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About A Blessed Darkness by Elexis Bell
Title: A Blessed Darkness
Author: Elexis Bell
Genre: Fantasy Romance
A dark connection. A deadly responsibility.
Sparks fly when Elairie, a mixed-blood elf living on the edge of society and serving as a night guard, meets her latest prisoner. Strange auras surround them, and a magical gravity draws her to him, despite what her associates might say about his race. But the connection they share comes with a dark side.
When Beluroan learns that he and his guard are Blessed Ones, hand-crafted by the Gods to stop a madman from recreating the Blood Magic of old, his veins run cold. Threatened with a return to the magical slavery such magic commands, fear grips him, and memories of his childhood Master fill his mind.
But together, their potential power frightens even the Gods. Can they overcome the prejudices marring their land and master their new magic in time to stop the man trying to enslave their country? Or will they succumb to their own power?
Filled with grit and magic, this literary romantic fantasy will take you on a ride.
Excerpt from A Blessed Darkness
© 2022
Elexis Bell
I take another deep breath and turn to the lake. Water reaches up to Elairie’s waist. She looks back at me, glancing over her shoulder with a sweet smile playing on her lips, dancing in her eyes.
I sprint for the lake, kicking up a spray of water on entry. She squeals as it splatters over her, and I laugh, deep and hearty, a laugh I haven’t known for a long time.
A mischievous smile decorates her face, and she splashes back at me. For a few blissful moments, we forget everything and play at water wars. Just like all those couples I used to make fun of.
I didn’t get it.
I do now.
She splashes me repeatedly, but one splash from me is bigger than five of hers.
I rush her, arms sliding around her waist, and tackle her. We go under for an instant, and when we come back up, her arms have wrapped themselves around me.
Peering through a wash of red hair, delighting in the sound of her laughter, I brush the loose strands of lilac from her eyes. She smooths my hair back, in turn.
Her eyes fall to my lips, and I tip my head, aching to accept any invitation she might extend. But she takes a deep breath, eyes darting toward the bank. Toward Geeran. Her gaze softens, but he isn’t looking. She looks back at me, and that mischievous glint returns to her eyes.
She really is worried about hurting him.
I nod, glad to just be near her.
She pulls back, managing only a pitiful attempt at a splash, and I completely drench her with one move. The sunlight slants through the air, casting warm yellow light over her, sparkling in every drop of water that clings to her skin.
My eyes wander over her. Two dark circles hide, just barely, beneath her soaked top, and I have to wonder if she really thought about this white shirt.
I pretend not to notice, but I’ve already lost the war. A massive wave of water surges forth and bowls me over. My knees buckle, and I topple backward.
Surfacing, brushing the hair from my face, I splutter, “What just happened?”
Elairie stares at me, openmouthed. She looks down at her hand, cups water in her palm, and lifts it. After only a moment’s concentration, the water in her hand swirls. Slowly, the miniature whirlwind rises, looking more like a tornado than a little pool of water.
A surge of wind comes out of nowhere, whipping the tiny vortex into the air and spinning it into individual drops that fly around us.
My jaw drops as the setting sun catches each droplet, sending out millions of rainbows. The air swirls and rushes at me, splashing the water droplets all over my face. Then, in an instant, it all dissipates.
I wipe my face and stare at Elairie.
Her eyes have yet to leave her open palm.
“That was amazing.” My words come out quiet, reverent. “How did you do that? How did you control it so fast?”
“I don’t know.” Finally, she looks up at me. “The wave was an accident, just like the vision…” She trails off with a shrug.
Clearing her throat, she says, “I felt the magic though. I felt the force in the wave, and I just thought, why not take hold of it? So, I did, I tried.” She smiles, incredulous. “And it worked.”
Can it really be that easy?
I know our willpower is all it comes down to anyway. That’s the basic gist of control for all our magic.
But it was so quick.
I look back up to the shore. Geeran sits by the fire, watching us, and I thank the Gods that we won’t have to explain this.
I look back at Elairie. “Can you try to do it again?”
She glances at her hands, then closes her eyes. Gradually, the air begins to spin around us, whipping the water into a frenzy. We stand in the eye of the storm, shielded from view of anyone beyond the vortex. Sunlight slants through water droplets, sending rainbows flashing about.
Elairie’s eyes spring open, lit up with joy, and she rises onto tiptoes to kiss me. Our lips meet softly, and her arms tangle around my neck. My arms slide easily around her waist, and I pull her close.
We fall deeper into the kiss, mouths dancing together. My hand slips down to her hip.
And all the swirling water falls around us.
We jump, startled by the noise of it.
Laughing, Elairie says, “I guess I wasn’t focusing enough.”
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About Elexis Bell
I’m a nerd with a lot of hobbies and enough sarcasm and swear words to make a sailor blush, though, you’ll never hear a word of it if I’m not comfortable around you. I’ve been an introvert since birth. When I’m writing, though, words come easily.
At the end of the day, I just want to write stories that make people feel something.
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