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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Winter's Requiem: Three female rivals, one ancient curse… #paranormalromance #historical

 


Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y6BMP7H


The eruptive conclusion to the Dark Goddess saga is packed with adventure, intrigue, and magic.

Three powerful females hold the fate of the world in their hands in this epic paranormal historical romance set in mystical Scotland.

To find the traitor that still threatens Dal Riata and Aedan, Domelch journeys down a perilous path into certain danger. Brigit is drawn back to Gartnait, but her unrequited love for the sullen king forces her to make a harmful decision. When Cailleach awakens in a different body in enemy lands, she finds herself powerless and is captured by an enemy prince. In his arms, lost memories return, and the truth of the Dark Goddess’s tragic past leads Cailleach into a world of rediscovery and dangerous choices.

To prevent eternal winter, all three must make difficult choices and sacrifices to break an ancient curse that threatens to destroy everything they care about.


Excerpt:

“Why do I sense ye are up to something most foul?” He narrowed his eyes and peered at her, suspicion shadowing his blue depths.

The loud talking around them at the king’s table quieted. She sensed people watching them. “Perhaps we should take this discussion outside.”

Aedan stood, grabbing on to her elbow. “Please excuse our hasty departure. Continue yer feasting,” he announced, steered her out of the hall, and led her behind a storage hut shielded by bushes.

Domelch wriggled out of his grasp. “Aedan, you have to cease this...this overbearing nature of yours.”

“Overbearing, eh? Because I care about ye? It is one matter for ye to gather in the grove for yer pagan prayers, but it is another altogether to be so friendly with one such as she.” His hard voice softened. “I worry of the dangers. I do not want to lose ye.”

“We share some of the same recurring dreams. Somehow our pasts are intertwined, and I need to know what that means.” She stroked his stubbly cheek. His concern, though overbearing, touched her. “You will not lose me. I promise to use caution.”

“It deeply wounds me that I cannot persuade ye otherwise, but I fell in love with yer untamed spirit, and I suppose I will reap the effects of that. Sometimes I wish...” He looked away, his jaw tightening.

She knew he was going to say he wished she were a Christian woman. “Oh, Aedan.” Her pain-filled heart bled for the sorrow she caused him by reverting back to her old beliefs.

Aedan’s hard, dark gaze made her shudder. “I know ye have been practicing magic over the winter. Do ye think I cannot smell yer bitter herbs? And yer chest of witching tools has been moved.” He shook his head in a sign of discontent. “I worry yer witchery will do great harm.”

Her ire rose, and she bristled. “Do you feel that in your heart or is that what the monks prattle on about? I do not mock your prayers to your God,” she said quietly.

He gazed at her, the light in his eyes softening. “Vera well, but I cannot plead with ye enough to use caution, especially with Brigit.”

She understood he was torn between his Christian beliefs and the part of himself that understood the old religion.

“I love you, Aedan. I will never love another, but you have to let me live my life as I wish.” She implored him with her eyes. “I cannot be imprisoned in a cage.”

He reached for her, clutching her shoulders in a tender grasp. “And I would not wish to crush yer spirit, but I cannot still this dread I feel. What are ye planning?”

She sighed. “You will not understand. I told you I am helping Brigit, which will help me as well.”

“Tonight is the full moon. Is it tonight ye make plans for magic?”

“Yes.” She decided not to lie to him.

Defeat dimmed his eyes, and his expression hardened like stone. “Ye are like the wild cats Gartnait keeps, unfettered and defiant.” His hard expression changed to tenderness. “I love that most about ye, but it also fills my heart with uneasiness that ye are venturing into danger, and I will lose ye.”

“You will not lose me, Aedan, not unless you force me to live a life not my own.” She conveyed her resoluteness to him with her unflinching stare and silently vowed never to allow anyone to enslave her again like Cailleach had.

“God’s teeth, lass, ye must have cast enchantments over me because I cannot deny ye.” His eyes smoldered behind thick, black lashes, glimmering with frustration and affection. “I can command one thousand warriors to do my bidding, but I cannot rule over ye. It excites me as much as it brings me to my knees. Nae other could affect me so.”

His words frightened her as if they were a veiled warning, and dread sat like a stone in her stomach. “You have command of my heart. Is that not enough for you?”

“I do not know.” He clenched his jaw, his eyes misting.

“Aedan? What are you finding so difficult to say to me?” Fear stabbed at her gut.

His gaze wavered as if he wanted to avoid looking into her eyes. “What I’m trying to say is that if it comes to choosing between ye and my kingship,” he said, swallowing hard, “I know not how I will choose.”

****

Enter a world of enchantment and passion


www.kelleyheckart.com

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