SilverQuest
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Excerpt

Princess Riva embarks on a journey to find a magical object that might just save her father and his kingdom, but the journey is difficult, the tests she faces are severe, and she must confront her own weaknesses and limitations. There are compensations, though. Leinad and Daniel are assigned to guide and help her along the way, and their help leads her into a world of passion and submission.

Reviews:

Five Stars!
"This story is beautifully written and I was utterly impressed by Ms. Kingston’s creativity in creating this remarkable tale. Through the development of the relationship between the main characters, the author provides just enough foreshadowing to keep the reader engrossed. Princess Riva is a woman determined to do anything to save her father and her land, but she learns more about herself than she ever bargained for. There is obviously more than meets the eye to Daniel and Leinad, and I couldn’t wait to learn their secrets. The sex scenes were not at all what I expected at first glance of the cover. The sex is much more sweet and tender than kinky. But be warned. This book includes rather intense punishment scenes that may be too much for some readers. This is a great story and a must read."
-- Laci Gray, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
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Four Stars!
In this moving story, which has sympathetic characters and steamy sex, Kingston has written an explicit book with bondage, multiple partners and spanking. The first in a series, this is a wonderful fantasy that has both action and emotion. (dl $5.95)
—Page Traynor, Romantic Times
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Prologue

     In another time and place, a king ruled a small but prosperous kingdom called Serendonia.

      It was a delightful place, full of happy people, who enjoyed a comfortable existence. They worked hard, but the land rewarded their labor with plentiful harvests. Animal stock provided eggs, milk, and meat in abundance. A wide diversity of vegetables and fruits thrived.

     All was well in Serendonia, until the day King Warren had a nasty mishap while helping with the shearing of the sheep. Kings don't normally spend much time in such humble tasks, but King Warren liked to help out where he could, since his very small, placid kingdom didn't require much work to keep it running. And while he was denuding a ram, the blade slipped and sliced an ugly, deep wound in his thigh.

     The local healer came to tend him. She cleaned the injury as best she could, sewed it up, and packed it with healing herbs, then she said a few prayers over it.

     Despite her best efforts, the wound refused to heal. Though it did not become morbid, the injury refused to close completely. The king bled constantly. He grew weak and was in constant pain. His family called in sorcerers who worked spell after spell, but nothing helped.

     As though in sympathy, the land itself became ill as well. The rain refused to fall. Streams dried up, plants withered, animals died, and harvests grew thinner.

     The king worried and fretted. His own discomfort he could bear, but to see his people suffering from hunger and malaise pained him beyond bearing. Since he could no longer help with the more active tasks, he spent his time in the library, searching for an answer to his problem.

     When they could, one or the other of his three adult, unmarried children helped him. None of them were there the day he finally found the answer he sought.

      It was no easy answer. He had to think long and hard about what he'd learned before he finally called his children together.

Chapter 1

     Stirring the pot of fruit preserves didn't require much of her attention, so Princess Riva found her mind wandering, as it so often had lately, to her favorite dreams, and the man who came to her in them.

     As usual, he wore a mask obscuring his features. Only his eyes, an unusual light brown color, almost gold, showed from the slits cut into the black fabric hiding his face.

     Though the light was dim, she could discern the graceful outline of his body. Wide shoulders and strong chest narrowed to a slim waist. He moved with a supple precision that came from finely honed muscles.

     From where she lay on the bed, she watched him approach. Fear warred with desire. She was a prisoner--his prisoner--but the emotion that made her stomach clench and her heartbeat race whenever he came close wasn't entirely fear. He reminded her of a tiger, large, beautiful, and dangerous.

     "So, Princess," he said as he approached. "Have you thought about my proposal?" His voice sent shivers flying up and down her spine. It was rich, deep, smooth, and dark.

     "There is naught to consider," she tossed back at him. "You've had my answer. It will not change."

     "Nay?" He came closer, moving to the side of her bed. "I could claim by force what you refuse to give willingly."

     Her breath caught in her throat. Something told her he wouldn't truly force her. But a sneaky, traitorous part of her almost wished he would.

     Hoping to catch him unprepared, she jumped up off the bed, pushed him hard enough to make him stumble and fall on his rear, and ran for the door he'd left standing open. Her bare feet slid on the flagstone floors. She made it only a little way down the hall before a hand fell on her shoulder. She stumbled.

     An arm circled her waist, supporting and trapping her. "Nay, Princess. I'll not force myself on you, yet neither will I allow this to go unanswered."

     He lifted her easily into his arms and held her securely despite her struggles as he carried her back into the cell. He sat on the side of the bed, still cradling her in his arms. Against her will she leaned into his chest, thrilling to the solid muscles there and his male scent.

     Her complacence didn't last long when he shifted his grip and flipped her over, landing her across his knees. She yelled and wriggled when his hand slapped down on her bottom. It burned where he smacked her. He ignored her struggles to get off his lap, just tightening an arm around her to hold her in place as he whacked her rear end steadily. Nor did he pay attention to her moans, cries, squeals, screams, or pleas for mercy.

     It hurt, but beneath the pain, a tingling excitement spread out through her body, born in her stinging derriere.

     He spanked her for a long time, until her bottom felt like a blazing inferno raged there, and her tears flowed freely. She wanted it to stop, but she thrilled to his strength and mastery. He halted abruptly and rolled her over, then pulled her back into his arms, holding her against his chest while she cried.

     She should be fighting him, but she couldn't bring herself to it. Though her derriere burned fiercely, another ache wound its way into her, an ache of need pressing in her loins. Her body burned with desire for him.

     When she calmed a bit, he gently tipped her head back and looked at her. With his fingers, he brushed away the tears. Then he lowered his face and his lips skimmed tenderly along her temple, her cheek, across her mouth to her jaw, and down along her throat, leaving streaks of tingling skin wherever his mouth touched.

     He drew back a moment, then slanted his mouth over hers and lingered there for a long, drugging kiss. Heat roused inside and poured along her veins. His tongue brushed against her lips and nudged them apart. Fire ignited in her and she strained toward him, seeking to deepen the kiss and press her body tighter to his.

     His hands moved from their resting spot on her shoulders, brushing down along her arms and then across to her breasts…

     "Your highness!" Riva was jerked abruptly out of the glorious daydream at the sound of the voice demanding her attention. It took a moment to reorient herself.

     Secretly mourning the interruption of the thrilling fantasy, she turned to the woman frowning at her. "Aye, Mariana. What is it?"

     "Your highness," the woman repeated. "His majesty, your father, summons you to his presence."

     A shaft of fear shot through her. "Is his majesty unwell?"

     "Nay, your highness. No worse than ever."

     Riva sighed in relief. "Take charge of stirring the fruit for me, if you will, Mariana. I believe it's close to done." She handed off the spoon and hurried out, stripping off her apron as she went.

     She sighed away the remnants of her fantasy, for fantasy it was, in truth. None of the men presented to her as eligible candidates for her hand appealed to her in the least. Though some were good-looking, and one of those even rather amiable, none had the forcefulness and confidence she sought, nor the ability to master her she hungered for. Though she did not try to be overbearing or show openly her strength of will, she nonetheless knew she intimidated most men.

     As she neared her father's private chamber, she met her younger brother and sister, coming from the other direction. Both looked worried.

     "You were summoned, as well?" Riva asked.

     "Aye," John answered.

     "Is he worse?" Worry pulled Lia's pretty face into a frown.

     "I was told no. I shouldn't think he would deteriorate so quickly in any case. Just this morning when I talked with him, he seemed no worse than before."

     "I wonder why he would summon all three of us at once, then," John said.

     "We'll soon learn." Upon arriving at the chamber door, Riva knocked and was admitted by a man-at-arms.

     The three of them bowed to the man who held himself straight and proud in the chair near the bed. John had worked closely with the carpenter to build the chair for maximum comfort and recruited several seamstresses to add pillows to soften its seat and back.

     "Riva, John, Lia," he said, smiling at each in turn. "My thanks for being so prompt. Do come here, and sit down, my dears."

     A series of chairs lined a wall of the room. Since the king's injury, he often conducted the business of state in this chamber.

     "Are you well, father?" Riva asked. She and Lia both approached him and kissed his forehead before taking their seats.

     "No better than I've been for the last months," he admitted. "But no worse, either." He paused and looked down at a book on the desk nearby. "I think I may have found an answer for this, however."

     "An answer?" Lia asked. "Something that might cure you, sir?"

     "Aye," he said. His fond smile faded quickly. "I fear it means I must ask each of you to do a great favor for me."

     "You know you have but to ask, father," Riva said. A corner of his mouth crooked up again. "Be not so quick to say so, my dear. It would be no small thing demanded of each of you should you choose to undertake this venture."

     "Do tell us what is needed," Riva begged.

     "I've been reading the legends from our world and many other parallel worlds." The king paused and sighed. "There's little else I can do, trapped here by this." He patted the mound of bandages on his thigh, then turned brisk again, dismissing his moment of despair.

     "I've found a legend I think may provide an answer. It's from a parallel world, but one that overlaps ours in many areas. Three powerful objects are hidden within our worlds, but in times of need, strong people can claim them for healing purposes."

     His gaze moved over all three of them. "My reading leads me to believe that if we can retrieve all three objects and bring them here, they may be able to heal this, and repair the damage to our lands, as well."

     Riva glanced at her brother and sister. She read in their faces the same resolve she felt. "We will retrieve those objects for you, father."

     He gave them a sad smile. "Nay, be not so quick to promise, my love. Though I do thank you for it. There is more to the legend than I've yet told you. 'Tis not so easy to find or claim these objects. The tales speak of difficult journeys, with many obstacles and trials along the way. And even when the seeker finds his goal, there are tests within tests yet to be passed. Many who seek these objects fail, and often failure brings death. I would have you think very carefully before you offer to do this. In truth, I would be happier if you could suggest others you would trust to do this for us."

     He stopped to draw a long breath. "My reading of the tales indicates those who have the most reason to want or need those objects for purely unselfish reasons are most likely to succeed. The person to claim these things must be pure of heart, courageous, loving, loyal, and honorable." His expression turned sad and strained. "I have debated long whether to tell you of this possibility. It burns my heart to think of anyone undertaking these quests. The danger is great. The objects-three of them-are in different locations, guarded by strong wards, and each must be retrieved by a different individual, so no one person may undertake all three quests. I truly hope each of you can find someone worthy for this task, though I know in truth you three are closer to the ideals than any others I know."

     Riva looked at John and Lia again. The determination on their faces mirrored what she felt. "We can and will do this thing, father," she said, speaking for all of them. "We are your daughters and son. Who else has the power we've got from you, or the strength of love?

     Lines of doubt and unhappiness deepened in his face. "I know not, but I would prefer you found others, people you trust, to do this."

     Riva considered candidates she knew who might be able to complete such a quest. A few of their knights came to mind, yet all had flaws that would seem to rule them out. Sir Aldwyn had great heart, but he was too old and getting weak. Sir Farriel was strong but an unrepentant womanizer. Sir Trayford had lately become too fond of strong drink. And withal, none would feel as great a need and desire for the objects as did she and her brother and sister. "We'll try to find people we trust to do this," she said.