He’s serious. “It took me four days to find it,” he adds. Something about him makes me start to relax. His charisma is subtle, his polished edge softened by the genuine warmth in his faint smile.
“That’s really … sweet.” These guys aren’t here to be sweet, I remind myself. They’re here to manipulate me and deceive me so I install them as the next leader.
But it’s kind of cool he went to Ireland to find a rare flower just for me.
“This is fae tradition,” he says. “Hold the flower between your ring finger and pinkie on your right hand.” He demonstrates.
I do so very gently.
“Touch hands.”
I rest my palm against his. Unusual warmth sweeps through me and pools around the flower. Magic brings it to life, and the petals ignite into brilliant purple sparkles. They swirl around us before hovering around my hand, flaring bright enough for me to squint, and then vanishing.
The lights leave behind identical tattoos covering both of our right hands and consisting of Celtic knots and purple flowers.
“Wow,” I say again, not expecting the open display of magic.
“It’s the mating ritual,” Tristan explains. “Welcome to the clan.”
Marveling at the intricate, painless tattoo, I start to smile. “Do I have magic powers if I’m fae for a week?”
“You do, though what they are, we’ll have to find out.”
“I can be a superhero,” I murmur.
Tristan laughs. “Maybe.”
Glancing up at him, I admire the flickers of yellow visible in his green eyes.
The quiet is awkward, but not in a bad way. He’s not an alpha like Ben, who didn’t hesitate to claim me as his. If anything, I sense Tristan is as undecided as I am about what’s supposed to happen next.
“I’ve never been forced to have a mate,” he says with another easy laugh. “I’m not sure what to do. I assume we’re past the flirting stage but not quite to the point where we fling off our clothes?”
It’s my turn to laugh. His sense of humor is cute. “Sounds about right.”
“How ‘bout we go to dinner and talk then take it from there?”
“Yeah. That sounds great.”
“I know you’re an adrenaline junkie. Fae tend to be, too.” His eyes twinkle. “I came here on my bike. Figured you’d like a ride.”
“Absolutely,” I say, perking up. “Let me grab some stuff first.”
“Sure. I’ll wait for you outside.” Tristan turns and leaves. He’s got a nice ass and body with the chiseled features considered attractive by magazine ad standards.
I watch him go, puzzled. He’s the opposite of Ben, the opposite of the drug lord I thought he’d be. Is he so good at hiding himself that he makes being someone else look natural?
After all I learned from my father, I guess I thought these guys would show up wearing the capes of villains or openly trying to destroy the world.
Tristan has to lie to me. It’s one of the candidates’ rules. Even so, I’m starting to feel drawn in as well as curious how this man with the relaxed air and quick smile can be in charge of the illicit drug trade for the entire western part of the country.
Gathering the Book of Secrets and Ben’s biography, I tuck them both in my backpack and prepare for my second trial.
***
Trial Series
Trial by Moon
Trial by Thrall
Trial by Blood
Trial by Heart
Also by Lizzy Ford …
Non-Series – 2014 & 2015
Black Moon Draw (about a reader sucked into her book)
Highlander Enchanted
The Door (2016)
Trial Series
Trial by Moon
Trial by Blood (2016)
Trial by Heart (2016)
History Interrupted – Time Travel Romantic Adventures
West
East
North (2016)
South (2017)
Omega Beginnings Miniseries – individual episodes
ALESSANDRA
MISMATCH
PHOIBE
LANTOS
THEODOSIA
NIKO
Cleon
Herakles
Omega Beginnings Miniseries – complete set
Omega Series
Omega
Theta (2016)
Alpha (2017)
Starwalkers Serials (with Julia Crane) – new adult science fiction serial
Severed
Trapped
Exiled
Revealed
Escaped
Heart of Fire – sexy dragon shifter
Charred Heart
Charred Tears
Charred Hope
Incubatti – Buffy meets 50 Shades
Zoey Rogue
Zoey Avenger
Rhyn Trilogy – new adult paranormal with demons
Katie’s Hellion
Katie’s Hope
Rhyn’s Redemption
Rhyn Eternal – Death finds love
Gabriel’s Hope
Deidre’s Death
Darkyn’s Mate
The Underworld
Twisted Fate
War of Gods – paranormal with gods, guardians and exceptional humans
Damian’s Oracle
Damian’s Assassin
Damian’s Immortal
The Grey God
Damian Eternal
Xander’s Chance
The Black God
Hidden Evil – paranormal with angels and four horsemen
Hear No
See No (2015)
Speak No (2016)
Unnamed Series
Unnatural (2015)
Unmade (2016)
Omega
Omega (2015)
Theta (2016)
Alpha (2017)
Anshan Saga – new adult science fiction romance
Kiera’s Moon
Kiera’s Home (novelette)
Kiera’s Sun
Santa’s Ninja Elves (short stories)
Natasha & Hunter
Non-series titles – 2011 - 2013
Star Kissed
A Demon’s Desire
The Warlord’s Secret
Maddy’s Oasis
Rebel Heart
Witchling – young adult paranormal
Dark Summer
Autumn Storm
Spring Rain
Broken Beauty Novellas – new adult dramatic fiction
Broken Beauty
Broken World
Voodoo Nights - young adult paranormal
Cursed
Chosen (2015)
Writing as SE Reign, erotica writer
101 Nights
Claimed
Tainted
Crushed
Volume One Box Set (Serials 1-3)
Tempted
Captured
Twisted
Volume Two Box Set
Cornered
Table of Contents
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
Also by Lizzy Ford …