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PROLOGUE

SCOTLAND

1 FEBRUARY 1513

THE FRAGRANCE OF JASMINE AND SANDALWOOD DRIFTED through the rowan trees Above dew-drenched branches, a lone gull ghosted a bank of mist and soared to kiss the dawn over the white sands of Morar The turquoise tide shiainst the alabaster shore

The elegant royal court of the Tuatha De Danaan dappled the stretch of lush greenery Pillowed chaises in brilliant scarlet and lerassy knoll, scattered in a half-moon about the outdoor dais

“They say he is even more beautiful than you,” the Queen remarked to the man sprawled indolently at the foot of her dais

“Ihter tinkled like cut-crystal chimes on a fae wind

“They say his manhood at half-lance beneath half-lowered lids at her rapt courtiers

“More likely a ers demonstrated a puny space of air, and titters sliced the mist

“They say at full-mast he steals a woman’s ed lashes to shield eyes alight with the iridescent fire of mischievous intent How easily my men are provoked!

The ant profile He crossed his legs at the ankles and gazed out across the sea

But the Queen wasn’t fooled The lorious, and not as ined

“Quit baiting hi Finnbheara ado is wounded” He patted her arh”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully She briefly considered forgoing this vein of revenge A calculating look at her ht, as she recalled what she’d overheard the detail

The things they’d said were unforgivable The Queen was not a wo Her lip tightened imperceptibly Her exquisitely delicate hand curled into a fist She carefully selected her next words

“But I have found him to be all that they say,” the Queen purred

In the silence that followed, the stateed, for the cut was too cruel to dignify The King at her side and theto think she hadn’t h when, in unison, they rose to her bait “Who is this man?”