This is fantasy book 2 in the Queens of Raz series. Download book 1 - book 3 - book 4
Two years after Ann becomes Queen of Raz, William decides he wants her back, and he stumbles upon his chance when he receives an alien device that allows him to go six years into the past with her. While he has his memories, she does not. She's forgotten all about Raz and Hathor. But Hathor also travels into the past, by mistake, and he's going to find her. Meanwhile, Omin's clone settles onto Earth in human disguise to establish an army who will eventually fight for him to take over as Leader on Pale. But first, the clone must kill Ann before she can become Queen of Raz.
Excerpt:
Location: Royal Palace: Combat Practice Room
Planet: Raz
Galaxy: Enchanted
Ann, the Queen of Raz, practiced hard on mastering her fighting skills. As a Queen, she was not only called on to lead everyone on Raz, she was also called on to protect them, and she knew from experience that protection often meant that she should be physically fit to combat their enemies. It was two years since she had assumed the responsibilities of her royal title, and she had learned a great deal in that time.
At that moment, she stood in the Combat Practice Room, ready for her lesson to begin. Her average 5'2" body was tense, poised for the obstacles to come her way. She wore comfortable black sweat pants and a cool white cotton shirt. Her long dark brown, curly hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her blue eyes focused on her goal.
"I'm ready," she announced to Hathor who stood at the control panel in the back of the room.
He immediately flipped on the switch that would activate the combative lesson. The lessons were designed to increase in intensity and difficulty as her skills improved. The lights in the light blue room dimmed.
She waited for the first attack. She didn't have long to wait. A slight movement above her caught her attention. She expertly dropped and rolled to her side, just in time to avoid the large vulture that landed on the mat where she had stood. It screeched and bared its sharp claws in her direction, about to strike. She jumped up and kicked at the claws. Her action succeeded in startling her opponent long enough for her to do a forward flip over the bird's head. She landed effortlessly behind it and quickly wrapped one hand around its beak while her other hand grabbed its claws. Pushing it down to the ground, she finally stepped on its neck. It gave up in defeat and disappeared.
She breathed a sigh of relief. One down, one to go.
A slight breeze blew across her neck. Before she could react, something grabbed her ankles. She gasped, startled, as she fell to the floor. She struggled to roll over so she could see her opponent but he had his hand securely wrapped around the base of her neck. She tried to grab at him with her hands, waving them wildly, but she only hit air. She tried to kick him, but it wasn't any use. She was pinned down and couldn't go anywhere. She sighed, disappointed, and waited for the program to end.
After a few seconds, the program realized she had been defeated and shut down. Her mysterious attacker was no longer pinning her to the mat. She stood up and rubbed the back of her neck which was sore.
"I failed it again," she groaned as Hathor left the control panel.
She took the white towel he handed her and wiped the sweat off of her face.
"Palers are the toughest to defeat," he replied.
"A Paler. Why would I be fighting a Paler? We're at peace with them."
"I know. It's the program from twenty years ago. It needs to be updated."
"I didn't even know it was behind me." She shivered at the memory. "All I felt was a breeze on the back of my neck."
"Palers are known for their sleek and quiet movements. They are hard to detect in an attack, which is why they are perfect for this program."
"Are there any other beings that quiet?"
He shrugged. "I don't think so. Then again, we don't know everything that is in this universe."
She was glad that Raz and Pale were at peace with each other. Ever since she and other Palers had defeated Omin, the Palers had been allies with Raz.
"Did I ever tell you that you are incredibly sexy when you're in combat?"
Hathor's question broke her out of her thoughts. She turned her full attention to him and smiled. "I think you"ve mentioned it before."
"You are the loveliest Queen that Raz has ever had," he whispered.
Her breath caught in her throat and she felt herself blushing at his compliment. Even though they had been married for two years, the way he treated her made her feel as if they were still newlyweds. She couldn't imagine what her life would be like without him, and she didn't want to imagine it either.
