“WHAT DO YOU WANT OF ME?”

“Naught but two kisses,” Rowan said. “The condition is merely that I grant you the first one and you return the second one in kind.”

She rolled her eyes. “Aye, no doubt that first kiss will involve more than merely a kiss, but I will not succumb to your touch!”

“Kisses only,” Rowan insisted. “And naught shall I touch but my lips to yours.”

“Liar!”

Rowan smiled slowly. “Coward,” he charged.

She stepped closer and raised her chin, her eyes bright with challenge. “Do your worst,” she invited.

“Fear not,” he whispered. “I shall do my best.” He touched his lips to hers and set to the labor he did best of all.

PRAISE FOR CLAIRE DELACROIX’S PREVIOUS NOVELS IN THE BRIDE QUEST TRILOGY

THE DAMSEL

“A GEM OF A BOOK! As always, Ms. Delacroix keeps her readers’ excitement level high. Her medieval tales can take their place among the classics in the genre.”

—Rendezvous

THE PRINCESS

“THE ESSENCE OF FAIRY TALE, FABLE AND LEGEND!”

—Romantic Times