frouth novel
Stone of hope
Paranormal Romance
Book 4 stones of iona
Only through hope can one see their true love.
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Stone of hope
In a twist of fate, he’s shown her beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.
She fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?
He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She’d do anything for his love.
She fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?
He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She’d do anything for his love.
An Excerpt From Stone Of Hope
As the kids walked away, Dominic turned to her. “Are you okay?” Moira sighed as she watched Pierre’s group travel away from her campsite. She turned to look at him. “Thank you. You saved the campsite from ruin. Saved my other artifacts.” Dominic leaned the rifle against the box of supplies. “Well, I didn’t save the statue, but I did stop the attack.” He glanced at Pierre’s group driving away in the distance, then back at Moira. “How often has he struck? He stepped closer. “Has he hurt anyone?” Obviously, this wasn’t the first time the Frenchman had attacked, and by the looks of it, it wouldn’t be the last.She breathed and ran a shaky hand over her hair. Unruly auburn wisps floated in the breeze like the entire mass tried to escape their confines. Her nerves seemed rattled, but she appeared unhurt. After another deep breath, she spoke. “They usually aren’t so heavily armed. Fortunately, he has only hurt my pride, my reputation, my dig, and stolen my finds.”Dominic smirked. “Is that all?” She huffed and gave him a wobbly grin. At least she had her humor, a sign this hadn’t affected her deeply. Yet concern still rose in him. A woman left to defend herself with mere villagers as protection. Moira sniffled and blinked. She was affected. She needed more help and protection.Dominic stepped closer and rubbed his hand up and down her arm trying to soothe her. “You should hire protection to guard you and your campsite.” After speaking he inhaled and the faint scent of jasmine floated to him, sweet and light.She sniffled. “I thought I had with Nubi and his villagers, but it seems even that is not enough anymore. Pierre grows bolder.” He huffed. Mere villagers not trained soldiers familiar with defense tactics. Did Moira even realized what she faced with a man like Pierre? One whose greed forced him to grow bolder in his pursuit for each thing he desired. Men like him were easy to read but hard to predict.Dominic took her hand in his and held it in front of him. “For now, I am here and will protect you.” Dominic stared at Moira. Her eyes were a deep hazel, like a dark emerald. She seemed so innocent and vulnerable after the attack on her site. He held her hand in his for a moment, caressing the fingers. The callouses from working with brushes contrasted the softer parts not used to hard labor. A long wiry reddish curl escaped her hair in the wind and blew across her face. Dominic couldn’t resist himself. He reached for the ringlet and placed it behind her ear. She glanced down as a blush spread across her face. “Thank you, Dom. I appreciate the help—while you are with us.” Dominic smiled, “Whatever you need, I’ll be here.” He glanced around. “Let’s clean this mess up before nightfall.” She regarded the site. Her gaze shot back at Dominic, who let go of her hand. Oh, oh, she’s recalled why they came up from the burial chamber, how they got here. Damn, she’s a fast thinker. She placed her hands on her hips as she spoke. “Which brings me to my question. How did you three end up in the tomb? Before the attack, I asked Nubi if he saw you before you fell, and he said no one approached the site. That was just before Pierre’s cars came over the hill.” Dominic looked away and sighed. She huffed. “You aren’t going to try and tell me some mysterious mummy dumped you in my dig site, are you? So how exactly did you end up in the tomb without ever entering it?”Dominic glanced down, rubbed his neck, then peeked at her. “We’re tourists, lost.” Would she buy it? Likely not, she’s a smart educated woman not afraid of men she should be afraid of.She huffed a laugh. “Lost tourists, I believe. But you still haven’t answered my question. How did you get into the tomb?”
Dominic picked up the rifle and strode away as he spoke over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Women, a complication he didn’t need right now. He needed to figure out how to get him and the kids home, to the future.
Moira grabbed his arm. “I have spent my life in ancient tombs of Egypt. Curses, strange wind underground, stories of the dead becoming the undead. You’d be surprised at what I would believe.”
Dominic stared at her face, trying to find any hint of mistrust or deceit. If he told her the truth, would she not only believe it but keep his secret, the Fae secret?
She rolled her eyes. “It can’t be that bad. The locals claim the tomb we were in is cursed. But you three popping in is the first strange thing we’ve encountered here.” She stepped closer. “Whatever the explanation, it will remain between us.” He’d have to enlist her help, the damn portal sat in the middle of her dig site.
Dominic stepped closer and peered directly into her eyes. “I have your word on that. And if we need help, you’ll give it? Regardless of how strange it may sound?”
Moira nodded, stepping back and put her hand out for a shake. Dominic eyed the hand, then her, and shook it but didn’t let it go. Hit her with it all. Shock her to the point she won’t believe it.
He pulled her closer and spoke low, ensuring only she heard. “We are from the future. The Eye of Ra is a portal between times. We came by accident and need to get home.”
Moira looked at her hand, then at his face. “Future, eh? A portal in time?” Still holding his hand, her other flipped her hair that had fallen on her face. “Some story. I suppose you have good fighting skills for a man from the future.” Was that flirting? Did he detect a challenge in her eyes?
Dominic beamed at her compliment. He knew he had mad skills. She did not know half of all he could do.
“Military training. You could say I have skills.” He placed his foot behind hers and pulled her hand, flipping her to the ground as he landed on top of her. Moira let out a grunt at the impact. Dominic’s face was just above hers, their breaths mingling. He didn’t know why he did it, but he felt an attraction to the woman, one he couldn’t explain. Jasmine, the scent came from her neck, like perfume.
Moira grinned. “Is that the best you can do?”
He grinned. This woman had no idea all he was capable of. “Trust me, I can do a lot better. Do I have your word? Our secret is safe, and you’ll help us get back through the portal?”
Moira grinned. “A time portal? This is something I have never seen. You do know telling tall tales leads to nothing but lies?” He never lied outside of a mission, especially to a woman—women on the other hand where well known liars but Moira, was different.
Dominic shifted his hand to her face, caressing it. “I don't lie, and I don't tell tall tales. I always tell the truth.”
Moira tilted her head. “The truth means you’ll show me a portal in time. Something that doesn’t exist.” Smart and a challenge, he liked these odds much better.
Dominic shifted his face closer to hers as he whispered. “You’ll help us, tall tale or not?”
Moira shrugged as his breath mingled with hers. “Yes, I’ll help you.” He didn’t know why, but the overwhelming urge to kiss her flooded his senses.
Dominic nodded slowly. “May I seal our deal with a kiss?”
Moira smirked. “First, he demands I believe he’s from the future. Now he wants to steal a kiss.” God she was beautiful, and that spark, she was irresistible.
Dominic’s head dropped closer to her face, their lips barely touching. “Not stealing, giving.” He kissed her lightly.
She moaned into his mouth. Unable to stop himself, he deepened the kiss. She moaned, and he took advantage of her open mouth as his tongue plundered hers. She shifted in his embrace, and he regretfully ended the kiss.
Moira replied. “Your sir, have a deal.”