Focus on Downfall by Toni V. Sweeney

          At the age of nineteen, Barbara Sheffield is stunned to learn she’s not her parents’ daughter but the child of Aric kan Ingan, Margrave of Arcanis, and not only that, she has a twin brother. 

          Soon, she’s on her way to a jotous reunion with the father she’s never known, but there are others on Arcanis who aren’t so glad to meet the Margrave’s long-lost child, including Aric’s second wife, Dr. Susan Moran.
          Dazzled with her new family and charmed by her handsome but spoiled twin, Barbara finds herself falling in love with Eden san Gene, the young White Shield sent to escort her from Earth.
          When vengeful forces trigger treachery and madness, Eden’s love may not be enough to protect her from the wickedness hidden within Aljansur Palace’s walls.

Wild Women Authors focus on: Downfall (Book 6 of the kan Ingan Archives, Part 2 of the Arcanian Chronicles)by Toni V. Sweeney.

(WARNING to the Prospective Reader: This novel contains consensual and non-consensual sex and forcible incest, as well as murder and suicide.)

EXCERPT:

Eden stood in the entrance to the Reception Hall, looking around with the proper awe expected of someone viewing a building where a monumental moment of his planet’s history and took place.

“They came through this doorway,” he explained. “The margrave Deröés—your grandfather—was surrounded by his guards. He looked up and saw a girl clinging to one of the pillars. She was wearing a silver dress, skirts gathered about her knees.” He pointed at one of the eight white columns supporting the ceiling. “She had climbed onto the base of the pillar to see him but was unable to.”

Walking into the hall, he looked around as if searching for something, Barbara trailing behind. Seeing the double doors on the right, he nodded at them.

“As soon as he was able, he left the reception to find her. She was on the terrace.”

“You certainly know a lot about what happened over forty-nine years ago.” Barbara remarked.

“It’s in the Archives,” Eden told her. “In His Majesty’s own words. Deröés himself dictated it shortly before their wedding.” He looked up at the doorframe as he walked through it. “Those lights weren’t here then. There was only the illumination from the ballroom.”

Going to the railing, he leaned against it, looking down at the city. Barbara followed, resting her elbows against the sun-warmed granite.

“I remember he said the city looked like jewels scattered on black velvet, the lights shining in the dark.”

“That’s beautiful. My grandfather must have had some poetry in his soul, in spite of this he-man image you guys try to project.”

Ignoring her little jibe, Eden went on, “He set her on the balcony ledge.”

To Barbara’s surprise, he placed his hands around her waist, picked her up, and deposited her there.

“They talked. He would’ve kissed her but…”

For a trembling moment, Barbara wondered if Eden was going to enact that part of the story, too.

Instead, he went on. “…his advisor appeared and dragged him back to the reception, but it was enough. He’d fallen in love.”

Sighing, Barbara turned so she could look out across the campus, while keeping a steadying hand on Eden’s shoulder. “I think that’s very romantic. Don’t you?”

“I suppose.” Eden shrugged with careful indifference. “I’m certain the margrave wouldn’t have been so frank in putting his emotions on chip if he’d known some curious White Shield was going to snoop though those ancient stories and actually read that one.”

“Is that what you did? Snoop?”

“In a way. It was a rainy day and Riven decided to sleep the afternoon away. Auric was ill with something called a cold. Terrans are prone to those, it seems, though we’ve finally found a cure. I was bored. Frankly, I was a little surprised to see that little love story placed in the family’s public record.”

“You must’ve liked it,” she accused. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have memorized it.”

He didn’t answer. She was right and he couldn’t deny it, so he merely ignored her statement.

“Anyway, if it was in the Archives, he must’ve have accepted the fact someone might see it. Whatever the reason, I think it’s lovely.” Gently, she removed her hand from Eden’s shoulder. She didn’t look at him as she continued, “Wouldn’t you like to think that someday, someone would feel your life was that romantic? ‘The moment he saw her, he knew she was the only one for him, the woman he’d come halfway across the galaxy to meet.’”

Eden looked away.

I’ve already met the one for me, and I’d go across the galaxy and back again for her.

He’d fallen in love with Barbara as soon as he saw her standing on the stairs, and was dismayed as he recognized the emotion, as well as the fact that the object of his love was beyond his reach.

“I hope my life’s half as wonderful,” Barbara said.

“It wasn’t all wonderful,” Eden went on. “The margrave’s advisors tried to poison your grandmother. They killed your grandfather and made your mother almost a prisoner. They exiled your father and tried to kill him when he returned.” He took a deep breath. “He won in the end, and now Arcanis is at peace. It’s prospering…and when you get there, my sovereign’s family will finally be complete,”

“I studied Arcanis’ history in school,” Barbara appeared chastened by Eden’s remarks, “but I had no idea it was so dramatic. The books kind of glossed over everything. They really tried to kill Uncle Miles’ sister?”

“Shortly before your mother was born.” Eden nodded.

She fell silent, and the atmosphere seemed tense and strained.

Abruptly, he asked, “Barbara, do you believe in love at first meeting?”

For some reason, the question startled her. She swiveled, staring at him, the movement bringing her so close to the outer side of the ledge she lost her balance, falling backward. Eden caught her wrists. Pulling her toward him, he gathered her into his arms. One arm under her knees, the other around her shoulders, he lifted her off the railing, cradling her against his chest as if she were a child.

“You saved me,” she said in a breathy rush. “Maybe I do need a bodyguard af—”

Eden kissed her.

After a sudden shocked resistance, Barbara put her arms around his neck. They stood that way for several minutes, not moving.

Finally, Barbara turned her head, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. The fabric was cool against her face and she was startled as she heard the frantic rushing of his heart. Eden kissed the top of her head, brushing his chin against the burnished hair.

“I-I guess you can put me down, now.”

Gently, Eden released her, setting her on her feet. Taking his hand, she held it between her own and looked directly into his eyes.

“What do you want to do, now?”

What do I want to do?

He wanted to take her back to the hotel, put her in his bed and make love to her. That’s what he wanted to do.

To purchase Downfall, go to:

Paperback: http://www.classactbooks.com/component/virtuemart/science-fiction/downfall-9092018-07-14-22-51-11-detail?Itemid=0

Amazon e-book & Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Downfall-Part-Arcanian-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07FLL22CS/

About Toni V. Sweeney:

Toni V. Sweeney has lived 30 years in the South, a score in the Middle West, and a decade on the Pacific Coast and now she’s trying for her second 30 on the Great Plains.

Since the publication of her first novel in 1989, Toni divides her time between writing SF/Fantasy under her own name and romances under her pseudonym Icy Snow Blackstone. In March, 2013, she became publicity manager for Class Act Books (US). She is also on the review staff of the New York Journal of Books. In 2016, she was named a Professional Reader by netgalley.com.

In 2015 and 2016 Toni was voted one of the Top 10 authors of those years by Preditors & Editors Readers Poll. In 2013, the Paranormal Romance Guild’s Reviewer’s Choice voted The kan Ingan Archives (Part Two of the Arcanian Chronicles) a Special Mention, and the following year, named the individual novels The Man from Cymene, and Space Studs, from the same series two of the Top 8 SF/fantasy novels of 2014.

As of 2018, Toni currently has 55 novels in print, including 3 series, and 3 trilogies.

Find out more about Toni:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tvsweeney

Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002BLQBB8

Twitter: @ToniVSweeney