fuonlyknew

Title: By the Fates, Fought

Author: Patricia D. Eddy

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Audience: 18+

Formats: eBook

Publisher: Patricia D. Eddy

Cover By: Ravven

Editor: Clare C. Marshall

Pages: 400 pages estimated.

ASIN: B00IZO66MY / ISBN: 1496104005

Date published: 18 March, 2014

Spring in Gralvein brings Ealasaid peace. Six months to the day Raven found her shackled and tortured in the devil’s lair, their public handfasting is the happiest day of her life. But a storm is coming. Devils join King Eideard’s Guarda and watch Ealasaid constantly. Faolan’s spies report Lobhdain is plotting. What is this mystical artifact he searches for?

When the devils attack and one of their allies disappears, Raven and Ealasaid fear they will never be safe. Can they manage a daring rescue? Or will Ealasaid lose everything she holds dear?

By the Fates, Fought is the second novel in the By the Fates trilogy. It contains several disturbing scenes, including brief descriptions of rape and torture and is meant for mature audiences. It ends on a cliffhanger. By the Fates, Fulfilled will be released in Fall of 2014.

The chill surrounded us. Even now, after six months, it shocked me. But Raven’s arms were tight and warm around me. When we emerged, the sun was kissing the horizon. I blinked against the brilliant orange light. We were standing on a small strip of sand next to the sea. Rose petals covered the beach and lanterns were arranged in a large circle, inside of which stood those we considered our family. Ami and Seònaid. Moire and Ian. Marcas and Una. Even Faolan was there. I turned towards Raven with questions in my eyes.

Color flooded his dusky, chiseled cheeks and the gentle breezes ruffled his black hair. He had let it grow these past months and it nearly brushed his shoulders now. “I wanted to do something for you, allera. Something special to mark this day. Our customs say that Ostara, the spring equinox, marks the day that light wins over the darkness. You are my light, Ealasaid.”

“And you are mine,” I managed. The lump in my throat threatened to choke me. “There was no light for me before you. But you have already given me everything. I have no need of anything else.”

Raven smiled. “Perhaps I do. Ami and Seònaid’s handfasting was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Second only to the moment of our mating when I felt our souls intertwine. I thought we could have our own handfasting. In front of our family. All of them.”

I looked around. Our Love surrounded us, pure and perfect. Ian’s arm was around Moire’s waist. Ami’s hand rested on Seònaid’s bottom and their heads were touching. Una was curled against Marcas. Faolan was the only one standing apart. He looked wistful, but not entirely unhappy.

“This is what you were doing today?” I accused.

“Finding roses this time of year was difficult. Ian and I had to travel to his home in the south. His gardens there are truly impressive. It is a long trip.” Raven grinned.

“I suppose I will have to forgive you then.”

Raven offered me his hand and led me inside the circle. We stood at the center. The couples formed three points of the compass with Faolan taking up the fourth. Moire and Ian spoke first, their voices combining in unison. “We ask the Fates to bless this union with the gifts from the four corners of the world. We represent the gifts of the north a firm foundation on which to build, a hope for a fertile mind and body, and a stable home where you may always return to each other’s arms.”

Marcas and Una spoke next. “We represent the gifts of the south the comfort of a loving home, the heat of the heart’s passion, and light in the darkest of times.”

Seònaid and Ami stepped forward. “We represent the gifts of the west a commitment as deep and a passion as all encompassing as the sea.”

Faolan’s raspy voice completed the ritual. “I give you the gifts of the east the union of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun.”

The air around us stirred. I swept my gaze over the deep purple sky to where it touched the expansive sea. The water lapped softly at the sand. I inhaled deeply. The salty air filled my lungs. I had never felt so free so very loved and safe.

Ami stepped forward with a braided piece of silk. “Ealasaid, take Raven’s left hand in yours.” She laid her hand on ours, cool against our warmth. Her eyes met mine. “May I bind your hands?”

I nodded. As she tied a loose knot at our wrists, a sudden memory threatened me, but one look into Raven’s eyes and it vanished.

“Your hands are now joined, in front of your family, as witnessed by the Fates. Hold each other, caress each other, support each other, love each other. Your lives, your hearts, and your souls are joined in this life and the next. By the Fates and by the laws of this land may this be done.” Ami unwound the silk and handed it to Seònaid. “There is only one thing left to do.”

I looked over at her. What else could there be?

Raven dipped his hand into his pocket and brought forth two silver rings, one large and one small. “A symbol. Like our sigils. I had them made for us.”

He took the smaller ring and slid it onto my finger. It was warm. The engravings appeared to come alive for a brief second, glinting in the light of the surrounding lanterns. Raven extended his hand, offering me his ring. I had a sudden flash of memory: Raven offering me a grape the first morning I’d been free. Tears pricked at my eyes. With trembling fingers, I held his ring. My magic pulsed, heating the silver. What is happening? As the ring slid over Raven’s finger, I awakened my sight. Emerald wisps of air were flowing from my hand to his. His aura took on the slightest green tinge. It was almost like a halo around his body. The ring had a stronger aura, one all its own. Was there magic in the metal? I looked down at my hand. My ring had no such aura. When I looked back at his ring, the aura was gone.

“Ealasaid.” He brought me back with the gentle word. “The Fates smiled upon me the day they led me to you. They have blessed me every day since. I have seen you discover your magic, your voice, your strength, and even your very name. Each day with you is a gift-one I treasure.”

I cupped his cheek. “It is I who am blessed. I had nothing. You gave me the strength to discover who I was. It is because of you that I have a family. There is nothing more precious to me than this.”

For several long moments, all was silent. We were locked in a gentle embrace. Raven’s eyes shone with unshed tears. He dipped his head. His lips were soft, warm, and tasted of home. He was my home.

Patricia D. Eddy has been a writer all of her life. She used to sit at her parents’ kitchen counter at an Apple IIe typing out short stories. She even wrote a few on their old typewriter. But it wasn’t until NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2011 that she ever came close to finishing a story she started.

Once that dam broke, the flood waters never receded. Patricia sits down to write every evening after dinner and quite often sees midnight come and go before she heads to bed. She doesn’t sleep much. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

In her spare (HA!) time she runs, bikes, swims, yogas, pilates-es, reads, and is terribly addicted to Doctor Who and Sherlock. Apparently she has a thing for quirky British men.