Harmonious Madness: May 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mistress of Malice and Mercy preview

A Mistress of Malice and Mercy preview. I don't always like it when Duke and Viola fight, truly fight, but it happens in this book and it's pretty spectacular.

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His hand fell away, hung limply by his side. His shoulder throbbed, the lack of power flowing through the link left him feeling itchy, and that terrible blend of anger and fear burned like bile in the back of his throat. “I need to think.”

“Wait.” Viola’s fingertips grazed his elbow. She scrambled over the chair to follow him around the table. “Just wait a minute.”

Duke shrugged into his leather jacket. “I would fight for you with my last breath, sugar. I would lay down my life for yours and the baby’s without hesitation or regrets. I’d do anything to keep you safe and happy.” He straightened the collar, grabbed his keys off the counter. “You’re tying my hands, though, and asking me to be a spectator while you toss your life away. That doesn’t sit well, sugar. I need to process.”
She nodded briskly. Even with him locking her out of his head, she could feel the maelstrom of emotions tearing him up. “I love you.”

He met her eyes briefly, the blue so warm it melted her bones. “Never doubted it, sweetness.” He lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle, chaste kiss. “I love you so much I don’t want to imagine a life without you.”

“Where are you going?”

“Out.” He nodded at Griff and Pip. Wiff raced across the wood floor, scaled Duke’s leg, and burrowed into Duke’s jacket pocket. “I’ll see you in the morning.”