Morgan Rice - A Charge of Valor

“It is a place for those recovering from calamity. For those who decide to take an oath and remove themselves from this world.”

Thor stepped forward and grabbed the Queen’s wrist in frustration.

“No more riddles! Tell me!” he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls.

The Queen lowered her eyes, and Thor could see that they were wet. She breathed deeply.

“Gwendolyn was attacked,” she said flatly. “Raped. By Andronicus’s men.”

At her words, Thor loosened his grip, his mouth open wide in shock, his breath stopped in his chest. He stood there, and his entire body went cold. He could hardly breathe.

“She is not the Gwendolyn you once knew,” she said. “She is embittered. Hardened of spirit and of soul. She lives. But her spirit does not.”

Thor stood there, his mind reeling, dizzy from the news. He wanted to stab himself with his sword in his own heart, so overwhelmed with guilt for not being there to spare her.

“She pines for you,” the queen said. “But she believes that because of what happened to her, you won’t care for her anymore.”

Thor reddened.

“That is ridiculous,” he said. “Of course I do. I care for her just as much. Even more so. Why would that change my feelings for her? What kind of man do you think I am?”

“I told her,” the Queen said. “But she would not believe it.”

Thor shook his head.

“My love for her is as strong as it ever was. Even stronger.”

“But you were not here to tell her that with your own words, were you?” the Queen asked. “So she has gone. To enter the Tower.”

“Then I will go and find her!” Thor said, preparing to leave.

“She will not listen,” the Queen said. “Those who enter the Tower never leave. I fear Gwendolyn is lost to you.”

“ Nothing is ever lost,” Thor said. “You are a defeated woman. A widow. A pessimist. I am young and strong. My love for her will bring her back.”

The Queen smiled wryly.

“And you are an optimist,” she countered. “And naïve. You don’t understand a woman’s perspective.”

“I don’t need to,” Thor separate “I know Gwendolyn. And I know who I am. And I know what we have. We can transcend all of this. This doesn’t mean a thing.”

Thor did not want to hear any more of this embittered woman’s rants; he turned and prepared to leave the room—when suddenly something occurred to him, and he turned back to face the Queen.

“Why don’t you want me to be with Gwendolyn?” he pressed.

At first she stared back at him blankly, but then she looked away.

Thor stepped forward, needing to know. He knew there was something she was hiding from him.

“The Sword,” he pressed, feeling it throbbing in his palm. “Legend holds that only a MacGil can wield it.”

She refused to look at him, and he sensed he was getting closer to the truth.

“Is that it? Is that why you don’t want me near her? Am I a MacGil? Was MacGil my father? Is Gwendolyn my sister?”

The Queen looked directly at him, then finally, turned away.

Thor stepped forward, at the end of his rope.

“ANSWER ME!” he yelled, swirling with so many mixed emotions.

The queen slowly looked up, silent.

“Is King MacGil my father?” Thor repeated slowly, desperate to know.

She stared at him, her eyes hollow and cold.

“No,” she finally said, flatly.

Thor froze, caught off guard. He had not expected that response. He was deeply relieved to hear that he was not related to Gwendolyn, which he had feared ever since he had been able to wield the Sword. He sensed that, finally, he was learning the truth.

“Then who is?” he pressed.

She looked away.

“He is my father, whoever he is. I have a right to know. Please. Tell me,” he pleaded softly, exhausted.

She stared at him long and hard, and finally, she uttered one word that made Thor’s knees weak, and would change his life forever:

“Andronicus.”

Morgan Rice is the #1 Bestselling author of THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, a young adult series comprising eight books, which has been translated into six languages.

Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling THE VAMPIRE LEGACY, a young adult series comprising two books and counting.

Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling ARENA ONE and ARENA TWO, the first two books in THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic action thriller set in the future.

Morgan is also author of the #1 Bestselling epic fantasy series THE SORCERER’S RING, comprising six books and counting.

Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.comto stay in touch.

“Grabbed my attention from the beginning and did not let go…. This story is an amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the very beginning. There is not a dull moment to be found.”

“An ideal story for young readers. Morgan Rice did a good job spinning an interesting twist… Refreshing and unique, has the classic elements found in many Young Adult paranormal stories. Easy to read but extremely fast-paced…. Recommended for anyone who likes to read soft paranormal romances. Rated PG.”

“Jam packed with action, romance, adventure, and suspense. Get your hands on this one and fall in love all over again.”

“A great plot, and this especially was the kind of book you will have trouble putting down at night. The ending was a cliffhanger that was so spectacular that you will immediately want to buy the next book, just to see what happens.”

“Morgan Rice proves herself again to be an extremely talented storyteller….This would appeal to a wide range of audiences, including younger fans of the vampire/fantasy genre. It ended with an unexpected cliffhanger that leaves you shocked.”

A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1)

A MARCH OF KINGS (Book #2)

A FEAST OF DRAGONS (Book #3)

A CLASH OF HONOR (Book #4)

A VOW OF GLORY (Book #5)

A CHARGE OF VALOR (Book #6)

ARENA ONE: SLAVERSUNNERS (Book #1)

ARENA TWO (Book #2)

TURNED (Book #1)

LOVED (Book #2)

BETRAYED (Book #3)

DESTINED (Book #4)

DESIRED (Book #5)

BETROTHED (Book #6)

VOWED (Book #7)

FOUND (Book #8)

RESURRECTED (Book #1)

CRAVED (Book #2)

Please visit Morgan’s site, where you can join the mailing list, hear the latest news, see additional images, and find links to stay in touch with Morgan on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and elsewhere:

www.morganricebooks.com

Copyright © 2013 by Morgan Rice

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