A Heart of Ice (Araneae Nation)

**This short story was originally published as part of the Love Is... Anthology** Araneae Nation, Book 0.5 Reine knows marriage isn’t about love. It’s about making the best bargain you can with what you have and then living with the consequences. Wedding vows are alliances given voice, and I do is on the tip of her tongue. Ennis is a man on a mission to woo the future Araneidae maven, whether she wants him or not. Her clan is wealthy, prosperous and in dire need of the one thing his people have to offer—protection. But one look at her and all thought of his obligations vanish. He’ll court Reine, but he wants the feisty heiress all to himself. Forced to entertain offers from her bevy of suitors, Reine is torn between duty to her people and loyalty to herself. Ennis is the man she wants, but is he the future paladin her fragile clan needs? She can choose to lead with her head or, for once, she can follow her heart.

From the Inside Flap

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. I sat on a stone bench in my private courtyard. The large gold hoop in my hand gave me fits, but I had a new design in mind, and I was determined to spin the pattern before I forgot what I intended. After tying an intricate knot, I held it aloft to catch the sun while I inspected my project. "It's lovely." All my contentment vanished between one breath and the next. "You are not welcome here, Ennis." I didn't bother with pleasantries. "Do show yourself out." "I'm well, thank you." He circled around to face me. "The first day was pure misery, as I'm sure you can imagine. The second was less painful. That day I became convinced I would not die. I might have fared even better on the third day had you come to see whether you had managed to kill me." "I know venom theory." I continued my work. "Your life was never in any danger." He sighed once realizing I meant to ignore him. "You have no remorse, do you?" "Do you regret kissing me?" I kept my tone light and my eyes averted. "No." "Then neither do I regret the necessity of defending my virtue." He dropped onto the bench beside me. I stood and began walking as I worked. He sprung to his feet and followed. "I can play this game all day." "I'm not playing a game." I glanced up and cut him with my smile. When I saw him, once I really looked at him, the expression slid off my face. His skin was sallow. Despite the cool air, his forehead beaded with sweat. His lips were white. "Is that icy heart of yours melting?" he teased. I set down the hoop and leaned it against the bench. "You should sit." "Really, female, would you make up your mind?" He huffed. "Up, down, up, down." Grasping his arm, I guided him back to his seat. "Do you need a glass of water or cup of tea?" Flushed as his cheeks were, I bet he was feverish. "No." He managed a slow grin that set my pulse skipping. "A kiss, now those heal all wounds." I stared down my nose at him. "A kiss landed you here in the first place." "No." He reached into his pocket. "This scarf did." "Mmm hmm." Clearly, fever had baked his brain. "I've learned my lesson." He ripped it from end to end. "I will never buy another one." Wind caught the fabric and swirled it out of sight. Ennis held out his hand. "Friends again?" I clasped his hand with a sigh. "Were we ever?" Before I understood his intent, he brought my hand to his lips and sucked my ring finger into his mouth. I gasped, half-expecting the sting of his teeth and doubly confused when I felt his tongue. "What are you--?" I was too shocked to move. "That's my hand." The hot glide of his tongue over my knuckles melted my knees. With my sense in tatters, I made one final attempt to extricate myself from his mouth. This time he released me with a suctioned pop. Ennis spat into his palm, and heat stung my cheeks. Hadn't I done the same when he kissed me? Wiped my mouth and...and... "You bastard." He flashed his open hand and the ring sitting upon it. "I assure you I am quite legitimate." "Give it to me." I held out my hand. "Now." "How about we trade?" He slid it halfway down his pinky finger. I hissed at him. "How about you give me what is mine or I call the guards?" "You could have called the guards at any time. That you haven't tells me you aren't as opposed to being in my company as you would have me believe, as you may have even convinced yourself." My hand balled and dropped to my side. "What sort of trade do you have in mind?" "I want the tour you promised me." He admired the ring. "Then I will return this." "That's all?" I clarified, "A tour? No...kissing? No inappropriate behavior?" "You have my word that I will follow your lead in matters of inappropriateness."

From the Back Cover

The Araneae Nation reading order is as follows:A Heart of Ice, Short Story Prequel A Hint of Frost, Book OneA Feast of Souls, Book Two A Cast of Shadows, An Araneae Nation NovellaA Time of Dying, Book Three A Kiss of Venom, An Araneae Nation NovellaA Breath of Winter, Book Four A Veil of Secrets, Book Five

About the Author

Born in the Deep South, Hailey is a lifelong resident of Alabama. Her husband works for the local sheriff's department and her daughter is counting down the days until she's old enough to audition for American Idol. Her dachshund, Black Ilex, helps Hailey write by snoozing on his dog bed in her office. Her desire to explore without leaving the comforts of home fueled her love of reading and writing. Whenever the itch for adventure strikes, Hailey can be found with her nose glued to her Kindle's screen or squinting at her monitor as she writes her next happily-ever-after.

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