Latest in the Dragon Knights series, this tale introduces gryphons to the mix. Winged big cats, these beings live in cliffside caves. But one youngling is following dragon agent Hugh around town in the sleet. Attracted by his magical heat, little Miss is also a good judge of character, for Hugh, masquerading as an ordinary trader in this foreign land, gets her warm and fed. She's barely able to talk yet but her parents have dumped her and she needs a friend. The endearing kitten is soon the source of rumour and a lady who is called KEEPER OF THE FLAME arrives to inspect the situation.
Assassins stalk the night and fleeing, the Keeper and Hugh run into further danger, when even the dragon shapeshifter needs help from his gryphon friend. Lera the Keeper has her own innate magic and relief at being safe, plus finding a like talent, draws her to Hugh in a tender, passionate romance. But the hired Eyes are still out to get her, and she doesn't know who she can trust.
Halfway the story does become more tightly linked in to the earlier books so a knowledge of the affairs of various countries and magicians would be a help. Bianca D'Arc has been creating a complex world filled with magical beings and ordinary folks who just want to get on with their lives; palaces, temples and inns. While dragonish folk like flames, sensibly gryphons are afraid of fire, with their fur and oiled wing feathers. So the disparity makes for some distrust and compromises among the characters.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the winged cat-girl and her behaviour, and any cat lover will feel the same. Many earlier Dragon Knight characters return in this book and Bianca D'Arc's fans will enjoy this latest instalment, as KEEPER OF THE FLAME takes off in a different direction but retains the action, romance and intrigue we have come to expect.
A warrior, a maidenβ¦and a passion that could set the whole
world aflame.
Dragon Knights, Book 7
Despite the fact he is the largest of his half-dragon
brothers and better suited to fighting, Hugh has been sent
on an undercover mission. Forced to stay in human form, he
must discover if the land of Helios is truly the Draconian
ally it pretends, or something more sinister.
When he witnesses injustice in the form of a misshapen baby
gryphon kicked out into the cold, he cannot remain in the
shadows and watch the child suffer. All he can hope for is
that his act of kindness will go unnoticed so his mission
can continue.
But someone does notice. When Lera cautiously approaches
Hugh, she is drawn to his strange, foreign magic. She is
entranced by its irresistible allureβuntil assassins come
calling and reveal her true identity.
She is Valeria, queen of Helios, Keeper of the Flame. And
she has been betrayed. Together they must risk everything to
uncover the traitors and reforge the alliance between their
lands. Yet beneath their blazing passion, both are still
keeping secrets. Secrets that the Sacred Flame will
revealβif their love survives its cleansing fire.
Warning: When a dragon prince and a Flame Keeper come
together, the conflagration is definitely too hot to handle!
No excerpt available.
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