Excerpt from Blaze by Kate Hill Available from Ellora's Cave. "Come now, Melody. You must want something after being stuck on that island for ten long years. Unless you took a lover there?" "If you remember, Glenna, we've both taken something called vows which, if I recall the dubbing ceremony, include one of abstinence." Glenna raised her eyes to the heavens. "Oh yes. That. I'd forgotten about that one three or four lovers ago. You have been stuck away for too long. Follow me to the wrestling matches just over the hill. There is a wonderful new crop of Ruby Order trainees who've just arrived--" "Trainees?" Melody wrinkled her nose. "I'm probably old enough to be their mother. Besides I'm not looking for a man. You're busy trying to find me a man , yet I see no ring on your finger." "I like my freedom too much to tie myself to one man." Still chatting, the women approached the platform just before Sir Lock's dance ended. Several Knights of the Green Sash Faction, all wearing black trousers and vests of forest green, stepped onto the smooth wooden stage. They were a fine looking lot, most of them tall and handsome with athletic physiques. Melody had heard about the faction and occasionally seen some of its members in passing. She'd heard stories about their leader, Sir Blaze. In her absence he'd been promoted to third in command of the entire Ruby Order. According to his reputation, he deserved it. He was known as the most skilled healer and hand-to-hand fighter in the Order. Fascinated by the martial arts exhibition, Melody's gaze remained fixed on the stage. She wondered if Sir Blaze was among the Knights performing. Each man moved with grace and power. Each carried himself with pride. Any of them would have made a fine commander. While they performed kicks, punches and strikes, the musicians played in the background. The Knights' speed increased with the music's tempo until they became a stunning blur of motion. Several soared through the air and backflipped while executing the beautifully choreographed show of deadly movements. Melody's thoughts faded and she focused on a tall auburn-haired Knight whose talent outshone the others. He moved with the speed of a whipcord and the grace of a leopard. Melody's breath caught and her temperature rose just looking at him. His hair turned redder in the sunlight and it whipped around him while he spun and kicked. A moment later all the Knights turned on him in a mock attack. He avoided blows from every direction. Leaping and twisting, his body seemed made of liquid steel. He was like a magician of empty-handed combat--the image of danger with a body gorgeous enough to steal a woman's breath. Abruptly the music stopped. The performers dropped to their knees, forming a circle on the stage. Melody stood close enough to see the rise and fall of their chests and hear the harshness of their breathing. The auburn-haired Knight sat close enough to Melody that she could clearly see his face. She stared at him, her entire body tingling with desire. Though not handsome, he was captivating. His nose was on the large side but all his features were completely overshadowed by the beauty of his eyes. They were large and perfectly shaped, tilting up slightly at the corners and as blue as a tropical sea. If an angel took human form, surely he would have such eyes. His body, however, was anything but angelic. Every muscle was developed to perfection without appearing overly bulky. His limbs were long and his shoulders broad. Perspiration misted his face and torso. The glistening flesh accentuated his sleek muscles. Melody's nipples tightened beneath her brown tunic. Her pussy ached with unfamiliar need for something thick, velvety and oh-so-masculine. The auburn-haired Knight stood and approached a group of trainees leading three draft horses onto the platform. A hush fell over the crowd. All the Knights but the auburn-haired one formed a pyramid across from the horses that were now lined up side by side. At the top of the pyramid, two of the Knights held several boards. The auburn-haired warrior stood at the far end of the stage. His eyes slipped shut and he drew several deep, cleansing breaths. He bolted, his long legs flying across the boards. He leapt and soared over the horses, one leg extended in a kick that split through the boards held by his companions. The crowd burst into applause when he landed gracefully on his feet. Melody smiled and clapped. He was quite a performer. A real asset to his faction and the Ruby Order itself. "Quite good, aren't they?" Glenna asked. "Excellent. The one with the auburn hair is simply amazing." "He ought to be. He leads their faction." "That's Sir Blaze?" "I forgot you've never met him. He's quite strange but he knows his profession, that's for certain. Now back to more important matters. How about getting some of that blueberry bread and meeting the new trainees?" "I told you they're too young." Melody's gaze fixed on Sir Blaze. He and the others completed the exhibition and waved to the onlookers. "You go. I'm staying here for a while." Glenna smiled. "Wait a minute. I remember that look. Has Blaze caught your interest?" Melody glanced at her friend from the corner of her eye. "He is fascinating." "One of the wives of a member of his faction is a good friend of mine. I'll have her introduce you to him." "Well--" "You can't say he's too young. He is odd though." "How so?" Glenna rubbed her chin and narrowed her eyes. "Maybe he is good for you after all. Few men would understand your gift but--" Melody's smile faded. "Don't mention that to him right away will you? Unless I explain it correctly, it scares many people off." "That's just the thing. Blaze has a similar problem or gift. He communicates with the dead." "You're joking?" "I swear it's the truth. That's why he's often difficult to understand. To be honest, the one time I met him he made me nervous as hell because I didn't know what in the world he was talking about. It has something to do with the dead talking to him. I think it's rather creepy." "I would like to meet him." Melody's heart pounded with anticipation. Drawing a deep breath, she stared at Blaze who was engaged in a grappling exhibition with another member of his faction. I must meet him. When she reached deep inside to that place where the spirits mingled and stirred her dreams, they guided her toward the auburn-haired Knight, a man who just might understand her after all.

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