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Shadow’s Raven
Author: C.A. Worley
Series: Crossing Daggers Series, #2
Publication date: December 19th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
After months of torture for steadfastly refusing Queen Sersha’s wicked demands, Raven realizes the price of her defiance is about to become more than she can afford. Luckily, her mercenary father comes to the rescue.
For nearly half a year, Casimir has been tormented by dreams filled with ominous ravens hovering over a dark-haired female, one who radiates an irresistible allure. When an old ally arrives in the Shadowlands seeking asylum for his daughter, Cas is struck by the realization that this damsel is none other than the vexing figure from his nightly visions.
In a single electrifying moment, Cas is certain that Raven is his fated mate and embarks on a relentless pursuit to make her his. The two ignite a blaze of passion that defies comprehension, grappling with both their physical desires and profound emotions.
As their pasts collide in the present, it’s not only their future, but the future of the Faelands, hanging in the balance. Choices are made, lives irrevocably altered, and the remorseless hand of Fate exerts its influence.
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an excerpt
Casimir flipped his hand over. “There’s a faint sensation here. Do you have the same? Or a mark?”
Lifting my hand, I held it out. “No mark. And I don’t feel anything specific. Though, most of my skin feels like it just got scrubbed raw thanks to the power boost from Kree.”
“If you remove the spell, will I see the double daggers on mine?”
“Threads don’t mean our souls have bonded. They simply mean we’re connected as mates. Soulbonds look different, anyway.”
“How so?”
“They’re thicker and have a pattern, almost like a chain or series of infinity loops. Our connection did not look like that.”
Leaning on his forearms, he asked, “You’re certain?”
“Absolutely. A soulbond is an unbreakable covenant, stronger because it is a choice mated pairs make in addition to being destined mates. What’s connecting us is nothing more than a fine thread. It signifies compatibility. It’s basically a suggestion of something we might choose. Or not.”
A light burgundy hue quickly advanced up the sides of his neck. “Bonds between soulmates are not mere suggestions, Raven.”
His unyielding intonation scratched at my heart. There was no mistaking his disapproval. Telling him I could possibly break an unbreakable bond would not be prudent at this juncture.
Part of me–the fae part–wanted him to desire me beyond reason, to rejoice in finding someone who could potentially be everything I needed. The other part wanted to make sure he knew I didn’t have to bow to the Fates.
“To a witch they are,” I countered. Mother’s teachings were hard to shake.
“You’re half Seelie fae.”
“I’m half Dianic witch.”
“And I’m nearly all Shadow demon and I know I felt the burn of the double daggers. Remove the spell.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
“I won’t ask again. Remove. The. Spell.”
“You didn’t ask at all,” I snapped. So much for keeping my cool.
“Please.”
The request still sounded like an order. “Or what? I’ll be tied down and tortured?” I baited. “Been there, done that. In case you didn’t notice, it doesn’t work on me.”
“Stop being so damned obstinate.”
My arms crossed. “Why do you want it removed?”
“You say the thread didn’t look like a soulbond, but I definitely felt something on my palm. It won’t serve either of us to not know for certain if the bond has started to form. If I’m marked, we’ll have evidence.”
He was right. I didn’t want to admit it but he was. The odds were probably slim, but if the soulbond had somehow partially begun my lifeforce could be at risk, as would his if he marked my palm in turn. It was a significant thing to know.
Also, in fairness, though I had severed one soulbond in my life, I didn’t actually know if I could sever one attached to me, or if he would be harmed in the process. I’d only ever done it after the being’s mate had died, and only ever once at that.
“Well,” I started, “I suspect it’s you and this unexpected link that have brought out some of my combativeness. I’m usually quite controlled with my speech.”
The self-satisfied stretch of Casimir’s lips had my eyes rolling. “It wasn’t a compliment,” I insisted.
“Whatever you say, Little Bird.”
C.A. Worley is the alter-ego of Romance Author Cass Alexander. Where Cass tends to focus on humor in her publications, C.A. loves to write fantasy. She chose to write under the two different monikers so as to not confuse (or tick off) her readers.
C.A. currently resides in the Midwest, but was born and raised in the South. She spends her days working from home and her evenings are spent shuttling her kids to and fro. Her dinners are subpar, but she makes a mean dessert.
When she’s tired of living her sons’ travel sports schedules, C.A. enjoys a glass (or four) of wine. She needs the liquid courage to click the publish button for her fantasy romance novels.
Her motto is, “Be Brave,” and she tries to live it every day. It takes a healthy dose of courage to get through this thing we call life.
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