Eve Vaughn, Romance Author

Finding Eden

Finding Eden

Read an Excerpt
part of the Descendants of the Light anthology
Descendants of the Light, Book 4
Changeling Press • 
Order eBook:Changeling Press • • Kindle • • ARe • • Fictionwise

Eden Johnson has always known that she was different. While dreams of winged warriors fill her nights she struggles through her mundane existence with her bossy older sister who insists on treating her like a child. Fate steps in when Eden finds herself kidnapped along with her sister and whisked off to a planet calls H’trae where she learns of not only of her heritage but that she must marry one of the royal Ceyan brothers.

King Rohman will do anything to save his people, even if it means taking a bride he doesn’t want, but when he spies the petite maiden Eden, she sets his loins on fire like no other woman although he refuses to let her into his heart.

When Eden goes missing, Rohman realizes she is the link needed to save his people. Will they find her in time to save the life of a loved one and will Rohman realize his feeling before it’s too late?

Read an Excerpt

Eden wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing. She had a purpose and she’d fulfill it. She climbed out of bed and walked over to the large walk in closet. She’d been shown around earlier and knew this room was filled with beautiful ilsa gowns. She grabbed a short pink toga style gown and donned it as quickly as she could despite its complicated knots.

Leaving the room without hesitation, she stepped out into the hallway. It would help if she actually knew how to get to Queen Daliah’s chambers. She walked down the opulent castle hall until she ran into a tall slender blue woman.

Eden had never seen anything like this person. Sure she’d been waited on by women with cat faces, but seeing a blue woman wasn’t an everyday occurrence where she came from. Naked to the waist, revealing large coconut-sized breasts, the blue creature wore a short sarong style skirt that barely covered her privates. Long red hair flowed to her waist. Eden had been a fan of comic books when she was younger. The woman reminded her of one of her favorite characters.

Standing at least a foot over Eden, the woman looked down on her with yellow eyes, the small smile on cobalt lips not quite reaching her eyes. There was something chilling about this being, but there wasn’t much time to dwell on it. Perhaps the woman could give her the information she needed.

“Umm, would you happen to know where I can find Queen Daliah’s chambers?”

“Actually, she’s in a little dwelling outside the palace walls. I can take you there if you like… your Highness.”

The woman’s voice sounded like a synthesizer. Although she had no reason to feel this way, Eden didn’t like her. Maybe she was just being silly. Pasting the best smile on her face she could muster, Eden craned her neck to look up to meet yellow eyes. “Thank you, I would like that… er… What’s your name?”

Revealing sharp white teeth, the woman shot her an eerie look that made Eden take a step back. “My name is Ani.”

There was something ominous in the way those four words were spoken. Again, maybe she was imagining it. Stop being silly, Eden. “Well, Ani, I would really appreciate your assistance. I need to get to Queen Daliah’s chambers because I may be able to help her.”

Ani snorted. “And what makes you think you can do anything?”

Eden didn’t care for this woman’s tone, especially when it was unwarranted. Was she just being too touchy? Were her instant feelings of discomfort around the yellow-eyed Ani clouding her perception of things?

Eden took a deep breath before she answered. “I don’t know if I can help or not, but I have to try. Now will you take me to her or do we just stand here? I don’t think we can afford to wait around when the king’s mother is gravely ill.”

Ani shrugged one bony shoulder. “Of course, your majesty. Anything you want. However, whether you can help or not may not matter that much to Rohman.”

Rohman? That simple word caught her off guard. Eden wasn’t totally familiar with the customs around here, but she was pretty sure the servants didn’t go around addressing the royal family by their first names. Was this woman what she appeared to be or was there something here she wasn’t picking up? “What did you call him?”

Ani giggled. “Your majesty, it’s quite all right, you know. The king and I have an understanding. It’s the way of things in Zerus. I’m sure you’ll learn soon enough.”

Placing hands on hips, Eden glared up at the woman. Was this heifer for real? “Are you by any chance insinuating that you’re my husband’s mistress?”

“I didn’t insinuate anything. I thought I made it quite clear. Now, as you said, there’s no time to waste. Will you follow me or just stand there?”

Eden knew there was a reason why she didn’t like this woman, and now her suspicions had been confirmed. She’d never thought of herself as the jealous type, but finding out Rohman had a mistress so soon after what they’d shared was a blow to her heart.

Was this truly the way things would be between them? Maybe this was the custom of the Ceyan people, but there was no way she would share her husband with this blue bitch. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Ani off, but she thought better of it. Now wasn’t the time. She had to get to the queen, but when her path crossed with Ani again, she would definitely not let the issue die.

“Take me to Queen Daliah,” Eden said tightly through clenched teeth.

A triumphant smirk crossed Ani’s thin lips, and Eden wanted to slap the expression off her face. She thinks she’s scored a victory on me, but she’ll soon learn I’m not as big a pushover as she thinks.

“Follow me then.” Ani turned abruptly and Eden had no choice but to follow. Her shorter legs made it difficult to keep up with the other woman, but she did. Just barely. It was only when they were outside, several feet from the massive structure, that Eden began to suspect something wasn’t on the up and up.

Ani shot her an impatient glance when she stopped. “Come on! We don’t have much further to go.”

“I’m not going any further until you tell me where she is. I’ll just find my own way.”

The malevolent yellow eyes began to glow, almost like a cat’s in the dark. A forked tongue snaked out and it looked like the woman was actually spitting venom. Eden backed away not sure how to react to the sight before her. “Oh no you don’t. You’re coming with me.” Ani reached out, grabbing a handful of Eden’s braids as she turned to leave.

Eden fell to the ground, fighting against the tight grip. Her enemy was powerful. Too strong for her to break free. She struggled as her nemesis dragged her several feet by the hair.

Raking her nails down a long blue arm, Eden was rewarded by a brief respite when Ani screamed out in pain. Scrambling to her feet, Eden took off, but with her longer legs, it wasn’t much of an effort for Ani to catch up.

A fist hit Eden on the side of the head, the blow temporarily stunning her. It was enough for Ani to put her in a chokehold and drag her in the original direction they’d been heading. She struggled and clawed, but to no avail, literally hefted off her feet.

Ani stopped when they reached the edge of the cliff. Fighting in earnest now, Eden knew exactly what was about to happen, but the blow to her head still left her slightly dazed.

“You think you’re clever don’t you? Rohman can never care for you like he does for me. You’re an insignificant nobody. You’re not even a full grown woman. I hope your death is slow and painful.” And with a powerful shove Ani sent Eden over the cliff.

Her life flashed before her eyes. Thoughts of her gentle mother, her sister Genesis, and Rohman flickered in her mind. In all her visions of this world, Eden had never imagined that things would end like this.