BITTERSWEET
by Michele
Barrow-Belilse
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
To save the
Faery world and her mother’s life, seventeen year old Lorelei sacrificed
everything, and the dangerous bargains she made in Nevermore had lasting
repercussions. Now safely back in her own world, Lorelei seems the same to her
high school friends and her supernatural boyfriend, despite the dark magic
growing within her. Love across dimensions is complicated, especially when an
invisible veil between the two worlds is sealing, threatening to separate
Lorelei and Adrius forever.
Determined to find a solution,
Lorelei resorts to exploring her new found powers. But when her friends fall
ill, and her healing touch only makes things worse, Lorelei can’t help but
wonder if she's responsible.
Nightmares from the Nevermore
tighten their icy hold when someone arrives determined to destroy Lorelei’s
world, starting with those closest to her. Once again she’s forced to choose
between her family… her friends… and a love that was ill-fated from the start.
“Stay.
Just…. Stay.” The second I said it I felt awful. What was I asking? I knew he
couldn’t stay, that he needed to return to his world to stay alive in mind.
Since
the night of the dance we’d carefully stayed away from discussing our little
predicament. We were still at a standoff. He couldn’t live in my world without
magical aids to keep him alive, because of the toxic nature of our polluted
air, and I couldn’t go back to his world, because of a bunch of angry beings
trying to kill me. That left us here. He would have to return to his world and
refuel, to come back to mine. How long the potions lasted depended upon how
much stress he was under. Physical exertion, extreme emotions all used up the
reserve more quickly. Then there was the issue of his still being tied to
Venus, the daughter of the ice witch I killed. A curse had caused his forced
fealty to her. Killing the witch was not only supposed to save Mythlandria from
her destructive wrath, it was also supposed to free Adrius of the curse that
bound him to the ice witch’s commands. Who knew there was a daughter who would
take over the bonds, and that she was also his ex-girlfriend.
Now
she wants me dead in payment for killing her mother, and as a bonus, I’d be out
of the way so she could get Adrius back in her life. That he could come here at
all means the curse is weakening. I want his freedom, but at which price? Was I
willing to kill for it? I’d have to end her life as well if I was going to
destroy the bonds. And I wasn’t a killer. Even OctÄhvia’s death was more of an
accident than intended. I had no idea what awakening the magic would do, or how
to wield it. This arrangement seemed like our only option, for now. And while I
hated to see him leave, there was something comforting in being able to pretend
that my life was normal again. As normal as it ever was. I could enjoy being
back home with friends and back at school which surprisingly enough, I’d
missed. It’s amazing how coming to the edge of your life multiple times will
make even the most mundane routines a welcomed change.
“Think
about what you’re asking me,” he said. “You know why I have to leave.”
He
watched me suck in a breath of regret, as I wished I could take back my
self-serving plea.
Pain
creased his eyes. “Sleep soundly, Lorelei,” was all he said. He kissed the top
of my head and turned to go.
The
tense set of his jaw revealed the effort it took to leave. I watched him walk
away, biting down on my lower lip until he reached the driveway.
“How
am I supposed to sleep?” My voice was almost too quiet to be heard over the
howling wind. But his hearing surpassed most mortal’s.
“Warm
milk with honey works well,” he answered my whisper, his back still facing me.
“It helps with the night terrors too,” he added.
“You
know that’s not what I meant.” I moved closer, descending one step at a time
until my bare feet hit the cold of the pavement.
Adrius
froze. Electric pulses crackled between us.
“I
was talking about sleeping without you. Here.”
“You’ve
managed to do it before,” he said cautiously, the strain of his resolve
vibrating in his voice.
“I
know. But—“
This
was wrong. It was selfish. How could I ask him to stay, when I know that
leaving is what would keep him alive to return to me?
“I’m
sorry. I’m being silly. It’s just I can’t—“
With
whipcrack intensity, his resolve burned away and he rushed toward me and pulled
me into his arms. His touch burned though my shirt as his hands splayed against
my back, pressing us closer. He kissed me, hungrily at first, then it quickly
deepened to ravenous. Matching his fervor, I tangled my fingers in his hair.
Every inch of me was on fire. He gasped, his lips slowing against mine. By the time
we separated, we were both breathless. He leaned his forehead against mine for
a few rapid heartbeats, then pulled back. Our eyes remained locked in a
palpitating stretch of silence that spoke volumes. My head swirled, and all I
wanted was more of where we’d left off.
But
he read my intentions. The corners of his lips quirked and he shook his head.
Warm hands slid down my arms with one last caress, before he disappeared. Gone
so quickly I didn’t actually see him leave. Swallowed by the darkness of the
night and the forest that held the secret doorway into Mythlandria.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
BIO
A dreamer at heart, Michele
Barrow-Belisle has always lived with one foot in this reality and one foot in
another, one of her own imagining. So it follows that she would grow up to
write about the characters from those enchanting worlds she knows and loves so
well. A fan of all things romantic, her young adult novels are populated with
scintillating witches, vampires and fey.
Her bestselling debut book series Fire and Ice (Faerie Song Trilogy) was
optioned for a major motion picture this year. Michele resides in southern
Canada with her hubby and son who indulge her never-ending obsession with
reading, writing and most importantly… chocolate.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Website: www.michelebarrowbelisle.com (join my mailing list)
Blog: www.michelebelisle.blogspot.ca
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/authormichele
Facebook Street Team
page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/396189297153826/
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3059577.Michele_Barrow_Belisle
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MicheleBelisle
Pintrest: www.pinterest.com/micheley26
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/micheley26
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/110546512991850441753/posts/p/pub
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Michele-Barrow-Belisle/e/B00BVRJADY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteIt's so awesome to have a chance to visit your blog Elaine!! Thanks for having me!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the excerpt Rita, it's one of my favorites! ;)
ReplyDeletenice cover
ReplyDeleteI really love the cover too! The cover artist is brilliant!
ReplyDelete