Through Time-Whiplash Read online

  Contents

  Through Time-Whiplash

  She could be in trouble here

  Also by Claudy Conn

  What reviewers are saying about Claudy’s books

  Copyright Page

  ~ Prelude ~

  ~ Prologue ~

  ~ One ~

  ~ Two ~

  ~ Three ~

  ~ Four ~

  ~ Five ~

  ~ Six ~

  ~ Seven ~

  ~ Eight ~

  ~ Nine ~

  ~ Ten ~

  ~ Eleven ~

  ~ Twelve ~

  ~ Thirteen ~

  ~ Fourteen ~

  ~ Fifteen ~

  ~ Sixteen ~

  ~ Seventeen ~

  ~ Eighteen ~

  ~ Nineteen ~

  ~ Epilogue ~

  Through Time-Slamming (unedited)

  ~ One ~

  Hungry Moon: Quicksilver

  ~ Prelude ~

  ~ Prologue ~

  After the Storm

  ~ Prologue ~

  ~ One ~

  About Claudy Conn

  Read more about Claudy Conn’s books

  Through Time-Whiplash

  She could be in trouble here

  Jazz whipped around so fast she nearly snapped her neck, to find not only a Seelie Fae but a Royal Fae Prince bearing down on her .

  Had he heard the stone call her a Fios? He must have.

  Oh, no, oh no. She could be in trouble here.

  She had given herself away.

  He was not in human Glamour but cloaked with invisibility, yet she had acknowledged his presence when he’d surprised her. What was more, he was a Royal, and her mother had told her tales of what Royals did with their kind. She knew the tales of Royals, all Seelie Fae, visiting, discovering what they were, seducing, and then whisking them off to Faery.

  Now what? Play dumb, yes, that was it; she could do dumb. What moved her to peek at him she didn’t know, but she did. He saw her interest with narrowed eyes. What was she doing—what was wrong with her?

  She had never seen a Royal before, but she knew by the torque around his neck, which was gold and etched with the insignia of his Royal House, that he was one.

  Royals were the most magically potent of all Fae and therefore the most dangerous, and this one was the hottest Fae she had ever seen. She was mesmerized by the way his long, thick, flaxen hair blew in the wind all about his handsome face. She was so damned taken by his good looks and his smokin’ body. Oh, this was not good. There was only one thing to do …

  She took off at a speed, even greater than the one she knew she possessed, aware that it was probably useless. No matter how fast she could run using her Fios magic, she couldn’t out distance him. He was a Fae, with the power to ‘shift’, which allowed a Fae to step from one place into another in only a matter of seconds. She didn’t know if that was science or magic, but she knew she would be trapped.

  Fae seers had many extraordinary gifts. However, not all Fios had the same gifts. One of her particular gifts was speed. She held the hope that she would hold no interest for him and he would not bother himself to stop her. Wrong.

  Evidently, stopping her was what he wanted to do.

  She ran into a brick wall that she realized was his chest, bounced off like a rubber ball, and fell backwards so hard she had the wind knocked out of her.

  The Royal Fae Prince stared down at her as she lay back against the grass trying to catch her breath and asked, “What, by Danu, are you?”

  Also by Claudy Conn

  Through Time Series

  Through Time-Pursuit

  Through Time-Slamming (coming in June 2013)

  ~

  Legend Series

  Prince Prelude—Legend

  Spellbound—Legend

  Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)

  Shee Willow—Legend

  Prince in the Mist (Novella)

  Trapped—Legend

  Free Falling—Legend

  Catch & Hold—Legend

  ~

  Shadow Series

  ShadowLove—Stalkers

  ShadowHeart—Slayer

  ShadowLife—Hybrid

  ~

  Hungry Moon Series

  Hungry Moon: Quicksilver

  ~

  Risqué Regencies

  Myriah Fire

  Oh, Cherry Ripe

  Rogues, Rakes & Jewels

  Taffeta & Hotspur

  Wildfire Kiss

  Netherby Halls

  After the Storm

  Runaway Heart

  DarkLove (published by Wild Rose Press)

  What reviewers are saying

  about Claudy’s books

  ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT

  ShadowLove—Stalkers is filled with steaming action and dramatic tension … Claudy delicately plants the seeds for future development and characters without distracting from the excitement and romance of Stalkers. The result is that she has a paranormal, vampire series, of romance novels, which carries her own unique and spicy aroma.

  ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT … and yes, I am blushing.

  ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

  Five Cups and a CTTR (Coffee Time Reviewer’s Recommend) Award

  ShadowLove—Stalkers is a story that immediately hooks the reader. It reminds me of a roller coaster just beginning, only to plunge into speed, drawing the reader into non-stop action. Intense and spellbinding, this paranormal romance kept this reader engrossed until the conclusion. I loved the passion and chemistry between the main characters. With tremendous action and well thought out characters, this fantastic read sizzles and sparks like a firecracker.

  ~ Coffee Time Romance & More

  Trapped Legend has my pulse skyrocketing!

  A clever, fast paced, unpredictable blend of action, adventure, mystery, magic and steamy hot loving … I picked it up and couldn’t tear myself away from it until I read the last page.

  I highly recommend each book in Claudy’s Legend series. You’re seriously missing out on some wonderful adventures if you haven’t read the previous stories. It’s by far one of the most exceptionally crafted, enchanting Fae series I’ve ever read.

  ~ Candice Stauffer, author

  Five Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer

  This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a standalone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

  This is another one I couldn’t put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.

  ~ Wild About Bones on GoodReads

  One hot and thrilling book

  I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound—Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.

  ~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

  5 out of 5 stars

  Fanning the flames of Myriah Fire!

  What was once an innocent, if rollicking, regency romance has exploded with passion as Claudy Conn revisits Myriah Fire to turn up the heat.

&
nbsp; The addition of unbridled sexual passion to Myriah Fire’s strong story brings dimensions of maturity and depth to the struggles faced by Myriah and Kit, without diminishing any of the innocence, joy or charm found in the original story. This revised version of Myriah Fire allows Claudy’s regency followers to appreciate what her paranormal romance fans have discovered—mind-bending eroticism.

  A truly captivating tale with a blast of added sizzle, Myriah Fire will kindle the flames of your heart and burn up the night.

  ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

  Love, love, love Myriah Fire!

  It’s a brilliant, fast-paced, and ‘true to its title’, ‘going to catch you on fire’ romance. Looking forward to more! Hoping Claudy Conn plans to share more of her historical treasures with us.

  ~ Candice Stauffer, author

  Myriah has always been my favorite

  This is a sweet, funny, charming romance. The characters are likeable and the story is well told. I loved all of the Claudette Williams (now Claudy Conn) books, but this one has always been my favorite. I hope she will put out more of her backlist.

  ~ lmjolicoeur on Smashwords

  5 Stars for Rogues, Rakes, and Jewels!

  Being a huge fan of Jane Austen, with Emma and Pride and Prejudice being two of my favorite romance novels, I was thrilled when Claudy sent me her regency romance to review. This novel had everything: danger, a villain, twists, and more secrets between characters then I could count. I really enjoyed the story and the strong female lead. One thing that I will say about Conn’s Regency romance is this is no Jane Austen. There was serious heat in the book between the main characters. That just made this an even better Regency piece. I recommend it for a fun and delightful read. I will look to read her other Regency romances now.

  ~ Emily Walker’s Reviews

  5 Stars

  Another fun regency by Claudy Conn. Full of characters who come to life and pull you into the story. And as always the evil villain lurking about ready for his chance to wreak havoc. From the forests of Nottingham to the streets of London, there is plenty of excitement and page-turning adventure from beginning to end.

  ~ Reviews by Jutzie

  Through Time-Whiplash

  By

  Claudy Conn

  Copyright Page

  Through Time-Whiplash

  By Claudy Conn

  http://www.claudyconn.com

  Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

  Edited by: Karen Babcock

  Cover Artist: Kendra Egert

  All rights reserved

  Published in the United States of America

  March 2013

  Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Unedited Excerpt of Through Time-Slamming

  Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

  Excerpt of Hungry Moon: Quicksilver

  Copyright © 2012 by Claudy Conn

  Excerpt of After the Storm

  Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

  ~ Prelude ~

  AAIBHE, QUEEN OF the Seelie Fae, stood by her window overlooking the rose gardens of her palace on the Seelie Fae’s Isle of Tir.

  Morgan LeBlanc stood behind her, resting his chin on her fair head. She pressed back against him and whispered, “You must go.”

  He turned her to him and held her chin. “My love, I can’t tell you enough what you are to me, like one of those rare blooms in your garden, exotic and beyond description.” He frowned and asked, “And why must I go?”

  Sadness filled her mind, but when he touched her, he made her feel as though they could come through this together. She rubbed her head against him, torn by what she felt and what she knew she had to do.

  She could see he sensed her indecision as he whispered, “Let me stay, just a bit longer.”

  He was so easy to love.

  An exquisite warrior, noble of heart and character.

  She had not wanted to love him.

  Love brought loss, and loss brought such pain …

  He was the Milesian leader, and the Council would be horrified at such a union. The Queen of the Seelie Fae and the leader of the Milesians?

  All her world would be shocked into censuring her. How could she lead them through the dark times ahead if they did not trust her decision making? And there would be dark times ahead.

  Indeed, but how could she deny herself? She had been too lonely too long, and he … was superb in every imaginable way.

  “You must go now,” she said softly.

  His answer was to embrace her and kiss her long and hard, growling when he came away from that kiss to say, “I leave for you, because you ask it, but I—we—shan’t be denied much longer.”

  He was upset, and he had a right, but they were from opposing forces politically. She had to be careful, as did he, though he denied it. He had told her that he and his son Chance would lead their people, no matter who they took as their lifelong mates! He had pointed out the Milesians were very pleased with Chance’s union with Princess Royce. So why not theirs?

  She said, “Because I am a queen and you are, in essence, their king.”

  She would have to be wise for them both. She smiled at him and touched his face. “I shall come to you as soon as I may …”

  “If you don’t, I will come for you—mark me in this, Aaibhe!”

  He was a dominant male, equal in strength to her, and was, she thought, just what she needed. Although her subjects loved her, and some even desired her, they were still her subjects who owed her deference and to whom she owed wise rulership. As a queen she knew and ably fulfilled her duties, but as a woman, at times she grew tired, so tired of forever leading, forever making decisions that affected her entire Realm as well as the Human Realm.

  She smiled when he growled and mumbled, and then he was gone.

  Aaibhe turned once more to contemplate without seeing the rare blooms he spoke of just outside her windows. They were like her feelings for Morgan—riotous, undeniably beautiful, and dangerous.

  She had not felt this way in well over a thousand years.

  The future, she knew, was edged in darkness. A rim of fire framed what she had seen, threatening not only her relationship with Morgan but all life, not only human life, which was forever at risk, but Seelie Fae life. She knew her Druid and Fios team would have to help her contain it once again; war seemed inevitable.

  She would need her best Royals, her best Druids, and their lives would most surely be forfeit for the slightest mistake.

  She had no way of knowing, no way of seeing the outcome.

  Her sight, which only gave glimpses of possible events, was just that, a glimpse here and there, with no definitive answers.

  Time travel, which had been denied to all Fae in the last one hundred years and limited even to her, might have allowed her to go in and tweak events to better serve both the Fae and the Human Realms, but even that was not to be.

  Perhaps it had been the indiscriminate travel into time that had brought matters to such a pass?

  A knock sounded at her door, and she turned to welcome one of her youngest warrior princes, Trevor.

  He bowed his head and then respectfully stood, tall, erect, muscular, and more a warrior today than he had been only a few weeks ago. His flaxen hair fell about in loose curls to his shoulders, and as he raised his head, their eyes met.

  She could see he was still angry.

  He looked so very much like his older brother, Danté, she thought as she stared into his deep golden eyes, but he was different, so very different. He still had to
grow and learn.

  Discontent glinted in the recesses of his Seelie eyes, but something else lay in their recesses, a sadness that went deep.

  Trevor of Lugh must not be allowed to fall into bitterness, she thought. Pampering him wasn’t something she had the time to do any longer, nor could she waste any time teaching him what eventually he would learn. He was going to have to absorb everything he needed to know in one quick lesson.

  “Trevor, sit with me.” She waved one elegant hand towards a high-backed chair, sat first, and waited.

  He hesitated but did what she asked. She could see he didn’t want to. She could see he wasn’t just angry but discontent.

  “Tell me,” she said, “why you are not satisfied with the results of your mission. After all, Pestale has been stopped, and in a manner of speaking he is being punished—denied all he had strived to accomplish.”

  “Stopped? For now, but not punished. He killed Lana … and what of the humans he killed?” Trevor shook his head. “In my humble opinion, my Queen, he has gotten off too easy.”

  “You do not think it is punishment enough to send him back to the Dark Realm, a place he loathed?”

  “No, I do not, and, my Queen, how can you call it punishment when he has been taken by his father, made to drink from the Cauldron, and has no memory of his past deeds? No, that is not punishment, and that is not the justice I sought. If you wanted to keep him alive, you should have given him a conscience and allowed him to suffer the agonies of regret and guilt.”

  “Even I cannot give one a conscience.” She clucked her tongue and waved this off. “I maintained the balance between the Realms, my Prince. The Dark King would have allowed us to put Pestale to death, yes, but at what cost? He would never have forgiven us. The Dark King is a complicated, unfathomable being, and we could not, cannot, afford to go to war with him. Pestale has always been his favorite creation. He seems to believe that Pestale, whom he calls his son, can be redeemed.”