Medieval Monday with Ashley York

It’s Medieval Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend. Today my guest is Ashley York with an excerpt from The Seventh Son. In this passage, Tisa is pulled from her betrothed and given to another by her father.

 Excerpt from The Seventh Son

What sounded like a bellow of rage brought immediate silence to all in the hall.

“Never!”

It was her father. She started toward the antechamber where the men had gone but Fergus held her fast. “Ye best not interfere.”

The men who had appeared deeply inebriated suddenly sobered, drawing their weapons, clearly unsure of where the danger lay. Doors slammed in the distance. Loud voices came closer. It was the Meic Lochlainn, not her father.

Fergus began to draw his sword but he was too late. The huge man closing in on her sank his dagger into the man’s chest without missing a step. The captain dropped to her feet.

“We need to see this consummated.” Aodh Meic Lochlainn replaced the bloodied blade and grabbed her by the arm, dragging her to the stairs.

Tisa looked behind her at Fergus, his blood spreading beneath him. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t breathe. Her father came out of the anteroom. Darragh stood beside him.

“Father?” was all she could get out as she was dragged toward the stairs.

The crowd of strange men followed behind. She strained to find her father in the sea of heads but he was lost behind her.

“Nae. Stop. Where are ye taking me?” She pulled against the hurtful grip on her arm.

Darragh appeared on the other side of her and faced his father. “I will see to this, Father.”

“Are ye sure ye’re able to?” His words dripped with derision.

Tisa didn’t understand this interplay.

“Please,” she said. “My father.”

They continued moving to the top of the stairs.

“Release my wife!”

Darragh’s commanding tone brought a look of surprise from his father. They paused to face each other. His expression of surprise changed to one of respect. Tipping his head, he released his hold and raised his hand, palm out. Tisa rubbed at her arm.

“As ye will, my son. See to it then.” His jaw tightened, he moved in close, his eyes widened in warning. “Let. There. Be. No. Doubt!”

“None.”

 Back Cover Copy for The Seventh Son

Drogheda, Ireland 1076

The sixth son bears a curse as certain as the seventh son bears a blessing. When Tadhg MacNaughton’s betrothed is ripped from his arms and married to another, he believes the legend is true.

Tisa O'Brien's life slams into a downward spiral at the news she is no longer betrothed to the love of her life but to the tanist of a warring, prideful clan with dangerous political aspirations, the Meic Lochlainn. She faces her destiny with all the strength and dignity of her Irish heritage despite dealing with a husband who resents her, fighting off the lustful advances of her father-in-law, Aodh, and longing for the husband of her heart.

Tadhg MacNaughton makes a deal with the devil to ensure the survival of his clan as he is commanded to fight for Aodh who envisions himself the new Brian Boru, High King of Eire. Up close and personal, Tadhg must witness his true love's marriage and remain silent even as it rips him apart. When a sinister plot to over throw King William of England led by the exiled Leofrid Godwin and Clan Meic Lochlainn comes to light, Tadhg is faced with saving his clan or endangering his sister and her Norman husband.

An Irish beauty and a warrior betrayed, doomed in love from the start or does fate have something else in store for them?

Buy Link for The Seventh Son: Amazon