Book(s): Bound by
Duty (Bound Series, Book One)
Release Date: July 24, 2014
Synopsis: Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder,
but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must
maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to
the prince of the Immortals and doesn't even know his name.
Finally breaking
free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia
expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky southern girl, or fall for a
self-assured human who sees her for who she is, not what she will become.
As she learns more
about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As
her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly
answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head
win the battle, or her heart?
Website: http://www.stormysmith.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stormysmith
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, and Paranormal
Bio:
Stormy Smith calls Iowa’s capital home now, but was raised in a tiny town in
the Southeast corner of the state. She grew to love books honestly, having a
mom that read voraciously and instilled that same love in her. She knew quickly
that stories of fantasy were her favorite, and even as an adult gravitates
toward paranormal stories in any form.
Writing a book had
never been an aspiration, but suddenly the story was there and couldn’t be
stopped. When she isn’t working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy’s
favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere
she can relax with her husband or girlfriends.
Excerpt: Bound by Duty - Prologue
Her stark white
hair fell down around her face. For the first time in one hundred years it
wasn’t pulled back in a waist-length braid. Her crimson robes were torn and
stained. She bit back a groan, her lips a tight line as the pain ripped through
her once again. The invisible knife raked its way up her back as wounds no one
could see flayed her skin and weakened her resolve. It had been days of this
and she wasn’t sure if she could continue. As she looked up and met the queen’s
eyes, Lavignia pushed the anger down and forced compassion to rise yet again.
“What is it you
hope to learn, Julia? What is it you think you have to gain from all of this?”
she asked weakly as she tugged on the restraints that kept her tethered to the
heavy wooden chair. Her power was already weak when the Hunters had found her,
and the enchanted chamber had dampened what remained to a tiny flame.
The room was dark,
but the sun was slowly rising. An orange and pink glow filtered through the
small window above Julia’s head. The colorful rays that should have resembled
hope of a new day only shed light on the reality that Lavignia would never
leave this room alive.
Julia stepped from
the shadows and walked slowly toward Lavignia. She stopped and crouched down,
putting herself at eye level.
“Oh, Livvy, dear.
Don’t do that,” she said, her tone patronizing as her ice crystal eyes
narrowed. “Don’t pretend you can still look down on me from your Elder tower.
Don’t pretend you can utter your polite words and suddenly I’ll remember who
you are versus who I am. I know exactly who I am. I am the one who rules them
all. I am the one they will bow down to and worship. I am the Queen. Not you. Or
your sisters. Your time is done.”
She looked back
over her shoulder to the Hunter who stood in the still dark corner of the room
and nodded. The Hunter’s eyes burned bright orange as Lavignia’s screams echoed
off the walls. Julia raised her hand and the screams dropped to whimpers. With
that same hand, she reached out and took Lavignia’s.
“Livvy, look at
me,” she commanded. Dazed, dim violet eyes struggled to focus and find hers.
Julia tightened her grip, digging her scarlet nails into Lavignia’s already
tender flesh, making her yelp and their eyes connect.
“Livvy, you need
to tell me,” she said. “I know you
see it. You knew this day would come and you know I won’t stop until you tell
me. I scoured the lands for you. I know there are others left, but they can be
saved. You can save them, old friend. You just have to tell me.” Her tone was
persuasive and gentle, but the frantic look that passed through her eyes told
Lavignia the truth the queen couldn’t hide — she was scared.
“You won’t harm
the others? You will let them live out their lives hidden and free? You will
swear an oath?” Her words trailed off and Lavignia’s eyes closed, the torture
of the last few days taking its toll. She could only hope the oath would keep
her people safe.
She didn’t see the
triumph that straightened Julia’s posture or the sneer that twisted her thin,
painted lips. “Of course, my dear. I swear to you that I will not seek out and
harm the remaining Elders. I swear that I will not take their freedom.”
“Your blood,”
Lavignia said, her words barely audible.
Julia removed a
small dirk from the folds of her skirts and repeated the words as she slid the
blade down her palm. As the deep red drop hit the floor, she sent a small wave
of power through to heal the wound, reveling in the knowledge that she had won.
“Now, Livvy,
darling, you must tell me.” When Lavignia didn’t respond, Julia whipped back
around to the still silent Hunter. “Help her. Give her what she needs. NOW!”
she commanded, panic finally breaking through her controlled facade.
The Hunter flicked
a wrist at Lavignia and she suddenly straightened, her eyes luminescent and
shining at the welcome invasion of power that flooded her system, giving her
renewed life for a few precious seconds.
With sudden
clarity, she saw the future that had eluded her. She looked down on Julia with
authority and pity as the words that would cement the queen’s fate fell from
her lips.
“You will have
your time, but it will end. She will be born to the one who got away. Inside
her, the five families will merge and only a man who is both king and companion
will tame the wild and set her free. She will be your undoing. She will lead
them all.”
Julia reared back,
Lavignia’s words not the ones she expected. Seconds later, her dirk was buried
deep in Lavignia’s chest. Lavignia collapsed back against the chair, a content
smile mocking the queen from her lifeless face.
Julia’s breath
heaved in and out in short bursts as she turned to the Hunter. “I made an oath.
You did not. Find them. Kill them all.”
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