Geoffrey: Welcome, everyone! I’m Geoffrey, a page living at Arnhem castle, and I’m going to interview the newest page. She’s a girl! Can’t get over that.

*Aislinn punches him*

Geoffrey: What was that for? Anyhow, Aislinn, what’s your story?

Aislinn: I’m just a girl who wants to become a knight. My older brother died shortly after getting his shield. I want to honor my family and take his place.

Geoffrey: I guess that makes sense. But you’re so small. Aren’t you afraid that being a girl on the battlefield that you…you know…fail?

*Aislinn punches his shoulder*

Aislinn: I’m going to earn my shield and make Arnhem proud. I’ll show you. And Calean too!

Geoffrey: So I guess that means you don’t think you have any weaknesses. *coughs* What about strengths?

Aislinn: Maybe being able to take stupid boys by surprise by wielding my sword better than them.

*Geoffrey steps away to make sure she doesn’t try to hit him again*

Geoffrey: How does your family feel about your training?

Aislinn: Mother hates it. Father… I’m not sure. I don’t want to let either of them down.

Geoffrey: Well, that was depressing. How do you envision your future?

Aislinn: I’ll be a lady knight of course! *glares at him for asking such a silly question*

Geoffrey: What about love?

Aislinn: What about it?

Geoffrey: Do you think you’ll ever get married?

Aislinn: If my mother has her way, yes.

Geoffrey: But you don’t want to?

Aislinn: I don’t know. Maybe. If I found someone.

Geoffrey: Have anyone in mind? *sidles a little closer*

Aislinn: No!

Geoffrey: What about me?

Aislinn: We’re friends, if that.

Geoffrey: No one’s caught your eye? Not Caelan?

Aislinn: That stuffy-headed entitled pompous prince? Never! Interview’s over.

*Aislinn stomps off*

Geoffrey: Well, I guess that ends our interview. Aislinn, wait up. Want to go to the swimming hole?

Aislinn: You know I can’t swim!

Geoffrey: How about a horseback ride then?

Aislinn: Dream Rider still doesn’t listen to my commands. I’m going to train with a knife.

*Geoffrey shrugs*

Geoffrey: Guess I’ll go find Caelan. I don’t think I want to be around Aislinn and pointy objects right now.

*~*~*~*

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Blurb:

Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother’s horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn’s wish and she begins her long years of training.

Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.

*~*

Excerpt:

“Is there anyone else that you have feelings for, Aislinn? Is that why you don’t want to be with Geoffrey?”

Aislinn blinked, thinking about his question. “I haven’t thought about such things. I’m too focused on becoming a knight. That’s all I’m worried about.”

Caelan pushed back his chair and stood. With him on his feet, Aislinn had to tip back her chin to look him in the face, he had grown so much in the years since they’d first met. “There is no one else?”

She shook her head.

Caelan took a step closer to her, stepping so close he only had to whisper for her to hear him. “What if I told you that Geoffrey isn’t the only one who favors your company?”

His closeness overwhelmed Aislinn and she tried to take a step back. Her shoulders bumped the bookshelf behind her and several books shifted, but none made enough noise to draw the attention of anyone else in the library. Caelan lay a hand against her cheek, his thumb beneath her chin, and with a gentle touched, forced her to look at him.

Her heart pounded hard in her chest like a caged bird and Aislinn caught her breath.

“Caelan,” she whispered softly, but before she could say more, his lips covered hers.

Aislinn froze for a second as he held his mouth against hers, then heard herself sigh when he pressed closer and moved his lips. Aislinn’s eyes fluttered closed and she raised her hands to lay them on his chest, feeling his heart pound as hard as her own. Then reality snapped at her and she shoved him away.

“Stop it!”

She pushed past the prince and rushed from the library, with several squires and younger pages turning at her escape. Aislinn ran to her room and slammed the door shut. She leaned against it and slid to the floor, her head in her hands.

How dare he kiss me!

But the worst realization was that she’d kissed him back. Even the memory now made her insides tremble and her hands shake.

*~*

Bio:

Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, historical, for adults and young adults, novels, short stories, and flash pieces. She doesn’t want to get boxed in by genre — she might be claustrophobic! She’s also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.

When she isn’t writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb.

To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit her website at www.NicoleZoltack.com or her blog at http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.

All of my books on Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Zoltack/e/B00304YARW/