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The once acclaimed British photojournalist Jade Platt is struggling with daily routine. She can’t escape nightmares that replay a marketplace bombing in Aleppo. Her past, along with her future, has become lost to her, until she meets the beautiful and eccentric Freya Rykkel, an elusive member of the Norwegian royal family.
As the connection between the Jade and Freya deepens, events that were set in motion a millennium ago begin to unfold. Jade soon discovers there is much more at stake than just her heart. |
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"This book has everything that I love about a story. It is different; it has mystery; it has fantasy; it has a romance that keeps you guessing, and once you pick it up, you will be engrossed. It is a long read and one that keeps giving pleasure." — The Lesbian Review
“Author Alex Pyott weaves a wonderful tapestry reminiscent of Old Norse mythology interspersed with current events and issues, and contemporary romance into a complicated, tight story with interesting characters that are well drawn and well matched to the labyrinth of fantasy and reality that makes this novel a fresh offering of both.” — Rainbow Award judge
“Author Alex Pyott weaves a wonderful tapestry reminiscent of Old Norse mythology interspersed with current events and issues, and contemporary romance into a complicated, tight story with interesting characters that are well drawn and well matched to the labyrinth of fantasy and reality that makes this novel a fresh offering of both.” — Rainbow Award judge
Jade hadn’t been to one of these events before. She’d been briefed that it was a simple matter of introducing herself to the Prince of Cornwall. Her job was to be a visible representation of her own newspaper’s donation. Just make small talk for a moment. Mingle with the other guests and then get the hell out.
She recognised the prince across the room, easily spotted by the orchestrated queue of people filing past, greeting, and chatting. A waitress interrupted her, offering a choice of drinks from a silver tray. When Jade declined, the waitress told her she could order from a wider selection at the bar. The tray started to tilt in Jade’s direction and she grabbed its edge, levelling it.
“God, I almost spilt those on you. Sorry, I’m not very good at this,” the waitress said.
“You’re doing fine.”
The waitress smiled. As if sharing a special secret, she leaned in and said, “You know, you can even order flaming cocktails at the bar if you like.” She turned and continued on her rounds.
Rehearsing what she would say, Jade headed to where the prince stood. A feeling of being watched caused her to look to her right.
She stopped in her tracks and her whole body tensed.
Freya’s blue eyes cut into Jade and she froze. Her mind raced and she could no longer discern individual thoughts.
Freya stormed towards her with arms at her sides and hands clenched. Despite Freya’s obvious anger, Jade couldn’t help but notice how breathtakingly beautiful she was. Freya wore a white lace evening dress and had her hair up in a French twist.
Jade just stared. Her emotions were spinning like a roulette wheel, and she waited for the marble to find a slot. Freya thumped her firmly on the collarbone with her palm.
“You didn’t answer my note,” Freya said in a slightly slurred voice laden with a Norwegian accent.
“I—”
“Why if you didn’t want to come with me, you do not just say it?”
Jade was at a loss. Why is she angry?
“You read my note and never contact me. Not even for goodbye.” Freya raised her hand again and Jade put hers up defensively. But instead of another thump, Freya slipped her fingers between Jade’s. Their intertwined hands lowered together.
“What note? You never gave me one.”
Freya squinted in puzzlement. “What? Wait—You mean Karen didn’t give it to you?”
Jade shook her head.
Freya yanked her hand free from Jade’s and glanced around the room in a rage. “Where’s that liar?”
Jade tried to calm her. “Freya, I’m sorry if I didn’t contact you. I wasn’t well. I didn’t want you to see how I was. I never heard from you. I just assumed you had things to do.”
Freya had arms bent against her chest, and Jade put her arm around her to stop her darting off. Freya went still then leaned into her and held her close.
“Take me away from here,” she whispered in Jade’s ear. Her breath was perfumed with the sweet smell of champagne.
Jade’s heart pounded a million miles an hour. Her whole being wanted to obey, protect her, and escape with her. Things can’t just happen like that. She glanced up and noticed the prince watching, and a number of security agents were taking an indiscreet interest. Bloody hell.
“Freya, everyone is staring.”
Freya sighed and pushed herself away. Now at arm’s length, she looked at her, side-on. “Take me away without anyone noticing.” She put on a cordial expression and walked back towards the prince and a young man who stood chatting with His Highness.
She recognised the prince across the room, easily spotted by the orchestrated queue of people filing past, greeting, and chatting. A waitress interrupted her, offering a choice of drinks from a silver tray. When Jade declined, the waitress told her she could order from a wider selection at the bar. The tray started to tilt in Jade’s direction and she grabbed its edge, levelling it.
“God, I almost spilt those on you. Sorry, I’m not very good at this,” the waitress said.
“You’re doing fine.”
The waitress smiled. As if sharing a special secret, she leaned in and said, “You know, you can even order flaming cocktails at the bar if you like.” She turned and continued on her rounds.
Rehearsing what she would say, Jade headed to where the prince stood. A feeling of being watched caused her to look to her right.
She stopped in her tracks and her whole body tensed.
Freya’s blue eyes cut into Jade and she froze. Her mind raced and she could no longer discern individual thoughts.
Freya stormed towards her with arms at her sides and hands clenched. Despite Freya’s obvious anger, Jade couldn’t help but notice how breathtakingly beautiful she was. Freya wore a white lace evening dress and had her hair up in a French twist.
Jade just stared. Her emotions were spinning like a roulette wheel, and she waited for the marble to find a slot. Freya thumped her firmly on the collarbone with her palm.
“You didn’t answer my note,” Freya said in a slightly slurred voice laden with a Norwegian accent.
“I—”
“Why if you didn’t want to come with me, you do not just say it?”
Jade was at a loss. Why is she angry?
“You read my note and never contact me. Not even for goodbye.” Freya raised her hand again and Jade put hers up defensively. But instead of another thump, Freya slipped her fingers between Jade’s. Their intertwined hands lowered together.
“What note? You never gave me one.”
Freya squinted in puzzlement. “What? Wait—You mean Karen didn’t give it to you?”
Jade shook her head.
Freya yanked her hand free from Jade’s and glanced around the room in a rage. “Where’s that liar?”
Jade tried to calm her. “Freya, I’m sorry if I didn’t contact you. I wasn’t well. I didn’t want you to see how I was. I never heard from you. I just assumed you had things to do.”
Freya had arms bent against her chest, and Jade put her arm around her to stop her darting off. Freya went still then leaned into her and held her close.
“Take me away from here,” she whispered in Jade’s ear. Her breath was perfumed with the sweet smell of champagne.
Jade’s heart pounded a million miles an hour. Her whole being wanted to obey, protect her, and escape with her. Things can’t just happen like that. She glanced up and noticed the prince watching, and a number of security agents were taking an indiscreet interest. Bloody hell.
“Freya, everyone is staring.”
Freya sighed and pushed herself away. Now at arm’s length, she looked at her, side-on. “Take me away without anyone noticing.” She put on a cordial expression and walked back towards the prince and a young man who stood chatting with His Highness.
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