Tales of Enchantment Read online

  TALES OF ENCHANTMENT

  Kai Andersen

  Copyright 2013, 2014, 2016 Kai Andersen

  All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, no part of this ebook may be reproduced in any print or electronic form without prior written permission from the publisher, Chained Hearts Publishing. Please respect the hard work of our author.

  Published by Chained Hearts Publishing

  This ebook is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  About the Author

  Kai Andersen writes whatever is her fancy, be it contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, or romantic suspense. She discovered romance novels in middle school and hasn’t stopped reading since. She started writing in high school and has a lot of unfinished manuscripts in notebooks in her cabinet. Despite a lot of disappointments, she still believes in fairy tales and happy endings.

  Visit her at: http://kaiandersen.net/

  About the Book

  Love fairy tale retellings? Indulge your craving in this never before compiled selection at a very low price!

  Red and the Huntsman (Book 1)

  Red has turned eighteen, yet her mother (and everyone else) persists in seeing her as a little girl. She doesn’t know if it is because of her petite stature or something else.

  When the man she is attracted to doesn’t see her as a woman, it’s the last straw. She will show them that she’s all grown up, and woman enough for her man.

  The Question of Royalty (Book 2)

  A lush, sensual, wet beauty arrives at his hunting lodge, seeking shelter from the ferocious storm. She claims to be a princess, but so many things about her don't add up. Despite his intense attraction to her, Frederick can't help but be suspicious.

  Serena is running from a terrible fate, and she has no wish to linger, even when one look from her host makes her feel things she's never felt before. Not to mention the touch of his hands, his lips... Fires burn hot and bright between them, despite the questions in his eyes, questions she cannot answer.

  Unbeknownst to them, villainous forces are at work, seeking to keep them apart. Will Frederick be forced to let her go, especially if she can't answer The Question of Royalty?

  The Quest (Book 3)

  Giselda of Mithirien is a fake, and she knows it. When Prince Michael of Ermont offers for her hand, she's overjoyed. Michael can give her everything her heart desires--wealth, security, status. So why is she attracted to Rodin, son of the palace gardener?

  Rodin knows he's nothing and no one in Giselda's eyes, but he can't help hungering for her. Brought together by a desperate mission, Rodin can't resist awakening his princess to the sensual arts. Much as he loves her luscious body, he wants her heart even more.

  Their desperate quest is fraught with peril--from monstrous beasts and rough terrain to the wild longings and forbidden hopes of their unsuspecting hearts. It may bring them destruction...or their greatest prize.

  Titles by the Author

  Series: Tales of Enchantment

  Book 1: Red and the Huntsman

  Book 2: The Question of Royalty

  Book 3: The Quest

  Series: Woolf

  Book 1: Heart of the Woolf

  Standalone Titles

  Forbidden Desire

  Mine Over Matter

  Love Cure (in a series with other authors)

  Contents

  About the Author

  About the Book

  Titles by the Author

  Red and the Huntsman

  The Question of Royalty

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Epilogue

  The Quest

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Red and the Huntsman

  “Little Red! Come here, girl!” Her mother’s voice boomed from inside the cottage.

  Red shook her head of auburn hair, and for a moment, she seriously contemplated pretending she hadn’t heard anything. She hated it when her mother called her by that childhood name. She’d turn eighteen a month ago, for goodness’ sake.

  “Little Red!”

  Red sighed and threw the trowel down on the ground. She’d been loosening the soil that had hardened from the dry summer heat, so that she could mix it with some fertilizer. She’d decided to plant some blue roses as a surprise for her cousin Rose Red’s birthday next year.

  “Mo-om!” Red stomped into the house. “Will you stop calling me by that name? My name is Red!”

  “I will, when you stop acting like a child,” her mother retorted. Her hands were busy placing jars of honey and jam into a basket. “Young ladies don’t shout, for one. They talk in a soft and gentle voice.” She reached for some fruits and bread and arranged these on top of the basket, before finally covering everything with a clean, white cloth. “Here, take these to your Grandma. Maybe she can drill those things into you while you’re there.”

  Oh, what does Grandma know? She’s even more old-fashioned than Mom. Red fumed as she made her way out the door, the basket slung over one arm and her shoulder-length hair streaming behind her in the breeze. What do I need to do to make Mom realize I’ve grown up and not her little girl anymore? I still have a curfew, for goodness’ sake!

  Out of long familiarity, Red stepped onto the narrow lane and turned left, taking the way that led to the next village. Behind her was the town centre, the village square where the wild dances were held once every week, and which her mom still wouldn’t allow Red to attend, even though her mom had promised Red could go the moment she turned eighteen.

  Rose had told Red all about them that time she’d overnighted at Red’s house, about the addictive beat of the music, the gyrating bodies, the quick laughter, and the subtle flick of the eyes that said things different from what the lips were saying. Rose talked about the boy she’d met, how he made her feel jittery, and hot and cold at the same time, but mostly hot, and how they’d kiss, with the tongues meeting and how he made Rose feel like a woman and how—

  Red’s mother had come into the bedroom just then and told them to go to sleep.

  A boy. Oh, Red had met her fair share of boys while she was working in the fields with her father. One had caught her eye in particular, a tall, lanky boy with yellow wheat hair and a
ready smile. He made her feel jittery and trembling, especially when he was near her, and her heart would go pitter-patter, but hot and cold? Well, maybe people affected each other differently.

  Red turned right at the sight of the dirt-beaten track lying between two cottages. It was the way into the forest, where she’d take a shortcut to her Grandma’s cottage on the other side.

  The woods can get a little bit eerie after dark, but for now, sunlight filtered through the dense foliage. The air was cooler and fresher. Red skipped as she moved from tree to tree, her hand brushing a trunk here, a branch there as she reacquainted with old friends. Birds chirped in happy abandon as they flit to and fro. A furry rabbit hopped up to her and then jumped out of the way when she strode onward. Villagers had spoken of bears and lions residing in the deep recesses of the forest, but so far, in her many trips to visit her Grandma, she’d never encountered them.

  Craack!

  Red stopped short. She whirled around, her eyes scanning the brown trunks and the green leaves. Nothing. No movement except the swaying of the leaves in the slight breeze and the flitting of the birds overhead.

  She shrugged and continued on her way, one hand gripping the basket handle tightly. Must have been her imagination, though she’d never been so blessed—

  A fierce growl rumbled from somewhere to her left.

  Oh shit! Sounds like a bear or lion or… whatever it is, I’m getting out of here.

  She ran helter-skelter from the noises, not knowing or caring where she was going, as long as it was far away. Cold sweat broke out on her skin, borne of terror and desperation. She stumbled over the outstretched roots of the tree, and sprawled to the ground on her face. Her basket hit the hard earth, and the contents scattered across the forest floor. Her heart beat uncomfortably fast and loud as she scrambled to her feet.

  Oh shit! Forget the basket. My life comes first.

  She ran as fast as her little feet could. Not having had much exercise, her lungs were burning in a relatively short time. Her legs were aching and the stitch at her side was inviting thoughts of sinking down to the moss-covered forest floor. She strained her ears, but couldn’t hear anything except for her harsh breathing and the loud thumping of her heart. She turned her head a little, not knowing why she did so, and ran smack into a hard object.

  She dropped to the floor with a thud. She covered her eyes and panted and screamed for all she’s worth, sure that the wild creature had magically materialized in front of her. She was going to be lion fodder at her young age, when she hadn’t proven herself to her mother that she’s grown up, that she—

  Hard fingers grasped her shoulders. “Are you all right?” She was being shaken. “Stop that ear-splitting noise!”

  Red shut her mouth. That was a human voice. Her breath gasping and her heart still beating a fast rhythm, she looked up into concerned sky-blue eyes. Her terror morphed into a ball of explicit anger. “How dare you scare me like that! That was you, wasn’t it, making all those growling noises, making me think there’s a bear. You no good scoundrel!” She punched him in the chest with clenched fists. Not that it did any good. His chest was hard and muscled beneath the wood-green fabric of his upper garment, and her tiny hands barely made a dent.

  He just held her and let her have her way with his torso.

  After awhile, her anger ran out and was replaced by sobs. Reaction set in, and she started to tremble. She couldn’t believe her close call with death, and it terrified her that she’d been one centimeter away from leaving this world when she hadn’t even started to live her life yet.

  “Oh, you silly, silly little girl.” He drew her close to him, such that her head rested against the chest she was pummeling earlier. Her tears ran into the soft cloth, wetting it thoroughly. “You’ve been scared badly, haven’t you?”

  “I am not a little girl!” Her head reared away from that comforting chest. Another one! Why did they all think she was still a child? Was it because of her height? She was so furious that she forgot her tears. She was sure her eyes were throwing sparks at him. “I’m a woman.”

  “Is that so?” He sat back on his heels and stared at her with amused condescension. “You were bawling like a child just a few seconds ago.”

  “I turned eighteen last month!”

  “That doesn’t signify anything. It’s just a number.”

  “Just-just—” Red spluttered. A sudden memory of Rose telling her of how she’d felt like a woman when she was kissed rose to the forefront of Red’s mind. What a coincidence that a man now sat in front of her, and not a bad piece of male specimen, if she were any judge. A strong, sun-browned face that was neither too handsome or ugly, a broad, sturdy chest that tapered into a flat abdomen, and long, muscular legs that were displayed to perfection by the light green tights he wore. A ridiculous hat was perched on his head, yet it only added to his rakish appearance. The boy that she’d liked previously paled in comparison.

  Yes, he would do very nicely.

  “What’s that look on your face?” His tone held a wealth of wariness, but it was the expression on his face that held her attention. There was a tinge of anticipation that was quickly masked, and his eyes were over bright.

  “What do you think?” Red ducked her head, as if shy, and peeped up at him through half-lidded eyes. She swiped her tongue over her upper lip in a slow manner as Rose had taught her.

  “You’re playing with fire, little girl.” His eyes were riveted on her lips.

  “A woman.” She inched closer to him. “You’re going to make me a woman.”

  His head jerked up. “So that’s your game. I won’t be—”

  Whatever he was about to say was cut off, as Red pressed her lips against his. His lips were dry and firm, and she took advantage of his open mouth to slip her tongue in. The cavern of his mouth was moist and hot, and she trembled. Something peculiar was happening to her, like a fiery liquid was making its way through her bloodstream to the aching core between her thighs.

  She was tilting at a weird angle, so she placed her hands on his shoulders to balance herself, and they tumbled to lie on the thick pelt of grass covering the hard earth. They broke off, laughing.

  “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Red panted as she lay beside the man. She did wish it hadn’t ended so soon. That kissing stuff was great. “Thank you for your cooperation. Now I’m a woman!” She ended with a whoop.

  The man supported himself with his bent arm and looked down at her curiously. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Oh, my cousin said that when this boy kissed her, she felt like a woman.” Red wished he wouldn’t loom over her like that. He made her feel breathless. Yet, she also liked the other delicious feelings he was causing in her. “Can we kiss again?” She couldn’t believe she blurted that out.

  He stared at her, and then burst out laughing. He fell onto his back and shook with more laughter.

  Red was miffed. Was her question so funny?

  “Let me clarify that.” He came up on his elbows again, but this time, he came nearer and nearer, until he was positioned on top of her. She couldn’t breathe. His hot breath was on her skin, setting tiny flames afire along her nerve endings. Heat poured out from him in droves and something hard was settling against her aching core. His action seemed to ease the ache a little. She felt the strangest urge to arch up and rub against him. “I wasn’t laughing at your question. And the answer’s yes, by the way. I was laughing at your cousin’s definition of being a woman. She thinks kissing is all there is to it?”

  “Well, yes.” Red was disgruntled. She hated being at a disadvantage, and to a stranger no less. Albeit an attractive stranger. She wondered what Rose had “forgotten” to tell her.

  “I’ll let you know that there’s more to it than that.” A low laugh rumbled through him. “Do you really want to be a woman?”

  “Yes.”

  “There’s no turning back, you know.”

  “I know.”

  Before the last wo
rd was even out of her mouth, his mouth covered hers. It was different from what she’d done earlier, because his was mobile above hers, molding and shaping her lips, tasting and licking. Unbidden, a moan escaped her lips, and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. His tongue was rough yet gentle as it touched hers and invited her to taste him back. His lower body pressed against hers, and she arched up, wanting, needing something.

  They broke off.

  “I’ve never met anyone like you, so bold and passionate and generous, for all your innocence,” he rasped. His eyes were glittering, burning. “I’m a lucky man.” He kissed her again, and this time, he seemed to be devouring her mouth. “Honey, this is best done without your clothes. Can I take them off?”

  Red nodded without hesitation. A most delicious haze had suffused her body, and she didn’t want the pleasurable sensations to end. At the same time, she knew what she was doing. This was more than a kiss; this was going to make her a woman. And she’s already more than attracted to this man. Who better to initiate her, to do it with than him?

  She expected to have to stand, but he eased her out of her clothes, one small inch at a time. All the time, his mouth followed the progress of the unveiling, kissing each uncovered patch of skin. Fire burned where his lips touched her flesh. She cried out and trembled when his hot mouth covered her nipple. She arched up into him, willing for him to take more of her breast. He suckled at her nipple with deep and strong pulls, like a hungry child would suck at his mother’s breast. His other hand was busy pulling down her dress to bare the other breast, and suddenly, it was in his hand, and his fingers were doing magic, flicking the her nipple into prominence.

  Wild sensations tore through her, each more intense than the last. “Ah… Ah…” Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she tried to contain it all in.