Maiden of the Winds by Janeen O’Kerry
The beautiful and accomplished Keavy has turned down all offers of marriage. She cannot forget the golden eagle who came to her in the forest one spring day and made her a gift of three feathers… an eagle who gazed at her with the eyes of a man.
Under threat of being disowned, Keavy finally accepts a young druid. They secretly agree to a marriage of convenience and she goes to his distant home.
But after the wedding, Keavy learns that here a bride goes not to her husband but to the bed of the king… a king who gazes at her with the eyes of an eagle.
NOTE: No graphic violence. Some brief scenes of sexual content. This book was first published by Dorchester in 2003. It has been given a re-edit by the author, along with a new cover, but is the same story as the original novel.
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Description
Find more from this author on:
Amazon
Author SiteAbout the author:
Like many who end up being writers, I've worked at many different jobs: riding instructor, horse trainer, computer programmer, and medical transcriptionist.
I began my writing career in the early 1980s with articles for several national and regional horse magazines. My friend Hazel wanted to break into writing novels, so together we wrote three: A *Star Trek* novel; a rather spicy romance; and, finally a sweet romance called *April's Christmas.*
April was the one who got us started when Avalon published that book in 1994. After that I sold my own first novel, the historical romance *Lady of Fire,* to Dorchester Publishing in 1995.
Today I am a full-time novelist, Kindle ghostwriter, and copy editor, and can often be found doing workshops and panels at writers' events and conventions.
What inspired you to write your book?
I wanted to look into the ancient custom of First Night, where a bride goes to the bed of the king after she is married and not to her husband.
Here is a short sample from the book:
"But why?" Keavy asked, her voice shaking. "Why would anyone want to force a bride away from her husband on her wedding night and expect her to…to sleep with another man?"
The first druid drew himself up with some indignation. "The king is not just another man. He is the king. He–"
"He is not my husband!"
"But he is the king. You are a bride from outside these walls. So, for this night, he is indeed your husband," said the second druid. "You may have discarded the ancient and lawful ways at your home of Dun Mor, but we can assure you they are most certainly still practiced here."
"As well they should be," said the first. "You asked why we should follow such a custom, Lady Keavy. I will tell you." He held her gaze, speaking all the while in a low and serious tone.
"The ancients knew how important– how powerful– is the virginity of any bride. Should the taking of such be left to just any man? A man who may not himself possess the wisdom or the strength of spirit to give the task the respect and the attention it deserves? The ancients found a better and more respectful way. We follow their example to this day."
"Far better a king than an awkward, drunken husband at such a time, would you not agree, Lady Keavy?"
"Far better a man who loves me," she answered faintly, and started to back away from them– but she soon found herself up against the solid inner wall of the great hall.
"You already have the love of your husband," said the first druid. "And he will have all the rest of your days together to show you that love."
"On this night, you have an ancient duty. So does the king," said the second. "And now it is time to go to the house of that king."
Keavy could only stare at them in shock. She wanted desperately to tell them that it was not a true marriage, that it was only a harmless sham to let her and Coilean please their families and then move on with their lives as they wished.
But how could she tell these druids that her marriage was nothing but a lie?
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