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LENGTH: Borderline Full Novel
SENSUALITY: Carnal

Cover art (c) Jenny Dixon 2006
ISBN 1-58608-965-x
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Widowhood has allowed Rowena the freedom to choose her own destiny, and she has every intention of retaining that control, through fair means or foul. Unfortunately, she quickly discovers that Sir Dominic of Chapstow is not called the Undaunted for nothing. Not only does he manage to breach the walls of Pendragon, a virtually impregnable fortress, but he is a knight of unimpeachable loyalty and honor. His liege lord has sent him to fetch the Lady of Pendragon to court to answer the charges against her, and nothing will sway him from his course.

Rating: Contains adult content and graphic sexual content.

THE PENDRAGON CURSE

By

Cyndi Friberg

© copyright September 2006, Cyndi Friberg
Cover art by Jenny Dixon, © copyright September 2006
ISBN 1-58608-965-x
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

The Legend

Listen little children to my tale

About a Fairy lass and human male.

Fair Fiona frolicked through the trees

There she felt the stir of love's cruel tease.

Oh, he was handsome, but could he be true?

That's the question left for me and you.

Fair Fiona offered him her heart.

And he promised they would never part.

His hateful words soon brought her to her knees.

"You meant no more to me than all of these,

Who offer up themselves trying to please."

Fearsome Dragon planned the massacre

But Fair Fiona drew his eyes to her.

"Vengeance is mine," she said.

"'Twas I this fool betrayed."

Then, turning to the man, this curse she made:

"'Till the Lady finds the fate that once I sought,

Disappointment, pain and death shall be thy lot!"

Then, from this world Fair Fiona stepped,

And from the skies above the dragon wept.

Prologue

Pendragon Castle

Northwest of Dover, England

1213

Fair Fiona hovered over the sleeping girl, searching her face and longing for the innocence reflected in her delicate features.

"Is she the one?" Fearsome Dragon asked carefully.

Floating nearer, Fiona continued to assess the newest Lady of Pendragon. Her thick eyelashes had dried into sooty spikes, and even in sleep an occasional shudder disrupted the cadence of her breathing. This was not a blissful bride.

"I cannot be sure," Fiona admitted.

"Then, we must remain."

The dragon sounded so dejected that Fiona glanced his way. A shimmering silhouette, trapped between two worlds, he was just as anxious to return to the Fairy realm as she.

"'You created this debacle, Fiona,'" she mimicked Oberon's imperious tone, "'so you will see it through.' I have no choice, my friend. I must be certain."

The dragon accepted her statement with a regal nod, and Fiona wanted to scream. He should be with his mate. He should be guarding his hatchlings, but instead he stayed at her side, faithful and obedient to the end.

A scuffling sound drew her attention to the bedchamber door. Automatically, she cloaked her presence and joined her guardian on the far side of the bed.

Low and mournful, a groan filled the chamber. The door eased open, and Fiona started forward. Fearsome Dragon extended his wing, silently reminding her of her promise to Oberon, her father. She must release these people from her curse and interfere in their lives no longer.

The stench of ale and unwashed flesh assailed her nostrils. Fiona fisted her hands to keep from cleansing the air. A man lumbered into the room, unsteady, obviously drunk.

"I do not believe this!" Her musical voice was no longer audible to human ears and her eyes began to glow. "This ... creature is to be her husband? This cannot be. She must love him or we will be trapped here forever!"

"You cannot interfere. It is forbidden," Fearsome Dragon reminded firmly. "She is his bride. This must be done."

Fiona shook with foreboding. The drunken oaf would brutalize his lady wife. Violence emanated from him in heated waves. This was not a gentle lover, come to woo his timid bride. This beast had come to conquer.

Moonlight spilled through the open window, illuminating the high bed and the bride sleeping there.

The girl stirred restlessly and the man paused beside the bed. With a soft gasp, she sat up. "Gaston ... my lord. You startled me."

"It matters not." His words slurred slightly, but still managed to convey authority. "You are my wife. This is your duty."

Rowena knelt on the bed, clutching the coverlet to her chest. "Mama told me I must ... I will...." Her lips trembled. "I'm frightened, my lord."

He snatched the covers from her hand and jerked her forward. Fiona vibrated with fury, tortured by her choice. She could watch him molest this child or break her solemn vow.

He ground his mouth over the girl's in an abomination of a kiss. His hands moved over her body as she squirmed and shoved against his chest. Jerking his tunic off over his head, he thrust his erection toward his terrified bride.

"Please," she cried out. "Not like this. I--"

Cutting off her protest with a vicious slap, he shoved her to her back and yanked her hips toward the edge of the bed. Rowena shrieked and flailed, her terror polluting the air, making it painful for Fiona to breathe.

The Fairy surged past Fearsome Dragon and flew straight into Gaston's sweaty face. He screamed as her aura seared him, but her fury was not yet appeased. She stung him again and again, driving him to the floor, while his yelps and curses filled the room.

Pulsing with destructive energy, Fiona paused to look at the girl. She stood beside the bed, the man's tunic balled in her hands. Though her thin body trembled with terror, defiance burned in her gaze.

Rowena tossed the tunic at Gaston and said clearly, "You vowed to honor me, to love and cherish me! By breaking your vow, you've freed me from mine."

Fiona punctuated the girl's claim with an especially vicious sting, very near the juncture of his thighs. He screamed and scuttled toward the door.

"When you're ready to treat me with kindness, sirrah, I will honor my vows to you."

He called her several vile names and scrambled from the room, not bothering to don his tunic.

Fiona danced in the air, exhilarated by their triumph, but the girl covered her face with her hands and sank to her knees. Her soft sobs tore at Fiona's heart, until tears trailed down her own cheeks.

"You're safe, little one. He will not harm you."

Fearsome Dragon intercepted the words before they reached Rowena's ears. Fiona glanced at him, surprised by his angry expression.

"This bit of glamour is going to cost you," he said. "When will you learn rules must be obeyed?"

"I should have let him--"

"I didn't say that, but your father will--"

"My father will learn to accept me as I am, or he will never see me again," she vowed.