Claire Delacroix
Authors: Once Upon A Kiss
ONCE UPON A KISS
For over a thousand years – so legend has it – the brambles have grown wild over the ruins of Dunhelm Castle. Many believed that the thorns were a sign that the castle was cursed, so no one dared to trespass, and the secrets that they protected and concealed have remained hidden – until now.
Armed with a pair of gardening shears, Baird Beauforte is determined to clear away the brambles that hinder the development of his resort, and he won’t let local superstition deter him. Dunhelm Castle is supposed to be the latest jewel in the Beauforte Resort chain, but the renovations can’t be finished if the workmen are frightened of a so-called curse. To dispel any lingering fears, Baird decides to vanquish the briars himself. What he never expects is to find a mysterious slumbering beauty...
Aurelia is like no one he has ever met before. Upon awakening, she demands to know his identity and why he is in her father’s castle! Bemused by her claim of being a king’s daughter, he is certain he had never met this “princess” before, although something about her rouses a haunting sense of familiarity. Soon, dreams plague this by-the-book businessman...dreams that feel more like memories. And Baird begins to wonder if he can claim his heart’s princess – now and forever – with a kiss.
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Praise for ONCE UPON A KISS
“This expertly crafted, beautifully touching “Sleeping Beauty” tale is absolutely wonderful reading. Ms. Cross has provided everything I require in a romance – excellent character development, well-plotted storyline with a touch of mystery, just enough conflict to be interesting and exciting, yet not overpowering, plus a unique paranormal element. This book is simply marvelous!”
Tanzey Cutter for Old Book Barn Gazette
“Claire Cross demonstrates that she is one of the most talented writers of time travel romances with
Once Upon A Kiss
, a wonderful tale that fans of the sub-genre will devour.”
Harriet Klausner for Painted Rock and Affaire de Coeur
“Like a sorceror, Claire Cross spellbinds her readers and carries them on a magical journey through the pages of Once Upon A Kiss. Although the plot is familiar, it’s farm from predictable. It’s fresh and exciting, passionate and sensual. As the story reaches its climax, even the most skeptical reader may believe that true love can transcend time.
Once Upon A Kiss
is at the top of my recommended book list.”
MT for Rendezvous
“Claire Cross turns humor, love, murder and reincarnation into a work of art. Take a bow, Claire, this is stunning!”
Donita Lawrence for Bell, Book & Candle
“A whirlwind of romantic adventure!”
Kathee S. Card for Under the Covers Reviews
“A beautifully romantic time travel!”
Sarah Anderson for Romance Communications
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Winner of the Colorado Romance Writers’
Award of Excellence
for
Best Paranormal, Time Travel, Fantasy,
or Futuristic Romance of 1998.
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Dear Reader;
Once Upon a Kiss
is a time travel and romantic comedy which was originally published under my pseudonym Claire Cross, by Berkley in their Magical Love imprint in 1998. It was the first book with a contemporary setting that I ever sold, and also the first book that I sold to a publisher other than Harlequin. Because of that, it will always be a milestone book for me.
I wrote four books for Berkley – two for the Time Passages imprint and two for the Magical Love imprint. The titles
were Once Upon a Kiss, The Last Highlander, The Moonstone
and
Love Potion #9
. These books were creative milestones in another way. When I look at them now, I can see that writing these books gave me the opportunity to play with humor more, and to work on balancing comedy and tragedy. I had a lot of fun writing these books and am pleased to be able to make them available to readers once more. All four books are available in new digital editions.
Once Upon a Kiss
and
The Last Highlander
are also available in new print editions. If you are interested in seeing the other two reprinted as well, please let me know!
As with all of my digital re-releases, I’ve chosen not to revise this book, but to republish it pretty much the way it was published in the first place. Although I’ve learned a few things about storytelling and writing in the past fourteen years, I like the work as it stands.
In other news, I’ve returned to Scotland in my books and am happily writing medieval romance again.
The Renegade’s Heart
, the first book in a new four-book series called The True Love Brides, will be published in May 2012. This new series picks up the story from my Jewels of Kinfairlie series, following four more of the siblings at Kinfairlie as they meet their romantic matches and find their happily-ever-afters.
The Renegade’s Heart
is Isabella’s story and I’m very excited to have the chance to finally tell her tale. Visit my website for more information about this series and other upcoming releases.
I’ve enjoyed revisiting
Once Upon a Kiss
, and hope you enjoy reading it, as well.
Until next time, I hope you are well and have plenty of good books to read.
All my best,
Claire
www.delacroix.net
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Once Upon a Kiss
by Claire Delacroix
This book was originally published under the pseudonym Claire Cross. This re-released edition has only minor corrections from the original text.
Copyright 1998, 2011 Claire Delacroix, Inc.
Digital Edition
The scanning, uploading, printing and distribution of this work without the express written permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized versions of any work, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
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* * *
Once Upon a Kiss
by
Claire Delacroix
* * *
Dunhelm Castle, Scotland
March A.D. 800
“Ships!” The sentry’s hoarse cry carried over the heavy walls and made every inhabitant look up with alarm. “Ships on the horizon!”
Aurelia crouched lower as her father darted up a ladder with the agility of a man much younger than his own fifty summers. Hekod’s long golden hair, now lined with silver, lifted in the stiff sea breeze as he reached the summit, his feet braced against the stone.
Aurelia pulled her hood further over her face. The last thing she needed was for her father to guess of her disobedience after they had argued so long over her role. She watched her father’s expression avidly from below, her mouth so dry that she could barely swallow.
Was it Bard, son of Erc, who came to take his avowed revenge?
Or had her father’s Viking relations arrived with aid?
Hekod’s expression turned grim as he scanned the seas. He swore with rare eloquence and Aurelia’s heart sank, the truth clear before he even spoke.
Hekod’s eyes blazed like sapphires as he pivoted to address his men. “That can be no Viking sail!” he roared. “Bard, son of Erc, dares to attack Dunhelm! To arms! To arms!”
With those words, chaos erupted.
The ladders leaning against the defensive wall creaked with the warriors’ haste to climb to the summit. Swords caught the sunlight as they were unsheathed, the freshly honed blades of battle axes gleamed dangerously. Prayers were muttered and amulets kissed. Helmets were donned and leather jerkins laced among the Viking warriors, while the Picts boldly bared their tattooed flesh.
“The murderous swine dares to tempt a father’s wrath!” Hekod raged above the confusion, waving his own sword high in the air. The men stamped their feet in support. “Let him taste the bite of my blade!” The warriors bellowed. “Like father, like son, say I. Let Bard meet the Nairns by my hand as did his sire before him!”
The fighting men shouted their approval of this sentiment. The war horns were blown in a cacophony of sound and all attention turned to the sea.
Aurelia took advantage of the moment to dive out of her hiding place and hastily retrieve her bow. Her heart was pounding with the threat of discovery as she discarded the cloak that had hidden her garb this morning. The tunic beneath was purposefully short, the leggings and boots practical garb that Aurelia had worn little since her sire determined her to be of marriageable age.
Evidently, in her father’s mind, even marriageable Viking women did not wear short tunics or shoot crossbows. But Aurelia knew the defense of her home was more important than mere modesty and protocol, whatever Hekod’s views to the contrary.
She tossed her long fair braid over her shoulder as she turned, standing as tall as a woman of tiny stature could. Aurelia was ready to face opposition, yet found none aware of what she had done.
Perfect. There was no time to waste on such nonsense, at any rate.
Aurelia simply could not sit by when all she held dear hung in the balance. Even her sire could not dispute that she was the best archer in Dunhelm - and Aurelia’s duty could be nowhere else but in the defense of her home.
Hekod was not the only one who thirsted for vengeance, after all. It was no small thing for Aurelia to carry the proud legacy of Viking blood and, to her mind, Hekod - the Viking responsible for that mingled blood - should have understood.
Aurelia scrambled up the ladder and posted herself a goodly distance away from her perceptive sire. The men on either side of her did not even warrant her arrival worth a questioning glance. Aurelia lifted her face to the sea, triumphant at her success thus far, but her heart trembled at what she saw.
A trio of ships crested the brilliant blue of the seas, their prows cutting through the waves with a purpose that could not be denied. Not one, but three ships came to battle!
These certainly were not the graceful Viking ships that all had hoped would arrive at Dunhelm first. These vessels were all of diverse and humble origins, their rigging cobbled and patched, their paint chipped and their hulls devoid of ornamentation.
Such sorry craft befitted a thieving vagrant like Bard, son of Erc. A dark hatred filled Aurelia’s heart and a tear blurred her vision as she recalled how this loathsome man had deceived her sole brother.
If Aurelia had anything to say about the matter, Bard, son of Erc, would not survive this day. She looked to her sire and saw the same grim determination harden his weathered visage.
The waves pounded on the wooden hulls of the ships as they drew near, the wind snapped the sails. Two men leapt from the lead ship and hauled it in toward shore, the waves coming above their waists. The individual men aboard the ships become distinguishable as the craft were drawn closer.
Aurelia was dismayed to see how numerous they truly were. The deck of each ship fairly bristled with weaponry.
There was a strange interval of silence on the walls in this moment, as though all looked into their hearts in the face of such odds and understood that this day would change their very lives. Many would not survive this battle, Aurelia knew, for Bard brought greater forces than anticipated. And without the Vikings to swell their ranks, Hekod’s forces would be hard-pressed to hold Dunhelm.
Aurelia knew she was not the only one to wonder at their chances.
“Bard, son of Erc, is mine alone,” Hekod declared coldly. The silence was such that his voice carried along the entire wall, the dark menace of his tone sending a shiver down every spine.
Aurelia had the sudden thought that the first strike could be telling. A quick gain for Hekod’s side could lift the spirits of Dunhelm’s troops. Aurelia knew enough of war to understand that that alone could send them surging to victory.
Without questioning her impulse, Aurelia loaded an arrow into her crossbow, silently beseeched the Goddess for favor, aimed and fired.
The arrow whistled through the air and was quickly lost in the sun. It buried itself with a barely audible thump as Aurelia strained to discern its landing point.