’s back with his crew when they happen upon a witch who’s fallen through a portal into their world…and she’s about to make it everyone’s problem!
Ready to return to Atlantis? Dive right into To Plunder a Pirate Queen! Shila is an exiled queen, desperate to help her people. The answer might just be Vahman, a human scientist who she wins at a sex auction!
Keep reading for a sneak peek!
Shila had complicated feelings about Atlantis. On one hand, it was a place that helped her learn who she was meant to become. On the other hand, it was too chaotic, too crowded to be considered safe. The only reason why she was back in the port city so soon was because the sex auction was an opportunity for a large influx of cash, and she needed the money.
She quickly sent a coded message to one of her seconds-in-command using her wrist device.
S:
You okay?
C:
Yes. Don’t worry about us. Everything is under control.
She let out a breath. She had to stop thinking about her crew. They were completely capable of taking care of themselves, the ship, and anyone else who needed it.
Just as Shila was completely capable of taking care of herself, too.
She removed the small clip that held back her mass of curly black hair and pressed the discreet button on top of the hinge. The tip cast a bright red glow. Using the scanner, Shila systematically inspected the private alcove viewing room in the erotic theater that she was escorted to minutes before.
She knew that as an interplanetary cargo transporter who skirted intergalactic laws and politics, people were dying to use her as an informant and asset. That meant that she was stuck crawling around on her hands and knees checking for cameras, audio devices, or anything that could leak information about her location.
It sucked, but when she was in Atlantis, she had to do what she had to do for her safety.
Remel had explained to her once that the city was a nexus in the cosmic universe. A pinpoint where time, realms, and planets could connect. The very fabric of life was tied in knots, and Atlantis was built upon the foundation of one of those knots. That meant there were a lot of people with different agendas who could be in the same place at the same time.
When her scan came up empty, she stood and brushed off her leather pants. “All clear,” she murmured. Now she could do or say whatever she wanted in this room without worrying about someone shoving a knife into her back.
She clipped her hair with the discreet sensor again and sunk into the deep plush red leather couch positioned in front of the one-way mirror. Since her safety checks were done, she could finally relax and enjoy the moment. Most beings would love to be in her boots. Getting tickets to the annual auction meant she had a front-row seat to debauchery for the highest price.
When the auction started, she’d have a drink and watch for the high roller guests who had attended the annual Atlantis boat race the day before. They were like predictable fools with their fast toys and currency to burn. After the races, they always came to The Pleasure Chest looking to leave the port city with a bang. Literally. And those who lost their bids in the auction were ripe for the picking in Shila’s opinion.