Meredith Mansfield, Author

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s a teaser from SEVEN STARS. This is Tiaran and Casora’s first kiss. They’re traveling through some caves that have a strange, energizing effect on Tiaran. But Casora (usually the strong one) has a fit of claustrophobia half way through.

He handed his torch to Mordan and put a hand on both of Casora’s shoulders. “Shh, shh. Don’t fight so hard. Remember your enyoro. Let the darkness wash over you, flow with it, not against it. There’s nothing to fear. This place is sacred to the one you call Gaiara. Can’t you feel it?” He lifted her to her feet and, without thinking about it, tilted his head to kiss her quickly, gently on the lips.

As he flushed warm down the length of his body, the sound that had been just at the edge of his hearing swelled into music and rose to a crescendo. It resonated with something deep inside him. Along with the music, the deep voice and the words of his dream came back to him. He smiled at the thought. If this was what Gaiar wanted of him, Tiaran would be only too happy to comply.

Tiaran had kissed a fair few girls in his other life, back at the palace. He’d gotten rather good at it, he thought. But none of those kisses had been like this one. He wanted to try it again, longer this time and much, much slower, but he heard Mord’s sharply indrawn breath and Hemrod’s huff. Maybe somewhere with less of an audience next time.

There was surprise in Casora’s eyes as he drew back, but the fear was less. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Keep hold of my hand. It won’t seem as bad.”