I’ve already interviewed the other half of this forbidden relationship, Winter, so now it’s time to meet and chat to Nika. Nika is the heroine of my werewolf/vampire romance novel Winter’s Kiss and she’s a newly turned werewolf, still learning the ropes.
(The door opens and Nika enters, her blonde hair tied into a neat high ponytail and her slender body pulled into a deep gold corseted dress. I smile when she leads Winter into the room, her hand tightly clasping his, and they walk over to me. She sits Winter back down on the black velvet armchair and settles herself on his lap. His arms go around her waist and he doesn’t seem to care that he’s back here again. He seems content with holding Nika)
NIKA: I hope you don’t mind that I brought company?
FH: (shakes head) Not at all. I had expected you would when Winter went off to find you. You’re not the first person to have their partner here during their interview. Prophecy came bursting in on Valentine’s interview. (Nika giggles at that) So, what have you been up to since we last saw you?
NIKA: I attended the Creator Day masquerade with Dmitri and a section of our guards. It was fascinating. (Winter smiles at that word and the sparkle in Nika’s green eyes, and gives me a look that has ‘I told you so’ written all over it) It was a little frightening to be surrounded by so many vampires though.
WINTER: I would not have allowed any of them to harm you, Nika.
NIKA: (she turns to him and smiles affectionately) I know, but I didn’t want you placing yourself at risk for me. The Law Keepers would have realised that something is happening between us if you had defended me.
WINTER: Not necessarily. Lord Hyperion said that the Validus were to protect all of the werewolves from the other bloodlines should there be a dispute. It would have covered my actions… besides… I do not care if it placed me at risk. I would protect you regardless of that danger. You are too dear to me.
FH: Get a room. I am trying to conduct an interview here, Winter. If you keep going with the sweet soulful words then she’s going to be kissing you and I’m never going to get any answers to my questions. Now, Nika, it must have been exciting for you though?
NIKA: Absolutely. It was strange coming back to Saint Petersburg. I haven’t been back since I became a werewolf. I’ve spent most of my time at the bastion. The only other place I’ve been is the Validus mansion when I’m sent there as an envoy.
FH: (smiles) We all know that’s just secret code for ‘sent to see Winter and stop him from driving Hyperion insane’.
(Nika and I giggle. Winter frowns)
WINTER: You make me sound as though I am some lovesick youngling.
FH: I was under that impression. (his eyes switch to purple, the colour of his bloodline and something that only happens when he’s changed into his true face) I’m just kidding. You don’t have to bite me. (Nika touches his cheek and his gaze shifts to her, his eyes returning to blue) Thank you, Nika. I think you just saved my neck.
NIKA: He just feels uncomfortable when people can see how deep his love is for me. I like it though. He’s so open and honest with his feelings and it makes me feel so loved.
FH: Things weren’t always that way though, were they? It was hard for you both at first.
NIKA: Very difficult. I didn’t understand why at first but now that I’ve spent time around the werewolves and the vampires, I can see why Winter was so cautious and believed that we shouldn’t act on our feelings. It’s so easy to forget the danger when I’m around the werewolves, and even when I’m at the Validus mansion at times. When I saw the Law Keepers at the ball, and sensed their strength… and the other vampires there who looked upon me and my kind with disdain… well, that made it painfully clear what vampires truly think of werewolves and any vampire who dares to involve themselves with one.
WINTER: Nika, my love… do not think all vampires are the same. Times are changing. It will be a slow process but we have all the time in the world. If we are patient, there will come a day when we can be together all the time.
NIKA: (curls up on his lap and leans into him) I want that so much.
WINTER: (presses a kiss to her temple) I know. I want it too.
FH: Well, I clearly don’t need to ask how your relationship with Winter is doing. So, how about I ask some fun questions to lighten the mood? Firstly, what’s your favourite colour?
NIKA: Yellow. It’s so bright and warm. Winter teases me and says I look as deadly as the sun when I wear yellow, but the look in his eyes says that he means it in a good way.
WINTER: I say it because you look too beautiful in it. It kills me to have to suffer you looking so beautiful when I cannot touch you.
(Nika kisses him)
FH: I am still trying to interview you. I can always get Hyperion in to pull you two apart if you don’t start behaving. The interview will be over soon. What’s your favourite smell?
NIKA: Winter. He smells so good.
FH: You two like the smell of each other. I really hope it’s a vampire werewolf thing… or a comfort thing. I find it a little disturbing. Your favourite possession?
NIKA: My cross necklace, which Winter keeps safe for me.
FH: Favourite thing to do?
NIKA: Ride with Winter. Sometimes we ride together when I visit the Validus mansion. Lord Hyperion lends Winter his horse and I ride Winter’s. I think it’s very kind of Lord Hyperion.
FH: I think he’s meddling again just like he loves to. And finally, what’s your favourite time of year?
NIKA: Oh, I don’t know. They’re all so different. I’m still getting used to my senses and all the different smells and sounds are exciting. All of them.
FH: Winter said the same thing too, but his reasoning was that he loves to see you so fascinated by the different seasons.
NIKA: He did? You’re so sweet. I love you. (she kisses him again)
FH: I think I’ll leave it there. Winter, you’re free to take Nika away now. Thanks for letting me interview you Nika!
(She doesn’t respond. Winter rises from the seat with her cradled in his arms, her mouth still fixed to his in a passionate kiss, and carries her away)
FH: That’s the last time I’m allowing partners to invade during an interview.
They make a cute couple don’t they? Ah, there’s nothing quite like forbidden love.
If you want to know more about these two and how they came to be together, then you can read their vampire/werewolf romance book, Winter’s Kiss. Here’s a little more about it.
F E Heaton
Their lord drinks blood and they are dead men walking. The tales of the mansion don’t stop Nika from falling for one of the guards, but when wolves attack her and he rides to her rescue, she discovers that her knight is anything but saintly. He is a vampire and she is becoming a werewolf, and love between their species is forbidden—the penalty death.
Winter’s world is shaken beyond salvation and his allegiance to his bloodline tested as he watches the woman he’s fallen for turn into a werewolf. His heart demands vengeance and that he protects her, both from the werewolf now hunting for her and from himself, but she tempts him more than he can bear and it isn’t long into their journey before he’s torn between upholding the law and succumbing to desire.
Will Nika be able to convince Winter to leave his world and stay with her or will she spend eternity dreaming of Winter’s kiss?
ebook price: $2.99
paperback price: $7.99
genre: paranormal werewolf romance
length: 78000 words
rating: sultry
released: June 2009
Book 8 in the Vampires Realm series
Available in e-book from:
Author’s website: http://www.felicityheaton.com/ebooks.php?title=Winter’s%20Kiss
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035LDN4Q/
Amazon Kindle UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0035LDN4Q/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Winters-Kiss/Felicity-Heaton/e/2940000802090/
All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-winter039skiss-620974-139.html
Sony Reader Store: http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/f-e-heaton/winters-kiss/_/R-400000000000000254325
Kobo Books: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Winters-Kiss/mix-SbRY0TdPE0-Zl8QkcSDTzA/page1.html
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7932
Amazon Kindle Germany: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0035LDN4Q/
Amazon Kindle France: http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0035LDN4Q/
Available in paperback from:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1456489895/
Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1456489895/
Barnes and Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Winters-Kiss/F-Heaton/e/9781456489892/
