“Enjoy Scotland, Kathleen. I will have a special homecoming prepared just for you.
The End
Kiss of the Herald
Book 3
Lynn Landes
Kiss of the Herald
By:
Lynn Landes
Published by:
Landes Publishing
Edited by:
Shane Landes
Cover art by:
http://amdesignstudios.net/
This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, and events portrayed in this novel are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Lynn Landes
http://followlynnsthread.wordpress.com/
All rights reserved.
Other titles by Lynn Landes:
Dust & Dreams
Perilous Dreams
The Angels Covenant
Covenant Breakers
Blood Covenant
Fae Queen
Shadow King
Serenity’s Song
Arctic Moon
Secret Friends
Dragon Singer
Prologue
Warlocks hunt demons in whatever form they take. Witches, Vampires, Dark elves, but… never… pregnant Angels. Even a seasoned warrior will only go so far. Keane followed her trail for days and finally tracked her to the Cliffs of Moher. She was hoping the pounding, crashing noise of the surf would camouflage her screams as she delivered her child.
The cliffs are treacherous and dangerous even for a trained hunter, such as himself. A glow inside the cliff face beckoned him and he followed it straight to her. Stalking through the tunnel he walked for what seemed like miles until he finally emerged inside a small cavern. Keane could not believe his eyes. Beautiful beyond compare, she glowed with the silver light of heaven. Large, pink, pearlescent wings were spread out behind her, helping to balance her heavily pregnant form. Long, auburn hair clung to her sweat covered forehead and her eyes showed the fear of a mother, not a demon.
“That’s because I am no demon, warlock,” she groans and begins to pant, desperate, keening moans of anguish as she feels another contraction pushing the baby lower.
“What sort of magic is this demon?” He snarls at her. The angel pants and doubles over to protect her baby. When the contraction eases, she lifts her terror filled purple eyes to his.
“No trick, babies coming, now.” Another contraction strikes and she moans again, and her panting starts once more. It seems the very rock beneath their feet rumble as demons hidden in the earth feel a shift in the earth above them.
Decision made, Keane moves close and drops his sword. “What can I do?”
“Protect us!” Another scream has her kneeling on all fours with her hair shielding her face.
“Protect you? From what?” In his heart, he knows the answer. They will come for her, just as he did, and she will be unable to stop them. Instantly, he drops a shield blocking her from detection. His sister Shona will be livid. The first law is to protect the innocent. They hunt the demons who break the laws and protect their own but watching her fight to bring a life into this world touches his heart. Would he do any less for his sister?
“I… I am not your sister, Keane….” She gasps again as another contraction hits. “How long will your shield hold?” She pants.
“As long as I choose for it to. Lay down and conserve your energy.” He snaps out orders and then moves towards her, “Let me help you.” Using his magic, he creates a bed for her to labor in and reinforces his shield.
Her red hair is plastered to her forehead and her pale skin is blotchy. Sweat glistens and drips down her face as another contraction builds and holds longer this time. Her lips are pinched tight as she bites back another scream. “Too fast…” her groan rips through the cavern as she screams, “I need to push!” Lailah draws her wings inside her shoulders, allowing her to lay back on the bed. With her knees pulled against her chest, she pushes with all her might and collapses back on the bed.
“Easy, lass, breathe through it…” Keane can see the dark hair on the tiny head, and he smiles waiting for the next contraction to hit. “Not much longer now… push.” She groans and delivers a perfect baby girl into his strong hands. Tears fill Lailah’s angelic eyes as he flips the infant over and pats her, waiting for the scream that finally comes.
“A robust, gusty scream, if ever I heard one. Your daughter is healthy, you did well.” He conjures a gown and blanket to wrap the baby in, before placing her on her mother’s breast.
Sobs rack Lailah’s body as she cradles her newborn. “Thank you, Keane, thank you.” The baby sensing its mother’s distress begins to wail and a strange sense of panic flutters in his chest.
“There now. All is well, love. She’s perfectly healthy,” with a wave of his hand, he raises up a glass of water, “drink this.” He plucks the babe from her chest and places her against his large chest.
“Don’t be fretting little one, you’re safe now.” The heat from his body and timbre of his voice stops her wails and she sighs a tiny sigh before sleeping. “That’s right, you’ve had a mighty battle, sleep now little one.”
“My name is Lailah,” she whispers.
“Well, Lailah, you should rest,” with a wave he cleanses her body and clothes her, “you’ve both had quite a day.”
Lailah pushes up against the bed and stares at the large Irish man in front of her. He is
